P-Rez25

On the eve of free agency and the NFL new year, Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith discussed the moves the Bolts will make this spring to shape their roster.

Headlining Smith’s plans was the decision to release three veterans. Fullback Lorenzo Neal, safety Marlon McCree and tackle Shane Olivea were informed of their release Thursday morning. All three players requested their release for the opportunity to start elsewhere.

Next, Smith turned to the team’s three unrestricted free agents. Cornerback Drayton Florence, running back Michael Turner and quarterback Billy Volek will hit the market Thursday evening. He said the team expects that Florence and Turner will receive big contracts elsewhere and are unlikely to return.

Volek, who has some experience as a starter and would like another shot at leading an offense on a fulltime basis, plans to test the market but will remain in contact with the Chargers. The door is open for his possible return.

Three players who ended the season on the Chargers’ 53-man roster entered the offseason as restricted free agents. On Wednesday, the Bolts agreed to a new three-year contract with guard Scott Mruczkowski.

Smith announced that the team has placed a second-round tender on linebacker Marques Harris. That means another team may sign Harris to an “offer sheet,” but the Chargers have the option to match the offer. If the Chargers chose not to match the offer, San Diego would receive that team’s second-round pick in April’s NFL Draft.

http://www.chargers.com/news/headlin...eason76466.htm

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