SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers are still in San Diego, at least for this season.Beyond that is anyones guess as the team opens training camp in preparation for what could be the most pivotal season in its history.After getting rebuffed by fellow NFL owners on moving to an industrial suburb of Los Angeles along with the Rams, chairman Dean Spanos committed to San Diego at least for 2016. Spanos is trying to get voters to approve a new downtown stadium and convention center annex not far from Petco Park, home to baseballs Padres.I was always pretty skeptical about moving, just because Ive been here for so long, said star tight end Antonio Gates, who signed a two-year contract extension to assure hell retire as a Charger. The fans have been phenomenal over the 13 years Ive been here. Its one of those things where, to me, this is home. This is where the Chargers belong. I understand the business side of it. I understand that decisions had to be made. But Im a Charger. Im a San Diego Charger.Last season was bruising on the field, where the Chargers went 4-12, and off it, where ownership waged a scorched-earth battle with City Hall as it tried to leave.The dramas far from over, though.The Chargers have placed a citizens initiative on the Nov. 8 ballot seeking to raise the hotel tax to heavily subsidize a downtown convadium to replace aging Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley. Polls show the Chargers are way behind in convincing the voters, not to mention the powerful tourism industry that doesnt like the Chargers plans for a non-contiguous expansion of the waterfront convention center. If things dont work out in San Diego, the Chargers have the right to join the Rams, who won the race to L.A., in a stadium in Inglewood set to open in 2019.Here are some things to look for as the Chargers open training camp on July 30:BOSA: Ohio State star defensive end Joey Bosa, the third overall pick in the draft, skipped mandatory minicamp in June in a contract dispute and its unclear how long he might sit out. One of his agents, Tom Condon, famously told the Chargers before the 2004 draft not to take Eli Manning. They did anyway, and then swapped him for Philip Rivers. Condon also had high-profile spats with the Chargers in the past involving clients LaDainian Tomlinson and Drew Brees. When he shows up, Bosa will add some punch to a defense that came on during the second half of last season.WOE LINE: The Chargers have to improve on the offensive line. Too many injuries and too much subpar play did then in last year, whether it was trying to open holes for rookie Melvin Gordon or protecting Rivers. The Chargers upgraded at center by signing free agent center Matt Slauson, and signed right tackle Joe Barksdale to a long-term deal. Whether its conditioning or technique, the Chargers need to figure out why so many of their linemen get hurt.MELVIN GORDON: The running back anticipates being close to 100 percent by the start of camp after having microfracture surgery on his left knee in January. His rookie season was nothing short of miserable, as he failed to score a touchdown or manage a 100-yard game before injuring his knee late in the season. He also fumbled six times, losing four, and was benched twice. The Chargers drafted his college teammate, fullback Derek Watt, the younger brother of Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt.AGELESS GATES: The 36-year-old signed a $12 million, two-year deal to avoid free agency. The 2016 season will be Gates 14th with the Chargers. He signed as a rookie free agent in 2003 after starring in basketball at Kent State. Gates was suspended for the first four games of 2015 after testing positive for a banned substance. Upon returning, he had 56 catches for 630 yards and five touchdowns. Gates is the franchise leader with 844 catches, 10,644 yards receiving and 104 touchdown catches. Rivers and Gates have connected for 77 touchdown passes, making them the most prolific quarterback-tight end combo in league history.OTHER GUYS: Two other draft picks expected to help right away are inside linebacker Joshua Perry from Ohio State and sure-handed tight end Hunter Henry from Arkansas. General manager Tom Telesco had a decent haul in free agency, adding defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, free safety Dwight Lowery, cornerback Casey Hayward and wide receiver Travis Benjamin.---Follow Bernie Wilson on Twitter at http://twitter.com/berniewilson---Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP-NFLChaussure Pas Cher . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. Chaussure Pas Cher Homme France . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season. http://www.pascherchaussuresfrance.fr/ Chaussure Pas Cher Chine . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville. Chaussure Pas Cher En Ligne . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames.No matter what happens when the final cuts are made, Colin Kaepernick already had the best preseason of anyone in the NFL.He sparked vehement outrage.He drew steadfast support.He got us talking.That is America -- and its athletes -- at their very best.Were not putting Kaepernick in the same league as Muhammad Ali, whose decision to not fight in Vietnam cost him more than three years in the prime of his career. Or mentioning the San Francisco 49ers quarterback in the same breath with Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who were sent home in disgrace from the 1968 Mexico City Olympics for giving a black power salute on the medal stand.But Kaepernick is certainly following in the footsteps of those giants, who bravely protested this countrys injustices even when they knew it would come at enormous personal cost.For the past week, weve debated -- in coffee shops, at work, on talk radio shows, around the dinner table -- the merits of Kaepernicks decision not to stand for the national anthem before games, his way of protesting the centuries-long short end of the stick that people of color have been getting in America, especially at the hands of the so-called justice system.Maybe you dont like his tactics, feel he is being disrespectful to what this country stands for -- or, at least, is supposed to stand for.Thats fine.This is America. Youre free to express your opinions.So is Kaepernick, who, it should be noted, wasnt up in anyones face or being disruptive -- not that theres anything wrong with those tactics, either.The biracial quarterback simply refused to stand for The Star-Spangled Banner, a gesture that actually went unnoticed for a couple of preseason games before someone finally realized what was up.Kaepernick, to his credit, didnt back down when called out. He explained his motives thoughtfully, saying he wanted to draw attention to the discrimination that undeniably still exists in this country and continues to hold back so many of our fellow citizens.We have a lot of people that are oppressed, he said after Thursdays final preseason game in San Diego. We have a lot of people that arent treated equally, that arent given equal opportunities. Police brutality is a huge thing that needs to be addressed. There are a lot of issues that need to be talked about, that need to be brought to life, and we need to fix those things.Hes no longer alone, either.In San Diego, Kaepernick took a knee along with teammate Eric Reid, who decided this was a cause worth following. So did Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane, who sat on the bench while the anthem was played before another preseason game in Oakland.Once we get to the regular season, look for more and more players to follow Kaepernicks lead -- even if hes only there in spirit.ddddddddddddYou see, Kaepernicks future with the 49ers was still up in the air Friday. The once-dynamic quarterback who led San Francisco to the 2013 Super Bowl lost his starting job a year ago, and theres no guarantee that hell get it back.Or even make the team, for that matter.New 49ers coach Chip Kelly has been vague on his intentions, saying only that Kaepernick will be judged like everyone else when the 53-man roster is set Saturday. Of course, its foolish to think Kelly wont at least consider how much of a distraction it would be to keep a quarterback who has made it clear that he intends to keep pressing ahead with his off-the-field grievances.That, in a way, makes Kaepernicks stance even more admirable. He decided to take on a much greater cause than football with his professional future in doubt, fully aware that it might affect his chances of staying with the team or, should he be cut, catching on with someone else.What makes an act truly patriotic and not just lip-service is when it involves personal risk or sacrifice, basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote this week in The Washington Post.Now, it should be noted that Kaepernicks $11.9 million salary for this year is fully guaranteed, whether or not he makes the 49ers.But his future earnings could surely take a hit.Kaepernicks choice not to stand during the national anthem could create a public backlash that might cost him millions in future endorsements and affect his value as a player on his team, reducing salary earnings or even jeopardizing his job, Abdul-Jabbar wrote. If team ticket sales seriously dipped as a result, he would pay for his stance.Invoking those giants of the 1960s, Abdul-Jabbar got to the heart of the matter.What should horrify Americans is not Kaepernicks choice to remain seated during the national anthem, he wrote, but that nearly 50 years after Ali was banned from boxing for his stance and Tommie Smith and John Carloss raised fists caused public ostracization and numerous death threats, we still need to call attention to the same racial inequities. Failure to fix this problem is whats really un-American here.Thats what Kaepernick has been saying all along.He loves America. He just wants to make it a better place.Lets hope Kaepernick gets another chance to take a knee.If he does, we should all stand with him.---Paul Newberry is a national writer for The Associated Press. Write to him at pnewberry(at)ap.org or at www.twitter.com/pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/paul-newberry .---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '