Schottenheimer Criticizes Meester

SAN DIEGO —  Marty Schottenheimer, a one-time NFL linebacker, was in a fighting mood on Monday.

The San Diego Charger coach went off during his weekly news conference when he was asked what he thought about nose tackle Jamal Williams’ punching Jacksonville center Brad Meester at the end of a play in the second quarter of the Chargers’ 34-21 win on Sunday.

Schottenheimer wasn’t happy with Williams, because he drew an unnecessary roughness penalty that added 15 yards to Jacksonville’s first scoring drive.

“It was unnecessary. I saw what happened to him -- a guy cheap-shotted him, frankly. But there’s no place for that,” Schottenheimer said.

He had even sharper words for Meester, who apparently hit Williams from behind near his knees.

“Had I been the player, I probably would have responded in a little different fashion, at another time, when I was the first one in, not the second one in,” Schottenheimer said.

Schottenheimer didn’t hold back when describing Meester’s actions.

” ... I tell you what, there’s no place in this business for what happened there,” Schottenheimer said. “You’ve got to have respect for people that play in this game, on your team as well as the other team.”

Schottenheimer, who gave his players the day off Monday, indicated that Meester’s actions had been reported to the league office.