During the off-season and training camp, the Chargers decided to move Richard Marshall from cornerback to safety. The decision was working out fairly well. In his ninth season, Marshall really did not have the speed to run with young, physical wide receivers anymore.
However, injuries to Brandon Flowers, Jason Verrett and Steve Williams forced Marshall to move back to corner. His performance there have prompted the Chargers to move him off the roster.
San Diego released Marshall on Monday. He allowed a big game to Chiefs wideout Dwayne Bowe in Week 7, then was routinely beaten for touchdowns by Broncos WR Emmanuel Sanders in a Thursday night loss to Denver.
Marshall is now a free agent, eligible to sign with any team.
To replace him, the Bolts signed former Washington cornerback Richard Crawford, an Oceanside native and El Camino High School alum. Crawford was drafted by the Redskins in the 7th round of the 2012 Draft.
He had a solid rookie season, with three passes defensed and one interception in 10 games. Crawford missed the 2013 season after tearing knee ligaments in the pre-season. He was back with the Redskins for training camp this year, was released, then signed to the practice squad, then spent one week on the 53-man roster, and was waived on October 7.
One way Crawford might be able to make an immediate impact is on special teams. He's an accomplished punt returner who had a few big plays his first year in Washington, one to set up a field goal in overtime to beat the Ravens.
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His senior year in college at Southern Methodist University, Crawford was named First Team All-Conference USA as a punt returner.
Crawford will wear number 35 for the Chargers.
