Darren Sproles, the Chargers? designated franchise player, signed the team?s one-year contract tender on Tuesday. Sproles was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this spring before the Chargers opted to use their franchise designation him, which guarantees he?ll make the average of the five top running back salaries in the league. It?s a total of $6.621 million this season. If another team were to sign Sproles, the Chargers would have received two first-round draft choices as compensation. RealGM Note: Sproles was ranked 34th amongst running backs in season FIC and 'deserved' to make $1.9 million. He therefore had a Reina Value of +58%. This metric heavily rewards players that are frequently used, hence the reason why Matt Forte was ranked first at the position and Sproles jad just 61 carries, compared to over 200 for many of his contemporaries. He clearly was more valuable than that $1.9 million he 'deserved', but at the same time he is unlikely to be as valuable as the other top-six backs in the NFL.

The Chargers took a flyer on injured former LSU receiver Demetrius Byrd with the 224th pick in the NFL Draft this past weekend. Byrd was badly injured in a one-car crash last Sunday in Miami. He was upgraded to good condition on Friday, and is expected to make a full recovery.

Chargers coach Norv Turner commented on linebacker Shawne Merriman this week in an interview with XTRA San Diego. "He really does look good, he's running. He still has some work to do to get back to be ready to play. There are certain players in this league that change games and if you go through different teams, you think of those guys immediately. And, when people think of the Chargers, you think of two or three guys: you think LT, you think (Philip) Rivers, you think Shawne Merriman. It's amazing how one sack, one pressure on a third down can turn a game around or keep the other team off the field, put your offense in great position. Shawne's one of those guys that can change games," Turner said.

The Chargers will have innovative draft coverage on their web site, and will reveal their draft picks before any other outlet next weekend. San Diego currently owns eight selections in this year's draft.

Antonio Gates will likely negotiate a new deal with Chargers and could enter it armed with Kellen Winslow's new deal. "I've been a San Diegan for six years now, and I no longer bleed red," Gates said. "I bleed powder blue. So any time you talk about something that's sincere to your heart, any time your soul gets involved in a situation, you know you don't want to leave it. I want to be here. I want to be a part of this. That's my stance." That combination of production and allegiance is what made a fan out of Chargers general manager A.J. Smith, who frequently rewards players that fit his mold. "I'm glad to hear those comments," Smith said on Tuesday. "Antonio is a great competitor and a player of great character."