Los Angeles Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) ― Marty Schottenheimer was as quick with a quip as Philip Rivers is with his release.

Asked what the San Diego Chargers can do about their running game, which hasn't exactly been overpowering, Schottenheimer said: "We're just going to keep throwing it."

And to think, it was just three games ago that the Chargers were dragged down by an unfortunate episode of "Martyball," the conservative, play-not-to-lose approach that contributed to their only loss, at Baltimore.

Throwing the ball is always OK with Rivers, who has helped lead the Chargers to a 4-1 record in his first season as starter.

Star running back LaDainian Tomlinson has no problem with that, either. He knows he's going to get his yards.

"We're winning. That's the only important thing," said Tomlinson, who's always been more concerned with his team's record than with his stats.

Five games into the Rivers era, the Chargers' offense has an identity.

"I just think it's wide-open," said Rivers, who's second in the NFL with a 100.6 passer rating, with seven touchdown passes and two interceptions. "Anything can be called anywhere: 10 passes in a row, 10 runs in a row. I think it's that wide-open. Coming into the year, that's what we expected.

"We're a balanced either-or team," Rivers added. "When one thing's clicking we ride it, as we saw in Oakland. When the other one's clicking, we ride that one as well."

The Chargers were so wide-open in a 48-19 win over San Francisco last Sunday that Rivers threw for 334 yards -- his first 300-yard game -- and Tomlinson scored a career-high four touchdowns, tying a franchise record. One of them was a spectacular leap over a tangle of blockers for a 1-yard score.

"If we can play like that every week, where we only punt once and score almost every time, we'll take it," Tomlinson said. "We just keep building, keep building momentum."

Going into Sunday's game at Kansas City, Schottenheimer mentioned the need to clean up some things in the running game.

"We've shown the ability to run the ball effectively," Tomlinson said. "I don't think it will be a problem. We were just passing the ball real effectively. So our groove was throwing the football. We really didn't have a groove on running the ball. Sometimes it works opposite. Sometimes you have a groove running the football and you're just not really quite there throwing the football. It works hand-in-hand."

Tomlinson had 131 yards in the season-opening win at Oakland, when the Chargers had Rivers throw just 11 times, for 108 yards.

And no one should be concerned that Tomlinson has only one 100-yard game, averages only 3.7 yards per carry and isn't among the NFL's top 10 rushers.

He does lead the NFL with seven rushing TDs.

"At least I'm doing something," he said with a laugh.

Although Tomlinson had only 71 yards rushing at San Francisco, he also had 64 yards receiving.

"I thought he had a solid game," Rivers said. "To me, that's why he's as special as he is because he does what he does out of the backfield, catching the ball, too. There's not a lot of guys you throw a swing pass to on third-and-10 who just goes and gets it."

Teams have keyed on the run, daring Rivers to beat them. So far, he's done pretty well.

Rivers was 29-of-39 with two TDs at San Francisco. The week before, in a 23-13 win over Pittsburgh, he was 24-of-37 for 242 yards and two TDs.

"I'm not sure you're going to throw it 37, 39 times like we did," Rivers said. "We've had the opportunity to. Pittsburgh, they're bringing the house trying to stop the run. San Fran, we probably could have gotten it going either way.

"Early in the year, at least for me, it helps me," Rivers said. "Every throw I can make, I continue to get better. Every mistake I make helps me get better. Obviously, try to keep those to a minimum."

It helps that the Chargers are plus-8 in takeaway-giveaway differential, and that Rivers has been sacked only five times.

Schottenheimer said it helped that Rivers didn't have to start as a rookie. Rivers was backup to Drew Brees the last two years, which allowed him to learn the system without being under duress.

"I'm delighted," Schottenheimer said. "I think he's made terrific strides. He understands the game. That's part of the natural instinct that he's got. He's obviously a great worker, he's got leadership ability and he's got the right stuff when it comes to playing the position."

(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)