Chargers excited by revamped passing game

There's little doubt that the San Diego Chargers will struggle at times to replace wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who departed in free agency after a couple fractured years, landing a big-dollar contract with Tampa Bay. Jackson, after all, epitomized what the San Diego passing game was all about: a big, rangy, physical wide receiver whose size and strength alone made him an imposing component in the vertical model favored by coach Norv Turner and quarterback Philip Rivers. That Rivers was usually among the lead leaders in the esoteric but critical statistic scouts love, yards per attempt - he averaged 8.4 yards or better in three of the past four seasons - was no fluke. Jackson and fellow wide receiver Malcom Floyd ran their routes a little deeper than most of the corresponding players in the league, especially between the hashes, tight end Antonio Gates controlled the middle of the field, and Rivers, despite his funky release, threw the ball with great accuracy. The exit of...