Merriman, the three-time Pro Bowler, has made the decision to forge ahead, despite two torn ligaments in his left knee.

"To be as simple as possible, I just want to play football," Merriman said. "That's what it comes down to. I know what's on the table, I know what's on the line. I put a lot of work in this and I want to play."

Whether Merriman was aboard or not, the Chargers' aim is still reaching the second Super Bowl in franchise history.

"Fans stop me a lot and ask me about the Super Bowl," quarterback Philip Rivers said. "That's the ultimate goal. There's no denying that. But it's a journey. We're not going to win it today. It's a long hard road to get there."

The Chargers are hopeful their playoff appearances the past two years will pay dividends this year. In the 2006 season, they went 14-2 then lost their first playoff game.

In the 2007 season, they went 11-5 and advanced to only their fourth AFC Championship Game. They lost to the Patriots, but feel the experience is something that will help push them over the hump.

"Last year we talked a lot about the big picture, but I'm not sure we understood it," Rivers said. "Now we understand, 'Let's not worry about December and January right now.' I think last year we got a taste of really what it's going to take and now I think we're out to get it but understand that it is a patient, long process. We've got to go play and take care of business."

Unfortunately for the Chargers, Merriman isn't the only one clogging the injury list.

Pro Bowl center Nick Hardwick could miss the season's first month with a foot injury.

Tight end Antonio Gates will have to monitor a sore toe that kept him from all of the exhibition games.

And inside linebacker Stephen Cooper, the team's leading tackler last year, will sit out the first month serving a suspension for breaking the NFL's substance abuse policy.

So adversity came calling a bit soon for the Chargers. But unlike previous seasons, they feel like they are equipped to handle it.

"We can't get ahead of ourselves," running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. "We've got to make sure we take care of right now."

Tomlinson is also bouncing back from the sting of that playoff loss to New England. He aggravated a sprained knee the frigid afternoon, spending three-plus quarters on the bench.

But he's fit and eager to gun for his third consecutive rushing crown as the team tries for its fourth AFC West crown in five seasons.

"The only expectations we have are to play as good as we can," Tomlinson said. "We know that if we do that we'll be in good shape. That's the only expectation we put on ourselves. It's not to try to do what we did last year, not to try to win a championship. Obviously that's our goal, but you can't put those kinds of expectations on yourself because each year it gets harder."

This year's Chargers team, though, has few soft spots. Come February, the spot it might find itself is in Tampa, Fla., for the Super Bowl

COACHING: Norv Turner, 24th year (69-87-1), 2nd with Chargers (11-5).

REMEMBERING: 2007 record: 11-5 (1st in AFC West); lost in AFC Championship Game to New England, 21-12.

PREDICTING: 2008 regular season record 12-4 (1st in AFC West); lose in Super Bowl to Cowboys