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This sleeping giant will emerge for the Chargers in 2015
FOX Sports
JUL 22, 2015 1:12P ET

Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports


San Diego rose to power in the mid-to-late 00's with a fiesty quarterback, a stout running game, and a defense that divisional opponents feared.
They're well on their way to duplicating that model in 2015. Philip Rivers is entrenched as the team's gunslinger, young Melvin Gordon might spark the ground game, and believe it or not, a top-10 statistical defense is returning most of its parts from last fall.
The Bolts have lacked the type of star power on defense that Rivers Co. provide on offense. That'll change this season though -- one defender is poised to become a household name in 2015.
His name? Jason Verrett.
San Diego knew what they had in Verrett early on. From the his very first game, they weren't afraid to have the rookie cover some big name receivers.
The end result was astounding. The former TCU standout smothered Larry Fitzgerald in Week 1 and several others to follow. His worst outing? A three-catch, 44-yard game to eventual Pro Bowler Emmanuel Sanders.
Those are eye-popping numbers for Darrelle Revis, let alone a former rookie. It's even more impressive considering Verrett's size -- at 5-foot-10 and 188 pounds, he's what NFL scouts call "undersized."
Try telling that to Derek Carr. In week 6, the Raiders quarterback tested Verrett seven times. Carr completed just one pass and posted an 8.9 quarterback rating when he threw his way.
According to Pro Football Focus, Verrett surrendered a 76.2 QB rating on the season and allowed just 11.3 yards per reception. Those are Pro Bowler numbers.
Unfortunately, the rookie couldn't stay on the field for more than six games. But with a year of film study and muscle toning under his belt, don't be surprised if the NFL's next lockdown corner emerges on San Diego's roster.
FOX Sports
JUL 22, 2015 1:12P ET

Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports


San Diego rose to power in the mid-to-late 00's with a fiesty quarterback, a stout running game, and a defense that divisional opponents feared.
They're well on their way to duplicating that model in 2015. Philip Rivers is entrenched as the team's gunslinger, young Melvin Gordon might spark the ground game, and believe it or not, a top-10 statistical defense is returning most of its parts from last fall.
The Bolts have lacked the type of star power on defense that Rivers Co. provide on offense. That'll change this season though -- one defender is poised to become a household name in 2015.
His name? Jason Verrett.
San Diego knew what they had in Verrett early on. From the his very first game, they weren't afraid to have the rookie cover some big name receivers.
The end result was astounding. The former TCU standout smothered Larry Fitzgerald in Week 1 and several others to follow. His worst outing? A three-catch, 44-yard game to eventual Pro Bowler Emmanuel Sanders.
Those are eye-popping numbers for Darrelle Revis, let alone a former rookie. It's even more impressive considering Verrett's size -- at 5-foot-10 and 188 pounds, he's what NFL scouts call "undersized."
Try telling that to Derek Carr. In week 6, the Raiders quarterback tested Verrett seven times. Carr completed just one pass and posted an 8.9 quarterback rating when he threw his way.
According to Pro Football Focus, Verrett surrendered a 76.2 QB rating on the season and allowed just 11.3 yards per reception. Those are Pro Bowler numbers.
Unfortunately, the rookie couldn't stay on the field for more than six games. But with a year of film study and muscle toning under his belt, don't be surprised if the NFL's next lockdown corner emerges on San Diego's roster.
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