It’s time to build the defense, and we’re starting on the inside! Which defensive tackle will be the first defender named to the Chargers All Quarter Century Team?
We’re finally on to the defense!
As the offensive side of the ball gets wrapped up, we’re headed to the other side of the ball to find out who will be the first defender added to the Chargers All Quarter Century Team.
First up: Defensive Tackles.
Now I should note that the Chargers have played both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses this century so we’re going to pair 3-4 DEs and 4-3 DTs together in this group. The Chargers
Which behemoth’s will end up making the team? Let’s find our DT1!
Jamal Williams (1998-2009)
Williams joined the Chargers via the NFL’s Supplementary Draft in 1998. While he earned zero starts as a rookie, Williams introduced himself to the NFL by intercepting a pass and returning it 14 yards for a touchdown at 6’3 and nearly 350 pounds. In year three, Williams won a starting job and played in every game during the 2000 season. From there, he was one of the best defensive tackles in the league when on the field.
Over his decade-plus with the Chagers, Williams was twice named a First-Team All-Pro (2005-2006), a Second-Team All-Pro in 2004, made the Pro Bowl three times (2005-2007) and was later named to the Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame and the San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team.
By the end of his 12 years in San Diego, Williams had amassed 396 tackles, 54 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 22 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and the aforementioned interception.
Igor Olshansky (2004-2008)
The massive 6’6, 315-pound Olshansky was drafted by the Chargers out of Oregon in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He started 70 of 75 games played for the Chargers during his five years in San Diego, helping them put together some of their best seasons this century.
He ended his Chargers career with 177 total tackles, 11 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Luis Castillo (2005-2011)
Castillo was drafted by the Chargers in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Northwestern. He broke into the lineup immediately, starting 15 of 16 games as a rookie to post seven tackles for loss and three sacks. His best season came the following year when he notched a career-high seven sacks and seven tackles for loss all while being limited to just 10 games and nine starts.
Castillo’s career came to an end in 2012 when he was released by the Chargers despite re-signing a one-year deal after missing all of the 2011 season with a broken leg. His final career stats included 210 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, six pas breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions.
Corey Liuget (2011-2018)
The Chargers used their first-round pick in 2011 to select Liuget out of the University of Illinois. His job was to help replace Castillo who was entering his final season under contract with the Bolts.
Liuget immediately started 13 of 15 games played as a rookie and went on to start all 16 games in each of the next three seasons. In his final four years with the team, injuries took a toll as he started 16 games just one more time before his time with the Chargers came to an end.
In eight years with the Chargers, Liuget totaled 274 tackles, 59 tackles for loss, 24 sacks, 20 pass breakups, five forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and one fumble returned for a touchdown.