Bill Belichick told reporters that he was certainly proud of the way his team competed all season long and especially in the AFC championship game. The New England Patriots fell to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, ending their chances at a Super Bowl berth. While Belichick is praising his players for their competitive spirit, one person he is not too thrilled with is Wes Welker.
The Denver Broncos wide receiver created one of the biggest moments in the title game. In the second quarter, Welker collided with corner Aqib Talib who was covering Demaryius Thomas on the play. Talib and Welker ran into one another as the pass from Peyton Manning fell incomplete. Talib was shaken up on the play, hurting his knee. The veteran cornerback did not return to the field, allowing the Broncos' receiving corps to have field day exposing the secondary of the Patriots. There were no flags thrown on the play, but Belichick claims the hit was intentional.
"It is a deliberate play by the receiver to take out Aqib," Belichick said, via the Boston Globe. "No attempt to get open. And I'll let the league handle the discipline on that play. It's not for me to decide, but it's one of the worst plays I've seen. And that's all I'm going to say about that."
Belichick is accusing his former top wide receiver of foul play and being a dirty player. The Patriots coach noted that he wants the league to look into the hit and impose some sort of discipline on Welker. The play was certainly a crucial moment in the AFC title game, but could it just be sour grapes between the two? Welker says nothing was intentional on that play.
"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," Welker said, via WEEI.com. "It wasn't a deal where I was trying to hit him or anything like that. I hope he's OK - he's a great player and a big part of their defense."
Belichick and Welker have certainly had their issues. The wide receiver spent a good portion of his career under the head coach before jumping to Denver in free agency. He later admitted he and Belichick never truly saw eye-to-eye on a lot of things. No matter, Welker is getting the last laugh as he and the Broncos head to New York for the Super Bowl.
