Should the San Diego Chargers Switch to the 4-3?

Last season under defensive coordinator John Pagano, San Diego ranked fourth in the league in passing yards allowed per game with 214.2 yards allowed per game. And even though in 2013 San Diego ranked 29th with 258.7 yards allowed through the air, 2014 saw the Bolts improve significantly with a 25 spot increase. While the secondary wasn’t flashy (seven interceptions, tied for the third-fewest in the league), they still ranked fourth in the league in passing yards allowed (214.2). Free safety Eric Weddle was a force in the running game with 114 total tackles and three tackles for loss.

At the same time though, the Bolts ranked 26th in the league stopping the run with 124.1 rushing yards per game allowed. Not to mention, they ranked in the bottom half of the league with 11 rushing touchdowns and a 4.5 yards per carry average given up to opposing teams (ranked 14th and 29th, respectively).Despite having four line backers, the Bolts still allowed opposing rushers to go for over 100 yards a total of six times last year.

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Considering that the Chargers used the 3-4 all of last season, we must beg to ask the question: should the Chargers change their defensive scheme?

There are multiple factors that the answer may depend on, but the major one would have to be the type of personnel that the Chargers end up getting through free agency and the draft. At the moment, the 3-4 works for San Diego because San Diego has multiple line backers. Now, however, OLB Dwight Freeney and ILB Andrew Gachkar will both be free agents at the end of the season. Thus, Tom Telesco is the man who can change the Chargers future.

For the time being though, the Bolts are in a very tight bind in terms of what defense they should play next season. Normally they would play the 3-4, but they don’t have enough effective LBs available to be successful against the run in 2015.

At the same time though, DTs Sean Lissemore (29 tackles and one sack) and Ryan Carrethers (12 tackles and one tackle for loss) aren’t really ready to take on a starting role in my opinion. I think one potential plan for San Diego (if they plan on staying in the 3-4) would involve the drafting of both Des and LBs along with some free agent wheeling and dealings. They would certainly need to pick up a passing-rushing DE and a run-stopping LB to keep up with the rest of the league.

The line backers are what make the 3-4 defense work. If the Bolts decide to focus on a 4-3 however, they will have to get a good defensive tackle. I believe that they have enough LBs for a 4-3, but their defensive end and tackle positions need help. The Bolts could find a good end in the draft, but it will be a little bit hard to find a DT than a DE. Free agency should be the place to go. Corey Liuget is a good end and should produce well in 2015. I’m not so sure about DE Kendall Reyes being the guy for the future.

According to Bleacher Report, a “3-Technique” defensive tackle, “Open-side” defensive end, Will ‘backer, and Mike ‘backer” are all required in a typical 4-3 situation. I think that Liuget could be the open-side defensive end if he really steps it up. The LB positions would be a little bit trickier considering the among of free agents and uncertainty.

In the end though, the real answer to the question is yes (for the time being). The Chargers interior run defense suffered in 2014 and I think it was due in part to their defensive scheme. Had there been more of a pass rush and push up front, I think San Diego should have been successful.

With the more LBs, the Chargers were able to drop into coverage and cover the pass better than in 2013. But, while they were a good pass-defending team, they sacrificed their run D. I think that with the personnel that the Chargers have right now (in terms of who is not a free agent), the 4-3 makes more sense. I believe that with the consolidation of the four linebackers into three positions, the Bolts could see improvement.

Of course, any transition from one defensive scheme to another is always challenging and incredibly hard to master in a year’s notice. I have faith though that whatever scheme John Pagano ends up choosing that he will do a great job with what he is given. It is all up to Telesco and the front office to see who they re-sign and who they let go before we can seriously contemplate a switch to a 4-3.

Next: San Diego Chargers Free Agent Hire and Fire

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