SDUT: Chargers safety to sign with New England

[Robin Miller]

Chargers safety to sign with New England
Departure compounds need in secondary

By Michael Gehlken

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Steve Gregory waited and waited for a starting job.

He finally found it — in New England.

The Chargers' reserve strong safety of six seasons reached a three-year
deal Thursday with the Patriots. He is expected to start at free safety,
a league source said.

San Diego hoped to return the veteran to his usual role — backup safety
and special teamer — but after biding his time with 31 starts the past
four seasons, Gregory wanted more.

The departure compounds a need at the position.

Already, the Chargers were looking to add a starting strong safety, most
likely through the draft. Now they could be shopping for his backup, too.

Gregory started a career-high 13 games last year in place of Bob
Sanders, who was lost to a season-ending knee injury in Week 2. Paul
Oliver also logged a start.

Sanders and Oliver are both unrestricted free agents, leaving Darrell
Stuckey, a fourth-round draft pick in 2010 and special teams ace, atop
the depth chart.

A camp injury set Stuckey back in his rookie season, and last year's
lockout further robbed him of developmental time.

With a full offseason ahead, Stuckey could work his way into a defensive
role. He saw just 11 defensive snaps in 2011.

Eric Weddle, Nick Polk and DeAndre McDaniel are the team's other safeties.