The Chargers defense held quarterback Donovan McNabb to only 39 passing yards in the season opener. However, quarterback Tom Brady threw for 423 yards and three touchdowns against the Chargers last Sunday. Head coach Norv Turner reacted to the poor performance by saying his defense needs to do a better job of communicating and working together. His players agree.

“It’s a learning experience,” free safety Eric Weddle said. “We are still growing as a defense and we are still learning how to play as one. There are still areas where we need to get better and communicating across the board is a big area we need to get better at and we will.” Part of the problem is that of the Chargers eleven defensive starters, six are new to that role. We have a lot of new parts,” Turner said. “A lot of moving parts.” The defense is broken up into two segments: the defensive line and the secondary.

The defensive line is also known as the front seven. The Chargers run a 3-4 defense (three down linemen and four linebackers). The three down linemen, who start off on the ground in a three-point stance, consists of a defensive tackle (also called a nose tackle) who lines up across from offensive center and two defensive ends who line up on both sides of the tackle. Two outside linebackers, in a standing position, line up on both sides of the defensive ends. The two inside line backers, who are also standing, line up behind the tackle and between the defensive ends. The secondary consists of two cornerbacks that cover the wide receivers on the ends and two safeties that play the center of the field behind the defensive line.

The safeties can cover tight ends and wide receivers or an additional slot receiver who may catch short passes. The safeties can also move up to help snuff out a running play, blitz the quarterback, or drop back into coverage to help the cornerbacks cover wide receivers. There needs to be great communication between the safeties. For example, if one safety runs up to cover a possible running play then the other may need to stay back to help out the cornerbacks if the play turns into a pass.

Safeties Weddle and Bob Sanders have been working on their communication throughout camp. Weddle believes the communication between the two of them is good, however, Weddle said there needs to be improved communication between the defensive line and the secondary. Weddle is responsible for reading the opposing offense and communicating to the rest of the secondary where they should be positioned based upon a perceived offensive play.

Inside linebacker Takeo Spikes is likewise communicates alignment responsibilities to the defensive line. Weddle and Spikes also need to communicate with each other so the entire defense is working together. Spikes, a 14-year veteran, said developing outstanding communication takes time. “You really want to get to a point where you can talk without saying a word, just by looking at each other’s eyes,” Spikes said. “That is the ultimate goal in what we are trying to work for. I have never been on a team, even when we have had a good defense, where we were like that early in the season.”

Between now and the time the defense becomes virtually telepathic, Weddle plans to be much more direct when it comes to communicating. “If I feel like if a guy doesn’t get it, then I may have to run up and grab a guy and say, ‘Hey, this is what we’re in,’” Weddle said. “If all eleven are not on the same page then you are behind the 8-ball going into the snap.” Weddle, points out there should be a noticeable improvement in communications as early as this week when they face quarterback Matt Cassel and the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs do not usually run the no-huddle offense, while the Patriots frequently used it last week. “You can huddle up and get the call in,” Weddle said of facing an offense that huddles between plays. “When you are not, then you are just kind of running around.” Each player on the Chargers defense believes the communication will improve. “We are going into game three now,” defensive tackle Antonio Garay said. “We make several adjustments every week. We tweak what we feel this defense needs to fix so we can get to where we need to go as a defensive front and as a team.”