SAN DIEGO - Philip Rivers' ailing knee was a major point of discussion in a Chargers press conference on Monday.

The strained right medial collateral ligament that jeopardizes Rivers' prospects of playing in Sunday's AFC Championship Game at New England, however, was at times overshadowed by the quarterback's penchant for trash talking.

Rivers was seen talking back to fans on several occasions during a 28-24 AFC divisional round win over the Indianapolis Colts, but that's nothing new. Rivers, who did not attend Monday's press conference because of an MRI being taken on his knee, has been caught talking to opposing players on several occasions, a trend that came to a head in the regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos.

It's continued since then, forcing others to continually address Rivers' actions and the notion that the Chargers are generally a bunch of trash talkers.

"I think we're perceived as a trash-talking team, and I hate that," Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. "That's never been my style, to really trash talk. The only thing you can do about that to change is to just play the game and quit talking about different things. Eventually it will go away, but you have to win also.

"The problem is that if you trash talk and you lose, people say that, 'This team, all they can do is talk and they can't back it up.' I've heard that this year already."

Rivers has ignored criticism and continues to speak his mind, something few expect him to change.

"We're going to let Philip be Philip," Tomlinson said. "No one has talked to him about it, because that's the way he's always been. He's his own man, and at this point I don't think you can try to sit him down like a high school player and say, 'You shouldn't be talking like that.'"

Chargers coach Norv Turner did take certain exception to Rivers' actions in Indianapolis, where he was seen talking directly to a group of fans after the game.

"(Rivers) doesn't need to be turning around talking to some guy that has had 12 beers in the stands. He doesn't need to do that," Turner said. "But I watch the other team, too, and they make plays and they're back to back and they're jumping up and they're celebrating.

"I always say, if you're doing it as a celebration, that's great. If you're doing it in any form of being disrespectful to an opponent, then I don't think it's appropriate."

Upon further review

While Turner is no longer fuming over the controversial holding penalty called on defensive back Eric Weddle during Antonio Cromartie's second-quarter interception return that negated a touchdown against the Colts, he still was disappointed that such a dramatic effort was forever erased.

"That's one of the great plays you're ever going to make," Turner said. "Because it was in a playoff atmosphere, that thing would've been shown forever and ever. Now it comes back as a short return and a holding penalty, but it should've ended up as an interception and one of the most unbelievable returns you've ever seen."

As far as other controversial calls that went against the Chargers on Sunday, Turner chose to remain mum.

"We get a little extra money for these playoff games," Turner said, "and I'm not giving it back."

Fans flock to Chargers Park

The Chargers had a triumphant return home on Sunday night after beating the Colts. There were an estimated 8,000 fans at Chargers Park waiting to greet the players.

The mob scene was overwhelming, but appreciated by a tired, ailing Chargers team.

"It was amazing. I was shocked," Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman said. "I didn't like sitting outside waiting to get into my car for an hour, but we definitely felt the support. I think positive energy brings a positive attitude into the locker room and to the field and to winning, period. To see all those supporters out there when we got back felt good for all of us."