SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Chargers have agreed to terms with tight end Kris Wilson and defensive end Alfonso Boone.
Both received two-year contracts. Wilson just completed his second season with the Chargers, catching four passes for 28 yards, with one touchdown. Boone joined the Chargers last year and started four of 13 games played.
Source: USA Today
The Chargers continue to make sweeping changes to their roster by releasing Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jamal Williams.
The longtime heart and soul of the team’s interior defense was let go, joining LaDainian Tomlinson as past featured players hitting the streets.
But unlike Tomlinson, there is a chance Williams could return — but that’s no guarantee.
“This is a difficult time of year and the most difficult part of our job,” general manager A.J. Smith said. “Jamal has been an anchor of our defense for 12 seasons. He’s battled courageously at one of the most punishing positions on the field, and I respect him immensely.”
Williams tore his triceps in last year’s season-opener and landed on IR, wiping out the majority of his season. But it appeared the Chargers were counting on Williams to get healthy and return to shore up a shoddy run defense.
Williams, though, will soon turn 34 and was to earn some $6 million next season, which includes a roster bonus.
That was too rich for the Chargers’ blood, not to mention Williams’ physical state is such that him coming back to play at a Pro Bowl level was doubtful.
While Williams’ release was a bit shocking, the team reversed course with another key player: running back Darren Sproles.
The team, it appeared, was going to let Sproles go after one year of being its franchise player. But while the Chargers didn’t get all that much bang for their $6.6 million they gave Sproles last year, they have decided to seek his return.
Sproles, who also returns kickoffs and punts, was tendered as a restricted free agent with a first- and third-round choice and a $7 million price tag.
That’s awfully rich, but no one is quite sure if it is enough to scare off another team in an uncapped season. It could also signal that the Chargers and Sproles are nearing a long-term deal.
The Chargers did decide to move on without another running back, and that is veteran Michael Bennett.
But it was the news that Williams is leaving and Sproles is staying — for now — which caught many Chargers watchers off-guard.
With Williams gone, the Chargers will be seeking a bigger and better defensive tackle than what their roster shows now. Behind Williams is Ryon Bingham, but he doesn’t have nearly the size of skill sets which led Williams to three Pro Bowl selections.
So in addition to running backs being at the top of Smith’s list, he needs to find a massive defensive tackle that can fit into the Chargers’ 3-4 alignment.
NOTES, QUOTES
—OLB Shawne Merriman has expressed disappointment with being a restricted free agent, a distinction necessitated by the NFL going to an uncapped year next season. “Business is business but some things just aren’t right,” he said.
General manager A.J. Smith just shrugged. “It goes with the territory,” he said. “Everybody has an opinion and voices their opinion and you understand that.”
—DE Luis Castillo underwent shoulder surgery and has completed his rehab.
—DE Jacques Cesaire had procedures to clean up debris in his elbow and knee and can start working out again.
—C Nick Hardwick, who had ankle surgery last season, had a shoulder operation when the season ended. He will be ready for the Chargers’ minicamp sessions.
—The team, which is looking at a downtown site for a new stadium, said it might link the development with a sports arena as well. So far, the issue has not come to a vote, which many consider an uphill battle to get passed.
—TE Antonio Gates had his No. 44 basketball jersey retired at Kent State. “Kent State has done so much for me,” Gates said. “The man I was when I left Kent State is not the person I was when I got to Kent State.”
—The Chargers have had a character issues with many players so maybe that is why their recent trip to the Combine came with plenty of personal interviews. “I think one of the most important things we get from the Combine is what goes on off the field,” said John Spanos, the team’s director of college scouting.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “This was the year we decided we were going to move forward and we are not looking back.” — GM A.J. Smith on releasing future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
The Chargers are going to try their best to keep some of their top-notch players from vacating. But as always, the focus when it comes to bringing in new players will be the draft.
Although with the numerous shortcoming on the both sides of the ball, this might be the year the Chargers are more active enticing other players to come west.
OFFSEASON STRATEGY
The Chargers, under A.J. Smith, have never been big players in the free-agent market. But might that change this year with so many holes appearing on the Chargers roster?
The release of LaDainian Tomlinson and Jamal Williams underscores just how thin the Chargers are at that position.
But the Chargers do get a break with it being an uncapped year as they can likely bring back OLB Shawne Merriman, WRs Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd and left tackle Marcus McNeill at reasonable prices; all have been allocated first- and third-round tenders.
TEAM NEEDS
1. Running back: The Chargers’ need here might have lessened slightly with the news they will seek to retain Darren Sproles. But with the subtraction of LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Bennett, the Chargers don’t have a true every down back on the roster.
2. Defensive tackle: With Pro Bowler Jamal Williams being released, there is a huge need here — especially with the Chargers running a 3-4 alignment. Don’t be surprised if the Chargers burn their first draft pick on a space-eating defensive tackle.
3. Right guard: The Chargers have been trying to upgrade this spot for a couple of years but without much luck. They would probably be OK going into the season with Jeromey Clary and Brandyn Dombrowski at this spot, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be looking hard to get better.
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
—DT Alfonso Boone filled a need last year but the team looks to get younger here.
—C Dennis Norman is at a spot where the team has depth and likely won’t come back.
—WR Kassim Osgood is a three-time Pro Bowler as a special-teamer; he wants to try his luck at receiver and could flee.
—OL Jon Runyan is going to retire and run for Congress.
—DT Ian Scott doesn’t have the upside the Chargers are looking for and will likely depart.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)
—*DT Antonio Garay (not tendered as RFA) was a late-season addition and doesn’t figure in the team’s plans moving forward.
—*C Eric Ghiaciuc (not tendered as RFA) won’t have a place with the number of linemen — when healthy — ahead of him.
—*OLB Marques Harris (not tendered as RFA) is a decent pass rusher but the Chargers will likely see him go where he would get more of a chance to contribute.
—*LB Dontarrious Thomas (not tendered as RFA) seldom saw the field when arriving late last year and appears to be a goner.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (*indicates restricted because of uncapped year)
—RT Jeromey Clary (tendered at $1.684M with second-round pick as compensation) will return but will be pushed by Brandyn Dombrowski for a starting job.
—*ILB Tim Dobbins (tendered at $1.176M with fifth-round pick as compensation) is a solid backup after getting lapped by Brandon Siler; should return.
—*WR Malcom Floyd (tendered at $3.168M with first- and third-round picks as compensation) could likely get more passes thrown his way elsewhere, but he likes San Diego and will likely take a little less to remain here.
—*WR Vincent Jackson (tendered at $3.268M with first- and third-round picks as compensation) is the team’s top receiver and will be brought back — unless the team has grown tired of his immaturity; that’s doubtful after two 1,000-yard seasons.
—*DL Travis Johnson (tendered at $1.226M with first-round pick as compensation) will probably have to settle for less money, but the former first-round pick of the Texans might have found a home in San Diego.
—*LT Marcus McNeill (tendered at $3.168M with first- and third-round picks as compensation) is a stud at left tackle and among the team’s biggest offseason priorities.
—*OLB Shawne Merriman (tendered at $3.168M with first- and third-round picks as compensation) will return, possibly, if willing to swallow his pride and lower his price tag. A motivated Merriman playing on a one-year deal could be attractive to the Chargers.
—*RB Darren Sproles (tendered at $7.283M with first- and third-round picks as compensation) was tendered after it was first thought the Chargers would let him go.
—*QB Charlie Whitehurst (tendered at $1.176M with third-round pick as compensation) is learning a ton at the No. 3 spot, so he finally absorbs one more year of education and then moves on.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
—OLB Antwan Applewhite (tendered at $470,000) can deliver a burst off the ball and is keen on special teams. He should be brought back.
—FB Mike Tolbert (tendered at $470,000) continues to improve and the Chargers could give him more carries in the base offense, depending on the situation at running back.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
—TE Kris Wilson: UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED: None.
PLAYERS LOST
—RB Michael Bennett (released).
—TE Brandon Manumaleuna has agreed to a five-year deal with Chicago, according to multiple reports. Manumaleuna reunites with Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who was the Rams’ head coach when Manumaleuna was a quality blocking tight end for St. Louis.
—RB LaDainian Tomlinson (released).
—NT Jamal Williams (released).
NeW YORK (AP)—It just got a lot tougher to throw against the New York Jets.
A few hours before the NFL’s free agency period began, the Jets improved their secondary in a big way by agreeing in principle with the San Diego Chargers to acquire talented but troubled cornerback Antonio Cromartie on Thursday night.
The Jets confirmed the deal, but didn’t release specifics—although it is believed to be for a draft pick in 2011.
Cromartie was an All-Pro in 2007 and will team with Darrelle Revis in the Jets’ secondary, making them possibly the best cornerback tandem in the NFL. Cromartie replaces Lito Sheppard, who was released earlier in the day after one disappointing season.
It could be a welcome change for Cromartie, who has struggled the last two seasons. He has 15 interceptions in four seasons since being the 19th overall pick out of Florida State in 2006, but the Chargers were dissatisfied with Cromartie’s performance late last season and in the playoffs. General manager A.J. Smith made it clear he would try to trade him.
One of Cromartie’s low moments actually came against his new team in the playoffs in January. Cromartie froze as Jets running back Shonn Greene hit the hole at the start of a 53-yard touchdown run that gave New York a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter of a 17-14 win in the AFC divisional round. Cromartie eventually caught up to Greene and gave him a shove well after he’d crossed the goal line—but he had already drawn the ire of fans and apparently the Chargers.
The 25-year-old Cromartie also has had his share of legal troubles. He has dealt with at least five paternity suits; he has fathered seven children by several woman. Cromartie also had a bar patron claim that he hit him in the head with a champagne bottle hours after the team’s victory at Denver last November. San Diego police later said there was not enough evidence to prove the claim.
He was also disciplined by coach Norv Turner for breaking team rules regarding tweeting from the team premises.
Despite the issues both on and off the field, Cromartie gives Jets coach Rex Ryan an athletic player with loads of potential.
In his second season in 2007, Cromartie set the Chargers’ franchise record with an NFL-leading 10 interceptions, and added two more picks in the playoffs as San Diego made it to the AFC championship game. He also was credited earlier in the season with the longest play in NFL history when he returned a missed field goal by Minnesota 109 yards for a touchdown.
He boasted the next season that he wanted to break the NFL record for interceptions with 14, but had just two while playing throughout the year with a hip injury. Cromartie had three interceptions last season.
Source: SD Tribune
Darren Sproles is staying. Jamal Williams is leaving.
The Chargers changed their mind on Sproles, opting Thursday morning to place a first-and-third tender on the dynamic running back and kick returner.
Williams, a Pro Bowl nose tackle who had been with the Chargers for 12 seasons, was released. He will be 34 next month, would have been owed a $1 million roster bonus and was scheduled to earn $5 million in 2010. He played in only one game last season due to a triceps injury suffered in the season opener.
Also released was veteran running back Michael Bennett, who played sparingly in his year and a half with the Chargers.
Sproles had been notified last week the Chargers would not tender him as a restricted free agent and would allow him to test the market as an unrestricted free agent.
The move guarantees Sproles a salary of $7.283 million if he stays with the Chargers, unless the club can sign him to a long-term deal. He made $6.62 million last season as the Chargers' franchise player and is entitled to a 10 percent raise.
The Chargers' initial thinking in not tendering Sproles was that they couldn't justify paying a kick returner and third-down back that much. They had hoped to continue talking to him about a multiyear contract even as he tested the market.
A source said Sproles was scheduled to visit the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend and also St. Louis, Philadelphia and Washington.
Any team signing him would have to give the Chargers a first-round and third-round pick.
The Chargers also confirmed they placed the maximum tender on four other restricted free agents: linebacker Shawne Merriman, tackle Marcus McNeill and wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd. They put a second-round tender on tackle Jeromey Clary, a third-round tender on quarterback Charlie Whitehurst and a fifth-round tender on linebacker Tim Dobbins.
The Chargers have seven unrestricted free agents and the team said Pro Bowl special teams star Kassim Osgood and veteran offensive linemen Jon Runyan and Dennis Norman definitely will not be returning to the club. The other four are tight ends Kris Wilson and Brandon Manumaleuna, and defensive linemen Ian Scott and Alfonso Boone.
Also Thursday, the Chargers announced 10 players have undergone surgery since the season ended Jan. 17, including three who already have completed their recovery: defensive ends Luis Castillo (shoulder) and Jacques Cesaire (elbow, knee), and center Nick Hardwick (shoulder).
The others, and their anticipated recovery time, according to the Chargers: LB Kevin Burnett (neck, 3-5 months), DL Vaughn Martin (ankle, 12 weeks), OL Scott Mruczkowski (elbow, 2-4 weeks), WR Legedu Naanee (foot, 12 weeks), P Mike Scifres (bilateral hernia, 6-12 weeks), S C.J. Spillman (shoulder, 3-4 months), and G Louis Vasquez (knee, 6-8 weeks).
Source: SD Tribune
The Chargers have changed their minds.
The team is placing a first-and-third tender on running back Darren Sproles, sources said Thursday morning.
Sproles had been notified last week the Chargers would not tender him as a restricted free agent and would allow him to test the market as an unrestricted free agent.
The move guarantees Sproles a salary of $7.27 million if he stays with the Chargers, unless the club can sign him to a long-term deal. He made $6.62 million last season as the Chargers' franchise player and is entitled to a 10 percent raise.
The Chargers' initial thinking in not tendering Sproles was that they couldn't justify paying a kick returner and third-down back that much. They had hoped to continue talking to him about a multiyear contract even as he tested the market.
A source said Sproles was scheduled to visit the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend and also St. Louis, Philadelphia and Washington.
It is unlikely he will take those trips now. Any team signing him would have to give the Chargers a first-round and third-round pick.
Earlier Thursday, before the Chargers decided to tender him, Sproles said he was excited about free agency.
“I’m just ready to see who wants me,” Sproles said.
Sproles reiterated several times that his “first choice” was to remain a Charger.
“First, it’s San Diego,” he said. “Then it’s my teammates. The people in the locker room, that’s who I’m comfortable with. They know what I like to do; I know what they like to do.”
Sproles carried 93 times for 343 yards (3.7 average) and caught 45 passes for 497 yards in 2009. He has over the past two-plus seasons shown himself to be among the most dynamic runners in the NFL.
The Chargers clearly see the 5-foot-6, 185-pound Sproles as a kick returner and third-down back.
“It’s always been on my mind — how do other teams want to use me?” he said. “Is it just on third down and returning? Or do some people want to use me more? That’s what I’ve always wondered?”
Sproles and the Chargers had agreed to talk again. But first he was going to find out what other teams were willing to give him — in both playing time and money.
“I’m still thinking I can still be a Charger,” Sproles said. “That’s what I feel … This is where I want to be, so we’ll try to get something worked out. But if not, we’ll see … ”
INDIANAPOLIS — The Chargers appear determined to keep their remaining four top restricted free agents after allowing running back Darren Sproles to test the market.
According to sources familiar with the Chargers’ intentions, the team is expected to place the first-and-third tender on left tackle Marcus McNeill, linebacker Shawne Merriman and receivers Malcom Floyd and Vincent Jackson.
That is the highest possible tender and would assure the Chargers of receiving significant compensation if one of them signed elsewhere.
Ostensibly, another team would have to give the Chargers first- and third-round draft picks in this year’s draft if they signed one of the four. But the sides could negotiate a lesser deal.
One source cautioned that “things could change.” But several sources said the Chargers are making known their intentions to put the highest tender on those four players, believing that is the only way to keep them from being poached.
Other teams could deem any or all of those four — not to mention eight other restricted free agents — worth parting with draft picks.
But most general managers speaking at the NFL Combine this week indicated they did not anticipate a lot of movement in restricted free agency even though so many top players are restricted and the unrestricted market is considered relatively light.
Floyd, Jackson, McNeill and Merriman were all due to be unrestricted free agents this year but are restricted because of 2010 being uncapped in the final season of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
As a player with five years’ experience, Jackson will receive $3.268 million in 2010 and Floyd $3.168 million. Merriman is entitled to 110 percent of his 2009 salary ($2.972 million), which means he will make $3.269 million.
Sproles became one of the top unrestricted free agents available when the Chargers opted to not tender him because of the $7.3 million price tag that would have been required.
The Chargers hold out hope they can entice Sproles to return with a multiyear contract offer. However, sources said the deep-pocketed Washington Redskins are going to be among those in the bidding for Sproles.
It appears as though one Charger will be on the move.
Trade talks regarding cornerback Antonio Cromartie have progressed at the Combine this week, league sources said. And sources familiar with the teams the Chargers have spoken with said the Detroit Lions are the leading contender to get Cromartie and could acquire him soon in exchange for a mid-round draft pick.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Detroit Lions have talked to the Chargers about a potential trade for San Diego cornerback Antonio Cromartie, the Detroit Free Press confirmed.
Kevin Acee, who writes about the Chargers for The San Diego Union-Tribune, posted on his Twitter account it's "not a done deal" but he is hearing Cromartie "could be a Lion soon."
Cromartie, 25, is considered one of the league's most talented athletes. He had 10 interceptions in 2007.
But he has fallen out of favor with the Chargers because of a lack of physical play and off-the-field issues. He has five interceptions over the past two seasons.
The Lions need help at cornerback desperately, and Cromartie might be available for a reasonable price. He has one season left on his contract.
Note
• A spokesman said the league, at a meeting later this month, might vote to change its overtime format for playoff games.
Under the proposed format, both teams would get the ball at least once unless the first team to get the ball scores a touchdown, Greg Aiello said. If the first team to get the ball makes a field goal and the other team ties the scores, action would continue until a team scores again.
Under existing rules, the first team to score in OT wins. At least two-thirds of the teams would need to agree to the changes for new overtime rules to be adopted.
