CHARGERS: Bolts need to tackle 'D' woes

Starting unit struggled early vs. Dallas, Seattle

By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Tuesday, August 26, 2008 11:36 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- August has not been a time for good initial defensive series at Qualcomm Stadium. Two preseason home games, two rough first drives for the Chargers' starting defense.

In Monday's preseason game against Seattle, the Seahawks rolled to an early touchdown in even more impressive fashion than Dallas had 16 days earlier.

The Seahawks needed just three plays to march 80 yards for a score, finding the end zone on a 68-yard pass play during which free safety Eric Weddle missed a tackle on Seattle's Nate Burleson inside the Chargers' 40.

In the Cowboys game, Dallas drove 54 yards on eight plays for a touchdown in quarterback Tony Romo's only series of the night.

Of course, some observers say it's only preseason and there's no cause for concern. But it was an eye-popping statistic when the Seahawks produced 146 yards in the first quarter behind third-string quarterback Charlie Frye.

Repeat: This was Seattle's third-string quarterback rolling up the yardage, not three-time Pro Bowl selection Matt Hasselbeck, who missed Monday's game because of a back injury.

So what's the reason for the slow defensive starts? One key Charger pointed to a lack of intensity at the start of Monday's game.

"It's just being a little bit more emotional and having a little bit more of an attitude when we step out on that field," defensive end Luis Castillo said, "and coming out with a little more fire and we'll be fine."

Chargers coach Norv Turner would like to see a better showing from his first-team defense, but he's more disappointed by the unit's tackling. And not just on the play when Weddle didn't bring down Burleson.

"When we were at our best and we played at the level we want to play at, we did not give up big plays," Turner said Tuesday. "If you give up big plays, you're going to give up so many points. That's what concerned me.

"... We played good offenses. Dallas is an outstanding offensive football team. Seattle is an outstanding offensive football team. You get a better evaluation of where you are and what you need to do."

The Chargers played the Seahawks without two Pro Bowl players in defensive tackle Jamal Williams (knees) and outside linebacker Shawne Merriman (knee). Seattle rushed for 162 yards without Williams clogging the middle of the line, and the Chargers recorded just one sack without Merriman, whose 39 1/2 sacks in the last three seasons are more than any NFL player.

But nobody wants to hear excuses. And no Chargers were ready to accept any, either.

"My assessment is that we did not play as good as we need to play," linebacker Shaun Phillips said after Monday's game. "I think we need to go back to the drawing board, work on our tackling and finish some plays."

The Chargers have one more preseason game ---- Friday at San Francisco ---- to work out the kinks. The starting players will see less action than they did against the Seahawks, as Turner doesn't want to risk losing any key players to injury with the regular-season opener against Carolina looming on Sept. 7.

Turner said tight end Antonio Gates (toe) and offensive tackle Marcus McNeill (neck) won't play against the 49ers. Neither Gates nor McNeill has played during the preseason.

"There are certain guys that we need to protect and there's certain guys we need to get ready to play in the opener," Turner said.

Notes

OLB Shawne Merriman was expected to return to San Diego on Tuesday night after seeing a specialist in Miami to get another opinion on his injured left knee. Merriman could decide as soon as Wednesday whether to undergo surgery to repair two torn knee ligaments or try to play through the injury. "I would expect to have some information for you tomorrow," Chargers coach Norv Turner said Tuesday. ... The injury to OLB Jyles Tucker (ankle) is considered minor enough that Turner said Tucker could have returned to the game if it had been a regular-season contest. ... The Chargers cut five players to reach the required 75-player limit: QB Casey Bramlet, WRs Billy Pittman and Marco Thomas, TE John Tereshinski and P/K Billy Vinnedge. The final cut to 53 players will be Saturday.

Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.

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Boltum wrote on Aug 27, 2008 7:20 AM:Chargers D had Merriman and Williams when they set a NFL rushing record in Minn. last season. The D is not old and over the hill, it's coaching that's over the hill. Smith,,you can't bring in a old school DC that could not find a NFL job the previous season just because he's your buddy! Same players,, different DC.

RAIDERMANN wrote on Aug 27, 2008 8:25 AM:Chokers "D" looks like the Dolphins "D" this year. Hey does anyone know if Stephen Cooper bought his HGH from Merimann? BOLTUM you're just like the rest of the S.D. Choker fans always some sort of excuse. Hey can anyone tell the rest of us football fans, what the HELL IS A "CHARGER",ANYWAY? Cant find any info on what it is! Old school Norv turrner is old school. The Chokers window to the Bowl game was shut down last year. So, get for some real football RAIDER STYLE!!!!!!!!!! Just let you know in Choker land. We arrested more Choker fans last year then any other fans in S.D. So put that in your highlights video. Oh! wait the Chokers don't have a highlights DVD. So when you guys are moved to Fresno next year! Sponos owns more then 27% of Fresno. As you know they wont be play at the Q anymore, what will have then the Padreas big whip D do! What is a BOLTUM anyways? So put on your girly powder puff blue jersey from wal-mart and sit in the back of the buss. RAIDERMANN OUT!!! 3 TIME CHAMPS

michellehawkfan wrote on Aug 27, 2008 9:13 AM:I was at the seahawk charger game.The hawks had the game until the end .The refs made a few bad calls.Im a seahawk fan for life I was glad I was there to support the hawks win or lose.I was at the seahawks very first game in 1979 I know live in San Diego but Im a seahawk fan for life We have the loudest and the greatest fans ever

Rob wrote on Aug 27, 2008 10:58 AM:Hey RAIDERBOY... A charger is a horse. You must have alot of time on your hands if you got nothing better to do then try and clown the Chargers. The Raiders are a joke and have not won a game against the chargers since 2002... that is over 5 years ago dude. Geez... guess what... you wont win this year either.

JohnC wrote on Aug 27, 2008 2:31 PM:Boltum, Jammer and Castillo were out in the Minny game. Two pretty important guys in stopping the run.

Hey RAIDERETTE, quit living in the past. Were you even alive in 1983? Or even 1993? Your so called NFL team has been the WORST team in the league since 2003. HAHAHAHA!!!

James wrote on Aug 27, 2008 3:01 PM:Hey Raider Moron...Funny how you talk after your team gets waxed 24-0 by the Cardinals with Leinart giving you three picks. Yup, good look to Russell who looked like a rookie QB...actually looks like a better version of Leftwich which is saying very little...Good luck to the FAIDER OFFENSE facing 8 man fronts and Russel throwing away your season...HAVE FUN WITH AL LIVING IN THE 70'S ...IDIOT

RAIDERMANN wrote on Aug 27, 2008 4:09 PM:The past! Do you belive in "GOD" because if you do he's from the past. You big Dummy! Oh and yes i was alive 93 I was giving losers like you your freedom over in desert storm.The past is what brought you the future. Not only that we played in the Suprbowl in your old sorry ass stadium. The same place they are trying to kick the Chokers out of because they Choke just like the Padreas, do every year. Last time I checked the "CHOKERS" don't have any DVD highlights. Oh maybe 1 they beat 1 team 8 times in a row. WOW! Maybe we can get them a ring from cracker jacks or Wal-mart were you losers get your girly powder puff jerseys. Put a rainbow in your bolt stickers! RAIDER NATION is alive and well this year. Another reason you "CHOKER" fans don't like the past
2000 season 1-15. that could be their record this year. Remember bad things only happen to bad people "56 HGH".You most know much about football Last year the dolphins were the worst. hahahaha. RAIDERMANN OUT.

boltfan wrote on Aug 27, 2008 4:54 PM:Hey raider(WO)man, where do you get off disin' the Chargers? If my team was as sorry as yours is and has been, I think I'd be the one in the back of the bus......being real quiet.

PAL wrote on Aug 27, 2008 11:22 PM:Jammer and Castillo were hurt during the game. Shaun Phillips was out that whole game as well.
Refresh my memory someone: how did Oakland do against the rush last season?
Don't bother: 31st, right above Miami. But I'm sure they'll be waaaay better this year after drafting ... a running back in the first round? Wow, how did that happen? You actually have a decent running game and you draft a running back. 2nd pick... cornerback, no help there.... third pick, WR -- well, your passing game did stink...here we go, fourth pick, DE. That shud plug that gap left by Warren Sapp.

PAL wrote on Aug 27, 2008 11:26 PM:You be sure to check back in here after the 9th and 10th in a row, raidermannnnn.

TheChargerGuy wrote on Aug 29, 2008 11:08 AM:Hey raider(WO)man, Maybe your God is from the past but mine is from ALL time. Bye the way, desert storm was over before 1993. And that team that the Chargers beat 8 times in a row that you talk about is your stupid team. Chargers are going to Tampa this season.

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