Q: Do you think too much is being
made about your playoff record vs. Marty's playoff record?
BB: I'm not making anything out of
it. I don't think it really matters. I think this game will come down to
whatever team plays better on Sunday. I think that is what is really
important.
Q: How impressed are you with the Chargers and what they have done this season.
BB: I think they are the best team in
the league. They have had a terrific year, losing two close games at the
last second, but scoring almost 500 points, 176 points in the fourth
quarter, only 15 turnovers all year … they are pretty good at everything. I
don't really see many weaknesses in this team. They have won convincingly
and, at 14-2, they deserve that. It is a huge challenge for us. Marty and AJ have done a good job in acquiring good, young talent; talent
that continues to get better. They have good veterans too that give them
some experience too. The organization has done a good job, top to bottom, of
putting that team together.
Q: How do you stop that Tomlinson guy?
BB: He's the MVP of the league, no
doubt about that. He can do everything. No matter how he gets the ball, he
is a threat to go the distance every play.
Q: How much is it going to help you
this week preparing for the Chargers since you both run similar 3-4
defenses?
BB: At this point in the year, you
have seen a lot of what the league has. We don't work a lot against our
defense in practice, we work against the other teams' offense and a lot of
that work was back in training camp. We have played a lot of 3-4 units this
year and each unit is different. They present their own set of problems and
that is what we need to focus on, regardless of what we have faced before.
Q: Having coached Lawrence Taylor,
do you see any similarities with the ability that Shawn Merriman possesses?
BB: They are both good players. I
think it's a little unfair to compare a guy who had a Hall of Fame career
and revolutionizes the game at outside linebacker to a guy who is so early
in his career like Merriman is. Lawrence Taylor is a pretty
good football player.
Q: The QB out here is playing in his
first playoff game. Going back to Tom Brady's first playoff game,
what do you remember about that and the way he handled that?
BB: Tom handles pretty much
every situation well. As it relates to Rivers, he is 14-2. They are
in a good rhythm; they've scored more points than anybody. He has had great
numbers in the fourth quarter which is what really counts when the game is
on the line. I think he's very capable. He's not a rookie; he has had a lot
of experience at least going through the preparation process and seeing
different teams and schemes. He has had an opportunity to play this year and
he's played very well. I'm sure he'll be ready to go on Sunday. They are
going to be hard to stop and he's a big part of it. They are good as an
offensive unit and they are very well coached.
Q: How different is playoff football
from the regular season?
BB: Elimination games. There are only
so many of those you can have. Some games you cannot play well, your
season's not over, and you can still have a good year. But, we're not at
that point in the season now. Every team that is left is a good team. They
all have a significant number of strengths that has enabled them to put
together the record and standing that they are in. San Diego is at
the top of that list. You are playing the best teams and you have to play
your best football because there is not a lot of room for error.
Q: When Teddy Bruschi was
having his health issues, did you imagine he would be back to the point he
is at right now.
BB: He has been playing for a year
and a half. Once he started playing he has been improving through the
season. When it happened it seemed like he had a long way to go, but day by
day he gets closer.
Q: Was Bruchi's absence a
factor in last year's game against the Chargers?
BB: You always like to have all of
your player's healthy, but no. It was 17-17 at the half and then they
dominated the game and deserved to win. I don't think one player would have
made a difference in that type of outcome in the second half at all.
Q: How is Rodney Harrison, is
he still day to day, what is his status?
BB: He is doing better. I don't think
he will play this week. |
