NEW ORLEANS -- Its hard to believe, but the last time New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees stepped inside Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego to participate in an NFL football game, he had a lightning bolt on his helmet and was buried under a pile, his throwing shoulder in tatters and his career hanging in the balance.It was the end of an otherwise forgettable 2005 season. Brees, the Chargers starting quarterback and one-time Pro Bowler, was sacked by Denver Broncos safety John Lynch and sustained a torn right labrum, which made it much easier and even logical for the Chargers to officially usher in the Philip Rivers era.On Sunday, Brees, now 37, will return to San Diego with the 0-3 Saints to face the 1-2 Chargers in San Diego for the first time since his career-altering injury. Thats eight Pro Bowls, six NFL-leading passing seasons and one Lombardi Trophy ago.I have great memories there, said Brees, one of the few bright spots during the Saints second consecutive 0-3 start. I had a chance to play with a lot of great players and with a lot of great coaches who impacted my career. Theyve been mentors for me and just great people.Its kind of weird that this is the first time were going back there in 11 seasons. Thats pretty wild. Its the only place we have not been to yet as a Saints team since Ive ben here. The bottom line is Im trying to get all that stuff out of the way, the sentimental stuff, so that when game day comes, its all about what we have to do to win the game.Rivers, who assumed the quarterback reins from Brees in 2006, said the two remain good friends despite their fiery competition as NFL newbies. Brees was drafted in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft and Rivers, now 34, was selected in the first round in 2004.Its crazy to think that he and I are still playing, and we were both on the same team and weve done a lot of great things, Rivers said. As that season was winding down in 05, I knew one of us was not going to be here. I didnt think I could handle watching a whole other year. (He suffered) a terrible injury, but he fought back in Drew Brees fashion with the toughness he showed.The Chargers came within a minute of being 2-1 last week, but they allowed a 63-yard touchdown pass to T.Y. Hilton to lose 26-22 at Indianapolis. The Saints, who lost their first two games to Oakland and the New York Giants by a combined total of four points, allowed five consecutive touchdown drives in falling at home to the Atlanta Falcons 45-32 on Monday night.Both teams have been ravaged by injuries. For San Diego, wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back Danny Woodhead each suffered season-ending ACL injuries, and linebacker Manti Teo was placed on IR this week after tearing his Achilles against the Colts.Its not just us, San Diego coach Mike McCoy said. Look at the entire league with injuries. I wish I had an answer. We do everything -- strength and conditioning, preventative (measures). Every team does. Because you have a certain number of injuries this year, well, if you had the same program last year that all these guys went through, and then all of a sudden something happens this year, are you doing something wrong? Whos to say?The Saints were down four defensive starters last week against the Falcons, but linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (quad) and Kenny Vaccaro (ankle) might return for San Diego.One of the tricks is managing the roster right now, Saints coach Sean Payton said. Ultimately, when you start working with moving parts, where you have some backups playing more, there is an attrition that can happen.Brees has beaten the Chargers three times -- once in London and twice in New Orleans -- and he is looking for his third consecutive passing game of 400 yards and three touchdown passes against an AFC opponent. Brees leads the NFL with 1,062 passing yards and is tied for the NFL lead with eight touchdown passes.Rivers, meanwhile, has thrown for 695 yards and five touchdowns in two career starts against the Saints. Cheap NFL Store . Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. Wholesale Jerseys Shop .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. http://www.authenticcheapjerseyswholesale.com/ . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. Jerseys NFL Store .In my heart and mind Im competing for India, luge competitor Shiva Keshavan told The Associated Press in an email interview. Every day Im flooded with messages from Indians all over the world telling me they are supporting me. Wholesale NFL Jerseys China . Goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller extended Bayerns unbeaten run to a record 37 matches. "This record is incredible," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said. CLEVELAND -- Kyrie Irving had a big game. LeBron James returned to the court. And the Cleveland Cavaliers put it all together Friday night.Irving scored 25 points and James, returning to the lineup after sitting out a game, added 21 to help the Cavaliers rolled past the Detroit Pistons 104-81.Offensively and defensively it was the best weve played all year, as far as close to 48 minutes, said James, who rested Wednesday night in a loss at Indiana.James, made 9 of 14 shots and played only 28 minutes. Irving was 11 of 15 from the field with 11 assists -- one short of his career high -- in 29 minutes.Following a slow start that saw Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue call a timeout less than 2 minutes into the game after the Pistons hit a pair of wide-open 3-pointers.Lue only smiled when asked for specifics about what he told the players, but he was clearly unhappy.He didnt like our effort to start the game, James said. We got the message and we were able to change it around.He didnt need to tell us much, Irving said. We all understood.Cleveland led by 11 at the end of the first quarter, took a 56-39 lead into halftime and continued to dominate. The Cavaliers built the lead to 33 points in the fourth quarter, allowing Lue to rest his starters for the entire final period. The defending NBA champions dont play again until Wednesday night.J.R. Smith, who returned after missing three games with a sprained right ankle, hit three 3-pointers and moved past the Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki into 15th place on the NBAs career list for 3s.Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy, who was unhappy with his teams defense and rebounding in Wednesdays loss to New York, benched his starters for the fourth quarter.There is no takeaway from tonight, we got crushed, Van Gundyy said.dddddddddddd We were just awful.Cleveland was 11 of 25 on 3-pointers and has reached double figures in all 12 games, an NBA record to start the season.Kevin Love scored 12 points and had 14 rebounds, and Tristan Thompson also had 14 rebounds.Lues early timeout paid off when Smith hit three 3-pointers, and James and Tristan Thompson scored on dunks.Jon Leuer led Detroit with 15 points. The Pistons starting five of Tobias Harris, Marcus Morris, Andre Drummond, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Ish Smith combined for only 37 points.Their guys all played really, really hard, Van Gundy said. We need to find people that play that hard.TIP-INSPistons: Harris was hit with a technical foul in the second quarter. ... Van Gundy plans on sticking with a nine-man rotation until his team is at full strength. G Reggie Jackson is still rehabbing from surgery on his left knee and hasnt played this season.Cavaliers: James had three assists and is four away from passing Guy Rodgers for 17th on the career list. .... Cleveland blocked eight shots, including four by Thompson. .... G Mike Dunleavy, who didnt play against Indiana, entered the game in the second quarter. He scored five points.TAKE A BREAKThe Cavaliers wont practice the next two days, which will provide a much-welcome rest.I cant remember when I had it like this in a season, James said. Were going to take full advantage of it.Its very important for our team, Lue said. Guys should feel refreshed and healthy.UP NEXTPistons: Host Celtics on Saturday night. Detroit is 5-0 at The Palace of Auburn Hills this season.Cavaliers: Host Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. ' ' '