LAST SEASON: 5-11, 5th in AFC West
PROJECTION: 4th in AFC West

	Jammer's mere presence can help power the Chargers.

A young QB, a weak O-line, holes at receiver. Marty will make sure the Chargers don't lose nine a row like last season, but they'll still finish 5–11.

STRONG SIDE

DB: If first-round CB Quentin Jammer ever signs, the Chargers' D-backs will be fierce. Ryan McNeil had eight picks (third in the NFL) and he's big enough at 6'2", 192 pounds to stop the run. Jammer would take former first-round pick Alex Molden's job. No knock on Molden -- Jammer's just that good. When the Chargers go nickel against the Raiders and Broncos, they'll have three first-string-caliber corners in coverage. And anybody who gets by them will get knocked cockeyed by eight-year veteran S Rodney Harrison, a former Pro Bowler who still hits like he's trying to make the team.

WEAK SIDE

OL: Three guys from last year's 20th-ranked rushing O are gone. In their place: C Cory Raymer, a Skins refugee; LG Bob Hallen, an FA from Atlanta; and Nebraska rookie RG Toniu Fonoti. Bookending the trio are RT Vaughn Parker (6'3", 300) and LT Damion McIntosh (6'4", 325). They can move, but only forward. If anyone goes down, LaDainian Tomlinson's in trouble, because for an O-line that averages 315 pounds, this unit is paper-thin.

AFC West

1. Broncos

2. Raiders

3. Chiefs

4. Chargers

Scouting Report Index

OTHER UNITS

QB: In practice, Drew Brees has exhibited smarts, poise and an arm, plus enough of a sense of humor to disarm the fiercely competitive Doug Flutie while taking his job. Now the soph QB must show all those traits when it counts -- or Flutie gets the last laugh.

RB: Tomlinson is the the kind of heavy lifter (339 carries, 1,236 yards) Marty Schottenheimer likes to build around. But backup Terrell Fletcher is strictly a third-down back, so Marty needs to be wary of wear and tear on LT, who tired late last season.

WR: Rookie Reche Caldwell steps in to take pressure off Curtis Conway (71 grabs, 15.8 ypc). But Tim Dwight, a playmaker on kickoffs, needs to be the same as a wide receiver. In four years he has never played 16 games or caught more than 32 passes.

DL: DE Marcellus Wiley played last season with a broken foot and still had 13 sacks. His counterpart, Raylee Johnson, missed 2000 with a knee injury and still got 9.5 sacks in 2001. DT Jamal Williams' return after missing 13 games in 2001 with a right knee injury will bolster the run D.

LB: Last year was the first time since 1991 that Junior Seau didn't make the Pro Bowl. This year, with speedy ex-Chief Donnie Edwards demanding attention, Seau will be unstoppable. Together, they'll be perfect tutors for rookie starter Ben Leber.

ST: Formerly Marty's go-to return guy in KC, Tamarick Vanover couldn't sidestep trouble (he pleaded guilty to grand larceny auto in 2000). He's back. K Wade Richey missed 5 FGs of 38 yards or less.

This article appears in the September 16 issue of ESPN The Magazine.