The Makings of a Defensive Struggle?

As the Chargers ready themselves for the colossal tilt in Denver this on Sunday, there still is no definitive word on who will be under center for the Donkeys. With Kyle Orton missing another day of practice on Friday, the probability of Chris Simms being under center definitely goes up another notch. Although containing Denver through the air will be a tall order for the Bolts, their defense feels that it’s the ground game that really needs to be slowed. The last time these two teams met, San Diego welcomed back defensive end Travis Johnson from injury and it marked the season debut for defensive tackle Ian Scott as well. From there on in, the Chargers have affectionately referred to their interchangeable personnel up front on the defensive line as “The Rotation”.

Of that turning point in the season Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera commented saying: “That kind of marked the beginning. We’ve got a good rotation of six defensive linemen, all big, stout, physical guys who have really helped us.” Despite losing that game to Denver five weeks ago, the Chargers allowed just 3.1 yards a carry to the Broncos that night and have allowed only 3.53 yard per carry to opponents since then on their current four game winning streak. This improvement by the guys up front on defense has been vital in allowing the linebackers and safeties to concentrate the majority of their energy on their own individual assignments. Whether it be defending the pass or rushing the quarterback, these two areas have been much better in tandem with the progress seen from the defensive line over the last month.

It’s not always one standout player that makes a defense great and Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner believes that whole heartedly. The current assortment of guys in the Chargers rotation includes stalwart starter Luis Castillo, starting nose tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo, and long-time Charger Jacques Cesaire. These guys are rotated with three very good fellows as well in the aforementioned veteran Travis Johnson, Ian Scott, and Alfonso Boone. This added depth has really allowed a ton of flexibility for the Bolts in play calling as they know that the guys up front will always be fresh and ready to go from snap to snap. Of this rotating strategy Turner said: “It’s a group effort when you’re playing the run that well. We’ve got a group of guys in there, that six-man rotation, that are playing well. They’re doing a nice job for us.”

Luis Castillo has been thrilled with the results that the Chargers defense has seen over the last month in stopping the run. He particularly likes the pieces in place for the Bolts on the front line saying: “It’s been great having the mix of veterans and young guys that we can count on. It doesn’t matter who is out there, you know you’re going to get the best from the guys out there and you’re going to get a guy who is going to help us win.” This defensive line by committee outlook has been a hand forced on the Bolts a bit with the loss of Jamal Williams before the season even got started as he was but on injured reserve. Even though the guys on the front line get the first chance to make the tackles in the running game, Ron Rivera sees his improving rush defense as a product of all eleven guys on the field as a whole saying: “We’re getting some real good play from specific people. We’ve gotten healthier at the inside linebacker spots. Our outside linebackers are playing well. Our safety support has been very good. I think it’s a unit that’s progressing and getting better and better each week.”

Linebacker Stephen Cooper thinks that much of the success for the defense is predicated on the offense’s hot play of late as well. Cooper said: “We’re starting faster. Credit our offense, too. Early in games, teams try to establish the run. If they can’t, they try to starting throwing it around and that’s when we get turnovers and sacks. Our offense has given us early leads the last few weeks and that makes it easier.” It is true that putting teams into an early hole skews the play calling a bit toward the pass bias and that gives the defense the ability to predict what’s coming more successfully. The Chargers don’t expect Denver to abandon the run quite as easily as teams have in the past against the Bolts with their rookie back Knowshon Moreno coming off of a career game against Washington toting the ball 18 times for 97 yards against the Redskins.

Denver’s approach to the game certainly goes back to their Head Coach Josh McDaniels who has been enjoying a great season so far in his first year at the helm. As a play caller McDaniels is not going to hastily discard the run like teams have in the past. His play calling will keep the Bolts honest and force them to be cautious in situational football to have two minds about what the next play will be. Of the Denver philosophy, Ron Rivera said: “It’s part of what they do and the way they play football. We’re planning for the way they do things. We’re going to be challenged. It’s about going out there and making the plays.” As Rivera said, the game is not played on paper and the Chargers recent success in stopping the run means nothing if they can’t hold the Broncos down on Sunday. This game is going to come down to execution and each player playing his own role on the defense as a unit for sixty minutes.

Tags: Alfonso Boone, Chris Simms, Denver Broncos, Ian Scott, Jacques Cesaire, Jamal Williams, Josh McDaniels, Knowshon Moreno, Kyle Orton, Luis Castillo, Norv Turner, Ogemdi Nwagbuo, Ron Rivera, Stephen Cooper, Travis Johnson, Washington Redskins