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Indy puts focus on Chargers' defense
By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer
Decimated by Vikings,hobbled unit now draws prolific Colts' offense | ∞
SAN DIEGO ---- The tread marks left from that runaway train named Adrian Peterson haven't dissipated. Epic record-setting performances just don't fade away overnight.
So when the Chargers line up to play the Indianapolis Colts in a nationally televised prime-time contest on Sunday night, Peterson's 296-yard rushing effort will be a frequent discussion topic, and the audience will repeatedly see clips of the Minnesota rookie running wild on the Chargers.
Such a complete dismantling leaves an unwelcome perception of the Chargers' defense, and it will be interesting to see how the unit responds on the national stage.
"I don't care what stage we're on," defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell said Thursday. "We just have to do a better job. It's no more important than any game that we have each week. We have to go out and perform."
The Chargers (4-4) had been known for playing stellar run defense prior to Peterson's romp and they would like to view his record-setting afternoon as an aberration.
The facts certainly bear that out. The Chargers were seventh in the NFL in run defense prior to playing the Vikings. They gave up 378 yards on the ground to Minnesota after allowing a cumulative total of 398 over the previous five games.
The fallout included the Chargers dropping to 22nd in defending the run. And among the people surprised over the avalanche of rushing yards allowed is Colts coach Tony Dungy.
"They're a very proud defensive team and they're a very good defense," Dungy said in a midweek conference call. "They got hit with about five runs that put them in the record book, and I'm sure they're not happy about that. We expect to see their best."
The Chargers won't have all their best defensive players in the lineup against the Colts, not with defensive end Luis Castillo sidelined for at least six weeks after ankle surgery.
Cottrell pointed to Castillo's absence as part of the reason for the second-half struggles against the Vikings. Peterson had just 43 yards at halftime when Castillo was healthy. Castillo hurt his ankle on the second play of the half, and Peterson exploded for 253 second-half yards.
"We lost Luis, and that was a big blow for us," Cottrell said. "He was having a great game. They couldn't even block the guy. Then when he went out, things got a lot different."
Chargers coach Norv Turner pointed out that it wasn't only Castillo's absence that hurt the run defense.
Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips missed the game with a groin injury and cornerback Quentin Jammer re-injured his hamstring early in the contest.
Playing a man short at all three defensive areas ---- the line, linebacker and the secondary ---- was too much to overcome during a second half in which the Chargers had difficulty tackling Peterson.
"People talk about the tackling and the different things that happened in that second half, but obviously Shaun Phillips didn't play at all, and Jammer is one of our bigger tacklers and Luis was having a heck of a game," Turner said. "Every time you miss a guy, someone has to step up."
The Chargers face a tough task in their rebound opportunity with the legendary Peyton Manning guiding an Indianapolis offense that ranks third in total offense. The Colts (seventh in rushing, eighth in passing) can run and pass the ball well.
"The thing you have to do with Peyton is you have to keep him guessing on what you're doing," strong safety Clinton Hart said. "If you let him know right off the bat what you're doing, especially in the secondary, he'll pick you apart.
"We have to move around and keep him on his toes. Don't let him get comfortable. Our front seven has to do their thing and get to him and put some pressure on him."
Of course, there will plenty of people observing how the Chargers fare at stuffing the run. Colts back Joseph Addai ranks third in the NFL in rushing with 704 yards.
"He's nifty and he's quick," Cottrell said. "You have to have a lot of people around him."
Chargers notes
CB Quentin Jammer (hamstring) missed practice again Thursday and appears unlikely to play in Sunday's game against Indianapolis. Coach Norv Turner wasn't ready to rule Jammer out, but didn't sound very hopeful of Jammer being available to play. ... C Nick Hardwick (foot) and OLB Marques Harris (toe) also missed practice. OLB Shawne Merriman (knee) returned after missing Wednesday's workout.
Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.
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SouthernWave619 wrote on Nov 9, 2007 8:14 AM:Chargers will have a tough night against these colts, we'll be looking to stop addai, but then BAM play action pass down to wayne/harrison. this is our super bowl....if we dont win...i hope i can say that the chargers atleast showed up. ChargerPower.
Bobby wrote on Nov 9, 2007 8:54 AM:Good thing Peyton's top 3 wr may not play. It's hard to play for a coach who throws his players under the bus! Castillo's backup's must love Teddy's statements referring to them. SD media, "it takes time for the new coaches and players to get used to each other". To the media,,, Norv and Ted were brought in for "continuity". Wade went to Dallas, put in a new system and is 7/1. Thanx for continuity mr. Smith!
Joe wrote on Nov 9, 2007 10:09 AM:Exactly right Bobby but, lest we forget OJ Smith's EXUSE, oh, but there are now "WRIKLES". We weren't sold and hyped on wrinkles, we were sold and hpyed on "CONTINUITY". The only thing continous is the word "OBVIOUSLY". If the Chargers don't iron out those wrinkles right now they will have a tough time making the playoffs. They have dug themselves a huge hole. They have LOST to teams with LOSING records and now have to BEAT a bunch of teams with WINNING records to get there. Enough of the "wrinkles" exuse already. As Norval and River say at least 10 times per short interview "OVIOUSLY OBVIOUSLY OBVIOUSLY OBVIOUSLY OBVIOUSLY OBVIOULY OBVIOUSLY OBVIOUSLY OBVIOUSLY OBVIOUSLY OBVIOUSLY. Memo to Norval and Rivers, try mixing in an intelligent thought or two between each "Obviously". Obviously the Chargers Obviously need to obviously improve obviously on offense and obviously on defense and obviously the offensive play calling and obviously the defensive play calling has obviously been obviously pathetic. Oviously Norval and obviously Rivers need to obviously stop using the word obviously so much obviously.
Noodles wrote on Nov 9, 2007 12:50 PM:I don't think Marty would have done any better. Remember, much of the coaching staff was leaving even if Marty stayed. If it is indeed true that Jammer is likely to miss the game Sunday, then I don't see how the Chargers remain competitive in the game, regardless of how many Colt wide receivers don't play. I still think the Chargers ought to go four wide(wrs) and try to force the opposing defense to spread out more, but given Rivers inconsistency at throwing the ball, going four wide may not help. You can't stack the box if you go for wide, but that also means that the offensive line still needs too hold up and not breakdown so easily and that also means the slow poke QB will need to read and react much quicker.
I don`t feel well wrote on Nov 9, 2007 4:27 PM:Marty did you have to let Wade Phillips go?? The players should speak out if Cottrell screws up another one. Excuse me I just puked thinking about Cottrell`s & Turner`s play calling. AJ you need to have a meeting with these two clowns & tell them to go back to what worked last year.
Anarchy wrote on Nov 9, 2007 9:14 PM:I`ve had a few beers & I`m starting to see how the Bolts will win on sunday. One of the players is going to put laxative in Cotttrells lunch & he`ll be unable to call the game. LT & Rivers refuse to take play calls from Norv & just go on instinct Chargers 38 Colts 28 you heard it here
Jimbo wrote on Nov 9, 2007 9:42 PM:This time, the Manning that shows up in Qualcomm won' be Eli. The Chargers pass defense has always been weak at best, so they had better be ready. Norv, this is the time to break out the old Knute Rockne speeches. This team has got to be inspired and focused. If the D does not play well, it's going to be a long night of P. Manning and Addai highlights.
Gerry wrote on Nov 10, 2007 3:11 AM:We can only hope the 'Bolts' don't throw this game too. There can be no other excuse for the playing of the last game.
L Tizzle wrote on Nov 10, 2007 5:14 PM:What the @#&! happened to our season? We are 4-4 and our next 4 games are against winning teams. To make it worse, KC is playing denver in KC this week. a KC win and a charger loss would hurt. The chargers need to win.
boltem wrote on Nov 10, 2007 8:19 PM:Ive said the same thing for the last 16 games blitz rivers & throw out in front of jammer now jammers out touch down colts!
Rob wrote on Nov 11, 2007 9:21 PM:The problem all along has been Rivers! One and done. He had one good year due to Tomlinsons greatest season ever!. Time to look at the real problem.
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