Chargers tackle improvement after surprising rise

By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Friday, January 14, 2005 12:34 AM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Charger fan walks into the diner in July and orders a 12-4. "You want playoffs with that, sweetie?" the veteran waitress inquires. "Sure," he says. "With a first down in overtime at the opponent's 22."

Careful what you ask for.

Charger Nation should be waving its flag proudly in the wake of its remarkable season. Like a flapjack on a skillet, the Chargers flipped from 4-12 to 12-4, rising from the AFC West basement to its penthouse. And there's little doubt Charger Pride rebounded. A look around the community sees countless lightning bolts ---- and not those from our recent rain.

Still, those tears from above collided with those on Chargers cheeks, the fallout from a postseason overtime loss to the Jets. That haunting memory of Nate Kaeding's playoff-winning, 40-yard field-goalÝtry straying toward the Qualcomm Stadium trolley station rather than the goal post isn't easily purged.

But it's time to shout "All Aboard" to reflect on a season that many thought was over before it left the station. The bumbling Chargers were the backside of more summer jokes than Paris Hilton but checked out with their first playoff appearance since 1995.

Before worrying about when pitchers and catchers report, let's review what the 2004 Chargers delivered ---- or didn't.

QUARTERBACKS

The sizzle: Drew Brees would be pushed by rookie Philip Rivers after the Chargers engineered a draft-day, blockbuster trade to rid themselves of Eli Manning.

The steak: Rivers' camp holdout derailed his chance at starting. Brees turned in one of the top seasons ever by a Charger: 27 touchdowns, seven interceptions, a club-record 65.5 completion percentage and a Pro Bowl selection.

The future: Brees is a free agent but could be retained with a one-year or multiyear deal. Look for the Chargers to franchise tag him, which ensures his return for about $9 million and keeps Rivers on the bench for another year.

RUNNING BACKS

The sizzle: After being passed over in the '03 Pro Bowl balloting, LaDainian Tomlinson would flirt with 2,000 yards rushing and be a force as a receiver.

The steak: A nagging groin injury limited Tomlinson toÝ1,335 yards rushing, but his 17 TDs on the ground were a league-high. Jesse Chatman proved a reliable backup and rookie Michael Turner fared well in one game.

The future: Tomlinson is just hitting his prime, and the depth here has never been better ---- especially if Chatman (a restricted free agent) returns.

RECEIVERS

The sizzle: Minus a bona fide No. 1 receiver, the team would use a by-committee approach. Also, little-known TE Antonio Gates would build on his rookie year.

The steak: Gates set an NFL mark for his position with 13 TD catches. Eric Parker, with his fearless style, led the team's wideouts with 690 yards and four TDs. Veteran Keenan McCardell was acquired after Reche Caldwell was lost with a knee injury.

The future: This unit remains a work in progress. The team is hopeful a mature Caldwell returns from his injury and that a 35-year-old McCardell has something left.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The sizzle: Five fresh faces from the '03 opening day lineup would open holes for Tomlinson and protect the QB with gusto.

The steak: "Stunning" is the only word here. The line includes two rookies (RT Shane Olivea and C Nick Hardwick) two nondescript veterans (RG Mike Goff and LT Roman Oben) and someone coming off a season spent on injured reserve (LG Toniu Fonoti). The play here was as steady as it was remarkable.

The future: Depth is a concern; ditto getting younger at the critical left tackle post.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The sizzle: Jamal Williams would anchor the middle, with veteran Adrian Dingle and rookie Igor Olshansky working the edges.

The steak: Williams was a force in the middle; coach Marty Schottenheimer said it over and over. Dingle lost his job to Jacques Cesaire. Olshansky was reliable on running downs.

The future: Team looks to upgrade at the end opposite Olshansky, and might do it through the draft, where it clutches two first-round picks.

LINEBACKERS

The sizzle: A more athletic bunch based in the 3-4 alignment would prevent long running plays and rush quarterbacks from various angles.

The steak: OLB Steve Foley had a career-high 10 sacks, and ILB Donnie Edwards led the team for the third straight year in tackles (150) and added a team-best five interceptions. ILB Randall Godfrey and OLB Ben Leber were seldom out of position.

The future: Not much work needed here, although there could be some depth concerns if backups Zeke Moreno and Carlos Polk leave via free agency.

SECONDARY

The sizzle: The youngsters would be a year older after getting schooled for a league-high 36 touchdown passes in 2003.

The steak: CB Quentin Jammer still has miles to go to prove he's an elite, shutdown corner befitting his status as the 2002 draft's fifth overall pick. CB Sammy Davis lost his job because of injury and inconsistent play. CB Drayton Florence showed promise. Keeping his poise was another matter. SS Terrence Kiel was solid in run support, while Jerry Wilson's contributions came from his intelligence and experience.

The future: Wilson could exit as a free agent, as the Chargers will look hard at that position. Florence has the inside track as a starter next season but has to play with smarts, as well as skills. The Chargers need to improve on their No. 31 ranking against the pass. That's 16 spots lower than last year.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The sizzle: The kid kickers ---- Nate Kaeding and Mike Scifres ---- would make people forget Steve Christie and Darren Bennett. The return game would be turbocharged with speedsters Tim Dwight and Parker.

The steak: Kaeding was stellar in his rookie year, connecting on 20-of-25 field goals. A case could be made for Scifres being the team's MVP with his accurate and long-range punting. Dwight returned one for a TD, but a toe injury limited his production. Parker was OK.

The future: Kaeding might need some couch time ---- Hello, Dr. Phil ---- to get over his devastating misfire in the playoff game. Scifres figures to improve from his first alternate Pro Bowl status. Don't be surprised if there are two new return specialists next season.

COACHING

The sizzle: Schottenheimer would restore respectability to a franchise that hadn't produced a winning season for eight straight years. And one that was dissed at the draft alter by the Manning family, which is as close to royalty as the NFL gets.

The steak: Schottenheimer earned NFL Coach of the Year honors by getting the Chargers to believe in themselves, instead of the countless naysayers. Kudos, too, to offensive coordinator Cam Cameron for putting a stake in Martyball, and to defensive coordinator Wade Phillips for orchestrating the team's first shutout in 11 years and a run defense that finished No. 3.

The future: Schottenheimer is due for a fat raise when his contract extension is complete. Cameron is seeking a new deal, and he should hold out for top dollar. Phillips isn't going anywhere, although he would love another shot as a head coach. All the assistants, save secondary coach Brian Stewart and Phillips, need contracts.

The 2004 Chargers will be remembered for:

+ Winning their first AFC West title since 1994.

+ A remarkable season by QB Drew Brees.

+ The emergence of TE Antonio Gates.

+ RB LaDainian Tomlinson reaching the Pro Bowl despite a nagging groin injury.

+ A sturdy run defense.

Things to forget about the 2004 Chargers:

+ K Nate Kaeding missing a game-winning field goal in the playoffs.

+ The lack of consistency in the secondary.

+ Going 1-5 against playoff teams, including the two-game sweep by the Jets.

+ A second straight home playoff loss to a wild card team.

+ Coach Marty Schottenheimer losing his fifth consecutive postseason contest.

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