SAN DIEGO - Good thing Donnie Edwards wasn't around Sunday in Green Bay. Yep, would've hated for the ex-Chargers linebacker to deliver one of his downfield tackles when the Packers' Greg Jennings raced 57 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

Remember Edwards? It was reported he wasn't worth bringing back, in part, because his tackles were off the line of scrimmage.

It's believed that notion started with Chargers general manager A.J. Smith.

Former Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer scoffed at it, once interrupting a press conference to mention how silly that scenario sounded.

Smith? He declined to return a Wednesday call regarding the return of Edwards, who visits Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday with his Kansas City Chiefs.

"I don't want to get into any of that," said Edwards by phone from Kansas City. "I've moved on; that's in the past. But I think my play spoke for itself."

Loud and clear.

Edwards played five seasons with the Chargers, leading the team in tackles each year. He never missed a game; his replacement, Matt Wilhelm, has already skipped the majority of two.

In addition, Edwards was also a mentor to at-risk kids in the community, helping them with everything from game tickets to eating right.

"He was a big part of a lot of the success we had the last couple of years," Philip Rivers said. "And I know firsthand just by going against him in training camp that he does a great job in the passing game. He will certainly be a guy we have to be aware of."

Edwards is cognizant of Sunday's game, as it's circled in his mind with a big red marker.

Running out the Qualcomm Stadium tunnel brings with it warm memories.

"Those were great times," said Edwards, who kept his Rancho Santa Fe home. "I enjoyed myself playing for the team I grew up watching during the '80s and Air Coryell. To have the chance to wear the Chargers uniform, to be with a great head coach (Schottenheimer) who turned that whole thing around. I was glad Marty brought me to San Diego; he changed that place into a winning organization."

Edwards' stay didn't come without regrets - namely, that the Chula Vista native couldn't convince Smith there was room for a veteran inside linebacker on a team predicted to make the playoffs, and that a Super Bowl visit eluded him.

"I wish we would have had a shot to be the world champions," said Edwards, a 12-year pro. "That would have been icing on the cake. We got close and failed to get there."

Edwards' being here in 2007 was never on Smith's blueprint. He tired of Edwards asking for a contract extension and tried to trade him. What surprised Edwards was that Schottenheimer was also kicked to the curb.

With the last-place Chargers (1-2) trying to right their ship, Schottenheimer is in North Carolina lowering his golf handicap and increasing his time with his grandchildren.

"He deserves it," said Edwards, who spoke with Schottenheimer on his 64th birthday Sunday. "He did a wonderful job there. Every place Marty went he has turned it around. Look what he did in his five years in San Diego. And has their ever been a coach who got fired after going 14-2?"

Ah, no. Just like it's rare for a team's leading tackler for five straight years to have the door slammed in his face.

"I've moved on," stressed Edwards, who has 21 tackles, a sack, interception and fumble recovery.

But he hasn't distanced himself from all that is the Chargers.

"I stay in contact with some of the players," he said. "A lot of them are good friends of mine. Just because I play with a different team doesn't mean I can't talk to them."

Chiefs coach Herm Edwards loves yapping about Edwards. He senses his linebacker is particularly revved about Sunday.

"We're trying to keep him contained so he doesn't leave all his energy in warm-ups," Herm Edwards said. "He is excited about coming back. He's a leader and (our) guys look up to him because of what he's accomplished. He wasn't a high-round pick (fourth) and he is really underrated in my opinion."

Donnie Edwards' view of Smith stays with him. But it's obvious he'd cherish a win Sunday, with maybe an interception or two.

"I'm looking forward to coming back home," he said. "Every time I look back on those five years, I do nothing but smile."

It's a grin which would only grow if he increased Smith's ever-present frown.

"I'm done talking about him," Edwards said. "But I'll play with emotion and I let it all out - that's the way I play. Nothing has changed."

Just the uniform.

Chargers notes

Three Chargers didn't practice Wednesday: DE Luis Castillo (foot), LB Matt Wilhelm (calf) and WR Eric Parker (toe). CB Quentin Jammer (migrane) was limited. RG Mike Goff (knee) and LG Kris Dielman (foot) were able to work. … Chiefs RB Larry Johnson (hamstring) didn't practice. … Coach Norv Turner said RT Jeromey Clary fared well in his first start on Sunday. But Shane Olivea (back), who missed the Packers game, is expected to go against the Chiefs. … Don't look for the Chiefs, with QB Damon Huard, to mimic the Patriots and Packers and spread their offense. "We're a running team," coach Herm Edwards said. "We run the ball. That's what we try to do. We don't have Brett Favre or Tom Brady here."

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