San Diego's Top 5 (Defense)

In 2008, the Chargers were second to last in pass defense. This year we should see some massive improvement on the Chargers defense.

The Chargers had a beat up team last year which was shown last year. The Chargers were without there by far best pass rusher, Shawne Merriman. This resulted in fewer sacks.

Antonio Cromartie had a fractured hip which made a devastating decrease in turnovers last year. In 2007 he had 10 interceptions. In 2008 he only had 2.

But Merriman and Cromartie are only two of the players that will affect this years defense.

Some of the players that will be the impacters will be:

-Luis Castillo

-Jamal Williams

-Larry English

-Antonio Cromartie

-Shawne Merriman

Luis Castillo

Luis Castillo will be an impacter in every aspect of the defense this year. Castillo hasn't been the same pass rusher since 2006 when Wade Phillips coached the defense.

With Rivera taking over the defense after the departure of Ted Cottrel, Castillo should be able to be the guy Charger fans remembered in 2006.

Castillo also has never been able to start all 16 games. Keeping Castillo healthy this season will make a huge difference how the front seven perform.

Jamal Williams

Jamal Williams is a great asset to the San Diego defense. He is 6'3 and 350 pounds. You can imagine how he is carefully blocked.

The guy is a plugger. He creates chaos for the center and that helps greatly for inside and outside pass rushers.

He is how the outside players avoid blocks or match up one on one with a HB or TE.

Williams will be a huge impact player as he always is. If he can perform up to coaches expectations I see no reason this team shouldn't lead the AFC in sacks.

Larry English

I think this season we will see alot of the 16th pick of the draft this year. With English learning from both Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips, English could be a nightmare for any team.

English was drafted from Northern Illinois and was a premier pass rusher in college. With work from trainers and coaches he can evolve into a premier NFL pass rusher.

I think we will see many packages with English but keeping both Merriman and Phillips on the field. Evolving this guy could make San Diego one of the scariest defense to play next year.

Antonio Cromartie

In 2007, Antonio Cromartie had his best season. He had 10 interceptions(a Charger record) and the longest return in history which was 109.75 yards.

The bad luck began for Cromartie when in 2008 he fractured his hip which led to what Charger fans call a "horrible season."

In 2008, Cromartie only had 2 interceptions which Charger fans percieved as bad because fans know how he can play and how his athletic abilities are some of the best.

Coming into this season healthy, I think Cromartie is almost likely to have very good season..

Shawne Merriman

Last year, Merriman's season was cut short by a knee injury in week one against the Panthers. Now he is all healthy and ready to enter the 2009 season.

From 2004-2007, Merriman has had over 35 sacks. The injury that occured in 2008 completely demolished the Chargers morale and every aspect of defense.

Coming into the '09 season Merriman is healthy and strong ready for another super season.

Having Merriman healthy is going to boost the defense's morale, make an increase in sacks and turnovers.

This is Merriman's contract year and we will see how "Lights Out" performs.

Last Slide

Hope you enjoyed this artical.

Lets have a " Super Season"