too. much. talk.

Quarterback Philip Rivers
On the Patriots celebrating after the game
"It was disappointing in the way they handled winning. I mean, for as much as everybody said they expect them to win, they didn't act like it, but that's neither here or there. They're playing next week and we're not. I think what got L.T. and I right there was a little bit of taunting."

here's my problem with this: all week Patriots fans got to listen to the Chargers glossing right over yesterday's game. they talked about going to the Super Bowl, with seeming little regard for the games they would have to win in order to get there. they talked about not fearing the Patriots. they talked about the Patriots not being able to contain Tomlinson. and *now* Rivers wants to act like the Patriots were the favorite to win that game & they shouldn't have been so jubilant with their victory?? the Patriots weren't the favorite in that game, even while the game was being played.

but the fact remains that all week long, the Patriots listened to Merriman scoff at the idea of anyone avoiding his sacks. and Gates who fears no one & was ready to be fitted for his Super Bowl ring. and the young QB who smugly pointed out: "I would imagine that was the game plan of all 16 opponents," Rivers said. "That doesn’t surprise me one bit. At the same time, I don’t know how many of those 16 took L.T. away." and then asked what the Patriots could really expect to do to stop Tomlinson.

Rivers & Tomlinson want to talk about class? maybe we should dig into the archives to see how much class San Diego oozed in 2005, when the Chargers beat the Patriots in Foxboro:
"As the Chargers left the field, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips let out a whoop and yelled, “That’s an ass-whupping.” "
or if that doesn't do it for you, how about:
"The next day’s Providence Journal quoted cornerback Drayton Florence admonishing a group of onlookers in the bowels of Gillette: “(Expletive) New England and their team. Get the look of shock off your faces. Don’t be shocked. We beat your ass.” "

i am the first one to turn my nose at show-boating & taunting. i agree that the Patriots shouldn't have been standing out in the middle of the field, exhibiting behavior that results in a "unsportsman like conduct" penalties. but on the other hand, don't dish it out if you can't take it, when the unthinkable happens & you lose a game to the team that didn't even have a San Diego scout present when they played the Jets in round one the week before. (“They were planning their Super Bowl party,” said wideout Jabar Gaffney. “They had scouts at all the other games. It was really a lack of respect for us.”)

i really think San Diego's Lorenzo Neal summed it up quite nicely:
“Say whatever you want. Both teams can trash-talk all they want. The only thing I know for sure is the best team will win. Sunday, all the talking goes out the door.”