http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com...gers-pagano-titans-toomer-20161110-story.html
Pleased that his players are stealing the ball, John Pagano said the next step is to unplug the point machine.
Chargers foes are scoring 27.4 points per game, a rate that puts San Diego’s defense 26[SUP]th[/SUP] in the 32-team NFL.
In comments Thursday, the defensive coordinator brought up the subject twice.
“We’re still giving up way too many points; that’s something we’ve got to always address,” Pagano said.
The coach took note of the recent game, a 43-35 win over the Titans. Though the Bolts seized the ball three times, scoring two touchdowns on their own and setting up a field goal, they also gave up five touchdowns.
“We’ve got to respond and stop a team,” he said. “We gave up way too many points, even after the fact.”
Stealing the ball can overcome lapses elsewhere, and the Chargers are second in the NFL with 18 takeaways, matching their season total of 2014.
At this rate, they will amass 32 takeaways, which would be the most in five seasons under Pagano.
Improvement was needed. The coordinator’s other four defenses, from 2012 through last season, finished 11th, 30[SUP]th[/SUP], 27[SUP]th[/SUP] and 24[SUP]th[/SUP] in takeaways.
The 2012 defense that created 28 takeaways, including six versus a Chiefs team that was headed to 14 defeat, got multiple interceptions from five players. Defensive backs Quentin Jammer and Eric Weddle both snagged three interceptions and three fumbles.
Pleased that his players are stealing the ball, John Pagano said the next step is to unplug the point machine.
Chargers foes are scoring 27.4 points per game, a rate that puts San Diego’s defense 26[SUP]th[/SUP] in the 32-team NFL.
In comments Thursday, the defensive coordinator brought up the subject twice.
“We’re still giving up way too many points; that’s something we’ve got to always address,” Pagano said.
The coach took note of the recent game, a 43-35 win over the Titans. Though the Bolts seized the ball three times, scoring two touchdowns on their own and setting up a field goal, they also gave up five touchdowns.
“We’ve got to respond and stop a team,” he said. “We gave up way too many points, even after the fact.”
Stealing the ball can overcome lapses elsewhere, and the Chargers are second in the NFL with 18 takeaways, matching their season total of 2014.
At this rate, they will amass 32 takeaways, which would be the most in five seasons under Pagano.
Improvement was needed. The coordinator’s other four defenses, from 2012 through last season, finished 11th, 30[SUP]th[/SUP], 27[SUP]th[/SUP] and 24[SUP]th[/SUP] in takeaways.
The 2012 defense that created 28 takeaways, including six versus a Chiefs team that was headed to 14 defeat, got multiple interceptions from five players. Defensive backs Quentin Jammer and Eric Weddle both snagged three interceptions and three fumbles.