SAN DIEGO - A.J. Smith doesn't often display his exuberant side. The Chargers' general manager is a straight shooter with a sometimes gruff exterior, and he makes no apologies for it.

So when Smith proclaims he's excited about something, you know he's not kidding. And when he states that he's looking forward to the 2007 season more than any other during his tenure with the team, it's an ear-rattling comment.

"I'm looking forward to this season more than any season since I've been here," Smith said recently. "I just can't wait to get it going. I can't wait to play that first game against Chicago. We want to get this thing going and win enough games to be in the postseason."

The Chargers begin rookie practices today - the first full-squad workout is on Saturday - and Smith hopes it's the start of a special season. The Chargers are viewed as one of the top teams in the NFL, and any result that doesn't include at least one playoff victory would rate as a huge disappointment.

Perhaps the vision of a January playoff run is what's stoking Smith's optimism.

"I'm excited because we are a good football team," Smith said. "I think we're a good football team and I think we're a playoff team. That's why I'm excited.

"Many years ago, we had a lot of work to do. We weren't very good and we didn't have any players."

Things have certainly changed on Smith's watch. The laughingstock franchise that lost 15 games in 2000 - the season before Smith arrived as assistant GM - piled up 14 wins last season in Smith's fourth year as general manager.

Now the franchise has a plethora of stars, including reigning NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson, quarterback Philip Rivers and defensive dynamo Shawne Merriman. There aren't many holes or question marks.

"I'm really proud of how far we've come," Smith said. "There was a point in time where we were the worst team in the National Football League. No players, no future.

"Now people think we're one of the better teams. So that makes us feel good as an organization."

Of course, there is also something that grates at Smith and leaves him highly unsatisfied.

Twice in the past three seasons, the Chargers have made the playoffs. And twice within the friendly confines of Qualcomm Stadium, the Chargers were unceremoniously booted out of the postseason party in their first playoff game.

"We've gotten there," Smith said. "We've had opportunities. We have not taken advantage of our opportunities. We had a wonderful opportunity last year.

"We have to figure out what we are going to do when we get there."

The Chargers take aim at a playoff run with Norv Turner as coach. Marty Schottenheimer, who clashed with Smith, was fired last February.

Regardless of who's coaching the team, Smith has one goal: the Super Bowl.

"Winning a Super Bowl is really what it's all about for us and every other team," Smith said. "We understand that. But you have to work real hard to be in position to do that.

"We feel we're a playoff team. Saying that, you have to win enough games to get there, and every year is a brand new situation."

Chargers notes

Eight veterans will be on the field today with the team's rookies: QBs Philip Rivers, Billy Volek and Charlie Whitehurst, RB Darren Sproles, DE Derrick Robinson and DBs Clinton Hart, Bhawoh Jue and Marlon McCree. … WR Craig Davis, the team's first-round pick, officially signed his five-year contract Tuesday. Davis is glad to avoid a holdout and get a few practices in before the entire squad hits the field on Saturday. "I think I need to get on the field a couple days earlier than those guys," Davis said. "They know what to expect when it comes to training camp. This is my first training camp." … RB LaDainian Tomlinson has agreed to a five-year partnership with Palomar Pomerado Health as a health advocate and will launch a program called Project21SD. "It's a personal mission and passion of mine to reduce diabetes and obesity in children, and raise awareness of other health issues like heart disease, stroke and improving access to care," Tomlinson said in a press release.

- Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.