The Chargers added experienced depth to their defensive line on Monday when they acquired defensive lineman Travis Johnson from the Texans in exchange for an undisclosed 2010 draft choice. San Diego also signed LSU wide receiver Demetrius Byrd, the team's seventh-round choice this year, to a four-year contract. He continues to make progress in his recovery from an automobile accident suffered prior to the draft. In addition, the team waived wide receiver Greg Carr, tackle Dan Gay and wide receiver Rodgeriqus Smith. All three players joined the Chargers as undrafted free agents in May.

The Chargers have given Philip Rivers a new contract. The extension is for six years and is worth $92 million, sources told ESPN's Len Pasquarelli. Rivers would have been a free agent after the season and about $38-39 million of the money is guaranteed. RealGM Note: Rivers was ranked 5th in season FIC amongst quarterbacks in 2008 and 'deserved' to make $12M.

Philip Rivers is entering the final year of his contract, but no extension is imminent in San Diego. The Chargers haven't discussed an extension with their quarterback much. Eli Manning, taken within three picks of Rivers in the 2004 NFL Draft, got a $97.5 million extension from the Giants last month. San Diego could allow Rivers to enter next season without a new contract, instead placing their franchise tag on him.

Shawne Merriman is motivated by San Diego's decision to draft a linebacker in the first round of this year's NFL Draft. Chargers general manager A.J. Smith took pass-rushing linebacker Larry English with the team's first pick. "I was (ticked) off," Merriman told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I was shocked. Nobody saw it coming. Nobody saw an outside linebacker. But then I realized none of it was my concern. I have one thing to do ? tear it up on the field. I started to think that he could only help us." After working with English, Merriman has quickly become impressed. "He's a guy who wants to get to the ball," Merriman says. "I always look to that first. More than anything else, that's my No. 1 thing. He's nasty. I like to be around nasty guys; I feel comfortable. Around nice guys I feel out of place. "It's a business, but it's human not to like somebody coming in for your job."

Terrell Owens is offering up his opinion again, this time criticizing the Chargers for fining Antonio Cromartie for comments made on Twitter. Cromartie was fined $2,500 by San Diego for criticizing the food service at training camp. "I think it's ridiculous," said Owens. "For someone to get fined $2,500 because they tweeted that the cafeteria food was bad ... then maybe they need to change (the food). That's his honest opinion." Chargers coach Norv Turner said that players shouldn't criticize the team on Twitter.

Now that Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger have agreed to long-term deals, Philip Rivers is the only quarterback of the 2004 draft class without a long-term deal. Manning and the Giants agreed on a six-year extension worth $97.5 million, with $35 million in virtually guaranteed money. With Roethlisberger signed an eight-year, $102 million ($36 million guaranteed) contract last year. Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said Wednesday, ?We don't discuss contracts. If we have anything regarding Philip, we'll let you know immediately.? Both Rivers and the Chargers have suggested that they would wait until Manning agreed to his deal with the Giants before they discussed a long-term pact.

The list of teams that haven't denied interest in Michael Vick is down to three. A Twitter update by Sam Farmer of the L.A. Times last week helped scratch the Chargers off the list. "If you haven't already, cross Chargers off list of possible Vick teams. AJ Smith nixed him. If this has already been reported, carry on," Farmer wrote. Only the teams that haven't ruled out signing Vick are the Packers, Patriots and Ravens.

Junior Seau served as a Dodgers batboy as a stunt for a television show on Tuesday night. Seau hasn't formally said he's retired from his 19-season NFL career, but the 40-year-old certainly seemed ready for new challenges while running around in a slightly too-tight No. 55 Dodgers uniform.

Antonio Cromartie's agent confirmed that the San Diego Chargers have fined his client $2,500 for using Twitter to complain about the food at training camp. The offending tweet apparently equated the food quality with the Chargers' failure to reach the Super Bowl in recent seasons.