Although the San Diego Chargers have three straight AFC West titles since 2006, they’ve failed to parlay that success into a championship.
The team barely managed to win the division with an 8–8 record last year, and although they have the tools in place, they have some hurdles to overcome if they want to take that next step.
The window on a Super Bowl could be closing and it’s time to seize the day.
Star running back LaDainian Tomlinson (“LT”) has done yeoman’s work for San Diego throughout his career but he appears to be on the downward part of his career.
A five-time Pro Bowler, Tomlinson suffered a groin injury in San Diego’s regular season finale last season, which hampered him in the playoffs. He only rushed 1,110 yards, a career low.
Is the 30-year old running back on the decline?
LT certainly doesn’t think so.
“There’s a number or a stigma that says you should be old at this position at this point in your career,” Tomlinson told the Chargers Web site in late July.
“At running back, they say it’s 30 and my challenge is to prove them wrong.
“I’m a little bit more focused and disciplined. In order to perform, you have to be disciplined and up for the challenge,” he said.
Tomlinson won’t be the only one on the San Diego roster looking to rebound when the team opens its season on the road against the Oakland Raiders on Monday night.
Linebacker and pass rush specialist Shawne Merriman missed all of 2008 with torn ligaments in his left knee and will be looking to return to form.
Merriman racked up 17 sacks in 2006, 12.5 in 2007, and according to head coach Norv Turner, No. 56 is right back on track.
“[Merriman’s] going to be a full-time starter and we’ve addressed that issue in terms of where he is,” Turner said on the Chargers Web site.
“He looks awfully good to me. I thought he looked the most explosive he’s looked against the 49rs [in Week 5 of exhibition] and I think he’s going to keep getting more explosive and more confident as we go through the season.”
A healthy Merriman will be essential for San Diego to not only capture another division crown but to succeed in the postseason as well.
Defensive back Antonio Cromartie will also like to improve on 2008.
After a 10 interception campaign in 2007, he only managed two picks last year, although he did admit to playing with a broken hip.
Like Cromartie, Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates played the entire 2008 season hurt (toe) and his receiving numbers (704 yards and 8 TDs) were the lowest since his rookie season in 2003.
Looking at the roster however, the team still looks potent.
Quarterback Philip Rivers is coming of the best season of his career where he completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 4,009 passing yards and 34 touchdowns—ditto for WR Vincent Jackson who had 1,098 receiving yards and 7 TDs.
Along with Merriman, Tomlinson, and Gates both appear to be healthy and ready to contribute fully in 2009.
San Diego has gotten a lot of mileage out of its current crop of stars but with three-straight division titles, no Super Bowls, and a number of key players suffering wear and tear recently, the chances for a championship are dwindling.
“There are 32 teams that feel that they have a chance to go do something special and that’s the way I know this league is,” said coach Turner.
“Teams that get off to a good start tend to keep that momentum going and teams that don’t at times can go the other way.”
