Yahoo's headline "Teams May Hurt Bradley," appears as the top story. Under "NFL Rumers" the headline reads "Cowher: Bradley Could Be Target Of Cheap Shot" ... "As the New England Patriots pour it on its opponents, fans have to be wondering about it, and Tuesday former Pittsburg Steelers Coach Bill Cowher said it: if the Patriot's keep running up the score, will someone like Tom Brady be the victim of a retalitory hit? The subject of the Pat's late-game tactics is causing a lot of buzz around the NFL, particularly after Sunday's 52-7 victory over the Washington Redskins." What are they talking about? What are the Patriot's late-game tactics?
2007-11-01 06:49:05 · 14 answers · asked by Tinabeena 1 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
In general, there is an unwritten rule in the NFL not to run up the score. If a team is up by 21 points, usually a coach will send in a 2nd-string backup to finish the job and run the clock out. However, the Patriots have decided to keep running up the score, even after a contest is decidedly finished. This has angered a lot of fans, and teams as well.
Brady's extended exposure during "garbage game time" gives opposing teams the opportunity to put a big hit on him in a severe way, with little penalty. Since the game is effectively over, a "roughing the passer" or "unsportsmanlike conduct"-inducing hit on Brady wouldn't be a big deal, but could put him out with a ACL-tear or a concussion, etc.
So some commentators are wondering if teams unhappy with Belichick's score-bonanza will call for hitting up Brady just to retaliate.
2007-11-01 06:54:35 · answer #1 · answered by JH 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm not so sure that they run-up the score for the sole purpose of embarrassing the opposite team. I think the coach does not want the Patriots to relax and become stagnant. Ex. 2 weeks ago against the Dolphins, Belachick throws in the second quarterback because the game is already won. The 2nd QB throws an interception and gets pulled right away. As an NFL club you don't want to show weakness and you want to play hard all the time. That is how a good ball club plays.
2007-11-01 13:57:51 · answer #2 · answered by Ilya S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes a playoff tie-breaker late in the season can come down to points, so running up the score is not neccessarily gratuitiously jerky. If they're running the ball and not throwing, at least they're trying to run out the clock and end the game, even if they score a few more touchdowns on the way.
It is risky for the reason someone mentioned - if a star player gets injured (intentionally or not) in a game where its clear you already won, the coach will have to answer for it.
2007-11-01 13:58:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jason Whitlock of FOX Sports wrote this " Now this season Belichick has been embroiled in two controversies — spygate and pointgate. The NFL busted him filming defensive signals, and it appears Belichick has responded by trying to embarrass every NFL opponent, including an NFL legend, Joe Gibbs. Ahead 38-0 in the fourth quarter, the Patriots tacked on 14 more points against Gibbs' Redskins by converting fourth-down plays and leaving Brady out on the field to throw one more TD pass. Tony Dungy would not do these things. And neither should Belichick? We don't whine when defenses refuse to back down. You ever see a defensive coordinator throw his starters back out on the field in an effort to preserve a shutout? Happens all the time, and no one sheds a tear."
2007-11-01 14:03:39 · answer #4 · answered by canawhoopass 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, a lot of people feel as though them running up the score the way they do is really disrespectful. Was it necessary for them to go for on 4th down and 2 when they were winning 45-0? No. So why did they do it? To pad their stats. While I'm not sure that it really justifies Brady getting physically injured, I do feel as though it's disrespectful. Though I don't completely disagree with the person who said if you can get away with it why not do it.
2007-11-01 13:59:30 · answer #5 · answered by Jay 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They had two 4th down plays when they were clearly in fieldgoal range and up by 35 points and they decided to go for it rather than just kick..... being up by so much and it being 4th down.... usually you kick the FG since it really wasnt a contest.
While I am a Colts fan (Boo Patriots!) I do feel that they really didnt do anything wrong. If your defense is good... stop them... if not, pay the price.
2007-11-01 13:53:54 · answer #6 · answered by DoUCWhatIC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its only the reporters who are complaining that the Pats are pouring it on.Reporters do this to sell more papers.Otherwise they wouldn't have a job.You'll notice that NO opposing coaches,or players(including T.O.)have complained about the Pats running up the score.Fans are smart enough to realize reporters embelish their stories.
2007-11-01 13:55:37 · answer #7 · answered by cerebral assassin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They were just doing what they are paid to do. I know its awful isn't it? Even the pats 2nd string can beat the redskins. All the people complaining are just sore losers and pats haters.
2007-11-01 15:04:45 · answer #8 · answered by Jeff m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Instead of running the ball down the other team's throat with a running back who has been benched for 6 weeks with a groin injury, They threw one pass with 7 1/1 minutes to go.
I think we need the boxscore to get printed in Braille for the Patriot-Haters to see what really went on in the game.
2007-11-01 13:52:20 · answer #9 · answered by BAGOFSWAGS 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
running up the score
some people think it's disrespectful to run up the score on another team late in the game
2007-11-01 13:51:47 · answer #10 · answered by Steve French 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋