On a night of faux football that was woefully lacking in star power, Alex Smith punctuated his homecoming with two turnovers. That helped the Chargers beat the sloppy San 49ers 16-13 in an exhibition finale Thursday night. Niners third-stringer Shaun Hill threw three interceptions and wide receiver Brandon Williams fumbled. San Diego scored 13 points off turnovers.

Shawne Merriman, who said he wouldn't do his ?Lights Out? dance until further notice, was true to his word for at least one night: Unlike previous seasons, he ran on the field during pregame introductions without doing the dance.

Shaun Alexander barely broke a sweat. LaDainian Tomlinson didn't even suit up. Alexander's Seahawks beat Tomlinson's Chargers 24-16 on Sunday night, getting the go-ahead points on a 36-yard field goal from Josh Brown with 7:18 left. Brown had missed a 41-yard attempt, but got a second chance when the Chargers were penalized for having 12 men on the field. Third-stringer Marquis Weeks added a 6-yard scoring run with 1:55 left.

Whether they connect on a perfectly executed sideline route, have a pass over the middle blown up or don't even get a throw off, Antonio Gates and Philip Rivers will often confer after a play. ?Just to see if he's seeing what I saw,? Gates said. ?Just little things that will make us grow.? It is these subtle machinations that demonstrate the objective for Gates to be more integral to the Chargers offense than he was last season. Gates is a different creature to throw to, and Rivers is in better grasp of that than in 2006. ?With a year under my belt it can be more of an understanding,? Rivers said. ?A couple times (last season) I came off him too soon, trying to be too careful, play by the textbook. I could have maybe cut loose a couple times. He could have caught it. That comes with experience.?

Chargers wide receiver Eric Parker underwent toe surgery on Friday and could miss up to 10 weeks. Parker had a cracked sesamoid bone near his right big toe repaired. The surgery was performed by a foot specialist in Seattle.