Maybe he should concentrate on gee. . . . . .  I don't know. . . . . . maybe  putting some points on the board, rather than feeling sorry for himself, or that pathetic display on Sunday.  Practice should be fun on Tuesday though. What a D-bag, talking about 'Respect' have some respect for yourself & keep your opponent to 21 pts next week.  

my problem is why are they going to it on 4th and 1 at the 3.  kick the FG a-holes!!

They won't keep that up all year without regretting it.  I can guarantee that.

Totally agree w/u on that.

I just look at their opponents for this Sunday, leading by not nearly as much on the Panthers we saw Jim Sorgi and Kenton Kieth and no stretching the field. School in the summer, school in the summer...

Before everyone gets all up in arms, consider the fact that if the Redskins stopped them on that ONE PLAY, the Pats would have walked away with ZERO points on that drive. The Patriots gave up the chance at a guaranteed 3 points, and gave the Redskins a chance to hold them to none at all. And the Redskins blew it. And somehow that's the Patriots' fault? Are the Redskins not an NFL team anymore or something?

   Here's the thing, they didn't give up the chance to get a "guaranteed 3 points ". You're just plain foolish if you believe that they weren't trying to run up the score. All they had to do is kick that field goal take their 3 points and go on about there business and the outrage isn't nearly as bad as it is today. That's why they have a kicker.

    What indication did you get during that game that they were just trying to win? Was it when they left Tom Brady in when the game was well out of hand? Was it throwing go routes to Randy Moss when the game was out of hand? Was it going for it on down when the game is out of hand? 

    I understand that on somedays everything you call works but when you're up by as much as they were as late as they were the only thing you should be calling is a dive and that's it. I know this may not make sense to you now because you are a Pats fan but I'm almost certain that a majority of the other people around here would agree with me.  

Hoodie needs to realize that in today's NFL, teams that are great one year can be dreck the next. Even if he moves on, there will be some long memories and some people just itching to give the Patriots a royal beatdown.

I'm not saying I don't see your point. But the bottom line is, the Patriots didn't embarrass the Redskins. The Redskins embarrassed themselves.

Every year, the "best" team always seems to stumble at some point. By endorsing this relentless mentality, he's setting themselves up to succeed. This is a team that never gives up, whether up or down, and they are proving to themselves that they are never out of a game, and no one in this league can come close to them at their best.

Although some of these teams might not enjoy it, this is a Patriots team that isn't going to beat themselves, and will push everyone, all the time.

So your logic is that by them acting like jerks in week 8, they won't stumble in week 15? I don't see how going for it on 4th down when your up by a million points means you won't beat yourself later in the year? More practice time?

This is just a big F U to the league and trying to play for records.

All they would have to do is put Cassel in there in the 4th quarter. Then when they score some more points, there will be a lot less complaining. (It'll still happen, but not like it is now).

its Bill Belichek trying to say F-U to the NFL.  Really, find me information on teams going for it in that situation. my guess is 99% of teams would kick a FG there. I can understand when you are on the 40 with 2 minutes and punting extends the game. This was on the 2 and they were trying to score again. You win by 40+ points and pass the ball 40+ times.   It doesn't make sense. I hope for Pats fans that Brady doesn't get rolled up by some defender pissed off they are running up the score.  I know if I was a defender, the second Brady leaves the pocket...I am hitting him harder than I can hit anyone.  And Moss is going to get the same thing. If he comes across the middle, I wouldn't be surprised if people start gunning for him and not the ball.  He's a cheater who pushes off consistantly.

 

I agree with Stink (sadly).ESPN

NO CLASS. I wouldn't be surprised to see teams start taking cheep shots on Brady or Moss or some other Patriot players as they run deep patterns just trying to run up the score.

We all say it's classless to do touchdown dances, or taunt players (standing over an injured player after a big hit), we say to act like you've been there before.  Those actions show the same lack of class that running up the score and going for it on 4th downs show.  There is something to be said about winning with class and the Patriots are not doing that this year.  If I was a head coach I would not shake Bills hand after something like that. 

This is the pros you show some respect, show some class."
This is the pros, take it like a man and dont let it happen

"This is the pros you show some respect, show some class."
This is the pros, take it like a man and dont let it happen
I see where he is coming from, but i disagree. Honestly, i hope they meet again and i doubt the story will be any different. I have respect for washington, but i don't think they need to be dissing another team because they won big and they kept going for the big gain. its football, fans like high scores and big hits. if a team has the chance to put up 50+ points, i doubt a team will give that up. they did all the work in the week for that sunday and there isnt really a great reason to do everything for just a quarter or a half. play the whole game, take the results. it doesnt matter if you lose 8-7 or 52-7, it wont make a change in the W/L collumn

I agree that going for it on fourth down is pretty stupid. But for god sakes Washington, STOP THEM BEFORE THEY GET DOWN THERE. Damn that supposedly have a top tier defensive backfield, have some balls man up and cover your guy or take your beat down like a man.

I am not defending Belichick for running up the score and going for it on 4th down, but the Redskins have no right to bitch and moan over something they could have prevented if they weren't playing like girls.

So how is that the Patriots fault. Dammit, this isn't High School or College, they get paid to do their job and if they can't do it, how can you blame the team that is smoking them.

Their job is to entertain, not disrespect each other.

They need to tone it down a little on offense when they are up by 40 some odd points. Thats about it. Its funny to be this guy just got destroyed and he starts complaining that the Patriots destroyed them too badly??? This is the funniest thing Ive seen in a while. If you don't want to lose so bad, be a better coach you jerkoff. Train your team better. Change the coaching staff. Do something. You're not completely powerless. Don't find some petty reason to point the magnifying glass away from your teams debacle of a performance because you don't like what it will reveal.

Now that being said, the Patriots could tone it down a little when they're on offense up by 35 or whatever atrocity Brady threw for in the first half.
Problem is they're usually up by this many by halftime so what are they supposed to do? Run their slow motion offense for 30 minutes a game?

I have Wes Welker on my fantasy team... I SAY GO FOR IT!!!

WRONG. I would like my teams to show some class and not show other teams up.  There are players, and coaches that I hate but I have respect for and then there are other coaches and player I have no respect for.  I used to have a lot of respect for Bill Belichick as a coach, now I have none.

Your right on there about the Redskins (players and coaches) not having a right to complain.  Take your whipping and go figure out a way to keep it from ever happening again.

I don't blame the fans for being angry though.  I didn't watch the game but it does sound Belichick was rubbing a little salt in the wounds.  Maybe he's trying to let everyone know that the can beat the tar out of everybody with or without the video taping.

My logic is that if they maintain a consistently aggressive attitude, and never let up at any point, no matter who the opponent, then they probably won't fall prey to the "trap game" that everyone eventually succumbs to, later in the season.

Can you honestly say that what they were doing was playing the game the right way??

Don't wine because RIGHT NOW the Pats are "treating the NFL like a varsity high school team", because if for even a game that was your team, who ever you are with, you would love the hell out of it.  Every second, every down and if it's 4th & 1 on the 3rd... YOU would want your team to go for it, if they had the slightest chance to make it.  No matter what the score is... FOOTBALL IS THE BEST TYPE OF WAR WE GOT!!!! So Boys & Girls, if you don't like that the Pats for this week are the shit, don't watch.  We'll see you when it's your turn, then we'll see how that game goes. 

Have you never heard "GO BIG OR GO HOME!" would you want someone working for you if they didn't give you 100% of thier ability every time they got up to do what they get paid big bucks for?  Come on, my specialty I dam well better out preform the other side.... every time with everything I got.  So why should a football player do any different.  We pay to watch our team win, so what if they happy to blow someone out the water one week, we want to see that!!! Wouldn't you, if your team did it?

than again, like i said before, they havent played the packers yet

Yeah but in college it shouldn't happen. In the NFL it doesn't matter, these guys are paid to do what they do, if they can't do their job then why should it be the other teams job to let them off the hook. Now, I agree there are better ways to keep your team sharp, but the only people who should be complaining are Patriots fans because Belichick is leaving the #1 players in there to risk injury. Not the Redskins guys girls.

Grow a pair, punch somebody in the face and make Belichick look like a fool for keeping his guys in there. QUIT BITCHING.

Hey.....let's stop all of this "let up in the 2nd half" talk.  I have Tom Brady & Wes Welker (whom I drafted before the season, might I add) on my fantasy team for goodness sakes!!!

 

Geez....

 

 

If it's any other duo in the league, I'm thinking they should chill out a little when they're up by four scores.  But not Brady.    (Just don't get him hurt!!!)

Grown men can't handle being scored on :(

normally thats not a problem

If you want to call it "running up the score", that's fine. Some would call it "playing hard the whole game". Belichick expects that of his team in a close game, and he expects it in a blowout. And if he continues to show that he will tolerate nothing but 100% effort throughout the entire game, it will lead to more victories.

It's obvious to me that no one defending the Pats has been on a 2-21 team (as I was).  It's one thing to get beat, it's another to know going in that your team has NO shot, it's far, far worse with things like this.  Now a FIVE touchdown AND one field goal lead with 10 minutes left is too dicey for Cassel and company to hold?  I'm waiting (and afraid) for someone to go Charles Martin and ruin Brady's career.

It made me sick to see the Patriots on fourth down.  Godfrey was right to call him out on it.

 

You didn't see the Colts pulling that crap on the Panthers this week.  Instead, Dungy put the second team in and ran out the clock.

  It's called running up the score because it is plain and simple, you say the it's playing hard the whole game going for it on 4th downs when you're up by 30 plus points when you're in field goal range is running up the score. I'm sorry to break it to you this way, but it's about time someone does. 

    For the rest of you Pats fans who said someone should take a shot at Brady and/or Moss when they're running up the score. I get the feeling you're just saying that, because as soon as someone does you guys will start throwing around terms like classless forgetting what your team did to deserve such a thing. 

There are things you say to the press and there are things you don't, I'm sure Joe Gibbs being an old school knows this as well.

Last Sunday was one of the moct classless showings of a pro team I've ever seen. What was Belichick trying to prove? Next time he tries that crap I hope someone snaps Brady's leg. Even as a neutral Bears fan, I was mad just watching... 

How disrespectful would it have been to run on the cheerleaders on to play them? C'mon enough of these 'unwritten rules'. Honestly...the League should introduce a towel to throw in if coaches wanted to call it quits. That's not disrespecting the players or paying fans is it? Some games could be over by the first quarter...

Being up in the first half isn't the issue here the way they were playing in the 4th quarter is the issue. I'm not expecting alot of Patriots fans to understand (so far none of  them seem to).

Everything will come back to haunt this organization, hopefully as soon as next week if (when) the Colts kick their butts in Indy.

I think the Patriots should lay off a little but more importantly I understand. The Patriots are pissed because they lost that 1st round pick and all the teams voted FOR it.

Yeah you say that proudly now but one of these days dont be surprised if they are "playing hard the whole game" and they have their starters in the 4th quarter up 50 points and someone big gets hurt, like a Brady or a Moss.

Wow Grown men crying!!!!!! Belichick is just proving a point. You get it yet!!!!!! Should Brady Kneel Down when they are up by 35 Points . Then that would be humilating to the Skins or whom ever they are playing. Stop them. You are a profesional sports team!!!!!!  If your guys did not give up when they are down that much then you might do alittle better>>>>> Go Pats     and every one else stop CRYING 

Some players feel taking the FG is unsportmanlike (guaranteed 3 points). Other's think kneeling with a full quarter to play is rubbing it in.  You can't make everyone happy in a lop-sided victory.

 

Brady stated that they would have run it more if Washington wasn't stacking the line. They decided throwing for first downs and working the clock was better than having Heath Evans (Maroney was sitting in the fourth quarter) get his head ripped off by running into a sea of angry Redskins.

 

Their Job is not to entertain it is to score points and tht is what they did.

A small, tiny minority of people think kneeling and kicking the FG instead of going for it is unsportsmanlike.

Kneeling at the START of the 4th quarter can be construed that way, yes. Kicking a field goal from the 45 yard line, OK that's a little crazy. But to kneel when there's only a minute or two left in the game and to kick the FG instead of running a 4th down scoring play, that's where I think it goes over the line.

That's why you run up the score... to get more victories? This is how you must have reacted in the 4th quarter Sunday then: "Oh YEAH, did you see that Matt Cassel scramble? That really helped put one in the W column for us...and that clutch grab by Wes Welker to add some insurance to a 45-0 lead?" I'm not great at math, but I'm pretty sure you get as much as a win in the standings when you win 38-7 as when you do 56-0.

 

You're mistaken, running up the score makes enemies, not wins. One day it'll bite them because the whole league has now seen what an a$$ Bill Belichick is on national TV. Hopefully the Colts were watching, and take no prisoners next week in Indy.

Same reason you don't steal bases with a 10 point lead in the 9th inning.

I have personaly seen the redsox blow a ten point lead, so what is you point. It is foot ball. Ben Utec from the Colts Was on ESPN and has no problem with how the pats are playing right now. He said this is pro football and you play hard. So if an actual Colt does not have a problem why do you all???????  Stop Crying and Go Pats

 

Clearly, you are lost and confused. Because your comment had nothing to do with what I said in any way, shape or form whatsoever.

I'm not saying one win counts more than another if they win by more, but I AM saying that if the Patriots are playing balls-to-the-wall on every play no matter what the score is, there's a lower chance that they'll get complacent and lose a game down the road.

This is why they play no holds bard soxfan90. Because they cant slow down or they could lose. You wrote "Hopefully the Colts were watching, and take no prisoners next week in Indy." I hope the Colts bring there A game so there are no excuses. But One thing I can Gaurantee is that the Pats will not give up if they are down by 35 like other teams do.  They will play hare till the end.  The Redskins folded and  they had nothing towards the end. It is there fault they lost by such a lagre margin.  Go Pats

Whine, Whine, Whine.
B*tch, B*tch, B*tch.
Moan, Moan, Moan.

There, do I now sound like (almost) every other non-Pat fan?

I have no problem with them going for it on 4th & 1. I have no problem with them leaving Brady in. I have no problem with them scoring 52 points. It's their own risk they are willing to take with football being such a physical sport, and if they keep going for it, it might end up catching up to them...so? What does that have to do with the other team? I do have a problem, however, with how sad of a defense Washington has. I just wish someone could make a Dan Hawkins-esque  "THIS IS PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL!" rant.

As Herm Edwards so eloquently puts it, "You play to win the game." You do NOT play just to get the amount of points you think you need. You do NOT play for entertainment purposes. You play because you are paid to do it, and if you just do "too good" of a job doing it, then too f-in bad for the rest of you. If you think it's just so damn classless that they score too many points on another team, here's a box of tissues for you.

What's interesting to me though, is to see all of these people that are crying that its so classless think that the only "fair" thing to do is go after one of Brady's legs, or knock Moss out till next year...yea, that makes a ton of sense. Forget trying to make your defenses better so it won't allow 400 yards and 50+ points every time they play; instead, go after a team you basically are already telling yourself is a whole lot better than you, and you have to intentionally injure one of them to have a chance..You guys, way to show true "class" on that one.

Just to add on a little bit more -- where exactly in the rulebooks does it state that one team is not allowed, under any circumstance, to win by "too many" points? Just because New England was so much better than Washington last Sunday, means they can't play offense for the entire last quarter of the game? They have to just run the ball three times, be sure to run down the clock, and punt it just so everybody else is happy? Please.

Yea, they have a kicker for a reason; but they have an offense for a reason too. To score points. Sorry if they are doing their job better than the rest of the NFL.

I understand why some players and fans as well would be angry.  If i was playin' D and a team was just relentless in thier offensive attack i would get pretty angry too.  If it was my favorite team getting routed that bad, same thing.  I was watching the game thinking, what are they doing?  I thought it was pretty foolish to have starters in as late as they were and playing the way they were.  Thats a real good way to get one of your star players hurt.  Either inadvertantly or by a defender gunning to take out some frustrations.  I promise you, a DE takes a hard late hit penalty on Brady near the end of the game and he's coming out of the game right now.  Sure the DE gets a fine and maybe a suspension, but he makes his point. 

 

That being said; if you don't want to get the score ran up on you, step up and play some D. 

I really don't care about this issue too much, but maybe the Patriots could play balls to the wall in the 4th quarter with Matt Cassel instead of Tom Brady. I believe that so far this season, with as dominant as New England has been, he has only 5 pass attempts. For a guy who was really just a backup in college, maybe he should get some actual NFL experience is these situations because they may not always be there.

Maybe if his 2nd pass attempt of the season didn't get run back for a TD, Cassel would be getting more reps.

So Matt Cassel's scramble really will help them down the road?

Yes because he was giving a million percent that's all that matters, sportsmanship doesn't. The sooner we realize this the better off we'll all be.  

Maybe Mr. "Belicheat", considering his history of using technology to his advantage, has developed a way of traveling time from week to week during a season where he can use the TD's his team scored in the 4th quarter of a blowout early in the season and transfer/convert them to another game later on in the season that is a lot closer. 

 

Is that what could possibly be meant by Pat saying that running up the score gives his team future advantages down the road? Sadly, this could be the only possible explaination for such poor sportsmanship. With that said, there's NO EXCUSE for what happened Sunday!

 

When the Patriots win the Super Bowl again, no one will be able to say that Belichick was wrong. You guys can take your sportsmanship and your "we'll let up on you if you suck really bad" attitude and keep losing games, like all of your teams are doing. Until the Patriots actually lose a game, I don't think you can really question Belichick's methods.

I'm not going to explain myself again, because apparently your mind isn't developed enough to comprehend what I've already said twice. But when the Patriots stomp the Colts on Sunday, maybe you'll understand a little better why Belichick demands 100% from his team on every play of the game.

Little known fact. Norv Turner actually only demands around 73% from his team on every play.

Then why is everyone saying that the Patriots should stop trying to score when they're up by a few TD's? That's not 100%.

A few is not 6 in the 4th quarter.

If Belichick's methods are so great, then why didn't he win with the Browns? If it weren't for Drew Bledsoe getting hurt within the first few weeks of the 01' season, the Beli-chick would be selling pizza right now.

Maybe not, but many of us were there when the Pats sucked. We watched Plunkett, Eason, Grogan, and even an early Bledsoe get hammered and go down. I think Brady is safer running up the score than any of those guys were. And I don't understand the venom aimed at the entire team. What do you expect the players to do, tell the coach they don't want to play hard late in the game because they might hurt someone's feelings? Geez!!

But he's not, and he has 3 Super Bowl rings, and is poised for another, so your point is moot. Thanks for saying absolutely nothing worthwhile.

 Bellichick and his boys are diminishing their own legacy????? By winning. Everyone is so quick to say The pats are running up the score and that is an opinion. Has Bill Told you that for a fact? You are very vague with you statement "Not saying for them to stop trying to score, just saying that they could practice what has been standard in the NFL since the merger" Whats that???  How do you think the patriots should handle a 30 point lead in the begining of the 3rd quarter?? What do you think they should do. Please answer that???

Or anyone out here What should the Pats do with a 30 Point lead in the begining of the 3rd quarter???

You're arguing whether or not they are running up the score.  That is how they are diminishing their legacy.  Whether or not its true it besides the point because the first thing that will come to mind when the general public thinks of the Patriots is the lack of class they showed. 

dont you know by now that BeliCHEAT is the ONLY NFL COACH that demands 100% from his players on every play.  Just ask ANY Patriots fan- they will tell you- I'm sure of it. LOL

If every team Demands 100% from there players then why dont they just shake hand and say good game. Not cry about the score. I am sure most teams Demand it , but that does not mean they get it. 

how about they send the cheerleaders out in shoulder pads?  Maybe the skins could have gotten a TD then?

thats a GREAT way to put it. Maybe YOU should teach the Patriots Coach HOW to shake the opponents hand after the game. that would be a great start, dont you think? Considering he has a HABIT of NOT shaking hands after the game.

My problem is not with the players.  Yes, they should go all-out on every play.  My problem IS with the coach for using the face of the team, if not the league, in such situations.  What can be gained for Brady by throwing a last-minute TD for a 40 point win?  Matt Cassell  could benefit in that spot.  Last time I checked, though, the NFL won't let anyone play while wearing a baseball cap.

Belichick hasn't won three Super Bowls, his players have. Any coach in America can win with the talent he's had (or when you know Peyton Manning's hand signals). Give him a team with just descent talent (like the Browns when he coached them) and that's when the real Beli-cheat comes out. If it weren't for a random 6th round quarterback who didn't even start for half of his college senior season bursting onto the scene in a way that no one foresaw, then forget the genius label, forget the three Super Bowls, and make your delivery within the next 5 minutes!

 

He's nothing more then the beneficary of an ideal situation for any coach. You call him a genius, I call it being in the right place at the right time.

The Chargers and the Colts certainly have talent, but the Colts can't stop the run and the Chargers secondary is vulnerable to big plays. As good as both are, they are still far inferior to the Pats from a talent standpoint position by position. I honestly can't even name one position on the Pats that is a weakness. They're probably the only team in NFL history that can make such a claim.

 

Belichick comes across as a "genius", but when you have a team with talent that can beat you in so many ways and that is capable of playing so many different styles, any game plan is a good game plan. 

The reason for the talent is not a fluke. either they find players that want to work in his system or they draft very well. They have let some good talent walk over the years because they thought they were asking for too much money. Belichick prepares better than anyother coach and his players beleive in him 100% and Give 100%. But you call that running up the score>>LOL  I guess he coaches the Newly vamped CELTICS TOO. They ran up the score on the Wizards tonite can you beleive they were actually trying to score in the 4th Period. They should have held the ball!!!!!

When you show me where I said that he won 3 Super Bowls all by himself, then I will consider this post to be relevant. However, what I was was "He has 3 Super Bowl rings, and is poised for another".

Please try to deny that Bill Belichick has 3 Super Bowl rings as a head coach in the NFL. I would love to see how ridiculous you can make yourself look, and how low you can possibly stoop. Go for it.

I like teams giving 100% too, but when you're up 52-0, give 100% effort into running the clock out. You think that handing the ball off and trying to plow over defenders in order to reach the 1st down marker doesn't require 100% effort from the guys up front?

 

So you know, since you obviously missed the Celtics/Wizards game tonight, the Wizards outscored the Celtics 26-24 in the 4th...hardly "running up the score", and enjoy it while it lasts...it's only a matter of time before the egos of the aging Allen, Garnett, and Pierce crash, and good luck trying to rebuild again with the hapless Danny Ainge in a few years when all three are past their primes. 

FYI, here are some late game numbers for the Patriots, in games in which some people might think they were running up the score.

2nd half scoring: Chargers 14, Patriots 14
2nd half scoring: Browns 17, Patriots 14
2nd half scoring: Dolphins 28, Patriots 7
4th quarter scoring: Patriots 14, Redskins 7

You just said the Celtics scored 24 points in the 4th quarter, but that's not running up the score. Extrapolate that out to a full game, and that's 96 points. That's a pretty normal offensive output. And in these games, the Patriots were putting out their normal offensive output too...maybe even less. And yet THEY are running up the score, and the Celtics aren't?

Stop being a two-faced hypocrite. You make no sense, and you make me sick.

He does have 3 super bowl rings...Belichick is the luckiest man in America. A lot, I mean a lot of things have gone right for him. A lot of coaches would've had as much success as he's had under those given circumstances and with that much talent. His label as a "genius" is just an east coast media creation (he can thank ESPN). I will however give him credit for hiring great coordinators (Charlie Weis, Romeo Crennel)...maybe they are the real "geniuses" because Belichick hasn't won a title since their departures.

Yeah...and Weis and Crennel have had amazing success without Belichick, haven't they?

This is one of the most ridiculous posts I have ever seen...and trust me...I've seen some pretty retarded ones. A lot from you in particular, even.

The sad part is that the part about Weis and Crennel may have been the SMARTEST thing you said in that post, and it was still pretty stupid.

All you ever do is put words into other people's mouth (tell me where I said that the Pats ran up the score against the Chargers, Browns or Dolphins?) and follow it up with a bush league personal insult, so therefore pretty much anything you say isn't worth anything. You're by far the biggest tool on this site, and I'm sorry if my unbiased/honest opinions bring your homerhead back down to earth where the gravitational forces are different to whatever the hell planet you live on...making you a little woozy (making you "sick").

 

The Patriots did put up a normal offensive output in all four of the games you mentioned, however "Running up the score" is an intent, not a fact, and when you go for it twice in the 4th quarter on 4th down through the air with your starters in and a 52-0 lead, then that intent is definately present. If the Pats would've scored "giving 100%" by running the ball with the backups in, no one would be complaining because the intent was to only milk the clock by piling up first downs, and in the process they just happened to score. I had no problem w/ the Celtics tonight because their intention was to milk the clock, they just happened to hit shots with the shotclock under 10.

You have spent weeks trying to say that Joe Crede was a better clutch hitter than David Ortiz, and now you want to call me a homer?

Dismissed. I'm through with you.

 Oh, give me a break. That was blatant running up the score. Belichick is playing this like it is college ball and you need to score and run it up to get vote so you can be ranked number #1. You would have never seen real coaches that dont need to cheat do this. I mean the coaches like Bill Walsh would have never done this. You flat out should put in your back ups when you are so far ahead in the game. This practice has been going on since the inception of football. You let your backups get experience. Also by doing this you dont jeopardize your teams chances with a hit on your QB that could end the QB season. Remember defensive players will remember these typos of situations. Defensive players dont like to be embarrassed. From old school football ( like Ronnie Lott ) to todays big hitters ( Merriman, Williams and so on ) , one good hit from these guys and your season is over. Which means NO SUPER BOWL. Belichicks legacy will be tainted from now on. He will never be considered in the likes of Walsh, Noll, Lombardi and so on.

Have you checked the standings lately? The Browns are 4-3 and in the hunt. Derek Anderson might be able to save Romeo Crennel in a similar but lesser way in which Beli-cheat was by Brady. Maybe Weis would be a success too if a random 2 star recruit turns his fortunes around the same way Brady turned around Belichick's.

 

Get my point? Players win championships (sorry Jerry Krause).

That thread was 2 years ago, and until Crede went down w/ a bad back and Big Papi won another championship, I had a leg to stand on...unlike you in this thread.

 You are right on the money.

I'm honestly a bit tired of this talk. Everyone acts like they're so damn concerned for Brady's health, and they act like that's why they don't think the Pats should run up the score.

Have any of you geniuses stopped to think that the Patriots' #1 back has spent a few games on the bench already with an injury, and their very productive #2 back is now out for the season.

All you people who think the Patriots should have stopped passing and started pounding the rock, screw you all. None of you give 2 craps about Brady's safety, and would love nothing more than to see him get hurt.

Honestly, none of your opinions matter. If the Patriots keep winning, then Belichick is 100% right. His job isn't to soothe the bruised ego of the other team, it's to win football games.

Pardon me if I sound a bit arrogant, but when your team is the best team in football, you feel free to do the same. I'm done discussing this BS with a bunch of hypocritical whiners who don't really even care how bad the Redskins get beat, they just want to get on their soapbox and attack a team they're jealous of.

Have fun.

I will have to agree with With your post totally. It only takes one play , one blind hit, and Brady would be out for the season. It happens time and time again. Then the Patriots season would be over. A  defensive player will get mad and that will make them play harder and harder to get To Brady.

Why are you pretending to care about what happens to Brady? You should worry more about your team improving, so they can get to the Patriots' level, and less about what the Pats are doing against other teams.

Way to state the obvious...If not even Bill Belichick cares about Brady's health (appearantly he doesn't leaving him in when its 45-0), of course I won't.

"Screw you, who needs sportsmanship, we'll run up the score however we want".

 

- I thought all along (for the first three championships) the New England Patriots were an organization that prided themselves on integrity/sportsmanship and the importance of it. There appears to have been an overnight change in mentality among the Patriot nation.

I beleive matt Casel Ran for a 15 yard TD. He is the back up QB and he carved up the Defense.  That is Sad!! Is that what they teach these players give 100% lay down. No they tell them to Score. The Patriots have outscored opponents, 79-7, in the first quarter.  I guess the back ups should come in in the second quarter. You dont want to hurt the feelings of a Professional Football Player.

Why do you keep doing back to the first quarter nobody is talking about that. That's what I meant when I said I didn't expect you Patriots fans to understand. Pretty much everyone understands that the patriots have been up big early nobody is saying anything about that. The thing that has drawn the ire of most people is the way that they're playing in the 4th quarter when they are going for it on 4th downs throwing go routes with their starters still in and up by 40 points. When have you ever seen football played in this way?

Most of us have been accustomed to seeing certain things when teams are up by huge margins LATE IN GAMES and what the Pats have been doing is the polar opposite. Can a Pats fan at least admit that?

YES! The Pats are bucking traditional if not antiquated ideas of chivalry in sport when up LATE IN THE GAME...and I LOVE IT!

 

Regardless of score or time in the game,  I want to see touch downs from kick off to the clock is wound down. I want to see a defense contain and frustrate the opposition. I want to see both umps/ refs/ judges hands raised high to the heavens. I want to see the ball spiraling down field long and high.  I want to see players driving the ball with all their might in to the end zone. I want to see players drill the opposition dead.

 

YES! The Pats are classless! They've taken the game up a gear to another level. YES! The Pats are shameless. Some might say audacious! Why should they be ashamed of the way they have proved skill and ability.

 

If you're not use to teams doing what the Pats are doing, get use to it. It might be your team consistently posting big numbers next year. The game is evolving. It always will. It always has. Teams rise and fall. Sick of the Pats? I was of the Bills. The Cowboys. The Packers.

 

I am concerned about the 'tall poppy' syndrome here. If the Pats continue on their way some sort of 'street justice' will be met out to players on the field. What's that about? The true nature of the beast? If you can't match them (according to the rule book) - fight dirty?? Says more about ineptness and impotence than anything else.

 

Lastly, as an outsider, I never realised American Football (Gridiron) was such a gentleman's game. Tea and biscuits - anyone?

Bill responds to all his detractors:

You seem to think that running the ball up the gut trying to fight for a first down in order to run the clock out doesn't require 100% effort. Do me a favor and tell that to the Steelers, Ravens, Seahawks, Bucs, or Broncos whom have all made a living out of doing just that in the 4th with a lead. 

How many of those teams are undefeated?

Patriots fans original argument: It isn't considered running up the score, its just giving 100%

 

Patriots fans new argument: Who cares about sportsmanship, screw everybody we can do what we want

 

They're so inconsistent...it's pointless arguing with them. All we can do is hope the Colts can give the Beli-chick and the Patriot nation some humble pie. At least Tony Dungy is a real gentlemen.

 

Go Colts!

 

 

 

...but all of those teams have either been to or won a Super Bowl in the past by successfully running for 1st downs late in the game and preserving leads.

You didn't answer my question.

FYI, none of them are undefeated.

And by the way...since I clearly need to remind you again...Belichick has coached 3 Super Bowl championship teams. Only one coach in history has more than that. I'm pretty sure he's aware of what he needs to do to win a championship. Thanks for your concern, though.

Jerome Bettis, Jamal Lewis, Shaun Alexander, Mike Alstott, Terell Davis. That's a pretty impressive list of backs from the teams you just mentioned. Most of them are future HOFers. And they're nearly all power backs, who are built for running out the clock.

The Patriots have Laurence Maroney, who has already missed 3 games and parts of others to injury. The backup is Sammy Morris, who is now out for the season. The 3rd string RB is Kevin Faulk, who is getting older now, and has really only been effective in screen plays.

Tom Brady has barely been touched this year. The Patriots are at a larger risk of injury by running out the clock than they are if they pass the ball. The clock runs down just as much for a completed pass as it does for a running play.

Try to come up with something intelligent. As fun as it is to rip your ridiculous arguments to shreds, it would be nice to have a challenge once in a while.

My final word. Since I've seen where this leads elsewhere when one team is seen to be 'unsporting' and 'a law unto itself' (even within the rule book). LEGISLATE!!! Write to the commissioner and get 'Mercy Rules' in place. Write to that mandatory knees be knelt when the score difference reaches 30. That way everybody plays by the letter of the law. Just like recording opposition calls is a rule.  

"No football fan wants to watch a whiny little b***h like Dick Vermeil lead their team, even if he does win."

HEY!

Jerk...

I understand what you're saying completely. But I really do have a problem with these self-righteous whiners who act like it's the end of the world that the Patriots run their normal offense throughout the game.

The biggest reasons I have heard are:
sportsmanship
Brady's health

If I really thought that these clowns would attack their own teams for doing the same thing, then I could respect their opinion. But when vindog's Cowboys beat the Bills 52-17 in the Super Bowl, I'm sure Vinny wasn't too concerned with the Cowboys embarrassing the Bills in the most watched event of the year. I'm sure he had no mixed feelings whatsoever with that win. And I'm sure soxfan90 looks back on the Bears' 46-10 dismantling of the Patriots in the Super Bowl as a great moment in Bears history, and has no shame whatsoever in the fact that the Bears ran for a TD with a defensive lineman, a true display of arrogance. I'm sure his only beef with that game is that Walter Payton didn't get the chance to run one in.

And as for Brady, everyone is pretending that they give a crap about his health, when this clearly isn't the case. Most of these people are saying that if they had the chance, they'd take a cheap shot on him. And let's face it...the way that the Patriots' linemen are playing, throwing the ball has been the FAR safer option, as far as avoiding injury. We have had our top 2 RB's lose a lot of time to injury, while Brady has hardly been touched.

If someone had a completely legitimate argument as to why there is ANYTHING AT ALL wrong with what the Patriots are doing, then I would be more than happy to intelligently debate it with them. But as long as people are going to continue to throw out ridiculous and ignorant excuses, I really have no reason to respect their convoluted and biased views.

People are quick to call me a homer, but I never complained a bit when any other team went out and whooped another team. It's the National Football League, folks. These guys aren't Pop Warner kids. We're not out here to teach people how to play, or to make sure everyone has fun. These guys are out there to win. And in a ruthless league where one bad season can cut your next paycheck in half (or worse), these guys should NEVER be faulted for giving it their all on every play.

And as for Belichick...once he loses a game or Brady gets hurt, I welcome any and all criticism that anyone may have. Personally, I think he's the best NFL coach ever. And I will continue to believe that, no matter what happens this season. If he somehow loses a game because of his team "running up the score", then everyone can feel free to bring all of their hatred down on him and his tactics. If Brady ends up missing games because he was left in the game too long and he's trying to throw TD bombs in garbage time, then maybe you guys were right.

But as long as the Patriots are rolling through their opponents, I honestly don't think any of these people have a leg to stand on here.

And until someone comes up with something that's a little more educated than what I've been hearing lately, I will treat them with the respect that they prove they deserve.

Things people have tried to say lately:
Bill Belichick's not a great coach, he's just lucky
The Patriots should be more like the Steelers, Bucs, Ravens, Seahawks, Broncos
We're not accustomed to seeing teams do what the Patriots are doing right now
Bill Belichick doesn't care about Tom Brady's health
Bill Walsh would never do this (FYI, his 49ers won the last 3 games of the 1987 season by scores of 41-0, 35-7 and 48-0)

Find me a reasonable statement in there, and I will intelligently debate it. But I have a hard time when I am continually "throwing pearls before the swine", to borrow a biblical phrase.

Generally, you (Buttons) give extremely thoughtful and intelligent debates. Therefore, I HAVE to reply intelligently, or I wouldn't even be able to keep up. But when these people come with these ridiculous comments, I have no choice but to remind them of their true intentions.

Now do we add Detroit to the list of poor sports who are running up the score?

If I were Bill Belichick I would still rather put Maroney at risk than Brady because the Pats are still the best team without Maroney. Without Brady, they're finished.

But the chances of Brady getting injured are slim. The Colts have a great pass rush, and STILL only sacked him twice. When the Pats pass the ball, Brady rarely gets hit. When they run the ball, Maroney gets hit nearly EVERY TIME. The chances of Maroney getting hurt are exponentially greater than the chances of Brady getting hurt. And without Maroney, the Pats have NO running game at all, and you know how bad that can affect the passing game.

Oh yeah...and the Patriots are 9-0 right now. How many other teams can say that? Obviously, Belichick and the Pats are doing SOMETHING right.

The Patriots wouldn't be losing much w/o Maroney because they are a passing team. You act as if Tom Brady is invincible. All it takes is a 300+ pound nose tackle pissed off that they're running up the score in the 4th quarter to sit on Brady's leg 5 seconds after he releases the ball to end his career, along with the Patriots campaign for a 4th title. I know its sad, but you never know...its kinda the nature of the sport when you feel humiliated to do something about it.

 

As small as the chances are, you have to protect your hall of fame QB-WR combination, even if it means putting lesser players at a higher risk. Do you see the Pats winning it all w/ Brady on the shelf? No way. With Maroney on the shelf? Still the best team in the league by a considerable margin.

If you lose your running game, you lose any other threat besides your passing game. When that happens, opposing teams can focus on the pass enough that even though the passing attack is incredible, they can still offset it enough to keep themselves in the game. Without the threat of a quality running game, the passing game becomes far less efficient, regardless of their ability.

You do realize the Patriots are a passing team. When they got down 20-10 last Sunday, it was Tom Brady who marched them right down the field on consecutive drives. When in doubt and when the game is on the line, they put the ball in his hands to make a play, and because of that when the Pats have a 38-0 lead Bill Belichick needs to grow up, take his starters out, and do whatever he can to protect a player who means that much to the team.

 

Is Brady's health risk (along with the risk of breaking up maybe the greatest passing attack in Pro football history) really worth humiliating the Redskins that much more? Its almost like in 1996 if Phil Jackson left in Michael Jordan with a 105-60 lead over the Bucks...simply ridiculous. I don't care how much success Belichick has had, it definately doesn't excuse stupidity.

Something but not everything.

Bill Belichick is doing more things right than any other coach in the NFL.

...that maybe true, but leaving his starters in and passing the ball with a 38-0 lead in the 4th/putting his hall of fame QB at risk in order to humiliate a non-conference opponent (Redskins) that much more certainly isn't one of them.

That's not necessarily true. Belichick has been forcing his players to play 60 minutes of football all year when people thought they didn't have to. Against the Colts, they HAD to. And they did. Looking at the small picture, maybe it looks dumb on paper. But in the big picture, it may have been a lot smarter than you think.

Your argument would make sense if this was a young and unproven squad, but this is a battle tested, veteran team that has won three Super Bowls together. Don't be mistaken, these guys know what it takes to win a game wire to wire, and have done it on the biggest stage (3 super bowl wins by a combined 9 points). They would've played 60 minutes last Sunday regardless of how many minutes they played against Washington.

I'm glad you can just assume that. By your reasoning, we should just give them the Super Bowl now, since we know they're the best team in the league, and we know they'll perform, because they're so battle-tested. But I think Belichick's got a handle on things right now. If anything bad happens to the Pats, maybe you'll have a leg to stand on. But right now, your argument is ridiculously petty and feeble.

Belichick does have a handle on things right now, but he's putting his grasp at risk b/c he foolishly plays his starters w/ a 38-0 lead. It's great that they even have the option, but more times than not its injuries (not rustiness) that breaks up great teams and ruins great players. Any chance he gets he should rest his players.

While some of us may agree with you, there's nothing you, me or anyone else can say that is going to change the most stubborn (or die hard) Patriots fan (Pat) or probably any other Pats' fans mind. We'll all have our opinions on this matter and to this point we've all expressed them fully. It's time to just sit back and watch everything play out. Until of course the Patriots manage to do something else that gets everybody seeing red which they almost certainly will.  

Clearly all the arguing could be put to rest if Belichick had just run the clock out against Indy and not scored their last TD. If he had done that no one would be complaining about anything right now.

haha...no

I honestly don't know what more they can do to make opposing teams see red than what has already been done.

 

They already have a bulls eye on their backs just from being the best and most successful team. Now Belichick and the Patriots want to give the opponent even more motivation by running up the score, videotaping Chad Pennington's hand signals and doing other unsportsmanlike things (how they celebrated a playoff win in San Diego). I guess that's why Bill Belichick has a coaching motivation rating of "99" in the franchise mode of Madden 08. Hopefully the Colts/Chargers play with more of an edge (thanks to Belichick) this January.

If the Patriots win the Super Bowl this year, then everyones whining about Belichick's tactics are completely irrelevant. If they win the Super Bowl, then he was right. No matter how much you hate it.

Why in hell should the Patriots respect Randall Godfrey anyways?..or the Redskins? nobody wanted to respect the Patriots when  they were down and out,They called them the NE Patsy's ...Remember? I do. Its NFL football not Pop Warner.I cant believe the bunch of little girls out there crying about getting there butts kicked,instead of trying to correct what went wrong.Don Shula shame on you! you should of just kept your big mouth shut! instead you just showed everyone that your just an old nervous jealous has been. Imagine if they go unbeating two years in a row!..HA! HA! CRY ME A RIVER........ PROUD PATRIOT FAN FOEVER.

i know the truth is hard to swallow, but Don Shula is 100% correct in what he said. Like it or not- the Patriots GOT CAUGHT cheating, and will ALWAYS be remembered for it- especially IF they go undefeated!!!

To you apparantly Bill Belichick is God. Leaving his starters in w/ a 38-0 lead would be a stupid move for any other coach in the history of the NFL but because Belichick is above all and everything, it's a great move. He's the perfect coach who hasn't done one thing wrong in his coaching career nor is he capable of...right?

Don't worry about what these guys say. They are just jealous. You can't turn on ESPN or read SI without something New England or Boston staring you in the face.  Their teams all suck in comparison. We can be proud of our teams without their approval. Let them rant all they want. In the end, there will be two championships (maybe three, outside shot at four) in Boston this year. Screw them all! LOL!

What me worry? No way everything is going good up here in championship land.Lmao!

The truth is hard to swallow.But at least Belichick did have the wah-woo's too admit it,Unlike the colts getting busted for pumping in crowd noise.And do they actually believe that all other teams go by the book? Jerry Jones....? come on!..... #2 There is only one GOD............................They are right about one thing though,Belichick is not like any other coach .He's the perfect coach!

BeliCHEAT had the wah-woos to admit cheating????? I think he said that he just " Misinterpreted the rules"! that IS NOT an admission of guilt by any means. do you have any PROOF that Jerry Jones doesn't play by the rules? Didn't think so!! but WE have PROOF that BeliCHEAT did in-fact CHEAT! that is a solid PROVEN FACT!!! if BeliCHEAT was any kind of man, he would have CLEARLY admitted that he CHEATED instead of dancing around the facts and saying that it was a MISINTERPRETATION!! BTW, a "PERFECT" Coach wounldn't have to cheat, would he?

Belichick said he "misintrpreted the rules", you "misintpreted what he said".

 

Try again.

Yea right,and CBS was at fault for the crowd noise right?...No I dont have proof that Jones is a cheater,But in time my friend,in time,what goes around comes around..Mangini (manboobies) opened up a whole new can of worms.Belichick (not belicheat as you Emmit Smith croonies will call him)Had said he misinterpeted the rules,Thats an admission.The truth is hard to swallow,whats the truth? The mighty NE Patriots are 9-0 and your not! We will be known as the greatest Team in NFL history.Dallas,San Francisco,The Bears,(remember when they sent the fridge in to score a TD?was that running up the score?hmmmmm.)all great teams but not the greatest!!!

The Bears brought in the fridge to score a TD in a game in which they won 16-10 (against the Packers). Hardly running up the score.

 

The truth that's hard to swallow? Your ignorance...

 

 

First of all you can bite me! how's that for ignorance! 2nd I was talking about the 86 super bowl

The difference between the 86' Super Bowl and the Pats/Redskins game:

 

A) The Bears were running the ball w/ a big lead, and scored anyways.

B) The Fridge wasn't the Bears starting FB

C) The Bears even let your beloved Patsies score at the end

 

Big difference in comparison to the Patriots, who were doing exactly the opposite to all 3 against the 'skins.

I remember it well the score was 46-10.your only response that makes sense is A, ...B and C your just talking out your ass.They ran up the score and then rubbed it in with Perry.They should have kicked field goals.or just took a knee ..right?

Only if they were running it in on 4th down......

are you crying? you said there is no such thing as running up the score, yet you contradict yourself by saying that the Bears did it. Which is it?

"B and C you're just talking out of your ass"

 

B) Perry wasn't even the Bears starting FB - Yes, this is in fact true. Instead Matt Suhey was their starting FB and went to the pro bowl in 85'. If you look at the Bears roster that year, William Perry is clearly listed as a DT. If the Bears wanted to score that badly, do you really think the Bears would pass on a hall of fame running back to give the ball to a 330 lb. nose tackle who can barely move let alone get through running lanes?

 

C) The Bears even let the Patsies score - This is also true. Irving Fryar caught an 8 yard TD pass in a 44-3 deficit. As admitted by Mike Ditka after the game, he instructed his defensive unit to let that happen. 

 

Did you seriously watch the game? I wasn't even born yet, but contrary to you, I can accurately recall what happened.

Ahh how much I wish I could of had a Capture Card for my 360...

just got done playing a game of Madden; and funniest thing (I think atleast) happened...

31-0, I'm leading, and have the ball on the opposing 12 yard line when its 4th and 5 and 4:11 left in the 4th quarter...

I ask Madden what to do; and he gives me 5 different pass plays! I back out, and ask the coach; and more pass plays to run!

See...even John and Herm wants to run up the score...for you guys to still be arguing that Bill did it is comical though

Yes, it's comical, but not nearly as comical as someone saying he accurately recalls what happened in a game played before he was born. I was in stitches when I read that. I'm going to frame it.

They do have those games on DVDs now.

 You cannot 'accurately recall' something that happened before you were born. That is an oxymoron. It would be the same as saying you 'accurately recall' the fall of the Roman Empire after you read the book.

Not a good example. There isn't video evidence of the fall of the Roman Empire.

There's rubble everywhere.

Fine then, I accurately "stated" what happened. Can you find any discrepancies in my account of what happened in Super Bowl XX? If not, then I'm right. The oxymoron is besides the point.

From the Wikipedia account of the game, picking it up in the second half:

 

"On New England's second drive of the period, Chicago cornerback Reggie Phillips intercepted a pass from Grogan and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown to increase the lead 37-3.

On the second play of their ensuing possession, the Patriots turned the ball over again, when receiver Cedric Jones lost a fumble after catching a 19-yard pass from Grogan, and Marshall returned the fumble 13 yards to New England's 37-yard line. A few plays later, McMahon's 27-yard completion to receiver Dennis Gentry moved the ball to the 1-yard line, setting up perhaps the most memorable moment of the game. William "the Refrigerator" Perry was brought on to score on offense, as he had done twice in the regular season. His touchdown made the score 44-3. The Bears' 21 points in the third quarter is still a record for the most points scored in that period."

 

So, when ahead 37-3, The Bears, instead of running the ball,  passed for 27 yards and scored a touchdown using a play with Perry ( a DT) that they used in  the regular season. I'd argue that they "ran up the score" just as much as the Pats against the Skins. Enough BS!