San Diego Chargers 2009 Roster Breakdown: OLBs

By far the strongest defensive unit on the team, the linebacking corps boasts a fantastic array of young and veteran talent alike.

In San Diego's 3-4 scheme, outside linebackers are expected to blitz constantly and be the enforcers, pounding on rushers and receivers alike.

A healthy Shawne Merriman will now team up with Shaun Phillips and rookie Larry English to prowl the fields in search of bolstering a defense that suffered last season without No. 56.

Here's what we can expect from them in 2009:

Shawne Merriman

Without question, Merriman is one the elite defensive presences in the NFL. No one is more aware of this now than the very organization he represents and the fans who cheer for him week after week.

Last season, Merriman's participation was cut short after an injured knee was deemed to be too difficult to play on after week one.

The Bolts defense sans Merriman was then but a shadow of itself, failing to contain the running game effectively and rush the quarterback, allowing teams to pass on San Diego with ease.

After a fairly calm preseason, Merriman looks to have no lingering effects from his injury, and is primed to make a big return in 2009.

Pros: Explosive, extremely athletic player with fantastic speed, gargantuan strength and a non-stop motor. A sure tackler with great evasive maneuvers. Formidable pass rusher who gets in backfield often, pressure play creates turnovers and mistakes by opposition.

Cons: Effectiveness stripped away somewhat when he drops back in pass coverage, is sometimes tripped up by own aggressiveness in running game, as patient rushers can get past him by relying on blocks and simple jukes. Is his injury 100% healed? Legal situation may hinder himself and team in near future.

2009 Season Outlook: A player with Merriman's intensity, heart, and a sizable chip on his shoulder should be respected at the very least and regarded as a violent, demonic,and terrifying presence ideally. Ten to 15 sacks, a trip to the Pro Bowl, defensive player of the year?

None of it can be ruled out when discussing a player of Merriman's caliber.

Shaun Phillips

One of the few players who did not see their production crippled when Shawne Merriman was shelved. Phillips is the perfect companion on the other side of the linebacking unit.

Quarterbacks must rely on quick slants and pray for fantastic blocking when Merriman is coming on one side and Phillips is rushing on the other. Last season, Phillips led the team in sacks and QB pressures, lending some bit of respectability to San Diego's pressure-based defense.

This season, offenses will lessen their focus on him, which will allow his stats to go up.

Pros: A quick, speedy linebacker with great footwork, despite smaller size. Holds his own when being blocked by offensive linemen, great ball instincts when defending the pass, reads QB movements in an excellent manner, fantastic pass rusher who could lead most teams in sacks and tackles for a loss.

Cons: Not great when defending exclusively against the run, like Merriman, can be sped past or juked off due to excessive downhill speed combined with movement by RBs and WRs, jumpy when put on the defensive line and when showing blitz, leading to offside calls.

Season Outlook: Phillips is one of the players who benefits the most by the return of Merriman. Less eyes and hands on him means greater freedom and more opportunities for big plays. Definitely one of the most versatile players on the team, he might be called upon to take some snaps at defensive end as well.

Larry English

Drafted with the team's first-round pick in this year's draft, Larry English fills out the potentially devastating three-pronged pass rushing attack that the team put together for the 2009 season.

A bulldozing defender who split time at LB and DE at Northern Illinois, English specialized in rushing the quarterback and creating plays in the opposing backfield, much in the vein of Merriman and Phillips. English could also act as an insurance policy if Merriman's injury is reaggravated.

Pros: A speedy, strong defender in the vein of San Diego's starting outside linebackers, possesses a great amount of upper body strength useful for leveling blockers and ballhandlers alike, definitely one of the fastest players on the team outside of the so-called "skill" positions, primary focus is creating turnovers at all times.

Cons: Is sometimes too aggressive, constantly flagged in college for violent hits and after-the-whistle activity, already struggling with some injuries, will he be able to handle the rigors of pro competition?

Season Outlook: English won't see too much too soon, as he has two world-class OLBs in front of him. However, coaches expect him to show a little bit of why he was worth a first-round selection.

Jyles Tucker

When Jyles Tucker was given a five year, $15 million extension prior to the 2008 season, the move was double-edged: locking Tucker up to a long-term deal was a pressure point for Shawne Merriman, while also keeping a young, developing talent for the foreseeable future.

If any member of the Chargers brass expected Tucker to easily replace Merriman by handing him that contract, they definitely have some more thinking to do. Tucker started 12 games, made 37 tackles and he sacked the quarterback 5.5 times.

Not exactly Merriman-like numbers.

This season, Tucker will see a reduced role as a second-tier linebacker, hoping to keep bringing pressure while Merriman or Phillips take a rest.

Pros: Has ability to produce monster stat lines due to great strength and natural instincts, has a good nose for the ball, usually tackles players behind the line of scrimmage.

Cons: Has ability to produce meager stat lines at times when he is either rendered ineffective by opposition or apathetic, not a good pass coverage element or inside rushing tackler, effectiveness limited to outside and backfield coverage.

Season Outlook: Tucker figures to be an expensive backup and an insurance policy should one of the men in front of him on the depth chart become injured. A great sub and a fantastic spot starter, he hasn't shown the ability to carry the full load.

Antwan Applewhite

In the midst of a great preseason, Applewhite is another talented linebacker in a deep positional battle for playing time. After making the 53 man roster in 2009, his job will be to squeeze himself onto the field for as many snaps as he can in order to impress his coaches.

Pros: Is a quick study, makes good on-field adjustments to beat offensive linemen and read plays, strong willed and strong armed player who usually attacks the ball.

Cons: Not the fastest linebacker, struggles with pass coverage and is not the best solo tackler on run plays either, has a tendency to over-pursue ball carriers.

Season Outlook: The Shawne Merriman situation (he was arrested and accused of choking MTV reality star Tila Tequila early Sunday morning) throws everything out of whack momentarily for San Diego. Should Lights Out have to sit out a few games, that will Applewhite's best bet to get on the field. Otherwise, he's a reserve.