2012 NFL Free Agents: TE Dante Rosario Becomes Latest Addition in San Diego

On the day that was overshadowed by Peyton Manning's reported decision to join the Denver Broncos, the San Diego Chargers focused on their roster.

Mike Tolbert agreed to a four-year deal with Carolina, joining former coach Ron Rivera. Tolbert will make $1 million less than he would have in San Diego. The Chargers had the offer on the table, but Tolbert picked Carolina for multiple reasons explained here by Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The surprising thing this offseason in San Diego is that general manager A.J. Smith will not let one day go in which he loses more players than gains. For very free agent the Chargers have lost, another has been signed. This was the same case for the day Tolbert chose to leave San Diego.

The Chargers will add a fifth tight end to the roster by signing Dante Rosario to a one-year deal. Rosario isn't known to most football fans, but to Chargers fans, he is. In the season opener in 2008, Dante Rosario caught the game-winning touchdown as time expired against San Diego. Eddie Royal caught the game-winning touchdown the next week against the Chargers. 

Both players are now Chargers.

In the same game that Rosario made the winning catch, he also had 98 yards on seven receptions. Those have been his career highs ever since. Rosario is a versatile tight end at 6'4'', 250 lbs, exactly what the Chargers have been looking for.

Antonio Gates, Randy McMichael, Kory Sperry, Brad Taylor and Dante Rosario are San Diego's current five tight ends. Expect them to cut down to three during training camp.