Another week, another opponent the New England Patriots have steamrolled. With the 56-10 romp of the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park Sunday night, the Pats once again asserted that they are the best team in the NFL. But does perfection really have to be so classless?
The NFL has only ever seen one perfect team, the 1972 Miami Dolphins. And every year the remaining members of that team get together and toast with champagne the first loss of the final undefeated team in the NFL, knowing that their immortality is, at least for one more year, safe. When asked if anyone will ever be as good as they were, the answer is always a definate no. So, it makes you wonder, does perfection make you classless?
My answer is yes.
Bill Belichick and the Patriots lack all the class in the world at the moment. Up 35-7 against an inept Bills offense, Belichick had his players go for it on 4th and 1. They made it, and a touchdown was scored a few plays later, making it 42-7. The next time the Patriots get a chance to score, 4th and 1 again. Again, the Patriots go for it, a few plays later, another score. 49-7. This isn't the first time we've seen this happen. Numerous times the Patriots have been accused of running up the score on opponents. I don't really think it's accusations anymore, I think it's fact. Bill Belichick and the Patriots have no class, and no respect for their opponents. Even against the Bills, a team Belichick has stated that he likes, he runs up the score. Why? Who knows. Pride? Ego? Tom Brady said this to Yahoo! Sports last night, "Coach says he puts you out there to score when you touch it, he doesn't put you out there to punt." That may be, but respect is part of the game. You don't respect an opponent when you run up the score. It's fine to punt when you're up 35-7, or 42-7. And when you bring out a defenseman for your punter late in the game, that is just showing how low the Patriots can truly sink, and how obsessed with winning they have become. Winning is important, but it isn't the only thing. Respect for the fans, your opponents, and the game itself are more important than winning. And that's why when someone finally lays out Brady, and it will happen, and maybe injures him, everyone will stand up and cheer.
Maybe the Belichick should eat a piece of that "humble pie" he's preaching to his players. Maybe the Patriots won't be hated by everyone in the league then. Because I know one thing. If it turns out that the Patriots and Cowboys make it to the Super Bowl, for the first time in my life, I will be a Cowboys fan because I refuse to cheer for a team that lacks any class whatsoever.
Benjamin Amey
Running up the score in pro-sports is overrated. Especially in football. If you're the team with the big lead and have the ball you have to keep moving down field. And million dollar athletes shouldn't cry, but if they don't want NE to score, then stop them. Its retarded! Belichick did punt in the 4th quarter with a 4th and an inch at the Bills 30 yard line. He went for the previous 4th downs cause he didn't want to kick field goals there. What are they suppost to do? Sit on the ball? Dick Jauron had ZERO problem with it, if you read his quotes.
ReplyDeleteAll this running up the score is because 90% of non-Pats fans hate them. Rightly so, but how bout admit its jealously. You just cant handle them winning with such ease.
I'm not saying you don't have to keep moving down field. But the 4th downs earlier, with a 28 point lead and your defense shutting the Bills offense down, well, that is disrespect. There's no reason you can't kick a field goal there. I read Jauron's quotes, and I think he's saying that because he's trying to raise himself above all this. I personally think he's fuming inside, but that's just my opinion. Also, with the punting from the Bills 30, he brought in a defensive player to punt the ball, not their punter. If that doesn't show a huge lack of respect, I don't know what does.
ReplyDeleteAm I jealous of the Pats? No. I think they are a good team. Would I like to have seen my team beat them this year? Sure, but I accept the fact the Pats are better. And I'm still not completely sold the Pats are winning with ease just because of talent. People seem to have forgotten about SpyGate.
Jauron and Belichick are friends, so Ben, I don't think he's fuming. Also, Belichick did put the actual punter out there. So, I agree with Mr. Anonymous (good move banning anonymous comments), that Belichick wasn't running up the score. They are just really, really good. Payback could be a bitch though if it is taken the wrong way by a team. I agree, I could see Brady leveled by some angry defender.
ReplyDeleteI hate to agree with Ben, but I too am fed up with this going for it on 4th and whatever crap. Your up by 30 points kick the field goal. I don't buy into the fact that kicking a field goal is more of a slap in the face. The bottom line is Belecheck could see the Bills couldn't stop anything they were doing and if he wanted the to be the great humanitarian he claims to be kicking the field goal is a way to respect the Bills.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying that what belecheck did was illegal. He is fully within his right to do what he did, he just comes off as a prick and will one day get his.
And commenting on the first comment, which million dollar player cried? No one cried, everyone knows the onus is on the defense to stop them. Its us fans who have a problem with it.
ReplyDeleteAnd Its not jealousy, its called being kicked while your down. Its called lack of sportsmanship. Regardless whether or not you feel or Beli feels or ne one feels that it was fully ethical to do so, it was unsportsmanlike and as I said before Brady may end up dead by the end of the season.