Before we could enjoy the fruits of free-agency and the trading block, we had to feel the sting of several departures. The biggest of all being the release of LaDainian Tomlinson.

We started out the week examining Tomlinson, his career, and his new team in the New York Jets. It was L.T.’s wish to join a competitor. How about the team that de-railed our run in last-season’s playoffs? I am going to keep tracking him, but it may sting a little because of that game. Nobody will feel the sting more than LaDainian and all of the fans who saw Jets running back Shonn Greene doing Tomlinson’s traditional pose and flip of the ball in the end zone. That might create an awkward breakfast or two in New York, but both running backs have talent and they will have an equally talented offensive line opening up some monstrous holes for them. It really is as bitter-sweet as this turn in L.T.’s career could possibly be.

Another sight to behold will be our former stud nose-tackle Jamal Williams playing in Denver for one of our divisional rivals. However, most of the free-agency game of musical chairs that involves the Chargers has also involved the Jets. Joining L.T. in New York will be former Chargers team-mate, Antonio Cromartie. Joining us her in San Diego will be former Jets corner back Donald Strickland.

Though, most of all, everyone is gong to miss L.T. How could we not? He is a future hall of famer and a hero to the working people of southern California. Not to mention he has rushed for over 1,000 yards in eight of his nine seasons in the NFL and was the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player in 2006. Other awards won by Tomlinson include NFL Offensive Player of the Year, also in 2006, as well as first-team All-Pro in the 2004, 2006, and 2007 seasons. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl five times.

Another Charger to find new lands and new opportunities would be Charlie Whitehurst. Via trade, somehow, Whitehurst found a way to shock a lot of people. He went from clipboard cavalier to competing for a starting job with 11 year veteran QB Matt Hesselbeck. Kudos to Whitehurst, but even bigger kudos to the Chargers for coaxing a high second-round pick out of the Seahawks for a third string quarterback. You can read more about how this trade affected things around the league by checking out the full blog on this topic that I posted on Saturday.

Now moving on from former Chargers to brand new ones. We got two new defensive backs in the past few days and I think that’s pretty noteworthy. First, we signed Donald Strickland, a former Jet who will probably be in contention for the nickel job with Steve Gregory. Currently, we are working out a deal with Nathan Vasher, who in his career with the Chicago Bears has worked with current San Diego defensive coordinator, Ron Rivera.

The addition of the two corner backs that fill a hole in our roster, and the burly second-round pick that we can thank Seattle for, are going to make this years draft so much more exciting because now we have less gaping needs to fill out. Meaning that this April we will get to know who our running back and nose tackle of the future might very well be. I don’t know about you guys, but I for one am excited.

Make sure to check out the full blogs from last week and not just cheat and look at this weekly review. Let’s make BoltBeat.com bigger and better.

It was reported on saturday that the Chargers are close to reaching an agreement with former Chicago Bears cornerback, Nathan Vasher. Even though Vasher is coming off of an injury ridden season, he has shown a lot of promise. In the 2004-2006 seasons, vasher pulled in 16 interceptions. Plus in San Diego, he would be reunited with defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and defensive backs coach Steve Wilks. Both of whom have had experience with the 28 year old Vasher during their time in Chicago.

Vasher will not be the only fresh face in the San Diego secondary. He will be joining corner back Donald Strickland, a former New York Jet and recent free-agent acquisition for the Chargers. Strickland will likely be challenging Steve Gregory for his nickel role.

By adressing the defensive backfield in free-agency, this leaves less pressure to take a cornerback in the draft. Now we can focus on other needs as we zero- in on draft day this April. I have faith in Antoine Cason and he said he was ready to step right in and take over that starting spot. In addition, the recent boom in the amount of players at the corner position will solidify the backfield and create some healthy competition.

The coming season is starting to look better and better as we get closer to it. This is going to be an exciting year. Not to mention that our prime position in the upcoming draft is going to provide an exciting future. We are making all of the right moves to stay on top in our division, and all of the right moves to remain in contention for the ever so elusive Lombardi trophy.

It’s a great time to wear Charger blue. See you in the stands, folks. I will drop in later tonight for a recap on all of our topics for the week. You stay classy, San Diego.