Tomlinson: Chargers have the pieces but can't look too far ahead

The Chargers will be tested immediately. They open at home against defending NFC champion Chicago, then travel to face the Patriots. They play Indianapolis and Baltimore in San Diego in the span of three weeks in November.

"Our expectations are really to win the championship," Tomlinson said. "That's always our expectation. Realistically, we think we have a shot at it. Last year was a year that I think was a little more shocking to all of us because of what we did in the regular season, 14-2. You never expect to go 14-2 in the regular season.

"Last year was kind of a situation where we expected to win but we didn't know how much, and now we know we're an elite team. I would say that about five teams in the National Football League really have a chance of winning the whole deal."

Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman, who had an NFL-high 17 sacks last year, said the Chargers are their own harshest critics.

"We don't have any pressure from the media, the fans or anybody," he said. "We have pressure from each other."

Tomlinson, meanwhile, is coming off a monster season in which he set NFL records with 31 touchdowns and 186 points, and won his first rushing title with 1,815 yards.

While fantasy geeks no doubt hope Tomlinson can duplicate those numbers, the running back simply wants to be consistent. He usually shoots for 20-some touchdowns, and 1,600 to 1,700 yards rushing.

"If you approach it that way, then I think as the season goes on like last year, it just kind of happens. You get on a roll, then all of a sudden you're looking at 31 touchdowns, and you're looking at 1,800 yards or something like that," he said.

Turner, who replaced the fired Schottenheimer, won't have his team in full pads until Monday afternoon.

Most starters are back. Wide receiver Craig Davis, the team's first-round draft pick, will see where he fits in with the young, undistinguished receiving corps. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie, the first-round pick a year ago, will compete with Drayton Florence for the starting job opposite Quentin Jammer.

Gone is the Oklahoma Drill, which Schottenheimer held during one of the first few days of camp.

"I forgot it already," Tomlinson said.