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I still dispute that defense wins titles in football. Joel Send a noteboard - 18/01/2010 05:22:43 AM

1) Football is ultimately about money. Flashy plays put paying fans in seats. Defense wins championships, but offense sells tickets. Blow another team out, and your team's name will be the one talked about around the water cooler.

Defense didn't do the Bears much good against the Colts, and if they stepped up their D in the playoffs (when you're DEAD LAST in run D, you must) it was still their offense that won the game, and that Bears D played a game for the ages: Their offense just left them in the lurch. If it were the regular season I could see your point better (for one thing, PF, Net Pts and TDs, among other things, are all potential tiebreakers) but the Vikings are going to the Conference Championship; I'm pretty sure most football fans will be talking about them tomorrow (just not as much as the stunning collapse of the Chargers; knowing who else is in that Division I have to wonder how good they really were. ) Though I will say this: When people talk about this game next week, that TD pass at the end probably WILL be the most frequently discussed, so good job, I guess. ;)
2) Calling a risky play when you're far ahead is a safe way to practice it in a live game. The Vikings may enter a situation in the upcoming weeks where they NEED to call that play. Having already done so under pressure will give the team confidence, and increase the likelihood of success.

That's actually a good point, but it's not like it was a hook and ladder or a flea flicker. It was a lower percentage than a draw play, at least for guaranteeing a gain and protecting the ball, but it was just a regular ol' short go route, nothing they don't do in practice dozens of times a week.

3) This one is an opinion, but, to me, not trying to score is a lot more embarrassing than putting another few points on the board. Losing sucks, but when a team throws in the towel, it's just plain demeaning. At least when an opponent is still playing the game, you can try to redeem yourself with some flashy play of your own, even if it won't win the thing for you. Once they've called off the dogs, though, there's nothing you can do. If you do something great, no one cares, because the other team isn't playing. If someone's going to beat me, then just do it already. Don't patronize me, worrying about running up the score.

I can understand that, really, but unless you really love/hate one or both of the teams, in games like that one became, at the end all anyone wants--coaches, players, fans, hot dog vendors--is for it to end as quickly as possible. And you don't do that throwing passes, certainly not scoring ones. As random thoughts said, once inside two minutes and the other team out of time outs you don't need another first down (one very real down side of changing the 30 second play clock to 45, IMHO; before, you actually had to play 60:00, not 58:00. ) Take a knee a couple times and go home with all your limbs where they were when you woke up this morning.
Anyway. In summary, I don't agree that putting more points on the board is disrespectful. Even if it is, I think that making the fans happy and gaining valuable play experience justifies the action. Obviously a coach has to weigh those benefits against the possibility of injuring a player, but that's his call. If he wants to do it, I think he has perfectly justifiable reasons to support his decision.

Until/unless someone gets hurt or allows a miraculous come back it's just annoying, but the one time it bites you in the butt it bites hard. And unless you really are running your REAL long shot plays it's utterly pointless. For every Vikings fan thrilled by yet another TD there's a Cowboys fan insulted by it--plus a few Vikings fans thinking, I'm glad Favre didn't do that to us twice a year for a decade. Hence the thread; again, I like 'em both, but I disagree with, even disapprove of, that playcall strongly, for many reasons.
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For the Record, I Think Terry Was Right, not Jimmy. - 18/01/2010 12:52:27 AM 804 Views
There is no running up the score in pro sports. - 18/01/2010 01:24:24 AM 578 Views
Sure there is. - 18/01/2010 01:59:16 AM 492 Views
Three reasons I disagree. - 18/01/2010 03:39:09 AM 490 Views
I largely agree, but... - 18/01/2010 04:45:22 AM 490 Views
I still dispute that defense wins titles in football. - 18/01/2010 05:22:43 AM 526 Views
Their own coach gave Indy their first loss. - 18/01/2010 01:37:51 AM 684 Views
This isn't about liking or disliking either team. - 18/01/2010 02:26:25 AM 658 Views
It was stupid but they have the right to score if they want - 18/01/2010 02:24:39 AM 497 Views
Less time than I remembered, underscoring the point. - 18/01/2010 02:32:00 AM 559 Views
Naw I hope the Saints kick the snot out of them - 18/01/2010 03:54:55 AM 611 Views
Favre got his ass kicking in '97; I just wish I had it on tape. - 18/01/2010 04:38:54 AM 637 Views
Ahem - 18/01/2010 09:03:35 AM 640 Views
Yeah, yeah, where were you in '04? - 18/01/2010 09:05:41 AM 496 Views
If Bush keeps playing like he did I don't think anyone will - 18/01/2010 02:13:36 PM 513 Views
two reasons you are wrong - 18/01/2010 06:02:40 AM 505 Views
So it's OK to humiliate a good team, just not a horrible one? - 18/01/2010 06:34:24 AM 529 Views
eh? - 18/01/2010 07:11:25 AM 485 Views
The Catch didn't make up 32 points, and The Comeback took more than the two minute warning. - 18/01/2010 08:12:54 AM 512 Views
um, not to put words in your mouth, but.... - 18/01/2010 03:48:55 PM 501 Views
If you think they're still in it, ice it with the FG; if you don't, kneel down and go home. - 18/01/2010 05:48:19 PM 694 Views
Again, this is professional level playoff football - 18/01/2010 07:42:18 PM 585 Views
Seems I also misremembered the final, FWIW. - 19/01/2010 12:17:43 AM 698 Views
Yeah, pretty much - 18/01/2010 06:58:37 AM 525 Views
Hey, if a team can run up the score against you, you shouldn't be in the playoffs. - 18/01/2010 01:32:30 PM 524 Views
great argument to bad it is based more on your emtions then reality - 18/01/2010 02:09:13 PM 547 Views
pot meet kettle... *NM* - 18/01/2010 04:05:47 PM 228 Views
hello kettle - 18/01/2010 04:19:49 PM 502 Views
the problem being that you're criticizing someone for being emotional while doing the same - 18/01/2010 04:42:09 PM 517 Views
speaking of sandy vaginas - 18/01/2010 05:43:04 PM 476 Views
that was so incomprehensible i'm not sure how to respond.... - 18/01/2010 11:19:38 PM 546 Views
I was saying stop winning because I call people out for stupid hate post - 20/01/2010 02:38:46 PM 478 Views
LOL - 21/01/2010 02:30:16 AM 450 Views
you appear to be the onbe worked up there sandy *NM* - 21/01/2010 05:12:19 AM 232 Views
Re: great argument to bad it is based more on your emtions then reality - 18/01/2010 04:43:23 PM 538 Views
Re: great argument to bad it is based more on your emtions then reality - 18/01/2010 06:57:47 PM 525 Views
no but when they go bad they go real bad - 18/01/2010 07:54:40 PM 461 Views
I had no problem with it. - 19/01/2010 05:32:19 PM 472 Views
Seems it's just me, Brooking and Bradshaw on this one. - 20/01/2010 09:28:03 AM 520 Views
What should happen... - 20/01/2010 05:24:45 PM 517 Views
Wasn't Childress trying to bench Favre to protect him at the end fo the season...? - 21/01/2010 02:20:30 AM 521 Views
Your glass are a little rose colored when you look at the Landry years - 21/01/2010 03:16:48 PM 473 Views
might want to check your facts there.... - 22/01/2010 01:06:57 AM 592 Views
yes but the Cowboys win their turkey day games - 22/01/2010 03:17:55 PM 600 Views
Schramm marketed the hell out of them, yes, but Landry and the players made it credible. - 22/01/2010 04:55:01 AM 525 Views
White hurt his wrist after Landry brought him back - 22/01/2010 03:30:35 PM 466 Views
I think you confuse the press with the team - 20/01/2010 02:55:53 PM 431 Views
Not hear... see. - 20/01/2010 05:08:15 PM 400 Views
You have passion on your side but I have history - 20/01/2010 06:49:32 PM 447 Views
It's not about "Can" or "Having the Right" or whether or not the Cowboys "should" stop them... - 20/01/2010 04:43:36 PM 498 Views
"Character is who you are in the dark. " - 20/01/2010 11:13:28 PM 543 Views
it's interesting.... - 21/01/2010 02:25:36 AM 420 Views
I can never find an original source either. - 21/01/2010 02:33:47 AM 438 Views
Re: For the Record, I Think Terry Was Right, not Jimmy. - 22/01/2010 08:55:23 PM 567 Views

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