Chambers headed to Chargers in trade with Dolphins

Smart move by the Chargers to strengthen their porous receiving core. As for the woeful Dolphins, they lose their primary target on offense and will have a difficult time replacing stabilizing what is a volatile offense.

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Chargers acquired wide receiver Chris Chambers from the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday in exchange for a 2008 second-round draft pick.

The Chargers have been without No. 1 wide receiver Eric Parker since June and needed to bolster their passing game.

"We are very excited to add Chris to our team," San Diego General Manager A.J. Smith told chargers.com. "He brings a wealth of experience and outstanding production. He is an extremely talented football player and we have held him in high regard throughout his career."

Chambers has 31 receptions for 415 yards and no touchdowns this season. He was a second-round choice by Miami in 2001 and enjoyed his best season in 2005, when he made 82 catches for 1,118 yards and 11 scores.

Chambers is signed through 2009.

"This trade will give some of our younger players at that position, such as Ted Ginn and Derek Hagan, more of an opportunity this year," Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller said in a statement. "Chris did everything we asked of him and represented this organization in a first-class manner. We wish him and his family the best of luck in San Diego."

To make room for Chambers on the active roster, the Chargers placed Parker on the Injured Reserved List. Parker had not played this season while recovering from August surgery to repair a cracked bone near his right big toe he injured during June minicamp. The Chargers originally expected Parker to be out up to 10 weeks.

The trade suggests the Dolphins are looking to the future following an 0-6 start, which matches the worst in franchise history.

The Dolphins are in their first season under Cam Cameron, the former offensive coordinator of the Chargers.

San Diego (3-3) has its bye this Sunday. Miami plays unbeaten New England.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press