Les Carpenter of the Washington Post asks if the New England Patriots cross the line yesterday in their win over the Washington Redskins?
It's a pretty good question to ask, and something I'm sure will be discussed at length as we head towards the "Game of the Century" on November 4th. (And by "Game of the Century" I do mean the 49ers-Falcons game)
On the one hand, I think the responsibility to stop the New England Patriots offense falls squarely on opposing defenses. Supporters of Bill Belichick will say "Why should it be up the Patriots to take their foot off the gas late in the game?", and it's awfully hard to argue against them.
Then again, isn't it pretty dumb for Belichick to have Tom Brady running QB sneaks on 4th and 1 when they're already up 38-0 in the 4th quarter? That play call yesterday was classless, which for Bill Belichick, simply makes it par for the course.
A middle ground does exist, and yesterday the Patriots were nowhere near it. When you're up 38-0 in the 4th quarter in a non-conference game in October, and kicking the chip-shot field to go up by 41 is an absurd thought, give the ball to Kyle Eckel or Heath Evans, Junior Seau or Mike Vrabel, or have Matt Cassell run the sneak.
Play calls like that send messages to the rest of the NFL. It says to the other 31 teams that the Patriots are no longer satisfied with simply winning the game, they're going to destroy your spirit and are not afraid to expose the only irreplaceable player on their roster to do it.
I hope it doesn't happen, but at some point, one of their opponents is going cross another line in response to that message and a certain guy who smells like Stetson and supermodel could be the recipient.
NFL Links
The Patriots defense wanted to prove a point yesterday.
Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour was able to knock some of the rust off against Washington.
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Ted Ginn traveled far for the first touchdown of his NFL career.
The Dolphins defense played pretty well in London.
New York Jets head coach will evaluate his team's quarterback situation today.
The Jets downward spiral continues.
The New York Giants offense had another "Tiki Who?" performance.
Yesterday's Dolphins-Giants game featured an appearance by serial streaker Mark Roberts, who struck again at halftime.
According to one of his former coaches, the reported demise of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb "is much exaggerated".
A fractured tailbone couldn't keep Eagles tackle Jon Runyan out of the lineup.
The Washington Redskins lost a pair of cornerbacks on Sunday.
Albert Breer of the Dallas Morning News writes that the Cowboys' Class of '07 will be tied to how Brady Quinn does elsewhere.
The Cleveland Browns lost a pair of linebackers to injuries in Sunday's win.
Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards dedicated yesterday's game to a recently deceased 15-year old boy.
The Cincinnati Bengals couldn't get it done in the red zone yesterday.
The Bengals have lost their confidence.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker continued to run wild in Paul Brown Stadium.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette grades the Steelers effort yesterday.
The Baltimore Ravens enter the second half of the season with something to prove.
The Chicago Bears blew a chance to get back into the playoff race before their bye week.
Rick Telander of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that the Bears are done for 2007 and wonders what's up with Brian Urlacher.
The Philadelphia Eagles shut down the Minnesota Vikings' prized rookie.
Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune thinks quarterback Brooks Bollinger deserves a chance to start for the Vikings.
This Halloween, the Detroit Lions will be dressed as playoff contenders.
Lions rookie wide receiver Calvin Johnson aggravated his lower-back injury.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel previews tonight's Packers-Broncos game.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Joey Harrington is still a hero in Eugene, Oregon.
The release of nose tackle Grady Jackson will be just the start of the housecleaning in Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Vinny Testaverde injured his foot on Sunday and couldn't finish the game.
Has anyone seen Steve Smith lately?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were undone by the one thing they thought quarterback Jeff Garcia wouldn't let happen.
Gary Shelton of the St. Petersburg Times writes that the Buccaneers are moving backwards at the midway point.
The New Orleans Saints, who started the season 0-4, are now just one game back in the NFC South.
The injury to Reggie Bush's ribs isn't serious.
According to running back Fred Taylor, Jacksonville's 24-23 win was "the best team effort" he's been a part of.
Jaguars cornerback Aaron Glenn now has an interception in 13 straight seasons.
Houston Texans long snapper Bryan Pittman launched the first bad snap of his career.
Texans defensive tackle Travis Johnson spent $10,000 for tickets for yesterday's game.
Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai found the end zone three times in yesterday's route of the Carolina Panthers.
The Colts are clear to start talking about next Sunday's "Game of the Century".
Tennessee Titans running back LenDale White set a career-high for rushing yards on Sunday.
It's been awhile since an opponent has scored a touchdown against the Titans at LP Field.
The Denver Broncos have added some youthful energy to the defense.
His numbers may not reflect it, but Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard has kept the offense from collapsing.
San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie accomplished something on Sunday that no Chargers player had done in over 40 years.
The San Diego area needed a boost on Sunday.
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Mike Williams asked for the ball...then dropped it.
Raiders tackle Barry Sims' name appears quite frequently on the list of penalties Oakland committed yesterday.
Ann Killion of The Mercury News opines that the San Francisco 49ers may be ruining quarterback Alex Smith.
49ers kicker Joe Nedney flipped off the 49ers fans. Profootballtalk.com has the image right here.
Back spasms put St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson back on the shelf late in the 1st quarter against Cleveland. Also within that same article, there's word that Richie Incognito, a player who has been accused of dirty play more than once this season, could be lost for the year a torn patella tendon in his knee.
After starting well, the Rams defense was gashed in the middle of the game.
Monday, October 29, 2007
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7 comments:
I think you're right, defensive coordinators are going to stress hitting Brady as hard as possible as much as possible. I really think it's stupid for NE to push their reputation of running up the score and embarrassing defenses when they have half of a season to navigate. I'd be worried about the 12/3 game at Baltimore if I was a Patriots fan.
With the way his offensive line is playing, he's pretty safe. And for historical purposes, I hope we never see it go down.
If the Patriots do win it all this year, and Brady sets all those single-season passing records (passer rating, touchdowns), Brady would have the combination of personal and team achievements that make him the best QB in the history of the NFL.
At some point, you just have to sit back and enjoy the show.
Mac: I hear you, but I do not agree. This is the National Football League. Arguably, as you have noted, this league is predicated on parity. That parity provides the same opportunities for GMs and head coaches to establish the teams they think they need to be successful. History will support said parity and the opportunity for any team to hoist the Lombardi trophy.
Therefore, I think Tom Brady taking the sneak on 4th and 1 is fine. If the game were tied, would the decision be acceptable? Why does a 38-point lead have any bearing on the play call? Was Detroit's 34-point fourth quarter against the NFC Champion Bears classless? I think if you are preparing your team to play and you have set a priority of time of possession and domination with each down, the call was right. Further, if such a play prepares the offensive line and Tom Brady for the same play with 30 seconds remaining in a tie game against the Colts, it is justifiable.
Are you saying that a field goal is the right call? 3-points with a 38-point lead is more appropriate than a first down? I strongly disagree.
1. Any QB beyond high school can operate a QB sneak. Pinch the center's ass and push forward. It's not an intricate play-call, and evidence by his 2nd TD run, Brady has that play down pat.
2. If Brady were injured while he was out there during a 38-point blowout in late October, the Patriots season would probably still win the division (the AFC East is a joke), but they'd basically be done.
Brady is the only irreplaceable player on that franchise, which is a testament to how good the Patriots are and how cocky Belichick is for basically daring opponents to start a-hunting.
3. In a 38-point game, you kick the field goal to avoid being accused of running the score up. On 4th down on the 7-yard line, taking a knee would be an insult. Running a QB sneak to get a fresh set of downs so your QB can extend a TD pass record is Belichick reveling in his own douchebaggery.
If the Red Sox were winning 10-0 last night, and Jacoby Ellsbury got a base hit with 2 outs in the top of the 9th, would Terry Francona have given him the green light to steal 2nd base? Of course not, because there is room for sportsmanship, even on sports' biggest stages.
It's always good to hear from JimmyV. What do you have Michael dressed as for his 1st Halloween?
Oh, and tell Gina that I'm sorry about the Rams, but not really.
I can feel your feigned empathy through cyberspace...looks like the 'Hawks might just win the division (NFC West is a joke). I will certainly pass along your best wishes to Gina’s father, who spent my annual salary on 50-yardline, second row seats at Edward Jones’ Dome to watch his team discover glorified ways to not score touchdowns.
First, Tito might steal Jacoby because managers are notorious for being aggressive with big leads. Again, runs can be manufactured at any time and the name of the game is to win. On the other hand, if I have a tight margin, I would be playing conservatively so as to not record an out and reduce my chances of extending my lead. Jacoby may run a “3.7 second 40-yard-dash”, as testified by Tim McCarver, but he can still get a bad jump.
The Patriots have not yet won the division, so the name of the game is to win every game until that occurs. Nothing is certain.
By the way, who cares if you are accused of running up the score? As you noted, it is the opposing team’s job with half of their salary dollars to enact a defense worth of stopping any opponent’s offense. Frankly, as a coach or a player, I would want a 100% effort from my opponent so that I can work on my weaknesses. If I fail while my opponent is washing the dishes, I cannot expect a good look.
Irreplaceable? Who are you, Fergie? Brady is good, yes. However, I would dare say he is matchless. He can, and will, be replaced some day and the offense, again, must find a way to score points. No one thought Montana, Bradshaw, Unitas, and Elway would be rivaled, but here comes Favre, Young, Brady, and Aikman…oh, and Hasselback, of course.
I know you hate Belichick, but you need to release your harbored anger. Holmgren is still good; it is more a matter of execution by his “talented” team.
Gina and Michael are both well...he is close to walking. Smart kid, too...nothing like his old man.
The rest of the AFC East is a combined 4-19. I think the Patriots are safe.
Tito wouldn't steal in that situation. It's considered bad etiquette. As far as running up the score, I did say that it's up to the opposing defense to stop you, but I also said that a middle ground does exist and Belichick was nowhere near it yesterday.
You don't think Tom Brady is the one irreplaceable member of the 2007 New England Patriots? Are either of the Matts (Cassell, Gutierrez) capable of guiding this offense? What about David "Noodle Arm" Greene on their practice squad?
And for the record, I do not hate Bill Belichick. I'm not the president of his fan club, and I do think he's a bit of a jerk, but I respect the hell out of his coaching ability and I dig his sideline fashion sense.
Bad etiquette aside, the reality of losing a game would kick proper etiquette in the balls. I guarantee any manager be on the chopping block if he didn't make decisions that gave his team the best chance of assuring a win.
I guess this is where we disagree...I don't believe there needs to be a "middle ground" when it comes to winning. If you are a coach and your offense is better than your kicker, you leave your offense out there on 4th and 1. If you miss the field goal, the opponent gets better field position than if you miss on 4th down...
Brady is very good, but I would argue that the Patriots would still be a Super Bowl-caliber team with Matt Cassel taking snaps. I am sure this debate occured in 2001 when Brady started over Bledsoe.
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