LeGarrette Blount on Bengals’ chippiness: ‘When you’re losing games, it’s not easy to take’
"We're not looking for trouble, but we don't walk away from trouble either."
The Patriots’ 35-17 win over the Bengals produced spectacular highlights, including a record-setting day for Rob Gronkowski. Yet postgame soundbites from Patriots players were dominated by discussion of several heated exchanges that occurred between the two teams after plays during the second half.
Gronkowski, who had a career-best 162 yards receiving, was called for “taunting” after making a 12-yard catch in the fourth quarter. The back-and-forth continued afterward. Patriots players said that some of it had to do with Cincinnati’s mindset.
Blount on end-of-game dust-ups with Bengals: “Lotta guys, testosterone, egos…When you’re losing games, it’s not easy to take.” pic.twitter.com/LKTjTzOIID
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) October 16, 2016
Allegedly, this was the reason for Gronkowski being upset with Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict:
Vontaze Burfict going low on Bennett. Seemed unnecessary but what do I know. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/4DWnqa76TD
— Will D. (@WAD1980) October 16, 2016
Martellus Bennett, who was the victim of Burfict’s low tackle, offered a quote from Gronkowski:
Bennett on Gronk going after Burfict for him: We always have each other’s backs. Things happen in the game…Gronk’s like, ‘bro, I got you.’
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) October 16, 2016
And Bennett maintained that the Patriots were not the aggressors:
Bennett on the the game getting chippy: We don’t back down. We’re not looking for trouble, but we don’t walk away from trouble either
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) October 16, 2016
Gronkowski also said that the Patriots were aware that the Bengals might try to provoke him:
Gronk said if you watch film, the Bengals always try to bait players. Called them a physical team & said they hit hard.
— Meredith Gorman (@MereGorman) October 16, 2016
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