Are you ready for some Chargers - This week Report from the team.

INSIDE SLANT

It has slid under the radar, what with the team’s concerns over its run defense.
But nothing is more important regarding the Chargers than the health of one Philip Rivers(notes).
The team’s offense and persona is built around this Pro Bowler, and for good reason: the guy is an elite player.

But Rivers can’t do his thing unless the front line plays to its level. And that’s no more important than at left tackle, with Marcus McNeill(notes) holding down Rivers’ blindside. This time last year McNeill was in a nasty contract dispute with general manager A.J. Smith.
This year, he’s ready to go for Sunday’s opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
Or is he?
McNeill, a Pro Bowler, missed all the preseason games after undergoing minor knee surgery. The procedure wasn’t significant but it cost McNeill valuable practice. And in a run-up to a year that featured little offseason work, that’s not good.
But McNeill was able to go through the Chargers’ Monday practice and all signs indicate he will start on Sunday.
“We are doing everything we can to get him ready,” Turner said on Monday.
The Chargers are banking on McNeill being ready for the get-go, and he needs to be. There is no other position, and protecting no bigger player, than left tackle. One slip and what could be a promising season gets torpedoed early.
The Chargers are fortunate to have all five offensive linemen returning; three of them have Pro Bowl credentials.
It’s imperative they play at a Pro Bowl level, and that’s especially true for McNeill at left tackle.

NOTES, QUOTES

• RB Ryan Mathews(notes) hopes to build on his uneven rookie year and he enters the season on a high note. He gleaned much confidence form his 56-yard touchdown run in the final preseason game.
“I think Ryan is growing as a player,” coach Norv Turner said. “We know he’s going to make long runs. That’s the style of runner he is when he hits a crease and takes it. I think he’s getting better as a down-to-down, consistent runner.”
Questions remain about Mathews’ consistency in pass protection and his ability to hold on to the football.
• WR Patrick Crayton(notes) is hopeful of playing after sitting out camp’s final two weeks after bone spurs were removed from his ankle area. “I’m on track,” he said about Sunday.
• The Chargers’ focus has been to get off to a quick start, a trick they’ve been unable to do in Norv Turner’s five years. The Chargers should be favored in three of their first four games: Minnesota, Chiefs, Dolphins; underdogs when traveling to New England.
• The team signed T Eric Young(notes) and QB Drew Willy(notes) to its practice squad, filling the final two spots. Willy was in the Jets camp this summer.
• The team has yet to sell out its opener and its possible it could be blacked out on local TV.
• Former Chargers WR Seyi Ajirotutu(notes), who just missed landing a spot on the roster, was claimed by the Carolina Panthers and former Chargers coach Ron Rivera.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Player Notes
• TE Antonio Gates(notes) continues to practice and has been able to get through the run-up to the opener well regarding his sore foot.
• NT Antonio Garay(notes) (knee) is hoping to return to practice on Wednesday. Garay is a key part of the Chargers’ run defense, which hasn’t looked good during the summer.
• WR Vincent Jackson(notes) could be anxious to do well in his first opener since 2009. Jackson was in a contract hassle with the team last year and didn’t play in the Chargers’ loss in Kansas City. Jackson has looked good clicking with Rivers in camp and in the preseason games.
• LS Mike Windt(notes) has the task of replacing David Binn(notes) at a critical spot on a squad looking to improve its special teams play from last year. Binn, 39, was released before the season. Windt was with the team last year when Binn was injured.
• OLB Larry English(notes) (groin) practiced and could be available for the opener.
• WR Vincent Brown(notes) (hamstring) isn’t pushing it too hard. He could be down Sunday.
Report Card Entering Regular Season
Passing Offense:   A - Philip Rivers figures to lead one of the NFL’s most exciting attacks. After throwing for a career-high 4,710 yards last year and with Pro Bowl targets in WR Vincent Jackson and TE Antonio Gates, this is going to be entertaining.
Rushing Offense:   C - Ryan Mathews, a first-round pick, was supposed to be the featured back, but a case could be made for Mike Tolbert(notes). Mathews has shown flashes, but also has ball-security and pass-protection issues. Tolbert is coming off a breakthrough season. Front-line has to prove it can run-block as well as does in guarding Rivers.
Pass Defense:   B - Shaun Phillips(notes) can be a force; his team-high 11 sacks proved it again last year. But opposite Phillips, questions remain. Larry English has been a disappointment when playing. Travis LaBoy(notes) was brought in to give Phillips some cover; Antwan Barnes(notes) could be a surprise. Secondary is solid, especially if Bob Sanders(notes) can stay healthy.
Rush Defense:   D - A bit harsh, but this is critical and the preseason performance wasn’t encouraging. T Antonio Garay must be stout in the middle; he’s already got a cranky knee. The situation at inside linebacker is muddled, with Takeo Spikes(notes) attempting his 15th season and inexperienced players in Donald Butler(notes) and Jonas Mouton(notes) are learning. Stephen Cooper(notes) might help, but he’s playing with a biceps injury. This is the team’s biggest weakness.
Special Teams:   C - It can’t be any worse than last year. But the Chargers are still auditioning players to replace Darren Sproles(notes) on returns and will break in a new long snapper in Mike Windt. Kicking game is fine; roster was loaded up with special-teams type players after last year’s face-plant.
Coaching:   C - Not many guys get five-year plans anymore, but here we are Cinco de Norvo. Coach Norv Turner needs to avoid a traditional slow start with the team playing a demanding schedule. Turner has to reverse a trend that has seen the Chargers go from the 2007 AFC title game to not even making the playoffs. While the Chargers are often mentioned as a top-shelf team, Turner has won but one playoff game in the past three seasons. He can’t afford a playoff-free season once again.