CHARGERS: Respect for Rivers: Bolts QB earned healthy doses of it last January against Patriots
By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | ∞
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers gritted his teeth and played in last January's AFC Championship Game against New England despite a knee injury. (Photo by Don Boomer - For the North County Times) SAN DIEGO ---- Bill Belichick often is short and surly with the media and throws out compliments like manholes. The New England Patriots' legendary coach is all business and isn't known for sugarcoating things or engaging in political correctness.
Yet ask him about the gutsy performance by Philip Rivers in last January's AFC Championship Game, when Rivers played on a bitterly cold afternoon despite a major knee injury that would have sidelined most players, and Belichick can't help but dish out a major heaping of praise.
"I thought it was very impressive," Belichick said Wednesday during a conference call. "I thought it showed a lot of courage and determination. I thought he threw the ball well in January, which isn't a good time to throw the ball in New England.
"I thought he showed a lot of toughness, poise and composure. I have a lot of respect for Rivers."
Rivers played in the conference title game with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee just six days after undergoing arthroscopic surgery to remove cartilage damage in the same knee.
Afterward, respect levels for Rivers soared on many fronts around the NFL. He had injured the knee during a playoff victory over Indianapolis seven days before the AFC Championship Game, and undertook an extreme rehabilitation process to play against the Patriots.
In the days leading up to the game, Rivers slept on the floor at home with two machines attached to his leg ---- one to bend his knee and the other to ice it all night long.
So he was in far from top shape when he played against the Patriots. He completed 19-of-37 passes for 211 yards and threw two interceptions in a game the Chargers lost 21-12.
Rivers said Wednesday that he doesn't think the Patriots had any idea how badly he was hurt.
"They didn't do anything differently than they did all year," Rivers said. "From the 20 to 20 (yard lines), we moved the ball up and down the field. We just couldn't score in the red zone, and it caught up with us with four field goals."
The Chargers host the Patriots this Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium, and watching film of that game brings back memories for Rivers.
Like any fierce competitor, he identifies things he could've done better and agonizes over the opportunities that got away. He sees plenty of things that jog his memory of that freezing cold day in Foxborough, Mass.
"It certainly brings back memories, and some tough ones, just watching the tape," Rivers said. "Obviously, we have their game film from this year, but you always go back and watch how they played you in previous games, and watching the AFC Championship Game is tough to watch.
"It brings back a lot of thoughts about plays you wish you had made, and how you felt, all kind of different scenarios that were going on at the time."
Despite a sub-par game last Sunday against Miami, Rivers has played very well through five games this season. He has a quarterback rating of 103.0 ---- second in the NFL to Brett Favre (110.8) of the New York Jets ---- and is tied for second with 11 touchdown passes.
His yardage total of 1,183 yards ranks seventh, but only Drew Brees (8.62) of New Orleans has a better average gain per passing attempt than Rivers' 8.57.
The knee hasn't been a problem and Rivers, despite absorbing a shot in the ribs against Miami, said he feels pretty good.
"Obviously, there are different weeks and days when you're more sore than others, but I feel fine physically," Rivers said. "I think there are a lot of guys banged up, but that's the way it is across the league. Managing that ---- you tolerate some of it."
Much easier to stomach is that nice big dish of compliments served up by Belichick. After last January's game, Rivers exchanged "good game" remarks with New England's Tom Brady and said Wednesday that was "pretty much" his only interaction with Patriots players or coaches.
But he nodded appreciatively as Belichick's comments were relayed to him in a hallway outside the Chargers' locker room on Wednesday.
"You appreciate hearing it from other coaches and players," Rivers said. "But here it is October of the next year, and there are other things going on in the present time that are more important. Certainly, you appreciate (compliments) opposing teams give you.
"But we got beat ---- bottom line. It would mean a little more if we had won."
Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.
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Beat the Pats wrote on Oct 9, 2008 11:18 AM:Bottm line we have to blitz Cassel & Cro wil get his INTs. If we open up the game with a run up the middle I will scream bloody murder
Jimbo wrote on Oct 9, 2008 5:36 PM:BTP...better start rehearsing your screaming.
It's not a good sign when the writers have to talk about the past rather than the present or future. It's winning that counts. Looking good or acting tough is meaningless. How about we pass out ribbons to the playoff losers to make them feel better?
T Duck had it right on another post. Keeping Brees and not drafting Rivers cost SD some SB appearances. With the money saved from Rivers inflated contract, the Chargers could have picked up some solid defenders and a real wideout. Even Sullivan is saying that Brees is better than Rivers. He wouldn't do that if Rivers was playing well. No SB this year or next...and then LT plays his last year.
BoltBacker65 wrote on Oct 10, 2008 9:16 AM:I agree with BTP. A run up the middle on the opening play and I'm getting a voodoo doll of Norv to stab! lol JK but really, let's hope it isn't so. That play has always flopped 9 times out of 10. It then leads to a 3 and out opening series approx. 80+ per cent of the time. Look for 3 downs and Scifres on their opening series if Norv runs up the middle.
Just hope the D rush is healthy enough to apply and maintain an intense rush for all 4 quarters. Don't expect that though. TC will ease up and NE will inflate their offensive stats. Let's just hope it's stats that make the board and not TDs!
Remember guys, Brees was a stop gap player signed while AJ looked for what he considered a quality QB. I guess he didn't bargain on Brees being so damn good. AJ had to justify his expensive acquistion of Rivers by letting Brees go. I'm still not happy Brees was let go but I'm a realist and we have to go with who we have through thick or thin. Still love 'em, though. Go Bolts!
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