Turner touts reverse psychology

Originally published 06:47 p.m., December 31, 2008, updated 06:48 p.m., December 31, 2008
It's one of those fun plays, a gadget that gets crowds to their feet, gives offenses some razzle-dazzle and gives defenses something else to worry about. It's a play that always seems to go a long way or go nowhere at at all.
When it goes well, it's Norv Turner's kind of play.
“I'm a big reverse guy,” the Chargers coach said. “People used to complain in a couple places I've coached that I ran too many reverses.”
He's running more of them now. Last Sunday, the Chargers so enjoyed the sight of Vincent Jackson taking the ball around the corner for 17 yards against the Denver Broncos, they later called for a second reverse and got 13 more yards from the wide receiver.
In both cases, the blocker directly ahead of Jackson was Philip Rivers, though that wasn't why the NFL's top-rated quarterback Wednesday was named the league's Offensive Player of the Month for December.
“He's a football player,” Turner said of his quarterback. “He knows how to take care of himself. He did a good job of faking the block and getting out of the way.”
By making the call, Turner not only made more work for the Indianapolis Colts as they prepare for Saturday's playoff game, but he also was making a statement about his faith in Rivers' physicality. The coach said he restrained himself from calling such a play earlier this season because he knew Rivers was rebounding from postseason knee surgery.
“The quarterback has to be the lead block,” Turner said. “One thing that's kinda gotten lost in what's happened because Philip's played so well is that last March, we're sitting here wondering if he can be ready for training camp, ready for the season. What he's done has been remarkable.”
OK, so he's not Lorenzo Neal on the lead block. Rivers did prove an impediment to defenders trying to get at Jackson.
“All (last) week we're doing that play (in practice),” LaDainian Tomlinson said, smiling. “We joked with Philip about it, that (his) may be the block that springs Vincent. (Rivers) came back (Sunday) and said, 'Dang, I missed it.' I was thinking to myself, 'Were you surprised?'”
Starting to hear his name mentioned more in league MVP conversations, Rivers was almost off the charts in December. He completed 80-of-121 passes for 1,054 yards, with just one interception, in leading the Chargers to four consecutive victories and their highly improbable rise to another AFC West championship.
Rivers is the second Charger to win the monthly award this season. Darren Sproles was named the top special-teams player in September.
LT, GATES SKIP PRACTICE
Tomlinson (strained groin) and Antonio Gates (sprained ankle) were withheld from practice Wednesday, but could be back on the field Thursday, according to Turner.
As insurance against Tomlinson's unavailability for Saturday, though, the Chargers are likely to activate running back Michael Bennett for the first time since they acquired him off waivers Nov. 12.
“That's one of the things we have to consider,” said Turner, who also said he hopes Tomlinson and Gates “can get out and run around” in Thursday's practice. Tomlinson said he didn't expect to do much in drills.
“Part of (the problem) for me last year was trying to push it in practice, so it got sore the next day,” said Tomlinson, hobbled and sidelined by injury during the last postseason. “I'd rather push it in the game, then let it be sore the next day.”
Tomlinson said the fact the Chargers have played the Colts so many times – five games since 2004, including last season's playoffs and this year's regular season – minimized the effect of missed practice time.
“You can do it when you've played guys quite a bit,” Tomlinson said. “The only thing that might be a little different in the beginning is timing, but as the game goes on, that's something you can get. It shouldn't be too much of a factor when you don't practice too much during the week, knowing you're going against a team you've gone against a bunch of times.”
Tomlinson played little more than two quarters before leaving Sunday's game with the injury, but he still did enough damage – 96 yards on just 14 carries – to the Broncos to warrant the FedEx Ground Player of the Week award for last weekend.
CONCERNS ABOUT THE FIELD
Turner expressed concerns over the fact that by Saturday night, Qualcomm Stadium will have hosted four games in less than two weeks, including the Chargers' regular-season finale, the Poinsettia Bowl and Holiday Bowl.
“I was disappointed they didn't re-sod the whole field,” Turner said. “They did it between the numbers, inside the numbers. It was in great shape the other night when we played on it. It's obviously gotten torn up. I know some of our players have asked about it, but there's not a whole lot we can do right now.”
LUCKY 13
The Colts and Chargers will set a league record this weekend – longest combined winning streak for opposing teams in the wild-card round. The Colts have won nine straight, the Chargers four.