CHARGERS HEAD COACH JIM HARBAUGH
Press Conference
Saturday, December 28, 2024
Q: Jim, how does it feel to clinch a playoff spot today?
JH: With humble hearts, we move on to the next game. Just so proud of the team. All those that made it happen. The players, the coaches. I mean, there was so much great play. I mean, our offense, our offense, great. Defense, great. I'm proud of our captains. Justin Herbert played a near flawless game. Derwin James reached five and a half sacks, career high, but he does it every single game. Rashawn Slater and Brad Bozeman, I thought that was the best offensive line play we've had the entire season. The run block and the pass protection was so good, so good across the board. Khalil Mack, he's led us the entire season, and he had a great game.
Really proud of JK Dobbins, what he's been able to accomplish, career-high in rushing, missing four games, everything he's overcome. Just, yeah, incredible feeling that the hand of God is really on this team. And we're going to keep grinding and keep moving forward. But super, super proud of everybody. Everybody. I mean, it's everybody in the family, everybody in the organization that just keeps doing anything and everything they can to help our team be successful and to win. And, I mean, you got to be your best when your best is needed most. I mean, to do it when you have to do it, maybe some people expected it, but it's not easy to win any NFL game. And when the guys, when they've got to have it, they go out and play like they did, it's just a tremendous testament to who they are as football players and men, just highest character I've been around, and I love these guys.
Q: To have a convincing win like this, what do you think it can do for the team now as you head into the playoffs?
JH: Yeah, I mean, they just gave it everything they had, and that's all they were asking of each other was give us everything you have and give it your very best and do it for each other. Play for each other. I mean that's a powerful thing. I think that bodes well for us.
Q: Ladd McConkey today set the two rookie receiving records, passing receptions and yards for a rookie. How impressed are you by what he's been able to do this season?
JH: Yeah. He's been incredible teammate. I mean, he's been humble and hungry from day one. He's a mighty man. He's a football player. Great to see. And there have been a lot of great receivers in Chargers history to set the rookie receiving record. Just phenomenal. So much gratitude to Joe Ortiz, Chad Alexander, the entire personnel department. I mean, to do what Joe's been able to do is incredible and just – just smile and say yes, you know. That's part of our team, part of our family. So great job. Great job by them. Also, Justin Herbert set an NFL record in the history of the National Football League, the most passing yards of any quarterback in their first five years. And he, like I said, near flawless performance. And I can't think of one player, one throw or one check that he made that wasn't just – one ball placed where it shouldn't have been. Just an incredible, incredible performance by an incredible player.
Q: Joe Hortiz was leaving the locker room. You called him back in, give him a bear hug. That felt like a moment. Can you describe what you were feeling, why you decided to do that, the emotions of that?
JH: Yeah. I mean, I love the high five. I mean, the high five to me, that goes back to being one of the great inventions of all time. But I needed a hug from Joe. I needed to hug Joe. I just love, love Joe. He's the same brilliant guy every single day, and he is a team guy all the way. And he takes no deep, long bows, but he should. He should take a very deep, long bow for just how good he is and what he's been able to do with this team. When you go back and look at the way he's put it together, him and his staff, it's incredible. I mean, look at the free agents that were brought in, the signings, the midseason signings, the workouts, the tryouts, the draft picks. I mean, it's just good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good, good. Good. I mean, it's so many and so – and we've all benefited, you know, from the guys that were here last year, the stalwarts like Justin Herbert, Derwin James, Khalil Mack. Joey Bosa, I mean, I thought he had a great game. He had a great game today. Tremendous series. And Rashawn Slater, Zion Johnson, Quentin Johnston. Quentin Johnston, you know, tremendous game, the way he came back. I mean, a little high, you know, maybe, but I thought it was a catchable ball. But then to come back and get us a first down on the next drive and then another and another. Joshua Palmer, another guy that – for all the players that were here last year, they're the ones who have led us, and it's been their leadership that has motivated us, kept us going. And, also, it's the antidote for complacency, great leadership. And that's what our players have given us. So now onward. It's onward and keep grinding and, you know, even – never like the lighten up. Tighten up. Tighten up. Keep tightening up. As we move forward, that's our mission now. And, yeah, we want to get this – 11 sounds better than 10 so we're going to go get ourselves prepared for our next game.
Q: You guys were able to convert a couple of fourth downs especially early. When the offense is clicking like that, how much confidence does it give you to be aggressive in those situations?
JH: Yeah. It was very -- when you've got Number 10 back there and the way the offensive line was performing, I mean, the big guys up front were getting the job done. They were handling their man. They were handling the movement. They were handling the games and the twists. And great job Mike Devlin. Also what a fantastic job he's done. Had us really prepared for this game and our guys executed at a super high level. So, yeah, that gave me a lot of confidence that Justin was getting the protection. If he can finish a throwing motion, then I know that the ball is going to be thrown accurately. And the way our receivers are playing, the way Josh Palmer, Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, and Dissly, a couple of nice key first down catches and runs by him. Felt very confident that we would pick those up.
Q: Offensively, you talked a lot about this season about you've been grinding on that side of the ball, trying to find your best football. Did today feel like a turning point for you at all offensively in terms of sort of everything clicking?
JH: It was four quarters of really good football offensively. Four quarters of really good football defensively. Great game plan by Greg Roman. He called a great game. I thought there was – it was fastball, curve. Kept us in rhythm. We were efficient. We were able to make big plays. We were able to have some long drives. The field position, there was some hidden yardage there that was hurting us early. But come off your own 8-yard line, own 6-yard line, 94-yard touchdown drive, 92-yard touchdown drive, 29 first downs. That was, I thought, it was a great master class of calling the game by Greg as well
Q: Getting JK Dobbins back from IR, how big an influence did he have on the offense?
JH: Big. Really big. And all the backs. I mean, Hassan was making big plays for us. Kimani had big runs. But it was great. The backs, the way the backs are playing right now, very rarely are they getting less – they're never getting less than what the play is blocked for, and they're getting more than what the play is blocked for. Some big first down pickups in the run game as well. JK had a big one on third down. Hassan had a big one on third down. I think maybe JK had another or Kimani got one as well. Yeah, love the way our backs are running and holding on to the football. They've done a great job. Kyle McDonald has done a tremendous job with ball security. So, yeah, just keep tightening up, find out – there's things that we can improve, and we'll go about attacking those as well.
Q: Jim, big turnaround in San Francisco, big turnaround at Michigan. Here back in the playoffs. Is there a common thread? Different situations, different teams. But is there a common thread in the team that you see that allows for that?
JH: Yeah, I really just speak of this team. Very little to do with me. If it goes right, then it's our players. They're doing a great job. It's gone bad a couple times. That's on me. But, yeah, this is – I've been drinking the Kool-Aid here. From day one, it's really started with – I mean, I can't give enough credit to Derwin James, Justin Herbert, and those two in particular. And Khalil Mack and Rashawn Slater. I mean, stalwarts. Brad Bozeman has come in. He's been a stalwart. There's a bunch. There's probably, like -- I counted it up early. There was maybe 15, 15 stalwarts that we had, and it's grown since then. It's quite a bit higher now. But those guys, those guys. And you talk to them, and there's more to do. So, yeah. As a coach, I'll end it by saying, answering that question, there's no coach who could have it better than to be coaching these players. Nobody. Maybe the only one would be future us could have it better than us.
Q: Jim, Drake Maye had a pretty good game last week against Buffalo. What was the key to kind of slowing him?
JH: I thought we had really good coverage. He's a heck of a good player, no question about it, and was able to get out on a few scrambles. Made a great heads-up play on the offsides. Pass rush was really good, but I thought it was just a really – I mean, our team played one of our best games defensively, and that's saying a lot because Justin Minter and this defensive staff and defensive players have had some great games. But to play a complete ball game, four quarters of tremendous defensive football, that was -- I think it was more – I mean, that was a factor. That was the key factor. We played really good. Thanks.
QUARTERBACK JUSTIN HERBERT
Press Conference
Saturday, December 28, 2024
Q: Justin, to be back in the playoffs, what does it mean?
JH: It's a testament to all the hard work we've put in this offseason and the way things have gone. It's been an honor to play alongside this team. We had a huge opportunity tonight, and we went out and took it.
Q: Jim called your performance nearly flawless today. All your decisions. What made it click for you guys?
JH: I think we had a great plan. All week, we knew how big of a game this was for us, and guys were dialed in, focused, and we executed today. It was awesome to see. We were on it from the protection to the routes to the run game. I thought all three phases showed up today, and that was huge for us.
Q: Ladd McConkey has been all over the field this year. He broke a couple records. You have most yards for a guy in the first five years in the league. What's gotten to you guys last few weeks?
JH: He's just such a tough player. He's a playmaker, and he finds ways to get open. He has done such a great job of battling injuries and being out there for us. On third down, anytime we go out there, he's a threat. All I have to do is get him the ball, and he makes my job so much easier.
Q: What kind of impact did having J.K. Dobbins out there?
JH: Yeah, huge. It's so tough to lose a guy like that for a couple of weeks, but I thought we did a great job of holding it down while he was gone. He came back and brings so much energy and so much to our run game. He's great out of the backfield and the pass game too. I think one of the most underappreciated aspects of this game is his protection. He does such a great job on third downs, picking up blitzes. He knows exactly what he's doing, and he's really well coached. It's great to have a guy like that back.
Q: A day like this, all three phases, what does a day like this mean for you guys in confidence heading to postseason?
JH: Yeah. A lot. I think you take a look at the game and, like you said, all three phases showed up today. That's the type of football we want to be playing in December, January, and hopefully on. That's the type of football you want to be playing, especially in these big games like that. It was really good to see.
Q: Is that a no elevators hat?
JH: It is, courtesy of Simi Fahoco. I appreciate it.
Q: That's forever ago, the no elevators thing. But how do you feel like moments like that galvanize the team, brought the team together to allow you to stand in this moment now?
JH: Yeah. I think we talked about it a couple weeks ago, how close this team has come together. I think everyone plays for each other. They play for the coaches and they obviously play for the Chargers fanbase as well. It means a lot to us. It means a lot to everyone in the locker room. You go out and play on Saturday and Sunday and it shows, and it was really good to see from those guys.
Q: I saw you greeting fans after the game. What did that moment mean to you to have that shared experience?
JH: Yeah, it was just cool to see. We're a long way away from Los Angeles, and to have Chargers fans out here representing, it was really good to see. I wanted to thank them, sign a couple of autographs and just say hi because it's a long trip. Whether they're out here or whether they're from L.A., we got to do everything we can for those guys.
Q: Justin, what makes Ladd so effective as a wide receiver?
JH: He's just got such a great understanding of the game. He's so physically gifted, and he's got great understanding of defenses and how people play them. He finds ways to get open. I've talked about it all year. He's one of the guys on third down, you've got to find him. He'll find a way to get open.
Q: There's been a lot of talk this week about how he was drafted. The Patriots traded with you guys. Was there an effort to get him the ball and show the Patriots what they're missing?
JH: I actually didn't know about that. We just went out and did our business. There's probably no hard feelings. He's a very talented player. Thankful to have him on our team. He's certainly made my job easier. Just go through your reads. In he's open, he's open and you get him the ball.
Q: Did you get a chance to talk to Drake after the game today? If so, what did you tell him at the time? What did you see from him?
JH: Just in passing, just saw him after the game. Didn't really get to spend much time, but he's obviously very talented. He's an incredible quarterback and I'm going to enjoy watching him for years to come.
Q: There's been a lot of connections to him and you kind of having a similar skill set. If you were to think about one thing that sticks out to you your rookie season, your second season, what's helped you develop, what would you say that is?
JH: I would say it's always the next play mentality. Especially my rookie year, we struggled. It was tough. It made me who I am today. As long as you're playing the next play, it's all about that. Whether I throw an incompletion, interception, I can't let that last play affect my next one. And those guys in the locker room, in the huddle especially, they require my best effort. As long as I do that I can hold my head up high.
Q: In terms of the coaching and the roster and everything, since your rookie season, since your second season, how has that kind of helped you to where you are now?
JH: I think Coach Harbaugh and our general manager, Joe Hortiz, have done such a great job of getting the right guys here. You look in the locker room and everybody plays for each other. I talked about it briefly. The respect we have for everyone in the building, in our locker room, the coaching staff, player personnel staff, it's been an honor to play for them, alongside them, because everyone is doing their best, and it showed today.
Q: Jim takes attention off him and credits the players. What kind of impact does he have, his energy?
JH: He's been everything. Those guys in the locker room respect him so much. They want to do right by him and make him proud. The way he cares about this team, all the individuals as well. He's a competitor, and he wants to win no matter what it is. It definitely shows, and it's the way everyone fights for him, wants to play for him, and respects him.
ADDITIONAL PLAYERS
Derwin James Jr., S
(On the gameplan going into the game)
"Be disruptive. Coach wanted me around the ball and he just wanted me to cause havoc and be disruptive. My teammates did a great job covering in the secondary so I could get the sacks. And the other guys holding the edge. Feel like there was a lot of team ball out there."
(On Ladd McConkey)
"I told him before the game I wanted him to get to a thousand yards because he was close. I've been keeping track for him all year. I think he got there today, yeah he got there today. I'm proud of him. He was happy man, he's a baller. I love Ladd."
(On how he feels right now to be back in the playoffs)
"This one feels different, it feels special. I always have to say the group of guys I am going into it with, it just feels right. I feel like we have been doing it the right way all year long and we are starting to see the results that we want, that we have been putting in. We know a new season is just beginning, we're not settled just being in the playoffs. We know what type of team we want to be, so we just want to keep going."
(On if there is a 'Harbaugh Effect')
"Yeah for sure, everybody sees it. I feel like we were becoming a different team, we are starting to get an identity. We are just going to keep getting better with Coach Harbaugh."
Quentin Johnston, WR
(On what it means to be going into the playoffs with this team)
"It's a great feeling because obviously given where we were at last year, kind of just being able to move forward from that and transition with this team this year. Get to ten wins and stuff like that is amazing, happy for myself and everybody on the team, coaches included."
(On the 'TCU connection' 19-yard reception and if it felt like college)
"One hundred percent. One hundred percent. I got started, D. Davis [Derius Davis] had it from me and stuff like that. D. Davis scored and I was just as happy for him. If you go back and look, I was the first dude in the endzone with him, dancing and that type of stuff. Just all around, a good feeling for us."
(On Ladd McConkey and his rookie record)
"We're going to be here all day if I talk about Ladd, that's my guy, I'm real proud of him and what he's doing in his first season. Like I said before, he's a guy who comes in a room and just lights the room up, he gets everybody going. We all feed off each other and stuff like that, we all feed off each other's positive energy. So any time he's up or someone else in the room is up, we all kind of just gravitate towards the highest level. Just to be sitting there playing with him is just good. I'm always hyped for him."
(On the energy in the locker room and how the team appears to be at their best coming into January)
"Yeah, one hundred percent. I feel like we're right where we're supposed to be. We don't want to peak too early as far as going into the playoffs but I feel like we're doing what we're doing best as long as we keep elevating each week, I feel like we'll be alright."
Derius Davis, WR
(On his touchdown)
"Justin [Herbert] threw a dime and all I did was make a good play. I knew when we had man coverage that I had a chance to get the ball. I just did what I do, what I prepared to do all week, which is to run away from my man."
(On the play of the offense)
"Tremendous. With J.K. [Dobbins] coming back I think that really helped us out a lot. Just putting two halves together was one of our goals coming into the game. We put two halves together, and that's what we did, we are on the right path."
(On making the playoffs)
"It's a great feeling, especially coming off how we did last year. To clinch that playoff berth is a great feeling. We put a lot of work in, from OTAs and training camp right up to this moment, so it's a great feeling."
(On what Coach Harbaugh said after the game)
"Go win another one. Enjoy this, but we still have one more game left. Eleven is better than ten."
Scott Matlock, FB/DL
(On having J. K. Dobbins back in the lineup)
"He's obviously a great running back and you saw what he was able to do earlier in the year. It's exciting to have that spark back. We believe in all our running backs, they are all very capable and all very talented. Any one of them can break a run and take it."
(On the offense)
"I think as the season is progressing, we are getting better. We are harping on the details and making sure we have our assignments down. At this point in the year, it just comes down to fundamentals. When the weather gets cold and it's this deep in the year, it all comes down to fundamentals. We have those mastered and that's what is going to win you these games."
(On his determination and style of play)
"That's who I am and what got me into this league. If I play one play or 40 plays, I'm going to execute my job the best way I can to help this team win."
(On qualifying for the postseason)
"Great, great feeling. This is my first time in the playoffs, so I'm just really excited to have this opportunity."
Kristian Fulton, CB
(On how it feels to make the playoffs)
"It feels great. I went to the playoffs my first year and have not been back since, so it feels great to be back. For us, last week felt like a playoff game, we treated it as a playoff game. It's just a mentality that we're going to ride with and we just need to keep it going."
(On the defense limiting the Patriots offensively)
"All just being on the same page, how we communicate. Guys talking pre-snap. It allows us to be able to play fast and play physical. We wanted to set the tone early and I feel like we did that throughout the game."
(On the gameplan going into the game)
"They had a rookie quarterback, so we just wanted to make it difficult for him. Last week we let a rookie kind of get off on us in the first half. We were like, 'we cannot let that happen again.' We just wanted to set the tone early, fly around and make plays."
Bud Dupree, OLB
(On clinching a playoff spot)
"It's smooth! It' great to be in the playoffs. It's an opportunity where you get a chance to go to the big game that everyone wants to go to. It's a great opportunity for this team and this coaching staff and we're going to make sure we make the best of it. It's great. It's an exciting time to be on this team. It's an exciting time for the coaching staff."
Nick Niemann, LB
(On making the playoffs)
"It's a good feeling. At the beginning of the year you say 'this is a big goal,' for most teams just to come here, but especially in Coach Harbaugh's first year. After how we ended last year, this is a big motivation starter for us as an organization. It is definitely big for us but it's not our only goal to just make the playoffs. We'll try to use this game as momentum going into the playoffs."
(On the play of the defense)
"We just wanted to come in here and play well. It felt like over the whole season we hadn't played four full, complete quarters together. We had a goal of doing that today. We're trying to dominate people going into the playoffs."
