Chargers, Saints headed for London

By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Friday, February 1, 2008 11:35 PM PST ∞

PHOENIX ---- The Chargers are off to jolly old London.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell officially announced Friday the Chargers will face the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 26 at Wembley Stadium.

"We are going to come back," said Goodell, noting the Giants beat the Dolphins there during the 2007 regular season. "We have great expectations for the game and for the event. We think it will be both great for the U.K. fans, but also, I think it will be terrific for the people of New Orleans, Louisiana and also for the people of San Diego and Southern California."

The game features Saints quarterback Drew Brees against the team that allowed him to flee to New Orleans after the 2005 season.

"Obviously we feel it's a great matchup and it would have been no matter where we played," Brees said. "The fact that we are going to the U.K. to play this game just adds to that excitement.''

Chargers linebackers Shawne Merriman said he's packing something unique for his trip across the Atlantic.

"Now I get to line up against a former teammate of mine and give him, hopefully, a special U.K. 'Lights Out' dance,'' Merriman said.

The Chargers have requested to fly to London after one of their three road games ---- Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Miami ---- in the Eastern time zone. It's believed the Buffalo trip will be the first part of the two-game road trip.

After the game, the Chargers will return to San Diego for their bye week to lessen the challenges of playing just the second NFL regular season game in London.

In 2006, NFL owners approved a five-year plan to play a limited number of regular-season games outside the U.S. The first one was last October when the Giants defeated the Dolphins 13-10 before a sellout crowd 81,176.

"It's going to be good exposure for the Chargers, our players and our city and another opportunity for our team to grow together,'' Chargers president Dean Spanos said of the estimated 11,000-mile trip. "We're looking forward to it.''

The Chargers have played four overseas games, all in the preseason. They faced the St. Louis Cardinals in Tokyo, in 1976; the Giants in Berlin, in 1994; the Pittsburgh Steelers in Tokyo in 1996, and the Denver Broncos in Sydney, Australia in 1999.

Gates to Pro Bowl

Chargers tight end Antonio Gates plans to play in the Pro Bowl, a team official said.

Gates dislocated his left big toe in the wild-card game against the Tennessee Titans on Jan. 6 and played in ensuing playoff games against Indianapolis and New England despite excruciating pain.

The Pro Bowl is Feb. 10, meaning it will be 21 days between games for Gates, who will make his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance.

Bolts jolt some fans

More than 300 Chargers season-ticket holders had their accounts cancelled because of violations of the team's code of conduct for home games. They will no longer be able to buy season tickets from the team.

"Our fans overwhelmingly want us to take action against individuals who ruin the game experience by being disruptive and abusive," said Chargers chief operating officer Jim Steeg.

Ticket prices increase

The Chargers announced single-game tickets for the 2008 season will range from $54 to $98, an average increase of $8 per seat. Single-game tickets will only be available if season tickets don't sell out.

Season-ticket prices for games will range from $48 to $90.

Rematches against New England and Indianapolis highlight the Chargers' home schedule next season.