In American Football it is said that they who command the point of attack, command the game. This said it is important to note this subtle truth in the roster's of football's most recent champions. The 2001 Baltimore Raven's devastating defense anchored by nose tackle's Tony Siragusa, Sam Adams, Ray Lewis, Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper were consistently victorious in the trenches. That year's team, like this years Chargers team was said to lack the presence of a dominating passing game, driven by quarterback Trent Dilfer, tight end Shannon Sharpe and emerging tailback Jamal Lewis coupled with an explosive playmaking defense they rose through post-season brackets. After them, Superbowl history would enshrine the New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Patriots repeatedly before the Pittsburgh Steelers, and most recently the Indianapolis Colts could claim best in league. This year, the 2007 San Diego Chargers hope to hoist the trophy to a new chapter in the history of the franchise. Their only appearance in the championship game was in 1994 in what was to be a devastating loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The Bolts, aided by the play of Tomlinson and a nasty offensive-line, steady play from Philip Rivers, Parker and Gates, and perhaps the Spanos family may for the first time toast to the ultimate success in their field. While San Diego currently stands at 3-3, they rest a week before hosting Houston and the Colts and traveling to Minnesota and Jacksonville. It is possible they enter week 12 versus Baltimore at 6-4 or 7-3.
The play of their defense will be telling of the teams overall success. Jamal Williams is an essential man in the success of the San Diego Chargers run defense, an integral component in a strong front seven. To his right and left, stand Oshlansky and Castillo, respectively. Due to Williams's ability to draw more than one man, the ends often draw favorable match ups, which is rare in the 3-4 alignment. To the outside of them, prowl Phillips and Merriman, with the explosion to disrupt backfields, the power to bull-rush lineman and the agility to man the space between the hash marks and sidelines. Donnie Edwards, the former front seven signal-caller is now succeeded by former third round pick Matt Wilhelm who is asked to be the most agile backer in pass coverage. To his right is Stephen Cooper who has been graced the tutelage of the departed Randall Godfrey. With the aid of Jammer, Florence, Cromartie, Hart, Weddle and McCree the Chargers comprise a leviathan of ground defense-and the potential to be dominant in their defense of the skies. Run-defense has been their bread and butter, from Seau to Harrison, to the days when McNeil played corner- and before. Aggression, Explosion, these are not new elements to the San Diego front seven. Throughout the early and mid 90's Seau and his teammates played in a fashion befitting the contemporary version. In 1998 the Chargers boasted the leagues top defense, it has been their offense which has been lethargic, after Humphries retired in 1997 the Chargers were unable, before Doug Flutie, Drew Brees and Philip Rivers to draft or even sign an effective quarterback, Ryan Leaf comes to mind. In addition they were unable to field a 1,000 yard back. This year the Chargers command more skill and talent than at any other point in their history.
The defense is directed by new coordinator Ted Cottrell, who has promised to maintain continuity. Cottrell has plans to add a blitzing secondary to his repertoire. The unit is thought established in its ability to stop the run and rush the passer, turnovers through the secondary now being a point of emphasis. At times however, the Chargers secondary has appeared non communicative and out of position, interesting when it was only last season that the reinforced veteran leadership of safety Marlon McCree, extensive film study and communication among the group was being praised. The conference has been dominated by two teams as to this point, and it becomes increasingly realistic that the Chargers hope's for post-season success goes through the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. Teams which employ all-pro quarterbacks and receivers, the Chargers were outmatched in their last game against the Pats, unable to garner enough pressure to disturb Tom Brady. That is troubling when accounting for last season's division upset loss at home. In their last game at the RCA dome however the Chargers rush proved too much for the Colts Payton Manning. Teams change though, and San Diego has as well. It should not become a question of which defense will arrive when the Chargers take the field. These were thought established trades, they need remain so. The Bolts must command the point of attack.
The play of their defense will be telling of the teams overall success. Jamal Williams is an essential man in the success of the San Diego Chargers run defense, an integral component in a strong front seven. To his right and left, stand Oshlansky and Castillo, respectively. Due to Williams's ability to draw more than one man, the ends often draw favorable match ups, which is rare in the 3-4 alignment. To the outside of them, prowl Phillips and Merriman, with the explosion to disrupt backfields, the power to bull-rush lineman and the agility to man the space between the hash marks and sidelines. Donnie Edwards, the former front seven signal-caller is now succeeded by former third round pick Matt Wilhelm who is asked to be the most agile backer in pass coverage. To his right is Stephen Cooper who has been graced the tutelage of the departed Randall Godfrey. With the aid of Jammer, Florence, Cromartie, Hart, Weddle and McCree the Chargers comprise a leviathan of ground defense-and the potential to be dominant in their defense of the skies. Run-defense has been their bread and butter, from Seau to Harrison, to the days when McNeil played corner- and before. Aggression, Explosion, these are not new elements to the San Diego front seven. Throughout the early and mid 90's Seau and his teammates played in a fashion befitting the contemporary version. In 1998 the Chargers boasted the leagues top defense, it has been their offense which has been lethargic, after Humphries retired in 1997 the Chargers were unable, before Doug Flutie, Drew Brees and Philip Rivers to draft or even sign an effective quarterback, Ryan Leaf comes to mind. In addition they were unable to field a 1,000 yard back. This year the Chargers command more skill and talent than at any other point in their history.
The defense is directed by new coordinator Ted Cottrell, who has promised to maintain continuity. Cottrell has plans to add a blitzing secondary to his repertoire. The unit is thought established in its ability to stop the run and rush the passer, turnovers through the secondary now being a point of emphasis. At times however, the Chargers secondary has appeared non communicative and out of position, interesting when it was only last season that the reinforced veteran leadership of safety Marlon McCree, extensive film study and communication among the group was being praised. The conference has been dominated by two teams as to this point, and it becomes increasingly realistic that the Chargers hope's for post-season success goes through the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. Teams which employ all-pro quarterbacks and receivers, the Chargers were outmatched in their last game against the Pats, unable to garner enough pressure to disturb Tom Brady. That is troubling when accounting for last season's division upset loss at home. In their last game at the RCA dome however the Chargers rush proved too much for the Colts Payton Manning. Teams change though, and San Diego has as well. It should not become a question of which defense will arrive when the Chargers take the field. These were thought established trades, they need remain so. The Bolts must command the point of attack.
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