Antonio Gates continues to be one of the top players at his position and one of the better athletes in the league. In 2008, Gates amassed 704 yards on 60 catches (11.7 avg.) and finished with eight touchdowns. These were all Gates’s lowest totals since his rookie season in 2003. Gates, who signed as an undrafted free agent, finished the year with 389 yards on 24 catches.

Gates remains bothered by injuries sustained in 2007 and 2008 seasons. Gates big toe is not to par, an injury that hindered him in the 2007 playoff run. Gates sprained his ankle in 2008 and this, coupled with quarterback Philip Rivers’s ever-improving ability to spread the field brought Gates’s numbers down. However, Gates’s recovery seems eminent and Rivers will be more than happy to have his favorite target back at 100 percent. Expect these two to find a rhythm in 2009.

Gates’s success in 2009 will depend on his ability to get healthy, but also, the play of his supporting cast. Yes, the talent of the wide receiver and running back corps will loosen up coverage on Gates. However, consider the players playing behind Gates in the tight end position. They will provide Gates with relief and contribute to the Chargers offense in more ways than one.

Kris Wilson is currently listed as a fullback on the Chargers roster. At 6-2 and 251 pounds, Wilson has played fullback for much of his career. However, as Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner says, “He’s a tight end.”

Wilson has not generated much offense in his career, totaling just 13 yards on four rushes and 345 yards on 42 receptions with four touchdowns in five seasons. Still, Wilson remains tenacious and hard working. He has proven himself an effective blocker and has begun to better understand the Chargers offense.

Wilson will continue to line up as a tight end in double tight end formations and will block off of the end in many running packages. He may also line up as a fullback in some packages, namely in goalline situations. Wilson will continue to contribute on special teams. He may also be called on to make a catch or two. Essentially, save kicking, Wilson could be asked to do just about anything on offense. And that’s alright with Wilson, who understands the need to remain open for anything.

“When you’re playing on a talented football team, you just have to earn your way out there,” Wilson said.

Fellow tight end Brandon Manumaleuna can appreciate the playing styles of both Gates and Wilson. Manumaleuna has a quiet demeanor, but at 6-2, 288 pounds, he makes plenty of noise on the field. Brandon (many have found it easier to call Manumaleuna by his first name) can provide for the much-needed reception and lay a block to spring the long run.

Manumaleuna ended 2008 with 15 receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns. These numbers are not very impressive. However, several of these receptions were for first downs in critical situations. Moreover, like Wilson, Manumalenua takes on a range of responsibilities. He too knows what it means to be a team player and more importantly, what it takes for the Chargers offense to be successful.

The Chargers tiptoed their way into playoff contention last year. The pieces didn’t seem to click until the latter part of the year, and even then, there were a few close calls. One reason the Chargers were able to find themselves was personnel adjustments made at midseason. The biggest move occurred when former defense coordinator Ted Cottrell was replaced by then linebackers coach Ron Rivera. Rivera slowly brought improvement to the defensive side of things, something he wishes to build upon this year.

In the 2008 offseason, the Chargers brought in Hall-of-Fame Wide Receiver Charlie Joiner and former Chargers runningback Ollie Wilson to help at their respective positions. The Chargers have continued the trend and made a lot of personnel adjustments in the 2009 offseason.

Former Chargers tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski returns to the squad after spending the past few seasons as offensive coordinator in Cleveland. Chudzinski, who helped Gates reach career highs in the 2005 season, will also serve as the Chargers assistant head coach. Chudzinski looks to bring some of the offensive success he had in Cleveland back to San Diego. In Chudzinski’s first season with the Browns, the team managed to reach the third-highest totals in team history for both points scored (402) and total yards (5,621).

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Despite my recent overlook, Denver does boast a talented corps with Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal (if he proves to be more than a one hit wonder), and Brandon Stokley. Recently, Jabar Gaffney (formerly with New England) joined the mix.

Speaking of the Chargers’ rivals from the Northeast, New England also brings a talented group. Quarterback Tom Brady will be back in top form as he is able to throw to Randy Moss, Wes Welker and the seasoned yet still-speedy Joey Galloway. Newly acquired Greg Lewis (recently with Philadelphia) will also prove an option.

The Arizona Cardinals are dangerous with the double threat of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin (and Steve Breaston running alongside for the ride.) However, Boldin does remain in holdout and although talented, Steve Breaston cannot fill that void. Breathe easy Cards fans. It remains likely that Boldin will suit up in red this season.

The Bills became much better at this position when they acquired Terrell Owens. Owens will be sure to help Lee Evans secure a few more open looks this season.

The Packers remain talented with Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and a few dependable up-and-comers.

Argument can be made for the Colts with Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez. The Bengals may or may not have improved with the addition of Laveranues Coles. Of course anything will be an improvement from Cincinnati’s performance last season.

So where do the Chargers fit into this list? Well, they’re up there. I’d say top six. (Pause to allow you to develop an argument.) However, if they play to their ability, the corps has the ability to be top three. If.

Chris Chambers remains the Chargers’ number one wide receiver. Injuries last season kept Chambers’s numbers modest. He played in 14 games and tallied 33 receptions for 462 yards, a 14.0 yard-per-catch average and five touchdowns. His longest reception of the season was a 48-yard touchdown. Save touchdowns (Chambers had four in 2007), all of these totals were lower than those of the 2007 season where Chambers only played in 10 games with the Bolts. Still, he managed to amass 129 yards on eight receptions in the postseason. Chambers remains a threat with a resume that boasts nearly 7,000 yards receiving and 52 touchdowns. This was a large part of his contribution last season – taking pressure off some of the Chargers’ younger receivers, including Vincent Jackson.

Jackson is coming off of his best year and looks to improve in 2009. This is a contract year for “VJ” so expect his numbers to rise.

“I’m having a great offseason,” Jackson said Wednesday. “I continue to develop my chemistry with Rivers.”

Can’t argue with that. The chemistry was there last season. In the past, Rivers’s prime target has been tight end Antonio Gates, who has the size of a tight end, but athleticism and hands of a wide receiver. Although Gates remains a valuable option, Rivers spread the ball around last season. Jackson managed to finish with 1,098 yards on 59 receptions for 18.6 yards a catch and seven touchdowns, all career-highs. He also contributed with 69 yards on four rushes. Despite suffering the loss, Jackson reminded fans of his value in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against Pittsburgh last postseason. Four plays into the game, Jackson hauled in a 41-yard touchdown.

He will have a good year, but the level of Jackson’s success will rest on the ability of his counterparts to play to their potential. This doesn’t seem to be a worry for Jackson.

“We have good depth and expect to contribute to another successful year on offense,” Jackson said.

Malcom Floyd also had a career year in 2008 with 465 yards on 27 receptions for an average of 17.2 yards-per-catch. He finished with four touchdowns including a much-needed score in an impressive comeback win at Kansas City. Floyd would prove a strong third (fourth if you consider Gates) option for Rivers. However, Floyd, despite being commended for his gentile and polite demeanor, has yet to sign the second-round tender offered to him in February (worth $1.54 million for the 2009 season). He needs the time to “build that chemistry.” Moreover, the five-year veteran is injury prone.

Last year he suffered a hamstring injury which limited his playing time and a collapsed lung which kept him out of the last few regular season games and a Wild Card victory over Indianapolis. It is possible that ‘Young Malcom” will be dressing in another color come Fall.

Craig “Buster” Davis has not done much to avoid the incessant exploitation of his nickname. You figure it out. In two seasons, Davis has totaled 24 receptions for 247 yards and one touchdown. This isn’t awful for a number four receiver. But it is quite disappointing for a first-round pick. Davis’s one start and 18 games in two seasons is a concern. My thought is that the young Tiger (he was drafted out of LSU) will soon be on another team or back in the bayou.

Although, that’s perfectly fine. The Chargers wide receiver corps is a little unorthodox in composition and a few of these determined players are growing into fan favorites.

Third year player Legedu Naanee is skilled enough to play at a number of positions and he just might soon enough. Naanee has put on some weight this offseason and remains attentive and dedicated. Naanee showed some ability last season with a number of critical first downs. He caught attention when he came up with a big touchdown against Pittsburgh.

Clearly, Darren Sproles earned every bit of that franchise tag this past off-season. Technically, “Big D” (he hates it when I call him that) plays as a running back. However, he is a huge receiving threat as a scat-back. Last season, Sproles brought fans to their feet with 29 receptions for 342 yards and five touchdowns. Sproles’s longest reception was 66 yards for a touchdown. He also accounted for 136 yards on 10 receptions and a receiving touchdown in the postseason, including a five reception, 91 yard effort against Pittsburgh. Sproles also tallied a receiving touchdown in the effort.

Perennial Pro-Bowl attention-getter (for current lack of a better term) Kassim Osgood is back with the team this season. Osgood’s specialty remains special teams. However, in a pinch, Osgood, who is both big and fast, could line up for a long ball.

The Chargers have also brought in some young talent this season. Chargers’ seventh round draft pick Demetrius Byrd was in an unfortunate car accident prior to the draft and was therefore overlooked by many teams. However, Byrd is recovering well and his work-ethic could land him a spot with the Bolts. Chargers personnel are hopeful that Byrd will prove a more sound decision than his LSU counterpart, Davis. Byrd could impress as he appears one of those “football players” that General Manager AJ Smith loves so much.

As with every summer, the Bolts locker room is also hosting a number of undrafted free agent wide receivers. Unfortunately, with such a talented pool to compete against, most of these young hands will be gone come the final roster. However, anything can happen. Hopefully the end result will be well received. Wordplay!