Chris Chambers Released by Chargers

Posted Nov 02, 2009 9:00PM By Tom Herrera (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Chargers

Update (11/3/09): Chris Chambers has found a new home. The Kansas City Chiefs announced Tuesday they have been awarded Chambers via waiver claim.

San Diego decided to cut ties with Chambers on Monday, just one day after he had a 20-yard grab in a 24-16 victory over the Raiders. Even with the big catch his receiving total for the season was only 122 yards, and considering his base salary is $4.55 million, it didn't quite make sense for the Chargers to keep him.

However, Norv Turner stated it was also about the emergence of Malcom Floyd, who had recently overtaken Chambers' starting spot, and the need for roster flexibility on the defensive end.

"There are a number of things that went into the decision," coach Norv Turner said in a team-issued release. "The reason we're able to do this is the play of Malcom [Floyd] and the way Legedu Naanee is performing. Certainly there are a number of other things in terms of our football team that we need to address. Defensively and in the kicking game . . . we need to get some help."

In an article that ran in the San Diego Union-Tribune, however, Chambers said he felt the team released him over reasons that didn't have to do with football.

But, in a phone conversation after he was released, Chambers (who is recently divorced) said he believes some off-field issues played into his release – specifically a relationship with a woman sources on the team believed may have had a negative impact on his performance. Chambers thinks any such determination would be unjust.

"I thought the team gave up on me a little quick -- for factors that don't have to deal with football," (Chambers) said. "I guess it created a distraction upstairs. I kept my head on straight. We all go through things. I did my best to not have my personal life and football clash. They know a little too much of my life, and they used it against me."

On the field, San Diego could look to fill Chambers' roster spot with a linebacker. Tim Dobbins suffered a knee injury in Sunday's victory and was taken to the locker room on a cart. Dobbins had been starting in place of right-inside linebacker Kevin Burnett, who missed his second straight game with a sprained ankle.

Chambers was obtained at the trading deadline in 2007 for a second-round draft pick and played a big role in the Chargers' march to the AFC championship game that year. But his production had fallen off over the past couple of years, as he totaled 462 yards receiving last season and had hauled in only nine catches through seven games in 2009. That's a long way down from his impressive 82 catches, 1,118 yards, and 11 TDs just a few years ago.

As Pro Football Talk mentions, any team that lands Chambers on waivers will have to pick up the balance of his hefty salary, and if he clears waivers by late Tuesday afternoon, he'll be entitled to collect the remaining $2.4 million as termination pay.

There are a few teams that could be interested in picking up Chambers, such as the Ravens, Dolphins and even the Patriots, since they recently cut Joey Galloway and lost Julian Edelman to a broken arm.

And if the receiving thing doesn't quite work out, at least a Redskins cornerback job may be in his future, according to mischievous Wikipedia page pranksters.

Fantasy Football Spin:
Malcom Floyd was plugged in our waiver-wire post and for good reason. He's a tall deep threat and should carve out a bigger role moving forward. He caught a 53-yard pass against Oakland and scored his first TD a week prior at Kansas City. In deep leagues I think he's worth a pickup, especially with some appealing matchups down the stretch. Over Weeks 12-14, the Chargers play Kansas City, Cleveland, and Dallas, while a Week 16 fantasy championship game with Tennessee also looks very appealing.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-03-2009 @ 10:47AM

Alex said...

The Fins could sure use him in their weak passing attack, use Ginn in Kick returns and backup receiver....why not?!

11-03-2009 @ 10:57AM

markvacc1 said...

Because we still need a passing QB to get them the ball. I was so disappointd when Miami passed on Drew Brees in favor of Daunte Culpepper. They need to draft a prototypical QB or one they can mold into one and you don't usually get one from a team tha is better known for running than passing. Example: Nebraska

11-03-2009 @ 10:58AM

As an after thought, I was really angry when they traded Welker.....and to the Patriots no less. Should never have let Welker, Taylor or Thomas go.

11-03-2009 @ 11:21AM

Marc said...

Release chambers b/c of entrenched franchise discord. You gotta b kiddin me. What else is new in America. Killing the messenger instead of the message. And why so many teams are experiencing loss- either point wise or standings wise. Sad.

11-03-2009 @ 5:34PM

JethrowIsAPimp said...

DA BEARS

11-03-2009 @ 8:55PM

asburynordog said...

shut your trap pig boy.......me...I'm easy to find!!

africanusmanus said...

dodah001,
That is the most retarded statement anybody has made in a while!!!

11-03-2009 @ 8:59PM

flyguy415 said...

You are a pathetic racist hiding behind your keyboard!! Now get back to the outhouse and spew your s@*t!!

11-03-2009 @ 9:46PM

Sean Kuberski said...

11-03-2009 @ 9:47PM

psuepac said...

We will take him here. The Brownies don't have anyone who can catch a ball....he would be a big improvement

11-03-2009 @ 10:15PM

anthonymonroe78 said...

He will get another roster in the NFL. He has lots of talent.

11-03-2009 @ 11:38PM

mail4glenn said...

hey Parcells,
call me....I'm here at South Beach.

11-03-2009 @ 11:57PM

PacoGerte said...

There's a rumor that he won't clear waivers, and that's why San Diego didn't try to trade him before the deadline.
Chambers has been exactly what we want our athletic role models to be. He is a gentleman. But Legedu Nannee is playing better for way cheaper and so is Glass Malcolm Floyd. PLus I think they want to see what Buster Davis can do. Norv even mentioned getting Kassim Ozgood more involved in the passing game. Godspeed #89.

11-04-2009 @ 12:08AM

Rachelle said...

Love to see him back with the Fins. What a mistake to have gotten rid of Chambers and Welker. Bad decisions by lame coaches. Glad to be rid of them!!!

11-04-2009 @ 12:53AM

yellowmxwheels said...

I live here in San Diego and Chris was a cool guy. He would hit balls on most Wednesday's at stadium golf. Wednesdays were my day I would hit balls so we would see each other all of the time. He would always walk by and say whats up. Great guy but they weren't throwing him the ball so that frees up some cash.....WE NEED A PASS RUSH..Also we got rid of the wrong Turner.. I hope he is gone soon.

11-04-2009 @ 2:48AM

Frankie said...

My question here is how many of you actually played football beyond the college level i mean played where u got paid semi - pro , arena, cfl, world, nfl any of you .... Any of you actually study the game... who of you really knows football cause thats the problem with arm chair quarterbacks, and you al bundy High School heros who think they know and cant even teach it properly you talk and know nothing... and most of these types report, write and comment like here.. its so annoying reading and listening to all of you talk and you haven't the faintest clue bout the GAME!! Its fine to be upset your team lost but to point a finger at or criticize a player , or a coach is absurd. And thats a huge mistake upper management makes when they make dumb moves and accidental good ones. Just saying ...

11-04-2009 @ 4:13AM

Johnnnymac66 said...

A certain San Diego investment banker who likes to hang around locker rooms also brought about the demise of Ben Davis' MLB career.
This is not to say she's the girl in this incident; at 49, she's the prototype cougar who likes to play ball with rich young athletes and their money and equipment. Ahem.
The Chicago White Sox released Davis after he missed a flight to New York from Boston when the cougar kept him, er, occupied. The White Sox don't tolerate that nonsense.
Maybe the Chargers don't either. Good for them.

11-04-2009 @ 4:17AM

pote207 said...

Why can't this THUG blame his own STUPIDITY. That is why he acts the way he does. People have always tolsd him he is great. Her is GREAT a GREAT JERK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1