RhodyDave
Rookie
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2007
- Messages
- 16
- Reaction score
- 0
Now that the game is over and a night has passed giving me time to relax and get perspective I can comment on some of the things in the game.
Phillip Rivers is a warrior. I gained a ton of respect for him watching him play on a bad leg. The same goes for Gates - playing with a dislocated big toe is gutsy and he should get all the credit in the world for being on the field and putting his team ahead of himself. You can see where this is going...
LT. What to say about him that hasn't already been said? Charger fans should be angry and embarrassed about his lack of heart. LT likes to promote himself on his website as the "NFL's best player". Well, LaDonna Tempertantrumson, the NFL's best player wouldn't hide behind a shielded helmet and sulk all game long while his injured teammates gut out an inspired performance.
The NFL's best player would never whine after losing a game and calling the opponent classless, and that it starts with their head coach.
The NFL's best player wouldn't go around telling everyone how great his team is and that out of 10 games they'd beat another team 9 times. And then LOSE the next two games to that very team. One of those, in which you sat and hid rather than risk your body for the team, as some of your more severely injured teammates did.
I think LT's hyper-extended knee wasn't nearly as much of a problem as his lack of heart and courage. Charger fans, you must be disappointed by LT's big mouth and small heart.
On to the coaching now. Norv Turner was channeling Marty Schottenheimer in that game. How else to explain the baffling, mind-numbingly stupid decisions? Was it Norv's decision to not play LT? If so, he should be fired. If LT couldn't go, he should have been on the sidelines supporting his team, not sulking and hiding on the bench. I think they both carry the burden of blame on that.
Why did Norv elect to punt in the 4th quarter down by 9 points? There were 8-9 minutes left in the game at that point and they needed 2 scores. Punting only guarantees that you get the ball back with even less time and still needing those 2 scores. Serious Martyball moment.
The Chargers had everything they could have asked for in that game; they got 3 turnovers from Brady, who played his worst game ever in the playoffs. They were right there in the 4th quarter, playing well and giving the Patriots everything they had. Yet despite the turnovers, despite making Randy Moss irrelevant, despite Brady playing poorly, they still couldn't win. Thanks to Norv Turner for playing not to lose rather than to win.
For the Patriots, I can't believe how clutch Kevin Faulk has been. I think it's safe to say that he was MVP of that game last night, followed very closely by Laurence Maroney and then Wes Welker.
Maroney is a beast! He runs like Earl Campbell only in a smaller, faster package. It will be fun watching he and Brandon Jacobs destroy tacklers in 2 weeks.
Welker is the biggest offseason pickup this year. Yeah, I know about Moss, but seriously, everyone knew what to expect with Moss. No one knew that Welker was going to be so clutch and so valuable play after play after play.
Faulk does everything well, from kick and punt returns to running and receiving. This guy should be in the Patriots HOF when he is done.
Huge kudos the defense! No touchdowns allowed in a championship game is an incredible accomplishment. Seau is a freak of nature - 18 years in the league and he still produces at a high level. It was good to see Harrison play a smart game. The only thing that I am concerned about is the disappearance of Seymour and Thomas. Wilfork is the man!
Congrats to the Patriots for an historic season to this point. 1 more win and the job is done. Beat the Giants!!
Phillip Rivers is a warrior. I gained a ton of respect for him watching him play on a bad leg. The same goes for Gates - playing with a dislocated big toe is gutsy and he should get all the credit in the world for being on the field and putting his team ahead of himself. You can see where this is going...
LT. What to say about him that hasn't already been said? Charger fans should be angry and embarrassed about his lack of heart. LT likes to promote himself on his website as the "NFL's best player". Well, LaDonna Tempertantrumson, the NFL's best player wouldn't hide behind a shielded helmet and sulk all game long while his injured teammates gut out an inspired performance.
The NFL's best player would never whine after losing a game and calling the opponent classless, and that it starts with their head coach.
The NFL's best player wouldn't go around telling everyone how great his team is and that out of 10 games they'd beat another team 9 times. And then LOSE the next two games to that very team. One of those, in which you sat and hid rather than risk your body for the team, as some of your more severely injured teammates did.
I think LT's hyper-extended knee wasn't nearly as much of a problem as his lack of heart and courage. Charger fans, you must be disappointed by LT's big mouth and small heart.
On to the coaching now. Norv Turner was channeling Marty Schottenheimer in that game. How else to explain the baffling, mind-numbingly stupid decisions? Was it Norv's decision to not play LT? If so, he should be fired. If LT couldn't go, he should have been on the sidelines supporting his team, not sulking and hiding on the bench. I think they both carry the burden of blame on that.
Why did Norv elect to punt in the 4th quarter down by 9 points? There were 8-9 minutes left in the game at that point and they needed 2 scores. Punting only guarantees that you get the ball back with even less time and still needing those 2 scores. Serious Martyball moment.
The Chargers had everything they could have asked for in that game; they got 3 turnovers from Brady, who played his worst game ever in the playoffs. They were right there in the 4th quarter, playing well and giving the Patriots everything they had. Yet despite the turnovers, despite making Randy Moss irrelevant, despite Brady playing poorly, they still couldn't win. Thanks to Norv Turner for playing not to lose rather than to win.
For the Patriots, I can't believe how clutch Kevin Faulk has been. I think it's safe to say that he was MVP of that game last night, followed very closely by Laurence Maroney and then Wes Welker.
Maroney is a beast! He runs like Earl Campbell only in a smaller, faster package. It will be fun watching he and Brandon Jacobs destroy tacklers in 2 weeks.
Welker is the biggest offseason pickup this year. Yeah, I know about Moss, but seriously, everyone knew what to expect with Moss. No one knew that Welker was going to be so clutch and so valuable play after play after play.
Faulk does everything well, from kick and punt returns to running and receiving. This guy should be in the Patriots HOF when he is done.
Huge kudos the defense! No touchdowns allowed in a championship game is an incredible accomplishment. Seau is a freak of nature - 18 years in the league and he still produces at a high level. It was good to see Harrison play a smart game. The only thing that I am concerned about is the disappearance of Seymour and Thomas. Wilfork is the man!
Congrats to the Patriots for an historic season to this point. 1 more win and the job is done. Beat the Giants!!
Last edited: