MUSIC, MAGIC & MEDIA AT CHARGERS CAMP

Fun, music, excitement, family, reunions and even national media at Chargers Camp with a week left till the first preseason game. Five of the ten practices open to the fans remain, with Chargers Fan Fest 2014 at the Q on Saturday. A sense of family encompasses as well, with veteran players, all taking pay cuts. LT, Ladainian Tomlinson, back on the field along with Head Coach Mike McCoy on with The Jim Rome Show.

.@Chargers head coach Mike McCoy is on with @JimRome tonight at 6 PM ET from #ChargersCamp pic.twitter.com/R6muAYIgED
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) July 30, 2014

Tons of enthusiasm and hope, even drones flying and this is essentially across the league at every camp, feeling or saying the same, but theirs a little magic here in San Diego. There is definitely a bit of a buzz in the atmosphere.

All the best photos from Day 7 of #ChargersCamp: http://t.co/VlOCuWMNEy pic.twitter.com/LC6clSVMPU
— San Diego Chargers (@Chargers) July 31, 2014

Family, Mike McCoy and Tom Telesco brought a stronger feeling of family when they came; it has spread throughout the entire HQ's. Jeromey Clarey, who played with multiple injuries taking a $3 million dollar pay cut (actually $2.95M) and you have a player like Jarrett Johnson who played with a broken hand along with Eddie Royal, both taking pay cuts a few months back. It is a TEAM, no I in TEAM; a team is a family, all like a car needing every part to operate. San Diego has something special, I'm not talking sorcery, but I am seeing a conjuring of an extraordinary quality or power showing up at Camp for this team.

Fast and Speed two additives used to describe the players and tempo, add music as well.

Jarrett Johnson"I am really excited and to be honest a lil shocked the youth, the youthful talent and youthful speed on our team, it was really weird cause was different from just mini camp thought I had a pretty good feel how we were gonna be in mini camp and we get here and… just with the addition of Brandon Flowers and the rookie playing (referring to rookie Jerry Attaochu) …. Everyone we have, can move."

Charger Practice Mix, music blaring first day at camp, HC McCoy had encouraged players to give song requests, only one did, so the first day all that played was country. It didn't take long, actually day two came around from twanging to rock to all kinds of bumpin in the air, lending a fun atmosphere during camps and bringing up the energy level.

#FBF LT 2006 Charger Camp photo ©desireeastorga

#FlashBackFriday as LT was back on the practice field, although in a different suit, while working with the NFL Network. Reunited with former teammates, enthusiastic about the run while coining it a "three headed horse" and lots of love from the Chargers Family.

"I miss this duo, LT & Gatsey", Jennifer Rojas, Chargers PR

"LT & Gatesy" photo Jennifer Rojas, Chargers PR

Ladainian stating the backs, "compliments in a perfect way."

Describing Woodhead as a "match up nightmare" and the addition of Donald Brown, " the perfect mix between Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead ........and a great screen runner and he can block."

With only hours till the HOF Class of 2014 ceremony and first preseason game, most warranting to give a big shout out to the one and only Mr. Andre Reed, San Diego native, on this special Saturday. Huge deserving congratulations!!

Congrats to the entire Class of 2014:  Derrick Brooks, Ray Guy, Claude Humphrey, Walter Jones, Andre Reed, Michael Strahan, and Aeneas Williams.  All will be formally enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the memorable ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014.

Less than a week till the Q will kickoff with the Cowboys in town, but who's counting? I know I am!

Cheers till next week!

Desiree

You can follow me on insta or twitter 

@desiree_astorga

Time out with Desiree, the silver linings

An optimistic realist with intermittent football tourettes all the while searching for the 3rd dimension.

The DesireeSHOW

Photographer, producer, host, reporter, radio & TV, One-man-army, artist, skateboarder 

NFL Weekly Whip Around

A few hits on the week, many dates, and events with holidays, announcements, anniversaries and even celebrations all through out the league and world. Busy week all around, voluntary workouts commence, the 2014 NFL schedule, Earth day, Chicago’s Wrigley’s Field celebrated 100 years, MLB has its first instant replay, the first American since 1983 wins the Boston Marathon and only 12 days till the 2014 NFL Draft is here.
Hope you all had an amazing holiday weekend whether it was Easter or Passover and that it was filled with special family and friends. Before I plummet into a sea of dates numbers and events, essentially go into full football tourettes, I wanted to pause or venture back a little more than a week ago on some do-gooding, charity events continue to happen mostly off the media radar, but I had the opportunity to be at two different events Saturday before last, here a quick look.


Kick’n it with the Pros Dinner
Jerseys clad, aprons secured, as Dinner with the Pros was an amazing scrimmage of trays, plates, players and celebs serving food to a ballroom of guests.  All benefiting 5 different organizations with an emphasis on church, youth and the community. John Carney and Steve Weatherford hosts of the amazing fun filled event.
Fan for Life

The meaning of love was defined at Seaport Village in San Diego, I was fortunate to be in attendance for this years #FFL, an amazing event put on by the John Brockington Foundation, essentially Diane and John Brockington who started this phenomenal organization, organs and tissue donation. This issue has even greater value when you hear their beautiful story.
The mission of the John Brockington Foundation is to create a culture in which organ donation is commonplace; to provide financial and resource support for those donating, awaiting, and/or receiving organs; and to promote health education to minority communities who are disproportionately represented on the transplant waiting list.
Former Charger and Giant, Pete Shaw was there to support his friends,

"John and Diane Brockington are very close personal friends of mine
if you don't know their story, Diane donated one of her kidneys to John and they wound up getting married it's one of the greatest love stories ever made
her donating her organ to John helped save his life……………..
If it helps save lives and it did save a friend of mine's, I'm all in!"

Celebrations
Congratulations to Meb Keflezighi the 2014 Boston Marathon winner, the first American to win since 1983 and what an amazing thing especially after last years bombings, grateful it was a smooth day for all. NFL’s Daniel Jeremiah has ties as well, his brother-in-law and Meb are best friends, they train together in Mammoth, CA.  I know a little stretch, but he was in the wedding.
Happy 100^th Birthday Wrigley’s Field with numerous historical moments in baseball along with football ties as most of you know, the Chicago Bears we’re there from 1921-1970. CBS Sports, Matt Snyder put out a fun piece on what facts you might not know, definitely worth a gander.
One more special occasion, Colts LB, Andy Studebaker and wife Mallory welcomed home their new baby girl.

Thankful to bring home another girl this weekend! I'm way outnumbered and I love it! pic.twitter.com/x7imTxOFqz
— Andy Studebaker (@studie32) April 21, 2014

Its Starting!
Phase 1; this week 19 teams started voluntary workouts on April 21. Followed by the same versed sound bites, but it has commenced. One reminder per the Collective Bargaining Agreement,

"Phase One activities shall be limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation only. ... No footballs shall be permitted to be used (only "dead ball" activities), except that quarterbacks may elect to throw to receivers provided they are not covered by any other player. Players cannot wear helmets during Phase One."

Who started;  Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.
Next stop the Radio City Music Hall, may 8^th thru the 10^th, the delay this year due to scheduling conflicts however the NFL will continue to calendar the event in May in the future. What does the extra few weeks time do for teams, is it good or is there too much attention to the 6^th-7^th round now? I guess we will find out. Some bold predictions hover now with Johnny "Football"Manziel one that Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys will take him if available at 16^th, another that he will win 9 games as a starting QB, somewhere? Clowney stays on top of the board however, that hasn’t changed, but any given Sunday.

Every team. Every week. Every game. 2014 NFL Schedule: http://t.co/csAs6CW2xn #NFLSchedule pic.twitter.com/kbIJsc9Edd
— NFL (@nfl) April 24, 2014

  Schedule, YES!! Yahoo! It’s here! The 2014 schedule for all 32 NFL teams was released Wednesday at 8 PM EST and yes, if you forgot, Saturday as you know are back! Along with Flex games as early as week 5, incept from NFL.com, The "cross flex" mechanism will serve a similar purpose. Select games can be flexed between CBS and FOX. In the past, a game with two NFC teams had to be on FOX and a game with two AFC teams had to be on CBS. Now, the league can theoretically move an all-NFC game to CBS or an all-AFC game to FOX in select cases. This will help balance out the television schedule, especially in a week where one network has all the most intriguing games. Protocol remains the same and in the hands of The NFL in decision making factors after consultations with the TV Networks.
Season opener with a bit of deja vu as we've known the SB48 Champions the Seattle Seahawks would host at Century Link field, however its become a reunion game vs the Green Bay Packers, the game that brought the replacement refs situation to a stop. Many variables will of course be different; one that stands out is that that the receiver of the controversial catch, Golden Tate, will be in Detroit.
Sunday, August 3, 2014 ,NFL Hall Of Fame Game. Wide receiver , Andre Reed  (who played for the Bills for 15 of his 16 years) along with defensive end, Michael Strahan (who spent his entire 15 year career with the Giants) will both be inducted for the 2014 HOF, a special special night !
Thats a wrap for this week!
Remember Earth Day is and can be every day, reduce, reuse, recycle, replenish and restore. Let's all protect our world!
Desiree

Photographer, producer, host, reporter, radio & TV, One-man-army, artist, skateboarder Time out with Desiree, the silver linings An optimistic realist with intermittent football tourettes all the while searching for the 3rd dimension. TheDesireeSHOW

Kick’n it Dinner with the Pros

Host John Carney and Steve Weatherford photo ©desiree astorga

Carlsbad, California

John Carney and Steve Weatherford kicked off the 8th Annual Kick'n it Dinner with the Pros at the renowned Omni La Costa Resort and Spa presented by Kim Blickenstaff.

Nick Novak, Brain Stahovich, Roberto Wallace photo ©desiree astorga

The hosts share many ties, kickers, Giants, Super Bowl Champs, along with having the love and support of many peers along with the charity event of the evening.  Both, professional athletes and celebs clad in aprons' serving guests a 3-course dinner Saturday.  Although many kickers were placing plates the wait staff was filled with an amazing array, Hall of Famers, current and former NFL players, free agents, radio personalities and even celebrities all in personalized jersey's bustling like a game day all around the Casa del Sol Ballroom.

Scott Kaplan, Mike Goff & Billy Ray Smith photo ©desiree astorga

 Billy Ray Smith “I can’t even estimate how much fun we had”

Throughout the evening, all the boys celebrating Andre Reed’s Hall of Fame the “best after catch” receiver will be inducted August 2, 2014 in Canton, OH.

Andre Reed and daughter Auburn Reed ©desireeastorga

Autograph signing, silent auctions filled with priceless sports memorabilia, travel and wine packages, a personal encounter with players and even a phenomenal live auctioneer who also served as entertainment not to mention a live band.  All in attendance we're there to support not one but five different beneficiaries, the event benefits All for God (Youth Ministries), Blessed Sacrament Parish School, Mary’s Mercy Center, Veronica’s Home of Mercy and the Rockne Heritage Fund.

One of the unique assets of this event is the outpour of admiration and support from friends all over the league to rally behind anything that John Carney is doing.  I asked Scott Kaplan of the Mighty 1090's Scott and BR why do you jump at anything John asks?

 “John Carney is the reason Billy Ray and I are together in the first place, so when John invites us, we are flattered to help!”

Congratulations on another successful event to all!

 

Desiree

Photographer, producer, host, reporter, radio & TV, One-man-army, artist, skateboarder.  Time out with Desiree, the silver linings An optimistic realist with intermittent football tourettes all the while searching for the 3rd dimension.TheDesireeSHOW