SAN DIEGO, March 21 (UPI) -- Tight end Stephen Alexander became the second player to follow Marty Schottenheimer from the nation's capital to the West Coast.
The San Diego Chargers Thursday announced the signing of Alexander to a five-year contract.
After being fired as coach of the Washington Redskins, Schottenheimer was hired as coach of the Chargers and was instrumental in the signings of Alexander and center Cory Raymer.
San Diego needed a tight end to replace Freddie Jones, who was released for salary cap purposes.
Alexander, 26, played the first four years of his NFL career with the Redskins and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2000 when he set career-highs with 47 catches for 510 yards.
He missed most of last season -- Schottenheimer's only one in Washington -- due to injuries, but that did not stop the coach from pursuing Alexander.
A second-round pick in 1998, Alexander started 41 of 53 games with the Redskins and caught 122 passes for 1,302 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Chargers have added defensive tackle Jason Fisk from Tennessee along with Alexander and Raymer, and re-signed returner-receiver Tim Dwight and long snapper David Binn.
