The Chargers announced late Friday afternoon that they’d reached an agreement on a two-year contract with free agent cornerback Donald Strickland, formerly of the New York Jets.

The 5-10, 185-pound Strickland played in 11 games with two starts for the Jets in 2009, including a reserve role in New York’s Divisional Playoff win in San Diego. He finished the year with 25 tackles, two sacks, four passes defensed and three tackles for loss. He also contributed nine tackles on special teams. Strickland saw action off the bench in the Chargers’ playoff game against the Jets, collecting three tackles and a pass defensed.

Strickland will be 29 years old at the start of the 2010 season. He came to the NFL in 2003 as a third-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts and spent two and a half seasons in Indianapolis before being waived midway through the 2005 season. He would later sign with Philadelphia for the remainder of the ‘05 season before spending the 2006-08 seasons in San Francisco.

His regular-season career totals include 58 games played, 24 starts, 185 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, 20 passes defensed and 38 tackles on special teams.  Strickland has also played in five career postseason games, racking up 21 tackles and seven passes defensed.

A native of San Francisco, Strickland prepped at Archbishop Riordan High School before an All-Big-12 career at the University of Colorado. His uncle, Raymond Bell, played at UCLA and his cousin, Herb Ward, played at Southern California and in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. Strickland’s father, Donald, is a retired photographer for the NBC affiliate, KNTV-11 in the Bay Area.

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The 5-9, 215-pound former All-America running back from Youngstown State spent the better part of his first two NFL seasons on the practice squads of the Redskins and Baltimore Ravens before getting an opportunity to play last season for the Redskins. In nine games in ‘09, Mason averaged just under 4.0 yards per carry, toting the ball 32 times for 127 yards. He will attempt to earn a roster spot on a team in San Diego that averaged just 3.3 yards per carry last season.

“We’ve followed his progress through his young career,” said General Manager A.J. Smith, “and when he came available, we decided to give him an opportunity to earn a spot with the Chargers.”

The 25-year-old Mason played two collegiate seasons at YSU after transferring from the University of Illinois. He averaged an impressive 5.7 yards per carry in two seasons for the Penguins, racking up 2,739 yards and 31 touchdowns on 478 carries. He set a school record with 1,847 yards as a senior, en route to being named Offensive Player of the Year for the Gateway Conference.

The Redskins signed Mason as a free agent in 2007. He spent one week on their active roster, though he did not appear in a game, and the rest of the season on Washington’s practice squad. In 2008, Washington released Mason following training camp and the preseason in which he led the NFL in rushing with 371 yards on 66 carries, a 4.8-yard average. That year Mason would spend eight weeks on Baltimore’s practice squad and six more weeks on the New York Jets’ active roster, but he did not appear in any games for the Jets. The Redskins re-acquired Mason off waivers from the Jets in April, 2009.

The Chargers added depth to their offensive backfield on Monday, claiming running back Marcus Mason off waivers from the Washington Redskins.

The 5-9, 215-pound former All-America running back from Youngstown State spent the better part of his first two NFL seasons on the practice squads of the Redskins and Baltimore Ravens before getting an opportunity to play last season for the Redskins. In nine games in ‘09, Mason averaged just under 4.0 yards per carry, toting the ball 32 times for 127 yards. He will attempt to earn a roster spot on a team in San Diego that averaged just 3.3 yards per carry last season.

“We’ve followed his progress through his young career,” said General Manager A.J. Smith, “and when he came available, we decided to give him an opportunity to earn a spot with the Chargers.”

The 25-year-old Mason played two collegiate seasons at YSU after transferring from the University of Illinois. He averaged an impressive 5.7 yards per carry in two seasons for the Penguins, racking up 2,739 yards and 31 touchdowns on 478 carries. He set a school record with 1,847 yards as a senior, en route to being named Offensive Player of the Year for the Gateway Conference.

The Redskins signed Mason as a free agent in 2007. He spent one week on their active roster, though he did not appear in a game, and the rest of the season on Washington’s practice squad. In 2008, Washington released Mason following training camp and the preseason in which he led the NFL in rushing with 371 yards on 66 carries, a 4.8-yard average. That year Mason would spend eight weeks on Baltimore’s practice squad and six more weeks on the New York Jets’ active roster, but he did not appear in any games for the Jets. The Redskins re-acquired Mason off waivers from the Jets in April, 2009.

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Chargers President Dean Spanos met with Tomlinson today and informed his veteran running back that he is being released.

“This is a part of the business that I hate, and it’s particularly hard when you’re dealing with someone I consider a friend,” Spanos said. “Change involving great players is never easy. I respect LT as much or more than any player I’ve ever known. And no one appreciates his contributions to this organization more than I do. That is why this is such a difficult announcement for me to make.

“It has been a privilege to work with him and witness his entire career. I’m proud of him and grateful to him for the way he has carried himself both on and off the field.

“No matter where he chooses to continue his career, in my mind LT will always be a San Diego Charger. His legacy as one of the greatest running backs the game has ever seen will be as a Charger.”

Tomlinson owns or shares 28 team records, including career rushing yards, yards from scrimmage and touchdowns. During his nine seasons in San Diego, Tomlinson won two rushing titles (2006 and ‘07), set an NFL single-season record for touchdowns in a season (31 in ‘06) and racked up 12,490 rushing yards, the eighth-highest total in NFL history. He was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2006 and earned Pro Bowl honors five times.

“I was fortunate to be the offensive coordinator here during LT’s rookie year in 2001 and it didn’t take long to realize that we were dealing with a special player and a special individual,” Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner said. “And when I returned to the Chargers in 2007, I was proud to be a part of his second NFL rushing title.

“LT is a true pro. He’s one of the greatest runners this game has ever seen and words can’t do justice to the things he’s accomplished on and off the field.”

In addition to his long list of achievements on the gridiron, Tomlinson’s tireless efforts in the community have benefitted thousands of individuals in San Diego as well as his native Texas. In 2006, LT received the NFL Man of the Year Award in recognition of his numerous philanthropic efforts.

“It’s fitting that LT’s and LaTorsha’s charity is called the ‘Touching Lives Foundation’ because that’s exactly what they’ve done,” Spanos said. “So many people have been positively affected by their generosity. Our community has been fortunate to have them.”

Tomlinson joined the Chargers in 2001 as the fifth overall selection in the NFL Draft. The Chargers originally held the top pick in the draft, but swung a trade with the Atlanta Falcons, who moved up to take quarterback Michael Vick. The Chargers nervously waited as Tomlinson fell to the fifth spot where they enthusiastically brought him into their fold.

“There were a lot of eyebrows raised when we made that trade, but LT proved to be everything we thought he’d be and more,” Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith said. “He’s a future Hall of Famer. My only regret is that he leaves San Diego without a Super Bowl ring.”

Tomlinson was one of 53 men recognized as the Greatest All-Time Chargers during the team’s 50th anniversary celebration last season and he was recently named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s. His 138 career rushing touchdowns are the second most in NFL history and his 153 total touchdowns ranks third in league annals.

“I look forward to the time when we’ll see his number retired and see him inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Spanos said. “I can’t say enough about how much I’ve enjoyed being around LT and LaTorsha the last nine years.”

Patriots, Titans, Cardinals highlight home schedule

The San Diego Chargers announced today that ticket prices for 2010 will remain the same for the third-consecutive season.

Season ticket prices range from $48 to $90 per game. All single-game tickets, if available, will range from $54 to $98. Season ticket holders receive a savings of up to $110 over single-game purchases.

Chargers fans once again will be treated to an exciting schedule of home games. The home schedule includes matchups against quarterback Tom Brady and the New England Patriots; wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals, as well as another hard-fought battle against rushing champion Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans. The Chargers also will take on the San Francisco 49ers and the Jacksonville Jaguars, both in the playoff hunt late in the ‘09 season, as well as AFC West rivals Denver, Kansas City and Oakland.

The Chargers, winners of four consecutive AFC West titles and five in the last six years, continue to provide one of the most exciting and successful teams in the NFL. Seventy wins over the past six years ranks fourth in the NFL, and that strong showing on the field has led to 48 consecutive regular-season and postseason home sellouts.

Season tickets are available now by calling 877-CHARGERS, going to www.chargers.com or stopping by the Chargers’ ticket office at Gate C at Qualcomm Stadium.

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Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding will miss the 2010 Pro Bowl due to a groin strain. He will be replaced on the AFC roster by Miami Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter.

This would have been Kaeding’s second-career Pro Bowl. He kicked the game-winning field goal for the AFC in a 31-28 win over the NFC at the 2007 Pro Bowl in Hawaii’s Aloha Stadium.

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San Diego President Dean Spanos signed Head Coach Norv Turner to a three-year contract extension today, extending his contract through the 2013 season.  “I’m extremely proud of the job Norv has done with this team,” said Spanos. “In three seasons he’s led the team to three division titles.  I’m confident that if we strengthen our roster and continue to provide Norv the assets he needs, this team will have continued success.”

Turner has the top overall winning percentage in team history at .648 (35-19) as well as the top regular-season percentage (32-16, .667).  The Chargers are 13-0 in December under Turner and 4-3 in January.  His three playoff wins are tied for most in team history.  The team’s 13 regular-season wins in 2009 are the second most in team history, and includes a team-high seven wins on the road and a 4-0 sweep of the NFC East.  The team committed the second-fewest turnovers (17) and the third-fewest penalty yards (570) during the regular season.  Its 78 penalties are the fewest by the Chargers since 1976 when there were 14-game seasons.

Turner’s leadership did not go unnoticed nationally as USA Today named him its NFL Coach of the Year. 

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TODAY’S INACTIVES
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS vs. NEW YORK JETS
Qualcomm Stadium (70,000) – San Diego, California
Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 – 1:40 pm PST

San Diego Chargers Inactives
6                  QB               Charlie Whitehurst (3rd Quarterback)
24               CB               Dante Hughes
29               RB               Michael Bennett
57               LB                Dontarrious Thomas
58               LB                Marques Harris
77               C                  Eric Ghiaciuc
84               WR              Buster Davis
92               DE               Vaughn Martin
                                                  
Chargers Starting Lineup Changes from the Flip Card
None
 
San Diego Chargers Roster Changes from the Flip Card
None
 
New York Jets Inactives
7              QB                   Kevin O’Connell (third quarterback)
10           QB                   Erik Ainge
32           RB                   Chauncey Washington
54           LB                    Kenwin Cummings
68           G                     Matt Slauson
79           DE                   Ropati Pitoitua
87           WR                  David Clowney
94           LB                    Marques Murrell
 
New York Jets Starting Lineup Changes from the Flip Card
None
 
New York Jets Roster Changes from the Flip Card
None

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