Cooper and Wilhelm take over inside

Sunday, Sep 09, 2007
By Tom Shanahan, Chargers.com

A fifth-year veteran can feel a rookie's excitement when he makes his first NFL start, but a rookie can't feel a fifth-year veteran's experience in a milestone start.

That was the story at inside linebacker as fifth-year veterans Stephen Cooper and Matt Wilhelm made their first starts side-by-side in the Chargers' 14-3 win over the defending NFC champion Chicago Bears Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.

Cooper and Wilhelm said throughout training camp they were confident they could plays as veterans as the Chargers' new inside tandem, but they admitted they felt fresh excitement once the season opener arrived.

"I've been laid back about this for a long time, but last night I couldn't sleep," Cooper said. "I was jumping around this morning until I got with my teammates and we got on the field and I could make some plays."

Cooper and Wilhelm made plenty against a physical run-oriented team designed to to power the ball up the middle.

Cooper led the Chargers with eight tackles and Wilhelm was tied for second with five. They both also recovered a fumble and Cooper added a forced fumble.

"It was the great game to win as your first start," Wilhelm said. "I've talked all along that being part of this defense is something special. What better way to start out than against the NFC champions. It was a true test for our defense and offense."

Although it was their first start side-by-side, Cooper and Wilhelm are familiar with each from four previous seasons of taking reps together in practice and playing together occasionally as backups waiting to succeed Randall Godfrey and Donnie Edwards.

In 2003, Cooper was an undrafted free agent out of Maine and Wilhelm a fourth-round draft pick out of Ohio State when they joined the team.

"They came out and performed they way we knew they'd perform," said third-year outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, a two-time Pro Bowler. "There is more to come from them. They've been playing together a long time, and they're going to keep getting better every week."

Wilhelm's fumble recovery came in the third quarter and led to the Chargers' first touchdown.

When the Chargers were forced to punt, Mike Scifres' short punt bounced off Bears safety Brandon McGowan. The ball hit McGowan's back as he prepared to block the Michael Turner.

Wilhelm said he heard Bears return man Devin Hester shouting "poison," the signal to the receiving team's players to get away from a bouncing ball.

"I was looking for the ball and checking to make sure Hester wasn't trying to sneak one on us," Wilhelm said. "I saw (McGowan) go up to clean Michael's clock, the ball hit him in the back and the ball was right in front of me."

Six plays later, the Chargers took a 7-3 on LaDainian Tomlinson's 17-yard option pass to tight end Antonio Gates.

Cooper's fumble recovery earlier in the third quarter should have led to a touchdown, but the Chargers' ensuing possession ended with a controversial fumble at the 2-yard line.

After Cooper's recovery at the Bears' 41, the Bolts drove to a second-and-goal at the 1-yard line. But the Chargers lost the ball when Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris appeared to jump the snap and dislodged the ball on the snap exchange. The officials didn't throw a flag for a penalty and such a play can't be reviewed.

But Cooper factored in another fumble early in the fourth quarter that did lead to a touchdown. Cooper forced a loose ball that was recovered by strong safety Clinton Hart. Eight plays later Tomlinson gave the Chargers a 14-3 led on an 11-yard touchdown run.

Wilhelm was making his first career start, but it was actually Cooper's eighth career start. However, all his previous starts were in place of an injured starter.

This was the first time Cooper entered a season owning the title. Cooper also had the responsibility of making the defensive calls.

"The guys were looking up to me to make sure I didn't make any mistakes," Cooper said. "It was a big day to be announced as the starter. We've waited five years for this. We plan on being together for a long time."