Ten years after their first trip to London
Melvin Ingram Jerseys Stitched , Gates are keen to see how much the British audience has learned about
the American version of football.Rivers and Gates took part in the second
regular-season game played at Wembley back in 2008, when the NFL was still a bit
of a curiosity and large parts of the crowd didn't quite understand the sport."I
remember like if it was yesterday," Gates said. "The ball would be punted in the
air and the crowd would be making noise. We were like, 'what are you making
noise about?' But it was just their way. They're used to watching soccer, and
the chants and things of that nature. It was foreign to us, just like we were
foreign to them."And now I think over the years, they've learned to grasp a
little bit more a better concept of the game of American football. Most people
understand it now here."That was the goal behind the NFL's decision to stage
annual games in London ??to grow the interest and understanding of the game
overseas. When the Chargers (4-2) host the Tennessee Titans (3-3) at Wembley on
Sunday
Joe Barksdale Jerseys Stitched , it will be the 23rd game played in London since 2007."I'm interested to see again the atmosphere in the stadium," Rivers said.
"Last week, I hear it was an unbelievable crowd for Oakland and Seattle. I
remember there being a great crowd 10 years. I just remember so many different
jerseys from so many different teams represented. The energy was in there. A
long pass, or a ball getting kicked, all those things got the crowd going pretty
good."The Chargers arrived in London on Friday morning after spending the week
in Cleveland following a win over the Browns, a move aimed to shorten the trip
and make it easier to adjust to the time difference.It also helped the players
bond while spending that time together, coach Anthony Lynn said."We did have a
team-building activity and 100 percent participation. And I thought the guys
liked it a lot
Youth Keenan Allen Jerseys ," Lynn said. "I left it up to my sports psychologists. The coaches get the hell out of the room and let the players talk and do their own
thing. But everyone says it went really well."The shorter flight didn't
completely help Rivers stave off the jet lag."Today was one of those days where
I don't think anything could help. It got to the point where that third, fourth
cup of coffee wasn't working at all," the quarterback said after finishing a
training session in North London at 8 a.m. California time. "But it's not bad. I
think if we can push through and get to 8, 9 o'clock tonight, we should be
OK."Running back Melvin Gordon was limited in the practice session, but Lynn
said it was mainly a precaution after the long trip."He was just sore. Long
plane ride. Probably didn't drink enough water," Lynn said. "We were being extra
cautious with him."For those European fans who have really studied the game
since the Chargers' last visit
Keenan Allen Jerseys Stitched , Rivers did have some disappointing news. The Alabama native won't be wearing his famous bolo tie after the game, although he does
plan on sporting his traditional cowboy boots."I did not bring the bolo tie.
I've got the cowboy boots," Rivers said. "I always make sure to have those with
me on game day. The same boots I probably wore here in 2008, I've had them for
that long. They're almost like slippers now." The oft injured former 1st round
pick gets outside interest."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections San Diego Chargers
Daily LinksSan Diego Chargers NewsSan Diego Chargers OffseasonSan Diego Chargers
HistorySan Diego Chargers HumorChargers PlayersChargers Free Agency NewsReport:
Jason Verrett visiting 49ersNew,62commentsThe oft injured former 1st round pick
gets outside interest. PDTShareTweetShareShareReport: Jason Verrett visiting
49ersJake Roth-USA TODAY SportsFormer 1st round pick Jason Verrett has not had
the opportunity to live up to his potential so far in his career due to a
multitude of injuries. That hasn’t stopped the Chargers from continuing to
believe in him, and it appears it hasn’t stopped other teams from wanting him
either.The Chargers said earlier in the offseason that they have interest in
keeping Verrett around, but I don’t see them getting into any sort of bidding
war with the 49ers if he passes his physical there and they give him an offer.
Verrett seems like a great guy off the field
Youth Forrest Lamp Jerseys , and when he CAN get on the field, he executes at a high level. It would be great if he could stay healthy and perform at that same high
level, but at this point, the 49ers might be saving the Chargers from themselves
and helping them move on. A fresh start might be what’s best for both the team
and JV.
