KC faces tough task in Chargers defense
By Tully Corcoran
The Capital-Journal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Herm Edwards leaned forward and opened his mouth a little.
He looked at the ground, at the podium.
He was stumped.
What is the weakness of the Chargers' defense?
"Uh ..." he said. "Weaknesses?"
So that's what the Chiefs (2-3) are facing against the San Diego Chargers (4-1) at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday -- a flawless defense. And that's not just a coach trying to avoid generating bulletin-board material. The numbers back it up.
The Chargers are No. 3 against the run, No. 2 against the pass and No. 1 in total defense.
"They're good," Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard said. "They're really good."
Playing a 3-4 scheme that helped win Super Bowls for New England and Pittsburgh, the Chargers allow 11 points per game.
Like any good 3-4, San Diego's attack thrives on a versatile outside linebacker. In San Diego's case, it's Shawne Merriman, a 6-foot-4, 272-pound second-year player who had 10 sacks, went to the Pro Bowl and was the defensive rookie of the year last season.
The Chiefs plan, in essence, is to go where Merriman isn't.
"You don't want to go over there too much," Edwards said. "But there's not a lot of places you can go 'cause their tackles are good."
Merriman doesn't even lead his team in sacks. The other outside linebacker, Shaun Phillips, owns that distinction. But Merriman's impact is so substantial, Huard said opponents have to constantly monitor his whereabouts.
"He's that good," Huard said. "He's a very dynamic athlete, he can bring it off the edge, and he can drop off in coverage and make interceptions. He's good against the pass, good against the run and a very dynamic player."
This presents a problem for the Chiefs, who, many have noticed, aren't good at scoring points. They're 22nd in the NFL in that department, actually.
"We have our work cut out for us no question," Huard said. "Their front seven may be the best in football ... They've got a great pass rush and a couple of real studs there on the end."
Against Pittsburgh's 3-4 scheme Sunday, Kansas City ran for 38 yards, passed for 185 and scored seven points. But Edwards said San Diego's strength isn't in the scheme or the play calls. You can't scheme athletic ability. And when you have it, you don't try to.
"They're not real complicated," Edwards said. "They keep things simple where those guys can fly around. They can rush you with four guys and don't have to bring a lot of pressure. And, they're physical -- they're big."
The Chiefs will try to play a matchups game, though nobody spilled the game plan and indicated which matchups they liked. Huard said he liked all of Kansas City's players.
"I think there's some things you try to do to get some matchup situations," Edwards said. "We'll see if we can do that."
As for the Chargers weakness on defense, Edwards never came up with anything.
"They're very good," he said.
