Chargers Sign Thomas Sanders
The Chargers announced Tuesday that they had made their biggest move into the Plan B free-agent pool this year, signing veteran Chicago Bears’ running back Thomas Sanders.
Harold Odom, Sanders’ Houston-based agent, said Sanders signed a contract last Friday.
“The Chargers were the best opportunity for Thomas,” Odom said by telephone. “He was impressed with (General Manager) Bobby Beathard and what he is doing for the Chargers. There were other teams interested, but the Chargers clearly were the best choice.”
Sanders, 28, has spent his five-year NFL career as a backup to Walter Payton and Neil Anderson, never rushing for more than 332 yards in a season. But he brings the Chargers experience as both a runner and kick returner.
Last season, he carried 41 times for 127 yards and caught three passes for 28 yards and one touchdown. He also returned 23 kickoffs for 491 yards (21.3 yards per return), including a 96-yarder for a touchdown.
His 332-yard season was 1988. In five years, Sanders has gained 909 yards and scored 10 touchdowns on 211 carries (4.3-yard average). He also has caught 18 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown and returned 79 kickoffs for 1,497 yards and one touchdown.
Sanders joined the Bears in 1985 as a ninth-round draft choice out of Texas A&M.;
The addition of Sanders gives the Chargers another option in a running game that was lacking last season because of the contract holdout of Gary Anderson.
Anderson still is without a contract, but Beathard recently opened a dialogue with Anderson and his agent, Peter Johnson of Cleveland, during a visit to Tampa, where Anderson lives.
Odom said the uncertain status of Anderson did not affect negotiations on Sanders.
“We wanted to do what is best for Thomas,” Odom said, “and he wanted to play in San Diego.”
Sanders is the fourth Plan-B player and the second running back known to have agreed to terms with the Chargers, but he is not expected to be the last, according to Coach Dan Henning.
Henning said the Chargers are close to signing at least one more Plan B player, and he expects the team will finish with about eight by the April 1 signing deadline.
Thomas Sanders