San Diego Chargers Defensive Analysis

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

About a week ago, I wrote an analysis on the offensive side of the ball of the current San Diego Chargers team. Now, I'm going to shift my focus and write an analysis on the defensive side of the ball.

The defense is what failed us last year. Whenever we had a chance to wrap it up, we screwed up on defense. We missed our best defensive player in Merriman, but saying how our defense failed miserably just because of his absence is pathetic. Our defense couldn't hold on 3rd downs, and stayed on the field for so long. Hopefully with Merriman back, our defense will be back to the 2006~2007 form again.

So here we go, position by position.

D-Line: DE- We have Luis Castillo on the right side. He had some injury issues and he was a major disappointment, but he's a force when healthy and rolling.

We lost Igor Olshansky through FA, but it really shouldn't matter. He was lazy and only played to his true potential only when the team was good. However, filling in his hole might be a bit tough.

We have Jaques Cecaire, and Ryon Bingham, who are very hard workers, and they work their butts off when on the field. However having them as starters show that we have no depth at the end position. I expect to hit this position in the 1st round of the draft with Tyson Jackson, or by trading down we could get Fili Moala.

As of DT, Jamal is a wall that stuffs everyone, but he is getting old, and we should start looking for a replacement soon. Or Castillo can switch back to NT, and find another player at DE.

I know this seems unlikely, but if we get Julius Peppers.. I'd CRY.

Overall Grade: B- We're getting up in age, and are injury prone. Also, our 'starters' are actually backups. We need some help here.

LB Crew: MLB- This crew was pathetic. They couldn't give a stinking tackle last year, and messed up so much. We did get a developing starter in Kevin Burnett. He was a solid 2nd MLB for Dallas, and reminds me of a young Donnie Edwards when he used to play for the Chiefs.

As of Steven Cooper, he has solid tackling ability, and good coverage skills. Still, I wish he'd stop showing off his stupid biceps and get his head in the game more. If he didn't get distracted, he'd be a mini Ray Lewis.

Dobbins showed some solid fundamentals last year. He didn't seem to be afraid to tackle, and he was always around the ball somewhere. He was the guy who sacked Manning in the Divisional game on 3rd and 1 to give us the ball back. However, he was a liability in coverage. I saw about 3 balls soaring over his head at least every game he started.

Siler was a spectacular ST player, and should be ready to move up the roster spots to get some game time. He hits HARD and he's freakishly fast. He didn't have much time to prove his coverage skills, but I expect him to be good because of his pure speed.

Matt Wilhelm... or should I say Matt Wiffhelm. I cannot believe that he was supposed to be Randal Godfrey/Donnie Edwards' replacement. He can't tackle AT ALL, and without Merriman helping him, it exposed how much of a poor player he was. I hope we cut this guy soon, because keeping him on the team wastes money, and is a hindrance to other players.

Overall Grade: C+ Cooper was the only bright spot along with Dobbins and Siler in special teams. I want to banish Wiffhelm from SD, and get some good picks late in the draft. I hope we take Jermaine Phillips from TCU. He tore his meniscus in a freak accident at the Combine. He's very talented.

OLB: This crew was better than the MLB crew. We missed dear Merriman so much this year. HE says he's stronger than ever, so expect him to cause some nightmares for the quarterbacks, and to boost our entire defense up a notch. I expect a 15 sack season from #56.

Shaun Phillips is the paradox of our defense along with Cro. We know he's good, and talented. We know that he can be the other guy that pressures the QB to give some other players breaks. However, we saw this year that he cannot be THE guy like Merriman or D. Ware, and is best as the 2nd starter. With Merriman back, expect his playing ability to go up also.

We cut Waters. I liked him. I thought we had a steal when we chose him in the draft. But, I guess not.

Jyles Tucker: I call him Mini Merriman. He has the size, speed, aggressiveness, skill, and potential. I think if we give him more playing time, he will develop. I think that the contract we offered him was premature, but he should be a solid player in the future.

Marques Harris showed some flash of talent with 2.5 sacks, and he was solid in ST. I don't think he has much upside though.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?