Jim Trotter, San Diego Union Tribune - Chargers

" Big playoff game this weekend in San Diego is the patriots visit the 14 and two chargers. The guy who can help us break down and analyze what's going on out the San Diego is the superb put football writer for the San Diego union Tribune Jim Trotter is on the line Jim it's -- on Michael how are guys don't. Daddy join us let's talk first about the chargers and and their atmosphere around San Diego I've been going on line try to read stuff. It seems as though the football fever is back big time in San Diego right now."

" It is going to that the band wagon and so anytime on the team's stars -- they're folks expected but it. You know well intended and when the charges -- which is an optimist adventures --"

" Speaking as special relationships Jim I know you know Rodney Harrison very well. He's not expected to play in this game what do you think are rod needs these when he -- it -- patriots starters matchup what do you think he he feels about returning to San Diego although as an injured player."

" While I mean I haven't spoken to on this sweep you know north and the way that I know and -- the game you desperately want to competed in and I hope he does competed -- Adam. He deserves it could be right yours and is tremendous player and person you know I think that he was that where -- what transpired was out there plays last year there. Basically major groin care and all the that was banned by the organization private on the way out the door but he couldn't anymore and -- to -- change. I think you love to play in this game you know whether it will go but I I think what these pieces that I -- tremendous respect for Ladainian on the simple as a person and the player. I think -- tremendous respect force on the -- where he's on some occasions dispute has the ability to be special player. And they that this is the kind of game to be because when you look at the match you know -- averaging in the last two games to two charges you know 175 yards per game. And almost except in yards eight yards a -- and the patriots a lot of pride you know to be can't imagine. Both numbers -- well any are they keep it to be right in the middle of -- action which will be."

" Like talk about the quarterback position in and first smallest Philip Rivers healthy I know we had the boat on the injured foot last week is he expected to be a 100% healthy this weekend. Yes cities."

" You know -- if they get that he actually played better in the registry finale after -- because you know there was speculation among on the New York invasion that it actually Wheldon now. And on -- and and you know step on the -- this weekend but but he did play better more efficiently. After that entry and that's the one thing with -- he gets -- And he's very competitive and he gets sometimes that they so. So fired you want to make the play right way and young quarterback you got to be patient and let the public view and trying to force when it is there but the one good thing about it. And it was perspective you know hasn't played as well he didn't play well down the stretch but if you look at his or order number I think he's rated among all or fourth quarter. And consistently came keep plays keep two war to these two."

" He's obviously had a great year -- first you're starting quarterback in the league but we did notice that his completion percentage and quarterback rating dropped each of the months of the season as the season went on. Do you feel that his play dropped off as well at all."

" do but I think part of that is. That one teams get a book on you know after you'd you played in to -- technology is he -- looked tired at the Indy thereby Kaman we agree. Well basically -- way you know almost three months without a break and I think that he that the first round was very beneficial to him as well the team in terms of just letting you know sort of exhaled form and do -- his plate dropped off but I think it was reasons for do you think but he actually -- it would be one of the elite quarterbacks in but he I don't know where's that fort -- you know you never know quarterback expert polls start that they discussed and of course four."

" Jim there's not a whole lot wrong with the team loses two games had a 16 game season."

" What I think -- points from undefeated these."

" I really united talk about that Baltimore game that was very close came down to actually the final possession and then lose in the Kansas City in those losses. Is there to find that -- there did you say okay this is what it takes you'd defeat San Diego."

" Well I mean two things you're gonna have to do aren't going to have to force turnovers that and -- hate to select coaching state. By you're gonna have to force turnovers -- in the literature to go to when that difference. And then two you gotta be a probable against the got to be able to protect you gotta be throws in the Baltimore game Steve McNair went down on the filed drive audible on the -- and and put derivative position to test in the game in the Kansas City game the chargers came back from big deficit I'd about the you know at the end of regulation. But it allowed Damon Huard to basically make three completion openly completions and take cheap studio deal you know to kick field -- right at the end when there's so. I mean that's been sort of the Achilles heel of this sentence for awhile -- it felt kind of strange because they've led the league in -- this year so you would think that that kind of pressure it would make secondary better. But I have to say why it is going to be this in terms of attacking it defensively you better be able to protect going to be able grow."

" All the protect part it's obviously the big question I I do feel fairly confident in saying that if they can protect they've got a quarterback who can throw. What are the chargers think of the patriots offensively."

" While I'm -- everything begins to break can't talk about pitchers element that they have tremendous respect. In fact when that was that we -- and he's going to kill them in to quote I mean that much respect after the open note to eat in and the thing is only people talking about so on and he rates in the pressure yeah its. But -- tell -- that they devote too much attention to him again they better watch out or shop sold the other outside about it because he is not as it is physical measurement but he's quicker. And and he sneaks up on you know -- that -- interprets it you know opposites there and look at a ranch in her though they better be to become active."

" Jim -- although with the chargers you know everything written about this team ridiculous that. If you haven't heard report did you realize Marty schottenheimer Ivan 12 -- him I have heard before that. As did that that's beat haven't -- to bed and Howard University did."

" But we yeah. Let my question for you need to go to -- keep you from haven't talked about Ohio stick with with -- and do our."

" As Marty schottenheimer taken us on have you done a story where he says look I'm so tired of these guys that I'm a post season record this is why it's five and 12."

" Now his whole attitude is and that goes back to lose 2004 in his first post season game here and yeah it is attitude is. That it you know to use the coaching question agent it is what it is now have a compact -- you know because you hear about those numbers in and I can ask -- how -- that Marty in which that are circumstances when. And basically -- and and and in. 17 postseason games. At least four I can't put this more of the two Cleveland games against -- way in the brought to trial by. There's want to Kansas City where -- rarely -- ovals in the game the other which moment. If future -- game in a way vote now at least a game. Well they need to go -- can point to what they Q coach and break where they've blown big -- in order -- fourth quarter and most recently became the 2004 against the -- Where the jets cast in overtime and charges of driving them they edit field goal range on the wet field rain rookie kicker and -- turtles. And -- quarterback -- third them that money off that -- The kicker misses in the jet and then the other way too simple and you know I've had discussions in in differences Ottawa told believe you know. That -- and -- Tuesday. It is what it is you know."

" We've heard Jason Taylor be very vociferous about Sean merriment and what he thinks is right or wrong about. Probable births and now all pro births on the AP all pro team what's your take on merriment and the end the substance abuse suspension and whether he should be eligible for post season awards."

" The -- at at and they take -- time."

" Let a let me give you some background manipulated foundation -- Nolan has ever condone their doors and I don't that being -- never tested positive rookie. He got -- the second you're that would -- believe if you want but I have no evidence to country an excellent do after the country believe that their first the other two in -- he has no credibility that. Populated the league but it -- system. And it pops up four games docked in the they kept them but he paid his -- adult it was right for me to turn around post IO sanctions on both from my perspective. But he would -- most -- games after he came back from its numbers were off the chart in oh. But it ain't what it does is really great but marchers and I think Jason would. On to something but I I think he could have taken -- step farther when he started talking about these messages that are being because I believe that if to -- in the players' association really felt that this was the big deal. That they would have a zero tolerance where you test positive regardless of the reason there's no appeal and you're done not -- for the year but possibly in the next year longer -- me that would clean. This entire game because I think there's too much -- you know -- criticize and from Monday Saturday. But then turn around Sunday paper money to watch -- player where mister chair -- what we can't have it both ways and -- media. You know to basically be more police announced that what you're asking us to do something you know use so. So you know I -- a lot of interest me questions and to -- when that they can read about it you can have a dialogue."

" And sticker with maravent Jim this is on the field do you think Shawn Phillips. Independently in a vacuum is he a great player or is it just among the same team a shot maravent someone -- pretty good numbers as well."

" I think -- good player mean when you start saying great I think I think some government has the potential would be great so -- Hall of Fame if you keep this and I don't care what -- by an awful lot in terms -- played the game. -- Phillips is very good quarter I think he -- benefit. Having them on the other side as well as having small Williams in the middle and -- few years ago but sought Phillips is a good player very good player but you know I would go to to step you know you can -- He's the guy you got -- the focal point -- that deep into you know opposite coordinators put the -- there's you know -- we gotta do -- for the -- the gap that you put up on that borders on and that's."

" We've talked a lot about Ladainian Tomlinson how to stop him how have you seen off the to coordinators approach. -- maravent has it been we'll ship him with a tie it and -- we're going to do this or what we'll do we'll take our chances one on one how they dealt with him."

" I think both a minute I thought now overseas late in the year it went up to Seattle. And Walter Jones like they're one of the best offensive tackle football -- was beaten to back while -- the first quarter Buckner. Now I mean the year before where superbowl in all the reports within the -- to -- you know what furcal a year. You know it's on be for two -- the first -- and you know and and that's not a -- altered joked that via you know they -- player. But it is that -- airmen if you try and match I don't leave two hours ago because he has. The combination of I've speed strength and in the aimed -- people overlooked some degree is relentless I mean he people make initial blocks on it. You'll come off those blocks and get defect or whatever because they they if he's accounted for he never gives up on a plate and in fact when priest Holmes got knocked out the last in the -- played which on it and he came from the backside. All the way across the field never gave up on the play -- delivered the bloated you know not priest Holmes basically possibly to retire."

" Much has been made here all season long about the lack of wide receiving weapons for Tom Brady included in the and that of course is former charger Reche Caldwell. What are the wide receiving weapons like the Philip Rivers has to deal."

" Well I mean there's. It's funny. And -- getting increases in terms of group B or now with San Diego receivers all star wood would so today. He is one of the reasons that Iranian is able to do -- Because you can say you're going to communicate in the box to box but many you try to put gates and they've arrived back at the bow to ever -- Phenomenal player and -- those two so close to early in his career is that there's not and other receiver with taxable year as well. It Antonio -- that never come in even if you throw the ball worst case scenario on Japan to bring to the ground and let you know -- And the Orioles prize with -- have to buy him more even though you look at the numbers in the numbers look Drew Brees native living. Wouldn't you date to Thursday though you know everything starts with in terms on the outside cut to stars Keenan McCardell or parker -- them are getting older have trouble getting off -- jams going to play if space becomes much more effective. -- Parker's very quick lender but their abilities is the guy who's really audibly and Steve there's in the second and it -- BAA but it and the people late I think two games as they and the other thing about instant news is tremendous but when you look at the change in the numbers he's putting up. Part of that is due to you know the player in Jackson as well -- dissident but on top and Brandon."

" I'll do the same man -- pretty good to do that and flow."

" If if all except that -- about that before but he I mean he is close so when you look at those two and you put them in the run game what I've noticed this year's -- unit to get to second third level a lot easier than in the."

" Jim I have no questions about Ladainian Tomlinson the players not at -- I've seen enough and it's good he's the best running back NFL. Like you've been very fortunate to cover some guys were great people Junior Seau Rodney Harrison the name to a lot of people describe Tomlinson -- that type of guy why would what is it about a bit stand out."

" Again -- the -- here's where it starts with. He came in 2001 as a rookie money from a warrant to be -- to be best actors and he didn't go out communicate that he went out and work there. And remember the story did change and so. Ladainian sort of dispersed in you know obviously -- want to -- and they get into a passing room where past two days Alan -- and well being it's -- it's it's over the moon it's over. Well junior being wily -- note. You know I've got an extra defender -- that -- out and force him to where to go one way any any go with it comes to him in practice. Able to play in the that was where I could make engineer explained to Tony said that -- is -- didn't you won the race. But what Ladainian also it is from Dave -- and he looked at players in. Great plated levels for a long time and he went to. How you're able to do and he went to change it is Emmitt Smith went bitter -- a two run hitters rich in Brown's book. I mean keep want to learn any told me that what -- so it's changed wrecked you know every day Arctic. -- take care by that ended it was what to do -- terms oh chip you know as it is to be. You know that went to please let -- you know any here to the end stupid its business spurs. Run hairston top mean you know that it first round draft -- are going to be on in the have to become bitter -- What I need to do you know -- I'm so he took he took all these things any -- and talked about it while. And -- internalize it and it's funny because our members want -- you want I think it was 2004. Albanians fired personal trainer for the first. And was working out four times week in it would never missed work and so in the torso was supposed to go someplace travel someplace -- and -- on Friday or Saturday. -- worked out was scheduled for that day instead of blowing at all Ladainian waited at like 6 in the morning. The work -- in and the artistry -- swipes -- him you know. Why can't you just take it day just rent and actually because in his mind it would have been cheating themselves. In cheating again and needed want to feel like he'd ever you know cheated himself into to step back and didn't do -- he could become the players and so. What people tell you what a great person he he's such humble superstar you know -- may stories about players talk certain days. What date that it out there and -- the most part again it's just that --"

" Final question from me not to be their choice would have been bad what did the San Diego Chargers make the right choice in the Philip Rivers Drew Brees question."

" I think it was a win win in a way to be frank with you you know acting troupe reasons treatment or back in a -- in the issues affect an MVP vote in the playoffs but I think the Phillips going to be great quarterback to you know -- ultimately came down soon in my opinion was that management -- that Philip Rivers being the bigger stronger players have an opportunity. To win more games. -- himself into police did and I think it AJ Smith was he didn't draft drew you're drafted. But he's the one that made the deal -- rivers and is known athlete you know -- Erica. And and I think people leave this book rate so ago but I don't think the charges were lost with you'd be it would."

" here's -- moment of hypocrisy of monastic yourself and I haven't done myself picked the winner of this game."

" You know. What -- that still you know kind of funny because I hate to sound like homer and I think Michael though is that I'm always going to tell you -- I think the charges when this game I think that this of the club that it's been model rule. I think there's certain teams that. You start to be something special about him you know to win ten games in a row in the league if you know it's not anything that would be six points from an undefeated he's -- mean they've met every challenge for the most part I think there's something special about it I think the play in at home I think there's -- hundred they're both for themselves into coached. And the other thing is their match ups that don't like in this game from the standpoint adult like you know of the protection element in terms of other going to protect Britain and -- about -- problems Jason Taylor. It is going to matchup with these guys and the other thing at that I'm looking at -- you know -- Iranians against the patriots you know being very -- to be average and a 1423 real meetings against these including 175 -- it it it it makes me think -- and a look at last year where how many times of the bill belichick -- scored 24 in the second. You got no better"

" not very often has that fact that you know we had a -- who says when's the last time you know build politic -- out -- to the well you -- that you go back to 21 zip or Miami or go back the 4170 you know Foxboro."

" you know cut -- your attention or I'd have to I think it's going to be I think that's what I've been told by by scouts about talk to. Who looked familiar with both teams is that -- what and it -- going to have to do spread as deep -- out because if you just talking about may have without question the patriots have for a seven can slow charges but it spread about it becomes much more difficult match and I would guess that that's where camp camp going to do the other thing is remember. Right shine on the the jets opposite order basically cut as professional team and San Diego under camp and you know the charges were so. But I'm willing to -- you there have been conversations this week between those two and that -- Cameron whoa whoa -- use some of that you know to its advantage in months."

" Jim we really appreciate taken the time to join us and and educate us a little bit it's fun talking football with you thank you."

" No problem Michael -- any."

" How he'll run at. I say that now but it does about -- take care that is Jim Trotter San Diego union Tribune"