Welcome Mat McBriar P

[Bolt-O]

Michael Gehlken @UTgehlken 9m9 minutes ago

Former Cowboys P Mat McBriar signing with the Chargers, sources said. Replacement for Mike Scifres (clavicle): http://utsd.us/1qrGZa5

[Bolt-O]

I wonder if he can kick off. He did have a live leg at one time.

[Bolt-O]

Four punters worked out for the Chargers on Tuesday.

One, Mat McBriar, will practice the next day.

The Australia-born right footer was selected from a pool of candidates who attended a tryout at Chargers Park, sources said. The 35-year-old will serve as a fill-in for Mike Scifres, who suffered a broken clavicle Sunday night against the Patriots and is expected to miss the rest of the regular season.

McBriar lives in Solana Beach, so he had a fairly short drive to the Murphy Canyon facility.

He's spent the bulk of his NFL career with the Cowboys from 2003 to 2011, a two-time Pro Bowler in that span. He also played for the Eagles in 2012 and Steelers in 2013.

Brian Moorman, Robert Malone and Zoltan Mesko also worked out Tuesday.

As well as replacing Scifres as a punter, McBriar is likely to take over Scifres' responsibilities as a holder on field-goal and point-after attempts for Nick Novak. He is experienced in the role, having handled it in the past. Long snapper Mike Windt, McBriar and Novak will have a few days to grow a rapport before Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Scifres had surgery Monday morning in San Diego.

There is hope he could return in January for the playoffs, should the Chargers qualify.

[Yubaking]

So we are going to play the final 3 games with 52 instead of 53 as Scifres has not been placed on IR so far?

I like the choice of McBriar over the others. If he does well, do we want to put Scifres on IR to gain a roster spot?

[TABF]

He was discovered by D. Bennett I read...

[Bolt-O]

He was discovered by D. Bennett I read...

He had a room at his house for a time too. The Mate wanted McBriar to take his number but Mat respectfully declined. I read that McBriar did have a 'drop leg', essentially a cyst on a nerve that did cause some paralysis, which caused him to drop off in production from his pro bowl seasons, but apparently he's over that. He doesn't hop off the ground as much as Scifres does, so maybe that will help in keeping him healthy for the next three or four games before Scifres is ready.

[Panama]

He had a room at his house for a time too. The Mate wanted McBriar to take his number but Mat respectfully declined. I read that McBriar did have a 'drop leg', essentially a cyst on a nerve that did cause some paralysis, which caused him to drop off in production from his pro bowl seasons, but apparently he's over that. He doesn't hop off the ground as much as Scifres does, so maybe that will help in keeping him healthy for the next three or four games before Scifres is ready.

This could be good for us down the stretch and, if he performs well, good for McBriar's chances of resurrecting his career. Win-win.

Meanwhile, all the best to Scifres for a speedy recovery.

[Panama]

So we are going to play the final 3 games with 52 instead of 53 as Scifres has not been placed on IR so far?

No, we are going to play the final 3 games with 46 active players, as always.

[Mister Hoarse]

Aussie Mojo!

but we coulda had The Zoltan

[Maverick]

On 1360 yesterday, The Loose Cannons asked McBriar if he was going to follow in the traditions of his Aussie brother Darren Bennett by aggressively seeking to tackle the punt returner......McBriar's response: "Uh.........no."

LOL, classic deadpan response.

[sandiego17]

Aussie Mojo!

but we coulda had The Zoltan

Is Zlatan available? That would be awesome.

[Panama]

we coulda had The Zoltan

I would have been suspicious if we had signed an ex-Pat punter after the Pats knocked out our punter.

:bertstare: