Ellis Hobbs was blindsided by a draft-day trade in April, which sent him from New England to Philadelphia, but the cornerback handled it like a champ. Rather than blast his former team and coach, Hobbs went on the record numerous times to say how much he respected Bill Belichick and the Patriots.
However, with the NFL's regular season approaching, Hobbs is apparently feeling the competitive spirit.
Hobbs made a comment to The Philadelphia Inquirer about his former team that certainly was enough to draw some headlines in New England.
"I played with a torn labrum in my shoulder and a sports hernia. Not one day did I shut it down. I was a starter and on special teams, and I did anything that was required," Hobbs said before dropping the bombshell.
"Guys were dogging it and tanking it sometimes," he alleged. "I mean, put it out there, some guys were faking injuries and getting a certain amount of dollars."
Such an accusation didn't go unnoticed in the Hub, and WEEI.com's Dan Guttenplan did the necessary legwork to determine that Hobbs was likely referring to either Richard Seymour or Ty Warren, as they were the only players who missed time last season with injuries that wouldn't be considered too serious. Seymour missed the season's final game due to some form of a back injury, while Warren missed three games due to a sports hernia — an injury that Hobbs himself says he played through.
Still, despite being incredibly impressed with his own toughness, the fact that Hobbs would call anyone out after his embarrassing injury excuse following Super Bowl XLII is a testament to his (lack of) character.
Hobbs was a dancer. He was fun, he was lively. But after getting torched on the game-winning touchdown in the Super Bowl, Hobbs was quick to release the news that he was playing with "chronic groin pain" and a torn shoulder labrum.
Maybe he was more hurt than any of us could ever imagine. Maybe. But to immediately come out with an excuse and then later call out your former teammates is probably a good indicator of why he no longer suits up in the home locker room in Foxborough.
Hobbs, though, feels his greatness was overlooked by the Pats.
"The trade was beneficial for me … . When it happened, it was more of a relief for me," Hobbs told the Inquirer. "I felt like I didn't get my just due when I was there, but I'm one of many that didn't get their just due there. It has happened before, and it won't stop. I was just one guy before the next guy."
Now he'll be known as that guy. That guy who his new teammates might not want to trust. That guy who talked trash after the Patriots came to town in mid-August. That guy whose dancing skills greatly outweigh his playing ability.
That guy who, frankly, won't be missed in New England.
