The 2011 Chargers look a little something like this:
QUARTERBACK:
Philip Rivers
Billy Volek
RUNNING BACK:
Jacob Hester
Ryan Mathews
Local
Jordan Todman
Mike Tolbert
WIDE RECEIVER:
Vincent Brown
Patrick Crayton
Malcom Floyd
Richard Goodman
Vincent Jackson
Bryan Walters
OFFENSIVE LINE:
Jeromey Clary
Kris Dielman
Brandyn Dombrowski
Tyronne Green
Nick Hardwick
Marcus McNeill
Scott Mruczkowski
Louis Vasquez
TIGHT END:
Antonio Gates
Randy McMichael
Kory Sperry
DEFENSIVE LINE:
Luis Castillo
Jacques Cesaire
Antonio Garay
Corey Liuget
Vaughn Martin
Cam Thomas
LINEBACKER:
Antwan Barnes
Donald Butler
Stephen Cooper
Na’il Diggs
Larry English
Andrew Gachkar
Darryl Gamble
Travis LaBoy
Jonas Mouton
Shaun Phillips
Takeo Spikes
CORNERBACK:
Antoine Cason
Marcus Gilchrist
Dante Hughes
Quentin Jammer
Shareece Wright
SAFETY:
Steve Gregory
Bob Sanders
Darrell Stuckey
C.J. Wallace
Eric Weddle
SPECIALISTS:
Nate Kaeding (K)
Mike Scifres (P)
Mike Windt (LS)
If you took the time to read all 53 names, you'll see a couple of surprises, like linebacker Na'il Diggs. The 12 year veteran was signed to a 1-year contract Saturday morning. He'll add some valuable depth to the middle of the Chargers' defense.
Two of the guys who San Diego fans were rooting for made the cut. Linebacker Darryl Gamble and wide receiver Bryan Walters made their first NFL roster. Both players went undrafted out of college and played tremendously well during the preseason.
A few interesting omissions are defensive tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo, wideout Seyi Ajirotutu and quarterback Scott Tolzien. Nwagbuo was a solid contributor on the defensive line for a couple of seasons but was the odd man out after the Bolts drafted Corey Liuget in the first round. Ajirotutu was extremely solid in nine games with the Chargers in 2010, but he was edged out by Walters and Richard Goodman, who can both help in the return game.
Tolzien is probably the most interesting cut. The Chargers only carried three quarterbacks during the exhibition season. Tolzien, an undrafted free agent from Wisconsin, showed promise during training camp. If he's not claimed by another team by Sunday morning at 9:00 San Diego time, the Chargers can put him on their 8-man practice squad.
Also of note, the only draft pick not to make the team is OL Stephen Schilling, the 6th round choice from Michigan. In 2010, two of the Bolts' choices didn't make the opening day roster and only Ryan Mathews had even a minor impact.
