San Diego Chargers: Turning on the Power in 2009

As preseason practice begins this week, the San Diego Chargers are looking to build upon their 8-8 season and remain at the top of the AFC West.

The only thing holding them back from AFC dominance and playing deep into the playoffs, however, is themselves.

With injuries, free agent agreements, and outright cuts, the San Diego Chargers have holes to fill and competition in the wings as the starting lineup is refitted for 2009.

The release of linebacker Matt Wilhelm is only the tip of the iceberg.

Mike Geoff, Igor Olshansky, Grant Mason, Anthony Water, Jeremy Newberry, Scott Chandler, and Marques Harris all left San Diego as free agents while leaving the Chargers offense and defense riddled with holes that need to be covered early on in the season.

Luckily, there is hope.

Louis Vasquez will be taking over at guard for Geoff who was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacques Cesaire will replace Olshansky at defensive end. Taking Wilhelm's linebacker position in 2009 will be Stephen Cooper. Tim Dobbins and Kevin Burnett will duke it out to see who gets the second inside linebacker position on the roster. Dobbins, who has proven himself on the field before, could easily take the second spot for inside linebacker over Burnett.

Infighting among players looking for more prime time exposure is nothing new to any NFL franchise, but the Chargers will have very little to deal with this year as a team nearly identical to that of 2008 comes back in 2009.

With very few changes in the lineup, notable position fights include veterans Shawne Merriman and LaDainian Tomlinson against the younger Darren Sproles and first round draft pick Larry English as the team rounds out their new recruits and franchises old favorites from last year.

Merriman has come back from a major knee injury and should be a full fighting strength this season. Merriman, alongside free safety Eric Weddle and corner back Antonio Cromartie, was key to the Chargers defense last year and is looking to improve the defense this coming year.

Of course, if Merriman were to be hurt again this year, English would be thrown into the limelight at the outside linebacker position and have to live up to the hype of being the No. 16 draft pick in 2009.

Both a healthy Merriman and a young recruit like English can help to strengthen the weakened defense of the Chargers. And while Merriman is still the go-to player at OLB, English should be able to hold his own with a college career total of 205 tackles and one forced fumble as he heads into his rookie season.

The secondary is going to have a hard season if they can't keep players like Cromartie and Merriman off of the injured list. While Cromartie has come back from playing with an injured hip and Merriman is in tip top shape going into this season, if either player is injured early in the season, it could spell trouble for the rest of the secondary.

Darren Sproles showed us how effective he can be when he runs the ball during the playoff game against the Colts last January. As LT nursed injuries, Sproles helped to run the gauntlet against Indianapolis to an overtime win. Sproles is the heir apparent to the throne Tomlinson built at running back, but that's not to say LT wants to give it up anytime soon.

Sproles, who was recently franchised by San Diego, could create some competition at running back this year but Tomlinson will still be the first in line to any play inside 10 yards.

Sproles will definitely be a force to be reckoned with on special teams, running down opposing team's throats. He will come in handy towards the end of the season as teams set their sights on Tomlinson in the backfield, only to see Sproles run down the middle for an unexpected touchdown.

The combination of Sproles and Tomlinson, while competitive, will be a dangerous combination for any defense to deal with. Look for LT to be the go-to player, but don't expect Sproles to sit back and watch without wanting a bit of the action for himself.

With the defense and running game being rebuilt, Philip Rivers has very little to worry about as QB this year. With wide receiver Vincent Jackson and tight end Antonio Gates returning, both have helped out Rivers and his passing game since their arrival and will continue to do so.

The addition of wide receivers Charly Martin, Rodgeriqus Smith, Demetrius Byrd, and Greg Carr adds depth to a shallow passing game for San Diego. Being able to not only run the ball but build a passing game will allow for greater versatility for the Chargers offense while keeping their fast style of play.

Look for Jackson to still be at the top of the list for wide recievers this year, but don't count any of the rookies out as the Chargers look to create a passing game this season.

San Diego's preseason training camp will begin Monday, July 27 for rookies and select veterans, while the whole squad will take the field on Friday, July 31.

With preseason games against Seattle, Arizona, Atlanta, and San Francisco, Norv Turner and the Superchargers will have four games to fix the few holes in their game plan and be ready for an opener against the Raiders on Sept. 14.