When Osi sees Light, it's not a good thing
New England offensive tackle Matt Light celebrates after a Patriots win. (Jan. 20, 2008) Credit: AP
Osi Umenyiora has gotten into two fights on the football field in his life, he said Friday. The first one was against Matt Light of the Patriots in the regular-season finale in 2007. The second one was against . . . Matt Light of the Patriots in the Nov. 6 game this season.
"Me and him, we have a history," Umenyiora said. "We're going to rekindle that Sunday."
Umenyiora noted that Light "wasn't as bad in the Super Bowl." But they did have extra shoves and late pushes in the most recent game, and at one point, after Jason Pierre-Paul's sack of Tom Brady, the two rolled on the ground in a tussle.
"I don't know what it is that he does, but it's something that he's doing that really gets under my skin," Umenyiora said. "I'm not that type of guy. He's probably the only person I've ever fought on the football field."
Justin Tuck agreed that Umenyiora is "not that type of guy" and chuckled at how Light seems to bring out the fire in Umenyiora. He noted that both wear the same jersey number and probably are trying to establish which of them is "the real 72." He also said he tells Umenyiora that Light kicks his butt in their fights, which serves to get Umenyiora even more fired up.
This time, though, Umenyiora joked (at least we think he joked) that he has a plan.
"I think he's more important to his team than I am to mine right now,'' he said, "so if we can both fight, we'll both get kicked out and JPP and Tuck will have a field day."
