Stephen Cooper News

Chargers defenders Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips pressure Giants quarterback Eli Manning, forcing a first-quarter fumble.

Monday, November 9, 2009 at 6:32 a.m. EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey - Maybe any other game they would've qualified as "The Plays." But they weren't among any one of the six pass plays that Philip Rivers used to pull out the win in the final going.

" There are certain games that give direction to a season, define a team, make a career.

This was a return to happier, more productive times. LaDainian Tomlinson found the end zone.

Shawne Merriman was all over the field in Kansas City. He had shown glimpses of being himself against Denver.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson SAN DIEGO Here are the inactive players for tonight's game.

Chargers coach Norv Turner said Philip Rivers, who has been sacked 10 times, has avoided more takedowns by having good awareness of pressure in the pocket.

Philip Rivers and the Chargers know the importance of getting off to a fast start tonight against Denver.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson The San Diego Chargers sold enough tickets to avoid a television blackout for Monday night's game against Denver.

" These are not the words of a team coming off an embarrassing loss on national television, a group that for the third straight season has yet to find its collective step in the early going.

If the Broncos didn't have the Chargers' attention before, they do now. Something about a first-place team being 5-0 will do that to a squad.

The Chargers returned to practice on Monday, still with many of the regulars off the field.

" Players are on notice. Whether Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera explicitly said so or not, there is a feeling within the defense that jobs are up for grabs.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger passes under pressure from San Diego Chargers' Stephen Cooper in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh Sunday, Oct.

Playing the defending Super Bowl champions, the Chargers were horrifically humbled last night on national television.

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward, left, spins away from San Diego Chargers' Stephen Cooper.

It was an exercise of courage and a slap in the face. Really, what was the risk in Steelers coach Mike Tomlin going for it on fourth down from his team's 30-yard line in the second quarter last night? The Chargers' defense was almost nonexistent right from the start and, with only slight interruption, right to the end.

By Kevin Acee Union-Tribune Staff Writer 9:33 p.m. September 30, 2009 Linebacker and defensive captain Stephen Cooper makes a stop on Miami running back Ronnie Brown last weekend.

Cheered by quarterback Philip Rivers, Eric Weddle heads for the end zone with a 31-yard interception return that gave the Chargers a 23-6 lead.

A familiar refrain echoed from the Chargers defensive unit through the first two weeks of the 2009 season: We need to start faster.