Gardner, Antonio Cromartie's mother, was in a hospital, sedated after an ordeal two days earlier that allegedly involved her being kidnapped by her estranged husband.

When Gardner later watched a recording of Cromartie's amazing grab and run, she was overcome.

It was the Chargers' front office's explanation and became the players' catch phrase.

All was going to be smooth in 2007, because Norv Turner's offense preceded him here and defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell was a disciple of predecessor Wade Phillips.

Let's just say the Chargers wanted to believe it.

Did they ever, helping bring a sense of normalcy to a region that's been ravaged by deadly wildfires.
 

The San Diego Chargers are well aware that football is only a game, and they are but entertainers. The fires rampaging across the San Diego area make that very clear.

Still, the Chargers believe that by playing the Houston Texans somewhere on Sunday or Monday will fill a useful role for a community just beginning to sift through the ashes.

They left town because of the wildfires that chased many in the organization out of their homes, fouled the air and left Sunday's scheduled home game against the Houston Texans in doubt.

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Chargers don't know where or when they'll play their next game.

While they spent Monday taking care of their families and trying to find out if their homes survived the wildfires sweeping Southern California, the Chargers were busy Tuesday preparing to fly to Phoenix to practice at the Arizona Cardinals' suburban headquarters.