SAN DIEGO – The rotation at outside linebacker the last two games is a glimpse of what the Chargers expected when the team broke training camp in early September.
In this case, improvising meant certain players logging more snaps than anticipated.
Barnes leads San Diego with seven sacks, including a stretch of four in three games when Phillips was out.
“I think Barnesy is balling right now. He’s doing what he’s been capable of doing,” LaBoy said. “He’s a very dynamic player, a great pass rusher and he’s picked up the slack in a big way for us with SP (Shaun Phillips) out.”
Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, Barnes’ pressure on quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick contributed to
“I think I’m playing at a high level, coming from my rookie year to now. I think it’s been a good year,” Barnes said. “I’m always still going to have some things to work on.”
The return of Phillips takes some of the workload off Barnes and LaBoy.
“SP is a very smart guy,” Barnes said. “He knows this defense, has been in the system the longest and can direct guys where to go.”
LaBoy had what most consider his best game in a Chargers uniform Sunday against the Bills. He was active around the ball with two quarterback hurries and a pass deflection.
“Having Phillips back is huge for our defense as a whole,” LaBoy said. “Offenses have to prepare for him, whether he’s 100 percent or 10 percent, I think it changes our defense just having him out there.”
Head Coach Norv Turner also noted how a reduced amount of snaps translated into more effectiveness for Barnes and LaBoy.
“(LaBoy) probably had his best game since he’s been here (against Buffalo),” Turner said. “It’s a cumulative effect. You go five or six straight games and play 60 snaps a game, it takes a toll. The last two weeks obviously he’s played much less than that, and it’s shown in his energy level and his performance.”
LaBoy’s 41 snaps Sunday against Buffalo were his fewest played since Week 4 against Denver and Barnes’ 27 were his fewest since Week 7 against the New York Jets.
