Chargers vs. Cardinals Preseason Preview: 7 Things to Watch

The super bowl contending Chargers meet the revamped Cardinals in a preseason match that will be essentially a real game for the first two quarters. 

The third preseason game is the most important. It's the game where borderline starters win jobs against their competition and is traditionally the preseason game that teams authentically try for at least half the game. 

Here are seven players and positions to watch in the game tomorrow and what you should expect to see from both teams.

Kevin Kolb

The Chargers were the No. 1 team in defense last year and for a reason. 

Quentin Jammer, Eric Weddle, Bob Sanders and Antoine Cason form a formidable secondary. The Chargers can generate an effective pass rush and will keep Kolb on his toes. 

This game will be a true test for Kolb. He will not doubt be pressured a good amount—the offensive line is going to be one of the worst in pass protection this year—and seeing how he responds to the pressure will be very telling of his quarterbacking ability. One of the biggest knocks on Kolb is that in his limited playing time he has not looked good under pressure. 

If he's going to lead the Cardinals to the NFC West title, he's going to have to develop a good pocket presence. 

Can Darryl Gamble Crack the Starting Lineup?

It's not really a question of whether Gamble can crack the starting lineup, so much as can he usurp Larry English for the primary backup and role player behind Travis LaBoy. 

Gamble has shown up all across the field in the preseason, making tackles for losses, flowing to the ball carrier with ease, and finding his way into the backfield to harass quarterbacks. He has the look of a real find for the Chargers. 

Can Beanie Wells Carry the Load

Chris "Beanie" Wells was a hot prospect coming out of college who has done nothing but struggle since entering the league. 

The Cardinals grew dissatisfied with Wells and drafted Ryan Williams, who was lost to injury this preseason. They traded Tim Hightower away to the Redskins, who dominated the Steelers, of all teams, on the ground in their recent game. 

All eyes are once again on Wells. He's a candidate for 300+ carries this season, and there's no doubt that much of the Cardinals success will rest on how efficient their backfield can be. Last year, they weren't good at running the ball, and that was with Hightower there as well.  

Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert

Norv Turner has come and out and relayed his desire to use a committee approach with Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert. 

Ryan Mathews can cure that with a strong preseason showing.

Mathews has all the talent in the world, but that doesn't necessarily translate to success. The third preseason game is the most important because it decides, largely, what each player's roll will be for the first half of the season.

Mathews needs to show dominance against a Cardinals defense that allowed 145.2 rush yards per game last year, good for 30th in the league. If he can do that he can maximize his starting time for first half of the season.  

Is Corey Liuget Legit?

Liuget has looked deserving of his first-round draft status. 

Liuget was expected to start for the San Diego Chargers, and he's leaving little doubt. If you want an exciting young player to watch on a super bowl caliber team, just watch Liuget every defensive down.

He makes the backfield seem like his home. He is beating first stringers consistently in the preseason, and Liuget will no doubt secure a starting position this Friday.  

Patrick Peterson

Many people believed Patrick Peterson was outright the best prospect of this draft. 

True shutdown corners are not easy to come by, and there have only been a handful in the last decade. Peterson has had that label applied to him. Now that Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is gone, he'll be tested—and often. 

Peterson will have plenty of opportunity this game. He faces Vincent Jackson, Malcolm Floyd and Antonio Gates, with Phillip Rivers throwing perfect passes to them. Rookie cornerbacks have had a lot of recent success, visa vi Devin McCourty and Joe Haden. Watch for Peterson to play against a motivated Vincent Jackson, and see if he can come out on top. 

Cardinals Offensive Line

The Cardinals offensive line is a five-wide walking hazard. 

If Kolb is going to enjoy any level of success this year, Levi Brown is going to have to play considerably better. When the Cardinals opened The Levi at left tackle, he let in 50 pressures, 10 quarterback hits and 10 sacks. If you need to vomit, I understand.

The rest of the Cardinals line isn't exactly better. According to ProFootballFocus.com, a site that grades every play and every player, the Cardinals line was the 26th worst in pass blocking last year and only 19th in run blocking. With the retirement of Alan Faneca, this line will need to step up big time.