SAN DIEGO (AP) -No one expects another go-around between San Diego defensive end Igor Olshansky and Denver center Tom Nalen when the AFC West-leading Chargers host the Broncos on Sunday.
``It's over,'' Olshansky said Wednesday about his dustup with Nalen on Nov. 19 that resulted in $35,000 worth of fines.
Nalen was fined $25,000 for a cut block on Olshansky as Jake Plummer spiked the ball late in the Chargers' 35-27 win. Olshansky retaliated by punching Nalen, was whistled for a personal foul and ejected. He was fined $10,000. Both are appealing.
While not expecting the bad blood to continue, Olshansky said he'll still be aware of the Broncos' cut blocking.
``You should be,'' Olshansky said. ``It's just their history of hurting players. The way to counteract it is to just go 100 percent to protect yourself.''
At the time the fines were levied, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said tapes showed that while the other 10 Broncos stood up, Nalen went at Olshansky's ankles.
``Our game doesn't need any of that, on either side,'' Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said when the fines were levied.
The Broncos have long been criticized by coaches and players from other teams for their system of cut blocking. It is an annual subject at the NFL meetings and the rules have been modified to penalize certain cut blocks thrown by two players.
``There's always been a lot of dialogue about it, but it's a non-issue to me,'' Schottenheimer said Wednesday.
In December 2002, Chargers defensive tackle Jamal Williams sustained a season-ending dislocated ankle when he was clipped by Broncos guard Steve Herndon. Herndon was fined one game's pay, and he and Broncos coach Mike Shanahan apologized to Williams and the Chargers.
Williams had surgery, and Schottenheimer described Herndon's block at the time as ``disturbing.''
``We had the one, the injury that occurred to Jamal a couple of years ago,'' Schottenheimer said. ``That was really not necessary. What they're doing, in my opinion, if it indeed is illegal, the officials will throw the flag. I have every confidence that one of the objectives for the officials is player safety. They have a unique style. They have a style that's different than everybody's.''
Said Williams: ``You're aware of it, but when the game's going on, you're not thinking about that stuff. It's all about making sure you do your job out there. Some people say it's dirty, but some people say hey, that's the way they try to get you off your game.''
Asked if he thought the scheme is dirty, Williams replied: ``Football's football. Things happen. You've got to just go out there and play.''
Shanahan said he'd ``be surprised if both players don't handle themselves in the class manner they handle themselves with off the field.''
The Chargers (10-2) can clinch a playoff spot with a win Sunday. If the Chargers win and the Kansas City Chiefs either tie or lose against Baltimore, San Diego will win the AFC West.
The Chargers haven't swept the series since 1982.
San Diego's other defensive end, Luis Castillo, said his goal is to play Sunday after missing the previous four games with a sprained ankle.
``This has been the first realistic chance of playing. Hopefully things will go on pace and I'll be out there,'' he said.
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