I know there are those of you who will disagree. "It's the defenses job to stop them...blah blah blah." But it's classless. And stupid. The game was over. By going for the TD instead of a field goal it accomplishes two things - 1. Rubs the Dolphins and fans noses in a tough loss that was otherwise a great game until the end. 2. By scoring the TD instead of ending the game by kneeling, the Patriots defense had to take the field again risking injury. Belicheat cares more about demoralizing his opponents than he does the health of his own players. This might seem like me being a poor loser, but remember how we played when we had the lead. We ran the ball and kicked a field goal. We played an won with class. Something the Patriots have never done. My hatred for the Patriots knows no bounds. The upshot is, they will reap more bad karma. And I'll be there to point and laugh when they do. I welcome those of you with a rational argument to debate whether or not the final Patriots TD was classless. But if all you bring to the table is "It's the defenses job to stop them" then don't bother. I've heard that one before.
Points are a playoff Tie Breaker. I can't fault any team for scoring points. Taking a knee at the goal is like predicting the future. I can see it now. Jets, Pats, Dolphins have split everything at the end of the season. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry on ESPN, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, or other media outlet replay the Patriots opportunity to score at the Dolphins three yard line but they took a knee. Patriots miss the playoffs by five points. Why even think about tie breakers and such? Why not just score points as it is the goal in the game?
I was infuriated by that who cares if its 4th and goal were getting the ball on the 2. I hope we ****ing sweep the Pats next year.
That is a rational argument. My question to that, and I'm asking because I honestly don't know the answer, is what's the order that points factors in a tie breaker? Is it third? Also, when is the last time points has factored into a playoff scenario tie breaker? Has it ever happened? Even if this is rational reasoning for the Patriots TD, I guarantee you tie breakers were not involved in Belicheat's reasoning in going for the TD.
I think it's fourth and I cannot remember the last time points were referenced for a decision. But tie breakers kicked us out of the playoffs the last time we were in contention for a spot and I would not want to be the poor sap that took a knee for the honor of an opponent in leau of making a playoff spot. If the league gave a hoot about "running up the score" they'd take points out of the tie breaker.
The Patriots will get theres...I wouldn't feel bad if Peezy fell on Tom Brady's knee next year. F all of them Patsies.....running it up like that at the end is BS!!!!
the pats, classless? well, sure. Suck it up though. We lost. They had their way with us today. Nothing we can do about it but come back next year, when were even better than we are now and take it to them and hopefully sweep them next year. Were going to be in their shoes sooner rather than later. They'll get whats coming to them...
I don't have a problem with it. Belicheat gives the defense ANOTHER chance to stop them. So, in other words, it gives them ANOTHER chance to PREVENT points. If he kicks the field goal, there's almost no chance that they don't get the points. At least with running it, it gives the Dolphins a chance. Also, it's good for him to get his guys real-time practice on a fourth-and-1 goalline attempt. People think that BB is some sort of evil man. I think the guy does what's best for his team...he doesn't care about the other team. I don't have any problems with the play call.
I agree that you always put points on the board. Most fans, myself included, is how they got those points though. See, I have a problem with the decision to go for a garbage touchdown on fourth down, instead of simply kicking the field goal. At the time the game was 41-28 with less than a minute remaining; the outcome was clear. They could have kicked the field goal, made it 44-28, and I wouldn't have complained a bit about it.
given their panache for running the score up last season when they pretty much had the playoffs in hand I would say the logical conclusion is they are just *******s
what did we do when we met them earlier this year? I didn't get to see the game. I remember reading that we quit passing in the 4th. Were we running it up then?
It was classless, plain and simple. Someone please give me an instance of when the strength of victory tiebreaker has ever been used in the NFL. Seriously, what is it the fifth or sixth one? Give me a break, this isn't college, the BCS doesn't decide who gets a title shot. I can't imagine a scenario where Bellicheat will need that tiebreaker to get a postseason spot. And FYI unless I'm crazy Miami's week 3 margin of victory was larger than 20 points anyway.
The Pats were running the ball. Running it. They didn't come out slinging it. If Cassel had been passing it to Moss out there, I might have some sympathy. The defense had ample opportunity to stop the Pats before that 4th and goal. They just didn't do it. 4th and goal from the one and up by 13 points? You go for it, because if they stop you, it doesn't matter. Give the young rook some experience in goal-line situations... Seriously, folks. This was a great game up until that 4th quarter where the team fell apart. Some folks here are sounding like the Pats fans after week 3... Just saying...
This is nothing new for the Pats. They've done it on a regular basis so no need to be surprised by it. Hopefully we have a more developed team next year more on par with their talent and we can smack them around.
Stop defending Bellichick, we all know how much class he has. Remember when he tried to run off the field early after the Giants killed his perfect season dream? He ran the score up all the time last season. He hasn't changed. It's bad sportsmanship, plain and simple. Don't give me that, "the defense should have stopped him" garbage. As if that makes it OK.
It was classless. But it's par for the course for Belichick. I'm not 'that' upset about it. You're paid to stop them. But it's not something I'd show to my kids and say, "that's sportsmanship". I mean, it's 4th down late in a game that's out of hand. And you go for the TD. Lack of respect, lack of class. I would be driving that home during Patriots week next season. Yeah, maybe I'm a little upset about it. OT: you want to know what we did in that situation? 2008: up 35-13...kicked a FG 2006: up 21-0....took a knee at the goal line. It won't last though. We will be stepping on their necks soon enough. They are not more physical or better coached than this team. They simply have an 8-year head start. But as you can see, that gap has closed in a hurry.
Made me feel a lot better after boo'ing when their injured players got up. I have zero respect for that entire organization. I'd never share a friendly gesture with anyone associated within. If my brother (not a professional athlete; just saying) became a New England Patriot, honest to God truth, I would avoid him at all costs. He'd no longer be family to me. The most disgusting organization in the history of sports. Oh, and LaDainian Tomlinson was definitely right, "it starts with their head coach"
And, if we take a step back and look at the two games, as a whole: 8 quarters of football Miami Dolphins: 66 New England Patriots: 61 One team's on their way down. One team's on their way up. Not all that bad, huh?
After a night to sleep on it, I still think it was classless. And I still hate the Patriots. But what's done is done. Nothing else to do now except handler our business for the rest of the season and hope we can still sneak a playoff spot.
Some of you might not of seen it, but on the last miami drive when Henne took a Knee, Bellicheat wasnt playing his starters, when he realized that the dolphins were sending an offense with Henne, Bellicheat took a timeout and put a few starters back.... I think it was a jab by Sparano and the Patriots looked really foolish PS Matt Light better be suspended
I'd expect nothing more from Bellicheet. No question that last TD was classless. And that's okay. It will give us something to remember for when we meet again.
Was nothing new to me, the Patriots are a classless organization and Belli**** is their center piece. We lost, I'm upset about it, but we can still make the playoffs.
I was just going to mention that. I guess he's gotta get it while he can. The East title isn't his by default anymore. The Jets are the team to beat and Miami is on the rise. It's going to be sweet.
Muckster, this doesn't make me feel any better But I know what you mean <SIGH> Well it was a good fight at 31-28 and a chance for us, and then the bottom fell out. Refs gave Moss a pass and a TD when he should have been called for an offensive PI. Then what happened showed me more trouble than what you guys think.....it showed a Miami team that is still not exactly where we want it to be, and that is not just wins and losses. I saw some signs of terrible selfishness, especially from Joey Porter. That will not endear him to Parcells and Co. and could get him shipped out, even with a DPY award under his arm. There are still HUGE warts on this team, and as I have stated in a past thread (that I was trashed on) that it may take more time than some here want to believe to right the ship and make us a truly viable Super Bowl contender.
If you are my divisional opponent in the NFL: Your future quarterback will attain no confidence on my time. I don't care about his development because I do not want him to develop into anything other than a loser.
I disagree wholeheartedly. Porter was defying his coaches in a very public manner. That will not be tolerated, and I am sure there is some very real punishment coming from up above. If not, then you are teaching your younger players to defy their coaches, when at the most critical times they need to learn to listen and respect them. On top of that, Joey was vocal this past week. That also gave the Pasties extra bulletinboard material. Personally I would put a season long gag order on the team, and never give an opponent a clue as to what is going on inside our locker room. I know I would be more draconian than Nick the Dick, but that is just how I would run the show.
bulletin board material is the biggest farce around. what about the bulletin board material in week 3?
Sparano just sent Henne to take a knee Bellicheat was who he his sending his starters back made him look sissy
I'm pretty sure these guys can figure out for themselves whether to respect/disrespect sparano. It's not like joey led a coup like he did last year
I don't think Porter will be sent out via trade any time soon, especially considering he's our only consistent pass rusher. I have been wrong before but I highly doubt that happens. Highly. Only way I could see him gone is after 2009 and I don't know about that. There are still some problems on this team, no doubt. I don't see them as big as you do and I still dont believe it will take three to four years to get this team to be a playoff contender.
I have a neutral fan that is actually a Cincy diehard. She approached me this morning and mentioned it was a COMPLETELY classless gesture. Right up there with lining up for a punt and drop-kicking it to run the score up. I will celebrate the day that a linebacker takes his (Billicheat) head completely off his shoulders.....
....see..this is what happens to you when you get your a$$ kicked all through school and later in life you become an NFL headcoach...Actually I expected Bill to go for it...it's his style...and don't pick on him...he's got a lot of class......it's just that it's all 3rd...