P. Rivers had surgery before AFC title game.

[Gr3yStreet]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3207105

Now, im no expert or anything, but seems to me like doing that to your knee is a real stupid move.

If I ever found out Jay played on an injured knee ONE WEEK after having SURGERY on it, I would not be happy. Rivers has six MONTHS of rehab now. Thats six months he wont be working on his football.

I guess, thats good for the Broncos, but why would Rivers take a risk like that, and why would the Chargers coaches let him?? Seriously...

[32-33Champs]

I'm not trying to have this go to the Talkin' Smack forum (I spend enough time there), but I think it was completely selfish. I really think the Bolts could've won with Volek in the game. Rivers passes really didn't have a lot of zing on them and that can be attributed to his inabilty to plant on his sore leg. Did you see his first throw of the game? My 7 year old could've done better.

On the flip side, Elway played his entire career without an ACL. Maybe Rivers was trying to change the public perception that he is only a lip flappin', trash talkin' QB that wouldn't be able to win a game if it weren't for the talent around him. I don't know.

Here's hoping he's able to come back and play against the Broncos in Denver so Champ Bailey can take one to the house after (insert your favorite Denver defensive player) rips Rivers head off.

[theshiverman]

Six months, wow, they better try and keep that back up on the roster, they may need him.

[PatrickdaDookie]

Yeah, I think it was selfish as well. Rivers looked really, really bad out there.

And it's even worse than the coach let him play.

[Ian]

This is me being completely unforgiving, but I didn't see any stitches on his knee the multiple times I saw him pull his pants up to fix his socks.

Then again, I could have been just an unforgiving bastard to one of the only players I've ever hated in the NFL. Scott Norwood is the other one, for those who are counting, anyone who could have seen his face in the 10-7 victory he caused over Denver before the Bills lost to the Giants in the Super Bowl would agree.

- Ian

[naf_tlob]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3207105

Now, im no expert or anything, but seems to me like doing that to your knee is a real stupid move.

If I ever found out Jay played on an injured knee ONE WEEK after having SURGERY on it, I would not be happy. Rivers has six MONTHS of rehab now. Thats six months he wont be working on his football.

I guess, thats good for the Broncos, but why would Rivers take a risk like that, and why would the Chargers coaches let him?? Seriously...

Wow. You guys really do not know what a leader is.

You take Phillip Rivers playing with no ACL as selfish??? He is the definition of a gamer.

Why dont you read what his teammates have to say about him.

Rivers to have surgery on torn ACL
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Monday, Jan 21, 2008
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

A gutsy performance by Philip Rivers in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game became even more impressive Monday when the fourth-year pro revealed that the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee is fully torn.
“I’ve never been around the mental toughness; I’ve never been around an attitude like that,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “Then to go out and play the way he did, it’s one for the books. I think it says a lot about him as a person.”

Earlier in the week it was reported that Rivers suffered a partial tear of the ligament, but the injury was more serious. He’ll undergo surgery in the coming weeks.

“It’s gone,” Rivers said. “We’re just kind of figuring out when and exactly how to take care of everything.”

With Rivers’ wife due to deliver the couple’s fourth child any day now, Turner said that his starting quarterback will balance his responsibilities as a father with his desire to start rehabilitation as soon as possible.

The estimated recovery period for a professional athlete in Rivers’ situation is 4-6 months. That could limit him in Offseason Coaching Sessions, but Rivers is optimistic he’ll be ready to go in time for training camp in August.

“I like to think of myself as a fast healer, so I’ll be ready to go for sure for the season,” Rivers said. “As far as what I’ll be able to do in the offseason, mini camps, we’ll kind of see as that goes.”

Rivers also revealed Monday that he underwent an arthroscopic procedure the day after the Bolts’ win in Indianapolis in which doctors cleaned out some loose cartilage in the knee to help Rivers be ready for the Patriots.

“Really that was the only way I would have had a chance to play,” Rivers said. “It was catching on me. I was going to try to come back (in Indianapolis) and it was catching. We cleaned it up on Monday so I could play against New England.”

Rivers didn’t feel much pain throughout the game and reemphasized that he didn’t feel physically limited by the injury.

“It’s more of an uncomfortable feeling than anything,” Rivers said. “It wasn’t great but it wasn’t too bad. I think it had no negative impact on my play. I couldn’t move too well, but I didn’t have to too much.”

Following the game Sunday, Rivers’ teammates continually spoke of the courage their starting quarterback showed in playing through the injury. Rivers appreciated the comments and said that’s the only way he knows how to approach his job.

“I wasn’t going to miss this game unless there was no way I could go,” Rivers said. “I think that’s part of being a leader. You’ve got to be able to play through some injuries and obviously be there for the guys. There were a lot of guys that were out there playing hurt and played hurt all year.”

Turner believes Rivers will be an even better player when he returns to the field next season. He was overly impressed with the job his starting quarterback did down the stretch and Turner only expects Rivers to get better.

“He went toe to toe there with (Peyton) Manning, with (Tom) Brady and played as good as you can play in the Tennessee game,” Turner said. “That’s what you have to do if you’re going to be a contender. Your quarterback has to be able to play at the level that Philip did.”

[Whiteyford]

all i can say is i don't like Rivers, and this just makes me think he got bad advice, bad management. his agent probably told him if he let Volek go out and win he would lose his job.

[32-33Champs]

Wow. You guys really do not know what a leader is.

You take Phillip Rivers playing with no ACL as selfish??? He is the definition of a gamer.

Why dont you read what his teammates have to say about him.

Rivers to have surgery on torn ACL
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Monday, Jan 21, 2008
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

A gutsy performance by Philip Rivers in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game became even more impressive Monday when the fourth-year pro revealed that the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee is fully torn.
“I’ve never been around the mental toughness; I’ve never been around an attitude like that,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “Then to go out and play the way he did, it’s one for the books. I think it says a lot about him as a person.”

Earlier in the week it was reported that Rivers suffered a partial tear of the ligament, but the injury was more serious. He’ll undergo surgery in the coming weeks.

“It’s gone,” Rivers said. “We’re just kind of figuring out when and exactly how to take care of everything.”

With Rivers’ wife due to deliver the couple’s fourth child any day now, Turner said that his starting quarterback will balance his responsibilities as a father with his desire to start rehabilitation as soon as possible.

The estimated recovery period for a professional athlete in Rivers’ situation is 4-6 months. That could limit him in Offseason Coaching Sessions, but Rivers is optimistic he’ll be ready to go in time for training camp in August.

“I like to think of myself as a fast healer, so I’ll be ready to go for sure for the season,” Rivers said. “As far as what I’ll be able to do in the offseason, mini camps, we’ll kind of see as that goes.”

Rivers also revealed Monday that he underwent an arthroscopic procedure the day after the Bolts’ win in Indianapolis in which doctors cleaned out some loose cartilage in the knee to help Rivers be ready for the Patriots.

“Really that was the only way I would have had a chance to play,” Rivers said. “It was catching on me. I was going to try to come back (in Indianapolis) and it was catching. We cleaned it up on Monday so I could play against New England.”

Rivers didn’t feel much pain throughout the game and reemphasized that he didn’t feel physically limited by the injury.

“It’s more of an uncomfortable feeling than anything,” Rivers said. “It wasn’t great but it wasn’t too bad. I think it had no negative impact on my play. I couldn’t move too well, but I didn’t have to too much.”

Following the game Sunday, Rivers’ teammates continually spoke of the courage their starting quarterback showed in playing through the injury. Rivers appreciated the comments and said that’s the only way he knows how to approach his job.

“I wasn’t going to miss this game unless there was no way I could go,” Rivers said. “I think that’s part of being a leader. You’ve got to be able to play through some injuries and obviously be there for the guys. There were a lot of guys that were out there playing hurt and played hurt all year.”

Turner believes Rivers will be an even better player when he returns to the field next season. He was overly impressed with the job his starting quarterback did down the stretch and Turner only expects Rivers to get better.

“He went toe to toe there with (Peyton) Manning, with (Tom) Brady and played as good as you can play in the Tennessee game,” Turner said. “That’s what you have to do if you’re going to be a contender. Your quarterback has to be able to play at the level that Philip did.”

Trying to find "what his teammates had to say about him."

still trying to find

still trying

haven't found it yet

Oh wait, nevermind, that was his Dancing With The Bolts coach Norv Turner. I thought it might be Michael Turner.

Still haven't found it.

[Zanders76]

Don't be so small. You can admit he has played better than any time in his short career and still hate him and think he is an a** (like I do ). The truth is that he played a good game against the Pats as well as the last quarter of the season and it does take balls to play less than a week after surgery. In retrospect it might not appear to have been wise, but what if they never get to this point again. You hear these oldtimers talking about never getting the opportunity to play in the big game. As much as I don't like him, it is disgraceful and petty to limit what he and everyother player that has played injured (ala Rod Smith)were willing to do in order to get himself and his teamates to the promise land. They're called "Gamers".

Unless ofcourse he did it to prove he isn't the dousche I think he is.

[PatrickdaDookie]

Don't be so small. You can admit he has played better than any time in his short career and still hate him and think he is an a** (like I do ). The truth is that he played a good game against the Pats as well as the last quarter of the season and it does take balls to play less than a week after surgery. In retrospect it might not appear to have been wise, but what if they never get to this point again. You hear these oldtimers talking about never getting the opportunity to play in the big game. As much as I don't like him, it is disgraceful and petty to limit what he and everyother player that has played injured (ala Rod Smith)were willing to do in order to get himself and his teamates to the promise land. They're called "Gamers".

Unless ofcourse he did it to prove he isn't the dousche I think he is.

He did not play well against the pats.

He should have stepped aside and let a healthy qb give his team a chance to win.

[BroncoKazuki]

He did not play well against the pats.

He should have stepped aside and let a healthy qb give his team a chance to win.

P. Rivers was the main reason the bolts lost to the pats.

if the backup was in there then they would have won, but for some odd reason im not mad that the bolts lost, means all the headaches are gone with them.

It just proves that even in Crunch time PR couldnt do it and he tried to be a hero, i bet even his own team mates tried to discourage him from playing, I bet some of them (like LT) are blaming the loss to the pats souly on Turner and Rivers.

in other words as I see it now, Eli is by far better P.Rivers when it comes to who's the top medicore QB in the NFL.

[Zanders76]

Since when is Bill Volek the best thing since sliced bread. He has one marginally successful drive last week and everybody is ready to proclaim him the "Patsy dream breaker". Rivers Played well, especially with his injury, and he gave them the best chance to win, even with one leg. Oh yeah, the Pats totally shut down SD's running game, I'm confident that had nothing to do with the loss(especially in the Red Zone)

[Hoss]

I am in NO WAY a River's fan. However, I will give him credit for playing on an injured ACL. I've had that surgery, it's the definition of un-fun. You can play on it though befor having the surgery of course. When you think about it you can't really injure your ACL more when it's blown. So, I give him credit for going out there and trying his best in the biggest game of his life (after all how often does SD get the the AFC Champ game?)

I still don't respect his lack of sportsmanship. He's got a lot of growing up to do there.

[naf_tlob]

P. Rivers was the main reason the bolts lost to the pats.

if the backup was in there then they would have won, but for some odd reason im not mad that the bolts lost, means all the headaches are gone with them.

It just proves that even in Crunch time PR couldnt do it and he tried to be a hero, i bet even his own team mates tried to discourage him from playing, I bet some of them (like LT) are blaming the loss to the pats souly on Turner and Rivers.

in other words as I see it now, Eli is by far better P.Rivers when it comes to who's the top medicore QB in the NFL.

Wow. Why make comments about something you have no idea about.

You know if Cutler had done this you guys would be all over his jock and so would I.

But I guess coming from a team where the franchise QB goes out of a important road game with a shin bruise and another goes out of a AFC Championship game with a thigh bruise this kind of reaction is expected.

It was a gutsy performance.

Here are some true comments from his teammates.

Call performance 'the gutsiest ever'
By Jay Posner
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

January 21, 2008


SEAN M. HAFFEY / Union-Tribune
Despite playing on a sprained MCL and a partially torn ACL, Philip Rivers said his mobility wasn't greatly affected.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Outsiders might have their doubts about Philip Rivers, but it might be best not to express them too loudly around his Chargers teammates.

“I think people should really back off Philip Rivers because I think that's the gutsiest performance that I've ever been around,” guard Mike Goff said after yesterday's AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium.

“Just the fact that he went out there and did what he was able to do,” Goff said. “People might yell at him for making a couple interceptions, but you know what, the man's out there on two bad wheels and he's out there playing his heart out. So I think maybe people now will just back off.”

Rivers didn't lead the Chargers to victory yesterday; San Diego failed to capitalize on three trips inside the 10-yard line and lost to New England 21-12. But on a cold and windy day, he showed his teammates they could count on him no matter the situation.

Rivers injured his left knee six weeks ago in Tennessee and played without a supportive brace on that leg for the first time yesterday. But he had a bulky brace on his right knee, hoping to stabilize a sprained medial collateral ligament and a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament that he said probably would require postseason surgery.

“Philip Rivers is the most courageous teammate I've ever had; the most courageous guy I've ever seen,” defensive end Luis Castillo said. “For him to go out there and play, nobody will ever comprehend what that means.”

Rivers said in the first two days after the injury, he had “a significant amount of doubt” he would be able to play yesterday. By Friday, however, when he was able to participate on a limited basis in practice, he thought he had “a good chance.”

He said the injury really didn't affect his mobility, which isn't great to begin with, but slowing down was harder than getting started. Still, Goff said it was obvious how much pain Rivers was feeling.


“The question has to be asked: How many guys in here would actually go out there and play?” linebacker Matt Wilhelm said. “He understood the repercussions of it, but he also understood that if we pulled this out that he was a hero for years and years.”

It nearly happened. Rivers was 19-of-37 for 211 yards and led the Chargers downfield on several occasions, although he was unable to produce a touchdown. He threw two interceptions, one that proved costly, although that one was more the result of a great play by cornerback Asante Samuel than it was a poor play by Rivers, who was hit as he was throwing.

“Kind of an unfortunate play, really,” Rivers said of that interception. “The second one (by Ellis Hobbs) was just a silly decision on my part.”

By that point New England led 14-6 and the Chargers already had reached the Patriots' 8-yard line and the 5. But on the first possession, passes to Lorenzo Neal and Chris Chambers fell incomplete (although Chambers said he ran the wrong route on his pass). The next time down, Tedy Bruschi made a nice play to knock down a pass to Antonio Gates at the goal line and Chambers was tackled by Hobbs at the 5.

At the start of the second half the Chargers again drove inside the 10, but two running plays failed to gain a first down and Nate Kaeding had to kick his fourth field goal. During the regular season the Chargers ranked 11th in the league in touchdown percentage inside the 20-yard line (55.8), while New England's defense ranked 27th (58.5).

“I thought we gave ourselves a chance today,” Rivers said. “It's unfortunate that we couldn't score in the red zone, where we are usually so good. I told Nate he was great; I just wish he could have kicked a couple (fewer) field goals.”

Said Goff: “To not capitalize on our opportunities obviously hurt us in the end. What it comes down to is when you get in the red zone you have to score points, and while we scored three points, it bit us in the (rear end) in the end.”

No one in the San Diego locker room, however, was blaming Rivers.

“We have a lot of respect for Philip because not too many people can do that,” said LaDainian Tomlinson, who was in for just four plays because of a sprained MCL. “Two of them? It's the gutsiest performance that I've ever seen.”

A familiar refrain yesterday.

[Gr3yStreet]

Wow. Why make comments about something you have no idea about.

You know if Cutler had done this you guys would be all over his jock and so would I.

But I guess coming from a team where the franchise QB goes out of a important road game with a shin bruise and another goes out of a AFC Championship game with a thigh bruise this kind of reaction is expected.

It was a gutsy performance.

Here are some true comments from his teammates.

I believe I said in the first post, I would be very UNHAPPY if Cutler did something like this. Not only because its bad for the team, its not good for the player.