The Sports Xchange

SAN DIEGO – The Dallas Cowboys are coming and it can’t be soon enough.

The San Diego Chargers kick off the preseason on Thursday night, with the Cowboys riding into town. And considering the Chargers’ tumultuous offseason, this is where everyone breathes a sigh of relief.

What dominated the Chargers’ headlines during the down time were items that turned the stomach of the team’s fans: the Chargers possibly moving to Los Angeles and quarterback Philip Rivers possibly hitching up with the Tennessee Titans in a draft-day trade.

The first could still happen; the second won’t.

“We’re just worried about his season,” head coach Mike McCoy said.

Good thing, because that is plenty in itself.

While the stadium stuff will get worked out — NFL owners are meeting this week on the L.A. issue — coaches and players are focused on the season.

And it starts in earnest this week.

The Chargers will wrestle with the Cowboys looking to settle many question marks. That goes for the new and improved (they hope) running game, the revamped offensive line and the fresh targets for Rivers to aim for.

Then there are the questions along the front seven: Will the run defense be improved, and where will the Chargers’ pass rush originate?

The secondary has some new faces and exactly how will all this work out?

But McCoy said he’s pleased with how his team has worked, which is why he gave the players a recent day off.

“They deserve it,” he said.

The Chargers have already had a solid camp in that they have done the most important thing: avoided an injury to key players. They did lose defensive tackle Tenny Palepoi to a season-ending foot injury, which will impact that depth problem in the middle of the line.

But for the most part, the Chargers are going about their business, zeroing in on what’s in front of them.

“I’m concentrating on this season,” Rivers said.

–WR Steve Johnson continues to impress during training camp. Johnson could be on track for a big season, as he will be asked to replace the production of the departed Eddie Royal. Rivers said he has already hooked up with Johnson on a couple of plays where they communicated non-verbally and made the completion. Johnson has opened some eyes with his consistent play. “He seems like he makes a (great) catch every day,” Rivers said.

–There seems to be little progress on the Chargers getting a contract extension done with Rivers. The two sides are speaking but it doesn’t appear a deal is imminent. “I wouldn’t hold your breath,” Rivers said.

–OLB Melvin Ingram is showing signs that the maturity he sought is starting to blossom. Ingram is being counted on heavily to produce as a pass-rusher, especially now that LBs Dwight Freeney and Jarret Johnson have moved on. Ingram had only four sacks last year as injuries cut into his numbers.

–CB Jason Verrett continues to draw rave reviews. Verrett, a first-round draft pick last year, could be something special as long as he stays on the field. He had shoulder issues last year that restricted him to six games.

–LG Orlando Franklin has had some sort of a leg ailment that has limited his playing time. It doesn’t appear to be serious but the Chargers need this new line to jell as soon as possible. The sight of the 6-foot-7, 320-pound Franklin on the right hip of 6-9, 330-pound King Dunlap is a welcome sight for Rivers.

–RB Danny Woodhead, who missed most of last year because of a broken leg, isn’t showing any signs of the injury during camp. He’s running and cutting well and his hands are certainly the same as before the injury. He is a huge piece of the Chargers’ offensive puzzle.

–DT Sean Lissemore has been battling a hand/wrist injury that has limited his practice time.