While Tomlinson and Rivers are running around with ease and purpose, Gates and Hardwick are still sidelined. Gates believes he will be ready to play when the Chargers open the season against Carolina Sept. 7 even though his left big toe is still causing him pain. Gates hopes he will be pain free by the start of the season and that is likely the key to his productivity. It’s almost impossible to push off and cut on that toe if it is not pain free. It’s not simply a matter of willing himself back into the lineup. Gates will probably do just that no matter how his toe feels but he will not be at his best unless he can play without pain.

Hardwick is not the dominant physical talent that Marcus McNeill is on the left side of the line but he is smart, aggressive and has very quick feet. He almost always is in the right position and doesn’t make mistakes. If he is out for any serious length of his time, it could be very difficult for the Charger offensive line to play at peak efficiency. Hardwick will likely start the season on the physically unable to perform list leaving veteran Jeremy Newberry as the likely starter. Newberry plays with fire and nastiness but the 11-year veteran has been injured regularly throughout his career.

Merriman is the Chargers’ defensive leader, having recorded double-digit sack totals in each of his first three seasons. He is running around Charger training camp as if his offseason knee surgery never happened. That’s simply Merriman’s personality and style. He will never admit to any problem or weakness. Don’t expect to hear any complaints or for him to take any time off. He’s a 24-year-old stud with great powers of recovery and roaring for the season to start again.

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Williams may be just as important to the Chargers defense as Merriman. He is a powerful run stuffer who combines speed and quickness to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. But at age 32, he had an accumulation of injuries to both knees requiring surgery. Williams is a three-time Pro Bowl starter and his ability to recover from the surgeries and play 16 games will go a long way toward determining what type of season the Charger defense has this season.

With the start of the season less than a month away, only Gates and Hardwick are still in the rehab phase with their injuries. They appear to be poised for an easy road to an AFC West title and have an excellent chance of going further. While Tomlinson, Rivers, Merriman and Williams look strong right now, they still have to show they can handle the tests that are sure to come in the 16-game season.

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