Greetings From Sunny San Diego!

Why I love living in Southern California…80 degree weather in the middle of winter. While other parts of the country were feeling a little bit chilly and a little bit snowy, it was perfect weather for some football. It was warm. It was sunny. And the Redskins were in town to play the Chargers in a game that meant absolutely nothing to both of them. The Chargers had wrapped up the AFC West and a first round playoff bye. And the Redskins already wrapped up a high pick in the 2010 NFL draft. Needless to say, the football was…not good.

Now, I know what Indianapolis Colts fans feel like in late December. After storming out to a 13 point lead early in the second quarter, the Chargers pulled their starters and seemed content to play their second team the rest of the way. Against the Redskins first string, the Chargers scrubs gave up two touchdowns and the lead at halftime. When the Charger’s first string left the field, so did all semblance of NFL quality football.

The second half wasn’t much better as both teams struggled to move the ball. However, the Redskins, still playing their first string, were able to score two field goals to the Chargers one. To this football fan, it seemed like the players were going through the motions, just waiting for the game to end. How bad was it? Charger defensive players weren’t tackling, so much as grabbing and stopping forward progress. It was so bad I thought they were playing two-hand touch football. No lie. I saw a Charger defensive back gently shove Santana Moss out of bounds. Perhaps he didn’t want to break a finger nail…because Lee Press On Nails are expensive, eh?

Well, the only bit of excitement came with four minutes left in the game, when Billy Volek, the Chargers’ second string quarterback, threw a touch down pass to fullback Mike Tolbert for the come from behind, game winner…the eleventh win in a row. Other than that…the football sucked. And I paid $90 bucks for this. As the guys on ESPN Monday Night Countdown would say…Come on, Man!

The football was bad, but the Charger Girls were good!

Okay, let’s start off this week’s parade of Charger Girls with the Line Captains…Marisa, Tonya, Ashlie and Marlina.

This week’s Charger Girl of the Day is a rookie from South Pasadena, California…Introducing Emily.

Okay, let’s start off our parade of ab fab Charger Girls with some veterans, Ashley, Brittany W., Carly N., Casie, and Giselle.

And let’s continue our coverage with veterans Heather, Jacquelyn, Michelle, Nicole L., Nicole M. and Vanesa.

We had a very large group of rookie Charger Girls this year. Here’s Andrea, Belinda (who I think was a bit under the weather), Brittany R., Carly S., and Emily.

And let’s continue with rookies Katie, Kimberly, Lauren, Melanie, Natalie, Tiffany and Victoria.

And before I forget, Kylette was down in my section again. She was there supporting the Charger Girls along with Brittany W’s mom, who I think was taking pictures of Brittany W.

I tried to convince Kylette to try out for the 2010 squad, but I am not sure I was successful. She must be enjoying her retirement too much. If she doesn’t try out next year, I’ve got a spare seat she can use to cheer on that squad…it’s the best seat in the house for watching the Charger Girls.

And while on the subject of the 2010 squad, as I was getting a Charger Girl calendar signed for Max, our Arizona Correspondent, I discovered that Nicole L. is retiring this year. That’s too bad because she is one of my favorite Charger Girls to photograph.

I hope she changes her mind and comes back again for one more year. And I am sure there will be a few others hanging up the pom poms after the season. I know being a Charger Girl is time consuming and something that can only be done while young and relatively free of the responsibilities that burden us as we get older.

This is the last game of the season for me. The playoffs are a bit too expensive for my budget, so I want to take this opportunity to thank the Charger Girls for a wonderful year. I have enjoyed covering them for this blog and would like to encourage all of them to try out again. But, if some don’t, I hope they have fond memories to last them a lifetime…once a Charger Girl, always a Charger Girl.

See you next season, Charger Girl fans.

For more Charger Girl articles and photos, please check out my blog: The Hottest Dance Team In The NFL.