Roster

The Chargers were able to sign a host of picks from April's NFL Draft on Wednesday. Among them was former Mizzou LB Andrew Gachkar, who was selected in the seventh round. Gachkar's four-year deal was signed just before camp began.

The Chargers waived or released the following players Friday: RB Edwin Baker, LB Bront Bird, DL Jacques Cesaire, LB Ricky Elmore, LB Darryl Gamble, CB Greg Gatson, DE Logan Harrell, FB Jacob Hester, CB Arthur Hobbs, QB Jarrett Lee, PK Nick Novak, CB DeAndre Presley, DE Damik Scafe, TE Kory Sperry and WR Mike Willie.

The Chargers waived or released the following players Friday: RB Edwin Baker, LB Bront Bird, DL Jacques Cesaire, LB Ricky Elmore, LB Darryl Gamble, CB Greg Gatson, DE Logan Harrell, FB Jacob Hester, CB Arthur Hobbs, QB Jarrett Lee, PK Nick Novak, CB DeAndre Presley, DE Damik Scafe, TE Kory Sperry and WR Mike Willie.

A source told NFL Network that the Chargers will release linebacker Takeo Spikes. He started every game for San Diego over the last two seasons and totaled 184 tackles with 1.5 sacks, four passes defensed, a forced fumble and an interception.

Chargers receiver Malcom Floyd is taking on a new role in the team's up-tempo offense, The Union-Tribune of San Diego reports. In it, the passing is meant to be shorter and more accurate without as many long throws, which is what Floyd was accustomed to previously. 

"I'm running different routes," Floyd said. "These coaches are really working on my lateral ability, a lot of these drills this offseason, getting in and out of my breaks. It's details like foot placement on curl routes, reprogramming my brain. ... I'm 10 years old in this league, but I feel a lot better than last year. I'm very excited about this upcoming year."

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports defensive end Luis Castillo will be released by the Chargers before the start of training camp. He had re-signed back in April. Castillo will attempt to land with a team that can give him more playing time; he missed almost all of 2011 with a broken leg.

Days after his release from the Panthers, the Chargers have signed linebacker Thomas Keiser.

The Chargers have confirmed that Marcus Gilchrist will play as a strong safety going forward, according to U-T San Diego.

The Giants released several players on the way to the final 53 for the active roster. Among the players cut were LB Phillip Dillard, LB Adrian Tracy, QB Ryan Perrilloux, RB Andre Brown and Charles Scott, TE Christian Hopkins, WR Darius Reynaud, DEs Ayanga Okpokowuruk, Craig Marshall, Alex Hall and Justin Trattou and Dwayne Hendricks and DBs Joe Burnett, David Sims and Jerrard Tarrant. TE Daniel Coats, DT Gabe Watson and K Rhys Lloyd.

The Chargers signed defensive backs Sean Cattouse and Gregory Gatson off the practice squad in preparation for the Week 17 game against Oakland. San Diego placed Aubrayo Franklin and Brandon Taylor on injured reserve to make room. Franklin has a knee injury and Taylor is also dealing with an injury to his knee.

San Diego WR Patrick Crayton had a 26-yard catch-and-run in the fourth quarter on Sunday against the Bills. That play was good for his first score of the year. Crayton was targeted three times on the day by Philip Rivers, catching all three passes for 37 yards. The Chargers would win the game, 37-10.

Larry English played some with the first-team and saw a significant amount of reps in third-down nickel package situations on Thursday. English (foot) has ended each of the past two seasons on injured reserve list and fully participated in his first practice of OTAs on Tuesday.

The Chargers have agreed to a four-year contract with linebacker Jarret Johnson. Johnson, a nine year vet, has not missed a game since 2003. Johnson has only four sacks over the past two seasons, but that could possibly be attributed to what his responsibilities were in Baltimore's defensive scheme. "I drop in coverage a lot," Johnson said. "That is not an excuse. I would love to see my sack totals go up. That is always something I want to improve on."

The Chargers official team website reports that general manager Tom Telesco said during a conference call with season ticket holders that he likes new running back Danny Woodhead. Telesco aid even though he is short he is very strong and “he has some magic to him.” When Telesco was in Indianapolis he said Woodhead always found ways to beat the Colts.

Chargers coach Mike McCoy told Sports Illustrated he expects rookie linebacker Manti Te'o to be an every-down player as the strong-side inside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme. "[W]hen we scouted him, we believed that's what he'd be," McCoy said. "But he'll have to earn that, obviously. We're going to play the best guys, and if he's the best guy on all three downs, he'll be in there."

San Diego defensive lineman Kendall Reyes notched a game-high 3.5 sacks and five tackles during the Chargers' 27-17 win over the Jets in Week 16. Reyes paced the team's defense that managed 11 total sacks on quarterback Greg McElroy, who was making his first NFL start.

Chargers linebacker Donald Butler was ruled inactive for Week 17 against the Raiders due to a groin injury. Butler was unable to practice this week after re-aggravating the injury in San Diego's win over the Jets last week.

U-T San Diego reports Nick Novak has agreed to a four-year deal to stay with the Chargers. Novak nailed 90 percent of his kicks last season, a career-high, getting 18 of 20 field goals over 13 games including 2 of 4 from 50-plus yards.

The Chargers signed linebacker Gary Guyton Wednesday.

San Diego defensive back Eric Weddle shared the team lead with seven tackles -- all solo stops -- during the Chargers' 27-17 victory over the Jets in Week 16. Weddle shared the honor with Antoine Cason, whose seven tackles represented his second-highest total of the year.

The Chargers have reportedly signed tight end John Phillips to a three-year deal, U-T San Diego reports.

Chargers head coach Mike McCoy told the Union-Tribune of San Diego that quarterback Philip Rivers will have a "great" season. After posting some of his worst career numbers in 2012, that might be hard to believe. 

Throwing to a suspect receiving corps and playing behind a poor offensive line, Rivers looked pedestrian. He averaged 6.8 yards per attempt and had five-year lows in passing yardage and touchdowns. While the team should have enough receiving weapons around the quarterback while arming him with a safer-but-faster offensive gameplan this season, questions about Rivers' arm remain valid after many of his passes looked like wounded ducks. 

Almost no one will trust Rivers as a starter in Fantasy, but not many folks should look at him as a blue-chip backup either. After posting just four games with 20-plus Fantasy points last season, there are simply too many other quarterbacks worth the late-round pick one would use on a backup. As such, Rivers should end up going undrafted in smaller leagues and even some larger 12-team basic formats. 

San Diego promoted wide receiver Mike Willie and defensive end Damik Scafe from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Tuesday.

The Chargers have released tight end Randy McMichael, according to ESPN.

The Chargers have signed former Broncos fullback Chris Gronkowski. The 6-2, 245 pounder from the University of Arizona has appeared in 35 games during his career, including 14 games for Denver in 2012. He caught one pass for 11 yards and recorded four tackles on special teams for the Broncos last season. Gronkowski is the younger brother of the New England’s Rob Gronkowski and Cleveland’s Dan Gronkowski, making the brothers the first trio from one family to play in the NFL since Brian, Gary and Rich Baldinger all played in 1992.

The Chargers have claimed linebacker D.J. Smith off waivers from the Packers.

The Chargers released backup quarterback Billy Volek shortly after they signed QB Charlie Whitehurst on Friday, according to a tweet by the team's director of public relations. Before his release, Volek would have earned $2.75 million plus a $750,000 signing bonus this season, according to a tweet by the San Diego Union-Tribune. The swap will save an estimated $1.5 million in cap space for this season.

In addition to first-round pick DT Corey Liuget, the Chargers selected two cornerbacks and two linebackers in April's draft. The team picked up Clemson CB Marcus Gilchrist (Round 2), Michigan LB Jonas Mouton (Round 2), USC CB Shareece Wright (Round 3) and Mizzou LB Andrew Gachkar (Round 7).

The Union-Tribune San Diego reports that Chargers rookie receiver Keenan Allen ran faster and cut more sharply than he did a month ago at rookie minicamp. The report says Allen doesn't seem at all limited by the posterior ligament knee injury that sidelined him late last season and prevented him from performing at the NFL combine.

Knee - Probable for start of training camp

The Chargers have signed Dallas Walker, a 6-foot-6, 235-pound tight end from Western Michigan University. He spent last year playing with the Georgia Rampage of the United Indoor Football League. He wowed the Chargers scouts at the Super Regional Combine in Dallas according to U-T San Diego.

The Chargers signed defensive backs Sean Cattouse and Gregory Gatson off the practice squad in preparation for the Week 17 game against Oakland. San Diego placed Aubrayo Franklin and Brandon Taylor on injured reserve to make room. Franklin has a knee injury and Taylor is also dealing with an injury to his knee.

Chargers running back Le'Ron McClain did not see any carries in Week 13 against the Bengals but was able to come up with a few grabs. He caught three passes for 16 yards in the 20-13 loss.

Chargers LB Stephen Cooper (bicep) was placed on the season-ending IR list on Tuesday, according to the Chargers’ media relations director. Linebacker Gerald Hayes, an eight year veteran (2003-2010, Cardinals), was signed in his place. Hayes was at the team’s facility on Tuesday. Cooper tore his right bicep muscle from the bone against the Cowboys in the second preseason game.

The Chargers re-signed veteran running back Ronnie Brown to a one-year deal, the team announced Saturday. The move comes on the heels of Friday's signing of former Patriots running back Danny Woodhead to a two-year deal. After six seasons with Miami, Brown moved to Philadelphia in 2011 before signing a one-year deal with the Chargers last June.

New team, same old story for DB Bob Sanders. The Chargers placed Sanders on IR on Wednesday with a knee injury. "All we wished for Bob was good health and hoped to turn him loose to do his thing, which was being one great, physical, highly-competitive player. It didn’t work out for him or us, and we wish him the very best," GM A.J. Smith said.

Chargers rookie tight end put on three more pounds of muscle since minicamp, the North County Times reports. Green is bulking up so he can be a factor as a run blocker.

According to U-T San Diego, the Chargers reached out to receiver Robert Meachem and expressed interest an interest to "move forward together." Meachem was a massive disappointment last year, catching 14 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns -- with both scores and a season-best 67 yards coming in the same game against his former team. "I was actually watching the tape of him," general manager Tom Telesco said. "Early on in the year when he played a little more, he looked pretty good to me, so I'm excited to see him in OTAs, running routes, up close and personal and get to know him a little better."

The Chargers announced the release of safety Atari Bigby on Friday, saving the team roughly $1.5 million on the salary cap. A groin injury ended his 2012 season after 11 games.

San Diego running back Curtis Brinkley was held to three total yards during the Chargers' 27-17 win over the Jets in Week 16. With Ryan Mathews out with an injury, Brinkley, who served behind Jackie Battle and Ronnie Brown, had just one carry for three yards while also failing to collect a target in the passing game. Battle finished with 49 yards on 19 carries and Brown tacked on 31 yards while earning five rushing attempts.

Chargers defensive back Corey Lynch received the start in Week 13 against the Bengals with Atari Bigby out and had a productive performance. He led San Diego with 11 tackles (nine solo) and also recorded an interception in the 20-13 loss. It was his first interception of the season.

San Diego placed rookie LB Jonas Mouton on injured reserve Wednesday with a shoulder injury and ending his first NFL season. To take his roster spot, the Chargers signed safety Paul Oliver to a one-year contract.

The Chargers signed defensive backs Sean Cattouse and Gregory Gatson off the practice squad in preparation for the Week 17 game against Oakland. San Diego placed Aubrayo Franklin and Brandon Taylor on injured reserve to make room. Franklin has a knee injury and Taylor is also dealing with an injury to his knee.

San Diego promoted wide receiver Mike Willie and defensive end Damik Scafe from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Tuesday.

Referring to himself as an "average back" up to this point in his career, Chargers running back Ryan Mathews admitted to Union-Tribune San Diego that he stressed himself out over trying to play like LaDainian Tomlinson, the guy he replaced when he was taken with a first-round pick in 2010. Since entering the league Mathews has 14 touchdowns, one year with over 1,000 total yards, 10 games missed, seven fumbles lost, one high-ankle sprain, two broken collarbones and some regrets. But Mathews is far from quitting and has even shed some of the weight he put on last year. He's been studying more than he has in the past and working on his blocking technique. And he has a new outlook on this season. "I’m just gonna be myself," he said. "In practice, I’m just trying to focus on what I do. I’m not trying to focus on what would (Tomlinson) do? I’m just gonna go back to like I was playing at Fresno State -- just running the ball catching the ball and scoring touchdowns."

Shoulder - Probable for start of training camp

The Giants continued trimming their roster Friday in preparation for the regular season and released the following players: linebackers Greg Jones and Jake Muasau; defensive linemen Marcus Thomas and Matt Broha; wide receivers Dan DePalma and Isaiah Stanback; and tight end Larry Donnell.

The Chargers have signed Deon Butler.

Chargers running back Jackie Battle had a hard time finding many running lanes in Week 17 against the Raiders. Battle rushed for 37 yards on 19 carries in the 24-21 win and had a long of 8 yards. He also caught four passes for 31 yards but was unable to find the end zone. Battle averaged 2.9 yards each time he touched the ball.

New Chargers pass rusher Dwight Freeney told Sports Illustrated he will not only play outside linebacker but also work as a defensive end. "They'll run both (the 3-4 and 4-3)," Freeney said. "They're willing to feature me and free me up to make plays. And they're going to put me in good matchups in the 3-4."

Chargers DL Tommie Harris only made one tackle in the Monday night victory in Jacksonville Week 13. That tackle Harris recorded was a sack of Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert.

The Chargers have signed defensive lineman Jarius Wynn to a one-year deal.

The Chargers promoted running back Edwin Baker from the practice squad to the active roster Wednesday.

The Chargers claimed cornerback Johnny Patrick after the Saints waived him.

The Chargers claimed running back Fozzy Whittaker off waivers from the Cardinals.

Notable players the Bears either waived or released Friday include: LB Xavier Adibi, RB Armando Allen, WR Joe Anderson, CB Cornelius Brown, WR Terriun Crump, DE Chauncey Davis, WR Rashied Davis, CB Isaiah Frey, WR Brittan Golden, SB Mark LeGree, QB Josh McCown, CB Greg McCoy, DT Jordan Miller, TE Brandon Venson, DE Aston Whiteside, CB Jonathan Wilhite and LB Jabara Williams.

Chargers receiver Vincent Brown looked "spectacular" during offseason workouts, The Union-Tribune San Diego noticed. Brown broke his left ankle last summer and missed the entire 2012 season.

He's since fully healed and seems to be the tall, jump-ball receiver who plays fast. That's a much-needed player for the Chargers offense.