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SDUT: Chargers defense has enjoyed rare health
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Robin Miller
Nov 16, 2012, 1:02:06 PM11/16/12
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Chargers defense has enjoyed rare health
By Tom Krasovic
Thursday, November 15, 2012
The Chargers cannot blame the schedule for their ills.
Nor are injuries the culprit, given that Sunday will mark the first time
they dip into their depth chart for a new defensive starter.
Aubrayo Franklin’s knee injury from last Sunday will prevent him from
playing against the Broncos.
“We’ve been blessed,” Franklin said, noting that the NFL is a “violent”
place.
Of course, there’s no way to know exactly why the Chargers (4-5) are
healthier this year than in other recent years, or why their first
preseason opponents, the Packers (6-3), promptly went on to lose five
starters to season-ending injuries.
Norv Turner suggested that a youth movement has benefited the defense’s
durability. The unit’s coordinator, John Pagano, suggested several
factors: players “taking care of themselves a lot better,” more
consistent “fundamentals,” fewer “false steps” and success at “staying
off the ground.”
There may be another factor. Hint: first name Lady.
“There’s always that luck element,” Pagano said.
As a nose tackle, Franklin often must contend with two blockers at once
-- yet last Sunday he played in his 73rd consecutive game. “I’ve been
blessed,” he said. Franklin, 6-foot-1 and 315 pounds, suggested a lower
center of gravity has contributed to his durability.
Mathews, Gaither
Ryan Mathews (neck) and Jared Gaither (groin) have missed both practices
this week, and neither took mental reps on Thursday during the part of
practice open to the media.
Asked if Mathews’ neck ailment has improved, Turner said, “He hasn’t
improved enough to where he can practice.”
Kansas connection
Chargers safety Darrell Stuckey and Broncos cornerback Chris Harris were
roommates at Kansas and secondary mates with cornerback Aqib Talib, now
with the Patriots. All three ex-Jayhawks wore 25 until Talib's recent
trade to New England.
Harris this year has 2.5 sacks and twice intercepted Philip Rivers,
raising the question why he wasn’t drafted.
“Because he was at Kansas,” Stuckey said, not entirely in jest.
Stuckey, a fourth-round selection in 2010, forced a Broncos fumble in
the Week 6 game. It led to a Chargers touchdown.
Nuts ‘n’ Bolts
• Two Chargers victories over the Broncos this weekend – that’s Pagano’s
goal. Son Jagger is a Pee Wee player whose Mira Mesa Chargers draw the
Otay Ranch Broncos. “It’s a big week for the Pagano family because we’ve
got Chargers-Broncos all week,” he said.
• Tyronne Green (illness) didn't practice and Eric Weddle (illness) was
a limited participant. Antwan Barnes practiced for the first time since
injuring a hamstring two games ago. One day after his most strenuous
running session since breaking his ankle, Vincent Brown did agility work
on a side field.
• Broncos end Elvis Dumervil (shoulder) hasn’t practiced this week.
By Tom Krasovic
Thursday, November 15, 2012
The Chargers cannot blame the schedule for their ills.
Nor are injuries the culprit, given that Sunday will mark the first time
they dip into their depth chart for a new defensive starter.
Aubrayo Franklin’s knee injury from last Sunday will prevent him from
playing against the Broncos.
“We’ve been blessed,” Franklin said, noting that the NFL is a “violent”
place.
Of course, there’s no way to know exactly why the Chargers (4-5) are
healthier this year than in other recent years, or why their first
preseason opponents, the Packers (6-3), promptly went on to lose five
starters to season-ending injuries.
Norv Turner suggested that a youth movement has benefited the defense’s
durability. The unit’s coordinator, John Pagano, suggested several
factors: players “taking care of themselves a lot better,” more
consistent “fundamentals,” fewer “false steps” and success at “staying
off the ground.”
There may be another factor. Hint: first name Lady.
“There’s always that luck element,” Pagano said.
As a nose tackle, Franklin often must contend with two blockers at once
-- yet last Sunday he played in his 73rd consecutive game. “I’ve been
blessed,” he said. Franklin, 6-foot-1 and 315 pounds, suggested a lower
center of gravity has contributed to his durability.
Mathews, Gaither
Ryan Mathews (neck) and Jared Gaither (groin) have missed both practices
this week, and neither took mental reps on Thursday during the part of
practice open to the media.
Asked if Mathews’ neck ailment has improved, Turner said, “He hasn’t
improved enough to where he can practice.”
Kansas connection
Chargers safety Darrell Stuckey and Broncos cornerback Chris Harris were
roommates at Kansas and secondary mates with cornerback Aqib Talib, now
with the Patriots. All three ex-Jayhawks wore 25 until Talib's recent
trade to New England.
Harris this year has 2.5 sacks and twice intercepted Philip Rivers,
raising the question why he wasn’t drafted.
“Because he was at Kansas,” Stuckey said, not entirely in jest.
Stuckey, a fourth-round selection in 2010, forced a Broncos fumble in
the Week 6 game. It led to a Chargers touchdown.
Nuts ‘n’ Bolts
• Two Chargers victories over the Broncos this weekend – that’s Pagano’s
goal. Son Jagger is a Pee Wee player whose Mira Mesa Chargers draw the
Otay Ranch Broncos. “It’s a big week for the Pagano family because we’ve
got Chargers-Broncos all week,” he said.
• Tyronne Green (illness) didn't practice and Eric Weddle (illness) was
a limited participant. Antwan Barnes practiced for the first time since
injuring a hamstring two games ago. One day after his most strenuous
running session since breaking his ankle, Vincent Brown did agility work
on a side field.
• Broncos end Elvis Dumervil (shoulder) hasn’t practiced this week.
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