SAN DIEGO -- An 0-6 start has the Miami Dolphins thinking of the future, so they traded receiver Chris Chambers to San Diego on Tuesday for a second-round draft choice in 2008.
The deal will mean more playing time for rookie Ted Ginn Jr., a first-round pick who has only three receptions this season.
Chambers ranks fifth on the Dolphins' list for career receptions.
"Obviously, at 0-6 we're looking for answers," general manager Randy Mueller said. "We're looking to change some things... Draft picks are valuable to our team right now."
The trade came as the Chargers put their No. 1 wide receiver, Eric Parker, on the injured reserved list with a broken right big toe. Parker has been out since June, and will miss the rest of the season.
Chambers has 31 receptions for 415 yards and no touchdowns this season. He was a second-round choice by Miami in 2001 and enjoyed his best season in 2005, when he made 82 catches for 1,118 yards and 11 scores, and was voted to the Pro Bowl.
The durable Chambers, who has missed only two games in his career, is signed through 2009. The Chargers expect him to bolster an otherwise young and undistinguished wide receiving corps.
The deal came just before the NFL trade deadline and had been in the works for only a couple of days, Mueller said. There had been no speculation that Chambers would be traded.
"I think he was a little surprised," Mueller said. "Obviously he had been here for a long time and was very comfortable. I think he's going to a place that it will be a good fit for him. I know they're excited to get him."
"This trade will give some of our younger players at that position, such as Ted Ginn and Derek Hagan, more of an opportunity this year," Mueller said. "Chris did everything we asked of him and represented this organization in a first-class manner."
Also Tuesday, the Dolphins cut safety Donovin Darius and placed defensive tackle Chase Page on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
Darius, who signed as a free agent Sept. 11, had 13 tackles in three games. Page played in six games in a reserve role and was credited with five stops.
The Chargers felt the high price was worth it, especially because Chambers will be around for two additional seasons.
"It was a late development," Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said. "One receiver down, one receiver in. We had an opportunity to add a quality, experienced, productive guy and felt we couldn't pass it up. We like him a lot. We've held him in high regard throughout his career."
Chambers will be reunited with Chargers coach Norv Turner, who was Miami's offensive coordinator in 2002-03.
"We think he can add to what we're doing on offense," Turner said in a statement. "The bonus for us is that he's familiar with the system. It should be a quick and easy adjustment for him. We expect him to come in and be productive right away."
San Diego's offense struggled through the first four games, when the Chargers went 1-3. Quarterback Philip Rivers had some poor performances and reigning league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson struggled for yards. The Chargers rebounded by routing the Broncos 41-3 in Denver on Oct. 7, then beat the Oakland Raiders 28-14 last Sunday behind Tomlinson's four touchdowns rushing.
Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates have provided the bulk of the Chargers' offense. Tomlinson has rushed for 527 yards and six touchdowns, and caught 25 passes for 210 yards. Tomlinson's receptions are second on the team behind Gates, who has 43 catches for 547 yards and three touchdowns.
San Diego's leading wideout is Vincent Jackson, who has 20 catches for 320 yards and two scores.
The Chargers haven't had a wide receiver lead them in catches since Curtis Conway in 2001. Since then, either Tomlinson or Gates has had the most receptions.
Parker broke his toe during a June minicamp, and had surgery on it in early August.
Chambers has 405 career receptions, good for 5,688 yards and 43 touchdowns. He has 15 100-yard receiving games, and had at least 48 catches in each of the last six seasons. In 2001, he led all rookies with 883 yards, and his 48 receptions trailed only Tomlinson (59) among first-year players.
San Diego (3-3) has its bye this Sunday. Miami plays unbeaten New England.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
