INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Philip Rivers is a fierce competitor on game day and on the ground.
Anyone who’s ever heard of cheeky (if not obscene) crap understands how fiery the 38-year-old quarterback can be and understands that’s a big explanation for why he still plays in the NFL.
Then, after spending the last 16 seasons and a part reading and analyzing defenses, the Indianapolis Colts’ beginner quarterback has learned a few things and passed that wisdom on to his opponent.
“The way you put intellectual and physical pressure on a player is important,” said Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. “It’s a perfect resource for us. Philip talks to us as coaches and talks to the players even more. “
Rivers has replaced his habits.
Coach Indy Frank Reich worked with Rivers in San Diego from 2013 to 2015 and still remembers Rivers keeping data reports with the Chargers’ defense, and even Reich does informal prevention in defensive meeting rooms to load the prospect of a former NFL quarterback.
“I’ve enjoyed that, ” said Rivers. ” The guy I probably had the most conversations with during my defensive career was Eric Weddle. He and I were talking all the time between series and plays and this and what and what he saw. . It was fun to do that. “
Reich and Rivers’ contribution made all the difference.
Statistically, the Colts have made impressive progress Eberflus, who inherited a defensive 30th overall in 2017. The following season, the Colts finished 11 overall and played last year until a wave of injuries at the end of the season sold out the defense. in general.
This year, the Colts (4-2) took a vital step.
They had the most stingy defense in the league until a bad game in Cleveland and have since dropped to no. 2 in the overall standings and number 2 opposed to pass, number 3 opposite the race, number four in purpose defense and No. 1 at interceptions (ten).
An influx of advocates for the helped.
General Manager Chris Ballard’s large 2019 loose agent acquisition ended defensively Justin Houston, the 2014 league champion he fired, and in March Ballard sent a first-round selection to San Francisco for a pro bowl defensive shot over DeForest Buckner.
“What I’ve learned is that he (Buckner) is bigger than I thought, which means the education player is bigger than I thought,” Eberflus said. “When it comes to betting the race, it’s bigger than I thought. and his ability to stay alive is greater than he thought. “
Ballard also signed cornerer free agent Xavier Rhodes in March and had great success in all four drafts, locating gems such as supporters Darius Leonard, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year 2018 and Bobby Okereke in the first round. Julian Blackmon, a third-round outer who already has two interceptions.
But make no mistake, Rivers helped.
Only 17 NFL players have recorded 25 tackles, one loss, one catch, one interception and one pass defended this season and two, cornerer Kenny Moore III and Khari Willis protection, play for the Colts. Moore did everything he could on Monday to credit Rivers’ contribution to helping him move further.
“There are certain trends that he can see in me,” Moore said. “Sometimes I get carried away, I show it too much or I’m too stiff and I go to a receiver. He can say I’m probably just looking too hard to show him I’m not going. These are things like the ones we communicate sometimes.
It’s only young players like Moore, in his fourth season, who permeate Rivers’ knowledge.
Houston spent his first eight seasons with Kansas City chasing Rivers twice a year; However, he stuck it five times in 2014, four in the season finale and, perhaps rightly, Houston’s first catch with Indy also came here against Rivers. .
But now that the former rival is in a position to share the secrets of his success, Houston, 31, is listening.
“I like to know what you think and see of safe conditions and have your thought process,” Houston said. “He played for 17 years, so there’s so much you can tell in this game on the field. I think you can” get a lot of stuff from him. Every week I ask him questions, like what he thinks or what he sees in this situation. “
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