Jackie Battle Signs With Chargers

The Jackie Battle era is officially over in Kansas City as the former backup running back has signed with the San Diego Chargers.

Battle was allowed to test the free agent waters this offseason and despite being fairly productive in 2011, the season in which he saw his first significant playing time, the Chiefs never showed much interest (publicly anyway) of re-signing Battle.

Battle spend most of his time in KC as a backup and it looks like he didn’t do enough last season to convince any NFL team that he was starting material. He’ll join incumbent starter Ryan Matthews and an aging Ronnie Brown in San Diego.

Battle should be a solid pickup for the Chargers. Brown is old and Matthews has injury issues. Battle sports good size and he is deceptively fast. He can block and also contribute on special teams.

The Chiefs gave Battle the rock 149 times last season and he produced 597 yards (4-ypc) and two TDs. He also added nine receptions for 68 yards. He is 28 and will turn 29 in October.

What do you think Addicts? Are you sorry to see Battle go to the Bolts? The signing of Peyton Hillis kind of made Battle the odd man out in the KC backfield. Charles is coming back. McCluster likely isn’t going anywhere and the team drafted Cyrus Gray. Still. it will be hard to see Jackie on the other side.