In his opening statement to reporters on Monday, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said he believes Denver Broncos wide receiver (and former Patriot) Wes Welker's hit on cornerback Aqib Talib in Sunday's game was "a deliberate play."
"I was asked about the hit on Talib, and I feel badly for Aqib," Belichick said, via Mike Reiss of ESPN. "The way that play turned out, I went back and watched it, which I didn't have a chance to yesterday. It was a deliberate play by the receiver to take out Aqib. No attempt to get open. I'll let the league handle the discipline on that play, whatever they decide. It's one of the worst plays I've seen. That's all I'll say about that."
As Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald points out, Belichick's reaction to the hit was unprompted.
Belichick's rip of Welker came during his opening statement, too. Wasn't a response to a question.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 20, 2014
Talib left Sunday's AFC Championship game – which ended in a 26-16 victory for the Broncos – early in the second quarter after colliding with Welker and did not return.
[Courtesy: CBS]
Asked about the hit after the game, Welker said he wasn't trying to injure his former teammate.
"It was one of those plays where it's kind of a rough play and I was trying to get him to go over the top, and I think he was thinking the same thing and wanted to come underneath and we just kind of collided," Welker said, via the Boston Herald. "It wasn't a deal where I was trying to hit him or anything like that. I hope he's OK. He's a great player and a big part of their defense."
