2008 San Diego Chargers Season
The 2008 season was the San Diego Chargers' 39th in the National Football League and their 49th overall. While they completed the regular season with only an 8–8 record, they nonetheless captured their third consecutive AFC West championship. In the first round of the playoffs, the Chargers upset the Indianapolis Colts, but they were eliminated the following week during their divisional round game on the road against the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chargers became the first team to go 8–8 and win their division since the 1985 Cleveland Browns, and by winning their Wild Card playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts, became the first team in NFL history to actually go an entire season without having a winning record until'' after'' the first round of the playoffs. They also became the first team in NFL history to start the season 4–8, yet make the playoffs. Contract negotiations *DB Clinton Hart was signed to a 5-year extension in April after ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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AFC West
The American Football Conference – Western Division or AFC West is one of the four divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The division comprises the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers. The division has sent teams to the Super Bowl eighteen times beginning with Super Bowl I when the Chiefs played the Green Bay Packers. As of the 2021 season, the Broncos and Raiders were tied with the most Super Bowl wins within the division with 3 each; The Broncos have appeared in the most Super Bowls in the division with 8 and the Raiders have appeared in 5. The Chiefs are 2–2 in the Super Bowl, while the Chargers lost their lone Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XXIX. The Chiefs won the most recent AFC West title in 2022. It was their seventh consecutive AFC West title, moving them into a four-way tie with the Broncos, Raiders and Chargers for the most AFC West titles. History The di ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Derek Smith (linebacker)
Derek Mecham Smith (born January 18, 1975) is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State. Smith also played for the San Francisco 49ers, San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins. College career At Arizona State University, Smith was good friends with Pat Tillman and was a teammate to Jake Plummer. Professional career Washington Redskins Smith played for the Redskins for four years from 1997 to 2000. San Francisco 49ers Smith then signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 2001. He played with the team through 2007 before being waived on February 19, 2008. San Diego Chargers On February 24, 2008, the Chargers signed Smith to a two-year contract. He was released ten weeks into the regular season on November 12 after running back Michael Bennett was claimed off waivers. Miami Dolphins Smith was signed by the Mi ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Cornerback
A cornerback (CB) is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in gridiron football. Cornerbacks cover receivers most of the time, but also blitz and defend against such offensive running plays as sweeps and reverses. They create turnovers through hard tackles, interceptions, and deflecting forward passes. Other members of the defensive backfield include strong and free safeties. The cornerback position requires speed, agility, strength, and the ability to make rapid sharp turns. A cornerback's skill set typically requires proficiency in anticipating the quarterback, backpedaling, executing single and zone coverage, disrupting pass routes, block shedding, and tackling. Cornerbacks are among the fastest players on the field. Because of this, they are frequently used as return specialists on punts or kickoffs. Overview The cornerback’s chief responsibility is to defend against the offense's pass. The rules of American professional football and American coll ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Antoine Cason
Antoine Brandon Cason (born July 9, 1986) is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Arizona where he was recognized as a consensus All-American and won the Jim Thorpe Award. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Cason also played for Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, and Baltimore Ravens. Early years Cason was born in Long Beach, California, to Deborah and Wendell Cason. His father Wendell played football for the University of Oregon and the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. His brother Dione competed in track at Washington State University. He is also a cousin of Ken-Yon Rambo of the CFL's Calgary Stampeders, and Aveion Cason, formerly of the NFL's Detroit Lions. He got his start playing in a local football league for the Carson-Gardena Colts, where he stood out as one of the team's top players. Cason started his high school career at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, then transferred to Los Alamitos High S ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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2008 Baltimore Ravens Season
The 2008 Baltimore Ravens season was the franchise's thirteenth season in the National Football League, the first under head coach John Harbaugh and their seventh season under general manager Ozzie Newsome. The Ravens completed a major turnaround from the 2007 season, finishing the season with an 11–5 record and a playoff berth. They defeated the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, and then in the divisional round they defeated the Tennessee Titans, who had compiled the best record in the NFL over the regular season. However, in the AFC championship game, the Ravens' season came to an end as they were defeated by their division rival and eventual Super Bowl XLIII champion Pittsburgh Steelers, denying what would have been a bird-themed Super Bowl, with the other finalists being the Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles. Quarterback Joe Flacco, drafted 18th overall in the 2008 draft became the first quarterback in NFL history to win multiple playoff gam ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Lorenzo Neal
Lorenzo LaVonne Neal (born December 27, 1970) is an American former professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL) for sixteen seasons. Neal played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. A four-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro, he was also a member of the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, and Oakland Raiders. Considered one of the best blocking fullbacks in NFL history, Neal blocked for a 1,000+ yard running back in eleven straight seasons from 1997 to 2007. Early years Neal attended Lemoore High School in Lemoore, California and was a letterman in football and wrestling. He set many rushing records for the Tigers football team with over 2,000 yards in rushing in a season, which would later be broken by Nick Sula. In wrestling, he won a state championshi ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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2008 New York Giants Season
The 2008 New York Giants season was the franchise's 84th season in the National Football League (NFL) as the team looked to defend its Super Bowl XLII title. They improved upon their 10–6 record from 2007, becoming NFC East champions and finished with the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs for the only time in the Tom Coughlin era. Despite a franchise best 11–1 start and clinching the number 1 seed for the first time in eight years, the Giants lost four of their last five games, including their first playoff game against the Eagles, ending their season. The Giants were the only NFC team from the 2007 playoffs to qualify for the 2008 playoffs. The 2008 season was the first and only time in franchise history the Giants qualified for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. This was also the first time that the Giants made the playoffs the year after making the Super Bowl, after missing the playoffs in 1987 (following win in Super Bowl XXI), 1991 (following win in Super Bowl XXV) ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Shane Olivea
Shane Olivea (October 7, 1981 – March 2, 2022) was an American professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State. Olivea was also a member of the New York Giants, as well as the Florida Tuskers and Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League (UFL). College career Olivea grew up in Long Beach, New York, and attended Lawrence High School his senior year. Olivea attended Ohio State University and played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2000 to 2003. He was a three-year starter and a two-time member of the All-Big Ten second team. Professional career 2004 NFL Draft Originally valued as a third rounder, Olivea strained his pectoral muscle lifting weights about a week before the draft and this scared away a lot of teams. One of which was the Miami Dolphins, who wanted to take Olivea in th ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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2008 Denver Broncos Season
The 2008 season was the Denver Broncos' 39th in the National Football League (NFL), their 49th overall and their 25th under the ownership of Pat Bowlen. The Broncos improved from their 7–9 record from 2007, but failed to make the playoffs with an 8–8 record. Entering Week 15, the Broncos had an 8–5 record — three games ahead of the San Diego Chargers for the AFC West division title. The Chargers ended the season on a four-game winning streak, while the Broncos ended the season on a three-game losing streak, losing 52–21 to the San Diego Chargers in the regular season finale. The Broncos and Chargers both finished 8–8, however, the Broncos lost the tiebreaker due to the Chargers' owning a better division record (5–1 to 3–3). On December 30, 2008, two days after the regular season ended, Mike Shanahan was fired as the Broncos' head coach after 14 seasons. Coaching staff Roster changes On February 29, 2008, LB Ian Gold and WR Javon Walker were released by the Den ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Marlon McCree
Marlon Tarron McCree (born March 17, 1977) is a former American football safety. He was drafted by the Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Kentucky. McCree also played for the Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, San Diego Chargers, and Denver Broncos. He served as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012. Early years McCree survived a tumultuous childhood in inner-city Orlando during the 1980s and 90s that saw him lose an older brother, Cameron, to leukemia. But with the guidance of family members, teachers and other mentors, McCree was able to excel at Atlantic High School in Port Orange, Florida, where he was a letterman in football, basketball, and track. A first-team, all-state member in his senior season, McCree was Atlantic's first Division I-A signee. High school McCree's talent shined throughout his high school career. He was first-team all-state in Class AAAA as chosen by the Florida Sportswrite ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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2008 Atlanta Falcons Season
The 2008 Atlanta Falcons season was the 43rd season for the team in the National Football League (NFL). Overcoming a disappointing 4–12 record, quarterback Michael Vick's dog fighting scandal and head coach Bobby Petrino's abrupt resignation in 2007, the Falcons, who were expected to be in a rebuilding phase, completed the regular season with a surprising 11–5 record and earned the #5 seed in the NFC playoffs under first-year head coach Mike Smith; however, the team fell to the eventual NFC champion Arizona Cardinals in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Mike Smith was named 2008 NFL Coach of the Year, and quarterback Matt Ryan earned the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. As of 2022, the only member of the 2008 squad still active is quarterback Matt Ryan, although he joined the Indianapolis Colts the same year. Offseason NFL Draft On February 22, prior the start of the NFL Combine, the Falcons won a coin toss that gave them the 3rd overall pick in the 2008 NFL ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Michael Turner (American Football)
Michael Turner (born February 13, 1982) is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft and also played for the Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at Northern Illinois. Early years Turner attended North Chicago Community High School in North Chicago, Illinois. In 1999, he led his team to a 6–4 mark and the first playoff bid in 8 years by rushing for 1,392 yards and 14 touchdowns (10.5 average). His biggest game was for 295 yards on 19 carries including touchdown runs of 67 and school-record 90 yards in a win over Zion-Benton. He was named the Offensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous first-team All-North Suburban Conference player. He finished his high school career with 2,732 rushing yards and 26 total touchdowns. Turner also lettered in track & field at North Chicago, where he was a sectional 100-meter dash champion with a time of 11.1 ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |