Whats the real story?

[Bracus]

Between LT and Norv? I find it hard to believe LT couldn't play. He practiced all week and those 3 plays he was in, he looked fine.

[Hobbes2d]

Norv is just a crappy coach?

Honestly I don't think LT would have made a difference, but I do know that you can bet he WANTED to play.

[grod49]

Well on the broadcast of the game the sideline reporter said that is was the coach's decision for LT not to go back out and play and it was really weird that if he was really hurt wouldn't he cheer for his teammates. The whole rest of the game all they showed was him sitting on the bench with his equipment still on.

[SBbound49ers]

They could have used his goalline prow-liss. Gates too. They might have won had they had those 2.

[Bracus]

Yeah, he never took his helmet off. And if he was out there, they definitely would of scored at least once. Not necessarily by him but the defense would of adjusted for him.

[jackacid]

It was pretty strange. If it was STRICTLY a Norv-decision, LT would have been animated and in his face.

I have to think either the injury is more serious than they thought, or LT was being soft. There's no way Norv arbitrarily benches LT in the biggest game of his career.

[Hobbes2d]

Me thinks he has a torn ACL. If not more. Same with Rivers, but he played with it anyway. Which he can do being a QB and gutting it out. As a RB you can't.

[Denver9erfan]

Me thinks he has a torn ACL. If not more. Same with Rivers, but he played with it anyway. Which he can do being a QB and gutting it out. As a RB you can't.

Well, Rivers had an MCL tear/sprain... so that's why he could play with it. If it was an ACL, he would have been sidelined for sure.

[jackacid]

Me thinks he has a torn ACL. If not more. Same with Rivers, but he played with it anyway. Which he can do being a QB and gutting it out. As a RB you can't.

Didn't they do any tests prior to Sunday that would show that? I never did hear what his diagnosis was after the Colts game.

[Hobbes2d]

Well, Rivers had an MCL tear/sprain... so that's why he could play with it. If it was an ACL, he would have been sidelined for sure.

There were rumors that Rivers has a torn ACL in the days leading up to before the game. You really think they would SAY what's wrong with him and let the Patriots know that?

[Hobbes2d]

Didn't they do any tests prior to Sunday that would show that? I never did hear what his diagnosis was after the Colts game.

Well its possible LT hurt his knee again in the game, but they said it wasn't the case during the game, at least that's what they told Steve Tasker. Who knows.

[jackacid]

Well its possible LT hurt his knee again in the game, but they said it wasn't the case during the game, at least that's what they told Steve Tasker. Who knows.

Oh I suppose that's true. I don't know....you get the feeling LT might eventually want out of SD to have a legitimate shot at a title? SD always seems like the classic underachieving team...great regular seasons, or turning it on late, but can't compete with the AFC elite (namely the Pats) when it counts.

He's not getting any younger. I think next year will be his 8th or 9th season?

[YousaHater]

LT said he jsut couldnt go back in because of his knee.

[jackacid]

LT said he jsut couldnt go back in because of his knee.

Rivers played through pain...so did Gates...

[GoodfellaDave]

Rivers played through pain...so did Gates...

Agreed. If nothing else he should have just laid it on the line like those guys did. Rivers could barely walk and he was trying his hardest to compete. LT was just sitting there looking dumb with his helmet on the whole game, probably didn't want to look his teammates in the eye. Dude should have just stayed home and watched the game on his Vizio.

[verbicide]

The implication in the opening post is spurious. Even if Norv and LT for whatever reason hate each other, LT is that good that you can't just remove him from a game if he's able to go, even at 80-90%, LT wants to go to the big dance so bad that he'd play even if Norv ate his children for breakfast.

There's no story here.

[Bdogg]

All I know is, he is the best player in the entire league so having him on the bench makes abolutely no sense at all. If he indeed was to injured to play, get some crutches and get off your arse to encourage your banged up offense to give it all they have. Rivers could barely move out there and yet he was putting it all on the line.

[Hobbes2d]

Oh I suppose that's true. I don't know....you get the feeling LT might eventually want out of SD to have a legitimate shot at a title? SD always seems like the classic underachieving team...great regular seasons, or turning it on late, but can't compete with the AFC elite (namely the Pats) when it counts.

He's not getting any younger. I think next year will be his 8th or 9th season?

Idk maybe. I would have thought he wanted out if SD had tanked the season, but they got better as the year went on, so my guess is any desire he had wanted to leave is now gone.

As for his knee, according to the SJ Mercury today, LT re-injured his knee on the first play of the game. At least that's what he and the team are claiming.

[montana2taylor]

I just find it weird how he had his helmet on all day and was sulking on the bench. It was really weird.

[mahimahi23]

I cant really comment on the injury because I dont know the extent of it, but for him to sit there like an ***** with his helmet on all game not getting up off the bench at all to support and encourage his teammates was just pathetic.

LT is the biggest crybaby in all of sports, and I guess he was to busy pouting to get up and cheer his teammates on.

[Hobbes2d]

I just find it weird how he had his helmet on all day and was sulking on the bench. It was really weird.

LT is a sulker, that's what he does. Most big time athletes are like that though when things don't go their way. Just look at TO. :laugh:

[Denver9erfan]

There were rumors that Rivers has a torn ACL in the days leading up to before the game. You really think they would SAY what's wrong with him and let the Patriots know that?

I hadn't heard that, but ESPN is reporting that it is torn... that's pretty ballsy by rivers to go out there and play an entire game on a torn ACL. I recently tore mine, and ended up snowboarding the rest of the day on it... but to run around and try and pivot and plant it to throw.. **** that's pretty hardcore.

[YousaHater]

Rivers played through pain...so did Gates...

Thats because a QB can still play with a injured leg and a TE can still block with a injured toe. A RB is nothing without their knees.

[XxGore21xX]

Norv is just a crappy coach?

Honestly I don't think LT would have made a difference, but I do know that you can bet he WANTED to play.

may not of made a difference, but it would of helped to have at least used him
as a decoy, he is still considered to many people the best running back in the
game...

[Hobbes2d]

I hadn't heard that, but ESPN is reporting that it is torn... that's pretty ballsy by rivers to go out there and play an entire game on a torn ACL. I recently tore mine, and ended up snowboarding the rest of the day on it... but to run around and try and pivot and plant it to throw.. **** that's pretty hardcore.

Yeah, basically NO ONE can ever say that Phillip Rivers is not a great competitor, nor is he not tough. In fact I was laughing my *** off at Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher for saying they'd bench him at halftime. Like Billy Volek would have done any better in that game.

[Ace Matherton]

Between LT and Norv? I find it hard to believe LT couldn't play. He practiced all week and those 3 plays he was in, he looked fine.

Well Norv and LT both did say that third play he tweaked the leg........

Norv also stated the team doctors said he should not play, whats disturbing is the fact the MRI came back clean and no tears were detected.
Rivers on the other hand has a scope last week and now is requiring a full on surgery.

[Bracus]

ESPN is sayin LT doesn't even need surgery. If a rb can go out with a broken leg then theres no excuse. Sounds like he was suffering from bichtitus.

[McDude]

Rivers played through pain...so did Gates...

Agreed. If nothing else he should have just laid it on the line like those guys did. Rivers could barely walk and he was trying his hardest to compete. LT was just sitting there looking dumb with his helmet on the whole game, probably didn't want to look his teammates in the eye. Dude should have just stayed home and watched the game on his Vizio.

Ditto! Who knows, he may never get to the dance again. Should have taken his chance and made the most of it.

[fabie]

Yeah, basically NO ONE can ever say that Phillip Rivers is not a great competitor, nor is he not tough. In fact I was laughing my *** off at Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher for saying they'd bench him at halftime. Like Billy Volek would have done any better in that game.That is why Bill Cowher is a coach and Shannon Sharpe was a player...because they know! :laugh: