In his first two seasons in the NFL, San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews split carries with Mike Tolbert and Darren Sproles as a rookie and, after Sproles departed in free agency, with just Tolbert in 2011. Now that Tolbert has followed Sproles' free-agent path to the NFC South, Mathews is preparing to carry a bigger workload in 2012, Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego reports. Mathews had 222 carries for 1,091 yards and six touchdowns last season, adding 50 receptions for 455 yards out of the backfield even... [Read More]
While we wouldn't call it a full-fledged "movement" quite yet, a potential reunion between the Chargers and LaDainian Tomlinson has become a topic of conversation in San Diego the last few days. First came the huge reception for Tomlinson at the celebration of Junior Seau's life. Then came a column from Jay Paris in the North County Times where Paris pleads with GM A.J. Smith to "swallow his pride" and sign Tomlinson, the Chargers, after all, need a third down back, this almost makes sense. Last... [Read More]
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said that wide receiver Robert Meachem, who had his right knee scope earlier in the offseason, is participating fully in the team’s offseason workouts. “Oh yeah, he looks real good,” Rivers said. “He’s running around and picking up the offense super fast.” Rivers added, “Meachem is learning new stuff, but now we are getting to where we call plays and breaking the huddle and going and going and going. This looks like we have been together for awhile and that’s what you want... [Read More]
Eli Kaberon of Profootball Weekly reports after losing Darren Sproles and Mike Tolbert in free agency the past two years, many were surprised the Chargers waited until the seventh round of last month’s NFL draft to select a running back. The team needs depth behind starter Ryan Mathews, and though rookie Edwin ‘Rock’ Baker is expected to contribute as a third-down back, the team still has a glaring need to fill on the depth chart. According to a team insider, a veteran running back will be signed to fill that need at... [Read More]
A full offseason seems to be doing wonders for Antonio Gates. Last month, the Chargers tight end said he was "excited" to prove he's still an elite player at his position after being slowed the past two seasons to a foot injury. On Thursday, coach Norv Turner affirmed the All-Pro's progress. "Gates looks great — he's back," Turner said. "Physically, he's back to where we want him to be. I think, like anybody, going through this offseason program helps you get better. (It's) the combination of... [Read More]
Three months ago, Chargers defensive lineman Tommie Harris faced unimaginable sadness when his wife, Ashley, died at the age of 29 from either a brain aneurysm or a stroke, Harris, though, vows to keep her memory alive, and to do so, he's planning to build a school in the Sudan for girls who have been affected by Joseph Kony's reign of terror. Harris is alone with his two young children, and soon before Mother's Day, the Chicago SunTimes caught up with Harris to talk about life after Ashley and how he's managing to get... [Read More]
The San Diego Chargers have signed free agent defensive lineman Garrett Brown and rookie free agent corner back Arthur Hobbs. They were among 17 who tried out during rookie orientation this past weekend. Brown spent time with the Chiefs as a defensive tackle in 2010. Hobbs, a Division II All-American, played at Mt. Miguel High School and Grossmont College in San Diego before transferring to the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
The San Diego Chargers have hammered out a four-year, $2.743 million deal with third-round safety Brandon Taylor that includes a $643,876 signing bonus, according to a league source. The contract includes $20,000 in other compensation above a $2.1 million total of base salaries and his slotted bonus. Taylor was the last Chargers draft pick to agree to terms. The 5-foot-11, 209-pounder ran a 4.58 at his Pro Day workout and bench pressed 225 pounds 16 times.
The San Diego Chargers would like fourth round tight end Ladarius Green to add 10-15 pounds to his 6-foot-6 frame, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. "They're telling me to bulk up a little bit," Green said on Friday. Green was a high school wide receiver who added weight without losing speed during his four seasons at Louisana-Lafayette. Green weighed 235 pounds at the 2012 Scouting Combine and the club would like him to be at around 245 pounds as a rookie. During his 46-game career,... [Read More]
The San Diego Chargers will officially retire No. 55 in honor of the late Junior Seau, Chargers president Dean Spanos announced at Friday's memorial at Qualcomm Stadium. "Junior's accomplishments on the field speak for themselves," Spanos said. "His play on the field combined with his leadership and charisma became the face of this team for more than a decade. I can't think of anyone more deserving of this honor." San Diego used the fifth overall pick of the 1990 NFL Draft on Seau, an Oceanside,... [Read More]
San Diego prepares to say goodbye to local legend Junior Seau, with the cornerstone event planned Friday at Qualcomm Stadium. Public outpouring of grief and remembrances began shortly after news of Seau's death in Oceanside, Calif., a suburb north of San Diego. Seau, 43, killed himself with a single gunshot to the heart, according to a coroner's report. Friday's "Celebration of Life" tribute is expected to draw more than 30,000, with a full house possible. Because of that, stadium personnel are making... [Read More]
The Chargers have now secured a contract with fifth round pick OG Johnnie Troutman. Safety Brandon Taylor, a third-round selection, and running back Edwin Baker, a seventh, remain unsigned. Troutman had a clean sheet as a senior, penalized not once on 885 plays while also not allowing a quarterback sack or pressure on 381 pass attempts. The 6-foot-4, 325-pounder injured himself in the weight room last month. He underwent pectoral surgery days before the draft, putting the playing status for his rookie season in doubt.... [Read More]
The San Diego Chargers have finalized a four-year contract with fourth-round rookie tight end Ladarius Green, according to a league source. Green is an athletic 6-foot-6, 239-pounder from Louisiana-Lafayette. Green had a strong combine, running the 40-yard dash officially in 4.53 seconds while registering a 10-4 broad jump and a 7.12 three-cone drill. Green is a first-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection who caught 51 passes for 606 yards and eight touchdowns.
The San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys will hold joint practices following their August 18 preseason game in San Diego, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports. The two practice days, which will be held on August 20-21, will close the California portion of the Cowboys' 2012 training camp. Last summer, the two teams held joint practices in Texas before playing in a Sunday night preseason game on August 21. Chargers center Nick Hardwick is looking forward to the joint practices, which help the teams prepare... [Read More]
The San Diego Chargers have been busy today getting rookies under contract. Shortly after the deal for second-rounder Kendall Reyes was completed, the Chargers announced that they had also reached a four-year contract with top pick Melvin Ingram of South Carolina. Ingram, who slipped to 18th overall in the draft, potentially gives San Diego its best outside linebacker since Shawne Merriman. His contract contains a club option for a fifth year as well. In addition, the Chargers also announced that the deal for center... [Read More]
