The old joke goes that the football gods once asked San Diego if it wanted good weather or Super Bowl-caliber teams. This year, it has both.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Chargers

This time last year the Chargers were scratching their heads over a clumsy coaching move, with Norv Turner replacing Marty Schottenheimer. This year, the Chargers don’t enter the season on such a tumultuous note. And they’re hoping the campaign ends in a Super manner. The Chargers are legitimate contenders for another deep run into the playoffs, and anything less than advancing to the Super Bowl will be a disappointment. LaDainian Tomlinson is at the summit of his Hall of Fame career, Philip Rivers should be healthy after serious knee surgery. The defense is stingy, built around forcing turnovers. The front office didn’t alter the roster much; there was no need to after the Chargers advanced to the AFC Championship Game. The Chargers did lose key players in fullback Lorenzo Neal, safety Marlon McCree and nickelback Drayton Florence. But replacements were found in-house or through the draft. The Chargers have won three of the last four AFC West titles. Their aspirations, though, are much higher. Still, there are some red flags. Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates hopes to rebound from toe surgery, as does center Nick Hardwick from a foot operation. Second-year pro Eric Weddle must fill the void left by McCree’s defection. and rookie Antoine Cason has to prove he’s an NFL nickelback. While no team is without blemishes, the Chargers don’t have many.

Last season, the Chargers took another step toward reaching the Super Bowl, falling one win short in a loss to New England in the AFC Championship Game. Despite playing with a hobbled LaDainian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates, the Chargers nearly gave the Patriots their first loss of the season.

Entering the 2008 season, no one is at a loss to state the team’s goal — advancing to Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Fla.

Quarterbacks

Rivers’ standing in the locker room has never been questioned, but the guts he showed in the postseason when playing on a torn ACL only cemented his role as a leader. Rivers’ sophomore season as a starter wasn’t without its hiccups, but he rebounded from adversity (21 TDs, 15 INTs) and gave the Chargers all the indications that someday he will lead them to a Super Bowl — maybe even this year. Backup Billy Volek — in a surprise to many — decided to return instead of leaving to be a potential starter elsewhere. It was Volek who directed the late drive that resulted in the Chargers upsetting the Colts on the road and advancing to the conference title game. Volek’s return could become critical if Rivers suffers any setbacks after having his knee surgery in the offseason. Charlie Whitehurst, who the Chargers are high on, remains the No. 3 quarterback.

Running backs

Tomlinson should contend for another NFL rushing crown as he remains the focus of Turner’s high-octane offense. He is in the prime of his career and there is no reason he shouldn’t produce another outstanding season. He could also enter the season with a chip on his shoulder after being unfairly blasted for not testing his sprained knee more in the AFC title game loss at New England, sitting on the sideline wearing a visored-helmet for nearly the entire game. L.T.’s reputation took a hit, and he’ll  be focused on cranking out another stellar season. Rookie Jacob Hester, from LSU, gets the first crack at being Tomlinson’s backup after the shifty Michael Turner left for Atlanta. Darren Sproles will also get some touches, but his slight frame relegates him to situational play, mostly on third downs.

Receivers

Chris Chambers looks to build on his first year with the Chargers, after coming over in a trade with Miami. It’s was uncanny how quickly Chambers and Rivers got on the same page, reading each other’s body language at the line of scrimmage as if they had played for years together. That partnership will only get better with Chambers more acclimated to Rivers and the offense. Vincent Jackson’s game took off after Chambers’ arrival, and he performed down the stretch in the manner the Chargers envisioned when drafting him in the second round in 2005. Craig Davis, the team’s top pick in ’07, was up-and-down and never really did hit his stride. The Chargers are banking on Davis maturing into a decent No. 3 receiver this year. The team could also benefit from the return of Eric Parker, who was injured last season. Gates, when healthy, is the gold standard at the tight end position. But a toe injury in the playoffs helped derail the Chargers’ shot at a Super Bowl. The team is confident Gates will be mended in time for the regular season, if not training camp.

Offensive linemen

This unit might have the most question marks on the Chargers. Top-notch center Nick Hardwick didn’t have his toe surgery until late into the offseason, which could keep him sidelined early in the regular season. Right tackle Jeromey Clary replaced Shane Olivea in the starting lineup last year and has but six NFL starts on his resume. While left tackle Marcus McNeill went to the Pro Bowl for the second year, he’ll admit his play was substantially off what he produced his rookie year. The guards are set with Kris Dielman — among the most tenacious in the league at his position — and Mike Goff — a veteran with a high tolerance for pain. But the depth at tackle is a concern. Aside from L.J. Shelton, who was signed to a two-year deal shortly after the draft, the Chargers are only an injury or two away from paying a heavy price for their lack of backups at such a critical spot.

Defensive linemen

Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jamal Williams continues to perform at a high level, but after 10 years inside, his body is rebelling. He’s got at least another year in him, but he might have to be rested to get him through the season with his balky knees. Defensive ends Luis Castillo and Igor Olshansky continue to see their games ascend. Castillo, though, has to avoid the trainer’s room as he missed seven starts last year and is prone to getting nicked. Stopping the run is the muscular Olshansky’s forte, but he did add a career-high 3.5 sacks last year. Ryon Bingham at tackle and Jacques Cesaire at end are key backups whose contributions can’t be overlooked.

Linebackers

Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips continue to be terrors on the outside, where their bursts to the backfield resulted in a combined 20 sacks. The defense — and the team to some degree — feeds off Merriman’s energy as he’s becomes one of the NFL’s best at getting after quarterbacks. The inside play was good last year, despite the team breaking in two new starters in Stephen Cooper and Matt Wilhelm. Cooper, the Chargers’ leading tackler, will miss the season’s first four games after violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. The Chargers have protection after signing free agent Derek Smith in the offseason.

Defensive backs

Antonio Cromartie displayed the athletic skills which ooze from his body by leading the NFL with 10 interceptions; he also scored touchdowns off an interception return, a failed field goal and a fumble recovery. Quentin Jammer continues to silence his critics as he’s blossomed into a reliable corner and a force in run support. Jammer led the team’s cornerbacks with 61 tackles, and his leadership aids the youngsters on the back end. Eric Weddle, a second-year pro, must replace veteran Marlon McCree; Weddle showed well in spot play last year. Antoine Cason, a rookie, will vie for the nickel role, a spot vacated when Drayton Florence left for Jacksonville. This unit is among the benefactors of the stout pass rush that forces quarterbacks to get rid of the ball quickly.

Specialists

Sproles had two touchdowns off returns in one game, which highlighted his season in which he consistently gave the offense good field position. Kicker Nate Kaeding looks to return to the Pro Bowl after missing out last season, despite misfiring on only three field-goal attempts in the regular season. Punter Mike Scifres is a weapon, and the Chargers aren’t shy about letting him boot them out of trouble. He’s always around the leaders in net average, but it’s his touch — 36 punts landed inside the 20 — that makes him so effective.

Coaching staff

Turner’s hiring as the head coach was awkward, but he deserves credit for staying true to his beliefs, even when the team struggled. So Turner should be even more in tune with the club as he aims for a Super Bowl run. There were some slight changes, with receiver coach James Lofton being replaced by Charlie Joiner, another Hall of Famer. Also, running backs coach Ollie Wilson was brought back after the team let Matt Simon go.

Del.icio.us | Digg it | Athlon Sports RSS Feeds