Tom Brady and Bill Belichick of the Patriots know that a lot is at stake this coming Sunday against the Broncos, but they are too smart to fall prey to proverbial jabs being thrown at them.

Brady was the center of criticism recently when Denver defensive end Antonio Smith took a swipe and called him a “crybaby”.

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"Every time he gets sacked, he looks at the ref like, 'You see him sack me? Was that supposed to happen? He did it a little hard. Please throw a 15-yard penalty on him. Get him fined," Smith was quoted saying in TheColorado Springs Gazette.

The Patriots quarterback brushed off the accusations and says that all of that was no more than a psyche job, as the two teams collide this Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.

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The whole issue went as far as getting The New York Daily News and The New York Post involved, using it on the cover of their tabloids.

For his part, Brady is unable to recount run-ins with the referees, saying that he has taken a lot of hits through the years via The Daily News.

As far as the potshot, Belichick says they are not bothered about it. He and the team are more concerned on what to do against the Broncos.

"We're focused on the Denver Broncos in the game. All the rest is a bunch of hot air," says the Patriots coach.

The center of attraction this Sunday is the duel between the two star quarterbacks, Brady and Peyton Manning. And despite the jabs, Brady and Belichick hold the utmost respect for the Broncos player.

"There is no player off our team that I have any more respect for than Peyton Manning," says Belichick via ESPN. "His preparation, his consistency, his skills; I would never, ever, ever underestimate him under any circumstance."

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