Chargers Finalize 2012 Roster

A Few Surprises Don't Make The Cut

All 75 can play. But only 53 can stay.

The Chargers made their final roster cuts on Friday.

The Bolts released defensive ends Jacques Cesaire, Logan Harrell, and Damik Scafe; offensive linemen Anthony Davis, Mario Henderson, Colin Baxter, Charlie Bryant and Stephen Schilling; kicker Nick Novak; running backs Jacob Hester and Edwin "Rock" Baker; Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} tight end Kory Sperry; wide receiver Mike Willie; punter Robert Malone; quarterback Jarrett Lee; linebackers Bront Bird, Ricky Elmore and Darryl Gamble; and cornerbacks Greg Gatson, Arthur Hobbs and DeAndre Presley.

Safety Sean Cattouse was placed in the injured reserve list and will miss the entire season.

The most familiar names for Chargers fans are Cesaire and Hester. Jacques made the team in 2003 as an undrafted free agent and played in 125 games for the Chargers. Hester was a 3rd round pick in 2008 but was expendable with the free agent signings of Le'Ron McClain and Jackie Battle.

Novak did a wonderful job in 2011 replacing Nate Kaeding, who tore his ACL on the season's opening kickoff. Novak and Kaeding were in an open kicking competition in training camp. Kaeding made all his kicks, Novak missed one.

Jarrett Lee is an interesting omission. He played well throughout camp. Just like last year, San Diego is electing to go with only two quarterbacks.

It is possible several of these players will stay in San Diego. The Chargers can sign up to eight players to their practice squad starting Saturday morning.

As for the players who made the roster, for an NFL record 16th straight year the Chargers are keeping an undrafted free agent. Left tackle Mike Harris made the squad and, depending on the balky health of Jared Gaither, could be a starter on opening night in Oakland. The Bolts are keeping eight offensive linemen.

The rest of the offense features six wide receivers, four tight ends and five running backs.

The deepest position group is linebacker. San Diego is keeping 10 linebackers, five inside and five outside. In the secondary they'll keep four cornerbacks and five safeties, and to finish out the defense the Chargers will start the season with six defensive linemen.

More changes could come in the next few days. The Chargers may be interested in signing players who were cut by other teams.

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