[ToTheLeft]

The New England Patriots are the best team in NFL history.

No ifs, ands, or buts.

This team is so dominant.

No one has been better, ever.

[kentuckywildcats]

i agree, but I'm a pats fan (i'm a fan of all the boston pro teams for some weird reason...) so I don't think my opinion matters as much as non-pats fans lol.

[ToTheLeft]

I am a Bucs fan, so I would say my opinion is at least somewhat objective.

However, I do have a man-crush on Tom Brady.

[SuperJon]

They won't be great when someone takes Brady's knees out for going for it on 4th in 1 up 28 points.

[ToTheLeft]

Just like someone should have gone for Zach's Wrist when he ran for the TD on 4th and short against VMI?

Coaches have reasons. Football players understand that.

[SuperJon]

If VMI did that, I would've understood it.

It's one thing to do it one time, for one player. This is like the 4th or 5th game they've run the score up.

[ToTheLeft]

If VMI did that, I would've understood it.

It's one thing to do it one time, for one player. This is like the 4th or 5th game they've run the score up.

Because they still have the same reason to do so.

They are not going to let off the gas.

They are on a mission, and they aren't going to let unwritten rules or convention stop them.

[SuperJon]

That's fine if they feel like they're on a mission, but when someone takes out Brady's knee, they can't complain.

[ToTheLeft]

That's fine if they feel like they're on a mission, but when someone takes out Brady's knee, they can't complain.

Yes they can, if someone breaks a written rule to purposefully assault their player, then yes, they certainly can.

They aren't breaking a rule by running it up. Attacking someone trying to hurt them is breaking several rules, including state/national laws.

I respect what they are doing. It's what I would do. Don't ever let up, keep going with what works until you can do it in your sleep, then keep doing it to make sure it stays your way of doing things.

The Colts up until this past year had been a victim of the same sort of thing, they had to let off the gas since Tony wanted to be nice.

That just doesn't set you up well.

[SuperJon]

You don't have to break the rules to hurt someone. When a defensive lineman gets knocked down and just so happens to roll on Brady's leg or ankle, that's not breaking the rules. When they knock him down and drive him into the ground just a little bit harder, that's not breaking the rules.

[ToTheLeft]

And in that case they can't complain.

But people would want to do that to Brady regardless.

[PeterParker]

You don't have to break the rules to hurt someone. When a defensive lineman gets knocked down and just so happens to roll on Brady's leg or ankle, that's not breaking the rules. When they knock him down and drive him into the ground just a little bit harder, that's not breaking the rules.

[Gotta disagree with ya on this one SJ. First of all, when they do get to him, I'm sure there's a little extra "oompf" in the tackle. BTW, he took a couple of decent shots tonight from Buffalo. But onto the main point.]

While I can understand the frustration that some may have (as stated in an earlier thread about this)...but, we are talking about Professional Football; i.e. it is a business. Should a company "let off the gas" just because it is so dominant in it's market? (i.e. Google, etc.) They played through three quarters and then they did let off the gas. I mean they had two third and fourth string full backs playing as running backs.

Now, Nebraska racking up 70+ points, LU and the Citadel racking up 70+ points...that could be construed as running the score up...and I would understand that argument as it is in the NCAA = not professional (although, these days some would debate the "professional" nature of the NCAA; but that's beside the point.)

Furthermore, few complain when team from the ACC blank teams by 30 or 40 points or even double the scoring output of their opponents in Basketball?

But back to football. It seems disenguine of folks to be upset about this in a professional setting and justify intentionally trying to hurt someone out of frustration, yet be ticked off when a player does it to someone on a team they cheer for. (i.e. the "bush league" hit, as it was called in another thread, on Godsil, or the one on Rashad last year.) I mean would it have been justifiable for any one of the teams: PC, VMI or Gardner-Webb to take a cheap hit out of frustration to "teach a lesson" as it were, when LU had "run the score" up?

I'm just saying.

[thepostman]

before I say this, I hate the patriots...I still think its too early to call the the greatest team ever....BUT...I am so sick of hearing people whine about the Patriots running up the score or going on it on 4th and 1 in games they have clearly won...these are professionals getting paid millions to play defense...if they can't stop them...that is their problem....i have no problem with it......

[PAmedic]

The New England Patriots are the best team in NFL history.

No ifs, ands, or buts.

This team is so dominant.

No one has been better, ever.

only 'cause you're too young to remember the Steel Curtain back in the 70's

the 49'ers in the 80's

and neither of us remember Lombardi's Packers.

[PAmedic]

That's fine if they feel like they're on a mission, but when someone takes out Brady's knee, they can't complain.

Yes they can, if someone breaks a written rule to purposefully assault their player, then yes, they certainly can.

They aren't breaking a rule by running it up. Attacking someone trying to hurt them is breaking several rules, including state/national laws.

Really, Columbo? And just what would these "national" laws be?

good stuff, right there <ROFLMAO>

[ToTheLeft]

Depends on where the crime is committed, sir.

There are places where there are national laws, and places where there are state laws.

For instance, if they were playing in London, and someone attacked someone else with their helmet on the field and it was considered an assault, what "state" is going to prosecute?

'Zactly.

[ToTheLeft]

The New England Patriots are the best team in NFL history.

No ifs, ands, or buts.

This team is so dominant.

No one has been better, ever.

only 'cause you're too young to remember the Steel Curtain back in the 70's

the 49'ers in the 80's

and neither of us remember Lombardi's Packers.

Ummmm,

I am aware of them...

and stand by my statement.

I figured an old guy would waltz in and talk about the past, and tell me I am wrong since I haven't experienced it.

This team is going to score 600 points, have an extremely well rated defense, run the table with a SIXTEEN game schedule, including beating teams with great offenses (Cowboys/Colts) and great defenses (Chargers/Steelers/Ravens).

And dominating every game from beginning to end.

Find me a more dominant team, sir.

[PAmedic]

hey, hey- don't "sir" me, I work for a living

the "London" analogy was horrible, BTW!

and this is an argument that will never be solved- since the style of the game has changed substantially since the 60s, 70s and 80s.

much more of a wide-open offensive game now- suited to QBs throwing all over the place.

fun to speculate- but no way to sort it out. I prefer to live in the past

[ToTheLeft]

hey, hey- don't "sir" me, I work for a living

the "London" analogy was horrible, BTW!

and this is an argument that will never be solved- since the style of the game has changed substantially since the 60s, 70s and 80s.

much more of a wide-open offensive game now- suited to QBs throwing all over the place.

fun to speculate- but no way to sort it out. I prefer to live in the past

I know, but you know what I mean.

Not everywhere will something be breaking a state law...

And you can't compare teams head to head in terms of who would win, but in terms of being more dominant?

That is measurable, and the Pats win.

[Sly Fox]

Get back to me in February and then we can start this discussion.

[The NSL]

Get back to me in February and then we can start this discussion.

That just screams Mercury Morris.

Crazy old man!

As for the Patriots being the best NFL team in NFL history, that's just a wee bit farfetched. There's '72 Dolphins, '85 Bears, '70s Steelers, '60s Packers (Deeper NFL history buffs may remember - the Pack won NFL championships in 1961, 1962, and 1965 before defeating Kansas City in the first ever Super Bowl), late '80s 49ers, and '92 Cowboys. I really can't put out one true "best team," but those teams come to mind in my mind.

[SuperJon]

As with us in the VMI game, I have no problem with running your normal offense and if the other team can't stop you, then you score. What I have a problem with is going for it on 4th and 1 up 28. Just kick the field goal. You're still putting points up.

[LUconn]

I have no problem with a team running the score up. However, I think it's stupid for a coach to have your starters in longer than they need to be. I would have no problem if somebody demonstrated why that is on Tom Brady.

[kel varson]

Absolutely RUN UP THE SCORE! This is the NFL, and these guys are paid millions. If their team doesn't show up to play they deserved to be embarrassed.

I'm Redskin fan and I was glad they got trounced.

[RubberMallet]

hey, hey- don't "sir" me, I work for a living

the "London" analogy was horrible, BTW!

and this is an argument that will never be solved- since the style of the game has changed substantially since the 60s, 70s and 80s.

much more of a wide-open offensive game now- suited to QBs throwing all over the place.

fun to speculate- but no way to sort it out. I prefer to live in the past

i liken it to any team in the big ten (old nfl days) that is great in the conference but once a sec team (new style) starts running 2 qb sets and spread offenses, we tumble....

this team is pretty ridiculous....