LT (the Charger)...sour grapes?

[StrykerFSU]

The San Diego Chargers running back, upset that some Patriots were dancing on the Chargers logo at midfield after they had silenced the record crowd of 68,810 at Qualcomm Stadium, went after an unidentified Patriots player, yelling and pointing, and had to be restrained by a teammate and former Charger Reche Caldwell, who had a huge game for the Patriots.

"I would never react in that way. I was very upset," Tomlinson said. "When you go to the middle of our field and start doing the dance Shawne Merriman is known for, that is disrespectful. They showed no class and maybe that comes from the head coach."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs06/news/story?id=2731727

A couple of things:

You're a professional not some college kid. Jumping on the logo is disrespectful? I'll remember that when LT leaves SD for more money some day.

Comes from the head coach? Really? I have never heard a negative word about Bellichik.

Apparently the Patriots were mocking Shawn Merriman and his ridiculous spasmodic sack dance, could it be that he was a target because he failed a steroid test and is a cheater?

I watched the game and both teams were jawing the entire time, right up until Schottenheimer put his hands around his own neck and choked away the game. If LT wants to be upset, be upset about only scoring 21 points on a day that Brady looks mortal and throws 3 interceptions. Or be upset at your boy who rather than going down after an interception, tries to make Sportscenter with a big return and ends up fumbling. Or get upset at your two homeboys who got moronic 15 yard penalties giving Brady chance after chance. If anyone is lacking class (relative term) it might just be the guy with the stolen nickname.

[sohotrightnow]

If anyone is lacking class (relative term) it might just be the guy with the stolen nickname.

Oh please. Tomlinson is one of the few humble players in this league. When was the last time you saw him doing a celebration dance after he scored a TD, let alone a first down? Never. Did he overreact? Probably. I suppose Tom Brady wouldn't have been upset if Chargers players were doing the same thing in front of him at Foxboro.

He didn't annoint himself "LT." As far as I am concerned, he deserves that nickname over that walking disaster Lawrence Taylor.

[ineedmorecowbell]

ugh. i hate this crap. i can't stand the patriots and how they can do absolutely no wrong in the media's eyes. the only reason they won yesterday was because san diego gave the win away with stupid mental mistakes. that should be on marty's shoulders. there were no amazing belichek adjustments, or golden boy heroics. the patriots played poorly and would have been beaten badly if san diego had anymore playoff experience. they were given a win.

what the patriots did WAS disrespectful, and it wasn't just LT that was upset. the entire chargers team was angry. you can't play the "no respect" card constantly and then taunt and dance and whatnot when you win. it doesn't work that way. unfortunately, things just seem to be different with the pats. when they tackle a receiver early, it's "bruschi got a great jump on that route. he's an aggressive player." when san diego gets there early, it's "he's lucky. there should have been a flag on that one."

i could go on and on about the pats, but i won't. my point is this: congrats, you won. if you're such a playoff juggernaut, you shouldn't need to hoot and holler and dance because you're going to the afc championship.

[onpoint]

Stryker, I believe you need the following addendum to your post:

Bibliography:

Simmons, Bill; www.espn.com, Page 2, The Sports Guy, 1999-2007.

[StrykerFSU]

Haha, you caught me Alex but it's probably more fitting for my Pats v. Colts post on the other thread. And for the record, I'm a suffering Skins fan living in the past with dreams of Mark Rypein dancing in my head.

the only reason they won yesterday was because san diego gave the win away with stupid mental mistakes.

Isn't that what my post said?

Tomlinson is one of the few humble players in this league.

That may be but as such, he should have risen above it and walked off the field with his head held high because he played his tail off while some other knuckleheads on his team acted the fool during the game. No need for a player of his stature to relinquish some of his class and dignity by mixing it up with the Pats after the game. I suppose I am being harsh on him because he is usually such a class act and I expected more out of him.

[FaceKid44]

The Pats, classless? Lets see about this one LT.

Was it classy for:

1. Shawn Merriman to use steroids and then accept his Pro Bowl invitation?

2. Shawn Merriman to go on CBS last week at halftime (in a cut off T-shirt showing off his "natural physique") of the Jets-Pats game and say that there was no way that the Pats would win because they could not score on the Jets D. Oh the Pats put up 17 by half.

3. Shawn Merriman to send Jason Taylor a Pro-Bowl T-shirt and popcorn with a note saying something along the lines of "have fun watching the Pro-Bowl from home."

4. Shawn Merriman having a named dance to do after sack and using after sacking Brady in the first half.

5. The Chargers planning a Super Bowl parade last week

6. LT to skip into the endzone in the second half

7. The chargers DB to headbutt a Patriot

8. LT stating in the post game press conference that he IS "a Classy Guy."

and last;

LT, remember now he is a self described "Classy Guy," started to walk off the field without shaking the hands of any Patriot. He only went back to the field after the supposed disrespecting began. You stay Classy....LT

And as far the Pats being a media darling...are you serious? Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, LT, Larry Johnson, Shawn Merriman, Marvin Harrison, TO, Romo, McNabb and Tiki, they all get more face time on ESPN than the Patriots as a team. Yes, Brady it talked up a lot, but no where near that of Peyton et al...But this year LT was the story time and time again. How about the Manning bowl the first week. TO story after TO. Romo was the next Staubach in Dallas and ofcourse the Tiki and Giants Soap Opera

Two of the three CBS analysts picked the Chargers, seven of eight ESPN "experts" picked the Chargers http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/features/talent .

The Pats don't care about TV specials or if they are the lead on the Sportscenter. They just do their thing and win. LT and others have said all day that the Pats should have won like they have won before. But they were big underdogs. Not many people thought they had a shot in this game, so they should be excited if they win.

And if Merriman's dance is okay after a sack, why not at the end of a game? LT said it was after the game, but Sportscenter tonight (1/15 11pm) shows that the Patriots dance imitation took place after the Charges missed kick...with three seconds left on the clock. So under LT and the Chargers Dance Time Rules, Merriman is just as guilty as the Pats.

Oh lastly, being a sore looser is always classless....even if it is coming from a "Classy Guy"

[sohotrightnow]

The Pats don't care about TV specials or if they are the lead on the Sportscenter. They just do their thing and win. LT and others have said all day that the Pats should have won like they have won before. But they were big underdogs. Not many people thought they had a shot in this game, so they should be excited if they win.

I didn't know you had access to the minds of Patriot players. If you don't think LT is a classy guy then there is no hope for you.

Skipping into the end zone? Huh?

The Chargers planning a Super Bowl parade? Wouldn't the city of San Diego be behind that one, not the Chargers per se?

But this year LT was the story time and time again.

Uh, as he should have been. He had one of the best seasons of all time. Had Marty put the ball in his hands more, the game may have been different.

And you wonder why EVERYBODY despises Boston fans? Patriot fans would probably tell you that Tom Brady is from Southie.

[ineedmorecowbell]

all hail the patriots. how dare someone question their work! LT has no class and merriman did steroids. bellichek and brady, the batman and robin of this era, cured cancer.

every team talks trash, every team showboats and celebrates, every team gives out cheap shots, new england's beloved pats included. (i seem to remember a shot of a patriot punching a charger in the helmet after a play but was not caught by the refs.) i gurantee you SOMEONE on the patriots does steroids. i gurantee you someone on every team in the nfl does steroids or cheats in some way. merriman was just caught. i'm not saying it's right, i'm just saying everyone does it. it doesn't make what the pats did okay because merriman is a jerk. class is about not stooping down to another level. being classy is the pats being excited about winning, shaking the chargers hands, and going home. classy is not mocking the other team's prominent player and hollering on the charger logo. LT overreacted, sure, but the pats aren't the second coming either.

and yes, they are media darlings. there is some weird infatuation with bellicheck and brady and the patriots that they are invincible. if they win ugly, like over the weekend, it's they just adjust and find a way to win. it's not that they were lucky and handed the w. don't get me wrong, they are a good team, coach, and qb. i just can't stand the double standards there are in the media.

now i have to sit through hours and hours of peyton dungy brady bellicheck jibba jabba. ugh. puke.

edit: i can't stand whiney boston fans. three super bowls and a world series in the last five years...waaaa. you poor souls. you've lost your right to complain for a while. i haven't had one of my teams win a championship in my entire life. 1982 - philly's last ring in any of the major sports.

[Danny Hogan]

3. Shawn Merriman to send Jason Taylor a Pro-Bowl T-shirt and popcorn with a note saying something along the lines of "have fun watching the Pro-Bowl from home."

where did you hear that? i'de like to read about that.

i'm not even sure i mean what i'm about to say but...

i think its ridiculous for anyone to dance on a football field at any time

Dancing like an a-hole celebrating the other team's failure as opposed to your own success is slightly more disrespectful to the opposition. The patriots didn't do anything on that last play, SD failed, would have been a different situation had they blocked it or something. They were being "poor winners'' and going out of their way to rub it in SD's face.

Although if merriman is going to dance on the field, he deserves whatever mocking he gets.

[StrykerFSU]

I have to be honest, I don't think this a case of "whiny Boston fans" at all. As far as I know, all of the coverage on ESPN has been pretty even in that they suggest the Pats shouldn't have been dancing and that LT acted poorly. See http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs06/columns/story?columnist=kreidler_mark&id=2732068

Your personal feelings about the Pats or Boston fans may differ but aren't really relevant to this thread which was about LT's poor reaction.

And you wonder why EVERYBODY despises Boston fans? Patriot fans would probably tell you that Tom Brady is from Southie.

Despises? Really? Why must we be so dramatic? (Though I appreciate your support for the Seminoles)

I agree with you, Danny. No millionaire, supposed tough guy football players need to be dancing after touchdowns or otherwise. That makes me wonder though, does Dancing with the Stars conduct steroid testing because if not, then Merriman might have a heck of a future.[/quote]

[FaceKid44]

Danny,

Here is a link to the Merriman-Taylor Story. I was a little off, the note said to enjoy watching the playoffs, not the pro-bowl. Either way, classy move.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6317616

If you don't think LT is a classy guy then there is no hope for you.

I am sure he is, but did not show it Sunday night. And he continued his whining yesterday.

Skipping into the end zone? Huh?

Ok a bit of sarcasm, doesn't go over well in type. But to be a classy guy, you should not taunt. High stepping, skipping, slowing down and staring down the D as you go into the end zone is slight taunting.

But this year LT was the story time and time again.

Uh, as he should have been. He had one of the best seasons of all time.

I totally agree. I was using this as an example of how the Patriots have NOT been the top story this year at all. The myth that the Pats are media darlings is simply not true.

In fact the Pats are loathed by many in the media who cover them regularly. Belichick is the only voice of the coaching staff or front office. The Pats control all the information that comes out from the organization. Read Boston Globe columnists Dan Shaunasey or Gordon Edes to hear their opinions of the Patriots. They are two big-time homers, except when it comes to the Pats.

I’m not even sure I mean what I’m about to say but...

i think its ridiculous for anyone to dance on a football field at any time

I could not agree with you more. There is a difference between dancing and celebrating. Having a named dance like lights out or the jump shot are just pathetic. But even worse is celebrating on a nothing play. They were talking about this on Mike and Mike this morning. Sunday, Deion Branch caught an 8 yard pass and got up like he just scored a Super Bowl winning touchdown. Its really getting out of control.

The media, especially ESPN, will take any pot shot they can at Belichick. PTI, Mike and Mike in the morning and Sports Center, especially Stuart Scott, are keeping this story going. Foxsports.com and CNNSI, let it go yesterday morning. Hell we heard about Belichick pushing a cameraman for a week. ESPN will get all they can out of this story because if you don't pour your heart out to the media and give them anything they want, they will get back at you.

[Brent Burns]

Belichick had a reason to push the cameraman aside since he was about to give Manigini a hug. The media had been making a big deal out of their "frosty" relationship. Be it the Patriots, the Red Sox, the Bruins, the Celtics, the New England folks are very knowledgable about their players, coaches and their sportswriters. I lived in Massachusetts for 5 years, and I know that from experience when talking to the diehard Red Sox Nation people.

[Dulax31]

Go Colts!

[StrykerFSU]

Here's some analysis of the game from ESPN's TMQ:

New England at San Diego Analysis: So you're San Diego. You're overconfident because you spent the bye week telling yourself you are the 1966 Packers while Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are yesterday's news. Simultaneously you're nervous because Marty Schottenheimer cannot beat the Dillon Panthers in the playoffs. Now you've just seen the Patriots erase a 21-13 deficit to tie the game with 4:30 remaining. Why, exactly, do you decide to panic? The game is tied. You've got the ball with 4:30 remaining. You've got the league's best running back and the league's best offensive line. Belichick in this situation would relentlessly grind the clock, planning to kick the winning field goal with a few seconds left. So what did the Chargers do? Handed off to LaDainian Tomlinson for 5 yards -- then incompletion, incompletion, punt. Up to the point at which the Chargers panicked, Tomlinson and backup Michael Turner had combined for 26 carries for 147 yards, a 5.6-yard average. Run the ball and control the outcome! You're at home, where crowd energy helps the rushing game! Instead incompletion, incompletion, punt -- then watch New England dance at the center of your field.

The faces of the Chargers' players suggested they expected to win by 20 points, and when LaDainian Tomlinson scored to make it 21-13 with eight minutes to go, they decided to act as if they were ahead by 20 points. With eight minutes remaining, the Bolts were celebrating on the sidelines, and the clueless Schottenheimer did not tell them to get their heads back in the game. Schottenheimer was oblivious to the 16-ton weight about to be dropped on his head -- even though the opponent was the most efficient, unflappable team in NFL history! When New England's players saw some Chargers celebrating on the sidelines with eight minutes remaining as if it was already over, and realized the clueless Schottenheimer was oblivious, they smelled blood. I'll never forget the look on Michael Jordan's face when he saw Charles Barkley start to dance and clown around with a minute left in an NBA Finals game that Barkley thought Phoenix had already won. Jordan smelled blood, and a moment later the NBA crown was his.

Oh how well New England played down the stretch. Reaching second-and-1 on the San Diego 4 with about five minutes remaining, trailing by eight points, the Flying Elvii lined up "heavy," and the Bolts responded with a nine-man line. At that point New England had 47 yards rushing and had dropped back to pass on 17 consecutive snaps! Yet San Diego fell for the play fake. They've thrown on 17 consecutive snaps, why are you buying the play-fake? Now it's 21-19 and the visitors line up to go for two. Not only did New England successfully execute a high school play -- direct snap to the tailback as the quarterback jumps into the air to simulate a bad snap. Before the snap, Tom Brady was furiously pointing and gesturing to the wideouts on his left, as if audibling to a pass. The pointing and gesturing was all a ruse.

When the pressure is on, New England's tactical decisions are almost always right. The Pats played most of the first half with two tight ends, and trailed 14-3 at the two-minute warning of the second quarter. At that point, New England switched to three wide receivers, forcing San Diego to put nickel back Antonio Cromartie on the field. Cromartie may have been a first-round draft choice, but he started only one season at Florida State and often seems to have scant idea of where he should be on the field. Playing a little more than half the game, Cromartie recorded six tackles, most by any San Diego defensive back -- and all came after his receiver caught a pass. From the point New England switched to multiple wides, the visitors outscored the home team 21-7. And as usual, the New England offensive line becomes invincible in the playoffs, surrendering only one sack after the Pats went three wide and opened up the edge to the boastful Shawne Merriman. His only "sack" was to stop a Brady scramble at the line of scrimmage.

I guess I don't need to mention that on what proved the decisive down for the Patriots (score tied, New England facing third-and-10 on its 34 with less than three minutes remaining, odds favoring a stop for the defense). San Diego blitzed, resulting in a 49-yard completion into field-goal range. A sharp quarterback like Brady wants to be blitzed on third-and-long! I ask anyone to explain why Schottenheimer decided to go for it on fourth-and-11 on the New England 30 when the game was scoreless, and a 47-yard field-goal attempt for Pro Bowler Nate Kaeding beckoned -- the play resulted in a lost fumble -- then decided to punt on fourth-and-4 from the New England 41 on the next possession. Fourth-and-11 in field-goal range, I'd kick. Fourth-and-4 on the 41, I'd go for it. Schottenheimer did a nice job of getting the percentages backward! I ask anyone to explain why Schottenheimer wasted a timeout by challenging a fourth-quarter fumble ruling, when the call was obviously correct. Imagine how different the endgame might have been if San Diego still held a timeout when it reached first-and-10 on the New England 36 with 24 seconds remaining.

And I ask anyone to explain where the San Diego coaching staff was with the Bolts leading 21-13 and New England facing fourth-and-5 with 6:25 remaining. Marlon McCree of San Diego intercepted the ball, then committed the aforementioned fumble. On fourth down you knock down the pass! Had McCree simply slapped the ball to the ground, the Bolts would have taken possession on their 41 with the clock winding down, the league's best running back and an eight-point lead.

On fourth down it is the responsibility of the coaching staff to remind defenders not to intercept! Before a key fourth down in our middle-school flag league this fall, I screamed to my players: "Knock it down! Do not intercept!" My 11-year-old, Spenser, had a perfect bead on a pick and instead slapped the ball to the ground. After the game he said, "Dad, I really wanted the interception, but I knew you knock it down on fourth down." Why didn't San Diego's professionals know this? Why didn't the highly paid San Diego coaches remind them? Before a fourth-down snap by the opponent, coaches are supposed to scream, "FOURTH DOWN! KNOCK IT DOWN!" Knocking the ball down on fourth down not only gives your team possession at the original line of scrimmage, which is usually a better spot than an interception spot, but prevents the intercept-then-fumble scenario. McCree said after the game that he made the pick because he thought he would score a touchdown -- another reason why defenders must be coached to knock it down on fourth down! Defenders always fantasize about touchdowns. McCree would have been lucky to get back to the original line of scrimmage. All San Diego had to do on this season-killer snap was exhibit a standard well-coached response to a favorable situation, and the Chargers might now be preparing to host the conference championship. Instead, San Diego screwed up something several of my 11-year-olds got right on several occasions this fall. And note that neither CBS announcer so much as noticed that slapping the ball down would have saved San Diego's day. Endlessly it amazes me that television football pundits who are well-paid to do nothing all year but yak about sports seem unaware of the basics of what's happening on the field.

As for New England, two months ago TMQ did an item on the fact that productive receivers who sign big-money deals to leave Foxborough immediately become average or nonentities (Deion Branch, David Patten, David Givens) while unwanted receivers who arrive at New England (Reche Caldwell) immediately become ballers. I speculated this had something to do with the male-modelesque Brady. Now Jabar Gaffney -- a nobody at Houston for years, 11 receptions in the regular season in 2006 -- gets inserted into the Flying Elvii postseason lineup and so far has 18 catches in two outings.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/070116

[horn17]

Wow....do all New Englanders have to always stick up for their teams like this???? Cant you be happy with your one Red Sox championship (in the past 100yrs) and go away....or are you so blinded by Tom Brady's brilliance - like every other NFL analyst, that GW should step down and give Tom the keys to the White House????

Was LT complaining, yes, did he have a reason to?

Yes....

Let me come and jump on your couch in the living room of your house and see how you like it.... it was a classless action by a group of classes athletes (not the whole team, just the morons that thought it was neccessary).... am I discrediting the win? no - nor Merrimans actions ( he does his own thing)...but Joey Porter does the same thing everyweek - and you sure dont see the Browns acting like a bunch of idiots after the game (for example).....

If you've won championships, act like you've done it before....I will never root nor purchase anything from the Patriots ever again, I used to be huge Nuggets fan - and jumped ship after their actions this year...grow up and start being the role models that you should be - or are all United Way commercials fake???

By the way - if you've watched football at all this year, LT always skips into the endzone......