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The Chargers return 19 starters, including all 11 on offense. The new faces on defense include inside linebackers Stephen Cooper and Matt Wilhelm, and strong safety Clinton Hart. Though not starters, each were key reserves and made important contributions to the team’s success in 2006. Cooper was the team’s fourth-leading tackler (82) and Hart tied for second on the team in interceptions. Two of his three picks came in an important late season win over the Seahawks at Qwest Field.

The most significant change to the Bolts’ roster is on the sideline where Norv Turner takes over as the 14th head coach in team history. Turner inherits a team that won two of the last three AFC West titles and a franchise-record 14 games in 2006. Last season’s outfit was an aggressive offensive juggernaut that shattered team records for scoring and rushing yards in a season. Turner returns to run the same offense that he implemented as San Diego’s offensive coordinator in 2001. His offense will center around the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, running back LaDainian Tomlinson. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Tomlinson turned the NFL on its ear in 2006, scoring a League-record 31 touchdowns and capturing his first-ever rushing title with 1,815 yards. Tomlinson and quarterback Philip Rivers will line up behind an offensive line that returns all five starters, plus three-time Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates, the Bolts leading receiver in 2006 with 71 catches for 924 yards and nine scores.

On defense, Turner has turned over the keys to veteran defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell. He’ll operate virtually the same 3-4 defense that the Chargers have run since 2004. Cottrell’s defense is anchored by a pair of two-time Pro Bowlers, nose tackle Jamal Williams and linebacker Shawne Merriman, who had 17 sacks to win the NFL’s sack title in 2006.