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King Dunlap or Max Starks?

One of the veteran newcomers will become the San Diego Chargers' left tackle, charged with protecting Philip Rivers' blind side.

Dunlap, signed as a free agent from the Philadelphia Eagles, has gotten the majority of snaps with the first team so far in training camp.

Starks hasn't been given the inside track even though he won two Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers before leaving as a free agent.

Starks expected to have to compete for the job and knows the battle will be decided during the exhibition season, which starts at home Thursday night against Seattle.

Keeping Rivers in one piece is imperative. He was sacked 49 times last year and committed 22 turnovers, many because he was under siege behind a leaky line.