LA Chargers

Chargers star rookie Derwin James just bought his mom the dopest "thanks for raising me" gift ever -- a big-ass house in Florida!!

"I don’t think there is anybody more deserving in the world then her," the ex-FSU safety posted on social media.

Unclear what city the house is in or how much it costs ... but the place looks super nice, complete with two stories and a bunch of palm trees in the yard.

Derwin becomes the latest NFL first-round pick to buy his folks a new home ... NY Giants stud Saquon Barkley dropped more than $400,000 on his mom and dad's new pad just last week!

Forget the Tom Brady-playing-until-45 debate ... Melvin Gordon says there's a GRIP of NFL QBs who can play to that age -- including his teammate, Philip Rivers!!

The Chargers superstar told us it's really not that hard for dudes like Brady, Rivers, Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Russell Wilson to play forever ... 'cause they're studs who don't ever get hit like running backs do.

"I feel like those guys ... they quit when they want to, man," Gordon told TMZ Sports.

"As long as their arm's working, and they feel like they can throw and they can be in there, there's going to be someone that want them."

For the record ... the oldest QB to ever start a game was the Falcons' Steve DeBerg at 44 years and 279 days old.

L.A. Chargers star Mike Pouncey says he's ready and willing to take Donald Trump up on his offer -- telling TMZ Sports, "If he wants to talk, we'll talk."

Remember, earlier this month Trump said he wants to reach out to NFL players for input on people in the criminal justice system who deserve a presidential pardon.

"I am going to ask all of those people to recommend to me -- because that's what they're protesting -- people that they think were unfairly treated by the justice system," Trump said.

So, when we saw Pouncey out at Catch the other day, we asked how he felt about Trump and his offer.

"I don't think he has a bad relationship [with us] ... If he wants to talk, we'll talk."

Another NFL player is accused of attacking a woman -- this time, it's Indianapolis Colts defensive end Chris McCain ... who's being charged with battery stemming from a January incident.

According to official documents obtained by TMZ Sports ... the 26-year-old is accused of spitting on a woman and forcefully grabbing her neck in Los Angeles on January 7.

Details surrounding the incident are unclear -- we know he's been formally charged with 2 misdemeanor counts of battery.

If convicted, McCain faces up to 6 months in jail plus fines and probation.

It's a big deal for the Colts ... they're expecting big things from McCain after a solid 2017 season with the Chargers ... when he racked up 5 sacks in 15 games.

Antonio Gates is getting some career advice from his friend and former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson -- hang it up.

After 15 seasons with the Chargers, the team has cut ties with the 37-year-old tight end -- and he still hasn't been picked up by another squad.

So, when we saw LT -- who played 7 seasons with Gates in San Diego -- we asked if he thinks it's time for #85 to ride off into the sunset.

"I think he should retire a Charger," Tomlinson said ... "I definitely think he still can play, though."

"[Gates] became known as one of the greatest Chargers ever. I would hate to see him put on another uniform. It just doesn't seem right."

Interesting advice coming from Tomlinson, who played his final 2 seasons with the NY Jets after a legendary 9-year run with the Bolts.

Maybe he's speaking from experience ...

LaDainian Tomlinson says Saquon Barkley is basically L.T. 2.0 -- but tells TMZ Sports that ain't enough for him to go #1 in the NFL draft.

We asked LaDainian about all the Saquon comparisons people have been making when we got the Chargers legend at LAX ... and he couldn't agree more.

"He’s a little bit bigger than I am -- but they’re awesome comparisons," L.T. said.

"The lateral movement, quickness, the power, he can catch the ball ... all that stuff."

But even with all that talent, L.T. told us there's a good reason the Browns won't take him with the first overall pick ... and he says that's GREAT news for the Giants at #2.

Melvin Gordon is shutting down all the crap about the Chargers dumping Philip Rivers ... telling TMZ Sports the franchise QB will absolutely be back in L.A. next season.

We talked shop with Melvin out in Minny ... and the stud RB was pretty candid (and hilarious) on topics ranging from Rivers' retirement clock to Alex Smith's Chiefs exit to Kirk Cousins-Broncos rumors.

But the biggest takeaway was Flash telling us his boy, "Phil-y Cheese," (new nickname alert) ain't gonna get squeezed out by the Spanos clan.

Melvin also told us why his boy, Eagles RB Jay Ajayi, big-timed him on Super Bowl tix ... and spilled the beans on a major rap star Melvin Ingram is about to collab with!!