Bolts building dynasty defense?

by mctrashhole on Aug 30, 2011 6:26 PM PDT

I really like Corey Liuget. A lot. Kid has mad quicks and athleticism for his size. I can't wait to see him on the field with Antonio Garay at his side and the starting OLB corps behind him.

I'm interested to see how the OLB corps performs this year. If Antwan Barnes and Travis LaBoy can match the pass-rush intensity of Shaun Phillips, offenses will have their hands full trying to also keep Liuget out of the pocket on passing downs. Liuget looks for real and has huge upside, DeMarcus Ware/Dwight Freeney upside. He is way too quick to not be a match up problem and is going to really mess with a lot of pass protection schemes.

The Chargers passing defense has been strong for some time, and by adding/cultivating a few pieces, has definitely seemed to improve, at least on paper (I still really like Gregory, and have high hopes for Dante Hughes, Cam Thomas, and Vaughn Martin). A lot will come down to how well this DL, under the schemes of new coordinator Manusky, can plug the run. He'll have hard hitting on the second level with Sanders and Spikes on the field (not to mention #23 and #32), and so a tone-setting, nasty-at-the-point-of-attack DL could keep the run defense on total lock-down mode. I don't know if the current DL is quite there yet, but I feel like it can be. Luis Castillo is a workhorse who makes less plays, but induces many double-teams. If he stays consistent, and Antonio Garay continues his beastly play, they should free up the other guys in the box to close gaps, and we would certainly see a lot of advantageous mismatches for Charger pass-rushers.

The secondary seems poised to take over games once teams can't run effectively, and eventually are forced to play from behind against athletic pass-rushers. If teams can run all over the Bolts like in some recent years, it handcuffs their high scoring offense - which ends up side-lined far too long, playing from too far behind, and playing right into defenses' hands, letting them zero in and tee off on El Capitan (especially on the road, remember St. Louis last year? yikes)

The key to the future will be adding a stud at the mike spot (Donald Butler??). Other than that I think they've assembled a lot of young talent on this roster. With other promising young big men, and Weddle and other DBs locked up for a while, I think the Chargers are laying the foundation for a mean defense for years to come.

What do you all think about this season? Too many questions at LB? Drop off in performance from from Cason? Worried about Sanders' health (if you've seen him hit it's no wonder why)? Or are there enough pieces in place?

....and how about the future? Think these Chargers are building a dynasty defense for the next decade, to rival that of the Steelers, Jets, Ravens, Pats, etc?

This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.

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for a 3-4 to be truly dominant

it has to have dominant OLBs, and we haven’t since Merriman stopped being Merriman. Phillips is above average, but tends to disappear for long stretches and gets his sacks in bunches against bad teams. Despite his pro-bowl nod last year, I don’t think he is really a pro-bowl level player. OLBs are also the hardest to find and keep. If Barnes’ game rounds out he and Phillips could become a dominant combo, but I am not holding my breath (and I don’t anticipate English being anything more than JylesTucker++)

I agree with you on Liuget, he could become an impact player, and that can really change things for everyone else around him on the front 5.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 31, 2011 12:13 PM PDT reply actions

About Merriman

He got too much credit, in his rookie year, which garnered the AP defensive rookie of the year, he was playing opposite Steve Foley with Randall Godfrey, Jamal Williams and Igor Olshansky in their prime reeking havoc along the Defensive front.

Add to that the fact that LT and Drew Brees were playing out of their minds running up the score big, thus forcing opposing QB’s into sitting back in the pocket looking for big passing gains which resulted in tons of sacks.

English came to the chargers right when Jamal Williams left, The Chargers, playing behind Rivers are constantly behind in games for the first 3 quarters so he’s facing tons more running plays than Merriman ever did.

English absolutely dominated his opposition in college, he’s gonna be a lot better then people think if Liuget, Martin, Rivers (get points early) and others can help him out.

The thing to remember is both Merriman and English received the Halo effect, Merriman for the better, English for the worse.

by nicklusk on Aug 31, 2011 3:48 PM PDT reply actions

you are right

In that Merriman came into a much better situation where the focus was really on other players and he was able to get more favorable one-on-one matchups. In light of that, one other thing that stands out between Merriman’s first few years and English’s first few years is that Merriman consistently won those one-on-one battles and English has not. Merriman could get to the corner, he could bull rush, he could bring it back under when he needed to. The OT never knew what was coming. So far, I think English just has the corner rush and not much else, and thus is much easier to prepare for and deal with.

But I would enjoy being proved wrong, and I think this is the year for him to do it.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 1, 2011 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

Good call, meatball.

Oh internet, what a wicked web you weave.

by Mad_Villain on Sep 1, 2011 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions

Agreed

by nicklusk on Sep 1, 2011 10:00 AM PDT reply actions

I hope so

Im really excited about Luget (LEGIT!!!) as well but so far the D has looked really disjointed and the season is 8 days away. But your question is about the long term. And I say no, they will not rival the D of PIT and BAL for years to come. The DL depth is exciting yet unproven, ILB is a major concern, the designated franchise pass rusher English is another sub par season away from being a first round bust and Bob Sanders is only a temporary fix. So unfortunately I cannot agree. But lets drink to me hopefully being completely wrong.

"Used to sit 36P until the Chargers started winning. Ill take V seating anyday"

by traceSD on Sep 2, 2011 2:43 PM PDT reply actions