Chargers QB Philip Rivers says his sprained foot from last season is going to be fine. "I'm doing everything but run [right now]," Rivers said. "I could run, but there's no reason to push it."

Chargers President Dean Spanos issued a statement today: "I have decided that Marty Schottenheimer is the best person to lead the Chargers in the 2007 season. General Manager A.J. Smith and I agree on this fundamental point. That is why we are pleased to welcome Marty and his coaching staff back for Martyâ??s sixth season as head coach of the San Diego Chargers. We are all bitterly disappointed how this season ended... Only two teams have won more regular season games over the past three years than the Chargers. We have 24 key players under long-term contracts through at least 2009. This is a fine young team, with great chemistry, and right now stability is important for this team." Schottenheimer actually turned down a 1-year, $4.5m extension on his deal that ends in 2008 -- probably because the extension is booby-trapped with a "See-ya-later-chump" buy-out option after 2007.

The Journal Constitution reports Falcons DC Mike Zimmer will interview for the vacant Chargers head coaching job today. We can't imagine San Diego hiring this guy. Zimmer's best days were as the Cowboys' secondary coach in the late 90's -- but the more responsibility he gets, it seems the less impressive the results are.

Chargers OT Roman Oben is back on the active 53-man roster after riding the PUP list all year with foot problems. Oben lost his starting left tackle job to rookie Marcus McNeill, but he can be a solid backup on both sides.

The San Diego Chargers had every offensive starter participating fully in this week's team drills. We're moving Philip Rivers up the ROW rankings on sheer principle alone...

Chargers LT Marcus McNeill sustained a broken right hand Monday night. Team officials say he won't miss a game but we'll see about that. LT Roman Oben (foot), the usual starter, is eligible to come off PUP next week. Reserve OT Leander Jordan has a neck injury and might go on IR. Overall this line is holding up well and has enough depth for now.

Chargers RG Mike Goff sustained a groin injury vs. Tennessee and will have tests done today.

The San Diego Chargers officially placed LT Roman Oben (foot) on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. Oben is not eligible to practice with the team until after the 6th week of the season. The Chargers are sort of prepared for this even though his replacement, rookie Marcus McNeill, just needed hand surgery and might miss a game or two.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers was less than impressive last night vs. the Bears, going 9-of-14 for 75 yards with one INT. On the pick, and on a few other throws, he failed to look off the defense - which is what Drew Brees did best. In Rivers' defense the offensive line was very shaky in pass protection. Leander Jordan started at left tackle in place of Roman Oben, who's still getting his foot ready, and Jordan got manhandled on almost every play. LaDainian Tomlinson (rest), Vincent Jackson (lung), and Eric Parker (rest) did not play.

We talked to Jay Posner of the Union Tribune about Chargers starting LT Roman Oben's recovery from two offseason foot surgeries. "He's doing some running but doesn't appear ready to practice, let alone play," Posner said. "It's hard to believe he'll be ready for the first few games of the season." The Chargers might have to go with veteran OT Leander Jordan in the opener. He started 8 games last year but didn't grade out well sometimes. Rookie LT Marcus McNeill (Auburn) was supposed to Oben's backup but just had surgery on a broken hand this afternoon. He might be out 3 weeks. Update: As of this afternoon we're hearing Oben might not play all season. Ouch.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers sustained a bruised throwing shoulder vs. Seattle Saturday night. He got hit pretty hard on a sack and his right arm was wrapped when he returned to the sidelines after halftime. Team officials said it was a minor bruise.

Our Chargers correspondent reports from Monday's practices: "Philip Rivers obviously works the 1st-team in the controlled 11-on-11 scrimmage, he threw to Antonio Gates on his first three passes, completes all three.... TE Brandon Manumaleuna (#86) came in so Gates could have some water and rest. Rivers seems to have a good grasp of the plays, though he was patting the ball a lot. Rookie QB Charlie Whitehurst is backing up Rivers more than A.J. Feeley... Whitehurst gets a few snaps with the first-team, misses on two throws. Feeley seems disinterested on the sideline and isn't even watching. Hmmm.... Rivers back in, audibles out of a run and hits Gates over the middle for 10 yards. Next play Rivers rolls out, throws back across the field on a screen to L.T., who gets about 5 yards before going out of bounds. Overall didn't see any deep stuff all day. P.R. did throw a TD to McCardell. WRs Malcolm Floyd, Kassim Osgood, & Vincent Jackson all mix in with the 2nd-team offense. Rivers' arm strength is much better than you've heard. He rips 30-yarders on a line in individual drills. We need to see more vertical stuff in games though..."