SAN DIEGO- When the 2007 Chargers take the field, name tags probably won't be necessary.

It may sound strange given all the talk that has swirled about the status of Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer, but in terms of player moves, this has the makings of a fairly quiet offseason. The 14-win team that was ousted 24-21 by the New England Patriots on Sunday in the divisional round of the playoffs was one built for the long haul.

"We've got a lot of returning starters," said tight end Antonio Gates. "That's the key thing is that, hey, we've got guys that are returning and we finally got a year with Philip (Rivers) as a starter. Things can only get better from here, and we're willing to make sacrifices in order to get it there."

General manager A.J. Smith did not return a phone call Monday, but he has shown enthusiasm in the past about the mix of talent he has put in place. That was evident last offseason when he made only one free-agent acquisition of note, plucking safety Marlon McCree from the Carolina Panthers.

The Chargers don't stand to lose many key pieces. The only starters from Sunday's game not signed to contracts for 2007 are inside linebackers Donnie Edwards and Randall Godfrey, and left guard Kris Dielman.

"That's one thing I will say for this organization: For the most part, they try to keep the nucleus of the team together," running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. "They really believe in building something, and so I don't think it will be much of a problem to keep most of the nucleus here."

Smith said recently that the Chargers have a couple of irons in the fire in terms of locking up players, and one of those figures to be Dielman. The 25-year old has become a standout on a strong offensive line and could demand a high price on the open market.

"He's been very important to our success and what we've been able to do," Tomlinson said. "So hopefully, they're able to get the contract situation handled.

"Dielman is a guy that brings an attitude to the offensive line that we desperately need to have. I think it will be bad if we lose him."

On the defensive side, some turnover is almost certain. Two run-stuffing mainstays of the linebacking corps could be elsewhere next year- and one is as good as gone.

It's hardly a secret that Smith is not about to consider bringing back Edwards. The two sparred in the media last summer, after Smith was irked by Edwards' request for a new contract. By the time the season started, neither was publicly discussing the other.

The obvious replacement for Edwards, who led the team in tackles (170) for the fifth straight season, would be four-year veteran Matt Wilhelm.

Godfrey was not definitive about his career plans after Sunday's game, but he has hinted at retirement in each of the past two seasons. This year, Godfrey, who is a free agent, showed he has some productivity left at age 33, registering 76 tackles and a career-high four sacks.

But even if Godfrey were to return, it may be in a reserve role, as four-year veteran Stephen Cooper (82 tackles) is a player on the rise.

Smith often trumpets the importance of quality depth, so linebacker may be one area the Chargers look to beef up through free agency or the draft.

Same goes for wide receiver, where Vincent Jackson turned himself into a likely '07 starter with big plays late in the season. But the starting tandem of Eric Parker and Keenan McCardell failed to score a single touchdown.

McCardell, 37, had just 36 catches in an injury-plagued campaign, leading to questions about how much he has left in the tank.

Then there's the secondary.

Safety Terrence Kiel, who has pleaded not guilty to five federal drug charges, could face extensive jail time. The Chargers may be wise to hedge their bets and bring in some help.

One also has to wonder if the Chargers are itching to hand over a starting cornerback role to 2006 first-round pick Antonio Cromatrie, which would leave Drayton Florence in jeopardy of a demotion.

It will also be interesting too see what the Chargers do with running back Michael Turner, who is a restricted free agent but figures to be a featured back elsewhere sometime soon. Even if he's re-signed, he could bring good value on the trade market.

"I have no idea what they're going to do," said defensive end Luis Castillo. "Hopefully, they'll bring us some great players in the draft, but I'll say this: A lot of us feel like this is the best team we've ever played on.

"We had the pieces in place."

- Contact staff writer Michael Klitzing at mklitzing@nctimes.com.