McCree, Florence seek a chance to make amends
By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN DIEGO -- Twelve months later, Marlon McCree says the play still haunts him. Meanwhile, Drayton Florence relishes the opportunity to seek redemption.
The two Chargers defensive backs both made damaging miscues in last season's playoff loss to the New England Patriots. Now they're hoping to make amends when the two teams play in Sunday's AFC Championship Game at Foxborough, Mass.
McCree could have been a hero when he intercepted Tom Brady's fourth-down pass with about 6 1/2 minutes left in the contest and the Chargers leading by eight points. But New England's Troy Brown stripped him of the ball.
The Patriots recovered at the Chargers' 32-yard line and soon scored a game-tying touchdown. They eventually pulled out a 24-21 victory.
"I still relive it," McCree said. "You never kind of get away from it. I think this game will be an opportunity for me to go out and make a statement. But you don't want to get too caught up in that, either."
Some critics said that McCree should've simply knocked down the pass. He also received criticism after saying he would do the same thing again if the situation presented itself again in the future.
Now he has a year's worth of reflection and would like nothing more than to make a key play Sunday.
"It was one of the plays that contributed to the loss," McCree said of the fumble. "We worked so hard to be 14-2 and then to get to that point and have it all go away was very disappointing and heartbreaking. But I was able to come back. So far, we've had a pretty good postseason. Now we're in the championship game, so we'll see what happens."
Florence's mistake came after Shaun Phillips sacked Brady to put the Patriots in a fourth-and-21 situation. But Florence head-butted then-Patriot Daniel Graham and was called for a 15-yard penalty that gave New England an automatic first down.
A short time later, the Patriots cashed in on Stephen Gostkowski's 34-yard field goal.
"Most of the time, you don't get a chance to redeem yourself," said Florence, who recently referred to the play as a "dumb personal foul."
The Chargers also lost to the Patriots 38-14 in the 2007 regular season, but the stakes then weren't as high then as they will be Sunday. And both veterans know that a chance at redemption is never guaranteed.
That's exactly why they relish the opportunity to play the Patriots again in a playoff setting.
"The way things worked out, we get to play them again," Florence said. "It wouldn't matter who we're playing -- any time you get a chance to go get a little redemption, it always feels good. What we're playing for now is much bigger than what we we're playing for early on in the season. So to go out and have a good performance would mean a lot."
Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.
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Joe wrote on Jan 19, 2008 9:26 AM:I would like to see McCree put the same HIT on Brady as he did on Reggie Wayne at the end of the Colts game.
I hope "Toast" Florence doesn't headutt anybody this game. At least we don't have to worry about Eric Parker fumbling another punt.
With Gates hobbling, I think 6'7" rookie tight end Scott Chandler will be active and make an inviting target in the endzone. If a pass is thrown high to Chandler, like the one to Jackson in the end zone against the Colts, it would be impossible for the much shorter defensive backs of the Pats to defend. You can't coach speed and you CAN'T COACH HEIGHTH!
I am looking for Burner Turner to beat up the aging Pats defense, our tall receivers to again catch the high passes, special teams to make some big plays, McCree and Florence to atone for their stupid mistakes, some well-desguised blitz packages to knock Brady around, jam Welker and Moss and Stallworth at the line to disrupt their timing and a bit of trickery from Norv on offense.
The Chargers OWE the Pats a good WHOOPING (woa Nellie) and what poetic justice would it be to end their perfect season and get the revenge the Chargers deserve and advance to the Super Bowl where the Chargers would have a good chance of winning against either the Giants or Packers.
Crime Time Cromartie is the only defensive back in the NFL that can cover Moss step for step and shut him down deep. Weddle is athletic enough and a good enough tackler to limit (former Charger) Welker underneath. Jammer can shut down Stallworth unless he gets TOASTED again like he did against Caldwell in the playoffs last year.
I would now want to be the one having to block Merrimonster or Phillips this game. While pressure on Brady is important this game hinges on the ability of the Chargers' defensive back and linebackers to play better than the Pats' receivers. As the Pats is a "timing" offense the key will be to disrupt that timing by jamming the receivers at the line and pressuring Brady. The Chargers defensive line should be able to stop the Pats' running game which has improved lately.
How can BilliCHEATCHEATCHEAT get coach of the year after getting fined a HALF MILLION dollars for CHEATING??? It is excrustiating to have to see him on the sidelines with that arrogant demeanor and in that ugly hooded sweat shirt.
The Chargers had the Pats defeated in the playyoffs last year and even after finding 4 STUPID ways to LOSE the game, they still only lost by 3.While the Pats are even better this year with the addition of Moss etc. the Chargers (at full strength) are also much better with the emergence of Cromartie, the excellent play of Wilhelm and Cooper, vastly improved play of O line (zero sacks given up in the last 2 playoff games), and the fact that the players and coaches are now on the same page.
Whether the Chargers win or lose tomorrow they deserve a huge amount of credit for staying the course and turning around their season after the 1-3 start, the fires and working through all the coaching changes. They have shown a lot of heart and professionalism now have a chance to make history. Let's just hope they have finally MATURED enought to take advantage of it and be victorious. GO CHARGERS ! !
19-0 wrote on Jan 19, 2008 10:00 AM:Chargers have no chance of winning this game, so don't get all worked up. The talking heads are just trying to sell the game. Pats are playing on a different level.
Chargers only played 5 teams during the season with a winning record and lost all but two of those. And now they're banged up and worn out.
Pam H. wrote on Jan 19, 2008 11:27 AM:Keep telling yourself that...
the realist wrote on Jan 19, 2008 11:55 AM:Win or loose the chargers never had to cheat to get here. It would be fitting for the bolts to go up in New England and stop all this nonsense about the best team ever. The best team of all time wouldn't have to even think about cheating.To call them the best is ridiculous in my point of view. If the bolts win what would they be known as? The over achievers? No.... the winners that they are to san diego
Mcpat44-CHS81 wrote on Jan 19, 2008 12:15 PM:Well we played a 14-2
schedule this year,
with new head coach,
Def coordinator,and
terminolgy,look what
happend in 78' and
what opened up for
the team,city,fans
records..never say
never! Rampant Charger
fever has arrived!
"GO CHARGERS"
Freak Moss wrote on Jan 19, 2008 1:58 PM:The Patriots are unstoppable
The Truth wrote on Jan 19, 2008 2:13 PM:As a Patriots fan, I realize what the Chargers are going through. They have a sense of Pride for their team, and feel the need to make comments on behalf of the Chargers because no one gives them a snow ball's chance in hell. I remember when the Pat's were underdogs...it was the same thing. The only difference here is the Patriots just outmatch the Chargers offensively.
Matt Light has had great success defending the pass rush of Shawn Merrimen, and Tom Brady has too many weapons. Look what happened last week. You can take one weapon away, like Randy Moss, but no team is good enough to take them all away.
Another thing is that the Patriots almost never make mistakes. They take care of the ball. So San Diego may stay with the Patriots for a while, but like everyone else, they will make a mistake and that will be enough.
The last comment I'll make is that the media keeps playing up that the Chargers have won the last 8 games they have played, and how hot they are right now. Let's not forget that the Patriots have won their last 17 games, and one team is hotter than them right now!
Lightning's Girl wrote on Jan 19, 2008 2:43 PM:I've been a Chargers fan since the Lance Alworth days, and this is the finest team they've ever fielded. Not only do they have talent, they've got HEART, and that's what gets a team to the top even when the stars are sidelined. This team's got more lives than a cat---they were counted out early in the season, given no chance when they did make the playoffs, and totally dismissed in Indianapolis. Yet they won anyway, even without Philip and LT. All they have to do to win is to want it more than the Pats.
GO BOLTS!!!!!!!!!
Jose wrote on Jan 19, 2008 3:35 PM:First off, I agree with Joe about the Chargers utilizing their tall receivers. Imagine having TEs Scott Chandler 6'7", AG at 6'5" and WRs Vincent Jackson 6'5" and Malcom Floyd 6'5" on the field at the same time...what targets!
As for Drayton Florence, let's hope he steps up and makes amends for last year's debacle and last week where he got burnt a couple times and let the Colts' Anthony Gonzalez get away for a TD when he let up as Marlon McCree tried to make the tackle (hmm the same two guys..??).
Both McCree and Florence really need to play smart, heads up defense and not get caught up in their emotions and make bone head penalties. If they play well and the rest of the D plays as it has, Brady should have fits.
I do believe that all the hurt starters (Rivers, LT, AG and Jamaal Williams) will play Sunday. I just hope Rivers and LT are realistic about their abilities to contribute without being selfish in thier zeal to win and hurting the team's chances to win by poor performances on the field. That would be a shame.
Lastly, as for the Pats and their season', it's unfortunate that they were caught cheating. I think they got off very lightly. If a player in the NFL violates a rule (you know cheating like say steriods use: ala Merriman and Rodney Harrison) they are suspended for 4 games. That's fair and appropriate.
Now with respect to coaches, just fining a coach who was caught cheating is one thing but how about a suspension of say four (4) games as well and maybe (like in college) forfeiture of post season play? instead the Pats forfeiting draft picks...that's lame and doesn't go far enough (but then it's only my opinion). Anyway, I bet the Pats wouldn't be talking about a perfect season if the NFL commish had done his job. Alas, some fans will support a winner at any cost regardless of the legnths taken to win. Go Chargers!!
NO CHANCE? wrote on Jan 19, 2008 3:38 PM:Look at the stats over the last 8 weeks listen to ur cheating head coach the chargers are the best team in the league RIGHT NOW who cares that the pats won every game that doesn't change whats going to happen tommorow let it snow let it snow the chargers are gonna put the pats where the belong at home watchin the super bowl.
Go Chargers! wrote on Jan 19, 2008 4:31 PM:Chargers can do it,the d needs to step up and we will win the game.
lightning strikes wrote on Jan 19, 2008 4:41 PM:all i know is the pats will get fat dose of this charger defense, theres no stopping this hungry team !!! weez goin all the way!!!! go bolts!
SuperChargers!!! wrote on Jan 19, 2008 7:43 PM:San Diego has a great chance at winning this thing. Cromartie can and will shut down Moss, Phillips and Merriman I believe will show up for this game big time. I do believe that Rivers is more important than LT in this game, but if AJ fricken Feeley can come within a field goal of the pats then surely Volek can beat them.
ChrisNHawaii wrote on Jan 19, 2008 10:08 PM:As a Bills fan (think Super Bowl XXV), I've got to say that anything is possible. No one gave Turner a chance after his bumbling start. LT(2) is thee best player in the NFL – none can disagree with that. If the D can hit Brady, they'll have a much better chance. ANY GIVEN SUNDAY!
PS - Good point by Joe on a coach winning coach of the year after being caught cheating. Kinda like a stud D-lineman going to the Pro Bowl after being caught on roids ;) Both examples show the new commish is completely unpredicatable.
Bolt_Pride_N_Iraq wrote on Jan 20, 2008 3:31 AM:I tired of the Pats this the Pats that...The Chargers became the best team in the NFL...the Pats would have fell apart after going 1-3 the Chargers steped up an became the team to beat...16-0 who cares thats great good for them this is the playoff...an if im not mistaking the Chargers have the better playoff record this year SD(2-0) NE (1-0) i cant wait the chargers are playing with pride the Pats are just there...Zero sacks in the playoff "the playoff" but thats when teams come to play an yes the Chargers are here an there coming...lets talk about snow because thats what the Pats think is the only thing going for them...GO CHARGERS beat THE pats.......PS I i feel bad for Seau...i wish he was on the winning side
go bolts wrote on Jan 20, 2008 8:15 AM:cheaters never prosper.....bolts 24 pats 14....i cant wait to see all those pats fans crying after the game
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