2010 RECORD: 9-7-0
(2nd in AFC West)
HEAD COACH: Norv Turner
Offense: Quarterback Philip Rivers led the NFL in passing yardage (4,710 yards with 30 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions) last season and returns to lead the NFL's top offense. Billy Volek is a solid backup.
The running game has the tandem of Mike Tolbert (735 yards rushing, 4.0 ypc average, eleven TD) and Ryan Matthews, who despite missing all or part of five games as a rookie last year, still rushed for 678 yards for a 4.3 average and seven touchdowns.
Replacing Darren Sproles, who went to New Orleans via free agency, will be a challenge. Sproles had been an excellent third down back and kick returner since 2005. The Chargers may utilize rookie Jordan Todman (Connecticut) in that role this season.
The wide receivers should be more stable this year as Vincent Jackson re-signed with the Chargers after a nasty holdout last year that saw him catch just 14 passes for 248 yards with three touchdowns in four games. With a full season, expect Jackson to put up big numbers like he did in 2008-09 as he is one of the best in the game.
Malcolm Floyd (37, 717, six TD) is the perfect complement to Jackson as he is likewise a big target at 6-5 for Rivers to throw to. Patrick Crayton filled in nicely last season, making 28 receptions for 514 yards and a score. Rookie Vincent Brown (San Diego State) will get a shot as well.
The tight ends are perennial All-Pro Antonio Gates (50 catches for 782 yards and 10 touchdowns in just ten games) and Randy McMichael, who has seen his career resurrected with the Chargers. McMichael caught 20 balls and scored two touchdowns while filling in for Gates last year.
The offensive line is made up of center Nick Hardwick, guards Kris Dielman and Louis Vasquez and tackles Jerome Clary and Marcus McNeill.
The offense averaged 396 yards per game last season, which was tops in the NFL.
The passing game was good for 283 yards per game (second in the league) and the running game averaged 113 yards, which was 15th overall. In addition, the Chargers finished second in scoring in the league with 441 points.
Defense: This unit, like the offense, also led the NFL overall by giving up just 272 yards per game. The pass defense was number one, allowing only 178 yards per game while picking off 16 passes and sacking the quarterback 47 times, which tied for second in the NFL. The run defense gave up 94 yards a game, which was ninth overall.
Antonio Garay, who had 5.5 quarterback sacks, is the nose tackle in the 3-4 defense while rookie Corey Liguet (Illinois) and Luis Castillo are the ends.
The linebacking corps is undergoing an overhaul entering the 2011 season.
Shaun Phillips (eleven sacks to lead the team) teams with Travis LaBoy on the outside while newcomers Takeo Spikes and Donald Butler man the inside for the Chargers.
Larry English, who also doubles as a defensive end, plays outside as well. Jonas Mouton, a rookie out of Michigan, is another inside linebacker. Veterans Stephen Cooper and Na'il Diggs will help by providing depth to the linebackers.
The secondary is one of the best in pro football with Eric Weddle and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders playing the safety spots. The cornerbacks are Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason, who had four interceptions last year to lead the team.
Providing backup in the defensive secondary are Darrell Stuckey, Steve Gregory and rookies Shareece Wright (USC) and Marcus Gilchrist (Clemson).
OUTLOOK: After a bizarre season in 2010 that saw the Chargers lead the NFL in both total offense and total defense and NOT make the playoffs, they are looking to get back to the post-season.
Rivers is the unquestioned leader of the team and is one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. Only league MVP Tom Brady had a higher passer rating than Rivers did last season.
The Chargers were snake bitten with injuries last year, but do not use that as an excuse because Super Bowl Champion Green Bay had 15 different starting players miss time with assorted injuries.
A healthy roster would definitely help in 2011 along with good special teams play.
In 2010, the Chargers were pathetic in kick coverage, giving up three touchdowns on returns and also had four punts blocked. In all, four losses could be pinned on the brutal special teams' efforts last year.
Head Coach Norv Turner knows that was the exception rather than the rule in San Diego. Turner would also like to see the team get off to a decent start for a change.
The Chargers have stumbled out of the gate in each of the four seasons under Turner, and last year it caught up with them and they missed the playoffs for the first time in five years.
In 2011, the offense should continue to score points at will. The question marks will be on defense as the team becomes accustomed to a new coordinator after Ron Rivera left to become Head Coach in Carolina.
San Diego still has one of the most talented rosters in pro football, they just have to avoid the slow start and maintain the same consistency on defense they had last season.
The Chargers have something to prove this year and should win the AFC West with an 11-5 record.
There is potential for this team to make another deep playoff run like they did in 2007. A Super Bowl appearance (and possibly a victory) is not out of the question. How well they do in the playoffs will depend on Rivers and the defense.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- vs. Minnesota
Week 2- at New England
Week 3- vs. Kansas City
Week 4- vs. Miami
Week 5- at Denver
Week 6- BYE WEEK
Week 7- at NY Jets
Week 8- at Kansas City
Week 9- vs. Green Bay
Week 10- vs. Oakland
Week 11- at Chicago
Week 12- vs. Denver
Week 13- at Jacksonville
Week 14- vs. Buffalo
Week 15- vs. Baltimore
Week 16- at Detroit
Week 17- at Oakland
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