A Chargers assistant slammed his team-issued hat against a garbage can. John Spanos, president of football operations, stalked with anger-stiffened shoulders, heated after the latest loss.

And then, feet in front of them, there was kicker Josh Lambo, laughing and chatting up an opponent.

It was a bad look.

Television cameras caught Lambo walking off the field Sunday following a 34-31 loss to the Raiders. Minutes earlier, the hold was botched on his game-tying 36-yard field goal attempt. As others were still fuming, as quarterback Philip Rivers knelt in the distance, the broadcast cut to Lambo giddily speaking with kicker Sebastian Janikowski.


Fraternizing with an opponent is common before, after and even during an NFL game.

The Chargers would prefer, when doing so, Lambo show better situational awareness.

Special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman and coach Mike McCoy were among those to have conversations with Lambo to that effect Monday. Players had an off-day, so Lambo did not have the opportunity to apologize in front of the team. But McCoy said Lambo “has talked to a few players.”

Clearly, some were irked.


“Everybody on your team is looking at

1 / 26 San Diego Chargers Philip Rivers walks of the field after a 34-31 loss to the Raiders in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 26 The snap gets by San Diego Chargers holder Drew Kaser on a game tying field goal attempt by Josh Lambo (2) in the 4th quarter in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 26 San Diego Chargers Melvin Ingram, left, and Caraun Reid hit Raiders Derek Carr as he throws a touchdown pass to Amari Cooper in the 3rd quarter in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 26 San Diego Chargers Philip Rivers is sacked by Raiders Stacy McGee in the 3rd quarter in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 26 San Diego Chargers Melvin Gordon runs in for a touchdown off a screen pass against the Raiders in the 3rd quarter in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 26 San Diego Chargers Melvin Gordon celebrates a touchdown against the Raiders in the 3rd quarter in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 26 Oakland Raiders Sean Smith break up a pass to San Diego Chargers Travis Benjamin in the 2nd quarter in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 26 San Diego Chargers Joey Bosa tries to sack Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in the 2nd quarter in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 26 San Diego Chargers Joey Bosa (99) sacks Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in the 4th quarter in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 26 San Diego Chargers Melvin Ingram reacts to dropping a possible interception in the 2nd quarter against the Raiders in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 26 San Diego Chargers Antonio Gates dives in for a touchdown in the 4th quarter against the Raiders in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 26 San Diego Chargers Joey Bosa (99) sacks Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in the 4th quarter in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 13 / 26 San Diego Chargers Tyrell Williams makes a catch in front of Raiders David Amerson in the 3rd quarter in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 14 / 26 San Diego Chargers King Dunlap was slow to get up in the 4th quarter against the Raiders in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 15 / 26 San Diego Chargers Antonio Gates gets a first down by Raiders Perry Riley Jr. in the 4th quarter in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 16 / 26 San Diego Chargers Brandon Mebane (92) celebrates an interception in the 1st quarter against the Raiders in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 17 / 26 San Diego Chargers Philip River throws a pass to Travis Benjamin in the 2nd quarter in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 18 / 26 San Diego Chargers Joey Bosa stops Raiders Jalen Richard in the 2nd quarter in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 19 / 26 Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr throws a pass agains the Chargers in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 20 / 26 San Diego Chargers Joey Bosa rushes against Raiders Donald Penn in the 3rd quarter in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 21 / 26 San Diego Chargers Hunter Henry gets taken down by Raiders Sean Smith in the 3rd quarter in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 22 / 26 San Diego Chargers Antonio Gates dives in for a touchdown in the 4th quarter against the Raiders in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 23 / 26 San Diego Chargers coach Mike McCoy meets with Raiders coach Jack Del Rio after a 34-31 loss to the Raiders in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 24 / 26 San Diego Chargers Tyrell Williams catches a touchdown pass in the 2nd quarter past Raiders David Amerson in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 25 / 26 San Diego Chargers Philip Rivers and Melvin Gordon listen to the national anthem before a game against the Raiders in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 26 / 26 San Diego Chargers raise their fists during the national anthem before a game against the Raiders in Oakland on Oct. 9, 2016. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune) (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune)

you and looking at everything you do at all times,” McCoy said. “When a teammate sees you in a situation like this and you get caught, laughing it up, people take it differently. Everybody is different. Some players will look at it and say, ‘It’s not a big deal.’ Other players, it pisses you off. You were involved in a critical play in the game, and it wasn’t executed properly, and we lost. Just understand what it means.

“I think he’s handled it the right way, talking to his teammates, talking to different coaches on the staff, apologizing and what he’s learned from it.”


Lambo has converted nine of 10 field-goal attempts and 17 of 18 extra points.

Those misses were from 54 yards and blocked, respectively.


Chargers × On Now Video: AFC wild-card round affirms Chargers* underachieved On Now Chargers' TV ratings in San Diego decline in 2017 On Now 'Inexcusable' loss by Chargers, now 3-6, at Jacksonville On Now Philip Rivers on relocation w/ Raiders, Chargers & seeing former DC John Pagano On Now Chargers sign kicker Nick Novak; cut Koo On Now Philip Rivers on the Chargers offense & former teammate Darren Sproles On Now Eagles fans take over StubHub vs. Chargers On Now Philip Rivers' new ride allows him to stay home 0:35 On Now Video: Reports: Chargers LB Perryman out 4-6 weeks On Now Video: Hardwick Trump-ets hidden SD faithful of Team Spanos 0:42

michael.gehlken@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @SDUTgehlken