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The hot seat that is the San Diego Chargers' coaching carousel shifted into high-gear again late this week when defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell came under fire for the sweep falloff felt by the team's once vaunted pass rush. In a week that began with first-year Coach Norv Turner being bombarded with catcalls all but demanding the return of his predecessor, it ended with fellow newcomer Cottrell defending his role in the team's dip from last season's league-leading sack total to just 14th thus far this year. In the case of either team, the barometer for gauging their fortunes have revolved around the use and production of linebackers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips. When the Chargers were riding high last season en route to their league-leading 14-2 mark, it was largely on the shoulders of the star duo. Conversely, in their 1-3 start this year, the play of Merriman and Phillips has been magnified. So much so that, according to the San Diego Tribune, one game and opponent spread over both seasons capsulize the whole story. Against Kansas City last December, Merriman and Phillips combined to blitz together on 24 pass plays and overall the defense did so on 62 percent of the Chiefs' 47 pass plays. In their 30-16 home loss to Kansas City last week, the duo blitzed together just nine times in 31 pass plays, or at a 29 percent clip. Clearly, the lack of obvious aggression has made for a far different team and an even more unrecognizable defense, one that lacks much of the bite it thrived on last season and thus leaves the players wanting for answers. “I just run the plays that are called,” said Merriman. “I'm not a coach,” added Phillips. “Me personally, I would want to rush every time. It can't work that way. It's not about me and Shawne. It's about this team and what this team can do better.”
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