Bob Sanders on running up the scores

[Doomsday101]

Let's apply the same logic to this situation as the Pat's apologists apply in defense of their classless behavior.If the Pat's don't want to put there QB in jeopardy maybe they should look at themselves and ponder as to what it is THEY need to do to accomplish that goal.There's a two way street for you.

I'm not apologizing for the Pats, it is their team and they can play anyway they want within the rules of the game. Don't give me this BS about and unwritten rule, you know why it is unwritten because it is not a damn rule. You don't want to get beat badly then get your team ready to play 60 min on Sunday. In the case of Sanders making such claims of what he may do before it even happens tells me he thinks it very well could take place. Pats win before the kickoff takes place.

 

[Vtwin]

I'm not apologizing for the Pats, it is their team and they can play anyway they want within the rules of the game. Don't give me this BS about and unwritten rule, you know why it is unwritten because it is not a damn rule. You don't want to get beat badly then get your team ready to play 60 min on Sunday. In the case of Sanders making such claims of what he may do before it even happens tells me he thinks it very well could take place. Pats win before the kickoff takes place.

There are "unwritten rules" in most every walk of life.There is no "rule" against running out to midfield and dancing on your opponets logo after a scoring a TD. There is an unwritten rule though. The difference is, the league enforces the rules, the players (society) enforces the unwritten rules. Were you not happy that George and Emmitt took it upon themselves to enforce that particular unwritten rule?You are overblowing the Sanders comment. He no doubt was responding to a specific (baiting) question. I'm pretty sure he thinks it's going to be a moot point.

 

[Doomsday101]

There are "unwritten rules" in most every walk of life.There is no "rule" against running out to midfield and dancing on your opponets logo after a scoring a TD. There is an unwritten rule though. The difference is, the league enforces the rules, the players (society) enforces the unwritten rules. Were you not happy that George and Emmitt took it upon themselves to enforce that particular unwritten rule?You are overblowing the Sanders comment. He no doubt was responding to a specific (baiting) question. I'm pretty sure he thinks it's going to be a moot point.

And I think all this running the score up is being overblown. As I said I would be more concerned of why my team played so poorly that they got blown out. Not why did the Pats do it. By the Way last week the Pats did pull Brady from the game with over 8 min left in the contest and the backups came in.

 

[peplaw06]

And I think all this running the score up is being overblown. As I said I would be more concerned of why my team played so poorly that they got blown out. Not why did the Pats do it. By the Way last week the Pats did pull Brady from the game with over 8 min left in the contest and the backups came in.

Sure most of us would be MORE concerned about why the Boys got blown out. But we're not Skins fans. They're the ones who got the scores run up on them. I don't care what's wrong with them.

As semi-neutral audience members, we can talk about what both sides did wrong. it just so happens that the Pats are the talk amongst all media circles and many fans. You are contributing to that yourself.

 

[Doomsday101]

Sure most of us would be MORE concerned about why the Boys got blown out. But we're not Skins fans. They're the ones who got the scores run up on them. I don't care what's wrong with them.

As semi-neutral audience members, we can talk about what both sides did wrong. it just so happens that the Pats are the talk amongst all media circles and many fans. You are contributing to that yourself.

And yet in the post game Gibbs said he has no problem with anything the Pats did when he was asked.

 

[peplaw06]

And yet in the post game Gibbs said he has no problem with anything the Pats did when he was asked.

So that would only tend to prove my point.

Someone who is a member or fan of the Skins should probably worry more about what their issues are. And they probably are.

That doesn't mean that they don't feel disrespected. Just cause Gibbs said that, doesn't mean he didn't have a problem either. I don't quite believe everything that comes from coaches' mouths in press conferences.

The fact that Godfrey said something about it tends to show that at least some people on that team took issue with their actions. Are they MORE worried about that than the way they played? Who knows.

But like I said, I'm not a fan of that team, so I don't care. They can harp on the Pats all they want. In fact, I would welcome that, because it would deflect attention they should be putting to their team, and we still have to play them twice.

But I don't for one second believe that everyone on that team is perfectly okay with what the Pats did.

 

[Doomsday101]

So that would only tend to prove my point.

Someone who is a member or fan of the Skins should probably worry more about what their issues are. And they probably are.

That doesn't mean that they don't feel disrespected. Just cause Gibbs said that, doesn't mean he didn't have a problem either. I don't quite believe everything that comes from coaches' mouths in press conferences.

The fact that Godfrey said something about it tends to show that at least some people on that team took issue with their actions. Are they MORE worried about that than the way they played? Who knows.

But like I said, I'm not a fan of that team, so I don't care. They can harp on the Pats all they want. In fact, I would welcome that, because it would deflect attention they should be putting to their team, and we still have to play them twice.

But I don't for one second believe that everyone on that team is perfectly okay with what the Pats did.

I never said everyone was perfectly ok with the Pats I said I don't care if they are or not and I doubt the Pats care either. You play them be ready to play for 60 min if not then getting your butt kicked is very likely to happen. Let me also say sooner or later the Pats will be on the other side of the fence and I don't expect teams to show them much mercy either. 1 last thing when is it time to pull the starters. If you recall the Colts and Bucs played a MNF game with the Colts trailing by 21 points with less than 3 min only to come back and win the game.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I don't deny the existence of social pressure. I deny its relevance to the appropriateness or inappropriateness of continuing to score regardless of the circumstance.

Regarless of whether you think running up the score should be a relevant social pressure, people around the NFL clearly deem it relevant; otherwise, this discussion wouldn't be going on across so many forums and so many venues.

As for your example, I don't think it's social pressure that keeps coaches from targeting star players with scrubs. The league has more meaningful pressure that can be brought to bear to make sure that sort of behavior does not happen or go unpunished.

I disagree. Many coaches and players have castigated such behavior, saying it has "no place in the NFL." Their argument is one of social pressure.

I don't think that most players or coaches perceive continuing to attempt to score to be classless or disrespectful. Publicly, anyway, most that I've hear have said that it's a non-issue.

This is the key point of this entire debate, and I must disagree with your stance. Just this past week, there have been three separate instances in which players and/or coaches have seemingly expressed displeasure with Belichik's behavior in victory:

1) Randall Godfrey's post game comments about respecting the game.

2) Gibbs' refusal to shake Belichik's hand following the game. Although he's stated running up the score is a non-issue, it's not likely he simply forgot the postgame handshake. It's more likely that Gibbs is observing another aspect of league etiquette: Don't publicly criticize fellow coaches.

3) Bob Sander's pregame comments. He likely didn't make them in a vacuum. He probably discussed this issue with his teammates beforehand.

In my opinion, the running up scores issue is one aspect of a larger issue: Respect. Players such as LT and coaches such as Brad Childress have stated or intimated that Belichik and his team are disrespectful, and the league is tired of it.

 

[peplaw06]

I never said everyone was perfectly ok with the Pats I said I don't care if they are or not and I doubt the Pats care either. You play them be ready to play for 60 min if not then getting your butt kicked is very likely to happen.

That's not even the issue. A butt kicking was already handed to the Skins. The added rubbing their faces in it was what was not needed.

Let me also say sooner or later the Pats will be on the other side of the fence and I don't expect teams to show them much mercy either.

I hope so. Give them a taste of their own medicine. I know I better not hear them complaining about it after all this crap.

1 last thing when is it time to pull the starters. If you recall the Colts and Bucs played a MNF game with the Colts trailing by 21 points with less than 3 min only to come back and win the game.

Are you suggesting that the Bucs lost that game because they called off the dogs, so to speak??

First of all, it was only a 14 point lead with 6:42 left in the 4th. Tampa returned a pick for 6 and led by 21. Indy got the ball down 21 with 5 minutes left. They returned that kickoff 90 yards and scored 4 plays later. They then recovered an onsides kick and scored 7 plays later.

So the Bucs were up 7 with 2:30 left. Indy went on to tie the game and win in OT.

It's not even close to the same situation as the Pats were in. The Bucs never had the ball in the 4th with a 21 point lead. If they had MAYBE you'd have a point. But the Skins were down 38 in the 4th. Quite a difference there, wouldn't you say?

 

[Idgit]

Regarless of whether you think running up the score should be a relevant social pressure, people around the NFL clearly deem it relevant; otherwise, this discussion wouldn't be going on across so many forums and so many venues.



I disagree. Many coaches and players have castigated such behavior, saying it has "no place in the NFL." Their argument is one of social pressure.

​

The social pressure definitely exists. The threat of fines and suspensions do, too, and I'd argue that's whats effective in curtailing bounties and such.

This is the key point of this entire debate, and I must disagree with your stance. Just this past week, there have been three separate instances in which players and/or coaches have seemingly expressed displeasure with Belichik's behavior in victory:

1) Randall Godfrey's post game comments about respecting the game.

2) Gibbs' refusal to shake Belichik's hand following the game. Although he's stated running up the score is a non-issue, it's not likely he simply forgot the postgame handshake. It's more likely that Gibbs is observing another aspect of league etiquette: Don't publicly criticize fellow coaches.

​

FWIW, Gibbs did actually shake hands and this was a mistake on the part of NFLN reporting. There's a jpeg of the handshake floating around on this site someplace.

3) Bob Sander's pregame comments. He likely didn't make them in a vacuum. He probably discussed this issue with his teammates beforehand.

​

This, too, I could chalk up to pre-game bravado and psychology. In any event, I don't doubt that there are many players and coaches who don't approve of competing full-throttle the entire game regardless of the circumstances. I'm just not willing to concede that it's the majority.

In my opinion, the running up scores issue is one aspect of a larger issue: Respect. Players such as LT and coaches such as Brad Childress have stated or intimated that Belichik and his team are disrespectful, and the league is tired of it.

​

Either way, it's a fun philosophical debate. Sally Jenkins has her take on in in the WaPo. Note Cooley's take, in particular. Theisman has a point, too, but everybody knows he's a genius like Norman Einstein and we've come to expect it.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/31/AR2007103102746.html

 

[Chreph]

Wow... I love society nowadays. There IS a difference between scoring a boat load of points and running up the score. Going for it on 4th down when the game is out of reach and throwing bombs when you're up 38-0 against an inept offense that has yet to produce a point on your defense is running up the score. But, gee, there's no written rule about it so it's okay.

Some of you people seem like you'd be okay with jumping in front of a little kid trying to get a foul ball, ripping off old people, and friends hitting on your girlfriend because everything's fair game. That's okay because there's no rule that says you have to let the kid catch the ball, if they're dumb enough to overpay for something they don't need it's their fault, and you're not married so she's free to date whoever she wants. Do you think it's okay if a man beats a woman up if she starts a fight? You've got to protect yourself after all even though (in most cases) you aren't really in danger of being hurt.

Bottom line, it's completely classless and there are unwritten rules in sports just like everyday life. I can't wait until karma catches up to them. If anything happens I hope it's on their offensive line and Brady has a "McNabb-like" decline behind a bad line.

 

[Idgit]

Wow... I love society nowadays. There IS a difference between scoring a boat load of points and running up the score. Going for it on 4th down when the game is out of reach and throwing bombs when you're up 38-0 against an inept offense that has yet to produce a point on your defense is running up the score. But, gee, there's no written rule about it so it's okay.

Some of you people seem like you'd be okay with jumping in front of a little kid trying to get a foul ball, ripping off old people, and friends hitting on your girlfriend because everything's fair game. That's okay because there's no rule that says you have to let the kid catch the ball, if they're dumb enough to overpay for something they don't need it's their fault, and you're not married so she's free to date whoever she wants. Do you think it's okay if a man beats a woman up if she starts a fight? You've got to protect yourself after all even though (in most cases) you aren't really in danger of being hurt.

Bottom line, it's completely classless and there are unwritten rules in sports just like everyday life. I can't wait until karma catches up to them. If anything happens I hope it's on their offensive line and Brady has a "McNabb-like" decline behind a bad line.

I'd assume I'm in the group you're referring to. Since you're coming late to the party and intentionally misunderstanding the points I've made, though, I'm not going to engage this time around.

I will suggest you not make the mistake of generalizing what might be appropriate in the very tightly regulated competitive environment of an NFL game to what might be appropriate in society at large. Obviously, that's a ridiculously slippery slope where the social mores that apply are wildly different.

 

[Nors]

I have no problems with what Bill did.

Signed,
Jeff Fisher

 

[HogsRLegends]

Now that is the code of the warrior. How did Bob Sanders suddenly become such a great player and leader after his injury last year? He sucked and was a total liability before getting injured.

 

[Vtwin]

Wow... I love society nowadays. There IS a difference between scoring a boat load of points and running up the score. Going for it on 4th down when the game is out of reach and throwing bombs when you're up 38-0 against an inept offense that has yet to produce a point on your defense is running up the score. But, gee, there's no written rule about it so it's okay.

Some of you people seem like you'd be okay with jumping in front of a little kid trying to get a foul ball, ripping off old people, and friends hitting on your girlfriend because everything's fair game. That's okay because there's no rule that says you have to let the kid catch the ball, if they're dumb enough to overpay for something they don't need it's their fault, and you're not married so she's free to date whoever she wants. Do you think it's okay if a man beats a woman up if she starts a fight? You've got to protect yourself after all even though (in most cases) you aren't really in danger of being hurt.

Bottom line, it's completely classless and there are unwritten rules in sports just like everyday life. I can't wait until karma catches up to them. If anything happens I hope it's on their offensive line and Brady has a "McNabb-like" decline behind a bad line.

Very well said.

 

[03EBZ06]

Now that is the code of the warrior. How did Bob Sanders suddenly become such a great player and leader after his injury last year? He sucked and was a total liability before getting injured.

Just out of curiosity, how old are you?

Your questions about Romo, Sanders and other players progress, their speed, and their ability to make plays sounds lot like some 12 year old kid.

 

[HogsRLegends]

Just out of curiosity, how old are you?

Your questions about Romo, Sanders and other players progress, their speed, and their ability to make plays sounds lot like some 12 year old kid.

The Colts defense had always been atrocious until after Sanders returned from injury last year. Then all of a sudden they became one of the top units in the NFL.

 

[Nors]

Sanders at 5-8 200 has never played a full season in the NFL.

 

[AsthmaField]

Now that is the code of the warrior. How did Bob Sanders suddenly become such a great player and leader after his injury last year? He sucked and was a total liability before getting injured.

He's the emotional leader of their defense and he's a catalyst for their play. Real or imagined... that defense does pick-up when he's in the lineup. I'm not sure how actually "talented" he is, but Sanders ignites that defense. A lot has to do with the area between his ears and in his chest, i.e. a football smart guy who has a lot of heart.