Page 21 - AT

A21
SPORTS Saturday 18 January 2020
Rodgers-Sherman matchup highlights NFC title game

By JOSH DUBOW chess match with him, and
AP Pro Football Writer you've got to pick your
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) spots carefully."
— Nine years into his career Sherman's spot figures to be
and a little more than two on the left side of San Fran-
years removed from a de- cisco's defense where he
bilitating torn Achilles injury, usually locks down whom-
Richard Sherman is still tor- ever lines up against him.
menting quarterbacks on a The Packers having a clear
weekly basis. No. 1 receiver in Davante
Just ask Kirk Cousins. Adams, whose 83 catches
Sherman had his third ca- in the regular season were
reer playoff interception more than twice as many
last week in a victory over as any other wideout on
Cousins and the Minnesota Green Bay even though
Vikings that has sent the Adams missed four games
San Francisco 49ers into the with a toe injury. He had
NFC championship game a franchise playoff record
against the Green Bay 160 yards receiving last
Packers. week against Seattle, rais-
Waiting for Sherman will ing questions about wheth-
be the same quarterback er the Niners will change
he faced the last time he In this Nov. 24, 2019, file photo, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, left, greets philosophy and have Sher-
made it to the conference Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers after an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif. man follow Adams.
title game five years ago in Associated Press Sherman has lined up on
Aaron Rodgers for the lat- was during his heyday in wouldn't even be a conver- will shut down that side of the defensive right side on
est matchup between two Seattle when he repeat- sation. But I just get tired of the field. only 14 snaps in two seasons
of the NFL's best who have edly erased receivers from it. In the playoffs, I played in Rodgers has completed with San Francisco and said
nothing but respect for the game plan by shut- 13 games now, zero touch- only 13 passes for 138 yards the last time he remem-
each other. ting down nearly half of downs given up, three in- against Sherman in those bers trailing a receiver was
"He's a talented player. the field with his lock-down terceptions. Like, show me eight games, according to probably in 2016 against
In my opinion, never lost coverage. somebody else doing it like SportRadar, targeting him Atlanta's Julio Jones.
it," said Rodgers, who was In his past 13 games, Sher- that. Then I'll enjoy the ar- just 23 times and throwing It hasn't hurt the Niners, who
intercepted by Sherman man has allowed only 17 gument. But there isn't." one interception in that allowed the fewest yards
in that loss in the NFC title catches for 130 yards with While Sherman uses any NFC championship game. passing in 10 seasons.
game following the 2014 two interceptions and no slights, real or perceived, as Much of that production "It just so happens we have
season. touchdowns, according to fuel, there's only praise and came in the first meeting the No. 1 pass defense in
"I mean there was never a Pro Football Focus. respect between Sherman in 2012 when Rodgers went the league," Sherman said.
time where you are play- Sherman also sounds like and Rodgers. 4-for-5 for 44 yards. He has "Whoa, oh, my God, it's
ing him where you were the same one as well, The two split their previous avoided him almost com- crazy. It's crazy that you're
thinking, 'Oh, I am going to with his brash talk and ex- eight meetings, although pletely since then as Sher- not following anybody but
go after this guy.' I always treme confidence that has Sherman came out ahead man has allowed just nine somehow you have the
think you have to be smart helped a former fifth-round in the most important one catches for 94 yards in the No. 1 pass defense in the
about what routes you like pick develop into one of when Seattle beat Green past seven games. league, almost like our
to throw on him and under- the top cornerbacks to Bay in the NFC title game in "I'd say it's been intense," strategy works. It's almost
stand that he's one of the play the game. January 2015. Sherman said of those like you're an idiot for doing
headiest players that has "Since I got in the league, But any success Rodgers matchups. "It's been very it any other way. It's almost
ever played that position, every category that mat- had didn't come because competitive, I guess, for like you're dumb if you do it
so you've got to be real ters to a corner, I'm No. 1 he found some weakness in lack of better words. We've another way. It's almost like
smart about the types of in: Completion percent- Sherman's game. Instead, played quite a few times, people have been saying,
routes you are liking on that ages, interceptions, touch- he approached it as most and the games are al- 'Do it this way' for so long,
side of the field." downs against, yards, pass- quarterbacks do, throwing ways good. There's rarely but they don't have the No.
Sherman once again looks er rating," he said. "If that as few passes to his right as any blowouts one way or 1 defense, but whatever,
like the same player he was any other corner, it possible, knowing Sherman another. But it's always a I'm crazy."q
AP source: Giants hiring Garrett as offensive coordinator

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. condition of anonymity He took over in Dallas as Cowboys opened 3-0 be- staff. Garrett will also be
AP Pro Football Writer Friday night because the the interim coach when fore dropping eight of 12 tasked with helping de-
NEW YORK (AP) — Jason team did not immediately Wade Phillips was fired and losing control of their velop quarterback Daniel
Garrett is headed to the announce the move. halfway through the 2010 playoff fate. Dallas missed Jones, who showed lots of
other side of the Giants- ESPN first reported the hir- season and went 87-70, in- the playoffs six times in promise in his rookie sea-
Cowboys rivalry. ing of Garrett by the Gi- cluding the playoffs. Garrett’s nine full seasons. son after taking over from
A person with direct knowl- ants to join new coach The 53-year-old Garrett Garrett wasn’t out of a job Eli Manning as the starter.
edge of the decision says Joe Judge’s staff. had the club’s second- for long as Judge made his Jones threw for 3,027 yards
New York is hiring the for- Garrett was told Jan. 5 he longest tenure behind Pro highest-profile hiring since and a franchise rookie
mer Dallas coach to be was not being brought Football Hall of Famer Tom joining the Giants on Jan. record 24 touchdowns
the Giants offensive coor- back by the Cowboys af- Landry. Dallas finished 8-8 8. Garrett gives Judge, a with 12 interceptions in
dinator. The person spoke ter coaching the team for for the fourth time under first-time NFL head coach, 13 games, including 12
to The Associated Press on the previous 9 1/2 seasons. Garrett this season. The a veteran assistant on his starts.q