Rivers still chasing first Super Bowl ring

SAN DIEGO - So, what about Philip Rivers?

Eli Manning has one Super Bowl ring and on Wednesday became the NFL's highest-paid player. Ben Roethlisberger has two Super Bowl victories in four seasons and got his big payday last year.

Rivers is still waiting for both. He's the only one of the Big Three quarterbacks from the draft class of 2004 who doesn't have a Super Bowl ring.

"I'll always be linked with those guys and you like to follow their careers and what they're doing, but it's not something I spend a lot of time worrying about," Rivers said.

The contract extension likely will come. As for a Super Bowl ring, well, the San Diego Chargers simply need to get to the title game first. They've certainly had their chances in recent seasons and have been picked by some of the so-called experts to make it this year.

If any team knows that getting to the Super Bowl isn't a sure thing, it's San Diego.

The Chargers have been guilty of believing preseason prognosticators, talking big and then falling short.

Rivers said he doesn't see that happening this year.

"It's a long way from December and January, and we've got to understand that," he said at training camp. "The feel is different. You don't feel the hype and all the hoopla right now. I mean, we've got the energy and everybody's excited, but it's a little more focused group and I think that's going to be key."

The QB said the team has to understand the importance of a fast start and having to "bring it every week."