The Defense

[Steve]

They can try all they want, but there is no way to coach more turnovers. It is pretty much just luck. NOt what people want to hear, but it is what it is.

[alex8080]

They can try all they want, but there is no way to coach more turnovers. It is pretty much just luck. NOt what people want to hear, but it is what it is.

you may be able to teach stripping but could come as a sacrifice to tackling.

[Topcat]

you may be able to teach stripping but could come as a sacrifice to tackling.

What bothers me is the way some players go for the big hit and whiff instead of staying under control and making the sure tackle...now, once a ball carrier is in the grasp of a couple of tacklers, that is not a bad time to try for a strip...if the strip attempt doesn't work, at least now you've got help to finish the tackle...

[like54ninjas]

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Chargers dubbed NFL’s best secondary by Bleacher Report


The Jack Boyz will have sky-high expectations in 2020.

By Michael Peterson@ZoneTracks May 11, 2020, 8:00am PDT Share this story

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Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
One of the more popular debates to have amongst NFL fan is the topic of “which team has the best ______ unit?” i.e., quarterbacks, receivers, linebackers, etc. It’s a fun topic to discuss because one must take into account the whole position group, not just the guy at the top.

Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski did his best to settle the argument for every until in the NFL, sorting it all into nine groups: Quarterbacks, Running Backs ,Wide Receivers ,Tight Ends ,Offensive Line, Defensive Line, Linebacker, Secondary, and Specialists.

Out of those nine, which Chargers unit do you think got the nod? If you said anything other than Secondary, we are going to have to have a talk. Yes, Sobleski named the “Jack Boys” as the best group in the league. With all that talent and upside, it couldn’t have been any other team.

“The secondaries from last season’s top five pass defenses remain relatively intact, but one should get significantly better thanks to a particular offseason addition and a fully healed superstar,” says Sobleksi. “The Los Angeles Chargers ranked fifth overall. Two massive differences in this year’s roster could take the group from being one of the best secondaries to being the very best because of the skill sets those individuals bring to the lineup.”

Obviously this fact is amazing given that Derwin James missed all but five games while Adrian Phillips missed a similar amount of time, as well. The Bolts allowed just 200.2 passing yards per game and it did it while also rarely ever getting to the quarterback. The Bolts finished with 30 sacks in 2019, fourth-worst in the entire NFL and only in front of the Dolphins, Seahawks, and Lions. But when you look at the passing yards allowed by those other three teams, they’re ranked 26th, 27th, and 32nd.

So somehow, against the odds, the Chargers were a pretty good pass defense without their best player. Now they get James back AND add a former All-Pro in Chris Harris Jr.

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Besides having a load of talent, the Chargers also have a whole host of bodies that all deserve significant playing time this season. Harris is the team’s new nickel corner, but that doesn’t mean Desmond King is going to be relegated to the bench. He’ll have a role in sub packages and will be moved around a bit more now. But then there’s the case of Nasir Adderley and what he’s going to be in 2020. There’s roughly four players behind Hayward, Harris, and James who will be fighting for the most time that they can get. Unless there is a heavy rotation at free safety and dime linebacker, someone is certainly going to be on the outside looking in.

Which, at the end of the day, isn’t the worst problem to have at such an important position.

[wu-dai clan]

They can try all they want, but there is no way to coach more turnovers. It is pretty much just luck. NOt what people want to hear, but it is what it is.

IMHO, a greater turnover ratio can most certainly be taught.

Charles Tillman perfected the "Peanut Punch,"
and recorded 44 career forced fumbles.

The Chargers would be well served
to work at learning to improve their techniques.

[sonorajim]

What bothers me is the way some players go for the big hit and whiff instead of staying under control and making the sure tackle...now, once a ball carrier is in the grasp of a couple of tacklers, that is not a bad time to try for a strip...if the strip attempt doesn't work, at least now you've got help to finish the tackle...

11 to the ball. Speed kills.

[sonorajim]

Adding Linval Joseph, a healthy, beefed up Tillery and stud rookie LB Murray in front of our DBs should turn the dogs loose on the QB rush. Drop in an NFL best secondary with quality depth, able to play a variety of looks? LAC looks dangerous on D.

[sonorajim]

They can try all they want, but there is no way to coach more turnovers. It is pretty much just luck. NOt what people want to hear, but it is what it is.

LAC can affect their luck with a great pass rush + talent & speed at LB & DB....and stay healthy. @ Avg should be the low threshold for this D.
Key player injuries or not will play a role.

[Formula 21]

The art of Charles Tillman's 'Peanut Punch'

Jul 20, 2016

• 
  Matt BowenESPN Staff Writer

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Over the last 13 NFL seasons, Charles Tillman forced more fumbles than any defensive back in the league. In fact, Tillman's 44 forced fumbles (a ridiculous number) almost doubled that of the next guy in line over the same period -- Charles Woodson, with 23. So, how did he do it? Tillman is famous for the "Peanut Punch," which became a part of our game-day vocabulary during his career. With Tillman calling it a career earlier this week, let's break down the technique that is now on teaching tapes at every level of the game.
The setup

Square up the ball carrier in the open field. That sounds simple -- and it's taught every day on high school practice fields -- but Tillman always put himself in a position to secure the tackle first and foremost. That's technique -- consistent technique. And it allowed Tillman to load up and punch the ball out. Take a look at Tillman here versus the Detroit Lions during the 2012 season on Monday Night Football.

1.jpg

NFL With tight end Brandon Pettigrew working up the field after a reception, Tillman drives downhill, comes to balance (squares his shoulders/feet) and sucks up the distance to the ball carrier. Put that guy in a phone booth, right? Now Tillman is in a position to take on the stiff-arm from a much bigger player in the open field while loading his arm to punch the ball.
The punch

With Tillman using the proper technique to square-up Pettigrew at the point of attack, the Bears cornerback can deliver the punch. Check out the placement of Tillman's hand on the ball while he is engaged with Pettigrew.

2.jpg

NFL This isn't an out of control attempt at a strip or a defender blindly raking down on the arm. Instead, it is a calculated technique, no different than a boxer throwing a jab to the ribs. It's a straight shot -- with force -- right on the ball.
The strip

The punch isn't going to work every time, and that's why we see Tillman secure the shoulder of Pettigrew with his off-hand. If that ball doesn't come out, you make the tackle and move onto the next play. That's football.

3.jpg

NFL However, as Tillman showed throughout his long run in the league, he follows through on the ball, pops it out and forces yet another fumble. No panic here; just technique. And a natural awareness from one of the best I have ever seen at stripping the rock. You want teaching tape? Watch Tillman.

[chargeroo]

IMHO, a greater turnover ratio can most certainly be taught.

Charles Tillman perfected the "Peanut Punch,"
and recorded 44 career forced fumbles.

The Chargers would be well served
to work at learning to improve their techniques.

If memory serves, When Gus was signed to lead our defense he came with a reputation of guiding teams to a high number of takeaways. If we review the Bolts record of being good at it one year but not so good the next, it seems to back up what Steve said - there's a lot of luck involved in it.

[wu-dai clan]

If memory serves, When Gus was signed to lead our defense he came with a reputation of guiding teams to a high number of takeaways. If we review the Bolts record of being good at it one year but not so good the next, it seems to back up what Steve said - there's a lot of luck involved in it.

Luck is the dividend of sweat.

[like54ninjas]

Luck is the dividend of sweat.

Luck is the cross roads of talent, preparation, dedication, and execution.