Cone of silence
Chargers linebackers coach Ron Rivera has been made off-limits to the media this week, specifically because he was the Bears' defensive coordinator last year. Presumably, the Chargers are afraid anything he might say could be used against them.
A Chargers public relations operative was quoted as saying that having Rivera talk this week would not benefit either him or the team.
But it's no stretch to suggest that Rivera is passing along helpful information to his new team.
"I think he's given us some insight," head coach Norv Turner said. "There's always a fine line of how far you go with what someone knows. They know he knows, and it keeps going on and on. I think the No. 1 thing a guy can do is help you from a personnel standpoint -- this guy does this, this guy has a tough time with that."
Philip Rivers said he'd talked to Rivera and gotten some input.
"I've tried to just get things that will help me (but) not get too much," he said. "I could talk to him all day and know everything about these guys as far as individuals, but some stuff you can't really use as soon as the ball's snapped. It can do nothing but bog your mind up."
"They know he's here, too. They obviously aren't going to let that be used against them."