ANYONE'S GAME EVEN LOWLY CHARGERS HAVE SUPER BOWL SHOT.

Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer

Marty Schottenheimer kept a straight face and said that his goal for the San Diego Chargers was nothing short of the Super Bowl.

In past years, that statement might of drawn hyena-like laughter. Certainly it at least warrants a roll of the eyes. Here comes the new coach, overconfident from past success, thinking he can immediately turn around the team with the worst record in the league over the past five years.

But Schottenheimer's assertion didn't stir a peep.

San Diego enters the season fielding mostly the same team that finished off 2001 with nine consecutive losses. That doesn't mean the Super Bowl isn't a possibility.

``In the NFL today, what you got to do is stay healthy, have a group of guys that will play together and overcome adversity,'' Schottenheimer said. ``And you have to get on a roll, which is what New England did last year.''

New England gave hope to every struggling team with its improbable Super Bowl victory.

In Major League Baseball, it seems a forgone conclusion the World Series will be won by the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves or Arizona Diamondbacks - as it has in six of the past seven seasons.

In the new NFL, anything can - and does - happen. The expansion Houston Texans can't even be ruled out.

The past three Super Bowl winners did not have winning records the previous season. Before New England, Baltimore won after finishing 8-8 and St. Louis came off a 4-12 year to win the title.

``Anybody can do anything in this league,'' quarterback Doug Flutie said. ``The league is so evenly matched. I wouldn't be here if I didn't think we could win.''

The Chargers have a lot in common with the Patriots of last year. Both teams came off 5-11 seasons in which they had trouble scoring in the red zone.

New England had a quarterback battle between veteran Drew Bledsoe and young Tom Brady. San Diego has soon to be 40-year-old Flutie going up against second-year pro Drew Brees. Each team fielded journeymen receivers. The Patriots had Troy Brown and David Patten. The Chargers have Curtis Conway and Tim Dwight.

With a top running back in LaDainian Tomlinson and a future Hall of Fame linebacker in Junior Seau, the Chargers have more talent than New England on paper.

``You can have as much talent in the world and if guys can't be cohesive and everyone find their spot on the team, it's not worth a damn,'' Dwight said.

Last season, San Diego had many new starters, especially on offense. Flutie came as a free agent from Buffalo to throw to Conway and Dwight, another free agent acquisition, and hand off to the rookie Tomlinson.

``I think the team feels more comfortable being around each other,'' Dwight said. ``The defense always had that. Offensively, it's time for this team to come out of its shell, show the world that we can compete and that we believe we can.''

Despite having six more losses than victories, San Diego actually outscored its opponents 332-321 last season. The Chargers never lost by more than 10 points. Five of the losses were by a field goal.

The players think they are close. New England has set the model for success.

``New England didn't have the best team but they played as a group and got it done,'' said Antuan Simmons, a rookie defensive back out of USC. ``Once we understand how to win, we'll be all right.''

Only five Chargers remain from the team that reached the Super Bowl following the 1994 season. But the players hope Schottenheimer can spread his success. Schottenheimer advanced his teams to the playoffs in 11 of 15 seasons as head coach. Only once has his team been under .500 (Kansas City, 7-9 in 1998).

Schottenheimer already has the team working. His practices are demanding. He worked the team 16 days in a row during training camp when no other team went more than nine days.

``We know that as a team we're not far off at all,'' defensive end Marcellus Wiley said. ``We still have a hurdle to climb. Our new coaching staff has been around the block. All we have to do is listen and it's going to pay off.''

The Chargers have extra incentive not to overlook this season. Rarely does a team get to play the Super Bowl in their own city.

``We don't sell ourselves short,'' said reserve linebacker Zeke Moreno, a former USC standout. ``We're hoping to play here in January in front of our home fans. That's our goal. If we don't reach that, then we didn't succeed.''

Again, no laughter. Another perfectly normal statement in today's NFL.

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(1 -- 2) New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, above, led his team to an unlikely Super Bowl victory. San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees, left, hopes to do the same this year.

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press