CHARGERS AT A GLANCE
	Junior Seau
	Last year: 5-11, last place in AFC West Key returnees:: RB Natrone Means (212 carries, 883 yards, 5 TDs); SS Rodney Harrison (114 tackles, 3 INTs, 4 sacks); LB Junior Seau (115 tackles, 3.5 sacks) New faces: QB Jim Harbaugh (Ravens), LB Eric Hill (Rams), CB Corey Raymond (FA), WR Thomas Lewis (Bears), WR Jeff Graham (Eagles), LB Tracy Simien (Chiefs), DE Al Fontenot (Colts) New places: OL Raleigh McKenzie (Packers), LB Steve Tovar (Panthers), DE Marco Coleman (Redskins) Watch out: Chargers need Means to stay healthy and Harbaugh to work Indy-like miracles. Better than '98: Chargers can't do worse than minus-24 turnover ratio last year. Worse than '98: Chargers got little help in draft after trading store for Ryan Leaf a year ago.

Call it false hope -- you won't be alone -- but the Chargers are actually talking about the playoffs. And not about where to watch them on TV. Never mind that since the Chargers last qualified for the postseason in 1995, they have gone through five starting quarterbacks and three head coaches, the last of whom, June Jones, chose to take over perhaps the nation's worst Division I-A college program (Hawaii) rather than remain in San Diego.

All the Chargers know is that Ryan Leaf is not playing quarterback for them this year, and that's reason enough for optimism.

"Anything less than the playoffs would be very disappointing," Pro Bowl safety Rodney Harrison said. "There should be no excuse. We're getting paid a lot of money to come out here and make plays and get this organization back into the playoffs. We have to win."

That might be easier for Harrison to say than for the Chargers to do. True, they did bring in two veteran quarterbacks, Jim Harbaugh and Erik Kramer, to ensure that Leaf (who most likely will miss the entire season with a shoulder injury) and Craig Whelihan would not be able to throw another 34 interceptions, as they did last year. And they did dispose of unpopular and unsuccessful head coach Kevin Gilbride, replacing him (and Jones) with Mike Riley, who has on his resumé -- two Grey Cup championships in the CFL (plus one as an assistant) and a five-win season at previously hapless Oregon State.

But can Riley, who has never coached an NFL game, turn a team that has lost 19 of its last 24 games into a playoff contender, even in the weakened AFC West? Especially a team that hasn't made any significant personnel improvements save one position? Of course, quarterback is a rather important position, but the offense still lacks playmakers, and the schedule includes trips to Miami and Minnesota.

The Chargers won four games in '97 and went up to five in '98. At that rate of improvement, they seem to have their work cut out for them this season.

Here's a position-by-position look at San Diego's roster:

Quarterbacks
Harbaugh might not be the quarterback he was in '95 when he almost led the Colts -- the Colts! -- to the Super Bowl, but he's not Leaf or Whelihan either. Harbaugh's arm is probably the weakest among the team's QBs, but he has the ability to improvise and make plays. His leadership ability is also unquestioned.

		The Chargers need to find a go-to receiver who can make big plays and stretch the field. Jeff Graham is a great position receiver, and he's a nice addition to the team. But when cornerbacks come up and get physical with San Diego's receivers, they have trouble getting off the press. The Chargers should shoot for a .500 season and could be a 9-7 team contending for a wild-card berth. Why? Their defense is so solid and good that if they don't turn the ball over much at the quarterback positiion, like they did last year, the Chargers will stay close in every game. But finding a go-to receiver will be key. Tight end Freddie Jones cannot lead the team in catches again.

Kramer, who spurned the Chargers a year ago but was happy to join them after his surprise release by Chicago, is coming off shoulder surgery but appeared to gain arm strength throughout training camp. He's better than some starting QBs in the AFC West, not to mention the rest of the league. Grade: C

Running backs
When he was healthy, Natrone Means was the best back in the AFC outside the Denver area. But a fractured foot ended his season with seven games remaining, making it four straight years that Means has been unable to play a full season. Versatile Terrell Fletcher filled in admirably for Means last year with a pair of 100-yard games. Fletcher will continue to be utilized in passing situations, sometimes as a slotback rather than as a replacement for Means. Converted TE Wendell Davis is the fullback until top draft choice Jermaine Fazande develops. Grade: B

Receivers
TE Freddie Jones has shown flashes of All-Pro ability during his first two seasons, but there have been other times when he couldn't catch a simple five-yard curl. The Chargers need more consistency from him, as well as from WR Mikhael Ricks.

WR Jeff Graham was brought in to provide experience and steady play, but he's not a game-breaker. With WR Charlie Jones out for at least a month with a dislocated hip, Bryan Still or Ryan Thelwell will have to step up. Al Pupunu is a solid H-back, and rookie Steve Heiden adds depth at tight end. Grade: C

Offensive linemen
This was the most improved area on the team last year with the addition of free-agent OLT John Jackson, OLG Aaron Taylor and C Roman Fortin, plus offensive line coach Joe Bugel.

ORT Vaughn Parker is back after playing only six games last year because of a broken leg, and third-year pro Raleigh Roundtree is set to replace the departed Raleigh McKenzie at right guard. None of the linemen likely will go to the Pro Bowl, but as long as they can open holes for Means and protect Harbaugh, the Chargers will be happy. Grade: B

Defensive linemen
Only four teams rushed for more than 100 yards last year against the Chargers -- no individual did it -- and the team limited opponents to 2.7 yards per carry. San Diego's success began in the middle with DTs Norman Hand, who played at a near-Pro Bowl level, and John Parrella. The Chargers also have Jamal Williams, who could turn out to be better than either Hand or Parrella.

Outside, however, is a different story. William Fuller retired, and Marco Coleman departed as a free agent, leaving Raylee Johnson on the right side and either Al Fontenot or former first-round pick Chris Mims on the left. Johnson's forté is rushing the passer, Fontenot's defending the run. Grade: C+

Linebackers
Any position that starts with Junior Seau can't be too bad. The eight-time Pro Bowl selection had probably his best season last year, showing more discipline while making just as many plays as ever. The only concern regarding Seau could be that Riley plans to use him occasionally as a tight end, something defensive coordinator Joe Pascale -- with visions of Jason Sehorn in his head -- isn't thrilled about.

Lew Bush is solid on the strong side, and former Cardinals and Rams LB Eric Hill should prove to be an able replacement in the middle for Kurt Gouveia. Grade: B+

Defensive backs
Harrison finally received his due last year as one of the top safeties in the league. He's a fierce hitter, physical against the run and capable in coverage. The Chargers brought in Darren Perry to play free safety, but he retired after a week of training camp. That leaves Michael Dumas, who was off to a good start last season before tearing up his knee after the third game, with either Greg Jackson (who started 13 games) or rookie Jason Perry in reserve.

LCB Charles Dimry, who was supposed to be the weak link of this group, took over for Dwayne Harper last year and played well. RCB Terrance Shaw has more ability than any corner on the team, but his occasional lapses almost always seem to lead to big plays at the wrong time. Grade: B-

Special teams
John Carney remains one of the league's most accurate kickers, and punter Darren Bennett has one of the strongest legs. Kickoffs (poor coverage) and kick returns (poor average) must show improvement. Grade: B-

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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