San Diego Chargers secondary filled with playmakers

ByKeith Demolder|

Last season with the collection of Brandon Flowers, Shareece Wright, Marcus Gilchrist, Chris Davis and Eric Weddle, the San Diego Chargers ranked fourth in the league in passing yards allowed per game, letting up 214.2 yards through the air.

In 2013, San Diego ranked 29th in the league in passing yards allowed per game with 258.7 yards allowed per game. 2014 saw the Bolts improve significantly with 25 spots. While the secondary wasn’t flashy (seven interceptions, tied-second worst in the league), they still found a way to be productive. Free Safety Eric Weddle was a force in the running game with 114 total tackles and three tackles for loss.

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In terms of corners, Shareece Wright and Brandon Flowers were adequate enough for the Chargers this season. Wright had 10 passes defended and 60 tackles, while Flowers had 52 tackles, 10 passes defended and three interceptions. The Chargers gave up 24 passing touchdowns and a 61.1% completion percentage, both ranked 12th and 11th in the league, respectively.

If there was a problem on defense last year, majority of the time, it was with the lack of a pass rush combined with a lack of run-stoppers on the defense line.

There were some times when Gilchrist and Wright were beat in coverage, especially towards the goal line. But, for the majority of the time, the Chargers passing defense was quite all right.

And although I somewhat disagree with Tom Telesco’s decision to let Gilchrist go, he has certainly made up for it this off-season with the re-signing of Brandon Flowers and the additions of former Miami Dolphin DB Jimmy Wilson and New Orleans Saints CB Patrick Robinson.

What many people may not realize is just how good Robinson was while with the Saints.

During his five-year tenure in the big easy, Robinson was a vital part of the Saints secondary. In total, Robinson recorded 180 tackles, 46 passes defended and nine interceptions with a forced fumble and touchdown coming in arguably his best season in 2012 which saw PR intercept three passes and register 18 passes defended, 64 tackles and his only career sack.

The former Florida State Seminole does have some injury concerns in his past, but has been able to overcome them with grace and humility.

For instance, according to Chargers.com, “Robinson’s teammates elected him the team’s 2014 Ed Block Courage Award winner. The award ‘honors those players who overcome adversity on the field, possess strong character and a will to endure life’s trials, and who continuously strive for excellence on and off the field.’ The cornerback earned the honor for his diligent rehab to battle back after rupturing his patella tendon in Week 2 of the 2013 season.”

With that considered, Robinson gives the Bolts another Brandon Flowers in the secondary which is not a bad thing to have at all taking into account that breakout corner Jason Verrett will be back in 2015.

Chargers new SS Jimmy Wilson is a former Miami Dolphin who was a great prospect out of the University of Montana and is a local San Diego product from Point Loma High School.

According to Chargers.com, “Wilson has started 21 of the 60 games he has played since being drafted in 2011 in the seventh round (235th overall) out of Montana. Overall, he recorded 153 tackles, 16 passes defensed, four interceptions and two sacks playing both safety and nickel cornerback. He’s steadily improved and his role increased dramatically in 2014 as he started 13 of 14 games while setting a career high with 58 tackles.”

To help out the SS situation, Wilson can give the Chargers some help in the run game, while still providing adequate pass coverage.

He went through a lot before getting to where he is today (Wilson had a murder conviction which was later overturned after two years in prison) and I believe that Wilson’s journey is even more reason to believe in this San Diego Chargers secondary.

And while Jahleel Addae isn’t the most tested (48 tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles), I think Wilson and Addae can lead the Chargers in 2015.

Eric Weddle is as good as they come in terms of the free safety position and has earned his five NFL all-pro nominations.

Nov 16, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers free safety Eric Weddle (32) gestures during the second quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Wright and Gilchrist were good (Gilchrist had seven tackles for loss and 76 tackles, ranking third and second on the team in 2014, respectively), but I believe that this secondary that the Chargers have should be even better than last season if they remain healthy and play up to the potential that we all know they are capable of.

In terms of the 2015 NFL Draft, depth is a good thing to have but the Chargers shouldn’t waste their draft picks on corners or safeties, but instead draft a DT or ILB.

Once the pass rush and play from the defensive line steps up, I think the secondary has the ability to shut down opposing offenses. And, at the same time, hopefully these corners can also play big roles in the running game, as well.

With Robinson, Verrett, Flowers, Weddle, Davis and Wilson and Addae, this secondary is stacked and if SD’s defensive coordinator John Pagano gives it the opportunity to succeed, then I think the Chargers pass defense has the best chance to take the playoffs and give the Bolts their first swing at the Lombardi Trophy in over a decade and a half.

Next: San Diego Chargers 2015 Mock Draft

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