Rise ‘n Grind: Last chance for San Diego and the Chargers

TIPPING POINT: SB Nation’s Chargers blog Bolts from the Blue wrote that the Chargers and the city of San Diego are at a tipping point, with weight on the side of a nasty breakup. Drastic measures were needed to possibly save the team’s future in San Diego, and sure enough Mayor Kevin Faulconer came through, proposing a public vote on a stadium proposal for Dec. 15, before the team would conceivably have to commit to a new home for 2016. The Chargers were reportedly warm to the proposal -- at least, more receptive than they have been in some time -- giving fans in San Diego a long-awaited glimmer of hope.

HELLO/GOODBYE: The Patriots wasted little time getting rid of Brandon Spikes after police began investigating the linebacker in a potential hit-and-run. The Pats could afford to let him go -- according to Pats Pulpit, he was no guarantee to even make the 53-man roster. It’s a hard fall for a second-round pick who was once a full-time starter in New England.

STILL INTACT: The 49ers have now gone several hours without losing a player to retirement, and in fact welcomed back a familiar face in offensive lineman Alex Boone, who may be tasked with filling in for Anthony Davis at right tackle. So no, the 49ers aren’t doomed, but the team certainly has more questions than answers at the moment.

MACLIN EFFECT: Danny Kelly explains why Jeremy Maclin’s reunion with Andy Reid in Kansas City might be one of the most underrated roster moves of the offseason. Bottom line: Maclin is much, much more than a deep threat.

TOO LIUGET: The Chargers are finalizing a five-year extension worth more than $50 million with defensive end Corey Liuget, according to reports. Liuget, at 6’2, 300 pounds, gives the team a hefty pass-rushing presence to build around.

TANDEM BICYCLE: Yeah it’s #brands, but Big Papi and Rob Gronkowski riding a tandem bike and singing about Dunkin’ Donuts is downright hypnotic.

SOPHOMORES: Remember how good Ryan Shazier was during the preseason before getting injured? What about Brandin Cooks? Teddy Bridgewater? Those guys are among the second-year players readying to enter stardom.

SUMMA CAM LAUDE: Amidst the hoopla about his new contract, Cam Newton earned his degree from Auburn. Cat Scratch Reader explains why this is a bigger deal than many are making it out to be.

NOT-SO SUPER: Music City Miracles broke down every aspect of Marcus Mariota’s up-and-down Rose Bowl against Florida State. While Mariota is far from a finished product, the future still appears to be very, very bright in Tennessee.

BRADFORD IMPRESSES: Minus a few footwork issues, Sam Bradford is looking as good as Eagles fans hoped (without pads on).

LOADING THE STABLE: The battle for carries out of the Cowboys’ backfield could be fascinating to watch. The team added another intriguing name to the mix -- former Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk, a physical specimen with limited career production.

BOBBY’S WORLD: The Seahawks are reportedly leaving Russell Wilson on the backburner and moving fast to sign linebacker Bobby Wagner to an extension. The Seahawks are usually quick to lock up star defenders, and Wagner has certainly been that.

GET ‘EM DEZ: The NFL canceled Tony Romo’s fantasy football convention at the last minute, despite the fact that it seemed like a perfectly nice, fun event for fans. Romo was diplomatic, but Dez Bryant held nothing back, giving the league a big piece of his mind on Twitter.

STOPGAP: The Patriots signed veteran cornerback Derek Cox, who spent the 2014 season in free agency. Given the Pats’ desperate situation in the secondary, he could be called upon to play a significant number of snaps this season.

GOOD AS EVER: Duke head coach David Cutcliffe raved about Peyton Manning while the quarterback was in Durham to train. Cutcliffe was Tennessee’s offensive coordinator when Manning was in Knoxville. He said that Manning is showing no signs of the quad injury that slowed him down in 2014.

MICHAEL VICK: He’s still around, still trying to make a team after a rough one-year stint with the Jets last season, still very confident he can be a starter in the NFL.

LOGARITHMS: Turf Show Times is charting every one of Nick Foles’ touchdown passes from last season on a Richter scale of happiness (seriously). This is groundbreaking research.

WELCOME TO THE FEUD: Celebrity Family Feud will be premiering on ABC later this month, and one episode pits five players from AFC teams against five players from the NFC. You can check out the full lineup here.

SPEAKING OF FEUDS: Hoooooo boy, this story about one of the last interactions between Jim Harbaugh and Jed York in San Francisco explains a lot about the “mutual” parting after the season.

UBER: ESPN talked to Dolphins defensive tackle A.J. Francis about his offseason job moonlighting as an Uber driver. Defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle summed up Francis well -- “Yeah, I was kidding him about Uber or Yuber or whatever you call it. It’s a little outside the box, but so is he.” Oh yeah, you can check out his conversations with passengers on YouTube.