BREAKING NEWS....(NFL RELATED)

[fez]

And just in case you were unaware, college football is a pretty fucking big business too, and they wouldn't be very pleased if one team continued to run up the score week in and week out.

with the BCS, college football is the one sport where running up the score is just about a requirement. if a big name team doesnt trounce a smaller school or just eeks out a win, it actually can result in the big name school dropping in the standings.

so belgian, what do you suggest? a mercy rule in pro football?

remember, the detroit lions put up 34 points in the 4th quarter a couple weeks ago. teams have come back from as much as 32 points behind to win games.

[SuperGaper]

If you read TMQ I think Greg Eastabrook covers this well. Win with dignity, lose with honor.
And to those who say they are rubbing it in the NFL's face for the cheating thing- cool, your pissed off as a team because you were CAUGHT cheating.
Live it up New England, one day the shoe will be on the other foot. All it takes is one retaliatory cheap shot on Brady and the season looks a lot different.

And Nick, keep fighting the good fight.

And yes, I'm one of those people who think Pete Rose should never enter the hall in his lifetime.

[SuperGaper]

with the BCS, college football is the one sport where running up the score is just about a requirement. if a big name team doesnt trounce a smaller school or just eeks out a win, it actually can result in the big name school dropping in the standings.

so belgian, what do you suggest? a mercy rule in pro football?

remember, the detroit lions put up 34 points in the 4th quarter a couple weeks ago. teams have come back from as much as 32 points behind to win games.

Uhm, if you are a pro- run the ball up the middle, kick a field goal on 4th down, kneel down at the end of the game. Play like you are men. Not insecure boys.

[laseranimal]

this isn't college or High School where one team can potentially be vastly superior to the other due to factors beyond the control of the athletes or coaches. Theres no way that a school like Harvard or Yale is gonna be able to compete with Florida or Ohio State on a football field.

This is the pros, you want better players, scout better, draft better, spend your money wisely on Free Agents, and hire the best coaching staff/front office talent you can.

I always used to think it was BS when Baseball owners like Carl Pohlad complain that they can't compete. You're one of the 400 richest Americans, don't tell me you don't have money to get players

[shamrockpow]

If you read TMQ I think Greg Eastabrook covers this well. Win with dignity, lose with honor.
And to those who say they are rubbing it in the NFL's face for the cheating thing- cool, your pissed off as a team because you were CAUGHT cheating.
Live it up New England, one day the shoe will be on the other foot. All it takes is one retaliatory cheap shot on Brady and the season looks a lot different.

And Nick, keep fighting the good fight.

And yes, I'm one of those people who think Pete Rose should never enter the hall in his lifetime.

Two things:
1. The Pats are not pissed at getting caught cheating (what they got caught doing is not that different from what every other team tries to do -- why else does Andy Reid send the plays in with the play card covering his mouth?). They are pissed at the reaction around the league and from the mediots, especially those that said this "tainted" the three rings that the PLAYERS won. Easterbrook, in particular, is a prime example of the species. You're backing the words of an Iraq War-loving, global warming-denying, Jew and Belichik conspiracy theorist believer who actually believes that his shit don't stink and his columns are funny. So good luck with that. Champ.

2. As for the actual matter at hand. This is the NFL. There is a salary cap. All teams start with a level playing field. Is it 100% the right thing to do? No. But this is not boxing. The ref isn't going to step in and give you a standing eight count.

And rightly so because attacking a defenseless opponent in the NFL will lead to little more than hurt feelings. It has been clear for weeks now that the Pats are sending a message to the rest of the league. If you don't want to get embarrassed, play better and play till the gun. Period. I expect Indy has taken notice and it should be a great game next week.

Also: what Laser said

[pheenster]

All it takes is one retaliatory cheap shot on Brady and the season looks a lot different.

Bingo. And all those here saying that it's somehow OK to go for it on 4th and short while up 38-0 will be the first to scream bloody murder.

All that talent and three Super Bowls, and yet the Patriots organization somehow remains utterly devoid of class from top to bottom.

[kellen]

While New England does have some talent on that team, something just seems fishy about how they are able to do this, especially considering the ruling after week one.

Yes, they have a future hall of fame QB under center and a pretty good wideout, but how does someone like Wes Walker do NOTHING for any club than ends up in the patriots system and is somehow now having 100+ yard games without catching a sweat?

I'm not really a conspiracy theorist, but I want to think something is going on in Gillette stadium. I know it's not impossible for a team to go 8-0, but look at all the major teams that have had long unbeaten streaks - they all had lots of high quality star talent all over the field on both sides of the ball. The pats have talent, but they seem to be able to also take some rotten apricots and turn it into the most delicious lemonade in the world (figuratively of course).

Let's see what happens next week. Indy is pretty darn solid on both sides of the ball, so it will certainly be an interesting game. However, if a matchup of two 7-0 teams turns into another New England massacre, I think the league needs to think about investigating.

</rant>

[Sirshredalot]

kellen - go get yourself a tin foil hat.

[cinnepa]

class does not = belladick. oh, and nice cut-off sweatshirt you tool.

[yooper]

I'm still waiting for someone to justify not kicking the fieldgoal when up 38-0. I've already posed the statement twice with no response.

I'm not a Patriot fan, and certainly not a Belechick fan, but I think I can defend this... If you kick a field goal, that's 3 points virtually guaranteed from that distance. By going for it, they are giving the Redskins a chance to step up and stop them. If they can't, they can't. What are the Patriots supposed to do in this situation, take a knee???

The Patriots were just running their offense.... nothing more. It just so happened that everyone was covering their blocking assignments, and executing properly. I don't understand how New England can "let up"... What? Not play hard? Every game they play, they are PREPARING to win the Super Bowl. Everything you can get on film counts. You want to see how certain plays look against cetain defenses, and in certain downs and distances. I can understand what they were doing. These are two PRO teams... It's not like the University of Michigan beating up on poor little Appalachian State (oh...wait.. well, you get my point.)

All that being said, if the Pats would have done that to the Lions, I'd be pissed today. At the Lions.

[SkiDork]

Why would you run the score up like that??!! That is just pure asshattery. If you're that far ahead just lay off, its not like you're proving anything. That is low class right there.

That said next week's game will be fun. I think Indy can run up the score on that Pats D (the Dolphins put up 28) but I don't know if they'll be able to slow the Pats O enough to yank it out. That is the key to the game really.

The thing that is supposed to prevent a team from running up the score is the OTHER teams defense, not the head coach of the offensive team.

[cinnepa]

with THAT type of lead, don't you want to protect your starters for the rest of the season - what would bella say if brady or moss was injured with the big lead?

[Tuckerman]

with THAT type of lead, don't you want to protect your starters for the rest of the season - what would bella say if brady or moss was injured with the big lead?

The Pats put third stringers in, they need practice also at full speed. Now, show some respect for one of the greatest NFL teams of all time chumps.

[cinnepa]

The Pats put third stringers in, they need practice also at full speed. Now, show some respect for one of the greatest NFL teams of all time chumps.

ahhhh, that's good - didn't watch the game.

[Tuckerman]

ahhhh, that's good - didn't watch the game.

are you say there were no 3ed stringers in? Or that the 2007 New England Patriots are not one of the best NFL teams of all time?

[Brock Landers]

I'm not a Patriot fan, and certainly not a Belechick fan, but I think I can defend this... If you kick a field goal, that's 3 points virtually guaranteed from that distance. By going for it, they are giving the Redskins a chance to step up and stop them. If they can't, they can't. What are the Patriots supposed to do in this situation, take a knee???

The Patriots were just running their offense.... nothing more. It just so happened that everyone was covering their blocking assignments, and executing properly. I don't understand how New England can "let up"... What? Not play hard? Every game they play, they are PREPARING to win the Super Bowl. Everything you can get on film counts. You want to see how certain plays look against cetain defenses, and in certain downs and distances. I can understand what they were doing. These are two PRO teams... It's not like the University of Michigan beating up on poor little Appalachian State (oh...wait.. well, you get my point.)

All that being said, if the Pats would have done that to the Lions, I'd be pissed today. At the Lions.

Totally agree. Kicking the field goal is putting points on the board AND RUNNING UP THE SCORE. By going for it on 4th down you keep the clock moving or turn the ball over (if the other side stops you). Either way, going for it doesnt put points on the board OR run up the score. They scored running 4th string halfbacks from Navy and a third string QB. If Washington cant stop that, they dont deserve their paychecks and their fans should be mad at them for wasting their money- dont be mad at the Patriots because you couldnt stop their practice squad.

[warthog]

Some of you are really out there. There is no conspiracy, they are a great team. Classless? I think not. They win as a team, they celebrate as a team. There is no me me me, look at me, look at what I did, they are a true TEAM. They are the only team that could reign in Moss, and make him act like a real person. They were "caught" doing something that was a common practice for many teams, right or wrong.

As for running up the score, I remember many a cold New England day at Foxboro, watching many many teams do the same to a then pathetic Pats team. In fact, I remember watching Marino play for the first time against the Pats. They scored two on us while my dad and I walked from the Stadium to the car. The score was at least 48-0, if not more.

It happens. Teams will get better. This is the pros, act like it. Next week is going to be one of the greatest games EVAH!

[warthog]

Bingo. And all those here saying that it's somehow OK to go for it on 4th and short while up 38-0 will be the first to scream bloody murder.

All that talent and three Super Bowls, and yet the Patriots organization somehow remains utterly devoid of class from top to bottom.

I was talking to you. If you think they are classless, let me introduce you to the 90's Cowboys or the Raiders. You really need to think before posting.

[mackstraw]

I have a whole lot of trouble feeling sorry for pour mouthing Joe Gibbs in any situation. As for the game, I don't care about the scoring. I would rather see good football well executed than just watch someone mail it in, what is a team supposed to do, get up by a certain number and then just do thee runs right into the pile and punt?
Practice excellence, perform with excellence and it becomes a habit, do the opposite and sloppiness also becomes a habit. I don't care much for the Pats, or their coach, but I like the way they play ball. I also like the way the team conducts itself, no TO showing off and being mouthy, no players getting arrested en masse like the Bengals do, just play the game, kick the other teams teeth in and then go home, thats life, thats football.
Can anyone remember another defending champ flying so far under the radar as the Colts have this year? Another 6-0 start, yet its the pats with the bulls eye on their backs, the colts gotta love it, but also be a bit pissed about getting no respect.

[pappag]

Totally agree. Kicking the field goal is putting points on the board AND RUNNING UP THE SCORE. By going for it on 4th down you keep the clock moving or turn the ball over (if the other side stops you). Either way, going for it doesnt put points on the board OR run up the score. They scored running 4th string halfbacks from Navy and a third string QB. If Washington cant stop that, they dont deserve their paychecks and their fans should be mad at them for wasting their money- dont be mad at the Patriots because you couldnt stop their practice squad.

Wrong - kicking the field goal in that situation is the expected thing. Have you not watched a blowout game where one Team A turns the ball over inside their own territory AND puts the Team B in fieldgoal range with a significant time left in the game? Significant meaning if they take a knee 3 times in a row, the clock will have yet to run out.

In case you haven't seen this scenario played out, Team B runs 3 times up the middle and kicks the fieldgoal. What Team B doesn't do (and what I've never seen in my 20+ years watching professional football) is go for it inside the redzone on 4th down late in the game.




I hope the Pats continue such play. Either a valuable player gets injured or they instill that much more motivation for a team with no hope in accomplishing anything for the season. If I was a member of the '72 Dolphins, I would begin ordering vast quantities of champagne.

[Brock Landers]

Kickiing the field goal is expected? By who? Kicking the field goal puts points on the board. That is the definition of running up the score. Kicking the field goal is saying "ya know what...we just want to tack on 3 more...because we can". Running the ball on 4th down either gives the team the ball back or continues to run out the clock. Eventually, they may score a touchdown...but what are they supposed to do? Kneel? Turn the ball over on purpose? What is this, 3rd grade tee ball? These are competitive players and professional teams. The third string QB does not want to go in and kneel. The defensive line doesnt want a pity party where the offense KNEELS because the defense cant take it. Run it on 4th down...if you can stop it, great, have some pride. If not, try again on a set of downs. Just dont give me this KNEEL bullshit. These players are men, competitive well trained men, who do this for a profession. On both sides of the ball. Its the nature of the beast.

[StormRider]

Kickiing the field goal is expected? By who? Kicking the field goal puts points on the board. That is the definition of running up the score. Kicking the field goal is saying "ya know what...we just want to tack on 3 more...because we can". Running the ball on 4th down either gives the team the ball back or continues to run out the clock. Eventually, they may score a touchdown...but what are they supposed to do? Kneel? Turn the ball over on purpose? What is this, 3rd grade tee ball? These are competitive players and professional teams. The third string QB does not want to go in and kneel. The defensive line doesnt want a pity party where the offense KNEELS because the defense cant take it. Run it on 4th down...if you can stop it, great, have some pride. If not, try again on a set of downs. Just dont give me this KNEEL bullshit. These players are men, competitive well trained men, who do this for a profession. On both sides of the ball. Its the nature of the beast.

I love when other people say what I want to say only better than I could have said it. Thank you, Brock.

[pappag]

Like I've said, you clearly haven't watched enough NFL in your life Brock to comprehend how this situation is played out. Talk to any coach at any level, and they will agree with me.

[MassLiberal]

If you read TMQ I think Greg Eastabrook covers this well. Win with dignity, lose with honor.
And to those who say they are rubbing it in the NFL's face for the cheating thing- cool, your pissed off as a team because you were CAUGHT cheating.
Live it up New England, one day the shoe will be on the other foot. All it takes is one retaliatory cheap shot on Brady and the season looks a lot different.

And Nick, keep fighting the good fight.

And yes, I'm one of those people who think Pete Rose should never enter the hall in his lifetime.

Greg Easterbrook is a whiny little slut who sucks Peytons cock every opportunity he gets.

[72Twenty]

Damn. As much as I hate the Patriots, I should have drafted Brady for my fantasy team when I had the chance. DOH!

I still think the Superbowl is going to be New England against Dallas.