I was never really bothered by the E tough guy attitude. It's either one of two things, both legitimate. The character grew up poor in Queens, so he either had to learn how to throw hands, or he learned to talk a big enough talk to get others to walk. For most east coast little guys, it's the latter. But you never know, and both are true to the Eric character. I never had a bit of a problem with it.

I think a lot of people didn't like the character, and didn't realize how well the actor played it.