San Diego Chargers Cut Travis Laboy

Travis Laboy was brought in last season to help Manusky set up the defense the way that he wanted to run it. He was to be a rotational player behind Larry English and Shaun Philips. That was the plan at least, but injuries pretty much erased that. Laboy saw more snaps at linebacker than any other Charger last year, but the team saw him as an expendable piece to say the least. With the drafting of Melvin Ingram and the signing of Jarret Johnson, there just really wasn't any room for Laboy. Everette Brown was also let go early in the off-season. All in all, Laboy did what a backup was supposed to do. He ended the season with a stat line of 38 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. By cutting him this early, San Diego has made it clear that Larry English is going to get one more shot to stay on the team. This move still leaves Philips, Johnson, Ingram, English, and Barnes at outside linebacker for the Chargers. Laboy will now have all summer to try and latch on somewhere else. Laboy did a commendable job stepping in and we here at Charger Madness wish him well wherever he ends up.

New Free Agents Receive Jersey Numbers

The San Diego Chargers have been very active in free agency even if they haven't been making the biggest splashes. They have added a number of quality players at several positions that will either start or provide great depth. One of the more interesting issues that comes up after the ink has dried is the issue of jersey numbers. Some players are attached to certain numbers, having used them their whole career. The issue ends up that a player on the new team already wears that number. At this point, there are two solutions. First, accept a new number and start a new chapter. Second, pay for the number. This is always an interesting case because it doesn't have to be just cash. Just ask how good this can be for former Giants punter Jeff Feagles. Feagles swapped numbers twice in New York, earning a paid vacation to Florida for his family (Eli Manning/10) and a renovated kitchen (Plaxico, 17, never paid). Here is the list of new free agents and their new numbers and extra information when possible.

#6: Charlie Whitehurst, QB (same number he wore with team before trade to Seattle)
#11: Eddie Royal, WR (wore number 19 in Denver)
#12: Robert Meachem (wore number 17 in New Orleans)
#13: Roscoe Parrish (wore number 11 in Buffalo)
#27: Atari Bigby (wore number 20 in Green Bay and number 27 in Seattle)
#33: Le'Ron McClain (wore 44 in Kansas City and 33 in Baltimore)
#41: Nick Polk (was a member of the team who missed all of last season)
#50: Ricky Elmore (wore number 57 with Green Bay)
#58: Demorrio Williams (wore number 51 in Atlanta and 53 in Kansas City)
#87: Michael Spurlock (wore numbers 17, 81 in Tampa Bay and 18 in San Francisco)
#88: Donte Rosario (wore number 88 in Carolina and 49 in Denver)
#96: Jarret Johnson (wore number 95 in Baltimore, used by Shaun Phillips)

AFC West Free Agency Review

San Diego Chargers

Lost: Vincent Jackson (Bucs), Steve Gregory (Patriots), Billy Volek (Released), Marcus McNeill (Cut), Luis Castillo (Released)

Signed: Robert Meachem, Atari Bigby, Jarret Johnson, Le'Ron McClain, Jared Gaither, Eddie Royal, Charlie Whitehurst

Denver Broncos

Lost: Eddie Royal (Chargers)

Signed: Mike Adams (Browns)

Kansas City Chiefs

Lost: Brandon Carr (Cowboys), Kyle Orton (Cowboys), Le'Ron McClain (Chargers)

Signed: Kevin Boss (Raiders), Peyton Hillis (Browns)

Oakland Raiders

Lost: Kevin Boss (Chiefs), Chaz Schiliens (Jets),  Rock Cartwright (49ers), Jason Campbell (Bears)

Signed: Ron Bartell (Rams), Mike Brisiel (Texans)

Each team has numerous free agents who have not signed with anybody yet, so for the time being, these are just the moves we know have happened for sure.

Free Agency Updates for Day 2: Chargers, Buccaneers, Cowboys, and 49er's

Lots of signings today, including several for the Chargers. Here is a rundown of some of the bigger signings of the day.

San Diego Chargers: San Diego opened the day by inking LT Jared Gaither to a 4 year deal. With the resigning of Hardwick and Gaither, San Diego returned valuable continuity to the offensive line. San Diego then reached out to 2 former Ravens in OLB Jarret Johnson and FB Le'Ron McClain. McClain spent last season with the Chiefs. McClain will bring an aggressive nature to the run blocking and also can contribute as a spot carrier or a goal line option. With McClain blocking for him, Ryan Mathews should have no excuse not to have a monster year.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  As Charger fans know, Vincent Jackson signed a 5 year, 55.55 million dollar contract with Tampa Bay. That was a huge purchase for the Bucs, but they were not done spending by any means. The team had also targeted former Saints guard Carl Nicks and corner Eric Wright, formerly of the Detroit Lions. Both signed with the Bucs. In the last 2 days, the Bucs have spent well over 100 million on free agents. Both Jackson and Nicks are Pro-Bowl players and Wright showed promise with the Lions.  Tampa Bay is spending big. In my mind, they are the winners so far in terms of free agency, but we should be cautious of signing big name free agents and expecting results, cough cough Philly.

Dallas Cowboys: have also been active in free agency, inking deals with former Chiefs Brandon Carr (CB) and Kyle Orton (QB). Carr is the biggest signing as the secondary was a big weakness for the Cowboys last season. Another signing is former Texans FB Lawrence Vickers. While these might not all carry the same weight as the Bucs big deals, these are all good signing. Orton has starting experience in Chicago and Denver. He also stepped in for the Chiefs last season.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacksonville retained the services of Jeremy Micney (DE) and Dwight Lowery (SS),  as well as DT C.J. Mosley and LB Allen Russell. Mincey and Lowery are the biggest retainments for the Jags. They also signed former Cowboy and Charger Laurent Robinson. Robinson was a camp cut for the Chargers last season. San Diego had also been pursuing Robinson, but appeared to back off after signing receiver Robert Meachem. Jacksonville also brought in former Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne. The team seems to be content with letting Luke McCown leave. Some are saying that Henne has been brought in to put pressure on first round pick Blaine Gabbert, but I really think it is the team bringing in a quality backup. They have invested to much money on Gabbert and the signing of Robinson should indicate the teams commitment to Gabbert.

San Fransisco 49ers: The 49ers retained corner Carlos Rodgers, which means that their defense will retain all 11 starters from last year's team. This was a defense that was fierce and aggressive. I expect them to add more depth to the unit and try to find some more receivers. QB Alex Smith has not yet resigned, but after the way that he played last year, I expect him to be back.

Check out http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/13/the-free-agent-hot-100/ for a list of the top 100 free agents and their activity.

Jarret Johnson: Newest San Diego Charger

San Diego has been very active over the last two days, signing Nick Hardwick before the start of free agency and working out deals with Robert Meachem and Jared Gaither.  San Diego has once again struck. This time working out a deal with former Raven Jarret Johnson. Johnson has emerged as one of the best OLB in the league when it comes to stopping the run. He overall doesn't have great pass rushing skills, but as per multiple people, he could form a great rotation with Antwan Barnes. Johnson is a player who has outstanding character and will bring a physical nature back to the defense. Many fans may not be too thrilled with the signing, but it makes sense. San Diego plays in a division that runs the ball..... a lot. With Jamal Charles in KC, McFadden in Oakland, and Denver's rushing attack, San Diego could use all the help they can get against the run. In my opinion, San Diego is making shrewd roster moves. This group may not end up with the flash of a Mario Williams, but they are much better than what some will give them credit for.

Here is alink to XTRA 1360 AM, where they have an interview with Jarret Johnson.  http://www.xtrasports1360.com/player/?station=KLSD-AM&program_name=podcast&mid=21908397&program_id=worldofsports.xml