Yes, I know. Sunday's games were Monday's news. But I decided to have a life on Monday. Well, not really. I caught up with some friends for a super lunch at Cici's Pizza, buying the US version of The Office - Season 2, and being forced to watch the Project Greenlight flick "Feast" as a result of losing badly in Madden 2007. Onto the games ...
First, Chicago needed the extra session to overcome the hapless Seahawks. The Bears showed me nothing, except for some weakness up the middle on defense and signs of life in the vertical passing game. Rex Grossman didn't throw the game away, which I suppose is cause for joy in the Windy City. Yet, Shaun Alexander rushed for over 100 yards. All in all, the better team won, but don't let people tell you that Chicago dethroned the NFC Champs. Well, they did, but this is not your 2005 Seattle team despite much of the core being physically present.
Secondly, the Patriots did it. They went into San Diego and did exactly what Clement said they would do. This game was a gambler's dream. I must admit, I only watched about 60% of the game, but I don't see how Marty Schottenheimer lost that game. Drayton Florence gave the Patsies a first down on a personal foul headbutt after a third-down sack of Tom Brady. Marlon McCree intercepted a pass on 4th down when he could have knocked it down and proceeded to have it stripped by Troy Brown. These two mistakes led to 11 points. I don't care who you're playing. If you spot the opposition a double-digit figure in points via bonehead plays, put one in the loss column.
Of course, this has no bearing on Schottenheimer's job status, as him and GM A.J. Smith have a non-existent love affair (i.e. they don't talk). I'm guessing that the Spanos family will not extend the head coach's contract, leading to a termination with one year left on the contract. I'm also guessing that Marty's replacement will be expected to win immediately in the playoffs.
As for Tomlinson's post-game comments, I agree in part. Don't stand on someone's logo and imitate the "Lights Out" dance despite the obvious irony. And being the Patriots, I'm sure they taunted the opposition. They are no choir boys, as they are made out to by the Foxboro team of Simms and Nantz. If I'm not mistaken,
who shoved a photographer last week? Klass.
Onto the championship games ... I'm not giving any predictions. If I was forced to make an uneducated conjecture, I'd go with the roadies to win outright and then the Patsies taking the Lombardi trophy (my preseason pick). Nevertheless, it's early, as the middle of the week is being dominated by the coaching carousel.
Fun Stat of the Day: San Diego's record vs. teams who made the playoffs this season (2-3)
Tomorrow, be on the lookout for the End of Season Rookie Report by Armin Mohajeri.
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4 comments:
Note: The Pats are my 2nd team, so my comments have some taint to them. But I also love(d) L.T.(II)...so take these words at face value.
Where the f*ck was Tomlinson when his own teammate said "f*ck New England" after the Bolts dismantled New England at home last season? I'm sorry, is shouting obscenities with regard to the opposing team, in the media, a lesser action than mocking a dance, which in itself is considered by many to be offensive? Sh*t, I could probably rack 17 sacks in 12 games if I was hopped up on super-roids for them too...the drugs should be doing the dancing, not Merriman.
Further...if publicly disrespecting/mocking another team is a horrid thing, then where is the line drawn? Could it be drawn to wearing a (Insert team name)s Suck shirt to a media session? (see: http://profootballtalk.com/LTRaiders.jpg).
If you're going to cry to your mommy that the other team made fun of you after your own team gave it away (and in the case of McCree, refused to acknowledge that he did anything wrong by not knocking the ball down), then you need to get back to the 8-year old pee-wee leagues.
By the way ... did Merriman ever follow through on his promise to punch Brady in the head during the game?
This is a PFT reader reactionary post. You can't read everything at that site and take it for face value. To say those guys are slanted and have an agenda is a massive understatement. Their livelihood is based off of ridiculing players and overreaction is their MO. And they rarely apologize for being dead wrong (remember the Rich Rodriguez/WVU fiasco?).
To answer your question, yes, it is a lesser crime to say "F--- [insert opposition]" after a win than to do anything resembling a taunt on someone's logo.
Players like McCree need to be accountable but they also must have a short memory.
And the Raiders do suck. LT is a man of truth.
Yes, the picture of LT came from PFT. But that doesn't change the fact that the Chargers, LT specifically, became the biggest bunch of crybabies in the NFL.
When T.O. mimicked the Ray Lewis dance, many people laughed (I'm pretty sure that you were one of them, boddy). It's part of celebration and being in the moment.
The Chargers were just pissed that they lost and were out of the limelight...Sir LT decided to get that limelight back...
I've laughed at many disrespectful things. It doesn't take away from being disrespectful. The better example would've been TO on the star in Dallas. That was hysterical. Some can make the argument that it's not disrespectful due to the pomposity and arrogance reeking from most Dallas fans regarding the franchise and its pre-salary cap history. I'll spare the argument.
LT isn't a crybaby. The logo is symbolic and celebrating on it is a dis to the home team.
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