Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Targeting the Patriots and Simmons

We wrote this post last Friday, but because Simmons ran his "Eff-You" touchdown column yesterday, this seemed like a good post to run again. By the way, we'd like to thank all you commenters who argued that the Pats didn't run up the score in any of their games. Might want to check out that Simmons column, because even Mr. Patriot seems to disagree with you.

A few weeks ago, Bill Simmons got an interesting email from a reader. Here was the question:

"I noticed Brady threw a TD bomb to Moss in the fourth quarter with a 24-point lead on the Bills. Was he running up the score or padding his stats? You were all about criticizing these moves by Peyton Manning in 2004 when he broke the TD record, so I am just wondering if we can expect these same comments now about Brady?"

Simmons gave what is becoming his all too typical homerism response.

Manning was running up the score to break the TD record; the Pats are running up the score because it's the most effective way to wave both middle fingers at the rest of the league and prove that they didn't need to cheat to win three Super Bowls.

Simmons said that he doesn't condone running up the score, but it was enjoyable watching the Patriots do it. So in other words, he actually does condone running up the score. Which is ok, but it can come with consequences.

Because despite Simmons' ridiculously stupid rationale about the difference between Manning and Brady, it doesn't matter at all to players on the field. All they care about is when people run up the score period, whether it's to get a TD record or to give the league the finger.

Big Daddy Drew at KSK has written a few times asking defenders to take out Brady's knees. And at the rate the Pats are going, that may actually happen.

The Jets season is currently going down the toilet. They meet the Pats again in Week 15. What's to stop Mangenius from telling his players to go at Brady extra hard? It's not the same as telling them to take him out, but it's basically the same message. And what would be sweeter for the Jets than knocking out Brady just before the playoffs? When you honestly think about it, probably nothing.

And you may not even have to wait that long. The Pats play the Bills in Week 11. There really wasn't any reason for the Pats to run up the score on the Bills in Week 3. The Bills never even went after the Pats about SpyGate. If you think the Bills defenders won't be thinking about Week 3, then you're crazy.

We've also got to remember that the Pats play the Dolphins twice. Here's guessing that gets out of hand as well. Which means rematch payback.

The simple truth is this. If you keep running up the score, and you keep taking cheap shots at opposing players like Vrabel did on Sunday (I don't care what anyone says, that was an absolute cheap shot) you're going to ultimately pay for it. Even though pro football players play primarily for money, they still have some pride in them. They don't like getting shown up.

So Simmons can believe whatever the hell he wants. But if the Pats keep running up the score and pissing people off, they're ultimately going to pay a price. And it's most likely to be delivered by a division opponent that got embarrassed during the last matchup.

So if I were the Patriots, I'd watch my back. Because all it takes is one big hit to officially end your season. And you're currently creating a line of people waiting to deliver it.

-WCK

12 comments:

Bstone said...

Nice. That was pleasantly malice filled for a Friday morning. But I totally agree. It's complete horseshit that Simmons is attempting to justify this behavior by the Patriots. If he had any stones, he'd just take the, "You're GD right we're better than all of you" attitude. Instead, he tries to justify it in his whiny Boston way.

This attitude is primarily why I pull against the Red Sox. (And Patriots of course). Hopefully C.C. Sabathia will just eat Tom Brady while he's in town.

Anonymous said...

This is fun to listen to. A couple of crybabies who are sick of watching their perpetually inept teams continue to disapoint. The Patriots have been winning for years with substandard talent and now that they what they need they are just way better than anyone else. If you think they have been running up scores then you just haven't been watching the games. They didn't kick a field goal against the Browns at the end of the game when they could have and did the same against Dallas yesterday. If you don't want to get scored on then stop their 4th string running back on 4th down. There is still time left in the game what are they supposed to do?

Jason @ IIATMS said...

amen brother, amen.

Jason @ IIATMS said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Brandon said...

The definition of class: hoping you injure the opposing team's quarterback because you can't stop their offense.

Disgusting. I don't condone running up the score, but it's NEVER okay to wish serious injury on a player.

Anonymous said...

Have you watched the Patriots games, or just read bill simmons? Please do not let a LA man speak for Boston. The Patriots have not been running up the score, their just that good and you can't stop playing in the NFL, did anyone accuse the Chargers of running up the score against Denver, what about the Colts over the Saints? HUH? Even if you take out Brady the team is strong enough to still be the best in the NFL (great defense, a good running game when the backs are healthy, and a backup who has been in the best learning position). People like you who feel that players should be intentionally hurt should have your knees blow out before you wish that on anyone

NFLFan said...

Dude-You are an idiot. Deliberately injure one of the best players in the league because he is playing at an absurdly effective level?? Clearly,you have never played a minute of actual competitive sports in your life...you are talking out of your a$$ because you read an article by a moron that got you mad...

World of Isaac said...

If running up the score is part of the game, then so are personal foul late hits on the QB...

Brady should watch his back

Anonymous said...

Moron. Thank goodness, you aren't a NFL coach.

Mama's basement?

-Barry More

Anonymous said...

Wishing injury on a player just because he's good. It has to suck to live with so much bitterness.

Brady should watch his back? Please. More like defenders will be watching Moss' back after he torches them for another touchdown.

Anonymous said...

Boston, Where is your outrage when Harrison, Wilfork and Vrabel are doing their thing? It apparently IS a part of the game, so own it. You ARE the new Raiders and everyone hates you for all the right reasons.

Anonymous said...

Now that the patsies choked in the SB who's the crybabies now? pats fan are! I love it. 16-0 down the drain just like I said in October that it didn't matter if it was 18-0 that if they lost the SB the season is a disappointment. And so it is! A big fat disappointment! So go ahead Fins uncork that champagne because you still haven't been surpassed or even equaled. Here's an EFF YOU to all pats fans and especially simmons! You all will be the bitter ones now! You should have saved one of those meaningless touchdowns for the SB! See ya next year!!!!!

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