SAN DIEGO – If the uncharacteristic energy surrounding Chargers Park on Monday wasn’t enough, the blue-and-gold signs adorning the structures surrounding the field reminded everyone: “Back to Football.”
While San Diego’s first preseason game against Chicago still is more than two weeks away, all the tired offseason stories gave way to the pomp and circumstance of training camp.
Returning to the field has a way of bolstering everyone’s confidence and injecting adrenaline into what will become routine in a few weeks.
“It’s a good feeling. It’s a fresh start type of feel,” 
Head Coach Norv Turner already has said this Chargers team could be the best, most complete team he’s coached in San Diego.
Turner said he looks forward to the simplicity of camp: Practice, film, practice, film, meetings. But with a schedule planned as tight as possible to prepare players for their first preseason game, he reminded everyone how important it is for rookies to get readjusted and veterans recovering from injuries to gain confidence in their bodies.
“Some of the stuff they were doing real well when they left, they’ve forgotten a little bit,” Turner said of the rookies. “We’ll get them going. Hopefully this gets them started so when everyone’s here they’ll be able to compete at a fast level.”
The Chargers will get a chance to defend their four consecutive AFC West championships, but first, this year’s team must discover its own identity, one that likely will be different from the years that preceded it.
“It’s a new personality,”
FRESH CUT: Rivers removed his helmet before practice began to reveal a freshly shaved head.
The quarterback, who declined to give reporters a better view of his aerodynamic cut after practice, did the deed without a guard on his razor at home, which he said delighted his five children.
“It’s just a hair shorter than normal. I always cut it short this time of year,” he said with a chuckle. “It grows back. At least for now.”
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