When Eli Manning and Philip Rivers play at Giants Stadium this afternoon it will be the first matchup between the two quarterbacks who were swapped for each other during the first round of the 2004 draft.

"Those two are going to be linked for their whole career. So, as a fan, that's something you want to watch," said Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

Their history is well told by now. Manning preferred the Giants to the Chargers. The Chargers, with the No. 1 pick in that year's draft, took him anyway, but then dealt him to New York for Rivers and a handful of picks. (Those picks eventually produced outside linebacker Shawne Merriman and kicker Nate Kaeding for San Diego.)

"I don't have any regrets," Manning told San Diego reporters this week.

Rivers, too, seems to be of the All's Well That Ends Well school.

"I think I like it here a whole lot better," he said. "It certainly fits me out here."

Even though he was a Charger for less than an hour, Manning still was obligated to participate in the post-pick photo shoot in New York with the commissioner and a Chargers No. 1 jersey. The jersey, Manning said this week, might still exist. "I think my parents have it," he said. "I gave it to my mom. She put it in her purse that day, and she has it for a rainy day, I guess."

Embattled Kansas City running back Larry Johnson will serve his one-game suspension today when the Chiefs play Jacksonville. Lost in his latest controversy -- he twice slurred gays on his Twitter profile -- is the fact that he needs only 74 yards to break Priest Holmes' franchise rushing record. A large number of Chiefs fans don't want him to break the record and this week put up an online petition demanding the team not give him the chance. As of midweek, more than 5,000 people had signed, according to the Kansas City Star.

The Arizona Cardinals must be wondering where all the big plays have gone. In their three games in the 2008 postseason, Kurt Warner hooked up with Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin for five plays ranging from 29 to 71 yards. Through seven games this season, Warner has only two completions of 30 yards or more.

In response to the Redskins' recent ban on homemade signs inside FedEx Field, a blog at fire-snyder-sign.blogspot.com is asking fans to create a "Fire Snyder" sign that wouldn't require poster board. For the Redskins' home game Nov. 15, the Web site has instructed fans sitting in selected sections in the upper deck to wear either white or red, depending on their seat number. If executed correctly, the effort would create what would appear to be a "Fire Snyder" sign.

Second-chance starting quarterbacks Alex Smith and Vince Young meet when the 49ers (3-4) and Titans (1-6) square off in San Francisco. Their career paths have been so similar -- high picks, failed expectations, benchings, etc. -- their numbers are even identical. Smith has 23 career touchdown passes, just like Young. Young has 33 interceptions, just like Smith.

Hall of Fame defensive end Lee Roy Selmon will be inducted into the Buccaneers' ring of honor today. In keeping with the theme, Tampa Bay will wear the throwback orange uniforms of his era. ... The Saints might be 7-0, but they have eight turnovers in their past two games. Says Drew Brees: "That stuff gets you beat. At some point it catches up to you and we need to fix it. It's sloppy football." ... The Jacksonville market will be blacked out for the fourth time this season. The Jaguars drew only 42,088 for their previous home game and might dip below that for today's game with Kansas City.

Rushing

Chris Johnson, Titans 228

vs. Jaguars, Nov. 1

Thomas Jones, Jets 210

vs. Bills, Oct. 18

Frank Gore, 49ers 207

vs. Seahawks, Sept. 20

Chris Johnson, Titans 197

vs. Texans, Sept. 20

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