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Classless? Disrespect from the Patriots? What is going on here?
After the New England Patriots thrilling come from behind victory over the favored San Diego Chargers 24-21 in San Diego in the AFC Divisional round, league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson went into an uncharacteristic tirade immediately after the game.
Clearly frustrated, disappointed, and stunned about the loss after a historic regular season, Tomlinson ran over to an unidentified Patriots player who he felt disrespected his team and his organization.
The unidentified player allegedly was performing the ?lights out? Shawne Merriman dance on the Chargers 50-yard line with three seconds to go in the game. Other Patriot players were celebrating exuberantly as well.
Former Charger and current Patriot receiver Reche Caldwell stopped Tomlinson and told him he was better than that. Tomlinson ran off the field in disgust.
Tomlinson is indeed one of the classiest guys in the National Football League. Throughout his entire historic regular season, he remained humble and credited all his success to his offensive line. He was the unselfish team player and leader.
However, his tirade after the game and his press conference comments can not be ignored.
How is it any more wrong that an opposing player can show up one of Tomlinson?s teammates than Shawne Merriman showing up an opposing player with the same dance? Just because its Merriman?s dance he can?t do it? According to the MVP, that?s being disrespectful.
It?s a ridiculous argument, and it?s absurd. Pro-Bowler Shawne Merriman claimed there was some taunting and over celebration going on by a team that?s won three Super Bowls. He claims three-time Super Bowl Champions don?t do that. Am I missing something here?
The Patriots just beat the best team in the NFL this year, at San Diego, in a Divisional playoff round, four-point underdogs, nine Pro Bowlers to the Patriots one, and Shawne Merriman, who in his own right was suspended four games by the league for failing a steroid test, is telling the Patriots how to react after one of the biggest team playoff upsets since they upset the St. Louis Rams in the Super Bowl in 2001.
Moreover, Tomlinson calls out Patriots Head Coach Bill Belechick as the reason why the Patriots acted so classless and disrespectful. Did I miss something again? Was Belechick playing in the game? What did Belechick do to Tomlinson? Oh wait, I remember. He contained the league MVP and his beat his team in a playoff game once again a la Kurt Warner, Peyton Manning.
One other comment to think about is LB Shaun Philips? claim he will have a personal grudge against the Patriots from now on. He said the Chargers did not over celebrate and disrespect the Patriots when they crushed them in New England last season in Week 4 41-17.
I?m sure Philips is a bright guy, but did he take into account that the game was in Week 4 of a 17 week regular season and last night was a Divisional lose and you?re out playoff game.
Yes, the Patriots should not have run out to the field with three seconds remaining on the clock. But, the comments and actions by Charger players are ridiculous and unprofessional. They are stunned, disappointed, and extremely frustrated with the early playoff exit after a fantastic regular season. But, calling the Patriots classless and disrespectful is not right. Maybe some of the Chargers players should take an extra look at themselves in the mirror this morning.
