Chargers fill another need in third

Saturday, Apr 28, 2007
By Tom Shanahan, Chargers.com

The Chargers entered the first day of the NFL Draft Saturday hoping to add immediate depth to three positions -- wide receiver, safety and linebacker.  After the Bolts called the name of Clemson inside linebacker Anthony Waters in the third round that wraps up the first day, Chargers general manager Buddy Nix felt the Bolts had batted three-for-three.

“We feel it’s been a productive day,” Nix said. “It was the day we were hoping for.”

After picking LSU wide receiver Craig Davis in the first round, the selection of Utah safety Eric Weddle and Waters gave the Chargers depth up the middle of the defense.

Although Waters was the 96th pick of the draft, he entered the 2006 season with his name grouped among the top inside linebackers in the nation. He was a preseason All-American by the Football Writers Association and projected by some as a first-round draft pick.

But knee surgery from a torn ACL suffered in the season opener against Florida Atlantic ended his season. Waters said he was making a move to avoid a blocker and sack the quarterback when his foot planted in the grass in a non-contact injury.  Despite the disappointment of missing the season, Waters said he is 95 percent recovered and happy the Chargers have shown confidence in him.

“I feel real good,” Waters said. “I had a chance to sit down and talk with the defensive coordinator (Ted Cottrell) and linebacker coach (Ron Rivera) and I felt comfortable with those guys.”

Waters is a 6-foot-3, 248-pounder who ran a 4.69-second 40-yard time on April 3 when he tested for the Chargers. Nix said Waters passed physical exams that the Chargers routinely put prospects through, and he would participate in mini-camp drills.

As a junior in the 2005 season, Waters’ 109 tackles (74 solos) led Clemson and ranked third in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He also had 13.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks.

Nix added Cottrell is among those NFL people who believes Waters would have been a first-round draft pick if he hadn’t been injured.

“When we made the selection, a yell came from our defensive staff room,” Chargers head coach Norv Turner said. “They looked at last year’s tape of him and they’re excited. He’s a downhill player, outstanding tacklers and physical player. He’s really a good athlete. He can run and cover.”

Waters played both outside linebacker and inside linebacker for the Tigers. He was a backup outside linebacker and special teams star as a red shirt freshman in 2003 before moving into the starting lineup at inside linebacker in 2004.