CHARGERS: Position-by-position analysis
By North County Times | ∞
Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers enters his third season as the starter with the expectation that he will more resemble the careful, efficient quarterback of the second half of last season than the mistake-prone signal-caller of the first half. Rivers committed just four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble) in the final six regular-season games after being responsible for 17 turnovers (12 interceptions, five fumbles) in the first 10. Billy Volek remains an important insurance policy in case of injury to Rivers, and Chargers fans will never forget his performance on the game-winning drive against Indianapolis in last season's playoffs. Charlie Whitehurst is the third-string quarterback.
Running backs
LaDainian Tomlinson is the NFL's ranking running back after winning his second consecutive rushing title. He racked up 1,474 yards despite a slow start that saw him gain just 130 yards in the first three games. Tomlinson had six 100-yard games, four of them in December. Former backup Michael Turner is now a starter in Atlanta, so Tomlinson's backups will be shifty Darren Sproles and rookie Jacob Hester. Sproles is elusive, but his 5-foot-6 frame leaves questions about how often he can be used from the line of scrimmage. Hester can gain the tough yards and has better running skills than typically given credit for. Fullback Andrew Pinnock was cut, so undrafted rookie Mike Tolbert will get the snaps at the position.
Receivers
The midseason acquisition of Chris Chambers gave the passing game a boost last year, and Chambers should be even more effective after working with Rivers throughout training camp. Vincent Jackson had an inconsistent regular season (623 yards) before playing like a superstar (300 yards in three games) in the postseason. Whether he'll ever play at that level for a full season is the question. Craig Davis had the typical struggles of a rookie receiver and is the third wideout this season. Legedu Naanee, another second-year player, is long on ability but still needs polishing. Malcom Floyd wasn't active for any game after mid-October, but his 6-foot-5 frame makes him intriguing. Kassim Osgood adds depth and has made each of the last two Pro Bowls as one of the NFL's top special teams' performers.
Tight ends
Antonio Gates enters the season at less than full strength because of a toe injury suffered in January, but he's still one of the top receiving tight ends in the game. Barring a setback, he should regain his Pro Bowl form sometime after the season's first month. Blocker extraordinaire Brandon Manumaleuna will see an increased role due to Gates' situation. Depth is a concern since Scott Chandler was lost for the season with a toe injury. The team signed Kris Wilson, who was recently cut by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Offensive linemen
The Chargers once could boast of having the best left side in the game with LT Marcus McNeill, LG Kris Dielman and C Nick Hardwick. But only Dielman, a Pro Bowl selection last season, is currently in top form. Hardwick is sidelined after offseason foot surgery, and veteran Jeremy Newberry will start at center until Hardwick returns. McNeill has been bothered by a neck stinger for four weeks and didn't play a single snap in the preseason. The two-time Pro Bowl pick could be watching veteran L.J. Shelton play his position when the season begins. RG Mike Goff is a mauler who hasn't missed a start in four seasons with the team. RT Jeromey Clary did well after becoming a starter in December, and it will be interesting to see how he fares over 16 games. G Scott Mruczkowski is a valuable reserve, as is the recently signed Kynan Forney. Cory Withrow (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve. Seventh-round draft pick Corey Clark made the team as a backup tackle.
Defensive linemen
DT Jamal Williams, one of the top run-stuffers in the league, is devastating when teams don't double-team him. The only concern with Williams is his health ---- he missed three games last season with knee and hip injuries. DE Luis Castillo is productive when healthy (he has missed 12 games the last two seasons) and now has a new $43 million contract to live up to. Igor Olshansky is among the stronger defensive linemen in the league and an adept run-stopper. DE Jacques Cesaire is a valuable reserve who has started 16 games the last two seasons and had a career-high 50 tackles last season. Dependable Ryon Bingham also posted a career best for tackles (58) and can play either end or tackle. DT Brandon McKinney adds depth.
Linebackers
OLB Shawne Merriman will be the most closely watched Charger this season, and it has nothing to do with having more sacks (39 1/2) than any NFL player the last three seasons. Merriman will attempt to play with two torn knee ligaments against the advice of some of the nation's top knee specialists. If Merriman were to go down, Shaun Phillips, the other outside linebacker, would have a chance to show that his high production (20 sacks the last two seasons) is because of his own skills and not because teams often double-team Merriman. A prolonged absence by Merriman would also give promising second-year player Jyles Tucker a chance to make an impact. Marques Harris also can play on the outside. On the inside, Stephen Cooper, the team's leading tackler last season, is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's steroids and related substances policy, so veteran Derek Smith joins Matt Wilhelm as a starting inside linebacker. Second-year players Anthony Waters and Brandon Siler are talented reserves while Tim Dobbins has earned a niche as a strong special teams' player with 30 tackles the last two seasons.
Secondary
CB Antonio Cromartie didn't become a starter until the ninth game but led the NFL with 10 interceptions and ended the season in the Pro Bowl. The third-year player has set a goal of an NFL-record 15 interceptions this season. While Cromartie is flashy, CB Quentin Jammer takes the all-business approach while covering receivers and playing the run well. Chargers coach Norv Turner said Jammer played at a Pro Bowl level last season. First-round pick Antoine Cason will be the team's third corner, and Cletis Gordon had a strong preseason to solidify his status. Sixth-round draft pick DeJuan Tribble provides depth. SS Clinton Hart is coming off a stellar season in which he set career highs for interceptions (five) and tackles (109). FS Eric Weddle replaces the departed Marlon McCree, and his style of play meshes better with Hart. Steve Gregory is the third safety, with converted CB Paul Oliver providing depth.
Specialists
Nate Kaeding is one of the NFL's most accurate kickers. He connected on 24-of-27 field-goal attempts last season and has missed just 9-of-80 attempts the last three seasons. P Mike Scifres routinely boots long, high punts that seemingly scrape the bottom of the moon. He averaged a career-best 46.1 yards last season, and 36 of his punts were downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Long snapper David Binn enters his 15th season still rated among the best at his craft.
---- Mike Sullivan
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