Dan Pompei

Much of the focus in San Diego has been about how the offense has not lived up to the expectations set by its previous performance and the addition of head coach Norv Turner.

What has been lost is the Chargers’ defense in some ways has been better than the highly respected Chargers defense of a year ago. And if the Chargers are going to finish the season strong and make a postseason run, it will because of what their defense can accomplish.

The Chargers have allowed four fewer points this year than they did through 12 games last year, even though they have given up more yards. This year's version of the Chargers ranks 20th in yards allowed; last year at the same point the Chargers ranked eighth. And San Diego has gone from allowing 3.9 yards per run a year ago to 4.2 this year.

What has offset the yards have been takeaways. The Charges lead the NFL in takeaways with 33 and interceptions with 20. A year ago, they had 22 and 13.

A lot of this can be directly attributable to Antonio Cromartie. The 2006 first-round pick has arrived in dramatic fashion with an NFL-high eight interceptions. And Cromartie dropped three passes that could have been interceptions earlier in the season.

Over a span of three weeks, the cornerback made seven big plays. Against the Texans, he recovered a fumble for a touchdown and intercepted two passes, running one back for a 70-yard touchdown. He returned a missed field goal attempt for a 109-yard touchdown against the Vikings. And he intercepted Peyton Manning three times.

Cromartie has been a starter for only two games. Prior to that he played only in passing situations. More opportunities could mean more big plays for Cromartie.

Defensive coordinator Ted Cotrell says Cromartie has matured as the season has gone on. Cromartie typically sits in the front row of the Chargers’ defensive meetings, and when Cotrell asks a question, Cromartie raises his hand.

There never was a question about Cromartie's talent. He's 6-2 and has a 42-inch vertical jump and ran a 4.44 40-yard dash. "We all knew he was a great athlete," Cotrell says. "And now by studying his opponents a lot, he's able to use his athleticism better and be in the right place."

As Cromartie has improved, the entire secondary and the defense has followed suit. Cotrell said the defensive backs have gotten better about supporting the run consistently.

Overall, Chargers’ defenders gradually have become accustomed to Cotrell, who became the defensive coordinator in the offseason after Wade Phillips left. The potential for further improvement is there, as this remains a highly talented defense. The unit should be fortified by the return of defensive end Luis Castillo in a week or two.

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The Chargers' pass rush has not been as productive as it was a year ago, but the Chargers have been getting to the quarterback more in recent games. Some of that is the result of linebacker Shawne Merriman learning to adjust to how he has been blocked.

"He's played well all year, but he's faced a lot of quick throws and he has been held a lot and even tackled," Cotrell says. "People know who you are now. You are not an unknown."

So Merriman has had to learn to control his frustration and use his hands to get blockers off him. Cotrell says Merriman has made strides in those areas.

Merriman was named AFC defensive player of the week for his three-sack performance against the Chiefs. He has the potential to be dominant down the stretch — and make the Chargers a team nobody wants to play.

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