Bigby joins Chargers' defensive backfield

With strong safety being one of the largest holes in the San Diego Chargers' roster, the team added depth to the position tonight by signing Atari Bigby, formerly of the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks. According to Danny O'Neil of The Seattle Times and Aaron Wilson of Ravens Insider, Bigby signed a two-year deal worth $2.5 million and could earn up to $4.5 million.

The 5-11, 213-pound Bigby entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins in 2005 but failed to even make it to training camp. After spending the 2005 preseason with the New York Jets, he was waived on the final cut day, and didn't find a home until the Packers signed him to their practice squad later that year. His best season was in 2007, when he replaced Marquand Manuel as the starting strong safety and recorded 86 tackles, intercepted five passes, and forced three fumbles. He also intercepted four passes in 13 games during the 2009 season. After joining the Seahawks last summer, he had 18 tackles and a sack in 15 games.

The signing of Bigby doesn't mean that San Diego general manager A.J. Smith is done adding to the strong safety spot. As of right now, Bigby, 2010 fourth-round pick Darrell Stuckey, and DeAndre McDaniel, a 2011 undrafted free agent who signed with the Chargers in January, are the three strong safeties on San Diego's roster. Smith is rumored to be smitten with Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith, who is likely to be selected in the second round of this April's draft.

Nevertheless, bringing Bigby in tonight makes up for the departure of Steven Gregory, last season's starting strong safety.