The San Diego Chargers are the best in the NFL at prying the ball free from opponents. They led the league with 48 turnovers and 30 interceptions and have added five more turnovers (three interceptions) in the playoffs. But the Patriots are their equal on the offensive side of the ball, protecting the football the way the gold at Fort Knox is guarded.
New England set a franchise record with only 15 giveaways this year (nine interceptions, six fumbles), and didn't turn the ball over in the playoff win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
One of the six lost fumbles came in the Patriots' regular-season meeting with the Chargers Sept. 16, when San Diego Pro Bowl special teamer Kassim Osgood stripped Ellis Hobbs on a kickoff return. Another fumble was a Dolphins punt that ricocheted off the facemask of Troy Brown. The other four fumbles belong to quarterback Tom Brady, meaning no Patriots running back or wide receiver lost the ball on offense this season.
"You got to be a ball-secure team if you plan to win games in this league," said fullback Heath Evans. "They pride themselves on taking it away, and we pride ourselves in keeping it in our hands and finishing every drive with a kick, whether it be a punt or PAT or a field goal.
"So, yeah, there's a level of pride and I think that pride leads you to work hard in that area to do the things that'll help you hold on to the ball."
Coach Bill Belichick addressed the Chargers' opportunistic ways.
"They have 30 interceptions; that would be a couple years' worth for a lot of teams," said Belichick. "Eighteen fumbles, five turnovers in the playoffs. They're a great turnover team. They have a great ability to knock the ball loose and make plays on it."
The Chargers picked off Peyton Manning twice in their 28-24 upset of the Colts Sunday, but Brady has the second-lowest interception percentage in playoff history at 1.75 (514 attempts, 9 interceptions), trailing only Packers great Bart Starr.
Running back Kevin Faulk said ball security is always a priority for the Patriots.
"Each and every game we go into, the first thing is protecting the ball, not giving the other team opportunities to make plays," said Faulk. "At this time of the year, everybody is good and everybody wants to capitalize on your turnovers."
Case closed
Call Belichick Perry Mason, because he made a very convincing case to his team that the Chargers, winners of eight straight, are about as dangerous an opponent as the Patriots could have faced in the AFC Championship game. The numbers back him up, as over the last six games of the regular season, San Diego led the league in points allowed (12.5) and was second in points scored (30.5)."I really feel like we're playing the best team in the AFC in San Diego - certainly in the second half of the year," said Belichick.
"I don't know if he put the same sheet of statistics in front of you that he put in front of us, but if he was a trial lawyer, he would've won by a landslide today," said Evans. "If fear is good, he put fear in us by what they've accomplished and what they've done over the last two months."
Greater Laurence?
Belichick offered an emphatic answer/defense when asked if Laurence Maroney's increased production - three 100-yard efforts in his last four games - was the result of an alteration to his running style. "No. No, I think Laurence has run well for us all year," said Belichick. "We measure that by how many yards he gets per opportunity, based on what's there - not how many yards he gains, but how many yards he gains based on where the play is blocked and what's there. I think he's run well for us all year, and I think he's been one of our most consistent players on our team."Tippett a finalist
Former Patriots linebacker Andre Tippett, now the team's executive director of community affairs, is among 17 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tippett, who played 11 seasons with the Patriots, earning five Pro Bowl berths and setting the team's career sacks mark with 100, reached the round of 11 last year before being denied enshrinement. A member of the NFL's 1980s All-Decade team, Tippett needs 80 percent of the vote to earn induction. Two first-year eligibles are wide receiver Cris Carter and cornerback Darrell Green; two finalists added by the seniors committee are Chicago Cardinals running back Marshall Goldberg and Chiefs cornerback Emmitt Thomas . . . Running back Justise Hairston (sixth round) and offensive lineman Mike Elgin (seventh round), both of whom were selected by the Patriots in the draft but did not make the club, signed "future" contracts with the Colts.Boo who?
Patriots owner Robert Kraft said the team will honor 14-year-old Anna Grant before Sunday's game. Grant, a high school freshman from Stratham, N.H., was the team's representative in a Punt, Pass & Kick competition in her age group, and when she was introduced at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis before the fourth quarter Sunday, she was the only one booed. "Why should a champion be booed?" Kraft said. "She won an intensive competition. She's supposed to be honored. We will recognize her as the winner on the field. Our fans will know." Grant said, "It really didn't bother me at all. People at the game came up to me afterward and said, 'It's not you. It's your jersey.' "Michael Vega and Mike Reiss of the Globe staff contributed to this report; material from the Associated Press also was used.
