MR

Anybody else here have no respect for Patriots anymore. There's no excuse to run up the score like they're doing. Especially when your winning by 38 points.

These are pros, no? In pro sports there's no such thing as 'running up a score'. And if some loser team thinks so, then a big boo-hoo for them...pansies. If a team can score a hundred points, or if a golfer can shoot 50 under par, then they/he should. I can't hardly believe that some professional athlete is whining, "hey fellas take it easy on me". If so, then that person needs to go home and re-evaluate his career choice...not to mention if they have the competitive killer instinct it takes to be an athlete at that level.

For football specifically, if I'm up by a lot of points, then I'll see that as an opportunity to play the second string, give my backup quarterback a few reps, try some gadget plays to see if they work in a game situation, work on the no-huddle offense...whatever I want. I'd call that being true to the team & the ALL the players. If the other team decides to roll over and die, then that's their problem.


later~

ebake, I don't care for the Pats any more than you do, but like was already said, if they have the ability, then do it. Show your dominance. It'll help you psych out the next team you have to play and that's an advantage. It may look cheap, but it does have an affect on the teams you have yet to play in your season. Wins, playoffs and superbowls put money in the bank, and whether we like it or not, it's all about the Benjamins.

I hate the Patriots and Moss. But all 32 teams are playing with the same cap and the same rules.

I was pissed when they took Brady out. I wanted them to score 70.

Saint John wrote:I was pissed when they took Brady out. I wanted them to score 70.

Hah! Screw you SJ!

Rick wrote:ebake, I don't care for the Pats any more than you do, but like was already said, if they have the ability, then do it. Show your dominance. It'll help you psych out the next team you have to play and that's an advantage. It may look cheap, but it does have an affect on the teams you have yet to play in your season. Wins, playoffs and superbowls put money in the bank, and whether we like it or not, it's all about the Benjamins.

You see, I also see it from this point of view. If you piss off enough coaches and players in the league, it's eventually going to come back to bite you. I have more respect for coaches who know when the game is won, and simply run out the clock.

In the interest of full disclosure, I grew up 8 miles outside of Boston and am a lifelong Boston sports fan. That said, I pay zero attention to all this running up the score talk. Hell, I was bored out of my mind watching the Patriots completely dismantle the Redskins and their four first round draft picks in their secondary. The Patriots are so freakin' good right now, that people just have to think of something to tear them down. I was around for the seasons when they won 1 and 2 games a season, so I couldn't be enjoying this any more! As some wise football coaches have said over the years...if you don't want the other team to run up the score...STOP THEM! I've seen MANY games in the NFL (one as recently as last week) where a team has scored 30 points in the 4th quarter to win a game they were getting smoked in, so it's not over until the clock is showing 0:00!

At the end of the day, I'm okay with everyone hating Boston right now. We just won ANOTHER (Can't believe I'm using that word with the Red Sox) World Series last night, in another 4 game sweep. Boston College is the 2nd ranked team in the country (after scoring 14 points in the final 2 minutes against VA Tech). The 2007 Patriots are probably the best football team ever assembled, and now even the Celtics (who have been irrelevant FOREVER) are predicted to win the eastern conference! We welcome all the jealousy folks, and we'll all enjoy the ride while it lasts, as we know it comes to an end for ALL cities! For now, this is our time, and I'm enjoying the hell out of it! I've never been more happy to encounter another obnoxious Yankees fan!

John from Boston

If a player complains about running up the score, go home to mommy and take a bath lol

But I can't help to think about the whole cheating scandal regarding the Pats...if one team knows what the other team is running or the defense they are in, they will know what playing to defend or run...

The Pats have an amazing group of players with tons of talent but the respect is just not there like it once was for this team..what comes to mind are the White Sox back in the 1900's throwing a World Series. You cheat, respect is lost..plain and simple.

The only thing that ticks me off when teams are way ahead is that they don't give their second string players a chance to get a few reps.

You don't go for it on 4th down TWICE when leading 38-0 and 45-0 in the 4th quarter. Punt or kick a field goal.

Karma is a bitch, Pats. Just takes a couple of key injuries to ruin your season.

NealIsGod wrote:
Karma is a bitch, Pats. Just takes a couple of key injuries to ruin your season.

And you better BELIEVE teams are going to try to make that happen. Unfortunately Belichick's megalomania will drum up anger in the leage that puts Brady in harms way.

Red13JoePa wrote:

NealIsGod wrote:
Karma is a bitch, Pats. Just takes a couple of key injuries to ruin your season.

And you better BELIEVE teams are going to try to make that happen. Unfortunately Belichick's megalomania will drum up anger in the leage that puts Brady in harms way.

The Cowboys are the only team that have even pressured him much this year. Cris Carter said on Inside the NFL that he is sure there are defensive coordinators drawing up plans with a target on Tom Brady. I hope they get beaten in the playoffs at full strength so they have no excuses.

I think that any team should play to their fullest - and people should stop making excuses if their team is loosing. I'm a red sox fan - but I also can be objective about them. Normally they choke during playoffs etc.. - but I don't complain and find excuses for why they lost or how badly they lost. If they loose it sux - period. But not anyone elses fault but their own.

Running up the score? pphhhhht... What a bunch of cry babies. No one cried or complained when the Bears absolutely creamed the Pats in front of the whole country during the '86 Super Bowl!!! I heard Belchichick on WEEI (WVEI in Western Mass) address the issue and I am fine with what the Pats do. The Pats have a game plan they work on in practice and they continue to execute that plan during each play of the game. They aren't going to deviate because they are concerned about hurting the feelings of a bunch of multi-millionaires on the other team. The New York crowd is just pissed because the Sox are on top again and their pretty boys are out of the limelight. The sports media takes its cue from NYC. How else could Derek Jeter have won the gold glove in '06?? What a joke! And while I think of it, Judas Damon sucks too.

Mangenius will have something up his sleeve

Red13JoePa wrote:Mangenius will have something up his sleeve

Hopefully "Mangenius" has the number to the local unemployment office, because he'll be out of work soon enough! I can tell you this...you crybabies haven't seen running up the score, yet! Wait until the Patriots play that ungrateful Mangini again! Hell, the spread in Vegas on that game might be 30 points, and the Pats will still cover! Why is it that when the St. Louis Rams broke EVERY offensive record on the planet in 2001 and "ran up the score" on EVERYONE they were called "The Greatest Show on Turf" and now that the Patriots do the same exact thing, everyone whines about it? I know why...it's jealousy. Get over it, people! Boston is the center of the sports universe right now, and nobody said you have to like it! Like it or not, it's just the way it is in 2007!


John from Boston

JSSextras wrote:I think that any team should play to their fullest - and people should stop making excuses if their team is loosing. I'm a red sox fan - but I also can be objective about them. Normally they choke during playoffs etc.. - but I don't complain and find excuses for why they lost or how badly they lost. If they loose it sux - period. But not anyone elses fault but their own.

I don't believe anybody is making excuses. All I'm saying is, a coach who runs the score up (and technically he did run the score up,) won't make any friends in the NFL.

Greg wrote:

JSSextras wrote:I think that any team should play to their fullest - and people should stop making excuses if their team is loosing. I'm a red sox fan - but I also can be objective about them. Normally they choke during playoffs etc.. - but I don't complain and find excuses for why they lost or how badly they lost. If they loose it sux - period. But not anyone elses fault but their own.

I don't believe anybody is making excuses. All I'm saying is, a coach who runs the score up (and technically he did run the score up,) won't make any friends in the NFL.

I hear what you are saying. I just disagree.
They played the game. It makes no sense to go easy on another team just because they are loosing. I wouldn't expect any team to backoff another team. If the other team wants to stop getting crushed - they it's their responsibility to stop them.

Greg wrote:[ All I'm saying is, a coach who runs the score up (and technically he did run the score up,) won't make any friends in the NFL.

Greg...

With all due respect, I don't think Bill Belichick gives a rat's ass about making friends! This guy could care less about shaking hands and kissing babies! He's a football coach...not a politician! His win total doesn't go up if more people like him and want to have a beer with him! This is the NFL...Not Pop Warner! The name of the game is WINNING, and he does it better than ANYONE! For all the hype Bill Parcells got as a coach, the fact of the matter is that Parcells didn't win a single Super Bowl, without Belichick as his defensive coordinator!

Belichick has NEVER been the most congenial guy and never will be. His press conferences are EXCRUCIATING to watch, because the guy has the personality of an amoeba! At the end of the day, Belichick has had his integrity called into question, because of the whole videotaping episode (which incidentally happens EVERYWHERE in football, including high school)! I think Belichick is now out to show anyone paying attention that he has won the games he's won because he's simply smarter than anyone else is, in a football sense! I think if Belichick wins two more Super Bowls (Which will be more than any other coach in the history of the NFL), the NFL might have to re-name the Lombardi trophy! I've never seen a coach in ANY sport who cares less about what the fans and the media say about him and his ways. He has one focus...and that's preparing his team for this upcoming week's opponent! I think when he retires from football, his record will speak for itself!


John from Boston

If they don't like it... STOP THEM!

Quit whining and put some defense on the field.

While I don't like it, there is nothing wrong with it. The solution is to stop them from doing it on the field.

They are also ticked about the Cheating thing. They are saying "Screw You" to everyone who thought that was why they were winning.

And I am a Colts fan. I just hope we can shut them down on Sunday.

Enigma869 wrote:

Greg wrote:[ All I'm saying is, a coach who runs the score up (and technically he did run the score up,) won't make any friends in the NFL.

Greg...

With all due respect, I don't think Bill Belichick gives a rat's ass about making friends! This guy could care less about shaking hands and kissing babies! He's a football coach...not a politician! His win total doesn't go up if more people like him and want to have a beer with him! This is the NFL...Not Pop Warner! The name of the game is WINNING, and he does it better than ANYONE! For all the hype Bill Parcells got as a coach, the fact of the matter is that Parcells didn't win a single Super Bowl, without Belichick as his defensive coordinator!

Belichick has NEVER been the most congenial guy and never will be. His press conferences are EXCRUCIATING to watch, because the guy has the personality of an amoeba! At the end of the day, Belichick has had his integrity called into question, because of the whole videotaping episode (which incidentally happens EVERYWHERE in football, including high school)! I think Belichick is now out to show anyone paying attention that he has won the games he's won because he's simply smarter than anyone else is, in a football sense! I think if Belichick wins two more Super Bowls (Which will be more than any other coach in the history of the NFL), the NFL might have to re-name the Lombardi trophy! I've never seen a coach in ANY sport who cares less about what the fans and the media say about him and his ways. He has one focus...and that's preparing his team for this upcoming week's opponent! I think when he retires from football, his record will speak for itself!


John from Boston

And what are you going to say if and when Brady gets badly injured on a play in which he should've been long pulled from the game? It's as much protecting your own star QB and other starters as it is showing class to the other team. Belicheck is in it to pad his numbers. If Brady goes down, it's a completely different season for New England.

Greg wrote:And what are you going to say if and when Brady gets badly injured on a play in which he should've been long pulled from the game? It's as much protecting your own star QB and other starters as it is showing class to the other team. Belicheck is in it to pad his numbers. If Brady goes down, it's a completely different season for New England.

In my opinion that's a huge risk the Patriots play with keeping guys in. Guys on the other team get upset, that can turn into giving a little extra after the whistle. Not condoning it, but it's understandable. Brady gets hit at the knees and is out for the year=15 yard penalty in a game that's already out of reach.

RaiderFan wrote:

Greg wrote:And what are you going to say if and when Brady gets badly injured on a play in which he should've been long pulled from the game? It's as much protecting your own star QB and other starters as it is showing class to the other team. Belicheck is in it to pad his numbers. If Brady goes down, it's a completely different season for New England.

In my opinion that's a huge risk the Patriots play with keeping guys in. Guys on the other team get upset, that can turn into giving a little extra after the whistle. Not condoning it, but it's understandable. Brady gets hit at the knees and is out for the year=15 yard penalty in a game that's already out of reach.

Exactly my point! I mean, what does the defense have to lose at that point? A personal foul penalty?

Greg wrote:

RaiderFan wrote:

Greg wrote:And what are you going to say if and when Brady gets badly injured on a play in which he should've been long pulled from the game? It's as much protecting your own star QB and other starters as it is showing class to the other team. Belicheck is in it to pad his numbers. If Brady goes down, it's a completely different season for New England.

In my opinion that's a huge risk the Patriots play with keeping guys in. Guys on the other team get upset, that can turn into giving a little extra after the whistle. Not condoning it, but it's understandable. Brady gets hit at the knees and is out for the year=15 yard penalty in a game that's already out of reach.

Exactly my point! I mean, what does the defense have to lose at that point? A personal foul penalty?

Maybe a fine of the player if it's blatant.

RaiderFan wrote:

Greg wrote:

RaiderFan wrote:

Greg wrote:And what are you going to say if and when Brady gets badly injured on a play in which he should've been long pulled from the game? It's as much protecting your own star QB and other starters as it is showing class to the other team. Belicheck is in it to pad his numbers. If Brady goes down, it's a completely different season for New England.

In my opinion that's a huge risk the Patriots play with keeping guys in. Guys on the other team get upset, that can turn into giving a little extra after the whistle. Not condoning it, but it's understandable. Brady gets hit at the knees and is out for the year=15 yard penalty in a game that's already out of reach.

Exactly my point! I mean, what does the defense have to lose at that point? A personal foul penalty?

Maybe a fine of the player if it's blatant.

Heck. As bloated as their paychecks are nowadays, a fine is nothing.

Greg wrote:And what are you going to say if and when Brady gets badly injured on a play in which he should've been long pulled from the game? It's as much protecting your own star QB and other starters as it is showing class to the other team. Belicheck is in it to pad his numbers. If Brady goes down, it's a completely different season for New England.

I would say the same exact thing if Brady were to go down with an injury! Football players play football. If you had any knowledge, AT ALL, of Belichick and the Patriots, you would know that his M.O. this season is no different than it's been in any other season. Belichick VERY rarely pulls his starters, even when a game is well in hand.

My response to the statement it being a completely different season if Brady goes down is...NO SHIT! There isn't a single team in the NFL (who has a winning record) who wouldn't be in the exact same position. I can tell you this...If Peyton Manning goes down for the Colts, they're a 500 team! Injuries are part of football, and key players get hurt EVERY season. The most guaranteed way to get injured is doing everything in your power to avoid it! I guarantee you that even if the Patriots have home field wrapped up right through the Super Bowl, Belichick will still have all of his healthy starters in most of the games! Again, it's just the way he's always done things!

At this point, all any of you can do is sit around and just hope and pray that ANY team can beat the Patriots! It may happen, as football demonstrates time and again that ANYTHING can happen. My prediction for this week is that the Colts lose by a minimum of 14 points! Belichick is the master of motivation, and all the motivation he needs this week is that the Patriots have lost their last three games to the Colts! It isn't happening this week, and Manning better start looking over his shoulder at that TD record he just set, because there is a pretty strong chance Brady is going to beat it. If Brady does go on to beat it...it will be a FAR more impressive accomplishment, as he'll be doing it outside of a dome stadium or a warm weather climate!


John from Boston

Enigma869 wrote:

Greg wrote:And what are you going to say if and when Brady gets badly injured on a play in which he should've been long pulled from the game? It's as much protecting your own star QB and other starters as it is showing class to the other team. Belicheck is in it to pad his numbers. If Brady goes down, it's a completely different season for New England.

I would say the same exact thing if Brady were to go down with an injury! Football players play football. If you had any knowledge, AT ALL, of Belichick and the Patriots, you would know that his M.O. this season is no different than it's been in any other season. Belichick VERY rarely pulls his starters, even when a game is well in hand.

My response to the statement it being a completely different season if Brady goes down is...NO SHIT! There isn't a single team in the NFL (who has a winning record) who wouldn't be in the exact same position. I can tell you this...If Peyton Manning goes down for the Colts, they're a 500 team! Injuries are part of football, and key players get hurt EVERY season. The most guaranteed way to get injured is doing everything in your power to avoid it! I guarantee you that even if the Patriots have home field wrapped up right through the Super Bowl, Belichick will still have all of his healthy starters in most of the games! Again, it's just the way he's always done things!

At this point, all any of you can do is sit around and just hope and pray that ANY team can beat the Patriots! It may happen, as football demonstrates time and again that ANYTHING can happen. My prediction for this week is that the Colts lose by a minimum of 14 points! Belichick is the master of motivation, and all the motivation he needs this week is that the Patriots have lost their last three games to the Colts! It isn't happening this week, and Manning better start looking over his shoulder at that TD record he just set, because there is a pretty strong chance Brady is going to beat it. If Brady does go on to beat it...it will be a FAR more impressive accomplishment, as he'll be doing it outside of a dome stadium or a warm weather climate!


John from Boston

Thank you for the homerism!

Greg wrote:Thank you for the homerism!

Check back with me Sunday night, after the Pats/Colts game! I am a fan, first and foremost! I am definitely NOT a homer! The reality is that when the Patriots won their first Super Bowl against the Rams, I personally thought the Patriots would lose by three touchdowns! I call them as I see them, and my eyes tell me that this is the best football team I've ever seen!

Also, for the record, I don't think Brady will break Manning's record, for only one reason...He is forced to play most of his games outside, in some horrendous weather! I can assure you that it's not just a coincidence that every major NFL passing record was accomplished by a QB who played in a warm weather city or a dome! It's also not just a coincidence that only two dome teams have ever won a super bowl! Weather is a HUGE factor in football! It always has been and always will. If the Patriots secure home field in the playoffs, the Colts can make their tee times, because they have ZERO shot of winning in Foxboro the third week in January, and they've proven it!


John from Boston

I hope they play Pittsburgh and decimate them and twist their QB's leg and cripple him for months. The truth is I don't want to see any harm come to Ben. He is very good and survived a possible head injury- open or closed . Brain injury is forever ,in most cases ,to some degree of function. He reminds me of a Marino that can run. His yardage is impressive.