NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 11: Dion Lewis of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Nissan Stadium. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Damn right Dion Lewis took Sunday’s game personally.
The former Patriots running back signed a four-year, $20 million deal with the Titans in the offseason after Bill Belichick decided to move on. It appears that he took the coach’s decision as a sign of disrespect.
Lewis didn’t have a huge day individually (68 yards from scrimmage), but his team sure did. The Titans handed the Patriots as big an ass-kicking as we’ve ever seen to Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, thoroughly outplaying the Pats in all three phases in a 34-10 statement win. Lewis was certainly feeling the sweet revenge after the game, because he delivered one hell of a parting shot to the team that wouldn’t pay him.
“Hell yeah it’s personal. That’s what happens when you go cheap. You get your ass kicked,” said Lewis, via the NFL Network’s Mike Giardi.
It’s easy to pick apart Lewis’ comment. The Patriots went cheap in to sign him in the first place, bringing in Lewis on a futures contract in 2015. He went on to prove himself big-time as a Patriot, and the Patriots even held on to him after an ACL tear in the ’15 season. But New England didn’t value keeping him around long-term.
Obviously, Lewis took that as an affront to his value as a player.
But as easily as you can twist it around on Lewis for his “go cheap” comment, it’s hard to get on a guy who’s clearly emotional following a big, impressive win. Either way, Lewis just laid bare how he feels about the Patriots for not re-signing him, in blunt fashion. That’s as direct and powerful a shot as you’ll ever hear thrown Belichick’s way.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
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