Chargers sign Eddie Royal, add more depth to their WR corps
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| The Panthers were second in touchdbacks in 2011. So that, um, Olindo Mare signing worked? (US Presswire) |
The team announced that he's signed a three-year deal. According to the San Diego Union Tribune, the deal is worth $13.5 million, with $6 million guaranteed.
Along with the signing of Robert Meacham to be San Diego's deep-ball threat, the Chargers are giving Philip Rivers more weapons in the passing game. Add the Royal signing to Meacham and Vincent Brown -- a third-round pick in 2011 -- and the Chargers have the chance to get even better in the passing game because it won't be so obvious, like it was with Jackson, who will be the top receiving threat for an opposing defense each week.
Royal, No. 98 on our list of 2012 free agents, was also targeted by the Redskins, but clearly, that deal never came to fruition.
Instead, Royal - who played only eight games last year and caught 19 passes for 155 yards -- will head west and try to improve upon San Diego's sixth-ranked passing offense. And, considering he hasn't come close to approaching his rookie output in 2008 (91 catches, 980 yards, five catches), Royal will try to improve his own stock as well.
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