Here’s what New England Patriots linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson had to say following the Patriots 16-3 win over the Chargers on Sunday night:
On his thoughts on the effort defensively to hold them to three points, starting with that goal line stand all the way through, what was it like for them as a defense to do what they did tonight:
“Man, I think we just truly played to our identity. It was a mindset going into the game, ‘Who wanted it more?’ Even when we did find a way to start the drive inside the red zone, we knew getting onto the field, regardless of what it was, we’re trying to end this with a stop. We knew that was almost guaranteed three points, but we didn’t want to leave with three points either. Just coming out here today, man, we knew that it was a great defensive team. It was ranked top 10 in a lot of categories. So it was going to be a defensive battle. We knew going out there, it was going to be about ‘Who wanted it more,’ the better effort. And obviously controlling [Justin] Herbert as a quarterback.”
On if he could take us through the strip-sack:
“Yeah. We knew going into the week, obviously, the quarterback had been having some issues with his hand. So ball security was going to be a thing going into the week. Every chance that we get, man, was to attack the ball and get the ball out. We knew we needed opportunity. We talk about that all the time with Vrabes [head coach Mike Vrabel]. Every chance that we get, let’s attack the ball with violence and effort, and that’s going to it. So opportunity every time we get a chance to get around the quarterback. Like I said, we knew he had a hand problem, so going into it, man, just try to punch the ball out for sure.”
On what made their pass rush be able to be so productive, especially in the second half:
“Just violence and aggression, man. Continued just who wanted it more, and that’s all this game was about. We knew we had opportunities. Man, shout out to the defensive backs and the back seven, for just giving us those extra seconds to get to the quarterback. So huge shout-out to them. Without them, none of this would have been possible, for sure.”
On the fact his team dominated the red zone tonight, and if he felt like something was different about the way they played down there this game:
“Yeah, I wouldn’t say anything was different. We knew that was an area for sure that we wanted to pick up on all year long. Obviously, teams have been having to get a chance to get to the red zone on us, but when they do, man, we need to nut up and make those plays. So just being able, like I said, we started a drive inside the red zone or somehow they got down there. There was the X play, a penalty, however it may happen. We knew we had to come out to find a way to get off the field in the drive, whether, like I said, it was three points or no points at all for sure.”
On what did he like about this matchup with the Chargers coming in:
“I think it was more so just going against the quarterback for sure. We knew we had opportunities. The back seven, man, we were talking about this all week. We knew that would give us great opportunities and just allow him to hitch the ball, and just give us that extra second. It was just going to be about us, man. Coach Vrabes talked about it all week. ‘Big-time players, make big-time plays in these moments for sure.’ Find a way and get to the quarterback and find a way to get the ball out and get off the field, make stops, and get the ball back to the offense and Drake Maye’s hands. I think that’s what’s best for everybody.”
On the fact they hadn’t allowed fewer than 10 points all season, and they did that tonight in their first playoff game, and what does that say about what they might do next?
“Man, just keep balling. Just keep going, stacking on our minimum. It’s nothing that we never thought we were capable of. Obviously, I feel like we continue to get better as the season goes on, as the games pile up. So as these opportunities present themselves, we’ve got to keep taking advantage of them for sure.”
On the fact he mentioned that the Chargers were a top 10 defense, and that Mike [Vrabel] has a way of pushing buttons sometimes, and if that was something that he pushed buttons on them and said, ‘Hey, these guys are pretty good?’
“Yeah. No, it was a challenge for sure, especially when you’re talking about the beginning of the week, man, and you kind of just propose a challenge of the offense. You know what I’m saying? Just saying that those guys, I think they were top five in three-and-outs starting drives and just getting people off the field. Obviously, they were getting turnovers and just finding a way to get to the quarterback. You just think about yourself as a defense. Just like, ‘Man, I think personally, we know how to affect the game.’ We changed ways the same way. When we get out there, I think that’s a fire under you, regardless of what the situation is that you could put on in the field. You’re the better defense, and you’re the better player, you’re the better guy versus your matchup out there, so make it happen.”
On the fact we’ve watched his coach be in the bottom of a scrum in joint practices, emerge with a bloody lip. We watched tonight, gets headbutted by Milton, and what it’s like to watch him be a part and lead what he and his team are able to do:
“No, he better stop before his a** in that training room for sure. No, but it’s huge, man. I think the guy, obviously, he still wants to play. That experience, the excitement, the aggression that he caused the game, obviously, he leads his team with. I think that’s the true identity that we all try to display and get on the field. Great to go to war with a guy like that and I know he’ll never changed for sure. So excited to be with him.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This transcript was done based on the available footage and is subject to typographical errors. If you spot anything, please let me know in the comments below.)
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
