The Los Angeles Chargers didn’t have many glaring offseason needs

COSTA MESA Keenan Allen Jersey , Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Chargers didn’t have many glaring offseason needs but upgrading the linebacking unit was at the top of the list.They took a step toward doing that Wednesday as the NFL’s free agency period began, signing Thomas Davis to a two-year contact. The team also signed quarterback Tyrod Taylor and re-signed defensive tackle Brandon Mebane to two-year deals.Davis comes to the Chargers after spending his entire 14-year career with Carolina, where he was the Panthers‘ career leader in tackles (1,077). He will enter the season second among active NFL players in tackles.Davis finished second last season with 79 tackles in 12 games. He missed the first four games while under suspension for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing supplements.Davis’ addition gives the Chargers experience and an effective run stopper. Denzel Perryman, Jatavis Brown and Kyzir White combined to start 25 games but ended up on injured reserve. Perryman, who led the team in tackles at the time of his injury, was the team’s most effective run stopper the first half of the season. He was due to become a free agent but re-signed with the team on March 9.The Chargers struggled to stop the run late last season. They contained Baltimore in the AFC wild-card round by going with eight defensive backs but allowed 155 yards in a loss to New England in the divisional round.Taylor gives the Chargers an experienced backup to Rivers, who has started 208 consecutive games and is tied with Peyton Manning for the third-longest streak in NFL history by a QB.Taylor has started 46 games during his eight-year career with Baltimore, Buffalo and Cleveland. He started the first three games last season for the Browns before suffering a concussion and back injury against the New York Jets. Taylor was not able to regain his starting job after the emergence of Baker Mayfield.The signing reunites Taylor with Chargers coach Anthony Lynn, who was a Buffalo assistant for three seasons and the offensive coordinator in 2016. Los Angeles also still has Cardale Jones on the roster.Mebane http://www.thechargerslockerroom.com/authentic-ladainian-tomlinson-jersey , who will be going into his 13th NFL season and fourth with the Chargers, started 12 games last season and had 53 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack. He missed four games to help care for his newborn daughter, who died at seven weeks due to a defective heart condition.His 57 tackles for loss are the highest among active nose tackles. The last time the Eagles opened a season as NFL champions, it was 1960 and, well, who remembers what folks did then in Philadelphia?What they’ll certainly do Thursday night at the Linc when the Falcons come to town is roar with approval at the site of the Lombardi Trophy and the championship banner. Fans will sing many, many choruses of “Fly Eagles Fly.”And then the guys on the field will get down to business, defending the title they took away from New England last February.That defense will be difficult, particularly in the NFC Womens Jatavis Brown Jersey , a stronger conference than the AFC.“Quite honestly, it’s going to be a great night from that standpoint,” coach Doug Pederson says of the season opener. “The fans that are in attendance are going to be crazy and they’re going to be excited. It’s going to be great for the banner to be dropped in Lincoln Financial (Field). It’s going to be a great atmosphere.“I think with this football team, though, they understand this is a different season, it’s a new team, new year. We’re sitting here 0-0 with a great opportunity against a great opponent — a playoff/Super Bowl-caliber team coming in here. Quite honestly, that’s their focus.”It had better be, because the Falcons barely lost in Philly in the divisional round last winter, and they’ve upgraded on both sides of the ball. Atlanta Rayshawn Jenkins Jersey , No. 8 in the AP Pro32, comes in as a 2½-point underdog to top-ranked Philadelphia.Pro Picks goes out on a limb early.UPSET SPECIAL: FALCONS, 22-20KNOCKOUT POOLWe didn’t stick around for too long last year, so consider that when we choose the SAINTS to win this weekend.No. 15 San Francisco (plus 6) at No. 3 MinnesotaJimmy Garoppolo is undefeated as a starting quarterback. Streak ends Sunday.BEST BET: VIKINGS, 27-16No. 5 Pittsburgh (minus 5 1-2) at No. 31 ClevelandThe Browns are defeated in 17 straight. That streak continues, even if Le’Veon Bell is a no-show.STEELERS, 23-20No. 29 Tampa Bay (plus 9 1-2) at No. 6 New OrleansAlmost went with this as BEST BET. Saints have Super Bowl-level talent.SAINTS, 33-166<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:Dallas Cowboys name 2018 Team CaptainsShanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports | Shanna LockwoodNo. 4 Los Angeles Rams (minus 5) at No. 21 Oakland, Monday nightThe return of Jon Gruden to the Black Hole. Raiders could struggle after Chucky traded his best player.RAMS, 27-25No. 28 Chicago (plus 7 1-2) at No. 9 Green BayKhalil Mack surfaces in Chicago. More significant: Aaron Rodgers is back at QB for Packers.PACKERS 27-13No. 13 Kansas City (plus 3) at No. 10 Los Angeles ChargersLots of people like the Chargers in the AFC West. So do we.CHARGERS http://www.thechargerslockerroom.com/authentic-justin-jones-jersey , 21-13No. 12 Houston (plus 6 1-2) at No. 2 New EnglandIf healthy, the Texans could be ready for special season. But they rarely play well in Foxborough.PATRIOTS, 30-20No. 26 Buffalo (plus 7) at No. 14 BaltimoreSean McDermott didn’t want inexperienced Josh Allen at QB against this defense. Smart man.RAVENS, 18-7No. 24 (tie) Cincinnati (plus 3) at No. 30 IndianapolisAndrew Luck returns at last. He doesn’t have much surrounding him.BENGALS, 22-14No. 7 Jacksonville (minus 3) at No. 20 New York GiantsHow satisfying will this win be for Tom Coughlin?JAGUARS, 20-19No. 17 Tennessee (minus 1) at No. 27 MiamiNot feeling good vibes about the Titans right now.DOLPHINS, 21-20No. 16 Dallas (plus 2 1-2) at No. 11 CarolinaNot feeling good vibes about the Cowboys right now.21<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:Dallas Cowboys: Celebrities who root for the Cowboys from LeBron James to Stone Cold Steve AustinUSA TODAY SportsPANTHERS, 30-24No. 22 Washington (pick-em) at No. 24 (tie) ArizonaTwo of the NFL’s most mysterious teams this year. Go with the hosts.CARDINALS, 24-20No. 18 Seattle (plus 3) at No. 23 DenverTwo more of the NFL’s most mysterious teams. Go with the … you get the drill.BRONCOS, 20-13No. 32 New York Jets (plus 6 1-2) at No. 19 Detroit Womens Kyzir White Jersey , Monday nightSam Darnold’s debut gives this game some intrigue. So does Matt Patricia’s as Lions coach.LIONS, 23-19___2017 RECORD:Super Bowl: Against spread (1-0). Straight up (0-1)Season Totals: Against spread (124-125-10). Straight up: (167-98)Best Bet: 10-9 against spread, 11-8 straight upUpset special: 10-8 against spread, 9-9 straight up