SAN DIEGO – LaDainian Tomlinson can’t run the ball, and his defensive mates can’t tackle.

Three games into Norv Turner’s third NFL head coaching gig, the Chargers face plenty of questions, and nobody seems to have any answers. Starting 1-2 isn’t exactly what the Chargers – or their championship-starved fans – expected.

Three games into last season, the general populace was horrified by a recurrence of conservative “Martyball” that led to the Chargers’ first loss of the season. Now that Marty Schottenheimer is gone and can’t be blamed for this start, everybody seems numb from a big dose of Norvacaine.

After being embarrassed at New England and then blowing opportunities against Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers, the Chargers desperately need a win. They open AFC West play on Sunday by hosting the Kansas City Chiefs.

Tomlinson has been the most brutally honest member of the franchise since being taken with the fifth pick overall in the 2001 draft, and he’s not hiding his emotions now.

“Of course it’s a wakeup call, because you don’t want it to continue in a downward spiral from 1-2 and then you find yourself 1-5 and then all of sudden it’s over,” he said. “We have to definitely find a way to win one game.”

The same team that went an NFL-best 14-2 last year hardly looks elite.

It all starts with Tomlinson, and Tomlinson has barely started. In three games he’s gained only 130 yards and scored one touchdown rushing. Tomlinson has caught 14 passes for 99 yards and one TD, and has thrown for another score, but is gaining only 2.3 yards per carry.

Three games into last season, Tomlinson had rushed for 300 yards and three scores. He went on to have nine straight 100-yard games and 10 overall.

“There’s no question we need to run the football,” said Turner, who as the Bolts’ offensive coordinator in 2001 installed the system they still use today. “That’s what this team has been built around, the runner.”

Asked if he thought the Chargers could consistently be successful without running the football, Tomlinson said: “We haven’t been able to run the ball in three games and we’re 1-2. So I think that answers your question.”

The Chargers have been facing eight-man fronts, but Tomlinson’s seen those for years.

“It’s not going to stop,” Tomlinson said. “We’re going to continue to see eight-man fronts. Now we have to find a way to run the ball against eight-man fronts. I think we will.”

Turner also mentioned throwing screen and swing passes to Tomlinson.

“Getting the ball thrown to him quick certainly will help him,” the coach said.

The defense has been worked over by Favre and Tom Brady. Trying to stop spread offenses in consecutive games exposed a glaring weakness.

“Obviously the biggest issue, and we just have to address and have to fix it, is we have to tackle better,” Turner said.

Turner and defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell are among seven new coaches on the staff. But Tomlinson said that shouldn’t be a factor.

“I think the players know the coaches enough,” Tomlinson said. “I don’t think that’s a real problem. We have coaches who have been here. These guys, they really know the players, so a lot of time they’re the ones saying something, speaking out. I think the players, they respect that.”

Smith said his confidence in the coaching staff isn’t shaken, and it’s not his style to go for the quick hook.

While keeping his eye on the long haul, Smith doesn’t like the look of 1-2.

“I believe it was Bill Parcells who used to say, no matter what, no matter how you dissect it, you are what your record is. It’s all about the number,” he said.