Chargers aren't resting this offseason

Signs are the Chargers aren't resting when it comes to acquiring players.

Still feeling the sting of two straight playoff-free years, the team continues it strong surge into free agency by snagging more players.

Although some of those returning are former Chargers, it really doesn't matter: In showing but one playoff win in four years, the Chargers are being aggressive in getting it right in 2013.

Two players with familiar resumes have been brought back in defensive tackle Antonio Garay and defensive end Luis Castillo.

Also coming aboard are wide receiver/kick returner Roscoe Parrish and Garay, while not spectacular, has been steady in starting 28 games for the Chargers over the past two seasons. His 108 tackles and eight sacks over that span eclipse anything any other Chargers' defensive lineman has done in that span.

The Chargers allowed Garay to test free agency, but always with the option that he could return. He did thanks to a two-year contract.

Castillo, a former first-round pick of the team, broke his leg in last year's preseason opener and never returned, although the Chargers kept a roster spot open for him for most of the season.

In seven years with the Chargers, Castillo has started 86 games.

The team also added to its impressive depth at wide receiver with the addition of Parrish. But more than counting on his pass-catching skills, Parrish will be expected to give the return game a boost. In seven years with the Bills, Parrish averaged 12 yards on punts and scored three times.

He joins a unit that also features newcomers in Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal. They join returners Malcom Floyd and Vincent Brown as the Chargers try to overcome the loss of Pro Bowler Vincent Jackson with numbers, instead of singular stars.

The Chargers added to that group when signing another receiver/returner in Tampa Bay's Micheal Spurlock.

"I feel very, very good about our offseason so far," team president Dean Spanos told his team's website. "We've been very proactive in free agency, probably more so than in most recent years. I feel like we filled a lot of needs and we got better at those specific positions."

Has general manager A.J. Smith's work positioned the Chargers back into the playoff picture? For the sake of his, and coach Norv Turner's job security, Smith better hope so.