Offensive and defensive linemen aren't supposed to get along, considering that they spend the bulk of their careers pushing and shoving each other. It makes perfect sense.
But there appears to be something more than professional circumstance getting between New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora and New England Patriots offensive tackle Matt Light, who should see a lot of each other in Super Bowl XLVI.
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"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 Friday, according to Comcast SportsNet New England. "Because I'm not that type of guy, you know what I mean? He's probably the only person I've ever fought on a football field."
The two players have a history of clashing. Light and Umenyiora have had two on-field fights, according to the report, including one during the Giants' 24-20 win over the Patriots in Week 9.Â
Umenyiora's line-mate, Justin Tuck, said it is unusual for Umenyiora to get into extracurricular physical confrontations.
"I think it's the battle of the 72s, they want to establish themselves as the true 72," Tuck jokingly suggested about the relationship between the players, both of whom wear No. 72. "It's kind of funny, actually. Osi is not a fighter."
Tuck added that he gives Umenyiora a hard time for letting Light beat him up.
Umenyiora told SportsNet New England that he's taking a strategic view of the upcoming battle with Light.Â
"I think he's more important to his team than I am to mine right now," Umenyiora said, "so if we can both fight, we both get kicked out and [Jason Pierre-Paul] and Tuck will have a field day."
Patriots running back Kevin Faulk told the Newark Star-Ledger that Umenyiora's words didn't mean much more to him than previous claims made before Super Bowl XLII that Light is a dirty player.
"He tried to pull the same thing the last time, so," Faulk said of Umenyiora. "It ain't relevant to us right now, we're going to play football. Whatever he's talking about, that's (expletive)."
