San Diego Chargers: Third-year pro Philip Rivers is poised to lead the Chargers at quarterback this season. A standout at North Carolina State, Rivers played in five bowl games, winning all of them, and was named MVP of each game. “It’s a situation similar to when I got to N.C. State,” says Rivers. “I came in there and showed the coaches that I could play and I got the job. I’m confident that I can succeed at this level and I’m excited about the opportunity” … The Chargers have won 21 games in the past two seasons for their greatest win total in consecutive years since 1980-81 (21).
Denver Broncos: Rick Smith was promoted from director of pro personnel to assistant general manager earlier this month. Entering his 11th season with the Broncos, the 37-year-old Smith served as an assistant coach for four seasons before contributing to the team’s player evaluation and acquisition processes … Denver notched its ninth top-10 NFL offensive ranking since head coach Mike Shanahan arrived 11 seasons ago (1995).
Oakland Raiders: Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Shell returns to Oakland as the Raiders’ head coach. Shell led the team to a 56-41 (.577) mark from 1988-94. “It’s coming home,” says the 59-year-old Shell. “It’s coming home to finish what I started.” Adds Raiders owner Al Davis, “It’s tradition, history, excellence, leadership. It’s all wrapped up in one when you mention the name ‘Art Shell.’” Shell returns to Oakland from the NFL league office where he served as senior vice president of football operations and development.
Kansas City Chiefs: Herm Edwards became the Chiefs’ 10th head coach in January. Edwards directed the New York Jets to three playoff berths in his five years as coach there (2001-05). A familiar face in Kansas City, he was a Chiefs NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship intern in 1989 and served the team as a scout/defensive backs coach from 1990-95 … Running back Larry Johnson reached 100 rushing yards in each of the Chiefs’ final nine games, good for the longest active streak in the league and the third-longest such streak in NFL history.