Talk about the new quarterback. Fret about the left tackle. Break down the secondary.
Go ahead.
But make sure to remember the big equalizer in the NFL.
The schedule.
When all is dissected, the biggest difference between the Chargers of 2005 and those of '06 appears to be the teams they play.
Where they faced the NFL's toughest schedule last season, their slate is considered easier than those of 19 other teams in the season ahead.
Not only did San Diego's opponents last year have a combined record of 143-113 (.559), the Chargers traveled five times to the Eastern time zone and played four teams coming off byes in a five-week span. Their league-high 11 games against teams with winning records included five games against division winners.
They do play the two Super Bowl XL combatants this season and two other teams that made the playoffs. And the schedule does appear tougher at the end. But that's about all that can be said to make it appear daunting.
The Chargers' 2006 opponents were 125-131 (.488) last season.
Of course, players are reluctant to put down their opponents. But in this case what isn't said speaks louder than what is. Last summer, the Chargers were free in their assessment of the difficult road they were about to face. This summer, they are being careful not to talk about the schedule.
“Sure, it's seemingly easier,” tackle Roman Oben said. “But we still have to win them. There are teams that are ranked in the preseason to go to the playoffs and then there are those that aren't. You never know who is going to be good. You don't know if Arizona is going to be 10-5 when we play them.”
True.
Look no further than the 2004 Chargers, who were expected to be one of the league's worst teams and instead went 12-4 and made the playoffs.
“It's those other teams that are good but their record doesn't show it,” wide receiver Kassim Osgood said. “They're sleepers, like we were in 2004.”
One important thing to know about that 2004 season: The Chargers' opponents finished a combined 122-134 (.476). And the Chargers noticed their opponents did not take them as seriously that year as they did in 2005.
“When you come out 12-4 you have to be ready for every game because everybody is gunning for you,” linebacker Randall Godfrey said. “When you're 4-12, everybody is going ahead and marking the win on their calendar. That's what clubs did (in 2004). That was the difference.”
After last season's 9-7 finish – with their first five losses coming by a total of 14 points – the Chargers don't think they will get a break from any unprepared opponents.
“Teams know we're a good team,” Godfrey said. “They watched the close losses. They're going to be gunning for us again.”
It must be pointed out that the Chargers' road is tougher in the second half. Their first eight opponents were 51-77 last year; their final eight were 74-54.
Still, there is no run as difficult as the one the Chargers endured last year. They know they could have been better, but also by the end of the season they were acknowledging they were run-down. The games against league powers week after week got to them.
“It does wear on you as the season goes on,” tackle Shane Olivea acknowledged last week.
Said one veteran when looking ahead to this season: “There's not that excuse anymore.”
Kevin Acee: (619) 293-1857;
kevin.acee@uniontrib.com
