At 4-6 and then 5-7 it looked like San Diego was headed toward another in-depthpostseason watching on the Barcalounger. But something seemed to click the last quarter of the season and the Chargers rewarded Mike McCoy with four straight wins to close out the regular season – and a postseason upset of Cincinnati to boot.

San Diego’s luck ran out in the divisional round as Super Bowl-bound Denver ended the 2013 season. But the five-game win streak, during which the team never scored fewer than 26 points, had to leave Chargers fans and players optimistic about the future.

So can San Diego repeat its late-season success in 2014? And how far are the Chargers from making a run at the Super Bowl? Ernie Padaon, editor of Bolt Beat, shares some thoughts with Zoneblitz.

Zoneblitz:  The Chargers came from an off year in 2012 to make the playoffs in 2013. How would you assess the season?

Padaon: The season was a rollercoaster. If Ryan Succop makes that field goal at the end of the season, then we all would be looking at the season in a different light. The team had its struggles, but found a way to get it done and came out to play in the playoffs. The team will need to be more consistent in the coming season.

Zoneblitz:  What are your thoughts on year one of the Mike McCoy/Tom Telesco leadership tandem?

Padaon: So far things are good. We went to the playoffs and the 2013 NFL Draft looks good so far. The team is developing talent and looks to build on the foundation that was set last season.

Zoneblitz:  Philip Rivers seemed to find the Fountain of Youth last year – what was the difference in him last season versus the past few?

Padaon: Norv Turner was gone. The team was able to protect him more, but the new offensive scheme also asked Philip to get rid of the football quickly. That was a huge reason in which Philip was able to have success. He also had some playmakers step up like Keenan Allen.

Zoneblitz:  Keenan Allen was a rookie stud and Ryan Mathews finally started showing some of the promise he arrived with – will those two repeat their 2013 efforts and what has to happen for the Chargers offense to take the next step?

Padaon: They definitely will continue that success. The offensive line is the same group as last season and both players are very hard workers. The biggest question on the offense is the starting receiver spot opposite of Allen. There needs to be another threat on that side of the football. Vincent Brown was unable to add any threat there last season.

Zoneblitz:  A quick look at free agents signed and lost would lead me to believe most on both sides of the docket were complementary players – how would you assess the offseason so far?

Padaon: The team was more concerned about keeping the players that were becoming free agents. Those signings were as big as any signing for the team. Having Donald Butler back on the roster will be good for the defense and the team kept other starters on the roster like Richard Marshall and Chad Rinehart.

Zoneblitz:  The defense gave up 348 points – still some room for improvement there. What does that unit have to do to get better?

Padaon: Stop the passing game. The Chargers need help in the secondary bad. The team ran through a bunch of corners last season and finally settled with Richard Marshall as the starter. They will need someone else to step up out there. Hopefully a draft pick steps up and makes some plays for the defense.

Zoneblitz:  Who on the roster has a chance to break out in 2014?

Padaon: Melvin Ingram. He came back last season from an ACL injury and made an immediate impact with his return. He has a whole offseason to get better and can hopefully start out the season with a bang. Manti Te’o is another option for a breakout player.

Zoneblitz:  How big of a loss is Ken Whisenhunt heading into 2014?

Padaon: It shouldn’t be a huge loss. The team already was grooming Frank Reich for the position and Mike McCoy was an offensive coordinator before he became the head coach. The same system is still installed and Philip Rivers will have a whole year of experience in it now. The offense should be even better.

Zoneblitz:  San Diego still finished behind Denver and Kansas City in the AFC West standings – how far are the Chargers from challenging for the division and making a deeper playoff run?

Padaon: The Broncos are one of the top teams in the league and will be tough to stop. The Chargers always will give them a run for their money. The Chargers will likely be competing for a wild card spot this season and can compete for the division when Peyton Manning finally regresses. When the team makes it into the playoffs, anything can happen.

Zoneblitz:  What else would you like to see Chargers do in the rest of free agency and then in the draft?

Padaon: The team needs help in the secondary, help with pass rushers, depth at nose tackle and another wide receiver. This will all likely happen with the draft. The team will always have their eyes open on players that are getting released during training camp and that are available for trade. Telesco stayed active during the whole season on that transaction wire.

Zoneblitz:  Is there anything else you would like to add?

Padaon: The Chargers didn’t make any moves that moved many analysts, but they kept their team together and players are getting healthy. They will be adding to that foundation with the draft and will be competing with the top teams in the league again. With Philip Rivers on the roster, the team will always be in contention. Look out for them to make a run to the playoffs again.

Follow Ernie Padaon on Twitter at: @epadaon
Follow Bolt Beat on Twitter at: @bb_chargers
Follow Zoneblitz.com on Twitter at: @ZoneblitzCom

Previous In Depth: Cincinnati Bengals
Next In Depth: Indianapolis Colts