Head Of Defense, Profile Of Chargers Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera

Ron Rivera Profile- The Head of Defense

Chargers Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera has a big task set ahead of him, transforming the AFC’s worst pass defense back to what it was in 2006 and 2007, a helatious, sack happy defense.  Rivera took over the San Diego defense after the team released Ted Cottrell in mid-season. 

Rivera was the architect of the 2005 Bears Super Bowl defense that came in second in total defense and led the league in takeaways in 2006.  After the Bears’ turned down the offer to renew his contract in 2007, Rivera signed on with the Chargers and eventually took over the defensive unit, after Cottrell’s departure. 

Not all of the Chargers troubles could be blamed on Cottrell, injuries were a major factor for the lack luster performance of 2008. After leading the league in sacks in 2006, and leading the league in interceptions in 2007, the team managed only 28 sacks to go with 12 interceptions, hence the 8-8 record.  Not having Shawne Merriman and an injured Antonio Cromartie would have caused any coordinator fits.  Teams were able to double up on Shaun Phillips, the only other pass rushing threat the Chargers had. 

With the health of the front seven the best it has been in two seasons, it will be Rivera’s job to get this defense back to its potential and perform the way they did in 2007 and 2008.  Rivera will have a new weapon at his disposal in first rounder pass rushing specialist Larry English.  English gives the San Diego defense some depth at the defensive end position, and will give Rivera another able pass rusher in the event that Merriman isn’t at full strength or unable to go.

With the AFC’s worst pass defense, Rivera will have to improve on a secondary which boasts three first round picks in Quentin Jammer, Antoine Cason and Cromartie.  Having spent so many draft picks on defensive backs, the team will need to see some return from their secondary, returns in the form of interceptions, and returns to the house.  The unit picked up its play towards the end of the season, and Rivera’s defense showed a significant improvement in the games he was head of the defense. 

In the eight games that Rivera was defensive coordinator, they had an improvement in points allowed, giving up 18.5, while under Cottrell they gave up a touchdown more a game, at 24.9.  In addition to the better play during the last half of the season, Rivera’s defense displayed a dominating performance against one of the top signal callers in the league during wild card weekend.   

In the wild-card victory over the Colts the Chargers held Peyton Manning in check, holding Indianapolis to only 17 points, and sacking him in his final possession of the post season.  It was vindicating performance for a team that allowed 24 points a game for the regular season. 

With the majority of the defense returning healthy, there won’t be any excuses for the Chargers defensive unit this year.  Expectations will be high with the return Merriman and the rest of the front seven coming back.  Rivera’s challenge will be to use all these new weapons at his disposal, and melding the old scheme with the new one.