Marshon Lattimore spoke with intensity resembling Ivan Drago when discussing the possibility of reigniting his feud with Mike Evans during the wild-card game between the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. “If it happens,” stated Lattimore, the Commanders’ cornerback, to reporters on Friday, “so be it.”
Their last encounter was in Week 6 when Lattimore was still with the New Orleans Saints before being traded to the Commanders. The upcoming matchup is sure to be highlighted during the broadcast, with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn expressing excitement over the elite competition between the two players and others on the field.
Washington made a significant trade to acquire Lattimore, hoping he would be a key defender against the top receivers of opposing teams in the playoffs. Lattimore faced setbacks due to a hamstring injury but is now back in action, aiming to shut down his opponents with a focus on helping his team succeed.
Lattimore’s history with Evans includes several memorable clashes marked by physical confrontations and intense competition. Both players acknowledge each other’s skills and look forward to the challenge of facing off once again.
The rivalry between Lattimore and Evans has sparked dramatic incidents in the past, including altercations resulting in ejections and suspensions. Despite the tensions, both players display respect and professionalism towards each other, aware of the stakes involved in their matchups.
As the anticipation builds for their upcoming showdown, fans can expect a fierce battle between these two talented athletes striving to outperform each other on the field.
In a recent altercation that escalated to punches during the ensuing melee, yet again resulted in a one-game ejection for the parties involved. “As long as, you know, it’s within the play,” Evans remarked regarding his ongoing battles with Lattimore, as reported by the Tampa Bay Times in October. “I’ve made mistakes in the past by letting it spill over beyond the play when it shouldn’t have. However, I’ve grown more mature now, and our team is fully dedicated to playing winning ball. You can’t achieve that when you’re getting ejected and engaging in such incidents. Nevertheless, I do want to maintain that competitive fire, be physical, and a bit of chirping never hurts. But it’s essential to be wise about it. You can’t play winning ball when you’re being ejected and involved in such scenarios.” These are just three examples that have escalated beyond the usual banter exchanged between a receiver and defensive back during a game.
“I aim to be physical for the sheer reason of past events, certainly, but I’m prepared to be physical with anyone,” Lattimore expressed. “It’s just taking it up a notch due to the history and all that. It’s about making my presence felt out there; it’s not about playing mind games. You’ll be aware of my presence; do you understand what I’m saying?”
