A hats-on proposition

SAN DIEGO -- There will be one telltale sign early in today's game that will reflect whether the Patriots are executing their defensive plan. Are there 11 players swarming to the ball when it's in running back LaDainian Tomlinson's hands?

"You have to get 11 hats to the ball when you have a guy like LT," said cornerback Ellis Hobbs. "It's kind of like [Michael ] Jordan. You can only contain him. Obviously, you're not going to just shut him down. But if you can get 11 hats flying to the ball, and play good, solid defense, then we have a fighting chance."

That swarming approach had been drilled home by the coaches in the days leading up to kickoff.

"Rally to the ball, help your buddy out," said safety Artrell Hawkins. "He's one of those backs like Barry Sanders, you don't want to be one-on-one with him because it's such a disadvantage to whoever is trying to tackle him. It has to be a gang-tackle mentality."

Tomlinson has played against the Patriots three times, and totaled an impressive 425 rushing yards on 76 carries (5.6 average), with five touchdowns.

"If he gets singled up on somebody it's going to be a long day for us," said cornerback Ray Mickens. "We have to have a lot of people swarming the ball, because as he's shown in the past, he can make people miss."

Although injured safety Rodney Harrison has not been around the team at Gillette Stadium recently, second-year safety James Sanders said he's been speaking with him regularly.

"He's been very helpful, not just this week, but all year," said Sanders, who started last week, and five weeks during the regular season, in Harrison's absence. "He tells you what might be successful, what wouldn't be. I take heed to what he says and try to apply it on the field."

Sanders is preparing to once again fill the void left by Harrison.

"This team, whenever someone needs to step up, you're expected to play well," he said. "They expect me to step in right now while Rodney is out and go out and do my thing, playing at the highest level possible. I'm ready to lace it up and get this game going."

With outside linebackers Shawne Merriman (17) and Shaun Phillips (11.5) leading the Chargers in sacks, there will be increased pressure on offensive tackles Matt Light and Nick Kaczur in pass protection today. Tight ends Daniel Graham and Benjamin Watson are prepared to help the cause by chipping Merriman and Phillips at the line of scrimmage.

It's an unsung part of the tight end's job.

"I take a lot of pride in that, to do my job in order to get this offense going," said Graham, who is considered one of the NFL's top blocking tight ends.

Added Watson: "They're strong, speed rushers. They come up field and make a lot of plays. It's going to be a challenge. I think we're up to it, and if we get it done, then we'll be able to make plays downfield."

Tom Brady has thrown just five interceptions in 401 attempts in the playoffs. That 1.25 percent interception percentage ranks as the best in NFL history, besting Bart Starr (1.41) and Phil Simms (2.15) . . . The Patriots have won four straight playoff games against the No. 1 seed . . . This is the 20th playoff game since owner Robert Kraft purchased the Patriots in 1994 . . . Right guard Stephen Neal was born in San Diego and attended San Diego High School . . . The Patriots did not downgrade any players to out on their injury report yesterday. That means fullback Heath Evans, who has been questionable with a shin injury and missed practice time, might play . . . Tony Corrente is scheduled to referee today's game.

Christopher L. Gasper of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com.