So, the Saints are apparently the “feel good” story of the NFL playoffs. I get it. They used to suck, their city got washed away, and they’re in the Super Bowl. But, mouthy cheap shot artists kind of take the bloom off the rose.
Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams, from an interview on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, going all Buddy Ryan on Peyton Manning (via ESPN’s AFC South Blog).
“This guy’s got a great clock in his head. The big thing is that he throws the ball so early that we’re going to have to do a good job of finding ways to get to him and when we do get to him we’re going to have to make sure he gets a couple ‘remember me’ shots when we get there …”
Then, when asked about his players worrying about incurring 15-yard penalties for hitting Manning, he added this:
“Here’s the deal. When you put too much of that type of worry on a warrior’s mind, he doesn’t play all out. If it happens, it happens. And the only thing you’d like for me to say is that if it happens you hope he doesn’t get back up and play again.”
Yeah, go to hell. If you can’t beat Manning playing by the rules, find another game.
Sweep the leg, Johnny.
First, a textbook illustration of my contention, which is that football players have an unfair reputation for stupidity which is entirely based on the kind of crap their coaches say.
Second, they got away with this in the Minnesota game, from my seat, anyway, but they’re not going to be playing at home this time, and they’re not going to be facing the Vikes’ O-line on a bad night. Indy’s has only one job, basically. You think the league, unlike the rest of America, missed what happened to Favre last Sunday? Think they aren’t instructing the officials accordingly? If Manning gets cheap-shotted NO will start getting flagged for spitting.
Finally, of course, people have been saying this about Manning for twelve seasons now, and he’s missed one down. Blitz him all night, Gregg. Please. Super Bowl runner-up is still a big accomplishment.
With all of the Colts-hating I’ve been doing, I’m still going to go back to rooting for them to win now with this crap.
Having a team management that are a bunch of quitters is one thing.
Having a team where they permit their players to behave in this way is another.
Go Colts. Hopefully, you won’t be haunted too much by what might have been after to win the Super Bowl.
Should have been “after you win” not “after to win”.
I just don’t see much to complain about in these quotes. If a defensive player on any team gets the chance to hit the QB, he takes it. You don’t try to injure a guy necessarily, but hits are often harder than necessary to achieve the required result.
It’s really the hoping the guy doesn’t get up that’s a problem.
What playground have I wandered onto? Players and coaches who trash talk and break the rules often end up losing, so let ’em boast. Looks like some are back on the Colts bandwagon already.
Who is breaking the rules?
I honestly can’t blame the Saints for wanting Manning out of the game. Who would you rather pick between a rookie QB with a 9.8 passer rating and the best quarterback in football?