Rivers' Taunts
by binford04 on Dec 27, 2007 10:35 AM MST
28 comments
So for those who couldn't watch the game the other night. Rivers and a few other Chargers were jawing at Cutler from the sidelines after he threw an incompletion on 4th down. Here's the video.
A couple of comments about this:
- Cutler looked pretty glum and beat up during the game (no thanks to the O-line) but he stuck in there, despite getting sacked and pushed around.
- Rivers, on the other hand, basically handed off to LT the whole night and let him do the work and took the 2nd half off.
Here is what Champ had to say about River's shenanigans:
"And I don't really care for the guy, first of all,'' Bailey said of Rivers. "He's not a respectable guy right now, because you talk too much trash and do this and that, but you're really not a great player in this league right now. "You're surrounded by great players, but you're not a great player. I think he needs to understand where he stands in this league – where he stands on his team first and foremost." http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/dec/26/bailey-calls-out-classless-qb-rivers/
Anyways, no one knows who started talking first and all that, but it still irks me to see Rivers punk-ass face grinning like an idiot in a basically meaningless game. Have some class dude.
Let's remember this moment when next year comes around, and more importantly, when the Chargers get spanked by the Steelers/Colts/Pats in a few weeks.
This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR
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Top Ten Things Phillip Rivers is known for
- Rookie contract hold out.
- Being butt buddies with SD G.M. AJ Smith
- Bitch fighting with L.T. on the sideline
- Being surrounded by All Pros
- #19 QB rating
- Picking slivers out of his ass as a rookie instead of playing
- #19 in the league for yards per attempt
- Mouthing off to Cutler who is #8 yards/attempt
- Mouthing off at Champ freaking Bailey.
1. Handing off to L.T.!
Sit down and STFU, Rivers.
by Jeremy Bolander on Dec 27, 2007 12:32 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
After the video above
scroll through the additional videos it offers up and check out "Phillip Rivers likes to whine."
It was from the Baltimore game in SD where the fans were booing him and he screamed at them to "Shut Up!"
That definitely makes the honorable mention for my list above, and if I had remembered it I would I have put it in at #9 above.
Great post Binford! I hope knowledge of Rivers ass-hattedness spreads far and wide on the glorious internet!!
by Jeremy Bolander on Dec 27, 2007 12:46 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Solid post Binford!
Let me share something with you. I have been a Broncos fan since about 1980. In all of that time I have had hatred for only one team.
Now I have disliked a few teams, but really only hated the raiders. But it took me almost 30 years to get to the point that I added two more teams to the list.
NE got to me this year. The cheating pushed me pretty far. Throw in the classesness of running up the score (going for it on fourth down when you're winning by 40 points with a few minutes left in the game) and I just went over the edge.
Then I saw Rivers and his classeless act. I've seen bad behavior in my years of coaching, as well as on tv. But something hit a raw nerve on this one. Let me share it with you.
Here's Cutler, a young kid (almost a rookie in terms of games played). He's already better than Rivers, and has had nothing but respectful things to say about Rivers. And there's Rivers, making some comment about Cutler being a baby (if you read his lips). That's bad enough. But the difference maker for me was that the guys next to Rivers where joining in. This wasn't individual stupidity, it was a team effort. And now I add SD to NE and oak as teams I have no respect for.
One more thing. Bailey probably should have let his opinion slide in public. That's my opinion as a coach. BUT my opinion as a fan is this:
Way to go Champ! I like that a veteran is standing up for his young QB. I like that this comes from a multiple pro-bowler, and a guy that doesn't even play on Cutler's side of the team. Bailey's words carry weight.
When we play SD next year, and if some words are exchanged between the teams, I hope Champ gets the go ahead for a blitz. I don't like CB blitzes much, but hey. I want the hit to be clean and legal. But I won't feel bad if Rivers sees some stars and little birdies either.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Dec 27, 2007 6:58 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Pats...
I am hoping to see your complete view on the Pats. Maybe I am a bit old-fashioned, but this is Professional Football. Everyone is on the same financial ground. If teams don;t want the Pats to score THEN STOP THEM! And is it really "running up the score" when you go for it instead of kicking a field goal? Trying to run more plays, thus taking time off the clock, to me seems better than actively trying to score, aka kicking field goals....
I got into this discussion with the guys over at Stampede Blue. Obviously they are anti-Pats, as they should be. A comment was made that Brady and Belichick were running up the score in order to break Manning's TD record....
I went on to demonstrate that Peyton Manning actually threw more 2nd half TD's passes in 2004, when the record was set, than Brady has this year, and the Colts put quite the beating on a number of teams as well.
I had no problem with it then, I have no problem with it now. In school, when you frequently have two teams that have no business being on the same field playing each other I feel differently. But when football is the livelihood for these guys, and the league is set up for everyone to essentially go 8-8, more emphasis should be placed on the teams allowing the Pats to score. STOP THEM!
by John Bena on Dec 27, 2007 8:15 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I hear ya Guru
And I know what you're saying. But I respectfuly disagree.
When the Pats cheat the excuse folks make is that they "still have to be able to execute" whether or not they cheated. This takes the emphasis off of the actual incident and shifts the discussion.
When the Pats run up the score folks say, "Well then somebody should stop them". Again, this shift the emphasis for bad behavior. If I shoplift, should I say, "Well the store should STOP me if they don't like it".
I think I'm probably the one who is old fashioned on this. In my years following the game and participating in it there have always been unwritten rules, a code if you will, of what was considered classy and what wasn't.
For example, when you get in a fight in the schoolyard and your opponent is down you don't kick him. Back when I was a kid and fellows scuffled we didn't have to worry about knives or guns, and schoolyard fights were abhorant, but they still followed a code. That's been lost today.
The same thing seemed to apply to football. When your opponent is so far behind that there isn't a prayer you do the class thing. You DON'T let him win, but you don't humiliate the other coach and his men. You protect your starters by putting in substitutions. You punt on fourth down instead of going for it (I hear your point about running the clock, but that's a new one to be honest with you. Teams always punt to the opponent and let THEM either run the clock or try to make a hail mary pass if they want).
If this kind of behavior is so common place (and I've got to tell you, I haven't seen much of it at the NFL level in about four decades of watching) then it strikes me as odd that there was so much talk about the Pats running up scores, particularly in the Washington game.
I also hear you about second half scoring by INDY. But there's a huge difference. I don't believe those scores came by going for it on fourth downs up by 40 pt.s (not in the games I saw). If Indy runs the ball to burn the clock and picks up yards that's ok (and it's ok for any team). If they mix in some passes to keep the run alive that's common to. But sending your receivers on streaks down the field (again, when the game is around 40 points in your favor) just isn't done. It WAS done by the Pats, and people noticed it in the media.
I won't make excuses for a team that gets caught cheating (in the same manner they have been caught before). And when the same team does something you don't see from other teams when the game has been put safely away, I won't make excuses for that either. Frankly, this is the kind of behavior I would expect from the raiders. And to their credit, I've never seen the running up the score or video taping rap put on them.
I know that we disagree on this issue. What defines class can be disagreed on by reasonable people. There are things I did in coaching that other people would be critical of. There are other things that I would never do, even though other guys were ok with doing it. It's a very individual thing.
For me, based on my own experience watching the NFL over the years and working around the game a the school level, I just can't condone what I've seen from the Pats this year.
BTW, I will make an exception for college football. Unfortunately, unless the BCS system gets scrapped for a true playoff system, coaches are forced to run up scores since score differentials are a consideration for bowl entrance. But I'll point out a fact I'm sure you are aware of: Right or wrong, one of the complaints you hear about the BCS system is that it encourages teams to run up scores. Apparently, many people have a distaste for running up scores, and a natural aversion to it.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Dec 27, 2007 9:02 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Come on...
Don't compare the Patriots scoring points to someone breaking the law....If there was a moral obligation to keep scores from getting out of hand the NFL would put a 'Mercy-Rule' in place.
I know what you were getting at, however, and I will take some time to show that it wasn't all the Patriots running up the score. If a guy gets a Pick-6, for instance, that isn't on the Patriots. And like I said, take a look at the 2004 Colts...
The only, ONLY difference between the two is the Colts lost 4 games. Take a look at the point differential for the Colts 12 Wins in '04 compared to the Pats first 12 wins of this year. 41 points is the difference. Only 3.5 points per win.
Just like Favre gets all the love, there is a lot of piling on the Pats because of media perception. While I agree the cheating thing was ridiculous, the team was punished, severely. My gut says it doesn't help as much as people think, and the attitude of players, current and former, seem to go with that.
by John Bena on Dec 27, 2007 10:35 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Where
does Brian Westbrook fit into all of this??
by Jeremy Bolander on Dec 27, 2007 7:02 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Some finer points
I didn't compare running up scores (ethics) with breaking the law (law) or even with morality to show that the damage is equitable (rising to the level of crime). The comparison is to make a singular point in an ethics discussion. To wit: an action can't be excused because the victim of the action is unable to stop the action.
Again, the point differential ISN'T the issue. If a team wins a game by a hundred points that's fine with me. It's HOW the team gets the differential. For example, let's say my high school team is winning by 40 points and it is midway through the fourth quarter. I call a lot of run plays up the middle and a few short passes. If the other team sucks so much (and my team is so good) that I still score, well that's tough luck. That's the INDY way of running up the score within reasonable boundries.
Now if (given the same scenario) I throw long passes and go for it on meaningless fourth downs I am clearly scoring with the INTENT of running up the score. In ethics (as well as law and morality) it is often the intent of the action that makes it less than desirable. INDY doesn't seem to play to run up the score when the score is fantasticaly high. The PATS clearly are.
I accept that the Colts win by large margins, by I don't see the plays late in a game that indicate they are trying to do so in a manner anywhere approaching what the PATs have done.
(I was watching a high school game recently where tensions were high. Fights had broken out, and there were a lot of flags in the game. At the end of the game, with seconds on the clock, the team that was up by several scores went for a 2 pt conversion. There was enough blame to go around through the entire game, but the 2 pt conversion was clearly tasteless. You could point out the lack of a mercy rule, or you could point out that teams often win by large margins, but I hope you can see the point that certain play calls are made with malicious intent, even if they are within the confines of the rules).
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Dec 27, 2007 8:09 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Again...
You are coming at this from the view of a high school coach. In high school, the Pats style could easily be looked at as unsportsmanlike, but the rules are different in 'amateur' football.
I'm just saying, in studying the numbers, there is little difference between the '07 Pats and the '04 Colts. The 'perception' is different, however, because Dungy is looked upon as a classy guy, while Belichick is vilified. I won't allow myself to make opinions based upon what the media thinks. I'm not saying you are, not at all, just that many people allow their thoughts to be decided by Chris Collinsworth, etc....
by John Bena on Dec 28, 2007 3:43 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Question
Do you think that the point differentials in the Colts games came about in the same manner as they did in the NE games? See my comparison in my last comment (ie deep throws late in game, fourth down conversions, etc). I saw high scoring Colts games, but I didn't see play calls that ran up the scores. What I saw was the Colts slowing the tempo of the game and playing middle runs and short passes that still ended up scoring (because of the greatness of the Colts and the relative weakness of the opponents). The Pats on the other hand went for deep passes and fourth down conversions.
I reiterate that outside of high school ball, I've watched the NFL for a few decades, and the score running is something I haven't really seen before (other than in isolated games).
The nearest thing to this kind of behavior I've seen was just a few years ago ( I don't remember the teams involved). The team that was losing called all of their time outs right at the end of the game, even though they were down by several scores and only a minute or so was left in the game. It seemed pointless to most observers.
I agree their is little difference in the numbers. But in my earlier comments I have tried to point out that the numbers aren't the main variable. It's the play calling that gets you to those numbers. The Colts didn't run up the scores. The last few scores they had were broken run plays and/or short passes that garnered heavy YACs. They didn't show any intent to run up the score. In the Pats games, the play calling shows the intent, and this is why the media (and perhaps several fans of the game) might dislike the appearance.
BTW, I wasn't aware the media had it out for the Pats. Before the cheatgate scandal and the score scandals, the Pats seemed to me to be a typical East Coast darling team with the dynasty tag and a pretty boy (but awesome) QB.
Just my opinion. I think a lot of folks have been waiting for Schula's crew to get the come uppance they deserve with their stupid champaigne ritual and all. But it seems that this year there are many people who have had a change of heart because people don't want the conquerers to be the Pats.
In the interest of full disclosure, I LIKED the Pats before this year. I guess my dislike of the Pats stems from feeling betrayed by them.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Dec 28, 2007 10:21 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
If Rivers is such...
a great QB, then he should have better numbers. I saw the Charger/Titan game. When he went to the bench after another bonehead play, he sat down and LT got up and walked away from him!
One thing I never remember seeing was players getting up from the bench if Elway made a mistake. They were there encouraging him to get after the opponet again and they would get the ball back. What that tells me is Elway's teamates believed in him and would to do anything for him.
Rivers on the other hand doesn't have the respect of his own running back or anyone else. His taunt of Cutler shows the complete jealousy of Cutler's talent. San Diego is seeing a closing window in the next year. LT will be in his 7th or 8th year next year so his durability will be in question soon. Most backs don't last that long on average in the NFL. The Chargers acted like the Pats did last year on their field in the playoffs. One thing that one with class learns early in life is you don't act like that when you win. You will get yours sooner than later when you act like a punk. Beware Rivers, your day is coming soon.
Hearts were broken in Chicago...Balls taken in Oakland...Coffins nailed in Houston...Belch!
by mdierk on Dec 27, 2007 8:48 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Not to deflect the conversation from Rivers
who is a grade-A asshat, but I think we won't get the privelege of gloating over another SD one-and-done in the playoffs.
They will more than likely lock up the #3 which means Cleveland at home, Indy on the road. I think JAX could give SD a run for their money, but JAX is inconsistent, whereas SD is currently hot right now (not hot, hot, but just kinda lukewarmish hot), so I don't think a JAX win is much of a gimme. But still, they will probably play CLE, and that is just a terrible mismatch for a bad defense on the road. CLE's woe against the AFC west in the playoffs will continue and SD will get their first playoff win, Norvell or no.
And, sadly, I think anything could happen at that point. SD is a team that relies on emotion, not coldly calculated gameplans. For better or worse, they will live and die by that code (for now, until they get a real head coach that asserts his identity on the team), and if they get an emotional first playoff win, they could go into the RCA dome and compete. If they win that game, you've got the 2005 Steelers all over again, with almost unstoppable momentum. No offense to Indy who I feel has a great chance to repeat as Super Bowl Champs, but a SD vs. NE championship game would be a heck of a battle if it got that far, with two teams on some really hot rolls.
Rivers is still a lackwit though....
by Jeremy Bolander on Dec 27, 2007 9:19 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
If SD plays NE...
...I hope they both lose (lol). Though, given Norv's recent remark about having a talk with Rivers, I'd probably have to throw in my lot with SD.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Dec 27, 2007 9:34 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
My money will be on JAX
...if it comes that far. C'mon with the rushdefense to, if not stop, limit LT - what will Rivers do? The SD streak are 100% thanks to LT, and the D stepping up.
JAX will be more than able to keep SD single digit.
TT:
I more or less agree with HT on this... I have only hated Raiders and KC untill this. From now on every division-game will be a rivalry with more than the W on stake.
From Denmark, so i excuse my self for un-knowing-ness...
by Claaaaas on Dec 27, 2007 12:29 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
MORE NEWS ON RIVERS!
Just read a great article! I'll link it below.
Apparently, Coach Turner had a little talk with Rivers about his behavior. Also, another player in the league (from the Vikings) has chimed in against River's behavior. Also, River's seems to be backing away from his dumb move. Last, Cutler shows class defelcting the issue. Read on:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-chargers-rivers-cutler&prov=ap&type=lgns
If Turner distances himself from River's remarks, I might just feel better about the Chargers after all.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Dec 27, 2007 9:07 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
This is why Norv is still a coach in this league
He is a smart guy. He knows that SD is in a good position, and he knows that Rivers coud singlehandedly screw that up, so he draws one of the few lines in the dust of his mostly complacent tenure in SD.
This is a smart move by Norvell, and like the rest of the Chargers, Norvell can capitalize on his own momentum.
by Jeremy Bolander on Dec 27, 2007 9:22 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I've been extremely ill all day
and probably shouldn't even be out of bed now, but I had to weigh in on this. It irritated me badly when I saw it, it irritates me badly now, and I'm on Cutler's side. Maybe because he's my favorite player on my favorite football team, or maybe because Philip Rivers is a punk who shouldn't be running his mouth off like he has so much to boast about. I too hope that SD gets creamed.
Loyal to the purple/black and orange/blue.
by Silverblood on Dec 27, 2007 6:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Someone wants to defend Rivers
Apparently, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Rivers is real and is who he is. I couldn't do anything other than laugh when reading that paragraph.
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
by Russ Oates on Dec 27, 2007 6:35 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
An asshat is an asshat is an asshat...
I couldn't agree more.
Damn, I came this close to immortality right there!
by Jeremy Bolander on Dec 27, 2007 7:04 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Now I am not one to see someone injured but
am I wrong to wish that Rivers get the pleasure to see what his teeth look like outside of mouth.
Go Bronocs
by Boski93 on Dec 27, 2007 9:59 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Rivers
As a Chargers fan I have to say Rivers does run his mouth too much and nobody I know thinks well of him for it. That said he did gut out a fourth quarter come back on a gimpy knee against the Titans, he's got a lot of heart and plays with his emotions on his sleeve and there has been a history of cut blocks taking out Chargers, so there is no love lost for the Broncos.
It does look to me like the Broncos have a lot of talent, they remind me of the Bolts 1-2 years before they started making the playoffs. It would be fun to see the two teams go at it in the playoffs next year.
Cheers,
Brian
by Brian on Dec 28, 2007 9:50 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Hi Brian!
Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts.
I respect you for standing up for your QB and team, while still acknowledging that he (Rivers) runs his mouth a lot.
Again, I feel about SD knowing that the coach talked to him, and that fans like you acknowledge the behavior.
I could go into defending the cut blocks (in terms of form, actual injury stats comparing Denver and other teams in term of d-line injuries in blocks against the o-line, and rules), but we can do that another day. I hope you drop in during the offseason when I'll be writing a Football University type series. The zoneblock system will almost certainly merit an article.
Good luck to you and your team!
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Dec 28, 2007 10:28 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Oops
"Again, I feel 'BETTER' knowing that the coach..."
Left out "better".
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Dec 28, 2007 10:30 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Statistics
Thanks for the welcome; I'll check back for the 101 threads over the summer. I'm not sure about the Broncos versus the whole league, but statistically Chargers have dropped like flies against Denver over the past four or five years, which could just be bad luck. Not this year though; knock on wood.
by Brian on Dec 28, 2007 3:33 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Am I too late to bash Rivers and the Chargers?
Please pardon my lateness, but I am on vaction in the Philippines and have limited access to the internet.
I hope we haven't already moved into the reconciliatory stage, because I still want to say how much I am annoyed at a professional athlete who sets such a bad example for all the amatuer players in the country. Maybe if Rivers can't hack it as an NFL QB/handeroffer he should audition to be a Little League parent.
by Arctic Bronco on Dec 28, 2007 7:48 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Role model
Thanks for a perfect comment. I have tried to do a lot in athletics, from playing sports (college rugby was my high point) to coaching. I have always taken pride in helping young men and women grow in sports as diverse as football, track, wrestling, and even "mental" athletics like chess and speech/debate.
I get sickened by what I see at local city league games for children. I have a five year old daughter (though my wife and I would be considered old for parents), and she loves soccer and basketball. But when I see the behavior of parents at league games for kids not much older than my daughter I question whether I want her to pursue sports, and that just kills me.
Here's another thought on Rivers. I have always liked SD (and KC for that matter). I have a couple of good friends that love their Chargers, and I've never had a problem with how SD conducts themselves. I would have just chalked up Rivers to being Rivers, but their were other players joining him in the antics. THAT'S what made the whole thing seem worse and reflective of the team.
I appreciate the remarks of our vistor from SD earlier in the thread, and the remark made by Coach Turner. If enough folks associated with SD seem to share the sentiment that Rivers was just being a punk I can still respect the Chargers. I would really like to be able to like the Chargers. When Denver can't represent the division in the playoffs I want to cheer on the AFC West team that will represent us (unless it is oak).
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Dec 28, 2007 8:36 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
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