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CHARGERS SELECT OLB LARRY ENGLISH WITH 16TH PICK

The Chargers today pulled something of a surprise, taking Northern Illinois outside linebacker Larry English with the 16th pick in the NFL Draft.

English addresses a need the Chargers might not have right now, but his presence might further signal the team has plans beyond Shawne Merriman, whose contract is scheduled to expire after 2009.

English, who is 6-foot-3 and 258 pounds, could also play defensive end.

English rose up draft boards over the past few months after a fine Senior Bowl and Combine. He was dominant in the Mid-American Conference with 31.5 sacks and 63 tackles for loss in four seasons at NIU.

There were a bunch of supposed top-10 talents remaining, including tackle Michael Oher, and the Chargers decided to go defense.

"We had a chance to go either way," General Manager A.J. Smith said right after the pick was official. "... We're going to have to bring the heat on defense."

LINK >> CHARGERS SELECT OLB LARRY ENGLISH WITH 16TH PICK

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