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Chargers Expecting Quick Start In 2011

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner said before the start of training camp that his team was way behind. The NFL lockout eliminated typical offseason training activities, forcing young players to learn the team's schemes on the fly.

On Friday, the day after the Chargers' final preseason game, a 20-17 loss to the 49ers, Turner said he believes his players have done a great job catching up. Those who adjusted the fastest and executed well during the exhibition season will survive the final cuts to be announced on Saturday.

"We're in the process of trimming our roster and making cuts, and it is a tough process," Turner said. "Every team's going through it and we have some big decisions to make moving forward."

Receivers Bryan Walters and Richard Goodman and linebackers Bront Bird and Darryl Gamble are among those fighting for roster spots.

Turner said history plays a part in who sticks around. The Chargers are notorious for slow starts under Turner, going a combined 7-13 over the first five games since Turner took over in 2007.

He wants to buck that trend this season.

"You want to keep the best players, but so much has been made of getting off to a good start," Turner said. "We want to field the best team we can when we start playing. That's the priority for me. You don't want to sacrifice a player that may help us in the future, but we want to field the best team we can right now."

Turner expects several injured Chargers to return to practice. That includes outside linebacker Larry English, who missed most of camp recovering from foot surgery and the last week with a groin strain.

Turner hopes to get outside linebacker Shaun Phillips (hamstring) and nose tackle Antonio Garay (knee) back before the Sept. 11 opener at home against the Minnesota Vikings.

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