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An understudy for two years, Rivers impresses teammates with his poise and preparation. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

2006 Schedule Date Opponent Date Opponent Sept. 11 at Oakland (M) Nov. 12 at Cincinnati Sept. 17 TENNESSEE Nov. 19 at Denver Sept. 24 Bye Nov. 26 OAKLAND Oct. 1 at Baltimore Dec. 3 at Buffalo Oct. 8 PITTSBURGH Dec. 10 DENVER Oct. 15 at San Francisco Dec. 17 KANSAS CITY Oct. 22 at Kansas City Dec. 24 at Seattle Oct. 29 ST. LOUIS Dec. 31 ARIZONA Nov. 5 CLEVELAND (M) Monday Breakout Player Shawne Merriman, LINEBACKER The 2005 first-round pick out of Maryland exploded onto the scene last year, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and a trip to the Pro Bowl. Merriman had 10 sacks and was a perfect fit on the outside of the Chargers' 3-4 scheme. At 6'4", 272 pounds, he's too quick for most offensive tackles and too big for tight ends and backs to stop. He should get even better in one of the league's best front sevens. "It's a challenge to block him," says Chiefs back Larry Johnson. "He's bigger than a lot of defensive ends."

The future is riding on the right arm of Philip Rivers -- and for a guy who's thrown only 30 NFL passes, he isn't worried

THE BELIEF Drew Brees's surgically repaired right shoulder made him too great a risk, and it was time for Philip Rivers, acquired in the big quarterback trade for Eli Manning on draft day in 2004, to run the show. All the weapons are in place for Rivers, from running back LaDainian Tomlinson, a touchdown machine, to tight end Antonio Gates, who's leading a renaissance at his position.

THE REALITY Rivers isn't as raw as his record -- 30 NFL pass attempts -- indicates. What he lacks in game experience he makes up for with intense preparation, sharp instincts and an innate sense for taking care of the little details that make teammates look to him as a leader. The Chargers liked the way Rivers handled himself while sitting behind Brees, who led them to 21 wins over the last two seasons but signed with the Saints in the off-season. Instead of sulking or complaining, Rivers worked the locker room and developed a rapport with his teammates. On the sideline he talked about the game with veteran quarterback Doug Flutie, and in the video room he joined Brees and the rest of the first-string offense for extra sessions to study tape of upcoming opponents.

Such maturity and sense of purpose is one reason for San Diego's optimism. Coach Marty Schottenheimer is confident his young quarterback has absorbed the offense over the last two seasons and will be smart enough to handle whatever adjustments offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will make as the season progresses. Schottenheimer says the high-scoring offense (26.1 points per game) doesn't have to go conservative for Rivers's benefit. "He's already a very good decision maker," says the coach. "I compare him to [former Browns quarterback] Bernie Kosar. Like Bernie he's bright, highly competitive and very instinctive."

If Rivers doesn't become overwhelmed by the speed of the action, his teammates believe he will be an instant success. Wide receiver Keenan McCardell admires the competitiveness and perfectionist nature of the new passer. "He wants a 100% completion rate in practice," McCardell says. "He never likes it when a pass hits the ground." Guard Mike Goff, who played in Cincinnati when Carson Palmer took over the Bengals, sees a similar confidence in Rivers. "When some new guys get into the huddle, you can see that they're not sure of themselves," Goff says. "Philip wasn't that way."

How well Rivers and Gates work together may ultimately determine the success of the offense. In the off-season the quarterback spent more time getting to know his tight end than any other receiver on the team. They live in the same neighborhood, so Gates often stopped by Rivers's house to work on routes and hang out. "I compare it to breaking in a new point guard," says Gates, who played power forward at Kent State. "I want him to know that if anything goes wrong, he knows where to find me."

With so many options available to him, including the dynamic Tomlinson, Rivers realizes he doesn't have to force his play. "Philip is like everyone else on this team," Schottenheimer says. "His success will be a product of what the entire cast does." Rivers is eager to make his mark. "Everybody has a starting point," he says. "It's how you finish that really matters." --Jeffri Chadiha

Issue date: September 4, 2006