Chargers, Saints arrive in London stinging from losses
CBSSports.com wire reports
BAGSHOT, England -- The San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints arrived in London on Monday, six days before they play a regular-season NFL game at Wembley Stadium.
Both teams are coming off losses, dampening the mood a bit at each of their training bases.
"The taste of that loss isn't gone by any means," said Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who had two fumbles and threw one interception in a 23-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills. "It was a big game that we lost yesterday, and we know that, but we're going to have to rebound."
The Saints lost to the Carolina Panthers 30-7 and are 3-4, the same as the Chargers.
"We haven't quite put this last game behind us yet," Saints quarterback Drew Brees said. "There are some things that we need to correct and fix, and we need a win as bad as anybody right now."
Although Sunday's event will be the second straight year the NFL plays a regular-season game in London, Chargers coach Norv Turner came to the city years ago with the Rams and Cowboys to play exhibition games.
"I've been over here a couple times in the preseason and I know how exciting the games are," Turner said. "That was preseason, so I know being a regular-season game and the way the crowd gets into it and how they respond, it will be exciting for everyone involved."
Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson has also been to London, but he came to promote the league. Since his return, he's had to answer some questions from curious teammates about the city.
"One of my guys said, 'Are there any big guys in London like us or are we going to stand out?"' said Tomlinson, who gained only 41 yards rushing against the Bills and is nursing an injured toe. "I thought to myself, 'I didn't see too many big guys so you might stand out a little bit.' Of course, he was a lineman."
Saints coach Sean Payton said he had doubts about the trip when he first found out New Orleans was going to England.
"I'd be lying if I said that I was fired up (initially), but I think it has worked out very well," Payton said. "I think our people have done a great job in putting this trip together. We're all excited, I know the players are excited. All of us are honored to represent the league and come over here and play and we look forward to it."
San Diego linebacker Shaun Phillips is looking forward to hearing the crowd, which is again expected to be neutral - something that could favor the "visiting" Chargers.
"Playing in front of the London fans is going to be huge," Phillips said. "You think of the soccer matches and how huge the soccer matches are, 80-90,000 fans screaming. We're hoping to get that same impact."
In last year's game, the rain-soaked fans from all over England and thousands from the United States watched the New York Giants hold on to beat the Miami Dolphins 13-10. The Giants, of course, went on to win the Super Bowl.
"They were kind of going through the same struggles," Tomlinson said of the Giants, who lost their opening two games but improved to 6-2 with the victory over the winless Dolphins last year. "They came here and it kind of changed their season. We're hoping for the same kind of luck. Hopefully, London brings us that."
