Greetings, Chargers fans.

Today’s first item is the team’s signing of Casey Hayward, a former Green Bay Packers cornerback, to a three-year contract.

My take: Hayward’s arrival likely means Patrick Robinson won’t return to the Chargers.

Hayward is a smart player who can provide some of the know-how that Eric Weddle supplied. He’s adept at reading patterns and anticipates throws well. At 5-foot-11 3/8 and 194 pounds, he’s the same size as Robinson. Two years younger than Robinson, he’ll turn 27 in September. Robinson tested as quicker, faster and springier at the NFL Scouting Combine.


General Manager Tom Telesco bought low last March on Robinson, who outperformed his $1.25 million guarantee. Hayward’s deal, per the U-T’s Michael Gehlken, is worth up to $15.3 million.

I don’t think Hayward precludes the Chargers drafting Jalen Ramsey, the defensive back from Florida State who profiles at both safety and cornerback.

• Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning New is skeptical that his fellow voters will elect Antonio Gates to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, even within a few years after Gates goes on the ballot. Gosselin told Dan Sileo of 1090 AM that voters regard “up the middle players” such as safeties and tight ends as less impactful than perimeter players.

There’s only seven tight ends in the Hall of Fame. We’ve only put one tight end in who’s played in the last 25 years and that was Shannon Sharpe, and they made him wait three or four years.


Gosselin said Gates’ position will weigh a lot heavier with voters than the four-game suspension Gates served last season for a positive test on a performance-enhancing substance.

My take: I’ve heard the same skepticism about Gates from other Hall of Fame voters outside of San Diego. Perhaps voters should consider the opinion of Hall of Fame coach Sid Gillman that a team that controls the middle of the field controls the game.

• Former Chargers tight end Ladarius Green, like most players who join an NFL team, praised his new teammates after he agreed to a $20-million pact with Pittsburgh.

Those are some big-time names and players. I am just ready to get in line with them and try to follow their lead. Source: Pittsburgh Post- Gazzette.

Soon after Green spoke, word broke that Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant faces indefinite punishment for repeat violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Bryant will check into rehab and undergo evaluation for depression issues, one of his agents, Brian Fettner, told USA TODAY Sports

My take: The Steelers still have a lot of firepower, but Green would’ve benefited from Bryant’s field-stretching prowess.


• Weddle is expected to decide as soon as Monday where he’ll resume his NFL career. The Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens and Steelers are potential destinations, reports Jason LaCanfora of CBSSports.com. Also, the Dallas Cowboys are expected to meet with Weddle, 31.

My take: Weddle has taken a deliberate approach to free agency after spending nine seasons with San Diego. If Weddle is in fact finished with the Chargers -- and I’ve gleaned no indication otherwise -- the team would rather he leave the AFC West because he knows so much about the club’s schemes and players.

Update: The Patriots, reports Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, are also a player for Weddle. Bouchette deemed New England the leader for Weddle on Monday morning.

• In Pregame.com’s over-under win totals for the 2016 NFL season, the Denver Broncos are listed at 9.5 wins, followed in the AFC West by the Kansas City Chiefs at 9.0, the Raiders at 7.5 and the Chargers at 7.0.


My take: San Diego goes into next month’s draft with the Nos. 3 and 35 picks, giving Telesco a better chance than his AFC West rivals to add impact talent.