CHARGERS: Cooper's return can't halt defensive woes
By LOREN NELSON - Staff Writer | ∞
Spotlight on: Sixth-year Chargers linebacker Stephen Cooper, an undrafted free agent out of the University of Maine.
Why Cooper?: Last season, his first as a starter, he led the Chargers with 179 tackles. Cooper missed the Chargers' first four games this season while sitting out an NFL-mandated suspension after testing positive for a banned substance, and saw his first action of the season in Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
You're starting: Chargers coach Norv Turner said late in the week that he wasn't sure if Cooper or his replacement, fellow inside linebacker Derek Smith, would start against Miami. Cooper, who wasn't allowed to have formal contact with the team during his suspension and hadn't practiced until this week, got the nod.
How did he do?: The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Cooper was his normal, aggressive self. Twice, his helmet flew off during collisions with Dolphins players. After the second time, late in the game, a helmetless Cooper gestured toward the Miami sideline as if to indicate: Bring it on. "Physically, I was fine," Cooper said. "Mentally, I was kind of slow out there a little bit with my reads and stuff. But ... I know I'm going to get stronger and stronger as the year goes."
The stat line: Cooper was credited with eight tackles, including one for a loss. Only safety Eric Weddle, with 10, had more tackles. "He brings a different kind of energy," Chargers linebacker Antwan Applewhite said of Cooper. "He's a vocal leader, somebody who knows what he is doing out there on defense."
The aftermath: The Chargers yielded 167 rushing yards to the Dolphins, including 125 to running back Ronnie Brown. Cooper clearly wasn't happy with the loss or the Chargers' sometimes-sloppy tackling. "We didn't tackle as well as we should have," Cooper said. "We had a couple of plays in the backfield that we let get away from us. We're going to work on tackling this week and get back to playing physical football."
Teammates' take: "It's great having him back," Chargers inside linebacker Matt Wilhelm said. "I love playing next to him. He's not only my teammate, but he's a friend on and off the field. And so to have him out there, the communication ... I think it stepped up a level having him out there. It's just a matter of time, hopefully, before both of us are out there full time and we are revving like we were towards the end of last season."
Final word: "That's one guy that we sorely missed," Applewhite said.
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Toilet Duck wrote on Oct 5, 2008 9:45 PM:Yeah he looked great today!
Nice loss!
The Chargers are the worst team ever whose only success is beating the Raiders in down seasons after Oakland went to yet another SB.
Youre not getting that SB trip Charger fans.
Do you know how stupid you guys look after all the smack youve talked?
The worst team ever is a perfect fit for Norv.
BoltBacker65 wrote on Oct 5, 2008 11:11 PM:No Toilet Duck, the worst team that fits Norv is Oakland. I'm sure Al will want him back once SD shows him the door.
Cooper did make a difference. True, our D hasn't been wrapping up well at all and have let sure tackles turn into big run gains, especially on 3rd downs... Time for tackling fundamentals 101.
Regroup and play to win next week. Go Bolts!
Toilet Duck wrote on Oct 6, 2008 12:09 PM:That game showed us that the SB dream is over.
Oakland is getting better and the Bolts are getting worse. The hidden story in the Lane Kiffin firing is that Tom Cable has a longer resume and is more qualified. Kiffin was a distraction and a problem. He was hardly a hot commodity as a HC candidate so losing him isnt the big loss many claim it is as he was unqualified to begin with. Remember, he didnt exactly coach in obscurity at USC. Why wasnt anyone else in the NFL looking at him?
His firing is a good thing for them.
But do you really think AJ will admit he was wrong with Norv?
The truth is that this team is aging and has holes due to AJ giving up too much for marginal players. Calling them the most talented team in the NFL makes people laugh these days when 2 years ago it was accepted as fact.
The window has closed as this was the easy part of your schedule and you already have 3 losses.
Youre cooked and on the downside of things now.
The SB dream is over!
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