And while coach Bill Belichick was indeed proud of his team following yesterday's 40-23 victory over the Titans -- and noted that the Patriots' goals remain ahead in the playoffs, starting Sunday against the New York Jets (1 p.m.) -- he also was seething. Big time.
The focus of his wrath was Titans receiver Bobby Wade, who executed a low, second-quarter block that took out safety Rodney Harrison's legs, and turned the regular-season finale between the Patriots and Titans at LP Field into a simmering battle of bad blood.
On the play in question, Wade lined up as a receiver to the right side on third and 1. As the handoff went to Titans running back Travis Henry to that side, Wade blocked toward the middle of the field, lunging low at Harrison's legs. Harrison went down with a thud, banging the field with his right fist. He never returned, and it was unclear how serious he was injured after the game.
Belichick felt the play was illegal, because players aren't allowed to block below the waist from the outside part of the field to the inside part.
