WORRIED ABOUT THE NEW STAFF. From Henry of San Diego: "I'm dying to know what you think of the new Chargers coaching staff. It's a Super Bowl-caliber team, but I think the coaches are going to take some lumps this year."

I think the majority of the questions about the coaching staff have centered around Norv Turner's ability to lead a team to the Super Bowl. Fair enough, because he's never done it, obviously. But my biggest question is replacing the two men who led last year's D, Marty Schottenheimer and Wade Phillips, with Ted Cottrell and Ron Rivera. Not a good trade. San Diego's defense wasn't broken and it didn't have to be fixed. I will maintain for a long time that this coaching change never had to be made, and if San Diego takes a step back defensively, I won't be surprised.

SHOULDN'T YOU BE WORRIED ABOUT BUCKEYES? From Henry of Columbus, Ohio: "Why is it that there aren't any details about Odell Thurman? Unless I'm missing something, this is a travesty that shows Goodell may be a little more of a "hanging judge." He failed one drug test and received a DUI. That's it. And he gets a two year suspension? His rep stated that he complied with everything, so what gives? If anyone should be getting a two-year ban, it should be Chris Henry or Pacman Jones, not Odell. Please help explain or I may lose all faith in the commish."

The fact is there's no way Thurman complied fully with all the tenets of his original one-year suspension, because if he had Goodell would have reinstated him. I can tell you this, without being too specific: the Bengals are not heartbroken that Thurman isn't back because he's an undisciplined guy, both on and off the field, whom the coaches don't trust. I can't make it any more plain than that. I don't think Thurman would improve the Bengals' defense much, if at all right now, because the coaches would always be worried about an incident off the field or a missed assignment on the field.

STEELERS FAITHFUL NEED REASONS TO GET EXCITED. From Brandon of Virginia Beach, Va.: "Which young Steelers' player should I be most excited about, because right now I'm torn? Santonio Holmes could be a Santana Moss but better. I saw a lot of Lamarr Woodley in college and was excited when he got drafted. He's almost like Levon Kirkland in the early days. I didn't mention Lawrence Timmons because of his injuries right now. "

Woodley. When I talked to Dick LeBeau, the defensive coordinator, he was most excited about Woodley's prospects to fill in as a strong-side 3-4 linebacker from Day One. Timmons' problem is he's been nursing a groin injury for a couple of months and the Steelers don't know when he'll be fully healthy. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is building a chemistry with Holmes and I would be stunned if the second-year receiver had two touchdowns and one 100-yard game like last year. I think he's going to be a fine deep threat for Pittsburgh this year.

PATS FAN SCOUTING THE COLTS. From Mark of Boston. "I was hoping you could give your thoughts on the Tarik Glenn retirement and how the sudden retirement of one of the preeminent players at one of the most crucial positions [especially for the Colts and Peyton Manning] shifts the balance of power in the AFC [and in all of the NFL, JV NFC included]? As a Patriots fan, I suppose I'm a little bias and would love your objective opinion."

I was talking to an NFL personnel man over the weekend, asking how he thought the Glenn retirement would influence the balance of power in the AFC. He was a lot more strident about it than I was. He thought Manning would have no problem adjusting to a new left tackle -- likely to be rookie Tony Ugoh -- because Manning has the power to call whatever play he wishes. If he saw the left side was being overrun, he'd simply start calling plays away from that side and then go back only when he felt comfortable. I watched the Colts practice today. And, as you will see in my Indianapolis postcard, the Colts are moving on like nothing ever happened. I think they'll miss Glenn, but you'd be naive to think a great offensive line coach like Howard Mudd and Manning wouldn't figure a way to make Glenn's absence no big factor in their efforts to repeat.

THANKS FOR SIRIUS. From Mike Moya of Lafayette, Ind.: "With you enjoying driving so much ... how long before we see the "Peter King Training Camp Express" motorcoach with sponsors a la John Madden?"

My goal in life is to get a bus like Madden's. But I think I just have to accept the fact a Dodge Charger with the luxury of Sirius Satellite radio is the best I can do for now. And let me tell you, this is one sweet ride. I don't know how people existed without this radio for so long. I'm dead serious about this, having the Sirius makes these trips about half as long.

KEEPING IT REAL. From David Floyd of North Carolina. "You are a great writer and I enjoy your columns on a regular basis. But I just have to ask you something. When the average American struggles on a daily basis to get by and faces real challenges daily, how is it one should look upon some of your musings? I mean, you've spoken of what a wonderful daughter or two you have, and you probably have just as wonderful of a wife. You live the life probably any man would dream of, covering the NFL and getting paid for it all the while. So when we see you complain about whichever Starbucks is nearby and the price of working out at a hotel gym center, and the cost of parking in Manhattan or hear any of the other rumblings which seem awfully miniscule to the average person trying to get by, what is one to think? Poor, poor pitiful Peter. How about this Peter? Every day you awake and look in the mirror, tell us how you hit your knees and thank your maker for gracing you with such a rich life."

I'm really glad you wrote that and knocked me down a peg or two. I need to hear stuff like that sometimes. Thanks for the wakeup call. The reason I told the story about the airfare and parking fare is that I found the comparison insane and I thought that you might too.