AFC West Preview/San Diego

Jul 14, 2008, 4:33:29 AM by Bob Gretz - FAQ

When last we saw the San Diego Chargers, the boys from SoCal were shivering in the cold winter wind of Foxboro. The Bolts fell that day to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.

The Chargers limped into that game, and limped out. Three offensive stars – RB LaDainian Tomlinson, QB Philip Rivers and TE Antonio Gates – were all less than 100 percent because of injury. The most memorable image of that game was Tomlinson sitting alone on the bench, wrapped in a sideline parka. He carried the ball twice, but could not continue because of a knee injury suffered the week before against Indianapolis.

As the AFC West’s best team gets ready to head to training camp, the questions surrounding this team are about injuries. Tomlinson’s MCL problem will reportedly not keep him off the camp practice field. Rivers had surgery after tearing his right ACL in the post-season. That’s normally a nine-month rehab, but Rivers says he’ll be ready to go for camp. Expect both players to get time off in the pre-season workouts. Same for nose tackle Jamal Williams, who had surgery on both of his knees.

Big questions remain about two other key offensive starters: Gates and center Nick Hardwick. Gates battled a toe injury all through last season and eventually had surgery in the off-season. Hardwick had a bum foot that also required a visit to the operating room back in March.

There are still questions in San Diego about whether Gates and Hardwick will be ready to go in the weeks before the regular season opener against Carolina. The Chargers signed veteran offensive lineman Jeremy Newberry just in case Hardwick gets hung up in his rehab.

Even with those injury situations, there’s no question the Chargers are the best team in the AFC West. Things started slowly last year under Norv Turner, but by the second half of the season, all that San Diego talent was producing victories. After starting 1-3, they went 12-3 over the next 15 games, including 8-1 over their last nine games of the regular season and playoffs. The big one for the Bolts was winning on the road in Indianapolis in the playoffs.

There are only minor changes to the starting lineups and major contributors from last season. Backup RB Michael Turner left in free agency and the Chargers did not re-sign FB Lorenzo Neal. Draft choice Jacob Hester out of LSU could fill in at either position, maybe both.

On defense, free safety Marlon McCree is gone, replaced by last year’s draft choice Eric Weddle. Inside linebacker Stephen Cooper will miss the season’s first four games on an NFL suspension. San Diego signed veteran LB Derek Smith to come in and handle the spot with Cooper being absent.

During the season last year, they changed right tackles, as Shane Olivea was benched in favor of former K-Stater Jeromey Clady. He remains the starter, but veteran L.J. Shelton was signed just in case.

Otherwise, all the familiar faces are there. The defense made strides last year, especially with the play of cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who led the NFL with 10 interceptions. The Chargers led the league with 31 picks. Outside linebackers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips have combined for 49.5 sacks over the last two seasons.

The special teams are among the best in the league, with kicker Nate Kaeding, punter Mike Scifres and return man Darren Sproles.

If Tomlinson, Rivers, Gates, Hardwick and Williams get out of the training room and on to the field, the Chargers will be a tough team to unseat from the top of the division.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
• First Full Camp Practice: July 25th

• Site of Camp: Chargers facilities at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego

• Added to the Roster: C Jeremy Newberry, OT L.J. Shelton and LB Derek Smith.

• Off the Roster: RB Michael Turner (Atlanta), FB Lorenzo Neal (unsigned), S Marlon McCree (Denver) and CB Drayton Florence (Jacksonville)

• Draft picks likely to contribute as rookies: CB Antoine Cason (1st-Round) and RB-FB Jacob Hester (3rd).

• Unresolved contract situations: three draft choices, Cason, Hester and CB DeJuan Tribble (6th).

• Unhappy Camper: WR and special teams ace Kassim Osgood, who wants more time as a receiver and boycotted the team’s off-season practices.

The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.

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A former beat reporter who covered the Pittsburgh Steelers during their glory years, Gretz covered the Chiefs for the Kansas City Star for nine years. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Board of Selectors. He has been the senior columnist for the Chiefs web site since its inception.