Good morning.
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that stadium projects in the home markets will be a test of ethics for the NFL.
Specifically, Miklasz wonders if the league will keep its word if St. Louis solidifies funding for a stadium and not allow the St. Louis Rams to relocate to a more lucrative market in Los Angeles.
Miklasz: “What if St. Louis lines everything up, just as the NFL wants, only to have the league choose Kroenke as the winner of the LA sweepstakes? Suppose the NFL decides that Kroenke’s stadium plan is too attractive to pass up, and allows the Rams to move? This is the league’s big problem. One that presents an enormous test of ethics.”
My take: It’s an interesting question posed by Miklasz, and probably will not be answered until NFL owners meet in October. The league has encouraged home cities like St. Louis, San Diego and Oakland to come up with the best solution possible for building a new stadium without guaranteeing it will be enough to keep teams around. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer is scheduled to meet with NFL executive Eric Grubman here on July 28, with the city scheduled to present its stadium project to NFL owners in Chicago on Aug. 10.
Ricky Henne of Chargers.com details the history of the franchise’s uniform changes over the years with the help of ESPN’s Paul Lukas of Uniwatch.
My take: It’s a pretty cool trip down Chargers’ memory lane with Lukas as your tour guide.
Mark Sessler of NFL.com says that former San Diego pass rushers Dwight Freeney and Shaun Phillips are among the best remaining free agents on the market.
My take: Makes sense. According to Sessler, Freeney’s 40 quarterback hurries last season with the Chargers ranked second behind only Justin Houston and Ryan Kerrigan. Phillips has 81.5 career sacks.
Michael Gehlken of The San Diego Union-Tribune indicates that the Chargers and Philip Rivers appear no closer to getting a contract extension done.
My take: Rivers said he’s comfortable playing out his contract with the uncertainty of where the team will play in 2016, and it appears he’s sticking to his word.