Chargers overcome off-field problems

Arrests on land and water. Benchings for misbehavior. Suspensions for substance abuse.

In the past year, the San Diego Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals have turned into the NFL’s two top examples of why character counts. Their rap sheets are nearly as extensive as their play lists.

So far, there’s one big difference between them. As they prepare to meet today in Cincinnati, the Chargers are dealing with their trouble a whole lot better.

The Chargers (6-2) are tied with Denver for the AFC West lead, having won four of their last five games. They’ve overcome their off-field problems by getting the most out of their stars and more than expected out of their backups.

“You’ve got to find ways to stick your finger in the dike, as it were, and have somebody else step forward and do the job,” coach Marty Schottenheimer said. “We’ve done a little bit of that.”

They won last Sunday without linebacker Shawne Merriman, the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year last season. Merriman sat out a 32-25 victory in Cleveland, starting a four-game suspension for a positive drug test. He claims he took a tainted supplement.

It was the latest setback to a defense that already had a lot of woe. Linebacker Steve Foley is out for the season, recovering from bullet wounds while facing drunk driving charges. Safety Terrence Kiel has pleaded not guilty to felony drug charges. Cornerback Markus Curry was released by the team following his arrest on suspicion of committing domestic violence.