Chargers agree with Left Tackle Max Starks

Could this finally be the missing piece of the puzzle the team has had such a need for at left tackle to protect the teams franchise quarterback. The Chargers have agreed to terms on a contract with former Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Max Starks, the team announced today.

The 6-foot-8, 345-pound veteran spent his first nine NFL seasons with the Steelers, including last season when he started all 16 games at left tackle. It was an impressive accomplishment, considering that Starks suffered a torn ACL during the Steelers’ Wild Card Playoff loss in Denver at the end of the 2011 season, yet he bounced back and played every offensive snap for the Steelers in 2012.

Kevin Haslam has been released by the Chargers

The San Diego Chargers released tackle Kevin Haslam, the team announced today. He spent the 2012 season with the Bolts, playing in five games with three starts after spending the first 11 weeks on the team’s practice squad.

Chargers, Freeney agree on contract

The Chargers have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with former Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Dwight Freeney.  

“It’s great to add a solid veteran who brings valuable experience to our defense,” said Head Coach Mike McCoy.  “His proven pass-rush ability is a perfect fit for our defense.”

Freeney spent 11 seasons in Indianapolis, helping lead the Colts to a Super Bowl championship after the 2006 season (Super Bowl XLI). A native of Bloomfield, Connecticut, Freeney was the Colts’ first pick in the 2002 NFL Draft (11^th overall) after an All-America career at Syracuse that concluded with him being named the Big East Conference's co-Defensive Player of the Year.

Single-game tickets public sale begins Monday

Single-game tickets to four of the Chargers’ eight regular-season home games go on sale to the general public on Monday, May 20, beginning at 10am.  Interested fans should go to Chargers.com or the Chargers Ticket Office at Gate C at Qualcomm Stadium beginning Monday at 10am.  Tickets to individual games start at $52. 

Chargers Season Ticket Holders, however, recently received an exclusive presale password to help them purchase single-game tickets prior to the on-sale date.  The exclusive opportunity for Season Ticket Holders extends through Saturday, May 18. 

Chargers sign Thomas Keiser

The Chargers announced today they signed former Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Keiser.

The 6-4, 260-pound veteran spent his first two seasons with the Panthers after joining them as an undrafted rookie free agent from Stanford in 2011. He started his rookie season on the practice squad and was signed to the active roster for the final eight games in which he totaled four sacks, an interception and nine tackles. Last year, Keiser played in four games before being placed on the “Reserve-Injured” list Nov. 14 due to a left elbow injury.

A graduate of North Allegheny High School in Wexford, Pa., Keiser was an honorable mention all-Pac-10 defensive end-outside linebacker at Stanford.

Chargers make changes to Football Operations staff

The San Diego Chargers announced today several changes within their Football Operations department. College scout Ed Langsdorf announced his retirement and the Chargers hired former Cleveland Browns area scout Donovan Beidelschies (pronounced buy-del-CHEESE) as a college scout.

Langsdorf steps aside after 13 seasons with the Chargers.  He joined the team in 2000 after spending 20 years as a teacher and coach at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, including four seasons (1992-95) as the Wildcats’ head coach. Langsdorf scouted the Northwest for the Chargers.

Ingram suffers torn ACL

The San Diego Chargers announced that outside linebacker Melvin Ingram sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during the team’s Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice on Tuesday morning.  No other information was released.