To Bill Belichick, there's no question about it.
The New England Patriots coach had some strong words Monday morning regarding the second-quarter collision between Denver Broncos receiver Wes Welker and Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib Sunday, which knocked Talib out of the game and left New England's pass defense for dead in a 26-16 AFC Championship game loss.
Welker (successfully) executed a pick on Talib across the middle of the field to knock him off his coverage of Demaryius Thomas, resulting in Talib going down to a knee injury.
"I went back and watched it, which I didn’t have a chance to do yesterday," Belichick said, via Patriots.com. "I think it was a deliberate play by the receiver to take out Aqib; no attempt to get open.
"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. That’s all I’m going to say about that."
Reviews among the Patriots' locker room were mixed, but Belichick's description of the incident was pretty damning.
Keep in mind, Welker and Belichick have had a salty relationship dating back pretty far into Welker's tenure with the Patriots despite Welker being the NFL's most productive receiver in that span.
Along with Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman's postgame rant Sunday night, the Welker-Talib ordeal was a hot topic all day Monday. Everyone chimed in, including another former Patriots receiver, who came to Welker's defense after Belichick said his piece.
"I have nothing but love and respect for Bill Belichick, but he's absolutely wrong about Wes Welker's hit on Aqib Talib... and he knows it," Donte Stallworth wrote on Twitter. "I wish I could do a film session to explain to the people who have NOT seen a rub play 1,000 times over on film, practices and games."
RELATED:
Rex: At least Patriots won't be on our practice field
Patriots see Talib's injury as turning point in loss
Reliable Edelman 'not even thinking about' contract
Bill Belichick: 'I'm proud to be their coach'
Follow Nick @NickStDenis | Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily
