Day 2 of our NFL Preview series brings us to the San Diego Chargers.  If it wasn't for conservative play calling late in the game(not letting LT touch the ball enough), they may have played the Colts in the AFC championship game.

2006 Record:  14-2 1st AFC West
Lost to New England in AFC Divisional playoff

Offense:  Balanced-Run
Quarterback:  Philip Rivers
Rivers showed last season that, with the right personnel, he is a great quarterback.  With Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates catching the ball, I don't see a sophomore slump as a starter.  He also now has Norv Turner as his head coach, he's a great mind when it comes to quarterbacks.  An example of this is Troy Aikman.  Grade:  4 out of 5

Running Back:  LaDanian Tomlinson
LT is at it again, but may be getting some breaks with the resigning of Michael "The Burner" Turner.  Tomlinson will be making a run at the rushing title and the single season TD record that he set last year.  He is THE BEST running back in the NFL.  Grade:  5 out of 5

Wide Receivers/Tight End:  Key Player-Antonio Gates
Gates had a set back last season, but he should rebound as the go-to guy for Rivers.  He is one of the top tight ends in the league, and should continue to be.  Grade:  3.5 out of 5

Offensive Line:  Key Player-LT Marcus McNeil
The 2nd round pick from Auburn last season dominated the line and opened some giant holes for LT.  This line is fierce because they don't just block, they plow through people(in a farming kind of way).  Grade:  5 out of 5

Defense:  3-4
Defensive Line:  Key Player-DE Luis Castillo
I love this d-line.  I know in the Patriots preview I spoke about the line in a 3-4 not being important, in this defense it is.  Castillo and fellow end Igor Olshansky pressure the line like most outside linebackers in a 3-4 defense.  Castillo is also a beast against the run, making Olshansky the rush end.  Grade:  4.5 out of 5

Linebacker:  Key Player-OLB Shawne Merriman
The kid is an awesome LT clone(maybe even with the steroid comparison) and he dominates the defense.  On the other side is Sean Phillips, who is a pretty good rush linebacker himself.  Grade:  5 out of 5

Cornerback:  Key Player-Quinton Jammer
The cornerbacks in this defense are under tremendous pressure because of the islands they are usually forced to be on because of the constant blitzing.  Jammer is a good cover corner, but he needs to improve to become one of the elite in the league.  Grade:  3 out of 5

Safety:  Key Player-Marlon McCree
McCree and Clinton Hart are the starters of this group, but I wouldn't be surprised if Eric Weddle, the rookie out of Utah, is the starter out of training camp.  The kid is a good player and hustles constantly.  Grade:  3.5 out of 5

Special Teams
K:  Nate Kaeding
P:  Mike Scifres
Kaeding was a great kicker last season, but he has had his problems in the playoffs.  If he chokes again, the Chargers may go in a different direction

Overall
I think this team will make another run through the AFC West, but will fall to their nemesis in the Patriots in Foxborough. 

Well, well, well...If you go 14-2 and you lose in the divisional round of the playoffs and then lose your two coordinators and get into an argument with your GM, you will get fired.  That is what happened to Marty Schottenheimer today.  Now ya gotta ask, what's next for San Diego?  There are a few logical choices to get interviews in San Diego, here's my list of college coaches

1.  Bob Stoops, Head Coach-Oklahoma:  Why wouldn't you at least call Stoops to see if he would mind coaching LT and a great defense.  It might be a perfect situation for Bobby.
2.  Pete Carroll, Head Coach-USC:  He'll still be in Southern California and the rest is the same as Stoops. 
3.  Bill Callahan, Head Coach-Nebraska:  He's got the experience in the NFL as a head coach and an offensive coordinator.

Now my list of NFL coaches
1.  Jon Gruden, Head Coach-Tampa Bay:  I would love to see Chucky back on the west coast coaching.  And this way, he could stick it to Al Davis twice a year.
2.  Mike Martz, Offensive Coordinator-Detroit:  Mad Mike would be a good pick for this team because he can continue the maturation process of Philip Rivers.  As long as he has a good defensive coordinator(maybe Mike Singletary)
3.  Ron Rivera, Defensive Coordinator-Chicago:  I think he would have worked out better in Dallas than Wade Phillips because he is more of an in-your-face guy.  Picture him and Norv Turner working together down here.
4.  Mike Mularkey, Offensive Coordinator-Miami:  This would be a great place for Mularkey to get back into head coaching again. 
5.  Mike Sherman, Asst. Head Coach-Houston:  Sherman did a good job in Green Bay with Brett Favre, he comes from the Mike Holmgren/Bill Walsh offensive coaching tree.
6.  Norm Chow, Offensive Coordinator-Tennessee:  Norm was Rivers' offensive coordinator for his senior(and best) year at N.C. State.  He has no head coaching experience though, but with the right staff it would work out.

I'm pullling for the Chargers to go with an NFL coach, probably Ron Rivera or Mike Mularkey