Much Excitement

Mathews is learning and that means taking some lumps along the way. But he remains determined and dedicated to being the best player he can be.

"The linebacker had a great angle," Turner said. "I think the linebacker expected to make a tackle for a two or three-yard loss. Ryan turned those jets on and it turned into a (big) play."

Mathews took a pitch to the left and looked to be cornered by Saints defenders on the third-and-1 play and headed for a significant loss. Instead the speedy Mathews got to the edge and wasn't tackled until he gained 16 yards.

But one has to look past the final numbers. While Mathews didn't produce jaw-dropping numbers he showed flashes of why the wholesale Chargers jersey are so high on their first-round pick.

A slight negative was the running of Ryan Mathews. After two preseason games of encouraging results, Mathews was badgered by a Saints defense which was determined it would stop the run. With numerous run blitzes and a concerted effort to rough up the rookie at every chance, Mathews was limited to a 3.3-yard average, gaining 43 yards on 13 carries.

"We've got some highly motivated guys in all areas," Turner said. "I don't think there was anything vanilla about that (Saints) game. Both teams went after it pretty good. I thought the first half was back and forth like a regular season game with two good teams going at it."

The Chargers seem to be ahead of the game as they aim for their fifth straight AFC West title. There are some new faces in some new spots and so far, new is good.

"It's kind of hard to say 'it is over', but that is the beauty of preseason I guess," Rivers said about leaving the field trailing 17-14.

Rivers nearly matched Brees in every passing category. What was clear was that neither team blinked.

"We're not ready to go, but that was a good example of what we can be," Turner said, noting the Chargers trailed by just three when quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Drew Brees jersey were removed. "That was as close to a regular-season game as you can get through two and a half quarters, but I thought we were sharp."

The cheap  Chargers jersey went toe-to-toe in their battle with the defending Super Bowl champion Saints last week. Before both teams cleared the bench midway through the third quarter, the Chargers were giving the Saints everything they could handle.

Everyone knows it's not the score that counts but the evaluation of one's team which is paramount in the summer. And the Chargers went into their final preseason exercise at San Francisco feeling good about themselves.

And those comments come after a loss in New Orleans -- albeit a preseason one.

"Each time I get more excited about where this group can go," coach Norv Turner said.
。