Yesterday the Broncos defeated the Patriots 26-16 earning their first Super Bowl berth in 15 years. What’s having people talk this morning though besides Richard Sherman making himself look like a complete ass clown last night was the hit that former Patriot Wes Welker put on New England defensive back Aqib Talib that ended up knocking him (Talib) out of the game.
The play was pretty remarkable. First it didn’t generate a penalty and two there’s a bit of a size difference between the 6’1″, 205 lb. Talib and the 5’10”, 185 lb. Welker.
Wes’ former head coach though wasn’t impressed by the hit.
Here’s Belichick’s opening statements to reporters this morning:
BB: “I think it was a deliberate play by the receiver to take out Aqib. No attempt to get open….”
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 20, 2014
BB continued (Welker hit on Talib): ” I’ll let the league handle discipline on that play. … That’s one of the worst plays I’ve seen.” — Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 20, 2014
Bills safety Jim Leonhard called the play a ‘suicide mission’ for Welker:
Looked like Welker was on a suicide mission on that route. Unreal pick he set, not sure how not a flag.
— Jim Leonhard (@jimleonhard) January 19, 2014
Despite though Belichick’s claims, former head of officiating Mike Pereira said that it was a good no call on the play given Welker got to Talib right as the ball reached Thomas essentially designating it as a block.
Welker also denied any intention in his hit.
“It was one of those plays where it’s kind of a rough play, and I was trying to get him to go over the top, and I think he was thinking the same thing and wanted to come underneath and we just kind of collided. It wasn’t a deal where I was trying to hit him or anything like that.”
Despite what you thought about the hit, Talib’s injury may have been the final straw that broke the Patriots’ back. Especially when you’re going up against Peyton Manning.
