Aqib Talib addresses the media following Crabtree battle
Here’s what Aqib Talib had to say about the way things went down between he and Michael Crabtree on Sunday. Both players now face two game suspensions…
It seems safe to say that Aqib Talib and Michael Crabtree don’t really get along all that well.
After their second scuffle in as many seasons, Talib and Crabtree were handed two-game suspensions by the NFL on Monday evening. Both players are expected to appeal their suspensions, but after what we saw on Sunday, it seems unlikely either will be reduced.
Talib addressed the media in Denver on Monday, and talked about the impact his departure had on the game as a whole…
Talib also clarified in his media address that he wasn’t coming to the defense of Chris Harris Jr., which is why he went after Harry Douglas against the Titans in the 2016 season. Crabtree was clearly seen throwing an uppercut at Harris in this game, one play before he and Talib got into it.
Harris was injured on the play, and had to come out of the game briefly.
It was assumed that Talib was simply coming to the defense of his teammate, but he said that Crabtree was starting beef with both guys, and that their scuffle had nothing to do with Harris:
"“No, I didn’t even defend Chris. If you see the play, I didn’t defend Chris. He punched Chris and the next play he came and punched me. He was on his—whatever he was on. I wasn’t even defending Chris this time. That wasn’t even a problem.”Aqib Talib (quotes via Broncos PR)"
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Talib understands the magnitude of the role his absence played on the outcome of the game. The Broncos gave up a couple of big plays in this game, specifically plays where rookie cornerback Brendan Langley was out of position, that Talib probably would have made.
Hindsight is 20-20, and obviously if Talib were in the game, you never know how the entirety of things would have changed. But looking at two specific plays that changed this game in favor of the Raiders, Talib’s presence certainly could have and would have helped.
Now the Broncos are facing at least a two game stretch where they will have three cornerbacks on the active roster: Harris, Bradley Roby, and Langley. They will unquestionably have to make a move at the position after recently letting go of Lorenzo Doss.
Whatever the Broncos do at the position, replacing Talib now is simply a prequel to what will likely happen this offseason. If Talib misses two games and doesn’t win his appeal, we’ll likely only see him play three more games in orange and blue before the team has to make tough decisions this offseason.