Monday, October 29, 2001
Injured Cox vows to retaliate for block
The Associated Press
DENVER — Hobbling on an injured lower right leg that he insisted was broken, New England Patriots linebacker Brian Cox spared no words in describing a block in the third quarter that sidelined him for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos.
Cox said he went down on a cut block by Denver offensive guard Dan Neil.
“I was cut on purpose,” he said. “I think it was a cheap shot, because I was in a no-cut zone. There is a cut zone 3 yards on either side of the ball in the tight end-to-tackle box. I was outside the tackle box. He cut me from behind.
“It was a cowardly block. They teach that sort of stuff over here. I'm sure they're going to come back and say, "Oh, well, it was from the side.”'
Cox, an 11-year veteran, promised to get even.
“I don't care if it takes the rest of my career,” he said. “If I ever play football again and I play against that guy, he's going to have a blown-out knee. And I don't care who knows it. He does that sort of thing all the time.”
As Cox was assisted from the field, he exchanged words with Neil.
“He had the audacity to ask me if I am OK. I am not OK,” Cox said. “It's the same leg I broke before. I know it's broken.”
Neil declined comment.
Last week, Broncos offensive tackle Matt Lepsis was fined $15,000 for a low block that broke the left ankle of San Diego defensive lineman Maa Tanuvasa.
In Dallas, Emmitt Smith insisted he was OK despite having his right knee wrapped after the Dallas Cowboys' 17-3 victory over Arizona on Sunday.
Smith, the NFL's second-leading career rusher, sprained his knee as the Cowboys were running out the clock against the Cardinals.
“It's throbbing a little bit right now, but I'll be all right,” Smith said. “I felt it. I knew what it was. I didn't know the degree the injury was. It worried me a bit.”
But Smith was able to walk off the field without assistance. He said he expects to play next week at the New York Giants.
Elsewhere Sunday, Tampa Bay lost Keyshawn Johnson to a bruised knee in the first half of their game Sunday and still won easily. Quarterback Jim Miller left the Bears' win early with a bruised hip and Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper broke his nose in the first quarter but stayed in.
Johnson will have an MRI exam Monday. He went in to Sunday's game as the NFC leader in receptions and yards receiving, but already was playing with a sore right hip that limited him in practice last week.
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Injured Cox vows to retaliate for block
