You see it all the time in sports, especially in playoffs, and especially in a long series. Before or after games, coaches (sometimes players) will go to a news conference or media session and bemoan the officiating.
They do so, of course, with the hopes of sending a message to the leagues and officials in upcoming games with hopes of affecting the officiating. It happens in just about every series ever.
While there aren’t series in the NFL playoffs, there’s a full week of build-up, and things get said. The Denver Broncos are taking full advantage of the week leading up to the AFC Championship to pepper New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady with trash talk. Several members of the Denver defense have insinuated that Brady is a crybaby, that he whines a lot and that he’s always looking for calls.
Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole said Wednesday he thinks there’s more to this than just trash talk. Cole indicated that the Broncos aren’t just talking to talk, they’re also lobbying for calls in Sunday’s games. Perhaps more specifically, they’re lobbying for fewer calls.
Here’s Cole’s explanation.
It certainly would make sense and it certainly isn’t unprecedented. As Cole mentioned, Brady and the Patriots did benefit from a call last week, although that roughing the passer looked pretty legitimate. Still, any sort of advantage on either side will be welcomed. As Brady himself said Wednesday, “If the refs want to throw flags, I love when they throw flags on the defenders.”
Veteran referee Ed Hochuli will be wearing the white hat for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game. As the Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe pointed out, the Broncos in recent years have a sparkling record when Hochuli is the referee.
H/t to Larry Brown Sports
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
