Boston killing sports.

[m0ef0e]

I heard Colin Cowherd say that Cowboys/Patriots will be the greatest superbowl of all time this morning on ESPN radio... *gag* *gag* *cough* *puke*

The NFL isn't really all that interesting this year (lopsided AFC divisions, a slew of bad teams, etc) and the Patriots aren't helping anything with their 40+ point blow-outs. Maybe people from Boston and the sports media want to see another undefeated team emerge in the annals of NFL history but a lot of people are going to lose interest.

I think most people don't really want to see yet another post-season matchup between the New England Yankees and Dallas Red Sox. Football looks very similar to baseball this year-- completely lopsided. I thought the salary cap was supposed to prevent this?

Oh yeah, the Pats also got busted for cheating. Their punishment did not include any suspensions, just fines and they had draft picks taken away that they just recouped in a trade with San Fransisco (I think). Picture this: New England wins the superbowl and turns around to get a top-ten pick in the draft next year. The reason why I've been such a huge football fan over the years is because I used to only see this kind of imbalance in MLB or the NBA. Now, it seems that the NFL just wants the big teams to set a bunch of records-- kind of like they want to keep up with MLB because Bonds set the home run record this year or something...

Whatever's going on, it's lame and Boston is killing sports.

[hermhater]

My theory on the "Patriots are running-up the score." complaint is that if the opposition wants the Patriots to stop scoring, then they either need to stop them, or "Say 'Uncle'". If the opposition pulls their starters, then they have waved the proverbial "white flag". Until then, it is all fair game.

Yep!

Don't tell me to stop punching you until you're ready to quit punching me!

If your starting offense is on the field it is there to score. Teaching any other way is a losing mentality.

Defense stops scores, and Offense scores.

Every time they are on the field.

[chief31]

I've got no problem with the Patriots "running up the score" and all that. My problem with them is the fact that they got busted cheating and no suspensions were handed down-- only fines and loss of a draft pick that they recouped anyway. They should have not been able to trade for a first or second-round pick next draft as well as having the picks revoked. It seems like the Patriots just shoved an already-lenient punishment right back in the NFL's face-- way to rule with the iron fist, Goodell.

It seems to me that something slipped through the cracks somewhere and the Patriots found a way to exploit it. I can't say what, where, or how but the lopsided manner in which the Patriots have been winning this year just doesn't seem quite right to me-- it's not what I'm used to seeing in the NFL, anyway.

That isn't something that can be blamed on the Patriots. That would be the leagues responsibility. And, I don't have a big problem with the ruling. It is something that every team does, in some capacity. Try to find out what the other team is going to do.

[m0ef0e]

That isn't something that can be blamed on the Patriots. That would be the leagues responsibility. And, I don't have a big problem with the ruling. It is something that every team does, in some capacity. Try to find out what the other team is going to do.

Of course not. I was blaming the NFL. The Patriots just get the benefit of making my case for me. The end of the game against the Ravens... I understand that Baltimore made a mistake by calling that time out and the false start also gave the Pats another chance (granted, from 5 yards farther away) but the defensive holding call... How many chances do they get?

[DrunkHillbilly]

Of course not. I was blaming the NFL. The Patriots just get the benefit of making my case for me. The end of the game against the Ravens... I understand that Baltimore made a mistake by calling that time out and the false start also gave the Pats another chance (granted, from 5 yards farther away) but the defensive holding call... How many chances do they get?

By the rules, it was clearly holding. Even if the holding wasn't called, there was PI in the end zone also. The reciever was hit from behind before the ball got there. # 22 or 28 was the culprit.

[rbedgood]

New England won that game...the refs were letting Baltimore defenders get away with holding Welker most of the night. I hate the Pats, but there were bad calls both ways, and even the last hail mary should've been sent back (and if it had been into the endzone likely would've been) as Derrick Mason was essentially tackling the DB that was closest to Clayton (who caught the ball) The TD that won the game was suspect at best, but I thought they got the call right. Funniest thing will be that no one will watch the Pats game at the end of the season because its on the NFL Network...HAHA, all this hype and no one will have the channel.

[chief31]

Of course not. I was blaming the NFL. The Patriots just get the benefit of making my case for me. The end of the game against the Ravens... I understand that Baltimore made a mistake by calling that time out and the false start also gave the Pats another chance (granted, from 5 yards farther away) but the defensive holding call... How many chances do they get?

By the rules, it was clearly holding. Even if the holding wasn't called, there was PI in the end zone also. The reciever was hit from behind before the ball got there. # 22 or 28 was the culprit.

I agree with hillbilly. (I need a shower now.) I saw the replay, and the call was obvious. Especially since the player who was held was the intended reciever.

The refs didn't give the Patriots extra chances, the Ravens did.

As for the timeout, it appears as if some of the Patriots quit with the whistle. Meaning that the result may have been different, had there been no timeout.

I have yet to see the kickoff that the Pats got, from the Ravens' 30-35 yard line. I want to see that play.

[DrunkHillbilly]

I agree with hillbilly. (I need a shower now.) I saw the replay, and the call was obvious. Especially since the player who was held was the intended reciever.

The refs didn't give the Patriots extra chances, the Ravens did.

As for the timeout, it appears as if some of the Patriots quit with the whistle. Meaning that the result may have been different, had there been no timeout.

I have yet to see the kickoff that the Pats got, from the Ravens' 30-35 yard line. I want to see that play.

The kick wasn't very interesting. He kind of pooch kicked it about 4 rows deep right through the uprights.

[prough91]

If the only team the Pats beat this year was the Jets, I could see everyone getting their panties in a wad, but they kill everyone. I'm sure a lot of other teams have done it and just haven't got caught.

[chief31]

The kick wasn't very interesting. He kind of pooch kicked it about 4 rows deep right through the uprights.

I know. I have just never seen what a recieving teams formation would look like, with that kind of kickoff field position. I think I would align my recieving team to guard against an onside kick.

Because, if you think about it, why not try one? If the Ravens recover it, they will still be near their own twenty. ( Hindsight reveals though, that the Ravens caught a "hail-Mary" at the three. Therefore, a couple more yards closer on the kickoff, may mean victory with that reception.)

[DrunkHillbilly]

I know. I have just never seen what a recieving teams formation would look like, with that kind of kickoff field position. I think I would align my recieving team to guard against an onside kick.

Because, if you think about it, why not try one? If the Ravens recover it, they will still be near their own twenty. ( Hindsight reveals though, that the Ravens caught a "hail-Mary" at the three. Therefore, a couple more yards closer on the kickoff, may mean victory with that reception.)

I kind of thought they might try an onside kick too.

Did you see Derek Mason almost tackle the guy that was defending that hail mary?? Another reason to throw a flag on the cry baby Ravens!