Chargers lock up raw Canadian talent

DT Vaughn Martin has agreed to a four-year deal, according to the Globe and Mail. Financial terms weren't disclosed, although it's a $2.236 million deal with a $486,000 and base salaries of $310,000 in 2009, $395,000 in 2010, $480,000 in 2011 and $565,000 in 2012, according to ProFootballTalk.com.

Martin was made a YouTube classic by Chargers' scout Tom Gibbons. The Chargers now want Martin, who plowed Gibbons in a blocking drill caught on video at a private workout, was drafted 113th overall out of Western Ontario College.    "I've always been a fast learner, so it's not something I'm worried about," he said after the draft. "I'm excited about putting theory into action. I'm just a blank canvas, and they'll be able to mold me into the player they want me to be."

Martin, born in Jamaica and raised playing hockey, is as raw as he is a brute. The Chargers' plan is to work him in gradually and hopefully he can at least add depth in the early stages of what should be an interesting NFL career.

Giants' swift move could pay big dividends

With names like Shaun Alexander, Kevin Jones and Ron Dayne still dangling on the unemployment line, it still came as no surprise that general managers took immediate notice when Shane Olivea's four-game suspension was rescinded.

The former starting right tackle for the Chargers was generating interest from multiple teams after he was released Feb. 28. San Francisco was among the known suitors, but interest waned when Olivea was suspended June 20, meaning he would miss the first four games of the 2008 season.

When that decision was overturned Thursday, it only took the Giants a matter of hours to scoop him up with a one-year deal. Olivea lost his job in San Diego in large part because he tends to be streaky, but he does play with a nasty streak. And 26-year-old right tackles who have started 57 of 60 career regular-season games aren't easy to come by in July.

It was a no-brainer for the Giants, who had only inexperienced youngsters Guy Whimper and Adam Koets behind starters David Diehl and Kareem McKenzie. If Diehl or McKenzie went down, Whimper has only limited playing time in two seasons and Koets has yet to see regular-season action. Now the Giants have an outstanding insurance policy in Olivea, a former seventh-round pick who is in his prime.

Jobs of any kind are proving difficult for the trio of running backs to come by. Alexander clearly lost a step -- or two -- during his final two injury-plagued seasons in Seattle, and he and Dayne will have to accept backup roles if they're going to be in the league in 2008.
Jones has been diligently rehabbing from ACL surgery five months ago, and recently held a workout in front of representatives from Miami, Green Bay, Pittsburgh and Detroit. He ran the shuttle and cones and caught some passes. If he can prove he is healthy enough to at least participate in non-contact drills by early August, he should end up in someone's camp early enough to compete for significant carries.

Olivea cleared -- and should be coveted

Shaun Alexander, Kevin Jones and Ron Dayne are still searching for work, but Shane Olivea's name will likely be mentioned more than all three combined in the offices of general managers leading up to training camp.

Olivea was cut by San Diego in February after losing his starting right tackle job to rookie Jeromey Clary in November. He was generating interest from San Francisco, among other teams, but didn't sign a deal and was then suspended on June 20 for violating the league's substance abuse program. That meant a team that signed Olivea would be without his services for the first four games of the regular season.

That suspension was rescinded Thursday, and Olivea will be coveted by several teams. He lost his job in San Diego in large part because he tends to be streaky, but Olivea does play with a nasty streak. And 26-year-old right tackles who have started 57 of 60 career regular-season games aren't easy to come by in July.

Expect Olivea to be scooped up quickly by a team looking for him to compete for a starting job.

Jobs of any kind are proving difficult for the trio of running backs to come by. Alexander clearly lost a step -- or two -- during his final two injury-plagued seasons in Seattle, and he and Dayne will have to accept backup roles if they're going to be in the league in 2008.

Jones has been diligently rehabbing from ACL surgery five months ago, and recently held a workout in front of representatives from Miami, Green Bay, Pittsburgh and Detroit. He ran the shuttle and cones and caught some passes. If he can prove he is healthy enough to at least participate in non-contact drills by early August, he should end up in someone's camp early enough to compete for significant carries.

Injuries Threaten To Derail AFC Contenders

Denver and San Diego have two of the better loaded rosters in the AFC, and they are expected to duke it out for AFC West supremacy -- maybe even for the conference championship.

For all they have in common, they also share a significant and growing concern.

The Broncos and Chargers entered training camp very thin at the receiver spot, which certainly isn't ideal with a second-year quarterback at the helm -- as both teams have.

The Chargers' situation got even worse when Eric Parker, the team's only established veteran receiver, was lost for 10 weeks to a broken toe. That cranks up the pressure on rookie first-round pick Craig Davis to push for the starting spot opposite Vincent Jackson sooner than later. And regardless, depth will be very thin until Parker returns.

Meanwhile, the Broncos were counting on Brandon Marshall to fill Rod Smith's shoes opposite Javon Walker. After being bothered by a quadriceps injury during minicamp practices, Marshall has continued to be sidelined by the injury during training camp.

Like the Chargers, the Broncos' options are fairly limited. They signed veteran Brandon Stokley to serve as the third receiver, and there isn't a legitimate NFL starter among Domenik Hixon, Brian Clark, David Kircus and Quincy Morgan.

Chargers' Gates Hurt Most By Parker's Injury

WR Eric Parker's surgery to repair a broken bone near his big toe didn't make major headlines, but it could put a major crimp in the Chargers' Super Bowl aspirations. Already lacking proven veteran receivers, Parker was expected to start opposite Vincent Jackson at least until rookie Craig Davis was able to learn the offense enough to push for a starting role.

Now with Parker out for up to 10 weeks, the Chargers have to hope Davis and fellow youngster Malcom Floyd can speed up their development. If not, the Chargers will again struggle to instill enough fear in defenses to prevent them from constantly double-teaming TE Antonio Gates. It's also a bad sign for QB Philip Rivers, who loses his steadiest outside receiver.