2002 RECORD: 8-8 TEAM RANK (NFL): Defense (30th); Offense (16th) ADDITIONS: Free agents -- FB Lorenzo Neal (Bengals), WR David Boston (Chargers). Draft picks -- 1. Sammy Davis (Texas A&M); 2a. Drayton Florence (Tuskegee); 2b. Terrence Kiel (Texas A&M); 3. Courtney Van Buren (Arkansas-Pine Bluff); 4. Matt Wilhelm (Ohio State); 5. Mike Scifres (Western Illinois); 6. Hanik Milligan (Houston); 7. Andrew Pinnock (South Carolina) SUBTRACTIONS: WR Curtis Conway (Jets), S Rodney Harrison (Patriots), FB Fred McCrary (Patriots), CB Alex Molden (Redskins), LB Junior Seau (Dolphins) Team news | Roster | More on Chargers draft

		Tuesday, May 13 Will David Boston allow Marty Schottenheimer to give Drew Brees more responsibility? Boston gives Brees a deep option to get defenses away from stacking the line of scrimmage to stop LaDainian Tomlinson. With Schottenheimer, it's all about the running game. That's why fullback Lorenzo Neal was added. He makes Tomlinson better in short-yardage situations because of his blocking. Boston strikes fear in a defense. Even though Brees doesn't have a deep arm, Boston can outrun single coverage, and because he is so big and strong, it's hard to stop him getting 15 to 20 yards downfield quickly. When defenses gang up on Tomlinson, Brees can lob a few throws downfield so that Boston can break a big play. Other than that, Brees will stay in a structured, conservative offense that wins more than it loses.

The roster features a number of Pro Bowl-caliber players. The coach is a likely future Hall of Famer. And the schedule has generally been kind. Yet, for some reason, the Chargers have failed to finish seasons with all the promise they've shown early in recent campaigns.

After starting last season 6-1, San Diego went 2-7 and missed the playoffs. A year earlier, the team started 5-2 only to end the season with a nine-game losing streak. And a 4-1 start in 1999 resulted in just an 8-8 finish. But coach Marty Schottenheimer has continued to help construct a team that could get out of the AFC West basement and into the postseason.

What they've added?
The addition of wide receiver David Boston suggests that Schottenheimer might open up the offense some and give third-year quarterback Drew Brees more chances to display his talents. The Chargers ranked 22nd in passing (199.3 yards per game) last year, but Boston gives Brees a huge target capable of breaking away from tacklers for big yardage.

Another key offensive signing was fullback Lorenzo Neal, who has paved the way for Eddie George and Corey Dillon in past seasons. His presence should continue to help elevate LaDainian Tomlinson, who was second in the NFL with 1,683 rushing yards in 2002.

While the offense sputtered down the stretch, it was a once-dominant defense that was more responsible for San Diego's implosion last year. The Chargers totaled 17 interceptions last year, but still finished dead last in pass defense (268.4 ypg). They attempted to address this area of need by using their first three draft picks on defensive backs -- cornerbacks Sammy Davis and Drayton Florence, and safety Terrence Kiel.

Fantasy Focus

A case can be made for LaDainian Tomlinson as fantasy's overall No. 1 pick. He turns 24 on June 23 and will be entering only his third season with potential to improve. His stats jumped from a rookie (1,236 yards and 3.6 average) to a sophomore (1,683 yards and 4.5 average). Helping to open running lanes, the young, massive offensive line (averaging 6-3 and 325 pounds and 25.6 years) will keep making strides. Running in coach Marty Schottenheimer's conservative offense translates to numerous carries as Tomlinson had the NFL's second-most handoffs last season. Perhaps most importantly, Tomlinson has been durable, playing in every game in his first two seasons. Finally, the additions of fullback Lorenzo Neal and wideout David Boston will help Tomlinson become a more dangerous runner. -- Roger Rotter, ESPN.com Fantasy editor

And in a rare move, San Diego addressed its punting needs by taking Mike Scifres in the fifth round.

What they're missing?
Again, Boston is a great addition but who's the secondary target? Tomlinson, who had 451 combined touches last year? Tim Dwight, who has yet to emerge as more than a dangerous third receiver? The Chargers have a couple of youngsters in wide receiver Reche Caldwell and tight end Josh Norman, so it might be unrealistic to think they'll seek another veteran target before training camp starts.

Another offensive concern is the line. They were fortunate to have Jason Ball and Toniu Fonoti emerge as rookies last year, but the team appears thin at tackle and guard even with the addition of third-round draft pick Courtney Van Buren.

The Chargers definitely lost an emotional leader in Seau, but the defense looks good -- on paper. They're certainly asking a lot of their young secondary and linebacker Ben Leber, if veterans Marcellus Wiley and Raylee Johnson get the job done upfront, life should be much easier for everyone else.

What it all means?
San Diego, which has a few former Bills on the roster, could be Buffalo West for another reason. In one hand, the Chargers have made a few moves that should make them a better team. But in a division that has two or three other legitimate Super Bowl contenders, will their improvement result in wins?

Schottenheimer has always been highly regarded as a teacher. He's also known for having teams with solid running games and good defenses. If the Chargers are to end their seven-year playoff drought, they'll need a tremendous growth spurt from their top pupils to increase their production on both sides of the ball.

James C. Black is NFL editor II for ESPN.com.