San Diego Chargers: 5 Reasons They'll Be Super Bowl Contenders Again

The San Diego Chargers had a pretty disappointing season last year. The team came into the 2010 season with high hopes and aspirations of a Super Bowl appearance. It was expected of them, considering the level of talent they have on the defensive end (such as Antwan Applewhite, Quentin Jammer) and the higher level of talent on the offensive end (spearheaded by Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, Kris Dielman and Vincent Jackson). The San Diego Chargers are quite possibly the most stacked team, in terms of talent, in the AFC. 

However, the team finished the season with a 9-7 record, despite finishing (statistically) as the best overall offensive and defensive team in the league. You can attribute that to poor discipline, displayed by dropped passes, untimely penalties, and the allowance of big plays in crucial moments.

That doesn't mean the Chargers aren't Super Bowl-bound, though. And there are a ton of reasons as to why the Bolts should see themselves play into early February.

Here are five. Click away. 

5. They Won't Be Losing Key Pieces to the Puzzle

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Head coach Norv Turner talks with quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers as they face the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 33-28.

The free agency class of 2011 is terrifyingly scarce on a talent basis, with one or two big names on the market (Nnamdi Asomugha being one of them). That's partly due to the fact that the Chargers aren't really giving up anyone crucial to their Super Bowl aspirations come the start of the season. 

The list of Chargers set to become free agents include: LB Antwan Applewhite, LB Stephen Cooper, OT Jeromey Clary, LB Kevin Burnett, WR Malcom Floyd, WR Vincent Jackson, S Eric Weddle, DL Jacques Cesaire, RB Mike Tolbert. 

There are a couple names in the list that are crucial; this includes Vincent Jackson and Eric Weddle, but the team has already hinted at placing the franchise tag on Jackson, while Weddle's future with San Diego is unknown.

Regardless, these are all expendable players. And while some of them have had awesome tenures with the team and would seem indispensable, they are, because the Chargers' defense runs deep.

If the offensive core is intact, and the wonderful team defense displayed by last year's team carries over, the Chargers won't be lacking in talent at all. 

4. The Team Has Been Together Long Enough to Not Need Norv Turner

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Head coach Norv Turner of the San Diego Chargers leads his team against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 33-28. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty

Team chemistry is huge in the NFL. It's difficult when new players are coming in, old players are leaving and coaches are being turned over almost annually. Team cohesion never builds up, and players can have a hard time adjusting to new offensive schemes, and defensive sets.

With the lockout, this is especially important. No teams are allowed to take the field with their coaches in any sort of practices or mini-camps. The players are forced to create their own workouts, and conduct their own practices.

This is where the Chargers' advantage is huge — this team has been together since 2007, when Norv Turner took over as head coach. Since that time, the same offensive theme has been used, to copious amounts of success. Norv Turner wasn't fired, Philip Rivers is still at the helm, key offensive pieces are staying put in San Diego, and the defensive talent is, for the most part, cleared to stay intact. The majority of the team knows the offensive and defensive schemes inside and out, so while having Norv Turner around would be beneficial, the players can continue to work on execution based on last season's playbook.

Cohesion and chemistry do pay off.  

3. The Bolts Finished with the Best Offense and Defense in the NFL in 2010

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers scores a touchdown on an 11-yard pass in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Phot

The past shouldn't always dictate the future. In fact, it's not fair to use the past as an indicator of what's going to happen in the future.

That said, precedence matters. Last season, the Chargers put forth the best offensive and defensive units in the league, finishing first in total offense, total defense, and passing yards allowed, while finishing top five in passing yards per game and rushing yards allowed. Those team stats are good enough to put any team in a position to take a first-round bye in the playoffs.

That was last year, sure, but the Chargers won't be losing key pieces to that puzzle. Consider that the team isn't that old, nor ailing from major injury issues, and it's hard to see the Chargers not get close to those same numbers. And if they do, expect them to be around in February, because the regular season can spark momentum for the postseason.  

2. Bolts Benefit If Parity Continues

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 24: Mike Tolbert #35 and Jeromey Clary #66 of the the San Diego Chargers react to a touchdown in front of Brandon Spikes #55 and Vince Wilfork #75 of the New England Patriots at Qualcomm Stadium on October 24, 2010 in San Diego, Calif

Last NFL season, parity was the biggest storyline, with no one team being clear-cut better than the rest — until about week 15, when the Patriots stormed onto the scene. 

That just means that the AFC is up for grabs, in terms of playoff positioning. If the Chargers can slip into a high seed, it'll be tough to imagine the Bolts giving one up at home, when this team is clearly on a mission to prove they are the best team in the NFL. 

Last year, the Patriots — late-season Super Bowl favorites in 2010 — took a hard fall at the hands of the New York Jets, who took a hard fall to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who took a hard fall to the Green Bay Packers, who took several hard falls throughout the season. That sentence shows just how up-for-grabs not only the conference, but the league really is. And that's how it was all of last season. If the Chargers can get disciplined, and stay focused and hungry, they could emerge as favorites, which could definitely boost their confidence heading into the postseason. 

1. Philip Rivers

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers takes the field against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Chargers defeated the Broncos 33-28. (Photo by Doug Pensing

Just his name alone emulates success. 

Do not be irrational — Philip Rivers is not the best quarterback in the league. Regardless, Rivers is, quite honestly, the third best quarterback in the league, behind the regulars in Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. 

How isn't he the third best quarterback in the league? Rivers was the jockey of the top-ranked offensive workhorse, leading the entire league in passing yards, while the rushing game disintegrated entirely. His late-game heroics weren't always enough, but it was through his arm that the Chargers were even able to stay in games.

In today's league, it's necessary to have a top-tier quarterback. Guys like Trent Dilfer are exceptions. Aaron Rodgers proved that this year, with his play alone setting himself a cut above everyone else that set foot on the field during last season's epic postseason run. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees have proved this, time and time again. 

This is a quarterback's league, and the Chargers have a hell of a quarterback.