General manager A.J. Smith admits - even if this is Liars' Month in the NFL - that defensive players are what the Chargers are seeking so they can avoid missing the playoffs for the third straight year.
"We're looking at the draft defensively, that's true," Smith said. "But more importantly, we're looking for good players that fit into what we do strategically. The free-agent activity was due to a reaction to players we lost. It was also due to the largest and deepest free-agent class in the history of the NFL. We expected that and we planned for it financially. Quality veterans are still out there, including defenders in trade and free agency as the market value drops."
Fullback Jacob Hester, after making a visit to Seattle, settled on San Diego. The free agent decided to return to San Diego, despite facing a diminished role with the signing of Le'Ron McLain. "Excited about being back with the Bolts," Hester posted on Twitter. "Thanks for all the support I've received from Bolt nation!"
The Chargers will open the season as the second bill on a "Monday Night Football" doubleheader on Sept. 10 at Oakland. "I'm already looking forward to playing Oakland in Week 1, and beyond that I always want to know where the division games are," quarterback Philip Rivers said. "We were 3-3 in the AFC West the last two seasons, and while you can point to other games, I think our play within the division is the biggest reason we missed the playoffs the last two seasons."
QUOTE TO NOTE:
"There's a long time between now and August." - General manager A. J. Smith on the team's lack of acquiring top-shelf defensive players this offseason.
