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SAN DIEGO – The foundation of this season’s roster was set before training camp.

More than 40 players that made the 53-man roster played on the team last year. The new guys, a handful of excited rookies and experienced veterans, have escalated Head Coach Norv Turner’s excitement. He perceives this team’s ceiling as perhaps higher than any he’s coached in San Diego.

The other potential upgrade?

“I believe a lot of the young players who’ve been here two, three and four years have improved a great deal,” Turner said.

Several of the team’s six cornerbacks fit that category, including Antoine Cason, in his third NFL season out of Arizona. The first-round draft pick is expected to start at right cornerback for the first time in his career.

Asked to assess his preseason and whether it provided him anything to concentrate on, Cason noted he got better as it went along and that he’s focused on staying in position.

But it was difficult for him not to fast-forward to Monday night.

“I’m just so ready for the season to start. I’m focused on of course Kansas City. Getting ready to do the things I know I can do,” Cason said.

Quentin Jammer, a starter at left cornerback for the last seven years, thinks Cason has made a notable improvement on his technique since last season.

“He’s always done pretty well,” Jammer said. “He’s going to have a great year this year.”

San Diego kept 11 defensive backs on its roster, a sizable number. The corners should provide depth as well as lend some bodies to special teams.

“I think it has a whole lot to do with special teams. Most of the guys that are good on special teams are DBs,” Jammer said. “With the exception of a few guys, usually receivers and DBs are the guys that run down on kickoffs on the front line of the kickoff return. They’re (also) holding up gunners.

“They’re the best athletes, so you can use them in different positions on special teams.”

Fourth-year corner Fred Bennett, claimed off waivers last week from Houston, will add depth on the outside.

Brandon Hughes, who may have played his way onto the roster with his performance against New Orleans and San Francisco, spent last season on Reserve-Injured after the Chargers drafted him in the fifth round.  His block sprung Jeremy Williams for a 93-yard punt return touchdown against the 49ers.

Dante Hughes, in his fourth season out of California, expects to add depth behind Donald Strickland as the nickel back in the slot. Turner called him one of the team’s most improved players Saturday.

“I feel like we’ve got a good mixture of guys. I feel like everybody can play,” Dante Hughes said. “It’s going to make the team that much better just in case anything happens and special teams.”

DIFFERENT COORDINATORS: The Chargers are familiar with the Chiefs, having played them twice every season.

Todd Haley, who became Kansas City’s coach in early 2009, hired two new coordinators, Charlie Weis on offense and Romeo Crennel on defense.

Weis previously was offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots and Notre Dame’s head coach. Crennel was defensive coordinator for the Patriots and head coach with the Cleveland Browns.

San Diego can review video of their previous teams and study personnel and formations from the preseason, but will not get caught off guard by anything new, Turner said.

“We have to be ready for all of it,” Turner said. “Your first game, I don’t care who you are, you’ve added some new wrinkles. We’re doing some things a little different. Each team is going to have to make some adjustments.”

PRACTICE WEATHER: Partly cloudy, 68 degrees.