Head Coach Norv Turner

Any health updates?
"It's the same exact report as yesterday. I thought we made it through good today. A very good practice."

You established a plan of how you wanted these two weeks to play out in terms of practice. Has it gone according to how you mapped it out?
"I think the things we addressed last week were we've had some difficulties, things where we've given up plays or we haven't executed as well as we'd liked on offense or in the kicking game. I think it's showed up yesterday and today that we've addressed some issues and I think we fixed some issues. Obviously it's practice and you address them and you want it to show up in the game. I thought our practices have been outstanding."

You said yesterday's practice was as up-tempo a Wednesday practice as week one or week two. How much of that is resting?
"I believe that the physical part of it is a factor and I think that all of the guys, if you talked to them, would feel that and agree with that. It's the focus. When you're as focused as they are right now and you know what's out in front of you, what the possibilities are, then everyone is focused and everyone is focused on each other. There's more communication in practice on both days then you'd ever have in a normal Wednesday or Thursday practice."

Do you sense more attention in meetings?
"Absolutely. The biggest thing is the details of what we're doing. You don't change a lot of what you're doing on a week-to-week basis, but you have to change to gear it towards the opponent you're playing. I think our guys have done a great job of understanding the Jets and understanding the things that we have to handle."

What kind of differences do you see in preparation with a team that has this kind of playoff experience, as opposed to a younger team?
"Maturity is a big deal and it's easy to get caught up in everything that's going on around you and not zero in on the details of football. I think you get that with experience and maturity."

Is there a disadvantage in having a bye week and possibly losing momentum?
"I think it depends on your team. I believe we have a number of guys who would have struggled to play a week ago. So that part of it, there's no way that that's not a positive. We went into Indianapolis and they had had a bye two years ago and we had played a real tough game against Tennessee and we were little bit beat up, but we were healthy enough to play, so that is an issue. We have to be ready to go in a snap. I think that would indicate the stats you're talking about, that it's not as big of an advantage. I think you see the eight teams in this tournament right now, there's not much difference. The games come down to one or two plays, they come down to a missed kick, they come down to a penalty in a critical situation and a fumble, something like that. You know you have to go play your best. I don't care who you are and where you're playing and if you've had rest or not, you're going to have to go out and play a real good game. If you don't you're going to have problems."

Did you have more contact in practice this week since you didn't play last week?
"Yeah, in fact we went in pads yesterday and I got a little nervous about halfway through because it was a physical practice. We certainly want to be ready, we want to go; I don't want to leave it out here."

When you addressed the team on Sunday, did you say anything to the team to make sure they don't get too hyped up?
"Poise is a big issue and poise is probably the biggest reason we've won 11-straight games. There's going to be emotion involved; I don't think you ever downplay that. I don't know that you're going to falsely create that. The emotion is going to be there for both teams and it's going to be a big part of the game early. Our experience and our maturity and our poise are going to have to take care of us."

Have you paid attention at all to the weather report and is that going to be a factor in your game plan?
"No, I look at it. I know there's been a forecast possibly of some rain. We played Tennessee in the rain in the playoffs, the first playoff game that I was here. It doesn't get bad and the forecast doesn't look like it would be bad where it would be an issue."

You mentioned that you were a little nervous during yesterday's practice. Did you scale it back at all?
"No, I didn't. We had a good practice. You get a little cautious, and certainly as said, you don't want to get someone banged up out there and you don't want to leave it out on the practice field. Our tempo is good. We know what to do. I know it's going to be physical and I know it's going to be an emotional game."

How much of an advantage is it to pick up the Jets' blitz packages when you have players like Nick Hardwick and Philip Rivers that are pretty adept at picking those things out?
"It's a big part of it. The biggest thing you can do is minimize the third downs. That is what the Jets do such a great job at. They're so good at first and second down that you're going to have to handle third down. They're by far the best team in the league on third down defense and they've been better the last six weeks than they were the first 10. They sometime in the game are going to get somebody free, and we're just going to make sure that it doesn't turn into a big play for them. We've got to handle it because they come from so many different places so that at some point they do. When you pick them up and you get open, you have to take advantage of it. They're an outstanding cover group, they're an outstanding pressure group and you're going to have to go out and make big plays to win, to win each matchup. You're not going to slow them down, it's not like you're going to get a big play and they're going to quit coming because that's what they do."

Your offensive line has been in a state of flux all year. At the end of the year did you feel that you had your cohesiveness back?
"Absolutely, and when you look at getting Nick (Hardwick) back and with Kris (Dielman) and Marcus (McNeill) over there, we have that cohesiveness. Louis (Vasquez) has been in there almost every down, he missed a couple of games, but Louis is not your average rookie and he's been one of the reasons that we've had success and had continuity. I can't say enough about what Brandyn Dombrowski has done. I know they're going to give him some problems; people have attacked him and people have tried to confuse him and people have given him different looks and he's handled them. I have confidence he will."

How good is Philip Rivers at picking up blitzes and how important that skill is at being a good quarterback?
"It's managing the game. The difference right now in the two quarterbacks, obviously, is Philip has a lot more plays he has to manage in our offense. Mark (Sanchez) has done a great job and they're done a great job running the ball and playing defense. When you have 15 throws and of those six of them are third downs, you don't have as many plays that you have to manage. If we can get him in an uncomfortable situation and into some situations that he has to manage more things, we'll do everything that we can do take advantage of that."

Will you give the starters any more time on special teams now that you're healthy?
"We're healthy on special teams and we have a lot of starters involved in our kicking game. We have starters that are involved as backups, if we have a problem. Our special teams core is strong; they play good; they're young guys that have high energy and execute well. I'm excited for them, in terms of the opportunities that they have."

TE Antonio Gates

What is the physical difference with a week layoff?
"We fought and battled to get to this spot and it's definitely going to help us. We had some guys banged up. It just put us in the best physical position possible to go out and win a football game. I think that's what matters the most."

How do you feel personally? Can you tell that's it's been a while since you guys have taken hits?
"That's why we played the last game. We wanted to maintain that chemistry and that competitive edge that we had leading up to the postseason. If you watched that first team in our last game of the season, we came out making some throws, we missed some throws, but I think the most important thing was that we were able to compete and maintain the chemistry in a live game."

What do you expect to see from the Jets defense?
"You never really know because the Jets are not a divisional opponent. One thing I've learned since I've been playing is that the postseason presents so many different situations. Sometimes you may prepare a certain way but the game presents itself in a whole different way. I think we are definitely prepared and ready to play but at the same time we understand that in a playoff game, your ability to adapt is just as important as anything else you can do. We have some things on film that we see but we're not really for sure that things will be played exactly that way because there are so many guys that can make plays on this offense."

Have you seen them do some completely different things week to week?
"They do a lot of different things. Rex Ryan came from Baltimore and the way they pressure and the way their corners are very physical makes it a challenge. They have a lot of guys who can make plays on their defense. With that being said, we have guys that can make plays offensively so we don't want to get caught up in what they are doing defensively because we still have to worry about playing San Diego Chargers football."

Because they have such good corners, do you feel pressure to make plays in the offense?
"No because we play together as a unit. There's no situation where I feel like there's pressure on me or the team for that matter. If we continue to do the things that we've been doing since up until the postseason, then the San Diego Chargers are going to be fine. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up into the hype and everything else but our main focus is to prepare as well as we can and go out and have fun because these types of opportunities come once in a lifetime."

What's the value of playoff experience?
"If I had to sum everything up to the younger guys around here it would be that in the playoffs, every single possession is so valuable. You have to really take care of that football. I remember the last time we played the Jets and we had a chance to win the game but we missed the field goal and they came back and made it. That's just how small the margin of error is in a playoff game. But with all that being said, go out and have fun. It's a football game. Still go out and play the way you know how to play the game and go out and fly around. I guarantee you that you can walk away with your head high if you gave it your all."

Do you remember how nervous you were for your first playoff game?
"It was crazy because that was the first time the Chargers had been in a playoff game since 1994. I could just remember the energy and the focus that we had. But all of those things that we've done in the past have made us who we are today. It gave us that adversity and experience that I think makes us a different team. We're not that team from 2006 or the team from last year, we're a group of guys that have been in those games and have learned from those games."

Is it possible to be over-amped for a win or home game?
"Normally I would say so. But like I said, this team has gone through so much. We've played in big games. We've won some, we've lost some but overall we've learned from them. Now you just see the focus. I could remember my first playoff game, and about this time then, I was like 'wow this is a long season.' Now, it feels like some new. Something about the energy now feels totally different. It just speaks how we carry ourselves and our mindset about what our focus is which is to win a Super Bowl championship."

Can you remember a time that this team has ever been this healthy?
"It's been a long time. The physical part has been an issue for us in the past but now we are making sure everything is in place. Obviously preparation is still the key but the fact that we are healthy and physically ready has me anxious to see how we're going to play this week."

You brought up the missed field goal the last time you guys faced the Jets in the playoffs. Have you talked to Nate; is he looking for some redemption?
"Nate has been kicking tremendously. He was voted to the Pro Bowl this year so I'm quite sure that is something that he's learned from in the past. That's why he is the kicker he is today. I remember him missing kicks in the past, but now he's a whole new player and this is a whole new team like I said previously. We are just ready to play football and try and win a Super Bowl this year."

Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera

What made the biggest difference in the way the team executed during the 11-game win streak?
"I think as we look back on this year, which we had a chance last week, you've got to really point out the consistency in terms of the play of the defensive line. We got some guys that we brought back, Ian Scott, Alfonso Boone, we kind of got into what we did. A few guys got healthier in terms of Luis Castillo and Jacques Cesaire and Travis Johnson, and then our young guys that we counted on to do some good things, did some really nice things. We miss O.G. (Ogemdi Nwagbuo) who played really well for us up until he had to go on I.R. But I think our young guys have really stepped up and played well. I just think it's the continuity and the way the D-line has played the last eight, nine, 10 weeks."

Did you get to know Rex Ryan at all during your playing days?
"Yes. Yes. He was one of those young guys that used to come around because his dad was the coach and I got to know Rex and visit with him on occasion when I'd see him at the different functions and events."

Where do you rank Buddy Ryan in terms of influence?
"Oh, wow. I think just having been around a guy like Buddy Ryan for a couple of years and got a chance to get to know his philosophy on things was really impressive and it's left an imprint on me in terms of the way I approach things."

What is it that makes the Jets' defense so successful and why don't more teams play it?
"The big thing is it's a philosophy thing, first and foremost. I think it's what you've got to believe in and you also have got to be willing to take those kind of risks. It is a high-risk, high-reward defense. I know when Buddy used to do it, he used to always believe in us and that was one of the big things too. When you have guys that eventually are going to be Hall of Famers like we did, it makes it a little bit easier too."

Do you feel like you and Norv Turner complement each other?
"I think so. I mean, you know, I take my lead from Coach (Turner), what he wants us to do on our side of the ball. But I really do. I love how consistent Coach is and even-keeled. It's been like that for the three years I've been here and the one thing Coach has always been is even-keeled, whether we were 2-3 or 3-5 at one point. He never waivers and I think that's important, is that the head coach under pressure keeps his composure and I think that's outstanding."

What did change that made the defense better as the year went on?
"As I said earlier, I think it was the consistent play of the defensive line. But we did a couple things schematically a little different as well from where we first started the season out because we had to suit the guys that were playing for us and the guys adapted very well."

Some offensive play callers speak about getting into a zone calling offensive plays. Do you ever get into one calling defensive plays?
"I think sometimes you can, I really do. But you've got to also call it by the flow of the game as well. You just can't pull things out of the air. I think you've got to try and match to what the situation is as well."

Does Rex have a lot of Buddy in him?
"I do. I think he does. I do think he does and that's a compliment because his dad was a heck of a football coach who I really enjoyed playing for, and just watching him, and his brother as well, Rob, they share the same type of personality."

How much do you think rest will help Shawne Merriman?
"I think the rest has been good. This is probably the first time he's done two days in a row of practice so that's been exciting for us as a defensive staff. As you game-plan, there's not that uncertainty as to whether or not he'll be out there or how long he's going to be there, so I'm pretty excited about his opportunity to be on the field."

What's your role in game-planning for Rex's defense?
"Well, that's coach's side. Defensively, we stick to what we do. As far as what our offense is going to do, that was up to coach."

But do you look at film?
"I've looked at film on him, but no. No."

You played in their defensive scheme. Would you consider it high-stress or high-fun?
"It's a lot of fun. It is. I think that's one of the things that, when people talk about what has helped us defensively is our guys are having a lot of fun as well. I think that's important. If you put your guys in position to have fun and enjoy themselves out there, it becomes a good thing. Heck, winning is fun. I think that's a big part of it as well too."

Why does it seem like defensive guys have more fun?
"Oh, I don't know. I think there's a few more personalities on the defensive side I guess."

What is it that you see in Rex that is like Buddy?
"Everything. I mean literally a chip off the old block. And as I said, that to me is a huge compliment because again Buddy was a tremendous coach and somebody I enjoyed really playing for."

What ways do you think Shawne Merriman's foot was hindering him?
"Oh, that's beyond me in terms of what the injury was."

What do you expect the Jets to do with Mark Sanchez?
"What he does is pretty big and I think that they're going to continue to do what they've done and that's try and run the football and then use their different type of passing game that they have whether it be play action or drop back. He's been an integral part of the success they've had and we look forward to it continuing that way."

Is there anything about the running game that makes it different from other teams'?
"Their commitment to it. They're committed to it and that's impressive. That's their formula. I think the way they run the ball reflects Coach Ryan's personality and that's physical and hard-nosed."

Where some teams might go away from it...
"Right. Exactly. They stick with it and I really think that's a reflection of his personality."

How much of the Wildcat do you expect to be thrown at you? Have you taken a look back at the Miami tapes?
"Well, they pretty much threw it against everybody. They used it against Cincinnati and had a little bit of success. So we spent some time watching it obviously because it's what they do offensively. So we've got an opportunity to work on certain things and certain aspects of what they do in terms of our preparation."

What's Shonn Greene's running style?
"He's a good complement to Thomas Jones. I had the fortune of being with Thomas in Chicago for a few years and really, really enjoyed watching him and having him as a guy on our team. He's an aggressive-style football player and I think the young rookie Greene is a good complement to him. I think he's a little more of a slasher as opposed to Thomas who's a downhill, physical runner. So I think they're a good complement to each other."

T Marcus McNeill

On being able to achieve cohesiveness at the offensive line:
"I think our level of play has been so hot throughout the year, regardless if it's been our backups stepping up into a starting position or our starter coming back into his role. The continuity has been there all year. Even the backups have stepped up and been here for a while so we've kind of been used to playing with him."

What does it mean to you to face a blitz-happy team?
"You've got to prepare for it. All week we've been out there early before practice trying to pick up all their different coverages and stuff. But the biggest thing is they're going to do a lot of different things. You can't really pick up on just one thing and then do something in the blitzes differently, one time here, one time there. I think we're going to pick it up pretty well. That's one of the best things we've been doing all year is picking up the blitz. I think that's been a big credit to Philip (Rivers) having the great year he's having."

Why is this team so good at picking up the blitz?
"Honestly, I think our coaching staff is so smart. Our center, our quarterback Philip ... they are here constantly. Philip's the first one in everyday; the last one to leave. He's picking up a lot of those blitz coverages and he knows where the blitz and the pressure is coming from. It's easy for him to manipulate the line the way he needs to so he can make that big throw down the field."

Have you seen a comparable defense this year?
"I think we've seen a defense like this. They're very similar to Baltimore who gave us a little trouble early on in the year. But I think we've got a good feel for what they're doing right now. We should be able to pick up a lot of blitz packages their defense has for us."

Can you tell physically that it's been 11 days since your last game? Are you that much fresher?
"Definitely that much fresher. A lot of times you get up on that Wednesday or Thursday and your body's still sore from the Sunday night game but we actually had a week off so the body feels fresh. I actually feel like my body's in Week One or Week Two right now as far as freshness. So that's going to be good for us to make a push throughout these playoffs."

Is it hard to pick up where you left off with momentum?
"I think we've been practicing at such a high level. Even on our off week our practices were very fast, very focused and I think that's what we're doing. We're men on a mission right now and our mission is to keep pushing through the playoffs."

Norv said yesterday's practice started to get a little intense:
"Yeah, we got to put the pads back on yesterday. So whenever you get a chance to hit as a football player, it's going to get a little rowdy out there. That's what we love to do. We love to compete whether it's in practice or on the football field. That's what we got out there and did: banged around a little bit, talked a little noise and really just getting ready for this Sunday."

How do you balance practicing at game speed without getting banged up?
"It's no change. Players have got to play smart. I think that's what we do. We know how to play fast. We know how to play smart. It's the speed mentality for us, being there where you need to be, being in the pits, making sure receivers are running their right routes and things like that. You make sure you're going into game tempo, but you don't do quite the finishing that you would do in the game. That's the fun part. Sometimes you get to throw somebody on their back during the game or a receiver actually gets to take off on that nine-route and catch a touchdown. That's we live for on the football field and that's what we play for on Sundays and we're good at it."

How do you balance getting amped up and remaining mentally calm to take care of your assignments?
"I think we we've been pretty good in being meticulous in what we did this year. Our schedule has been pretty much the same throughout the whole year. It kept us in a rhythm practice-wise. Even though we had the week off last week, we still kept the same schedules. It was a working week for us, a working bye week. It kept us in the same mentality. Of course you're going to get anxious when you're not playing. Of course I had the same feelings last Sunday as I do every other Sunday. I just think your body and mind is just mentally in tune to playing that way for 16 weeks. Taking a week off got us a little anxious, but I think we handled it well, took out all our anxiety out on the football field in practice and had great practices so far."

How important has it been to keep the schedule the same even though stakes are a little higher?
"I think we're playing good ball. The way we're playing, keeping that mental focus but playing with confidence, a certain level of swagger and also having fun out there. Whenever you see us out there having fun it's going to be a lot of trouble."

Are the playoffs different?
"The playoffs are always different. Right now I feel like we're practicing at game tempo, right now. That's big because I don't think anybody else practices as hard as we do. I love practicing as hard as we do."

Is there an argument for playing a game instead of having a bye in the first round of the playoffs?
"There's always an argument about everything. Some people want to go with it, roll, keep on the momentum and things like that. Other teams need to rest. We've had problems in the past with injuries and stuff like that so I think we did a good job of letting our players rest so we can make that push in the playoffs that we haven't been able to do in the past."

Does going against number 97 in practice get you extra motivated?
"They (equipment department) keep the numbers up from the Jets and all the teams we play throughout the whole year. Calvin Pace is a great outside linebacker so I'm going to have my hands full this weekend, but should be able to handle it."

DT Ian Scott

When you're preparing to face a team that's as committed to the run as the Jets, does that get a defensive lineman going a little bit?
"I get up for every game the same. It's a playoff game. The only difference is we know ahead of time what their plan is going to be. It's not going to be a surprise on Sunday when they come out and try to run the ball because that's what they do well and that's what they're committed to doing. There's not a lot of uncertainty. You pretty much know what you're going to get from them and it comes down to are you going to be able to stop them or not."

What makes their rushing offense so good?
"Everybody works together and they don't get frustrated with it. Part of it is their defense plays well so they haven't had to play with many big deficits. That gives them time to stay committed to the run even if they're not getting a lot early. They've been able to take advantage of opportunities when they get them. Not everybody is going to be where they're supposed to be on every play. They're committed to keeping at it until they make the big plays. They try to maintain possession and play good defense. If you don't get after them early, it could be trouble."

How have you seen your run defense get better throughout the season?
"It's everybody working together. Obviously that's something that we needed to focus on. If you allow teams to be two-dimensional, it's hard to stop. We've tried to be disciplined, everybody fitting where they're supposed to. We're making sure we tackle well and get everybody to the football. I think all those things are going to be very important for us this week if we want to win."

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