CHARGERS: Five keys to the season
By North County Times | ∞
Five things to watch as the Chargers take aim at reaching the Super Bowl:
'Lights Out' or game on?
How long can Shawne Merriman play with two torn knee ligaments, and can he approach his previous Pro Bowl level with an unstable left knee? Thus far, he has sacked talk of season-ending surgery while hoping to bag a Super Bowl ring. Opposing offenses typically assign two players to block Merriman so the defense that led the NFL in takeaways (48) last season could suffer if Merriman's knee doesn't hold up.
Tomlinson and the test of time
Sure was cruel timing when a knee injury sidelined LaDainian Tomlinson for most of last January's AFC Championship Game. With more than 2,900 regular-season and postseason touches in his background, who knows whether that was a fluke injury or the beginning of his body breaking down. Running back has traditionally been a position in which a player can go from elite to washed up in a short time span (see Shaun Alexander, the 2005 NFL MVP, for a recent example). And if the 29-year-old Tomlinson were to suffer a major injury, are backups Darren Sproles and Jacob Hester capable of replacing him?
Championship-caliber quarterback?
Everybody remembers Philip Rivers' gutsy effort to play in the AFC title game with a knee injury that required major surgery. His leadership stock has never been higher, and big things are expected during his third campaign as an NFL starter. Yet Rivers remains the only one of the "Big Three" quarterbacks of the 2004 NFL draft class not to win a Super Bowl ring. The New York Giants' Eli Manning earned a Super Bowl ring in February, two years after Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger got his, meaning Rivers' jewelry shortage with be the topic of questions unless he wins a Super Bowl.
London calling
The historic game in London against the Drew Brees-led New Orleans Saints in late October is one of the most eagerly anticipated contests in franchise history. But how the Chargers handle the aftermath of the long 10-day trip (the Chargers play in Buffalo before traveling overseas) might determine whether the critical month of November goes smoothly or not. Of course, the Giants went 1-2 in November last season after playing in London and then went on to win the Super Bowl.
Intensive care unit
In addition to Merriman's injury, tight end Antonio Gates (toe) and offensive tackle Marcus McNeill (neck) open the season at less than full strength, while standout center Nick Hardwick (foot) won't be ready for at least a few more weeks. Throw in defensive tackle Jamal Williams' always achy knees and it's clear that nothing could derail the expected train ride to the postseason quicker than another half-dozen key injuries.
---- Mike Sullivan
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