Bolts sign veteran tight end McMichael
by Joel Price
The Chargers bolstered an already-talented group of tight ends Thursday by signing free agent Randy McMichael to a one-year contract.
“Randy has been a targeted player for us for some time now,” General Manager A.J. Smith said. “With the departure of Brandon(Manumaleuna) to the Bears, we wanted to sign another veteran. We were hoping that would be Randy.
“We’re happy it all worked out. We just thought it made good football sense to add a player like Randy. He brings veteran experience and added leadership to our team.”
The nine-year veteran started all but one of the 116 games he played for the Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams since he entered the league in 2002.
The 6-foot-3, 246 pound McMichael played under Norv Turner when the Chargers’ head coach was the offensive coordinator in Miami in 2002-03.
“We’re excited to add Randy to the team,” Turner said. “He brings experience and added depth to the tight end position.”
McMichael caught at least 60 passes in three consecutive seasons with the Dolphins in 2004-06, amassing 2,013 yards and 12 touchdowns in that span.
McMichael joins a group that already includes the NFL’s top pass-catching tight end, Antonio Gates, as well as returning veteran Kris Wilson, seventh-round draft pick Dedrick Epps and undrafted rookieRichie Brockel.
McMichael played in all 16 games last season, catching 34 passes for 332 yards after a broken leg limited him to four games in 2008.
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