Charger Defensive Backs 2009 Starting Grade: B-

This group was much maligned last year as the Chargers pass defense ended up ranked 31st in the league. Make all the excuses you want: lack of pass rush, a high scoring offense forcing teams to pass to keep up, etc. but 31st is just terrible.


One of the key questions going into this season, I think, has been answered. Can cornerback Antonio Cromartie regain his 2007 form after playing with an injured hip all last season? When he jumped in front of a Kurt Warner pass in the end zone against Arizona in the preseason, then returned it for 50 yards with a nice stiff arm to the jaw of Warner on his way out of bounds, I think we had our answer. Cromartie still needs to work on his run defense and tackling. Sometimes he looks like Deion Sanders at is worst with his arm tackles and lack of "stoutness" on the edge. But if he can get by in the run game and regain that freakish athletic ability against the pass, the Chargers will be in good shape in 09.

The other corner is almost forgotten because he's become so good. Teams don't want to throw at Quentin Jammer anymore because he's all over the receivers. San Diego fans have been rewarded for their patience in the development of one of the finest corners in the league. The preseason reminded us that he still has hands of stone (anyone remember stick-um?), but he is a true shut-down corner at this point in his career. Unlike Cromartie, Jammer is vicious in the run game, as one of the bigger hitters on the team. If he wasn't so good at corner, he would make a great safety.


Speaking of safeties, Eric Weddle has developed nicely into the smart player and leader of the defense AJ Smith envisioned when drafting him. He is undersized and isn't going to intimidate any receivers coming across the middle, but he seems to be in right place consistently and not miss tackles. This will only be his third year, so expect him to show even more improvement and make some picks this season.

The strong safety position is the biggest question mark and perhaps weakness of the whole team. Clinton Hart works hard and tries his best, but seems to have critical mental lapses in coverage, giving up big plays. Some of this was evident in the preseason, though he managed to make some strong plays as well with some crucial tackles in the run game and a stunning interception. The question is, can San Diego win with his inconsistent play? Will AJ Smith's failure to bring in an experienced veteran to this position (Brian Dawkins?) be the biggest factor in the Chargers' failure to win a Super Bowl this season? We'll have to watch and see.

The team has been high on safety Steve Gregory in camp and there's a chance he could be starting at some point. Also rookie safety, Kevin Ellison, out of USC made some monster hits in the preseason and looks like a real NFL starter. The problem is that it's scary to trust a rookie to this crucial position that can give up game winning touchdowns if it isn't played right. I think Ellison will have to wait and apply his big hitting prowess to special teams this year.

Third cornerback, Antione Cason has developed nicely as a first-round draft pick and could be a starter on just about any team in the league. If Cromartie relapses into terrible play again this year, he will be somewhere else next season and Cason will be starting.

So this is a make or break year for this group that should be much, much better than 31st in the league.

Chargers Defensive Line Starting 2009: B

In any discussion of the d-line, we must begin with the great Jamal Williams. He is one of my favorite Chargers, bringing a swagger and confidence to the whole team. His powerful presence allows the linebackers to run around and make plays. Watch how he consistently pushes double-teams into the back-field. His age and his knees are the only thing to worry about as the season goes on. Reports from camp say he is doing better this summer than last and should be set to have a good, and full, season.

At left end is the hard to figure out Luis Castillo. He had a promising rookie season a few years ago, but was slowed by recurring ankle injuries for two years after that. Last year he was healthy, but didn't seem to have that same spark and play making ability he once did. The 3-4 defense is hard on ends, as they absorb a lot of double-teams. Is he better suited to play outside in the 4-3 defense? The Chargers like his team spirit and work ethic, but this is a pivotal year for Castillo. He needs to show a bit more or the team may be looking in another direction. A great year from him could be a pivotal factor in San Diego reaching the Super Bowl.

The right end position seems to be a bit of mystery going into the season. Jaques Cesaire was slotted to start early on, but he has been injured for most of camp and didn't play in any preseason games. He did start last year as Ron Rivera favored him over the disappearing Igor Olshansky (now with Dallas). Cesaire has been announced as the official starter next week against the Raiders, but can he really be ready to go?

Ryon Bingham was supposed to be the experienced back-up, but he was recently put on injured reserve with a torn triceps. The Chargers also drafted rookie Vaughn Martin out of Canada. He's an amazing athlete with great potential, but needs more experience before he's ready.

Recently, San Diego gave up a sixth round pick to the Houston Texans to pick up DE Travis Johnson. The Texans were going to cut him, frustrated because he seemed to always be injured. He currently has a sports hernia and there's some question as to whether he will be ready to go Sunday. If he can heal and regain the form that made him a high draft pick years ago, he could be a surprising steal for the Chargers and end up starting.

So overall, this is a group with a ton of potential but some significant question marks. We'll have to watch closely the first few games to see how it all pans out.

Chargers Linebackers Starting 2009: A-

The Chargers are strong at linebacker, but they only get an A- because we still can't be sure their most important piece, outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, will be 100% this season until he is 100%. He says he's making "progress" every week, but can he again be that disruptive force that makes everyone else better? Thinking back to two and three years ago, it becomes obvious that Merriman makes defensive end Luis Castillo and linebacker Shaun Phillips better pass rushers because they get one on one blocking. He makes the defensive backs better because quarterbacks will fling the ball out there a bit too quickly. The quarterbacks in this league are tough professionals, but it seems like many of them show fear in their trembling passes when Merriman is rushing...think opponent "x" against Mike Tyson in his prime.

If he can get back to 100% the Chargers have a good shot at the Super Bowl. If not...?

On the other side is the "other guy," Shaun Phillips who probably can't wait to get back to being the "other guy" so he can draw more one-on-one blocking situations. He showed a lot of growth and leadership last year, making plays all over the field and stopping the run. He will have a career year in tackles and sacks this season.

In the middle is the solid Stephen Cooper, who was slowed by a four game suspension at the start of last season. It took him a couple more games to get into the flow of the regular season. This was a key part of the Chargers' slow start last year. Cooper also showed growth in confidence by the end of last season. Look for a fast and aggressive start from him this year.

The other inside linebacker, Kevin Burnett, picked up from the Dallas Cowboys, looks like the Chargers' biggest upgrade of the season. His rangy speed and aggressiveness in the preseason seems to have surprised even the coaches and management who brought him here. Fans will be praising AJ Smith as a genius again by mid season when the Chargers are winning and Burnett has multiple interceptions.

The wild-card this season is first-round draft choice, Larry English. He's been slowed by injuries in camp, but he showed flashes of supreme speed and strength in last Saturday's game. He needs some more playing time to get comfortable on the NFL gridiron, but I don't think it will take long before folks realize he's a great player. The question then becomes, how do the Chargers use him? You can't really sit Merriman, Phillips, Cooper or Bennett. Look for Ron Rivera to introduce some new looks to get English involved .

Tim Dobbins is just barely a "back-up" as he will get a lot of playing time. He's a bit short for the position, but plays big, hitting like a heat-seeking missile. He's one of my favorite players on the team because he plays so mean.

Antwan Applewhite, who was the SDSU's Aztec's best player for a couple years, is an amazing athlete who has had a great preseason. Sometimes it seems there's just a talent log jam on this team. The Broncos or Chiefs would love to have this guy starting in their 3-4 defenses.

Jyles Tucker and Brandon Siler both made strong plays last season (remember Siler stuffing people in goal line situations?) and got a lot of playing time due to the injuries of others. I can't help but wonder if one of these guys is on the chopping block though because of running back Michael Bennett's amazing play last week (the guy has world class speed) and today's pick-up of defensive tackle Travis Johnson out from the Houston Texans (Maybe the Chargers are planning on dropping another defensive lineman that no one expected? Stay tuned).

Lastly, the most important ingredient to this group may be defensive coordinator, Ron Rivera, who is a creative guy new to the 3-4, who came in halfway through the season last year. He's going to put his spin on this defense this year. I'm not sure the opposing offenses are going to be ready for his schemes. Look for some surprising aggressive moves we haven't seen in the preseason or last year.