With all the hype and fanfare that was going on, I think Merriman said that before he had a chance to realize how it would be taken literally. The fans were excited and waitng fo him to say something, so he picked that phrase to fast. " Smack in the Mouth ", is a phrase, nothing more.
I have to admit, Marty did a open mouth, insert foot remark here. He should of never said that.
If it wasn't really a @ss whopin, then how do interpret the final score, " It was a really, really, really close game ". Sorry, that day, the Bolts did indeed kick NE's @ss. Bilichick, Brady, and all the rest of the pats know it.
I hear coaches and players using the " F " word all the time during and after the game. FLorence did go to far in the hallway, but so do a lot of players after each game. The last part of his remarks are true, we did kick your butt.
Players from both teams let their emotions get the best of them, it was the playoffs. I have said it before, and will say it again, L.T has showed a lot of class since then when asked about the whole incident. No one is crying about it today except the fans. Sheesh... L.T shows a little emotion about the pats celebrations and everybody blows it way out of proportion.