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Even though the San Diego Chargers are looking for a backup running back to replace Mike Tolbert, who signed with Carolina, they may already have someone to carry part of the load for starter Ryan Mathews.

According to UT San Diego, Chargers’ coach Norv Turner said this week at the NFL owners meetings that fullback Le'Ron McClain could get more touches, regardless. He came over from Kansas City. McClain had 902 yards rushing in 2008, but he has had 89 carries combined in the three seasons since.

I think McClain is a tough, smart player who cans help San Diego’s ground game. Still, I think another reliable tailback needs to be brought in either in free agency or in the draft. Mathews is a potential star, but there have been some durability questions. Like the young Curtis Brinkley, but I would like to see someone else added. Perhaps a tailback such as Oregon’s LaMichael James in the middle rounds would be a good fit.

In other AFC West news:

In a radio interview, former Denver quarterback Jake Plummer -- who was seen throwing the ball in Denver on Monday -- reiterated he is staying retired. He retired five years ago.

Pat Lee is officially an Oakland Raider.

The former Green Bay Packers has been close to signing with Oakland for nearly a week. He is expected to be a rotational cornerback and a special teams contributor.

In other AFC West news:

San Diego free-agent defensive tackle Antonio Garay is not in a hurry to sign with the Chargers or anyone else. In my opinion, Garay is the best remaining free agent in the AFC West.

The Denver Post reports the Broncos are expected to play several prime-time games and are a strong candidate to play in the first Sunday night match of the season.

Jake Plummer was back in Denver. Yes, he’s still retired, folks.

For years, the theme in Denver was the Broncos were searching for their next John Elway.

Leave it to Elway to finally get the job done. It’s been a windy road at the most important position on the field in Denver since Elway -- who became Denver’s top football decision-maker last year -- retired after the 1998 season and back-to-back Super Bowl titles.

The Broncos now have greatness at the position again in the form of Manning. Let’s review what has happened during the often frustrating journey between Elway and Manning in Denver:

Brian Griese

Years as Denver’s starter: 1999-2002

Comment: Griese had the impossible task of replacing Elway. He had his moments, but he was not a special player and Denver couldn’t handle seeing the dip at the position.

Jake Plummer

Years as Denver’s starter: 2003-06

Comment: Plummer was probably better than he was given credit for. He won his share of games in Denver, but, again, he wasn’t a special player.

Jay Cutler

Years as Denver’s starter: 2006-08

Comment: He is the poster boy of Denver’s frustration at quarterback in its post-Elway existence. Cutler flourished under coach Mike Shanahan and he seemed like he was on his way to being an elite player for Denver. But he famously clashed with Shanahan’s replacement, Josh McDaniels, and he was shipped off to Chicago. It changed the course of the organization that has been felt all the way until Manning’s agreement to come to Denver.

Kyle Orton

Years as Denver’s starter: 2009-11

Comment: Acquired in the Cutler deal, Orton did a nice job for Denver, but he was just a journeyman.

Tim Tebow

Yeas as Denver’s starter: 2010-2011

Comment: He was McDaniels’ parting gift to Denver. Tebow started 16 games in Denver and it was a wild scene. But Elway was never comfortable with Tebow’s ability to be an NFL passer, and now it appears Tebow will be another quarterback who will be shown the door in Denver.

Count Denver offensive coordinator Mike McCoy out of the mix for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ head-coaching job.

The Jaguars hired Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey on Tuesday night. McCoy was supposed to have an upcoming interview with the Jaguars. Denver is not out of the woods as far as losing coordinators, though — defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is expected to interview with the St. Louis Rams on Thursday.

In other AFC West news:

Freshly fired Raiders coach Hue Jackson gave his side of the story, saying it was Oakland owner Mark Davis who wanted to make him out and not new general manager Reggie McKenzie. That’s fine, but McKenzie was likely on board or he wouldn’t have taken the job.

The San Diego Union Tribune reports that longtime San Diego offensive assistant Clarence Shelmon is leaving coaching. Look for the Chargers to add another offensive coach to replace Shelmon.

In explaining his desire for a new stadium, Davis said Los Angeles is on the table as is “somewhere.” Davis made it clear he would move back to Los Angeles if the Raiders can't get a stadium built in Oakland. My take? It was simply a public warning shot to Oakland officials. I’m sure they are already aware of the situation.

Former Denver quarterback Jake Plummer wasn’t overly impressed with Tim Tebow’s effort against the Steelers. Prior to Sunday’s victory, Plummer was the last Denver quarterback to win a playoff game.

In a radio interview, Charles Barkley calls Tebow’s advancement in the playoffs a “national nightmare.”

Kansas City coach Todd Haley said Tyler Palko is the team’s starter but Kyle Orton will get a chance to earn the job. Translation: if Orton quickly learns the Chiefs’ offense he will start Sunday at Chicago.

The reason why the Chiefs claimed the remaining $2.5 million of Orton’s contract last week was to play him. There is little chance he is going to sit. Orton is a free agent at the end of the season.

Palko has thrown six interceptions in two starts since taking over for Matt Cassel, who is out for the year with a broken hand.

Injured Oakland offensive standouts, running back Darren McFadden and Jacoby Ford, are talking steps from returning from foot injuries. Ford could maybe play Sunday at Miami and the target for McFadden’s return is Dec. 14 at Green Bay. That game will now start at 4:15 p.m. ET.

Former Denver quarterback Jake Plummer had a rebuttal to Tim Tebow’s rebuttal about Plummer’s comments in a radio interview. I have always liked Plummer, but his words about Tebow have nothing to do with what Tebow is doing on the field and I think that’s where the focus needs to be.

Denver football leader John Elway praised his team that has won five of six games with Tebow as the starter. Also, Elway made it clear he is fully supporting his young quarterback.

San Diego coach Norv Turner is not worrying about his job security. Still, Turner has to know if the Chargers don’t make the playoffs for a second straight year he will very likely be fired. And it does not look good. San Diego has lost six straight games and is at 4-7.

A lot of people have asked me for a reaction to television cameras catching San Diego kicker Nick Novak relieving himself on the sideline during Sunday's game against Denver. It happens all the time. Unfortunately, the cameras focused on him at the wrong time.

For those wondering if the Denver Broncos are close to committing to quarterback Tim Tebow for the long term, John Elway has your answer.

It’s no.

According to the Denver Post, Elway was asked on a Denver radio show if the team was "any closer to feeling if you have your quarterback on this team." Elway paused, and answered, "No."

Elway added this: "I think obviously he's making progress week in and week out. When you look at our third-down numbers, those have to improve. I mean, that's the bottom line. We can't go 3-for-13 and win a world championship. Those are the type of things we have to keep improving."

Elway and his staff have been scouting college quarterbacks this fall. Elway and Denver general manager Brian Xanders were reportedly at the Oklahoma-Baylor game on Saturday night. The game featured quarterbacks Landry Jones and Robert Griffin III. Both players are expected to be first-round draft picks next April.

It's clear Elway wants to see Tebow improve. Elway is open to Tebow, but he isn’t sold on him, despite the fact Tebow is 4-1 as the Broncos’ starter this year.

Denver likely won’t make its final decision on Tebow until after this season.

Tebow has support in the form of star Denver left cornerback Champ Bailey. He told a Denver radio station that Tebow will be “unstoppable” when Tebow improves his throwing.

In other Tebow-related tidbits:

The “Tebow Offense” will not be the way the Bears go as they adjust to Caleb Hanie after starting quarterback Jay Cutler broke his thumb Sunday against San Diego. He will miss the next several weeks.

The Bears play at Oakland, host Kansas City and play at Denver in the next three weeks. Thus, the former Broncos’ much anticipated return to play in Denver won’t happen.

Former Denver quarterback Jake Plummer had some interesting things to say about new Denver quarterback Tim Tebow and his former coach in Denver, Mike Shanahan, in a radio interview.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting the Raiders will sign Dave Rayner to kick Sunday against Kansas City.

Star Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski has a hamstring injury. There is hope he will be back to play when the Raiders return from their bye at home Nov. 6 against Denver.

Losing Janikowski, even for a game, is a hit for the Raiders. He has an amazing leg and he has shown great accuracy this season, making 12-of-13 field-goal attempts. The addition of Rayner means the Raiders are going to have to get as close to the end zone as possible. With Janikowski, the chance for points is still in play if the Raiders can get to their opponent's 40-yard line.

Rayner, 28, was chosen by the Raiders after he was among a group of kickers to try out Friday. The Raiders’ will be his eight NFL team. He has also played with the Chiefs and Chargers, both in 2007.

In other AFC West nuggets Saturday:

An Insider piece looks at the winner label on new Denver starting quarterback Tim Tebow and whether it will hold true in the NFL.

Congrats to former Kansas City and San Diego head coach Marty Schottenheimer. He led his UFL team, the Virginia Destroyers, to the league title Friday. And people said Schottenheimer couldn’t win when it counts.

Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine offers a scouting report on Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers, who will face the Jets on Sunday.

Former Denver quarterback Jake Plummer feels for former Denver starter Kyle Orton. Like Orton, Plummer was replaced as the Broncos’ quarterback during the season (in 2006). He abruptly retired after the season.

As expected, Jackie Battle is the Chiefs’ lead runner. Why not? He had 119 yards on 19 carries in Week 5. He needs to be given more opportunities to show he can salvage the Chiefs’ run offense in light of Jamaal Charles’ season-ending knee injury.

Former Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer retired after the 2006 season and he’s having the time of his life living in his native Idaho.

Still, Plummer is paying attention to the shenanigans of his former coach, Mike Shanahan, who benched Donovan McNabb in Washington last week. Plummer was benched by Shanahan in favor of rookie Jay Cutler in 2006. Plummer said his former coach looks for perfection from his quarterback, and ultimately, that Shanahan is chasing a ghost. Here’s some of what Plummer had to say:

“I had a coach that, regardless of how well I thought I was playing or how well the majority of fans across the country thought I was playing, it was never good enough for him," Plummer said. “And that kind of gets frustrating …It just seemed like every game I could have completed these four more passes or these five more shots here and it would have been perfect. And that just wasn't my personality... But Shanahan wanted perfection and he wore a lot of us down there."

“I think Shanahan is still searching for John Elway," Plummer said. "Somehow, someway, he thinks there's going to be another guy like John Elway … He coached a team to almost perfection [with Elway] so he wanted that again, he wanted that every time we went out there. It's just not realistic."

These words don’t surprise me. Plummer has been critical of Shanahan since his retirement and it was well known that Plummer left the game prematurely because he was disenchanted with Shanahan.

• Meanwhile, it was an expensive day for opponents of AFC West quarterbacks in Week 8.

• Oakland’s Robert Gallery and linebacker Rolando McClain will be writing checks as well for week 8 fines.

The Great Debate series wouldn’t be complete this year without a discussion about Broncos rookie quarterback Tim Tebow.

Tebow is one of the most talked-about players in the NFL and he hasn’t even played in a regular-season game. The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Florida is a polarizing wonder. Tebow’s NFL future has been serious water-cooler conversation ever since Denver shocked the NFL by trading three draft picks to move up and take him with the No. 25 pick in April. Everybody has an opinion and the opinions vary.

And that is the case with ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton and AFC West blogger Bill Williamson. Clayton is taking the stance that Tebow’s game will not translate to the NFL, while Williamson believes it will.

Let’s get started:

John Clayton: Bill, we were at Broncos camp at the same time, which is why I’m surprised we have come to such different opinions. Because I know you so well, I know you are an optimist. Like most people, you would like to see Tebow succeed as a quarterback. I would like to see him succeed too. At the moment, though, I don’t see it in the immediate future and when I say immediate future, I’m thinking the next two, maybe three, years.

Remember how we watched Tebow throw with the proper mechanics in warm-ups. He kept the ball high and was consistent with his release point in pre-practice. Then we watched practice and some of the old habits returned. He would throw the ball with more of a sidearm delivery. At times, there would be a little hitch in the throw. The release was slow and sometimes the passes weren’t accurate.

In sports, it’s hard to change habits. While it’s possible for him to fix the delivery in time, it’s going to take at least two years. I give Josh McDaniels credit, he recognized the dilemma and covered the organization by giving Kyle Orton a one-year contract extension. Both of us agree Orton is good, not great. It’s also nice that he recognizes that both of us respect his abilities, leadership and the way he runs an offense.

What I like most about watching Tebow is his dedication. He won’t fail because of a lack of effort. How about the extra stretching and muscle-building exercises he does at practice? Too bad we can’t find a "throw doctor’" we can send him to for a quick fix.

Bill Williamson: Mechanics is a fair enough place to start on Tebow. That, of course, is the biggest knock on him. He has an awkward delivery, there’s no doubt about it. But I don’t think it’s a sure sign of failure for a quarterback. Philip Rivers doesn’t have the prettiest motion in the league, nor did the late Steve McNair. Rivers is an elite player and McNair was an NFL MVP. They were able to adjust in time and Tebow will have time.

Even though we will see Tebow as a rookie in special formations such as the Wildcat, he probably won’t start until 2012 unless there is an injury to Orton. Rivers and McNair sat and they were better for it. Plus, Tebow already has made strides in a short time under McDaniels’ guidance. He’s a much better quarterback today than he was the day he was drafted four-plus months ago. He got better as the offseason program went on and he made improvements in training camp and in the preseason. Tebow’s delivery appeared to shorten as the preseason went on. He is working on improving himself. Imagine what is going to happen when the learning curve continues for two years?

Plus, several NFL folks I have talked to, including Rivers, say that Tebow doesn’t necessarily have to refine his entire motion, just naturally work on it and still be the player he is comfortable being. I think taking this player’s delivery and making that the premise for his ultimate failure may be a tad short-sighted.

JC: Because you covered the Broncos in Denver, you can appreciate this: Denver is one of the toughest cities to be an NFL quarterback, and I think the Broncos made a big mistake by hyping him up after the draft.

The biggest mistake was making him a first-round pick. Quarterbacks taken in the first round tread on John Elway’s turf. Those who tread on Elway’s turf get worse than turf toe. They eventually become unemployed. The worst I remember was Tommy Maddox. He came to town when Elway was still a top quarterback. He eventually had to go into Arena Football and then the Steelers to have any kind of a successful career. The quarterback expectations eventually caught up to Brian Griese and Jake Plummer.

Now, here comes Tebow, perhaps the greatest college leader of our time. By him being taken in the first round, Tebow jerseys flew out of stores. Fans expected his college skills to translate into the NFL with instant success. Columnists in town took their sides, and some of the most influential called for McDaniels to have guts and just go with Tebow. Had that happened, Tebow might be destined for the Arena League.

In Denver, as you know, good isn’t good enough when it comes to quarterbacks. Griese was kicked away because he was a 60-percent thrower but a 50-percent winner. Plummer’s time ran out because he was a 50-percent thrower and a 60-percent winner. The standard in Denver is Elway, the ultimate arm and the ultimate winner. He carried the Broncos. Tebow can’t do that right away and I’m not sold he ever will. Even if he fixes his bad throwing mechanics, he has the chance to start his career as a 50-percent thrower. Because the talent around him is suspect, Orton, who is good, is going to struggle to make the Broncos a 50-percent winner this season. That means Tebow would have better than a 50-50 chance of being a disaster.

BW: John, I think any team that would have drafted Tebow would have pumped him up. It goes with the territory of drafting a quarterback in the first round. Select Tebow in the first round and the situation magnifies greatly. This was a great draft with several top-flight players and Tebow stole the draft. The draft was all about the No. 25 pick. That wasn’t the case last year when Miami drafted Illinois cornerback Vontae Davis at No.25.

Tebow brings electricity. It’s because he has great intangibles. I know intangibles don’t pay the bills, but they can be a great difference-maker. Tebow has special intangibles. People gravitate toward him, including his teammates.

This whole Tebow Mania deal in Denver had potential to be a disaster. Tebow’s jersey instantly became the biggest seller in the NFL and Tebow is Topic A in Denver. This is the most popular team in the state of Colorado and all anyone wants to talk about is the rookie quarterback. That could have led to jealousy and hostility. It hasn’t happened.

It hasn’t happened because Tebow immediately earned the respect of his veteran teammates by being humble and working hard. Veterans such as future Hall of Fame cornerback Champ Bailey have been wowed by Tebow’s work ethic and attitude. Remember that hideous Friar Tuck haircut Tebow's teammates gave him prior to an open scrimmage? Tebow didn’t fret. He embraced the hazing. He’s a team guy.

During the preseason, his teammates have remarked how Tebow already has controlled the huddle. The Broncos believe in Tebow just as his teammates at Florida did. Elway and John Lynch have raved about Tebow’s intangibles after meeting him. If you impress these two guys, you have something going for you.

JC: After we left Broncos camp, I watched Tebow’s first preseason game and came to another disturbing conclusion. Because Tebow is fearless, I worry about his health.

That touchdown run he had in his first preseason game was exciting, but it also reminded me of the pounding Tebow took in college trying to get Florida to be a great college power. As a college quarterback, Tebow was bigger and more powerful than a lot of the linebackers and defensive backs trying to tackle him. In the pros, he’s a target and I worry about him getting concussions or more injuries. That preseason touchdown run bruised his ribs, and the injury was a result of Tebow not playing it safe. That’s the style that made him so good in college and it’s the style that could make his career ever so short in the NFL.

As great as Tebow is as an athlete, he runs a 4.7 40, which isn’t particularly fast for a NFL quarterback. His footwork isn’t the greatest either. In many ways, Tebow looks like a combination of Steve Grogan and Joe Kapp. Sorry for going old school on you, buddy, but the point I’m trying to make is what worked for Grogan and Kapp back in the day doesn’t work now in a league dominated by great passers.

Michael Vick is a better athlete and better thrower than Tebow will ever be and I’m not sold he can be a winning quarterback in the post-2005 NFL, which is dominated by quarterbacks who are accurate and can run the no-huddle flawlessly. Vince Young is the ultimate compromise that might work because he’s a 6-foot-5 quarterback who is faster than Tebow and is always looking downfield when he rolls out of the pocket. I fear Tebow tucking the ball away and just running, absorbing a big hit.

I do think Tebow’s in good hands with McDaniels now that Orton will be the starter for the next two years. I just hope he stays healthy, which he will if they groom him to be an eventual backup and see where he is as a developmental quarterback by 2012.

BW: John, I don’t think there is any gray area. I don’t think Tebow is going to be a decent backup. He is either going to be a star or be a failed experiment. And I don’t see him failing. He is simply not going to allow himself to fail.

In one of my conversations with Tebow, he admitted that he is afraid of failure. He is afraid to let down his coaches, teammates and family. The fire burns. That’s what McDaniels saw during the famous combine meeting when the Broncos’ brass fell in love with Tebow.

I have talked to countless folks about Tebow. There are two schools of thought when it comes to whether his game translates to the NFL. One is that Tebow is so focused and so determined that there is no way he’ll fail. The other is that he already has gotten all he can out of limited ability and has peaked as a player. Two head coaches have told me that, as have a couple of general managers.

However, there are many personnel folks who think Tebow will thrive under McDaniels’ guidance. I point to the immense improvement he already has made as evidence that Tebow has not peaked. He learns from his mistakes and he gets better. He reads defenses and senses oncoming defenders better than he did a month ago. He handles the pocket better than he did earlier in camp. Tebow is an ascending player. There’s little doubt in my mind.

Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey is being honored Thursday as the 2010 Colorado Athlete of the year by the Denver Athletic Club.

The 12-year veteran has been in nine Pro Bowls and has been in Denver since 2004. Bailey is the ninth Broncos player to win this award and the first since Jake Plummer won after the 2005 season.

Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley tells the Kansas City Star that he thinks third-year left tackle Branden Albert is ready for a big season.

We had to see this coming. Jets’ cornerback Darrelle Revis is unhappy with his deal and he wants a contract north of the whopping $15 million-plus-a-year deal the Raiders gave cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha last year. When Bailey is a free agent after this season, I’m sure he’ll be looking for a whopper as well. I love the chaos Al Davis and his open wallet creates around the league.

San Diego Pro Bowl receiver Vincent Jackson pled guilty to a driving infraction after he was stopped by police hours before San Diego’s playoff loss to the Jets in January. Jackson is facing a likely NFL suspension for two DUIs since 2006.

New Denver quarterback Tim Tebow was perfect during the time media were allowed to watch his first practice as a Bronco on Friday.

The Chiefs’ website had an interesting Q& A with coach Todd Haley after the team’s rookie minicamp session.

Here’s an interesting tale about former Denver quarterback Jake Plummer.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Denver

Former Denver quarterback Jake Plummer is coaching high school football in Idaho.

My take: This makes sense. Plummer has been away from the game since his abrupt retirement two years ago. This gives him a chance to be around football and help youngsters. When covering Plummer, I found him to be a down-to-earth guy who loved playing football but wasn't always thrilled with everything that went with being an NFL quarterback. That's why he retired at the age of 32. He had enough. Now, he gets to go back to his roots. Good for you, Jake.

Kansas City

The Chiefs' new defense takes shape.

My take: The Chiefs' defense is going to take time to develop as the team tries to get the personnel to run the 3-4 defense. Do not expect overnight success and expect the tinkering to continue well into training camp.

Oakland

John Madden says he will not join the Raiders.

My take: Well, there goes that idea. When Madden retired from broadcasting earlier this week, his potential return to Oakland as a consultant seemed perfect. But Madden, 73, says he does not feel up to diving into a new job. Still, don't be surprised if Oakland owner Al Davis asks for advice from his former head coach here and there.

San Diego

The San Diego Union-Tribune thinks the Chargers will tab LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson in the draft.

My take: If Denver doesn't take Jackson at No. 12, he should slide to the Chargers at No. 16. This wouldn't be a terrible pick. The Chargers need help on defense. Jackson is expected to be able to enter the league and help right away.

Former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer talks about the trade that brought Jay Cutler to Chicago.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

Former Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer put an exclamation point on the team's firing of longtime coach Mike Shanahan.

Plummer said the firing was "past due" in a story in the Denver Post.

Plummer's stance is not surprising. He and Shanahan had a falling out when Plummer was benched in 2006 with five games remaining in the season in favor of then-rookie Jay Cutler. Many in Denver believe that Shanahan handled the Plummer situation poorly when Cutler was drafted with the team coming off a 13-3 season. Shanahan and Plummer often had animated on-field discussions when Plummer was the starter.

Plummer abruptly retired after 2006 partly because of the bad taste in his mouth left by his final NFL season.

In the Denver Post story, Plummer said Shanahan became more interested in the team's statistical rankings than winning games and he questioned Shanahan's ability to motivate.

These are opinions that others have shared privately. Yet Plummer, two years removed from the game, clearly feels like he has nothing to lose by expressing his opinion his former coach.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

DENVER -- We're early in the fourth quarter and the game is tied at 23.

Buffalo countered a Denver touchdown drive with a quick one of its own to take the lead in this wild game.

Denver quarterback Jay Cutler scored on a 6-yard run to give Denver the lead late in the third quarter. It was the only run on a nine-play drive by Denver. The Broncos went down the field despite having communication device problems. Cutler often ran to the Denver sideline to get the incoming play. Buffalo had scored 16 unanswered points.

Cutler also set the Denver passing mark for the season. He broke Jake Plummer's team record of 4,089 yards set in 2004.

Buffalo running back Marshawn Lynch is out with a shoulder injury.

Denver cornerback Champ Bailey has departed the game twice. This is his first game back after missing seven games with a groin injury.