Three years ago, then-Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson complained after a home playoff loss to the Patriots that members of the visiting team were mimicking Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman’s “Lights Out” routine.
“When you go to the middle of our field, when you start doing the dance
that Shawne Merriman is known for, that’s disrespectful to me,” Tomlinson said. “And I
can’t sit there and watch that. And so, yeah, I was very upset. And just
the fact that they showed no class at all. Absolutely no class. And
maybe that comes from their head coach. So you know, there you have it.”
Fast forward to the 2009 playoffs. As one of Adam Schefter’s Twitter followers points out (hey, we’ll take ideas wherever we can find them), a similar incident occurred during the Chargers’ home playoff loss to L.T.’s new team, the Jets.
New York running back Shonn Greene capped a game-clinching 53-yard touchdown run by mimicking Tomlinson’s touchdown routine, an arguably goofy-looking move where he puts one hand on his helmet and flips the ball with the other.
After the game, Tomlinson didn’t say anything about being upset or about the Jets or coach Rex Ryan being classless. Maybe L.T. didn’t see it. Or maybe he was simply thinking ahead, realizing that the Chargers soon would be cutting him, realizing that he’d need a place to land in 2010, and realizing that the Jets could be one of the potential destinations.
Still, Greene and L.T. are now on the same team, and it’ll be interesting to see what, if anything, Tomlinson has to say, either to the media or to Greene.
If there’s still a problem, perhaps cornerback Antonio Cromartie can act as the intermediary. After all, it was Cromartie’s flag-football move that helped Greene break free — and it was Cromartie who chased Greene down and gave him a blatant late hit just before Greene did the touchdown celebration that L.T. is known for.
way to make a non-story a story
how do u grasp for straws when u only have nubs?
L.T. is such a bitch!
Really, this is a story. Seriously, holy sht man. Why don’t you find out if Osi Umenyiora showed up for the teams workouts.
Now we’re all just one big happy family!! Can’t wait for the start of the new season! GO JETS!
How many times do I have to say this….nobody cares about the Jets. They suck. End of story.
he wont find that out becuase the gaints suck and a total of 8 readers care if he did or not
Never understood this act at all.
Why would a player mimic another players move? Can’t think of your own? Are you trying to show up LT? Its not like he plays defense (actually neither did Cromartie) so what gives?
Players do this kind of stuff all the time but I really dont understand it. When the Pats did it and LT whined about it I thought the same way. What exactly are you trying to say?
So true when they say copycat league….
Move over Don King. Florio you should be a boxing promoter. You sure do know how to instigate a fight.
or go check to see if the Steelers are re-signing Wilile Parker
Love the site and that you’re a Steelers fan, but after reading stories like this, I can’t believe you’re this successful.
On a more important note, Fatzo Ryan bought a bag of freshly popped popcorn upon his hospital release from an outside vendor yesterday. “Hey, not all of these kernels are popped!!” he was heard screaming. “Jeesh, I try to eat health and what do I get? Half a bag of burnt corn,” he added.
The amazing part of this story is that the drama ended there. No vendor head butts, no tipping of the popcorn cart out into the street, and no further ranting and raving about his plight. Perhaps they simultaneously performed a lobotomy during his surgery.
NOW THAT’S NEWS!!!
Now I know why your stellar Law career was put on hold.(LMAO)
So you can report the best breaking sport news on the Internet?
Weasel!
# thesaint257 says: March 16, 2010 9:16 AM
L.T. is such a bitch!
YES, could not have said it better myself…
BLT Bitchy LT crybaby…. I’m sure BB told his players to mock Merriman!
LT planned going to the Jets to seek revenge…on the Patriots. As John would say, “this guy, doesn’t act like a champion!”
Hey, at least he doesn’t have 6 kids in 5 states…
“Or maybe he was simply thinking ahead.” NO WAY. LT isn’t that smart. LT is a whiny, gutless bitch
or maybe he was just sitting there and not paying attention, he was maybe sitting on the bench knowing that his team would be cutting ties with him and maybe sitting there thinking that the jets would maybe sign him because at the time they had 3 rb’s on their roster but maybe would be cutting ties with Thomas Jones so maybe he kept quiet this time because he would end up a Jet..
lt should carry Shonn Greene’s equipment out to practice everyday. If LT didn’t like the celebration, he shoulda ran harder to keep Greene off the field.
“Maybe L.T. didn’t see it.”
Of course he didn’t see it, he was too busy pouting on the sidelines with his darkened helmet. Have fun Jets, you screwed the pooch on this whole deal. TJ was such an asset to your team, but you pay LT more than you could have to keep Jones
Come On’ Man- I know you have better stories then this.
# Drew Brees’ Face Smudge says: March 16, 2010 9:23 AM
Never understood this act at all.
Why would a player mimic another players move? Can’t think of your own? Are you trying to show up LT? Its not like he plays defense (actually neither did Cromartie) so what gives?
Players do this kind of stuff all the time but I really dont understand it. When the Pats did it and LT whined about it I thought the same way. What exactly are you trying to say?
So true when they say copycat league….
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First, you answered your own question, it is a way to “show up” the best player on the other team. Kind of, “beating him to the punch…”
Second, the issue with the Pats, only half the story gets out about that. Merriman was bragging earlier in the week, that after they beat down the Pats, the Chargers were going to give them the “lights out dance” on their way off the field…. Well, the Pats found about it, and didnt say a word. After the game, the Pats were leaving the field victorious, so some of them took it upon themselves to say go F yourself Sand Diego by doing the dance…..
I heard Roethlisberger once did this while playing golf with Arnold Palmer and chewing some bubble gum that someone gave him. Sounds like another topic for discussion!
This just in – Florio cleaned his keyboard and the buttons work slightly better now than they did before he cleaned them.
More on this story as it develops…
Usually the incumbent doesn’t have to explain himself to the “new guy.”
Ladanian Tomilson (LT is Lawrence Taylor) is a bitch who cried when the Patriots smacked them in the mouth the quit on his team against the Patriots while Rivers played with a torn ACL. I love that the J E T S got him.
Can Shonn read the defense?
LT wants title. Greene will keep his mouth shut in the presence of greatness
I wish Philly was as committed to making their team better. The Jets are REAL DEAL CONTENDERS . if not the favorites in the AFC already
If any team knows class it’s the Chargers and Tomlinson, Marmalard, Merriman and the rest. You have to wonder why they always choke in the playoffs…
I am glad the crybaby didn’t sign with the Vikings
Almost all of the Chargers players spend more time celebrating, doing dances and other extra junk than they do in the playoffs.
I have never seen a team that taunts more than the Chargers.
They deserve it. Of course other players mock them. What do they expect?
promin1 says:
March 16, 2010 9:20 AM
“How many times do I have to say this….nobody cares about the Jets. They suck. End of story.”
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Put the Hatorade down pls. Thx.
Hmm, the Dance might have “disrespected” L.T., but Merriman’s Steroids disrespected the fans and the game.
Yes, I am sure it pissed LT off so much that he would refuse to visit the Jets, and would never sign with them. Oh wait, he did both of those things. I guess he doesn’t give a hoot, so why should we?
So now you’re in the “news creation” business?
Uhhhhhhhh, most people don’t have 6 kids in 5 states. Was that supposed to make him sound like a good guy?
Ironic that he ends up on the Jets after he called out Cromartie when the season ended.
“What up Cro? I wuz just kiddin’. Yer a tacklin’ machine!”
Soooo, explain to me again why the Jets cut Thomas Jones……
“Or maybe he was simply thinking ahead, realizing that the Chargers soon would be cutting him, realizing that he’d need a place to land in 2010, and realizing that the Jets could be one of the potential destinations.”
Im sure L.T was thinking that after another Norv Turner blunder in the playoffs…..good job florio..this site gets better and better all the time……8=============D
Why so much talk about a team that’s destined to be 6-10 at best.
Wait, what… B.L.T.?
Stop calling him LT. Everyonetime someone calls this bitch LT it takes away from the legacy of the real LT. Lawrence Taylor would slap the tears off this little bitch’s whiney face.
Chargers suck.
Christ, Florio, is this PFT or TMZ? Muckraker.
Wow. They apparently let anyone call themselves a “sports journalist” these days!
“Stop calling him LT. Everyonetime someone calls this bitch LT it takes away from the legacy of the real LT. Lawrence Taylor would slap the tears off this little bitch’s whiney face.”
STFU you whiney bitch….Lawrence Taylor is a crack smoking junkie who doesnt pay his taxes and drinks his face off…..lets al worship this guy..hahahahahah- D-BAG!!!!!
Maybe there’s a difference between doing a TD dance after actually scoring a TD and running out to midfield after a game to stop on the logo?
Sorry if this requires even they slightest bit of critical thinking, Florio.
I don’t think you sign on to move to New York and play there if you’re worried about “Class”.
New York is the liberal capital of the world. Moral values, common decency, and discipline go right out the window. Rex Ryan is a perfect fit there though. An over-opinionated, brash, jack-ass.
Minnesota and New York are polar opposites when it comes to setting a standard for moral values and common decency.
LT must be clueless if he thinks he’s going to command respect in New York.
If LT (I’m going to continue calling him LT because that’s his nickname, don’t care if some crack addict had the same initials 20 years ago) really cared that Greene did his TD dance in the endzone, I’m sure he would’ve signed with the Vikings instead. Its really not that big of a deal. More Jet hating from Florio, we’ve come to expect it now. It’s actually pretty comical. I bet its gonna suck for you when they win a couple championships in the next few years.
yo flo…tmz needs a stalker eerrrrr writer
BenRapistberger says:
March 16, 2010 10:50 AM
Stop calling him LT. Everyonetime someone calls this bitch LT it takes away from the legacy of the real LT. Lawrence Taylor would slap the tears off this little bitch’s whiney face.
___________________________
No doubt…I loathe that too. I always abbreviate his name “LdT” for that very reason.
__________________________
It puts the lotion on the skin says:
March 16, 2010 9:54 AM
Second, the issue with the Pats, only half the story gets out about that. Merriman was bragging earlier in the week, that after they beat down the Pats, the Chargers were going to give them the “lights out dance” on their way off the field…. Well, the Pats found about it, and didnt say a word. After the game, the Pats were leaving the field victorious, so some of them took it upon themselves to say go F yourself Sand Diego by doing the dance…..
_____________________________
Not only Merriman but this feud started wayyyy back in 2005 in THAT SD-Pats game when SD acted like asses against the Pats on the Pats field after they beat the Pats down.
BenRapistberger says:
March 16, 2010 10:50 AM
Stop calling him LT. Everyonetime someone calls this bitch LT it takes away from the legacy of the real LT. Lawrence Taylor would slap the tears off this little bitch’s whiney face.
___________________________
No doubt…I loathe that too. I always abbreviate his name “LdT” for that very reason.
__________________________
It puts the lotion on the skin says:
March 16, 2010 9:54 AM
Second, the issue with the Pats, only half the story gets out about that. Merriman was bragging earlier in the week, that after they beat down the Pats, the Chargers were going to give them the “lights out dance” on their way off the field…. Well, the Pats found about it, and didnt say a word. After the game, the Pats were leaving the field victorious, so some of them took it upon themselves to say go F yourself Sand Diego by doing the dance…..
_____________________________
Not only Merriman but this feud started wayyyy back in 2005 in THAT SD-Pats game when SD acted like asses against the Pats on the Pats field after they beat the Pats down.
Didn’t realize Lawrence Taylor had a touchdown dance.
Oy, it’s already time to defend Tomlinson?
I bet Tomlinson and Greene have or will be laughing about it.
Florio, how about this: Tomlinson needs a different nickname when he plays in NY. In NY, there’s only one true LT. Why not wonder if Lawrence Taylor is pissed that another player on a NY team has his nickname?
Or even BETTER, the “wired” segments from the Jets game where the Jets defenders are screaming “HE HAS NO HEART!!!” to LT as he went up the gut time and time again for a 1-yard gain.
Between that and Greene’s mocking him after the TD run, there is no doubt that this thing will get interesting.
I think LT will look back on his time in SD as a gift, and wish he would have tried to work things out there.
If he was willing to be #2 behind a rookie and stay as a mentor, there is no way SD wouldn’t give him $2m to stay, if as a PR move if nothing else.
Instead, he just sold his soul to the NY freaking JETS.
ROFLMFAO. Hahahahahahahahahahaha. Tool.
Are you people stupid? Every freaking story here has whiny little babies complaining about how this story “isn’t news”. ITS THE NEWS and RUMORS SECTION.
God, if you hate this site, don’t freaking read it. I’m sure Florio really gives a crap that you “don’t respect him”.
I think it’s excellent that you bring this up. I had mentioned this to a Jets fan friend of mine, who whines about everything (coin flip! HA!).
Perhaps Tomlinson couldn’t see with his hood pulled up, the light reflecting off his tinted visor and tears in his eyes.
Not a story…
Bahaha Cromartie… I got you Florio.
http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/?go=forum_framed.posts&forum=2&thread=1584335&page=1&pc=4
so we get the eagles story and this story within three stories…1 out of those 3 stories is an actual story while the other two are blatant non-stories. i miss when PFT was a good source of actual information and not what it is now (PFTMZ)
LT will just take the starting job from Greene, and then Greene can see and study the move every weekend.
@Drew Brees’ Face Smudge – are you actually retarded? because part of me would feel bad for ridiculing you if you’re actually retarded…
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Never understood this act at all.
Why would a player mimic another players move? Can’t think of your own? Are you trying to show up LT? Its not like he plays defense (actually neither did Cromartie) so what gives?
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Hey idiot, the point is to make fun of the first offense, why would it be okay for Shawne Merriman to do his lights out dance or LT to do his TD celebration to begin with, and since they did, in the face of the defeated, why can’t they get a taste of their own medicine??
By the way, idiot, football is a team game…