Chargers release 21 players

Saturday, Sep 02, 2006

The Chargers released 21 players today to reach the NFL’s mandatory 53-man roster limit.

WR   Ricky Bryant
T   Jeromey Clary
RB   Larry Croom
QB   Brett Elliott
FB   Jonathan Evans
LB   Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
CB   Steve Gregory
TE   Kelly Griffeth
RB   Tyronne Gross
T   Ben Johnson
S   Andre Lott
DT   Brandon McKinney
S   Mitch Meeuwsen
C   Nick Mihlhauser
S   Hanik Milligan
WR   Robert Ortiz
DE   Chase Page
RB   Ray Perkins
LB   Jonathan Pollard
G   Wes Sims
DT   Alvin Smith

The team’s 53-man active roster features 13 new faces, including three players who joined the team in 2006 as free agents – safety Marlon McCree (Carolina), tight end Aaron Shea (Cleveland) and center-guard Cory Withrow; four draft choices and a fifth player acquired in a draft-day trade – cornerback Antonio Cromartie (first-round), tackle Marcus McNeill (second-round), quarterback Charlie Whitehurst (third-round), linebacker Tim Dobbins (fifth-round) and tight end Brandon Manumaleuna, who was acquired by the Chargers from St. Louis in exchange for San Diego’s fourth-round choice in this year’s draft; and four players who spent all or most of 2005 on the practice squad – wide receivers Greg Camarillo and Malcom Floyd, tackle Cory Lekkerkerker and defensive tackle Ryon Bingham.

Cornerback and return specialist Cletis Gordon is the only undrafted rookie on the 53-man roster.  Last year only Marques Harris and Derreck Robinson made the roster as undrafted free agents, both of whom are back on the team this year.