2003 CHARGERS
	LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 1,683 yards last season.
	Head coach: Marty Schottenheimer (2nd year). 2002 record: 8-8. AFC West finish: 3rd. Season opener: Sept. 7 at Chiefs. Schedule | Depth chart

In the classic comedy "Animal House," John Belushi's character lamented being tossed out of Faber College.

"Seven years of college down the drain," Belushi said as Bluto Blutarsky.

The Chargers know the feeling. Their last seven years also have gone straight down the drain, with the club failing to either post a winning record or qualify for the playoffs. Only the Bengals can make that same claim.

Five head coaches and 10 starting quarterbacks have tried without success to return the Chargers to the postseason. But with every new season comes optimism, and the Chargers are never shy in that department.

"This is the push year for us," A.J. Smith has said more than once since replacing the late John Butler as San Diego's general manager in April. "I want us to go to the playoffs."

It won't be easy, especially with a rebuilt defense lacking longtime stalwarts Junior Seau and Rodney Harrison, among others. But any offense with LaDainian Tomlinson and David Boston will be worth watching.

Offense
Quarterbacks: The Chargers would like to have a "Big Three" along the lines of the Cowboys during the days of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin, and there are no question marks regarding two of the three positions. The only unknown is Drew Brees, who enters his second season as a starter after somewhat of a roller-coaster campaign last year. After going without a touchdown pass in Games 11-14, Brees rallied in the last two games, passing for 574 yards and five scores, and the Chargers hope he can carry that momentum into this season. Head coach Marty Schottenheimer commented on several occasions during training camp that Brees was throwing with more velocity and accuracy. Doug Flutie has been helpful to Brees as a knowledgeable veteran, and he remains a capable backup.
Grade: B-minus.

Running backs: Only four players in NFL history gained more yards in their first two NFL seasons than Tomlinson, and only three produced more yards from scrimmage. Tomlinson shattered the team record with 1,683 rushing yards (second in the league behind Miami's Ricky Williams) and tied the team mark with 79 receptions, as he became the first player in team history to gain more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage in a season. The Chargers might not have to rely on him quite as much this year if Boston improves the passing game, but Tomlinson figures to be only better with Pro Bowl fullback Lorenzo Neal blocking for him. There is little depth here, with rookies Nick Maddox and Dahrran Diedrick battling Jesse Chatman for the backup role.
Grade: A-minus.

Receivers: The Chargers haven't had a receiver catch more than six touchdown passes since Tony Martin had 14 in 1996, but that figures to change this year with the addition of Boston, assuming he's healthy after battling nagging injuries throughout the early stages of camp. Boston is big, strong, fast and explosive -- all attributes the Chargers could use. Reche Caldwell moves into the starting lineup this year, and he showed signs of promise during his rookie season, as did Eric Parker. Their emergence will allow the Chargers to use Tim Dwight in the slot, where he is very effective. The tight end group is probably better receiving than blocking, with Stephen Alexander and Josh Norman each averaging more than 11 yards a catch. Alexander was bothered by a groin injury through much of the summer.
Grade: B.

Offensive linemen: Veteran offensive line coach Hudson Houck leads a group that should be improved this year with another year of experience and the addition of Solomon Page, who will start at right guard but can also play tackle. Left guard Kelvin Garmon is a good run blocker, and center Jason Ball has held off veteran Cory Raymer for the starting job at center. At tackle, Damion McIntosh has shown flashes but could stand to be more consistent. Veteran Vaughn Parker remains steady at right tackle. Depth could be a problem, especially with guard Toniu Fonoti missing most of camp with injuries.
Grade: C-plus.

Defense
Defensive linemen: This could be one of the team's strengths, but only if defensive end Marcellus Wiley and defensive tackle Jamal Williams can avoid injury. That didn't happen last year, and both players missed time this summer as well. Wiley is a key to the pass rush, and Williams is important against the run. Without Williams toward the end of last season, the Chargers were vulnerable up the middle because their other tackles, Jason Fisk and Leonardo Carson, don't have Williams' bulk. The other end, Raylee Johnson, is somewhat underrated, although his age (33) might start becoming a factor.
Grade: B-minus.

Linebackers: Donnie Edwards was the Chargers' best player at this position last year. This year he moves from the middle to take over for the 12-time Pro Bowler Seau on the weak side, the position he's probably best-suited to play. Zeke Moreno, who backed up Seau, goes to the middle, where he played in college. There are no worries on the strong side, where Ben Leber had an excellent rookie year. Special-teams ace Carlos Polk and rookie Matt Wilhelm provide depth.
Grade: B.

Defensive backs: Here's where it gets interesting. All four starters from last year, cornerbacks Alex Molden and Ryan McNeil and safeties Rodney Harrison and Rogers Beckett, were released. Two of the four starting spots are secure, with last year's No. 1 pick, Quentin Jammer, starting at left cornerback and veteran Kwamie Lassiter taking over at free safety. The Chargers would like No. 1 pick Sammy Davis to start at right corner, but he was slowed by bruised heels in camp and Tay Cody played well. Another rookie, Terrence Kiel, was the favorite to start at strong safety, but he missed all of training camp after getting injured in an attempted carjacking. Vernon Fox and rookie Hanik Milligan could see time there until Kiel is ready. Drayton Florence, a third rookie, had a great summer and earned the nickel job.
Grade: C.

Special teams
Steve Christie rarely fails from inside 40 yards (13-of-14 in '02) and rarely succeeds from 40 yards and out (5-of-12). Still, the club likes his reliability in the clutch. At 38, punter Darren Bennett remains a good one, but he was being pushed by rookie Mike Scifres at presstime. Florence is the favorite to return kicks, while either Parker or Dwight will handle punt returns.
Grade: C-plus.

Jay Posner covers the Chargers for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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