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It's been an interesting couple of weeks for people following UB Alumni in the NFL. Branden Oliver
Oliver missed all of last season with a torn Achilles, which he suffered during the pre season. Los Angeles chose not to tender the 25-year-old as a restricted free agent. By not tendering Oliver the Chargers were risking losing the back. In the NFL, a team can "tender" a restricted free so that they can match any offer on the table to keep him.
But even without the tender Branden Oliver and the Chargers came to agreement on a one-year deal. He joins Kenjon Barner, Kenneth Farrow and Andre Williams as rotational depth behind Melvin Gordon.
Bolts from the blue says that right now Oliver probably sits at the 2 or 3 spot, if he has fully recovered.
I'm thrilled that BO will get another season with the Chargers. He has all the makings of a #2 or better NFL running back. During his rookie season when the Chargers were shedding backs to injury BO stepped up and had an impressive 582 yards rushing and 112 receiving. But an achilies injury on a depth RB can end a career, a lot of guys in BO's position would never even have gotten another shot to prove they were healed up.
Good luck BO, we are rooting for you.
p.s. Yes the first time I wrote this I kept saying San Diego...