The Chargers have seen enough. It's time for a change.
Coach Norv Turner said Monday that player personnel adjustments are coming for the Chargers' special teams coverage units. The announcement came one day after the team allowed two kickoff return touchdowns in the second half of a 27-20 loss to the Seahawks.
Not one to show his hand early, Turner wouldn't detail which players are being replaced.
“That’s something we’re working on, and that’s something that Arizona will find out [on Sunday],” Turner said.
Turner did, however, provide a general gist of what's to come. As opposed to continuing to rely on young players who are still developing, the team will turn to those with more special teams experience.
"I’m talking about guys who are starting players who have been good special teams players in the past," Turner said. "They still have a role on special teams, but we minimize them a little bit. We’ll pick that role back up as we get the young guys to where they need to be.”
Special teams has been one of two clear weak links to the Chargers' 1-2 start.
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The team ranks first in the NFL in total offense and fourth in total defense but has allowed 25.5 yards per punt return and 32.6 yards per kick return -- both, by far, the worst marks in the league. It is also the only team to allow three return touchdowns (two kickoff, one punt).
The team's other shortcoming is in ball protection. The Chargers' nine committed turnovers are the fourth most in the league.
“Take stats over a three-week period, and they're often skewed a little bit,” said quarterback Philip Rivers. “They are what they are right now, but let's wait and see where we are when it's all said and done.”
