ESPN NFL

Indianapolis Colts: Referees tend to swallow their whistles in the postseason, and that's why Colts' players think they choked on Sunday. There were some questionable calls throughout the game but with under two minutes to play and down by only seven, it appeared that the Patriots got away with defensive holding on third and fourth down pass attempt to TE Marcus Pollard. "It's not New England's fault; it's another being's fault," Pollard told the Indianapolis Star. "Those guys did what they had to do. They didn't get called for it. So keep doing it. Hats off to them. Go hold whoever they've got to play in the Super Bowl." Colts president Bill Polian was equally upset at the officiating. He was animated and vocal in the press box after several non-calls, at one point shouting, "Throw the flag." Another time he said, "That's holding," and pounded his fist four times.

New England Patriots: Pats players just can't seem to avoid injury. LB Tedy Bruschi went for X-rays Sunday night after leaving the game late in the fourth quarter with a lower right leg injury. Bruschi seemed to have no problem celebrating the team's AFC championship or chatting with reporters in front of his locker, but he did admit to the Boston herald that the injury was more than just a cramp.

St. Louis Rams: The Arizona Cardinals didn't exactly light it up on defense this year, but that didn't stop Coach Mike Martz from hiring their defensive coordinator, Larry Marmie, to replace Lovie Smith. "I worked with and for Larry for seven years," Martz told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "He probably has had more of an impact on me professionally than anybody. I'm thrilled and excited that we have an opportunity to bring Larry to St. Louis." Martz worked closely with Marmie in the mid-80s when both were at Arizona State -- Martz as quarterbacks and wide receivers coach and Marmie as defensive coordinator. Martz had hoped to hire Marmie three years ago when he became the head coach, but Arizona denied him permission.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider