The San Diego Chargers were one of the busier teams on the opening day of the NFL’s first uncapped free agency period since 1993.

With seven unrestricted free agents, and several more restricted, general manager A.J. Smith continued on his quest to help San Diego get over the hump and earn a Super Bowl berth in 2010.

The most notable of moves may have very well also been the biggest surprise of the day in southern California, when the Chargers decided to change their decision to allow running back Darren Sproles become an unrestricted free agent just hours before free agency opened. Instead, Smith placed the maximum first-and-third round tenders on the speedy, undersized rusher, which meant a contract offer for just over $7 million. Should Sproles decide to sign with another team, San Diego will have the chance to match that offer, or receive that team’s first and third round draft picks for the 2011 draft.

In another surprise sportsbetting move, the Chargers released run-stuffing defensive tackle Jamal Williams, a 12-year veteran of the team.

San Diego also made first-and-third round tenders to former Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman, left tackle Marcus McNeil, and wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd. It was also reported earlier in the day that the Chargers had reached an agreement to send cornerback Antonio Cromartie to the New York Jets. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.