Belichick Quotes on "Running up the Score" (1 Viewer)

[buster c]

Everyone's giving the "what else are they supposed to do speech" but this is new to everyone.NFL teams up and til Bill haven't been running up the score like this. Guys like Gibbs aren't going to cry like babies about it, but at the same time there thinking "O ok so this is how your going to play going forward".After this week I'd say most coaches know NE will not show respect like ALL the other teams have done for a years now, when the games well in hand.Its funny hearing the NE fan saying "what else were we supposed to do" and "there supposed to score points", you guys are grown men and know damn well other teams don't carry them-selves like this.If the Colts win this week and Dungy HAS the opportunity to run it up, he wouldn't, and guess what that would be the norm, how its been for years and years. So don't go around calling people cry babies when your team is the ONE team who's handling things differently.

what came to mind while watching the game was the contrast between Bellichick and the man he was humiliating, Joe Gibbs. As a Skins homer, I could not help but think back to the Redskin teams that got Gibbs elected to the Hall of Fame and how many times they were in position to humiliate an opponent. being much younger - and a bit of a punk-thug of a fan, admittedly - I was disappointed when he'd take a knee instead of trying to cross the 40 or 50 point threshhold. now that I am a grown man, I can better appreciate that respect for ones opponent includes not trying to humiliate them. crush them in the game, but once the job is done, the high road is the road that men of integrity will take every time. and it's an instinctual thing, too. guys like BB, convicted cheater that he is, will not understand. so I had no problem with it, considering the source.

 

[redman]

Patriots haters are pathetic. The Pats had Heath Evans, Kevin Faulk, Jabar Gaffney in. If a team can't stop them from a simple drive down the field, then they deserve to get blown out bigger and bigger, especially if you're Jason Campbell and try to guarantee a victory coming into the game...

Didn't happen.

 

[TheFanatic]

I just want to go on record as the starter of this thread saying that I have no problem with this at all. If that is what he chooses to do then so be it. Like he said, "Its the defenses job to stop them; not the offenses job to stop trying."I think I read a quote from him in the past where he said, "We'll stop trying to score as soon as they stop trying to score. When their offense starts taking knees then we'll do the same." I have no problem with it which-so-ever. I was just posting the quotes.And "No." I am not a Pats fan. As sad as it is to admit; I am a Jets fan.

Not sure how this tread degenerated into 4 pages as it is summed up in the second post. If a team doesn't want to be scored on then they should not allow that to happen. If they can't do that, give the other team props and try to get better to play with them the next time. BTW, I hate the Pats and Bellicheat but what he said is dead on....

 

[mad sweeney]

what a bunch of crybabies. I love it. I'm a Dallas fan and I still think its great. I hope they put up 100 one week. I dont even own any Patriots on my teams besides Maroney and he hasn't even scored, and I STILL love it. "They have no class" Waaaaaah. Why dont the Redskins players take a ride in the waaambulance if their ego's are so hurt. My question is will we see the Pats favored by 20 next time they play the Jets? Has there even been a line over 20 in the NFL?

To their credit, I'm not aware of any Redskins players complaining about the score. Gibbs came right out and said he had no problem with it.Let's not do the Redskins the injustice of bunching them up with a bunch of whiners crying on the Redskins' "behalf."

Perhaps you missed the very first post of this thread:

Tom Curran of NBCSports.com has some interesting comments from Redskins linebacker Randall Godfrey, who’s none too pleased with the way Bill Belichick coached at the end of today’s 52-7 victory. The Patriots went for it on a pair of fourth downs when up 35 and then 42 points.“You look at all the great head coaches…I’m just disappointed,” Godfrey said. “You’ve got to show some class, show some respect. Joe Gibbs? We wouldn’t have done that. Bill Walsh? You wouldn’t see those types of guys doing that stuff. I’ve never seen nothing like that. Most teams, you get up like that you sit on the ball and try to run the time out. They’re up 30-some points and they’re throwing deep. That was blatant disrespect. I hope we can see them again, definitely. You don’t see Joe Gibbs doing that. You can’t even imagine that kind of stuff coming from him. Joe Gibbs. Bill Walsh. Bill Parcells. This isn’t like college going for power rankings. This is the pros — you show some respect, show some class.”

 

[MOAT]

lol - the Patriots are the first team to ever run up the score in the NFL.

lol.

In all my years of watching football I have never seen this done, even when the Rams were scoring 60+ in '99 they never went for it on fourth while up 30+. It is an unwritten rule. Even if they were at the 32 yard line, I would expect most coaches would take a delay of game and try and pin the other team deep while up by that much. Many of you can act like this is something that has always gone on or was unavoidable, but it never has happened, ever.

Could you link me to your research?I'd like to see when it's okay for a team to score 60+ points to keep scoring and when it's not.

Never and Ever are pretty strong words. I seem to remember a Rams team that had a hurt kicker that went for it on 4th down and went for 2 pts conversions after TDs in a game. Oh, I guess NEVER and EVER don't really apply here.http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/10/15/...ain241446.shtml

Let the Pats play the way they want. Anyone that wants to beat them is more than welcome to do so. I seem to recall a lot of people in the preseason stating that Randy Moss was a cancer and would bring them down, the Pats have lost too much, etc. Not a lot of those people around now.

Explain to me why someone that stands to make millions from having a banner year should lay off. Explain to me why the Pats should train their players to only play 30 minutes so that when they need to play 60 to win they can't. Explain to me why the Pats should play soft and not get the psychological advantage over teams they face. Explain to me why they should run the ball over and over and risk getting their only RB of merit hurt. The safest play for the Pats is to throw the ball. Fewer people get hurt that way. Ask SJax, Ronnie Brown, Caddy, Deuce, etc.

If/when someone beats them no one will be able to say they beat a team that wasn't trying. Now all the other teams need to do is go out and beat them.

 

[Tom Baker]

When the Washington team stops using the offensive, racist "Redskin" as its team name, then I might take some interest when its players and fans start whining about other people having no class . . .

 

[Sleeper 43]

As a fan, don't you want your team to have the mindset that no lead is safe? I've seen WAY too many Eagles games where the team loses late in the 4th quarter because of prevent defense and conservative play-calling. And I know I'm not alone in thinking that of my team. As a player, wouldn't you want a coach that lets you impose your will from start to finish? Wouldn't you relish the idea that you have a chance of being remembered as one of THE best teams in league history?Is there anyone associated with the Patriots that should feel wronged by what's happening? And if not, would anyone really not want their own team being as dominant?

Sure all this sounds good BUT the fact remains EVERYONE else has played by different morals for a long-time now.Then Pats fan act like no-one has a reason to be surprised they're handling things like this.

The forward pass was considered anathema at one point in league history; times change.

Ok so from now on we can expect coaches to blow each other out? Did Bill innovate a new part of the game this season?This isnt about a playing technique, its about how your team is represented when a win is well in hand.

 

[Colin Dowling]

I'm in favor of running up the score, for a few reasons. For starters, as has been said, sports are about scoring. Not just pro-sports, even high-school and college too. There is nothing unsportsmanlike about being beaten badly by a better team. Frankly, I think it leads to improvement much better then getting beaten up for a half and then having the clock run out. If you are competing and have any pride at all in the sport you practice, then getting your hat handed to you for all to see should make you work harder then you ever would have before to be better. It stings to get embarassed. It also makes winning mean more.

 

[Jason Wood]

Everyone's giving the "what else are they supposed to do speech" but this is new to everyone.NFL teams up and til Bill haven't been running up the score like this. Guys like Gibbs aren't going to cry like babies about it, but at the same time there thinking "O ok so this is how your going to play going forward".After this week I'd say most coaches know NE will not show respect like ALL the other teams have done for a years now, when the games well in hand.Its funny hearing the NE fan saying "what else were we supposed to do" and "there supposed to score points", you guys are grown men and know damn well other teams don't carry them-selves like this.If the Colts win this week and Dungy HAS the opportunity to run it up, he wouldn't, and guess what that would be the norm, how its been for years and years. So don't go around calling people cry babies when your team is the ONE team who's handling things differently.

what came to mind while watching the game was the contrast between Bellichick and the man he was humiliating, Joe Gibbs. As a Skins homer, I could not help but think back to the Redskin teams that got Gibbs elected to the Hall of Fame and how many times they were in position to humiliate an opponent. being much younger - and a bit of a punk-thug of a fan, admittedly - I was disappointed when he'd take a knee instead of trying to cross the 40 or 50 point threshhold. now that I am a grown man, I can better appreciate that respect for ones opponent includes not trying to humiliate them. crush them in the game, but once the job is done, the high road is the road that men of integrity will take every time. and it's an instinctual thing, too. guys like BB, convicted cheater that he is, will not understand. so I had no problem with it, considering the source.

You do realize that other coaches used to hate and complain vociferously about Gibbs' use of motion, right? Many coaches felt it was a misinterpretation of the rules and that Gibbs overstepped the intent of allowing motion? Wow, that Gibbs guy. How DARE he go against the way things used to be.

 

[sho nuff]

As a fan, don't you want your team to have the mindset that no lead is safe? I've seen WAY too many Eagles games where the team loses late in the 4th quarter because of prevent defense and conservative play-calling. And I know I'm not alone in thinking that of my team. As a player, wouldn't you want a coach that lets you impose your will from start to finish? Wouldn't you relish the idea that you have a chance of being remembered as one of THE best teams in league history?Is there anyone associated with the Patriots that should feel wronged by what's happening? And if not, would anyone really not want their own team being as dominant?

As a fan I would be wondering why the hell Brady is in the game...and if he got hurt, Id be wanting BB's head.

 

[PatsWillWin]

what a bunch of crybabies. I love it. I'm a Dallas fan and I still think its great. I hope they put up 100 one week. I dont even own any Patriots on my teams besides Maroney and he hasn't even scored, and I STILL love it. "They have no class" Waaaaaah. Why dont the Redskins players take a ride in the waaambulance if their ego's are so hurt. My question is will we see the Pats favored by 20 next time they play the Jets? Has there even been a line over 20 in the NFL?

To their credit, I'm not aware of any Redskins players complaining about the score. Gibbs came right out and said he had no problem with it.Let's not do the Redskins the injustice of bunching them up with a bunch of whiners crying on the Redskins' "behalf."

Perhaps you missed the very first post of this thread:

Tom Curran of NBCSports.com has some interesting comments from Redskins linebacker Randall Godfrey, who’s none too pleased with the way Bill Belichick coached at the end of today’s 52-7 victory. The Patriots went for it on a pair of fourth downs when up 35 and then 42 points.“You look at all the great head coaches…I’m just disappointed,” Godfrey said. “You’ve got to show some class, show some respect. Joe Gibbs? We wouldn’t have done that. Bill Walsh? You wouldn’t see those types of guys doing that stuff. I’ve never seen nothing like that. Most teams, you get up like that you sit on the ball and try to run the time out. They’re up 30-some points and they’re throwing deep. That was blatant disrespect. I hope we can see them again, definitely. You don’t see Joe Gibbs doing that. You can’t even imagine that kind of stuff coming from him. Joe Gibbs. Bill Walsh. Bill Parcells. This isn’t like college going for power rankings. This is the pros — you show some respect, show some class.”

I stand corrected.

 

[trogg78]

I would like to see the Bengals run the score up more often!

 

[wiffle_3]

I'm not sure any1 is whining..... I think every1 is lining up the "I told you so" when a defense single's out Brady for season ending hit.

 

[redman]

When the Washington team stops using the offensive, racist "Redskin" as its team name, then I might take some interest when its players and fans start whining about other people having no class . . .

Yep, it's about as offensive as "Okie" is nowadays.

 

[PatsWillWin]

As a fan, don't you want your team to have the mindset that no lead is safe? I've seen WAY too many Eagles games where the team loses late in the 4th quarter because of prevent defense and conservative play-calling. And I know I'm not alone in thinking that of my team. As a player, wouldn't you want a coach that lets you impose your will from start to finish? Wouldn't you relish the idea that you have a chance of being remembered as one of THE best teams in league history?Is there anyone associated with the Patriots that should feel wronged by what's happening? And if not, would anyone really not want their own team being as dominant?

As a fan I would be wondering why the hell Brady is in the game...and if he got hurt, Id be wanting BB's head.

There's a difference between thinking it's stupid to have Brady in the game and thinking it is classless and to encourage players on opposing teams to take cheap shots intended to hurt Brady.I actually agree with the former. It's the second part that is ridiculous, IMO.

 

[dudaman]

Did you hear? There's a similar topic talking about Brazil running up the score on Ethiopia at Soccerguys.com.

 

[Jason Wood]

As a fan, don't you want your team to have the mindset that no lead is safe? I've seen WAY too many Eagles games where the team loses late in the 4th quarter because of prevent defense and conservative play-calling. And I know I'm not alone in thinking that of my team. As a player, wouldn't you want a coach that lets you impose your will from start to finish? Wouldn't you relish the idea that you have a chance of being remembered as one of THE best teams in league history?Is there anyone associated with the Patriots that should feel wronged by what's happening? And if not, would anyone really not want their own team being as dominant?

Sure all this sounds good BUT the fact remains EVERYONE else has played by different morals for a long-time now.Then Pats fan act like no-one has a reason to be surprised they're handling things like this.

The forward pass was considered anathema at one point in league history; times change.

Ok so from now on we can expect coaches to blow each other out? Did Bill innovate a new part of the game this season?This isnt about a playing technique, its about how your team is represented when a win is well in hand.

Probably the most poignant thing I heard on this subject came from Dan Reeves over the weekend. He made the point that the reason many coaches would never (and won't in the future) blow out teams when they have the chance is two-fold:1) Very few teams are good enough to think they won't get blown out on their own; and they don't want to face the repercussions of setting precedent2) Most coaches don't want to burn bridges b/c you never know when today's opponent isn't someone you will be trying to work with in the futureI tip my cap to Belichick and his crew for not giving a #### about where their next job might be coming from; but doing what needs to be done to win in THIS job.

 

[Mr. Sparkle]

my problem is with some Pats fans. example- I recall some of them ripping Manning and the Colts for throwing 6td's against the Lions on Turkeyday 2004. Calling him out for stats padding, running up the score. It should be a two way street

 

[PatsWillWin]

I'm not sure any1 is whining..... I think every1 is lining up the "I told you so" when a defense single's out Brady for season ending hit.

If that's what you're trying to do, then you can stop. Your seat at the "I told you so" table is reserved.

 

[redman]

Everyone's giving the "what else are they supposed to do speech" but this is new to everyone.NFL teams up and til Bill haven't been running up the score like this. Guys like Gibbs aren't going to cry like babies about it, but at the same time there thinking "O ok so this is how your going to play going forward".After this week I'd say most coaches know NE will not show respect like ALL the other teams have done for a years now, when the games well in hand.Its funny hearing the NE fan saying "what else were we supposed to do" and "there supposed to score points", you guys are grown men and know damn well other teams don't carry them-selves like this.If the Colts win this week and Dungy HAS the opportunity to run it up, he wouldn't, and guess what that would be the norm, how its been for years and years. So don't go around calling people cry babies when your team is the ONE team who's handling things differently.

what came to mind while watching the game was the contrast between Bellichick and the man he was humiliating, Joe Gibbs. As a Skins homer, I could not help but think back to the Redskin teams that got Gibbs elected to the Hall of Fame and how many times they were in position to humiliate an opponent. being much younger - and a bit of a punk-thug of a fan, admittedly - I was disappointed when he'd take a knee instead of trying to cross the 40 or 50 point threshhold. now that I am a grown man, I can better appreciate that respect for ones opponent includes not trying to humiliate them. crush them in the game, but once the job is done, the high road is the road that men of integrity will take every time. and it's an instinctual thing, too. guys like BB, convicted cheater that he is, will not understand. so I had no problem with it, considering the source.

You do realize that other coaches used to hate and complain vociferously about Gibbs' use of motion, right? Many coaches felt it was a misinterpretation of the rules and that Gibbs overstepped the intent of allowing motion? Wow, that Gibbs guy. How DARE he go against the way things used to be.

Wow, what a stupid comparison Jason. Honestly, if you delete it, I'll delete my quote of it.

 

[Jason Wood]

Everyone's giving the "what else are they supposed to do speech" but this is new to everyone.NFL teams up and til Bill haven't been running up the score like this. Guys like Gibbs aren't going to cry like babies about it, but at the same time there thinking "O ok so this is how your going to play going forward".After this week I'd say most coaches know NE will not show respect like ALL the other teams have done for a years now, when the games well in hand.Its funny hearing the NE fan saying "what else were we supposed to do" and "there supposed to score points", you guys are grown men and know damn well other teams don't carry them-selves like this.If the Colts win this week and Dungy HAS the opportunity to run it up, he wouldn't, and guess what that would be the norm, how its been for years and years. So don't go around calling people cry babies when your team is the ONE team who's handling things differently.

what came to mind while watching the game was the contrast between Bellichick and the man he was humiliating, Joe Gibbs. As a Skins homer, I could not help but think back to the Redskin teams that got Gibbs elected to the Hall of Fame and how many times they were in position to humiliate an opponent. being much younger - and a bit of a punk-thug of a fan, admittedly - I was disappointed when he'd take a knee instead of trying to cross the 40 or 50 point threshhold. now that I am a grown man, I can better appreciate that respect for ones opponent includes not trying to humiliate them. crush them in the game, but once the job is done, the high road is the road that men of integrity will take every time. and it's an instinctual thing, too. guys like BB, convicted cheater that he is, will not understand. so I had no problem with it, considering the source.

You do realize that other coaches used to hate and complain vociferously about Gibbs' use of motion, right? Many coaches felt it was a misinterpretation of the rules and that Gibbs overstepped the intent of allowing motion? Wow, that Gibbs guy. How DARE he go against the way things used to be.

Wow, what a stupid comparison Jason. Honestly, if you delete it, I'll delete my quote of it.

The absurdity is meant to build off the absurdity of that to which I was reacting to. This notion that Belichick is changing the game forever by running up the score is, frankly, asinine and deserved an equally asinine (but historically accurate) retort.

 

[barista]

Did you hear? There's a similar topic talking about Brazil running up the score on Ethiopia at Soccerguys.com.

I almost looked.I just miss Bill's hoodies. At least the one-sided games stay interesting. I keep hoping for players to get pissed but they don't seem to mind on the field. If it doesn't bother them why should it bother me?(maybe if it bothered them there would be encouragment to bench top players after they are ahead by - let's say 35 points in the 4th)

 

[trogg78]

I'm not sure any1 is whining..... I think every1 is lining up the "I told you so" when a defense single's out Brady for season ending hit.

If that's what you're trying to do, then you can stop. Your seat at the "I told you so" table is reserved.

First one at the table gets to move out of their moms basement.

 

[parrot]

I don't think BB is intent on humiliating anyone, it probably doesn't much occur to him one way or the other.

I doubt he really even comprehends everyone fretting about loss margins, because whether you lost by 10 or 100 you still lost and that's the embarassing part about it. He is singularly focused on winning football games and doing pretty much anything in your power to guarantee that happens. It's just the way he's wired.

If you ask him the smart play on 4th and 2 from opponent's 38 yard line he's going to tell you to go for it most of the time. If you mention it's mid fourth quarter and you're up by 30some points, it doesn't really change the calculus in his mind, the smart play is still to go for it. The other guys' feelings just don't enter the equation.

Does that make him "classless"? Yeah, maybe it does. But it also makes him one hell of a football coach.

 

[Bad_Mo]

Maybe the Patriots should just "take a knee" now to stop running up their undefeated record and claim the Super Bowl title now.

You know, so no other team gets embarassed or humiliated.

Is this the Shark Pool or a Kindergarten Goldfish Bowl? Quit your bellyaching about running up scores.

 

[massmarauder]

To all those people complaining about the Pats running up the score? Remember this?

SUPERBOWL XX

Bellichick is simply ignoring the score and treating games like practices, running formations and schemes that he think will score. If you don't want your team used as a practice squad, don't have them act like one.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

I'm in favor of running up the score, for a few reasons. For starters, as has been said, sports are about scoring. Not just pro-sports, even high-school and college too. There is nothing unsportsmanlike about being beaten badly by a better team. Frankly, I think it leads to improvement much better then getting beaten up for a half and then having the clock run out. If you are competing and have any pride at all in the sport you practice, then getting your hat handed to you for all to see should make you work harder then you ever would have before to be better. It stings to get embarassed. It also makes winning mean more.

1. Sports is not about scoring. Sports is about winning. If you win 2-0, it counts just as much as winning 73-0.2. A blowout doesn't improve anyone. The losing team isn't on their game (or out-matched) so they can't run their plays effectively. The winning team isn't playing against significant competition, so they can't judge what will work in another game.

3. If you have pride, you will be just as disappointed by losing by 25 as you will be 55.

4. The part you wrote in bold is correct. There is nothing unsportsmanlike in getting beaten badly by a better team. But there is somehting unsportsmanlike about continuing to pile on a team you've already blown out for no reason. That's not whining or crying. That's the truth.

 

[The Jerk]

Probably the most poignant thing I heard on this subject came from Dan Reeves over the weekend. He made the point that the reason many coaches would never (and won't in the future) blow out teams when they have the chance is two-fold:

1) Very few teams are good enough to think they won't get blown out on their own; and they don't want to face the repercussions of setting precedent

2) Most coaches don't want to burn bridges b/c you never know when today's opponent isn't someone you will be trying to work with in the future

I tip my cap to Belichick and his crew for not giving a #### about where their next job might be coming from; but doing what needs to be done to win in THIS job.

You can proclaim kicking a team when they're down as a brave thing if you like; however, many others will simply call it poor sportsmanship. Sure, these are professionals, blah blah blah. Funny how so many great teams in the past chose not to do this. Wait, I know, they just weren't brave enough to run up the score. As always, you are entitled to your opinion. Hopefully I can have mine as well. Quit making excuses for boorish behavior. Even in pro sports, there is a place for mercy and sportsmanship. It wouldn't hurt for kids watching the game to learn a little about winning with class. (All FBG comedians, go ahead with the "what about the children?" mock posts now.)

 

[Ducegonads]

Once the "cheater" tag was applied to them earlier this season the gloves came off and they will stay off all season.

BB and the Pats were motivated before all the BS, hence the overhaul at the WR position. So, add in some more BS and I'm sure in that locker room it's them against the entire league. Not just teams and coaches but the entire NFL.

They way this team lost the AFC Championship game last year proved one sure thing to them, as far as they are concerned no team is ever "out of it". The score does not matter, it's business. Anyone who saw Brady after the false start penalty in the 4th, leading by 30, can see that he's was seething. It's business, all the time.

Challenging a teams past success, their history, their character, their class, their coach, their players and their game may have something to do with this. What a rallying point! Thank you national media and to all the whiners who have helped. Kiss many of the old NFL records good bye that some of your favorite teams and players may have had.

For those who feel that smacking Brady 5 seconds after the whistle would end this "foot to the floor" mentality. Don't you think they have thought about the same thing? Problem is that they don't GAF what other teams feel or may do.

To all the nay sayers, do yourselves a favor. Bet on the Pats to win every week and you'll have a nicely stuffed Christmas stocking full of green which should help you feel better once the playoffs roll around.

If Indy wins by 40 points next week I hope to hear all about how classless Tony Dungy is and how Manning has embarrassed himself by embarrassing the Patriots and how Mannings knee should be Nancy Kerriganed.

PS. Don't think that's gonna happen.

 

[redman]

Everyone's giving the "what else are they supposed to do speech" but this is new to everyone.NFL teams up and til Bill haven't been running up the score like this. Guys like Gibbs aren't going to cry like babies about it, but at the same time there thinking "O ok so this is how your going to play going forward".After this week I'd say most coaches know NE will not show respect like ALL the other teams have done for a years now, when the games well in hand.Its funny hearing the NE fan saying "what else were we supposed to do" and "there supposed to score points", you guys are grown men and know damn well other teams don't carry them-selves like this.If the Colts win this week and Dungy HAS the opportunity to run it up, he wouldn't, and guess what that would be the norm, how its been for years and years. So don't go around calling people cry babies when your team is the ONE team who's handling things differently.

what came to mind while watching the game was the contrast between Bellichick and the man he was humiliating, Joe Gibbs. As a Skins homer, I could not help but think back to the Redskin teams that got Gibbs elected to the Hall of Fame and how many times they were in position to humiliate an opponent. being much younger - and a bit of a punk-thug of a fan, admittedly - I was disappointed when he'd take a knee instead of trying to cross the 40 or 50 point threshhold. now that I am a grown man, I can better appreciate that respect for ones opponent includes not trying to humiliate them. crush them in the game, but once the job is done, the high road is the road that men of integrity will take every time. and it's an instinctual thing, too. guys like BB, convicted cheater that he is, will not understand. so I had no problem with it, considering the source.

You do realize that other coaches used to hate and complain vociferously about Gibbs' use of motion, right? Many coaches felt it was a misinterpretation of the rules and that Gibbs overstepped the intent of allowing motion? Wow, that Gibbs guy. How DARE he go against the way things used to be.

Wow, what a stupid comparison Jason. Honestly, if you delete it, I'll delete my quote of it.

The absurdity is meant to build off the absurdity of that to which I was reacting to. This notion that Belichick is changing the game forever by running up the score is, frankly, asinine and deserved an equally asinine (but historically accurate) retort.

I don't think it works, but whatever. One is an objective interpretation of the written rules by neutral officials, the other is a subjective discussion of unwritten social mores. Belichick's not changing the game. The game is what it is. I do think that he's throwing out traditional notions of sportsmanship. Is it "wrong" to do so? Well, I'd compare it to good manners in regular life. There's nothing to say that you can't go through life being rude to people, but at the gut level we all tend to know that it's not a good thing to do that and we all have a sense of poetic justice when such people get punched by someone who takes it wrong. I tend to admire restraint over indulgence anyway, and I see the traditional notions of sportsmanship to be the competitive embodiment of restraint, while running up the score seems self-indulgent.

 

[JayMan]

I'm in favor of running up the score, for a few reasons. For starters, as has been said, sports are about scoring. Not just pro-sports, even high-school and college too. There is nothing unsportsmanlike about being beaten badly by a better team. Frankly, I think it leads to improvement much better then getting beaten up for a half and then having the clock run out. If you are competing and have any pride at all in the sport you practice, then getting your hat handed to you for all to see should make you work harder then you ever would have before to be better. It stings to get embarassed. It also makes winning mean more.

I'm agreeing with everything you say Colin... I can attest to that - I used to play hockey at a high level and, on some occasions, you get blown away... it only makes you work harder and get better at it, if you use that beating wisely... On the other hand though, when we were getting pounded... is it only human nature for me, you, and every other guy to want to ram your opponent throught the boards - and you look for every opportunity to do so...This is why I don't think Belichik's actions were/are classless but stupid... because one disgrunted defensive coach might just tell his linemen, linebackers and backs to all come blitzing on the same side... it will surely result in a TD pass to Moss or Welker or whoever... but Brady might be lying on the ground, looking at his twisted leg... (when you combine big egos, human nature and classless - it might get ugly)...

 

[Jason Wood]

Probably the most poignant thing I heard on this subject came from Dan Reeves over the weekend. He made the point that the reason many coaches would never (and won't in the future) blow out teams when they have the chance is two-fold:

1) Very few teams are good enough to think they won't get blown out on their own; and they don't want to face the repercussions of setting precedent

2) Most coaches don't want to burn bridges b/c you never know when today's opponent isn't someone you will be trying to work with in the future

I tip my cap to Belichick and his crew for not giving a #### about where their next job might be coming from; but doing what needs to be done to win in THIS job.

You can proclaim kicking a team when they're down as a brave thing if you like; however, many others will simply call it poor sportsmanship. Sure, these are professionals, blah blah blah. Funny how so many great teams in the past chose not to do this. Wait, I know, they just weren't brave enough to run up the score. As always, you are entitled to your opinion. Hopefully I can have mine as well. Quit making excuses for boorish behavior. Even in pro sports, there is a place for mercy and sportsmanship. It wouldn't hurt for kids watching the game to learn a little about winning with class. (All FBG comedians, go ahead with the "what about the children?" mock posts now.)

The day I start looking toward the NFL to teach my sons about mercy and sportsmanship is the day I start teaching them morality from watching the gossip on Entertainment Tonight.

 

[Sleeper 43]

I just want to go on record as the starter of this thread saying that I have no problem with this at all. If that is what he chooses to do then so be it. Like he said, "Its the defenses job to stop them; not the offenses job to stop trying."I think I read a quote from him in the past where he said, "We'll stop trying to score as soon as they stop trying to score. When their offense starts taking knees then we'll do the same." I have no problem with it which-so-ever. I was just posting the quotes.And "No." I am not a Pats fan. As sad as it is to admit; I am a Jets fan. :(

Not sure how this tread degenerated into 4 pages as it is summed up in the second post. If a team doesn't want to be scored on then they should not allow that to happen. If they can't do that, give the other team props and try to get better to play with them the next time. BTW, I hate the Pats and Bellicheat but what he said is dead on....

IN principle you should be able to score as much as you like , I agree. But in the NFL, when you have a lead has it or hasn't it been common ground to not run teams into the ground when the game is well within control, i.e , running out the clock or calling consecutive running plays.The part I have a problem with is people are acting like everyone shoulda known this is what happens, Other coaches don't represent they're team like this.This isnt the only sport where teams,players , or coaches have an un-written rules or etiquette that everyone follows based off of class. Sure if one guy breaks the etiquette hes "technically" allowed to do so but does that mean all the other guys don't feel slighted he broke the understanding they all had?In almost all racing, if your in last place and your about to get lapped by the 1st car, you dont HAVE to move out of the way, but they do, why is that when they should be trying to win too?Because its a common understanding amongst racers.

 

[redman]

Probably the most poignant thing I heard on this subject came from Dan Reeves over the weekend. He made the point that the reason many coaches would never (and won't in the future) blow out teams when they have the chance is two-fold:

1) Very few teams are good enough to think they won't get blown out on their own; and they don't want to face the repercussions of setting precedent

2) Most coaches don't want to burn bridges b/c you never know when today's opponent isn't someone you will be trying to work with in the future

I tip my cap to Belichick and his crew for not giving a #### about where their next job might be coming from; but doing what needs to be done to win in THIS job.

You can proclaim kicking a team when they're down as a brave thing if you like; however, many others will simply call it poor sportsmanship. Sure, these are professionals, blah blah blah. Funny how so many great teams in the past chose not to do this. Wait, I know, they just weren't brave enough to run up the score. As always, you are entitled to your opinion. Hopefully I can have mine as well. Quit making excuses for boorish behavior. Even in pro sports, there is a place for mercy and sportsmanship. It wouldn't hurt for kids watching the game to learn a little about winning with class. (All FBG comedians, go ahead with the "what about the children?" mock posts now.)

The day I start looking toward the NFL to teach my sons about mercy and sportsmanship is the day I start teaching them morality from watching the gossip on Entertainment Tonight.

We're not talking about what is but what should be. With that in mind, why is the NFL entitled to an exception from conventional social custom in athletics such that someone running up the score shouldn't be criticized?

 

[Tom Baker]

When the Washington team stops using the offensive, racist "Redskin" as its team name, then I might take some interest when its players and fans start whining about other people having no class . . .

Yep, it's about as offensive as "Okie" is nowadays.

And just as the classy "Redskin" fans will decide what's offensive to Native Americans, Tom Brady will decide what's offensive to you. So stop the pathetic whining already . . .

 

[redman]

When the Washington team stops using the offensive, racist "Redskin" as its team name, then I might take some interest when its players and fans start whining about other people having no class . . .

Yep, it's about as offensive as "Okie" is nowadays.

And just as the classy "Redskin" fans will decide what's offensive to Native Americans, Tom Brady will decide what's offensive to you. So stop the pathetic whining already . . .

Please, do provide more stupid comparisons. :(

 

[barista]

What happens in hockey when a team runs the score up?

 

[NEUPJ]

There are going to be weeks, such as next week, where the Pats are going to need to be able to play a full 60 minutes of great football to win. It's not their problem that other teams can't stop them and look like a practice squad. Its the same reason why some coaches are against resting their starters after clinching home field. No team is ever going to play perfectly, but that's the goal, and the only way you can do that is try to improve on every series until the game is over.

The 2006 Pats lost in the AFC Championship because they couldn't sustain the pace they set in the first half and got beat by a very good Colts team.

Edit: I find this entire debate pretty comical on the same day the British fans were booing the Giants for taking a knee and not playing out the full 60 minutes of the game.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Maybe the Patriots should just "take a knee" now to stop running up their undefeated record and claim the Super Bowl title now.You know, so no other team gets embarassed or humiliated.Is this the Shark Pool or a Kindergarten Goldfish Bowl? Quit your bellyaching about running up scores.

It's not that the Patriots shouldn't go for the jugular every single game they play, because they should.But come on, they're up 38-0 and it's 4th down and you're going to throw and score passing TD's. We're not talking about 2 or 3 scores here, we're talking about a team scoring 7 Td's to win a game when they haven't scored a TD yet in the game, give me a freaken break. I am to the point where I could care freaken less. As a Cowboy fan, it couldn't happen to a nicer team in the Redskins, OK but let me just say I'm glad the team I root for isn't throwing TD passes and going on 4th down when up by 7 Td's in the 4th quarter. That's not the kind of team I like to root for.......but that's a personal choice. Granted, the Cowboys did some things I wouldn't like to personally do myself but when that stuff happened back in the day, I admitted I didn't like that either.The only poster I've seen who's a NE homer basically admit they're running up the score the wrong way is NE Revival. I'm kind of bummed that I see Brady doing those things because I watched him just about every week when he was in the Maize and Blue. He'd be the first to tell you he didn't do that kind of stuff when playing there. If you were up by 30 points in the 2nd half, you were getting a heavy dose of running, period. If they coudln't run 3 times and get 10 yards, then you'd punt and get an earful from the sideline on why you can't average 3.5 yards per carry when you want to run the ball.In the end, no matter what the best thing that can possibly happen for NE is a Super Bowl win. I hope it's worth it to him IF they do happen to win it to have Hall of Fame coaches jog the opposite way than you after a game because they want nothing to do with you.

 

[The Jerk]

To all those people complaining about the Pats running up the score? Remember this?

SUPERBOWL XX

Bellichick is simply ignoring the score and treating games like practices, running formations and schemes that he think will score. If you don't want your team used as a practice squad, don't have them act like one.

Is your point that the Patriots are doing this specifically because they were humiliated as a franchise 20+ years ago?Or is this a broader point, that somehwere in the history of professional sports there have been other blowouts.

Either way, finding other examples of classless behavior does not legitimize New England's behavior. Oklahoma won 79-10 this year. It doesn't change what the Patriots have done one bit.

 

[Ducegonads]

What happens in hockey when a team runs the score up?

The other team looses by alot?

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Maybe the Patriots should just "take a knee" now to stop running up their undefeated record and claim the Super Bowl title now.You know, so no other team gets embarassed or humiliated.Is this the Shark Pool or a Kindergarten Goldfish Bowl? Quit your bellyaching about running up scores.

I see similar phrases a lot in these threads. It's almost like an automatic response. Is there something "childish" in your eyes about sportsmanship? Is it more "manly" to you to embarrass an opponent? Is humiliation part of the "manliness" of sport to you? I'm starting to understand why youth sports is dominated by hot-headed parents who ruin the experience for children, and those children grow up to be the tools in stands that get in fights and kicked out of the games. They grew up that way as a result of their parenting. But I don't understand why folks can't see that when you're winning 38-0 in the fourth, and the game is over, and you're dominating, and they're demoralized...you could probably just run a few times and burn the clock. You don't have to punt on first down. Just run the clock.Why is that childish, or kindergarten-like? Win, and win decisively. Score a ton of points and shut them down. But don't continue to humiliate someone for no reason. It's still just one win. You have nothing to gain.

 

[Jason Wood]

I just want to go on record as the starter of this thread saying that I have no problem with this at all. If that is what he chooses to do then so be it. Like he said, "Its the defenses job to stop them; not the offenses job to stop trying."I think I read a quote from him in the past where he said, "We'll stop trying to score as soon as they stop trying to score. When their offense starts taking knees then we'll do the same." I have no problem with it which-so-ever. I was just posting the quotes.And "No." I am not a Pats fan. As sad as it is to admit; I am a Jets fan. :(

Not sure how this tread degenerated into 4 pages as it is summed up in the second post. If a team doesn't want to be scored on then they should not allow that to happen. If they can't do that, give the other team props and try to get better to play with them the next time. BTW, I hate the Pats and Bellicheat but what he said is dead on....

IN principle you should be able to score as much as you like , I agree. But in the NFL, when you have a lead has it or hasn't it been common ground to not run teams into the ground when the game is well within control, i.e , running out the clock or calling consecutive running plays.The part I have a problem with is people are acting like everyone shoulda known this is what happens, Other coaches don't represent they're team like this.This isnt the only sport where teams,players , or coaches have an un-written rules or etiquette that everyone follows based off of class. Sure if one guy breaks the etiquette hes "technically" allowed to do so but does that mean all the other guys don't feel slighted he broke the understanding they all had?In almost all racing, if your in last place and your about to get lapped by the 1st car, you dont HAVE to move out of the way, but they do, why is that when they should be trying to win too?Because its a common understanding amongst racers.

This is a league where the architect of what most consider the best defense in league history had monetary bonuses for head hunting.This is a league where receivers used to use stick em until it was banned.This is a league where clipping was a regular occurrence until it was ruled illegal.This is a league where cut blocking happens all the time.This is a league where it's considerable honorable to let a doctor cut off your digit to stay in the game.This is a league where players are injected with shots to numb potentially crippling injuries to tough it out.This is a league where players are expected to earn their pay by suiting up at times when they're likely doing irreparable long-term damage to their bodies.I've never understood this ridiculous notion that the NFL is honorable and morally pure. The league is a HUGE BUSINESS driven by profits and off the charts competitiveness from ownership to coaches to the players. They all play to win and make livings for their families. You can't have it both ways. You can't have a league that advocates physically destroying the well being of those who play the game and then suggest the Pats or someone else is not following an appropriate moral compass.

 

[The Jerk]

The day I start looking toward the NFL to teach my sons about mercy and sportsmanship is the day I start teaching them morality from watching the gossip on Entertainment Tonight.

In complete seriousness, please explain more completely why mercy and sportsmanship have zero place in the NFL. Do you believe society would be better if every team played cutthroat and tried to humiliate each other every week?

 

[Jason Wood]

What happens in hockey when a team runs the score up?

Who would know? It hockey even on TV anymore?

 

[Jason Wood]

The day I start looking toward the NFL to teach my sons about mercy and sportsmanship is the day I start teaching them morality from watching the gossip on Entertainment Tonight.

In complete seriousness, please explain more completely why mercy and sportsmanship have zero place in the NFL. Do you believe society would be better if every team played cutthroat and tried to humiliate each other every week?

Mercy has no place in professional sports; I think that's a very poor choice of words. Sportsmanship, on the other hand, should have a place. And I agree that Belichick isn't showing good sportsmanship. But I also think people whining about it are only doing so because a) he's an unlikable sort already and b ) he's not the coach of their team.

 

[Sleeper 43]

I don't think BB is intent on humiliating anyone, it probably doesn't much occur to him one way or the other.

I doubt he really even comprehends everyone fretting about loss margins, because whether you lost by 10 or 100 you still lost and that's the embarassing part about it. He is singularly focused on winning football games and doing pretty much anything in your power to guarantee that happens. It's just the way he's wired.

If you ask him the smart play on 4th and 2 from opponent's 38 yard line he's going to tell you to go for it most of the time. If you mention it's mid fourth quarter and you're up by 30some points, it doesn't really change the calculus in his mind, the smart play is still to go for it. The other guys' feelings just don't enter the equation.

Does that make him "classless"? Yeah, maybe it does. But it also makes him one hell of a football coach.

Parrot, you cant tell me leaving a game beatin by 10 is not different on your psyche than getting beat by 50+. One game, you lost, the other you got embarrassed. Again, Technically sure a loss is a loss but in the human mind there is a difference.

 

[mbuehner]

Lets put it this way: imagine your typical team when they are up 30 points at he half and their starters are done. They are standing on the sidelines with their pads off and baseball caps on, all smiles, jokin around and grab assing. Belichik doesnt want that. Nor does he want his starters finishing their final drives off by falling down at the line of scrimmage. He wants his team to smell blood, he wants his team to think about nothing, ever, except scoring points between the kickoff and final whistle. Not next week, not grab ###, not the cheerleaders, not the media. When you are wearing your pads you are going to execute to your best ability, period, no matter the score, no matter the situation. Winning is a habit. So is losing. So is losing concentration. You build bad habits real easily when you are winning, which is why so few teams can win consistantly, which is why no team has ever run the table in a 16 game season. Belichik clearly believes that you can train good habits by never getting lazy, never getting sloppy, never going out with the mental intention of punting the ball. You can like him or not, you can agree with his philosophy or not, but he has the track record, and he has the team. So too bad.

 

[biggyd]

If it is considered classless/ childish to run up the score then why do they keep records? Why aren't the 2000 rams, "the greatest show on turf", referred to a classless team?

 

[Jason Wood]

I don't think BB is intent on humiliating anyone, it probably doesn't much occur to him one way or the other.

I doubt he really even comprehends everyone fretting about loss margins, because whether you lost by 10 or 100 you still lost and that's the embarassing part about it. He is singularly focused on winning football games and doing pretty much anything in your power to guarantee that happens. It's just the way he's wired.

If you ask him the smart play on 4th and 2 from opponent's 38 yard line he's going to tell you to go for it most of the time. If you mention it's mid fourth quarter and you're up by 30some points, it doesn't really change the calculus in his mind, the smart play is still to go for it. The other guys' feelings just don't enter the equation.

Does that make him "classless"? Yeah, maybe it does. But it also makes him one hell of a football coach.

Parrot, you cant tell me leaving a game beatin by 10 is not different on your psyche than getting beat by 50+. One game, you lost, the other you got embarrassed. Again, Technically sure a loss is a loss but in the human mind there is a difference.

These are grown men paid millions of dollars to play that game. If it embarrasses them, GREAT. As a fan I would hope it drives my team to be that much more determined to never let that happen to them again.Do you think grown men being paid millions to play this game need their egos massaged? And if they do, do you really want them playing on your team?