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The title of this post needs more space. In reality, the San Diego Chargers are struggling on offense because they're trying to replace Vincent Jackson, Marcus McNeill and Kris Dielman. You can throw Darren Sproles' name in there too, if you wish.
This is certainly one of the best defenses Norv Turner has ever had as Head Coach of the Chargers. Statistically, the 2010 group was better, but that was mostly because Special Teams were so bad that the defense had less yards to give up (and teams were playing more ball-control, run-the-clock offense rather than real offense). In 2012, the Chargers are 11th in points allowed (their best mark since 2007) and 11th in yards allowed (2010 was the only year that they were better).
According to Football Outsides' DVOA, the defensive rank of Norv's teams go like this:
- 2010 (-10.0%)
- 2007 (-8.5%)
- 2012 (-0.1%)
- 2008 (5.3%)
- 2009 (6.5%)
- 2011 (10.8%)
- 2009 (19.7%)
- 2008 (18.8%)
- 2010 (15.5%)
- 2011 (13.0%)
- 2007 (4.6%)
- 2012 (-6.1%)