The Chargers are switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defensive front, to a plan that will feature more man-to-man pass coverage, to a system based on disguises and multiple personnel groupings.
All this transition began shortly after coach Brandon Staley arrived in January, the Chargers hiring away the man who helped build the Rams into last year’s top-ranked defense.
But Staley’s re-education of the Chargers didn’t start with his celebrated X’s and O’s. It instead was founded on something much broader.
Defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill on Tuesday explained that Staley first talked about philosophies and principles rather than just spouting scheme. Before the X’s and O’s, Staley covered the whys.
“I think we gave them (the players) a clean insight on the way we do things that’s maybe different than a lot of other teams,” Hill said. “Once we got that conception to those guys, then we could install.”
Hill spent a decade as an NFL defensive back and now is in his 10th season of coaching. He characterized Staley’s approach as a career first.
“I’ve never been a part of anything like that before,” Hill said. “It benefited me and I’m sure some of the other coaches, as well, learning how he wanted to build this from the ground up.”
In training camp, the Chargers’ defense has been dominant at times and, generally speaking, has won more often against the offense than it has lost.
With so much based on communication and understanding, this is a defense that will require 11 minds — not just 11 bodies — working as one.
When in unison, the Chargers should be able to play more aggressively than in recent seasons while attempting to capitalize on confusing the opposition, especially as the ball is being snapped.
“The defense has done a great job of disguising their looks,” quarterback Justin Herbert said. “I think that’s one of the great aspects of Coach Staley’s defense is everything looks the same. So they’re able to do so much off of that.”
Both of Staley’s parents — he has called them his “heroes” — started out as school teachers. He often has talked about his love of the teaching aspect of coaching, about sharing as well as gaining knowledge.
Five days before the preseason opener, Staley’s approach to overhauling the defense seems to be working. And everything goes back to how it all started, in the classroom.
“A lot of people make a lot of the scheme that we play,” Staley said. “But it’s really how we play that is the secret sauce. Our guys understand how we play in the run front, how we rush the passer, how we cover, how that all ties together.
“I think that’s been the key for us. It’s our coaches being connected with our players, players to coaches, and then all three layers of your defense. You have to get everybody connected to play team defense. I think that our guys are really invested in that. I’m proud of them.”
Cornerback Michael Davis said he loves the changes Staley has made because he welcomes the challenge of playing more man-to-man. He also explained that the defense will keep quarterbacks on edge and constantly thinking.
Under Gus Bradley, the Chargers’ former defensive coordinator, the team typically stuck to simple, predictable substitution patterns and personnel groupings in order to permit the players to think less and play faster.
“In previous years, people always knew what we were in,” Davis said. “Now, you never know what we’re going to be in, depending upon the fronts, what the safeties are doing and where they’re rotating, stuff like that.”
The Chargers will have two chances to face Bradley’s defense this season. He was hired in January to be Las Vegas’ defensive coordinator.
Along with the schematic changes, Davis also suggested this defense’s attitude is different.
“Just hard and aggressive,” he said. “That’s just how we are. I guess last year we were a little bit more softer. … Now we’re a little more like punch ’em in the mouth and see what happens.”
Last year’s Chargers did finish 10th in yards allowed. Only eight defenses yielded fewer passing yards.
But they also were 23rd in points surrendered, tied for 22nd in takeaways, tied for 25th in tackles for loss and 25th in sacks.
“You gotta have enough in your pocket in this league,” Hill said when asked about the defense being more aggressive. “It’s easy for teams to scheme against just a few things. We want to be multiple in our scheme and what we do.”
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