This Chargers defense is ready to compete
By Darrell Reese Jr.
They say defense wins championships. Well Gus Bradley’s defense is ready to go up against the best offenses in the league.
The Los Angeles Chargers finished third against the pass and 31st against the run last year, so addressing the run defense had to be at the top of their list.
Gus Bradley came back to the team because he knew judging off last years performance, this defense has a lot of potential to be the league’s best.
Drafting guys like Derwin James and Uchenna Nwosu can instantly provide versatility for the defense. Bradley can utilize both James to play the box and drop back in coverage as well as linebacker/safety Kyzir White.
Adding James with to of the league’s best secondaries is going to be a scary sight. Gus has to be itching to get James on the field. The team sees that James can be plugged all over the field just as Desmond King was. Both players show similarities and can blitz the quarterback when asked to do so.
“We can use him as a linebacker. We can use him as a strong safety, a free safety. We can rush him off the edge. He’s a good tackler in space and an outstanding coverage guy. He’s got a lot of work to do. We’ve got to get him here, teach him our system, get him caught up. But we are very pleased with this pick,” Telesco told Eric Williams of ESPN.com.
Bradley stated that adding Nwosu is “Like Chrismas” for him. “We’ve got someone coming into our organization that’s new with a whole lot of skills we can really utilize,” said Bradley.
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The Chargers’ secondary is filled with talent and has some of the leagues best defensive backs which is why they finished third in passing yards allowed.
However, did the Chargers help their run defense this offseason?
Not entirely.
The offseason isn’t over so the team can still sign a defensive lineman or a veteran linebacker to help their run game.
Despite not addressing every need, this defense is ready to compete. The secondary is ready to finish where they left off last season and Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa are ready to cause havoc for opposing offenses.