Bad blood boiling as rematch approaches

Chargers' Olshansky critical about run-in with Broncos' Nalen

Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 7, 2006 at midnight

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ENGLEWOOD - The Broncos offensive linemen might not want to speak on the matter - or any other - but the Chargers have been plenty vocal about the last time the two teams played.

Chargers defensive end Igor Olshansky has said the Broncos linemen are "wussies" and offered that the Broncos have had success running the ball only because the linemen hold so often.

The Broncos linemen did not comment on Olshanky's revelations Wednesday - they fine each other for speaking to the media, a long- standing policy at the position. Olshansky was ejected from the Broncos-Chargers game Nov. 19 after punching Broncos center Tom Nalen twice in the back of the helmet.

Nalen had tried to cut block Olshansky on a play when Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer had spiked the ball to stop the clock. The next week, Nalen was fined $25,000 by the league, Olshansky $10,000, and both players have appealed the fines.

Asked for his take on the play Wednesday, Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer, at least publicly, said he had moved on.

"I don't have any final thoughts on that play, frankly," Schottenheimer said. "It's part of our past; we're looking forward."

Then asked what he thought about the Broncos' blocking scheme, which long has been criticized by others in the league, Schottenheimer said, "They have a style, and let me say this to you . . . I have great regard for Mike Shanahan, I think he's one of the finest coaches in football, and Mike, he has a way that he believes in and it works. And I'm not going to sit here and pass judgment on a guy who's been as successful as Mike has been."

The Chargers also are coming off a game in which they believe Buffalo Bills linebacker Mario Haggan intentionally twisted San Diego safety Clinton Hart's leg during a scrum after a Buffalo onside kick.

Hart was taken from the field with a severely sprained ankle and was listed as questionable on the Chargers injury report Wednesday.

LEPSIS ON THE MEND: Left tackle Matt Lepsis needed microfracture surgery when he went under the knife Nov. 7 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, an even more serious procedure than just repairing the ACL. He'll remain on crutches for about two more weeks before he can begin any weight-bearing exercises.

A microfracture procedure is when small holes are drilled into the bone to cause some bleeding and create substitute cartilage.

Lepsis, who is wearing a bulky brace on his leg, previously had a similar procedure performed on his left knee and came back to become one of the steadiest players at his position in the league.

His current rehabilitation is focused on keeping range of motion and retaining strength in his quadriceps surrounding the surgically repaired area before beginning gradual weight-bearing work.

The tackle is expected to be healed in time for 2007 training camp, and perhaps ready for a minicamp in June.

He was injured in the Oct. 22 game at Cleveland.

ROSTER MOVE EXPECTED: The Broncos, whose roster remains at 52 players, one under the league limit after placing running back Cecil Sapp on injured reserve Monday- -because of a fractured leg, are expected to sign safety Steve Cargile to the active roster today from their practice squad.

Cargile, also a former college wide receiver at Columbia, was signed to the Broncos practice squad Nov. 13.

The Broncos are expected to sign a fullback to fill Cargile's spot on their practice squad.

INJURY REPORT: Broncos tackle Adam Meadows (left hamstring) and kicker Jason Elam (left hamstring) were held out of some of practice Wednesday.

Elam, who suffered his injury on a fake field-goal attempt Sunday, has said he felt like he would play against the Chargers. Linebacker Al Wilson (sprained neck) took about half the plays with the Broncos defense, Shanahan said, but is day to day.

The Chargers had eight players miss at least a portion of practice Wednesday, including defensive end Luis Castillo (ankle), guard Kris

Dielman (ankle), linebacker Randall Godfrey (calf) and running back Michael Turner (hamstring). Turner did not play last week, and Castillo has missed the past four games.

ETC.: Shanahan said Sapp had surgery to repair his broken left leg Tuesday and that it "went well" and would require a three-month recovery . . . The Broncos haven't been swept by the Chargers in the season series since 1982. San Diego overcame a 24-7 deficit to win the teams' first meeting this year, 35-27.

Staff writer Lee Rasizer contributed to this report.

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