Don Pierson

Norv Turner takes over the Chargers with nowhere to go but the Super Bowl. Anything less will be a disappointment. Although winning one playoff game would be an improvement over last year's 14-2 team under Marty Schottenheimer, playoff improvement wouldn't be enough for Charger fans.

This is a team with few weaknesses. But after losing both coordinators Cam Cameron on offense and Wade Phillips on defense, Turner must convince his players there will be no setbacks, no learning curves, no overhaul of systems. His task should be simple, because Turner helped install the present offense when he served as Chargers' offensive coordinator in 2001.

Turner, a specialist with young quarterbacks, should be able to help Philip Rivers improve. It's not a big leap because Rivers was outstanding in his first season as a starter. Already, Rivers has expressed a comfort level with Turner. Other players have praised Turner for adding new twists and different pass routes to an offense already at peak efficiency.

Turner loves to run and he's in the right place with LaDainian Tomlinson, entering year seven of a spectacular career. The Chargers retained Michael Turner as a backup and Lorenzo Neal remains one of the league's great blocking backs, so Turner could line up and pound the ball if he so desires. More likely, he will allow Rivers more leeway, although it will be difficult to improve on the league's top-scoring team.

In tight end Antonio Gates, Turner has a weapon he's never had before. Paired with 6-5, 240-pound wide receiver Vincent Jackson, Turner can create mismatches that should haunt defensive coordinators. The Chargers expect Jackson to develop into a No. 1 receiver, with Eric Parker and rookie Craig Davis as secondary targets now that Keenan McCardell is gone.

Re-signing guard Kris Dielman was a coup for the Chargers, who keep a good offensive line intact and expect an even better year from last year's rookie phenom at left tackle, Marcus McNeill.

Two changes on defense are expected for new coordinator Ted Cottrell, who takes over the league's 10th-ranked unit that includes a potential defensive player of the year in pass-rush terror Shawne Merriman.

The Chargers were able to retain bookend outside linebacker Shaun Phillips but lost versatile inside backer Donnie Edwards and will replace him with either Matt Wilhelm or third-round draft pick Anthony Waters, if the rookie is recovered from knee surgery. They also have hopes for seventh-round linebacker Brandon Siler.

At strong safety, the Chargers cut ties with Terrence Kiel and hope their big draft investment for second-rounder Eric Weddle pays off quickly. They gave up a second-rounder, third-rounder, fifth-rounder and a third-rounder in 2008 to move up for Weddle, so they need him to produce next to holdover Marlon McCree. Already, Weddle has impressed coaches with his intelligence, but veteran backup Clinton Hart made his presence felt in mini-camps and will not concede the job to Weddle.

Hotseat
Coach Turner is the man on the spot. His record as a head coach at Washington and Oakland is an unimpressive 58-82-1, so it's surprising he has been able to keep his reputation intact as an effective teacher, especially when it comes to quarterbacks. In San Diego, he takes over by far the best team he's ever had. The Chargers ranked in the top 10 in offense, defense and special teams last year, the only team with that distinction. Schottenheimer's 5-13 playoff record doomed him, so Turner's only chance is to not only win playoff games, but also win a Super Bowl. Quickly.

Overheard
Last year's No. 1 draft choice, cornerback Anthony Cromartie, played in 16 games but did not start. Drayton Florence started all season opposite another first-rounder Quentin Jammer. Cromartie was coming off a knee injury that cost him the entire 2005 college season. If he can win a starting spot this season, the Chargers' defense will get a bonus. Florence, one of the fastest players on the team, will not go quietly but he didn't show up in the offseason, which gives Cromartie an edge. Special teams, which already have benefited from Cromartie on kickoff returns, will get an additional boost assuming Darren Sproles can return from a broken leg.

Outlook
Nothing but good. Everybody's relatively healthy. Everybody's relatively happy about their contracts. The schedule is favorable because they play the relatively weak NFC North. They get Indianapolis at home week 10 in a game that could decide home field. Their biggest challenge is a week two playoff rematch against the Patriots in New England.

Prediction
First.

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