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They have Lorenzo Neal, who has been a Pro Bowler and one of the better fullbacks in the game. Of course their tight end Antonio Gates, he's a proven threat down field. In the short field, he's a guy who can definitely make plays as well. They have a lot of weapons on offense, and their defense does a great job, too. It will be a great challenge for us this Sunday.
It's going to take 11 guys being sound in their assignments in each and every play to stop a guy like LT. Even when you think you have him stopped sometimes, he still squirms through and makes plays. He's such an exciting player to watch. It will take everyone doing their jobs to slow him down because he can create problems for us.
Having Albert Haynesworth back will have a huge impact in the middle in the running situations and in the passing game. The offensive linemen have to account for him, and it takes two or more guys to block him. That can definitely free up some guys on the defensive line and the linebacking corps as well.
After dealing with LT, then we have Gates. What makes Antonio Gates so special is that not only is he a big guy who can block well, but with his receiving ability, he is something like a wide receiver at the tight end position. He has exceptional hands and very good speed. It's going to take a lot of guys to keep an eye on him. In every situation, you want to have in your mind, "OK, Gates is to my left" or "Gates is to my right," just because you know that Philip Rivers wants to throw to that guy.
Rivers has a lot of weapons in the passing game, but the guy with exceptional skills is Antonio Gates. You want to keep in mind where he is on the field. I think it will be a combination of players keeping an eye on him. In each scheme, we have to know where he is. It will take a collective effort to slow him down as well.
The remaining games in the schedule are very imperative for the destiny of the team this season. Of course anytime we have a chance to play at home and have the 12th man cheering for us and creating havoc for the opponents is a plus for us. We need them to be there with flying colors, screaming and just helping us out. It's always a good feeling to play at home in front of your fans, and hopefully we can get a big win at LP Field.