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Derek Anderson's Post-Game Meltdown: An Instant Classic

Kate Rooney |
November 30, 2010 | 2:59 p.m. PST

Staff Writer

In the least-anticipated Monday Night Football matchup of the season, the struggling San Francisco 49ers (3-7) met the floundering Arizona Cardinals (3-7). The winner would be just a game shy of first place in the hapless NFC West.

The 49ers seized command early, taking advantage of QB Derek Anderson’s fumbled snap on the Cardinals’ first offensive play of the game.  Niners’ QB Troy Smith connected with Michael Crabtree for a touchdown on the ensuing drive, and the Cardinals never seemed able to recover. 

Arizona's offense sputtered -- they were forced to settle for two Jay Feely field goals -- and Anderson was unable to move the ball downfield.  The Niners took the victory, 27-6.

In the post-game press conference, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic asked Anderson why cameras captured him laughing with lineman Deuce Latui late in the game. Anderson failed to provide a good answer, so Somers kept asking, and Anderson kept getting angrier.

Soon the exchange turned into a full-fledged rant by Anderson, who finally had enough and exited stage left. (See video below.)

Losing to the 2010 49ers would be enough to make the most even-keeled athlete a bit frustrated. Add to that the fact that, for this week anyway, the Cardinals will be known as the worst team in the worst division in the league and you've got a recipe for a meltdown. 

So was Anderson’s rant justified? Or was Somers unfairly badgering him?

Regardless, it was the icing on a very unfortunate cake for the Cardinals. 

To reach writer Kate Rooney, click here.

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