Where would Eli Manning and Philip Rivers be today had #10 actually played for San Diego?
Between 2006 and 2008, It was widely considered the Chargers were by far the greater benefactor of the events preceding the 06 regular season. Manning was dealt to the Giants for Philip Rivers upon refusal to play, their 3rd rounder(Nate Kaeding) and the following year's first round selection(Shawne Merriman).
In 2005 Shawne Merriman won defensive rookie of the year, Drew Brees almost lead a big comeback but came up short and narrowly missed the playoffs, injuring his throwing arm in week 17.. Thus, not resigned. In 2006 the Chargers became the clear #1 seed after close losses @Baltimore and @KC propelled a 10 game win out of the remaining schedule, despite the absences of Luis Castillo and Shawne Merriman(17 sacks) who was serving a suspension for steroids. Tomlinson(I refuse to refer to him as "LT") broke the rushing TD record and won the league MVP award that year. Nate Keading also made his first probowl that year.
Meanwhile, across the fence, Eli Manning looked like a huge bust. Kurt Warner who temporarily mentored him, said he saw "some of the worst QB play" from Eli while with the Giants. Eli broke the all time franchise INT record twice, including a 4 INT performance vs the then worst pass defense Minnesota(3 for TD's). In fact, he currently holds a 82.1 lifetime passer rating and has thrown over 50 more picks than Rivers.
Unfortunately for the Chargers, Nate Keading became what Mike Vanderjagt once was, a choker.. Shawne Merriman got in trouble with the law and found himself repeatedly injured, has been completely worthless ever since. Tomlinson too eroded into obscurity, he begged for a pay cut so he could come back and sat out crucial games with(and I'm not joking) "a sore toe" till he got let go. Martyball got canned for Norv Turner, quite possibly the most under achieving HC in the history of the game.. Yet despite all this, Rivers became a prolific passer(%95.5CQBR) who threw 4,700yds/30tds with the likes of Seyi Ajirotutu and Legedu Naanee in 2010.
I'll probably get accused of being a sour Pats fan but Eli is probably the luckiest/worst QB with multiple titles since Ben Roethlisberger.. The 07 Giants were barely 10-6, got enormously lucky vs GB and in the Superbowl after the Patriots secondary dropped 3 game ending INT's or Brady getting hurt before the AFC Championship game. Since 2008 the Giants have been lucky to land some freakishly athletic receivers in Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Steve Smith, and Victor Cruz. Had Eli instead inherited an ancient Keenan McCardell, would he be collecting deposits on recyclables and would Rivers have at least 4 rings by now?
Gates missed half the year after a historic first half, went on IR week 9. Recall a washed up Randy McMichael at TE for SD that year, also VJ is pretty overrated, Rivers has played well without him who didn't become a "threat" at WR till about his 3rd year.