Say Hello to Dwight Freeney

The San Diego Chargers have officially signed free agent Dwight Freeney to a two year contract. Freeney will join the team at a very critical time. Shaun Phillips left for the Broncos in free agency and Melvin Ingram is out for the season with a torn ACL. Antwan Barnes also left for the Jets. Freeney spent 11 years with the Colts, where he became the franchise leader in sacks with 107.5. Freeney's role with the team is still yet to be defined, but he should play a major part on third downs at minimum. He will be a factor in a revamped defense featuring 2nd round pick Manti Te'o.  Freeney will finally get his chance to sack long-time teammate Peyton Manning this season.

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.