- Former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson interviewed for the same position with the 49ers this past weekend. Henderson was fired on January 2nd following a season where the Lions defense struggled after a promising start. Many believe the decision to fire Henderson was based on more than just performance as Rod Marinelli wanted and did bring in Joe Barry as the replacement.
- The Arizona Cardinals hired Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt to be the team's new head coach. Whisenhunt was believed by many to be a candidate for many of the open NFL jobs, so the Cardinals jumped on the chance to hire him. Originally, Mike Sherman reportedly was offered the position, but the two sides could not get a contract worked out. That is just a rumor, but either way I think the Cards got a great coach in Whisenhunt.
- Following a heart-breaking loss to the Patriots on Sunday, Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson showed great frustration. Rarely does L.T. ever act in an "unclassy" way, but it certainly appeared that way right after the game and during the press conference following the game. Directly after the game, L.T. confronted Patriots players imitating Shawne Merriman's "Lights Out" dance on the middle of San Diego's field. It didn't end there however as L.T. later made this statement about the Patriot in a press conference.
"I was very upset," Tomlinson said. "When you go to the middle of our field and start doing the dance Shawne Merriman is known for, that is disrespectful. They showed no class and maybe that comes from the head coach."
I think that's an unfair statement to make. I have a lot of respect for Tomlinson because he shows so much class with everything he does, but lighten up. The Patriots have a right to celebrate considering they not only won the game, but it gets them one step closer to the Super Bowl. Plus, Shawne Merriman doesn't show class when he talks trash or does his dance that New England "mocked." It's part of the game, deal with it.
I believe that these remarks come as frustration from L.T. I mean, if I had just been eliminated from the playoffs after such a great season, I would've been pissed off too. But that is still no excuse for attacking the Patriots verbally.
- While we're talking about Shawne Merriman, he may be the reason future players that violate the steroid policy aren't able to go to the Pro Bowl. Commissioner Roger Goodell said that he is hopeful that the NFL and NFLPA will reach an agreement that bans players that did violate the steroid policy from the Pro Bowl. I am all for that as any player caught cheating shouldn't be eligible for any type of honor whether it be awards or a trip to the Pro Bowl, even if he does apologize for it.
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NFL News and Notes: Tomlinson Blasts Patriots
By
Sean Yuille
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