"Philip Rivers is a big but.

The Chargers don't have Vincent Jackson, but ...

The Chargers don't have Marcus McNeill, but ...

LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Cromartie and Jamal Williams are gone, but ...

The Chargers' window of opportunity has closed/is closing, but ...

Whatever people, far and wide, say about the Chargers these days it seems to begin with some reason the stunted AFC West dynasty is crumbling and end with a caveat:

"... but as long as they have the great quarterback they'll be OK."

Rivers, entering his fifth season as the Chargers' starting quarterback, coming off arguably his best season, is as comfortable and in control as he's ever been. He has certainly felt and exuded those traits before, he just simply keeps getting better."