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Morning links: Kevin Faulconer to announce advisory group Friday

Good morning.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer will announce members of his group of civic leaders to develop a stadium plan that keeps the San Diego Chargers in town on Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET outside of Petco Park, according to a statement released by his office.

According to the release, the Citizens’ Stadium Advisory Group will be composed of civic leaders and experts that bring specific skills sets and qualifications required to develop large-scale projects and financing plans. The group will complete an analysis, develop plans and make recommendations by the fall of this year.

Scott Kaplan of The Mighty 1090 AM radio points to his experience in Phoenix, which has a non-contiguous convention center, as evidence that it can work in San Diego. He challenges opponents of the non-contiguous expansion of the convention center in San Diego to provide proof it will not work here.

Voice of San Diego’s Scott Lewis and Catherine Garcia of NBC Ch. 7 in San Diego explain the tough task of raising taxes to pay for a new Chargers stadium and city infrastructure repairs in this video.

Derek Togerson of NBC Ch. 7 in San Diego talks with offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles about his rookie season in this video.

Judson Richards of Xtra 1360 Fox Sports Radio talks with Chargers receiver Eddie Royal in this audio link.

Jordan Beane and Ricky Henne of Chargers.com talk with ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan about San Diego’s needs in free agency in this video.

Steve Hartman and Mike Costa interview Gil Brandt of NFL.com about the Chargers in this audio link.

Our ESPN NFL experts pick are almost split down the middle in their Super Bowl picks, with the Seattle Seahawks holding a 24-22 edge over the New England Patriots. I’m taking the Seahawks, 30-23.

In this ESPN Insider pieceInsider, NFL handicapper Dave Tuley takes the Seahawks.

According to this report by the Associated Press, recorded concussions were down 25 percent during the 2014 season.