CHARGERS: Bolts finding answers to questions

Issues resolved as midway point of training camp nears

By JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Tuesday, August 12, 2008 12:31 AM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- It's about two weeks into training camp, with roughly two weeks to go. What, if anything, have the Chargers learned in their summer session at Chargers Park?

One, that they can do the equivalent of the Texas two-step in booting the visiting Dallas Cowboys in an exhibition game. The Chargers proved that Saturday night in a game accompanied by more buzz than usual in the preseason. But the box-office take for the Spanos family mattered more than the 31-17 score did to the players. 

Still, those keeping tabs on the Chargers continue to seek an answer to what has become the biggest question on the local sports scene: Can the Chargers reach the Super Bowl?

Sure, but that's eons away. Here are answers to more immediate issues surrounding a team that's becoming the trendy pick to represent the AFC in February in Tampa, Fla.

Backup running back

Among the reasons why LaDainian Tomlinson was so effective in the 2007 stretch drive was the work of Michael Turner. But Tomlinson's former caddy is now the head man in Atlanta, which left the Chargers wondering about Tomlinson's stand-by in '08.

It appears that two backs, and not one, will have Tomlinson's back.

Shifty Darren Sproles continues to thrill coaches and teammates every time he touches the ball. There's little doubt that he's capable of reaching the end zone no matter where he is on the field ---- and that's exciting.

Chargers trainer James Collins is probably in the minority in cringing whenever Sproles accelerates with the ball. Collins will have to work overtime keeping the 5-foot-6, 181-pound Sproles in one piece if the Charges use him as a backup running back and primary kickoff and punt returner.

Third-round draft pick Jacob Hester is more of a masher than a speedster, not shy about sticking his nose in the middle of the line to get the tough yards. While Tomlinson doesn't need any assistance near the goal line, Hester could also fill that role.

But Hester likely will grind out those third-and-short carries that are so critical to sustaining drives ---- although not a spot to expose a future Hall of Fame back. Hester will also earn his pay late in games, helping the Chargers kill the clock.

On wounded knee

Quarterback Philip Rivers said repeatedly that he would be back at full strength for training camp despite his significant knee surgery last offseason. Everyone nodded, patted Rivers on the shoulder pads, and said, "Sure, you will."

Rivers, as usual, was right. He proved it again Saturday by playing longer than expected and completing 5-of-6 passes for 54 yards.

But it was when Rivers was hit that the team exhaled. While his mending right knee has passed every test, no Charger dared sack him ---- or lay a hand on him ---- during practice. So when Rivers was sacked early in the preseason opener and bounced up as if on a rubber band, another layer of psychological scar tissue was deposited in the dumpster.

Case for Cason

Cornerback Antoine Cason didn't have a case of the wide eyes when the first-round pick made his NFL debut. True, stiffer tests are ahead than covering backup receivers trying to make Brad Johnson and Richard Bartel look good. But at least Cason didn't make like ex-Charger Sammy Davis ---- another late first-round pick ---- and get pushed around.

Instead, Cason had six tackles, and while having passes completed on him, was seldom grossly out of position.

It looks like Cason ---- barring a bad stretch leading to the Sept. 7 opener ---- will be fine as the nickel back. That makes the departure of Drayton Florence easier to swallow and makes the Chargers' youthful secondary that much younger.

Long on linebackers

It's tough finding a more talented or deeper linebacker unit in the league. We know all about the starters ---- Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips on the outside, Stephen Cooper and Matt Wilhelm inside ---- but it's who's behind them that separates the Chargers from their rivals.

The Chargers would rather not remove Merriman and Phillips on passing downs, but the combo of Marques Harris and Jyles Tucker is impressive. Both can reach the pocket with explosive first steps, and both will keep Merriman and Phillips fresh late in games, when teams could be passing with regularity to close a deficit.

Veteran Derek Smith and second-year pro Anthony Waters were solid Saturday, which is important considering that Cooper is suspended for the first four regular-season games. Smith likely will replace Cooper, but Waters made a splash in showing that his balky knee is fit. Both will give the Chargers a physical presence on running downs before being chased to the sideline to allow the pass rushers to do their thing.

Chargers notes

QB Philip Rivers said his rebuilt knee held up fine in Saturday's exhibition win over the Dallas Cowboys. "I feel good,'' he said. "There is no additional soreness or anything I hadn't had in the past, and that was a good sign.'' ... Among those not practicing Monday were NT Jamal Williams (knees), WRs Vincent Jackson (hamstring) and Legedu Naanee (groin), LB Shawne Merriman (knee) and DE Luis Castillo (back). ... RB LaDainian Tomlinson practiced and was upbeat after not working out before Saturday's game. Tomlinson had a strained groin that kept him from doing his conditioning drills; he was never expected to play. Tomlinson won't play Saturday in St. Louis, but hopes to do his pregame drills. "I really want to get in a routine in getting prepared for a game,'' he said. "Going through the warmups, getting a sweat and feeling like I'm about to go out and play.''

Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.