beating dead horses

i almost can't believe Tomlinson is still harping on this. in his press conference today, he stated that three-time Super Bowl champions have no reason to celebrate the way they did at the end of yesterday's game.

so... let me understand this. being the decided underdog in the game & coming up against the best team in football --both self-proclaimed & most certainly on paper -- and after very nearly losing the game, the Patriots don't get to celebrate? after all the trash talk that came from San Diego this past week. after all the dancing & taunting & celebrating the Chargers have displayed all season long. after listening to the Chargers planning their Super Bowl victory party before they had even won a playoff game. and because they haven't won any playoff games themselves, San Diego *would* have been classy in celebrating, had they won?? talk about double standards. i'm sorry -- i just don't think that Tomlinson has the right to complain about a celebration. it's just way too hypocritical.

what is just as shocking is Luis Castillo (also from the Chargers) claiming that he was disappointed in the Patriots celebration because the Chargers hadn't been anything but respectful when they won in Foxboro in 2005. ::coughcough:: i direct you to the post just below this one & the quotes taken directly from the Chargers after *that* game. Castillo went on to say that as for Shawne Merriman's antics, he certainly never directs them at other players who have lost & only acts passionate when he's actually on the field playing. i find that statement difficult to swallow after Merriman's retort to Miami's Jason Taylor, who said that Merriman certainly had no business being rewarded with awards for a season during which he was suspended for steroid use (can't argue with that!), by sending him a t-shirt & some popcorn for while he watches the playoff games at home (speaking of classless...) -- is that keeping it on the field & not personally attacking a player who has lost?

sure, the Chargers were the best team on paper & have all sorts of All-Pro players *and* the MVP. but the Patriots don't pride themselves for winning because they have two or three marquis players. they always have been a team as a whole, and when Tom Brady has a horrendous game (barring those two touchdown drives), he has a whole roster full of players who will compensate. this is nothing new in New England.

::shakes head::

i only wish my boys hadn't sunk to that level. they *are* better than that. they have set high standards for the NFL with their conduct. i think Michael Smith on Around the Horn was absolutely right about that.

and i will take this as an opportunity for a smooth transition to better topics.

i turned on ESPN to see what kind of criticism the Patriots would be receiving (and btw, was pleasantly surprised by the amount of support they received instead!), and find myself face-to-face with the chalkboard behind Woody Paige's head (also on Around the Horn). you just never know what you're going to see there. today? "in dog years, i'm dead." the man is insane. that show is worth watching just to see Paige acting like a lunatic.

and one more thought. i really can't stand the idea of the Patriots losing to the Colts. i'm trying not to think about it too much because it makes me feel a little ill. what is *crazy* is the Colts defense that couldn't stop a run all season has suddenly put together the puzzle pieces. and in equally confusing news, Peyton's post season ratio is 5:1. that's interceptions to touchdowns. he threw nine interceptions over 16 regular season games & five two playoff games? sure wish we had Ty Law back to catch a couple more Peyton passes on Sunday, as long as he's being so generous with the football... maybe Asante can step into those shoes...

just *please*. please don't let the season-ender be to Peyton. i am not sure i can stand another gloating press conference starring His Smugness.