Defense

We're at the point where any San Diego Chargers victory can be summarized in two words. This goes back to Nov. 19, when between updates I saw a 24-7 San Diego deficit against Denver turn into a 35-27 Chargers victory and I text-messaged a friend to ask what happened. My buddy's reply: "LT happened." Flash-forward to Sunday, when the Chargers had to deal with a strong Oakland Raiders defensive effort, a shaky performance by quarterback Philip Rivers and a 14-7 Raiders lead in the fourth quarter.

 2013 has produced lots of offense and lots of points this season, but Friday's Pac-5 Division semifinal game between Long Beach Poly and Santa Ana Mater Dei at Veterans Stadium is going to feature two teams with exceptional defenses. In other words, get ready for some hard hitting, with not a lot of scoring. Both teams can stop the run. Both teams can put pressure on the quarterback. Both teams can come up with big plays. Therefore, maybe each school will be working on a trick play or two this week to get a slight edge.

Re "Dysfunction at the jails," Editorial, July 11 The Times fails to acknowledge the summation presented by your chief witness at the county's new jails commission, Sheriff's Capt. Michael Bornman. Bornman was asked what needed to be done to improve the jails. He said repeatedly that the department had already fixed problem after problem. His list of improvements at the jails was so long he had to write them down. As he went through his list, he said (and this is a quote often repeated in his summation)

The Clippers escaped this time, but barely, heaving a sigh of relief when a missed jumper by DeMarcus Cousins off an inbounds play sealed their 103-102 victory over the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on Saturday. At some point their defensive shortcomings will hurt them, and they acknowledged it. The Clippers played what Coach Doc Rivers called a sensational first quarter defensively and led by 20 in the second quarter before they admittedly let up. That allowed the physical and boisterous Kings to lead by five with just under three minutes left in the fourth quarter and by four as late as with 2:15 left until Chris Paul bailed them out again.

Re Editorial cartoon by David Horsey, Opinion, Oct. 15 David Horsey's implication that Ayn Rand's philosophy and work were oppressive to the poor continues the glib and reflexive tradition of disparaging Rand while remaining ignorant of her ideas. In fact, Rand's life and work were dedicated to eradicating poverty of every kind. She fought for freedom, opportunity and the creation of wealth that was not hindered by race, social class, religion, gender or government manipulation.

The emphasis Lakers Coach Mike Brown stressed on defense comes in many shapes and forms. There are DVDs. Brown wowed the Lakers' front office with these during his job interview so much that he quickly became the favored candidate. He then distributed them to all his players before the lockout so they'd get a head-start on learning and executing his defensive concepts. There are terms. The main one Brown reiterates involves "shrinking the floor," which entails closing off baseline drives.

Defense is USC's bread and butter, its faithful standby. If shots aren't falling, if calls go against them, if the hardwood cracks in two and a chasm appears, suspending play indefinitely -- it's cool, no worries, don't sweat it. The Trojans can still rely on their rock-solid defense, which is built on players being aggressive, knowing if they get beat, a teammate has their back. But against Washington State on Thursday, that defense, which was ranked first nationally in scoring defense (54.7)

As stumbling blocks go, it wasn't exactly Mt. Everest. Los Angeles Crenshaw's football team continued its pursuit of history Friday night with an easier-than-expected 44-7 victory over archrival Dorsey in a Coliseum League game played at Crenshaw. The top-ranked Cougars are bidding to become the first L.A. City Section team to secure an invitation to a CIF state championship bowl game, and they unveiled a championship-caliber defense against the Dons. Crenshaw forced two turnovers, pestered a quarterback into throwing away the ball in the end zone for a safety and held Dorsey to 18 total yards.

On Sunday, the Lakers did their best to play through their first practice since returning from a preseason trip to China as part of the NBA's 2013 Global Games.  Stepping away from training camp to fly halfway around the world can be disruptive, given that the Lakers have nine new faces currently on the roster. With Kobe Bryant still sidelined as he recovers from Achilles' tendon surgery, the Lakers need time throughout the preseason to establish an identity. "We're trying to get more disciplined and our offense, trying to get in your spots and the same on defense -- trying to get back on transition and get our bigs up on pick and rolls and trap a little bit better," Coach Mike D'Antoni said.  "We still have nine days of work and we have to get ready for the opening game.

The defensive players from Sherman Oaks Notre Dame won't have any problem putting together a highlight video if they continue to succeed against top quarterbacks. Notre Dame has begun a cycle where it's facing three college-bound quarterbacks over a four-week period. It started with Gardena Serra and Boise State-bound Jalen Greene. The Knights held Serra scoreless for three quarters before losing in double overtime. On Friday, Colorado-bound Cade Apsay of Canyon Country Canyon faces Notre Dame.

Diane Long will sit in an Edward Jones Dome luxury box Sunday, binoculars lifted to her eyes, her focus trained on the line of scrimmage. She won't be following the football much when the St. Louis Rams play host to the Chicago Bears. For four quarters, the trenches will be the center of her universe. On one side of the line of scrimmage will be Long's eldest son, Chris, standout defensive end for the Rams. On the other, her middle son, Kyle, rookie guard for the Bears. In the suite, a couple of nervous parents - Diane and her husband, Hall of Fame defensive lineman Howie Long.

The Clippers again pointed to their inconsistent defense as they reflected on their 105-91 loss Thursday to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Having the second-best offense (107.3 points per game) in the NBA didn't save the Clippers on Thursday because their attack was sputtering too. They needed their defense to get stops, but that didn't happen enough. "We show moments of being good, of really looking like we all have it down and we're always there on rotations," Blake Griffin said.

In a chess match between two of the Southland's best coaches, it was Santa Ana Mater Dei's defense that kept Mission Viejo in check, intercepting three passes, recovering a fumble and forcing a turnover on downs deep in its own territory to key the Monarchs' 21-14 Southern Section Pac-5 Division quarterfinal win Friday at Santa Ana Stadium. Landon Iakopo rushed for 41 yards in eight carries, but his biggest contribution came on the opposite side of the ball when he knocked down a pass at the goal line on fourth and goal from the 10-yard line early in the fourth quarter.

 Defensive back Glen Ihenacho of Gardena Serra has committed to Oregon. Eric.sondheimer@latimes.com  

OKLAHOMA CITY - The challenge for the Clippers on Thursday night was to keep playing when they weren't at their best and to keep playing even though they were facing a tough Oklahoma City team. That turned out to be too tall of an order for the Clippers, who dropped a 105-91 decision to the Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Clippers never led. BOX SCORE: Oklahoma City 105, Clippers 91 They fell behind by 11 points in the first quarter, 13 in the second, 11 in the third and 15 in the fourth.

UCLA thrives when its offense moves, and does it quickly. Arizona State ranks 16th nationally in fewest yards given up and is 17th against the run. Whether UCLA is able to move the ball Saturday at the Rose Bowl will have a lot to do with which team wins. "The key in college football are the personnel matchups, matching up your guys with who you want to take advantage of," Arizona State Coach Todd Graham said. The Sun Devils' defensive front is "where we have the biggest advantage," he said.

NFL Teams With Most Defensive Touchdowns Last Five Seasons (TDs by interceptions and fumble recoveries from 1992 to 1996) 1. Minnesota Vikings: 21 TDs scored by the defense 2. San Francisco 49ers: 20 TDs scored by the defense 3. Philadelphia Eagles: 19 TDs scored by the defense 4. Pittsburgh Steelers: 18 TDs scored by the defense 5. Washington Redskins: 17 TDs scored by the defense Source: NFL

The article overlooks one salient fact: Milken broke the law, not once, but again and again. LOUIS KARNEY Carlsbad

Freshman linebacker Myles Jack resided under the media spotlight again Tuesday. A Sports Illustrated writer dropped by to chat, and Jack did a lengthy interview with Fox to be used before the Arizona State game Saturday. Jack has been an outstanding defensive player all season. His interception with 16 seconds left allowed UCLA to hold on to beat Utah, 34-27. But playing a little running back got everyone to perk up. "It's definitely a little overwhelming," Jack said. "This is a team effort.

DeAndre Jordan can ice the aching feet. He can wrap the tired knees. Soothing his newest defensive asset requires a more creative remedy. "A lot of tea," the Clippers center said late Saturday night. "Something with a lot of honey in it. " That's right, nothing says quality defense quite like Jordan's motormouth, which is running from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Just go to a Clippers game and listen. He's often talking on defense even before the ball crosses halfcourt, letting his teammates know what's happening and what they need to do about it. "I'm out front and I can't see everything behind me," Clippers point guard Chris Paul said.