The Chargers were never really sold on Steve Gregory as their starting safety. The Patriots are.
According to Gregory's agent, New England signed Gregory to a 3-year contract on Thursday. Gregory started 31 games in six seasons with the Chargers, making 4 career interceptions. He also served a 4-game suspension when he tested positive for a banned substance in 2010.
Gregory played strong safety next to All-Pro Eric Weddle in San Diego. He could move to free safety with the Patriots, the defending AFC Champions.
So that leaves the Chargers extremely thin at safety. Paul Oliver and Bob Sanders are free agents and don't figure to return. They have Weddle, Darrell Stuckey (who's become a solid Special Teams player but is yet to be tested as a safety), plus Deandre McDaniel and Nick Polk, neither of whom have a picture next to their bio on the Chargers' official website.
Last week general manager A.J. Smith told me, when discussing the potential loss of Vincent Jackson, if a wide receiver goes out, a wide receiver comes in. He's proven that, replacing Jackson with Robert Meachem. You have to figure at least two safeties are coming in, either through free agency (although the remainder of the pool is shallow at that position), trade or the draft.
There's also the possibility that longtime corner Quentin Jammer could move to safety. Jammer has resisted the move, but also said he'd consider it at the right time in his career. Is now the time?
