A Partial History of Tony Dungy "Running It Up"

[JDSal45]

1998 Week 17 (with Tampa Bay): Up 28-0 vs. Cincinnati, Dungy has starting RB Mike Alstott, still in the game, score a TD with under 10 minutes to go to push the score to 35-0. Alstott was Pro Bowler that year.

2000 Week 2 (with Tampa Bay): Up 34-0 vs. Chicago in the 4th Quarter, Pro Bowl starting RB Mike Alstott is still in the game and scores Tampa's final TD to make the score 41-0.

2000 Week 9 (with Tampa Bay): Up 34-13 with 5 minutes to go vs. Minnesota, Dungy has starting QB Shaun King throw a 16 yard TD pass to starting WR Reidel Anthony to make the score 41-13.

2001 Week 10 (with Tampa Bay): Up 33-14 with less than 10 minutes to go, has starting QB Brad Johnson throw a TD to make the score 40-14. Later, Ronde Barber intercepts a pass and returns it for a TD right at the two minute warning. That makes the score 46-21 BEFORE THE CONVERSION. At the two minute warning, Dungy GOES FOR TWO and gets it to make the final 48-21.

2004 Week 13 (with Indy): Versus Tennessee in the 4th Quarter, Dungy has Peyton Manning throw a TD pass to Reggie Wayne to make the score 48-24. Later in the 4th Quarter, he kicks a field goal to make the score 51-24.

2004 Playoffs (with Indy): Up 42-24 versus Denver at two minutes left, Dungy has his team punch in another TD to make the score 49-24.

2005 Week 5 (with Indy): Up 21-3 with less than 6 minutes left vs. San Francisco (who ended up with less than 200 yard offense for the day), Dungy has Manning throw a TD pass from 18 yards out to make the score 28-3.

2004 Week 9 (with Indy): Versus the Patriots and up 40-21 with under 6 minutes to play, Dungy goes for 2 after the final Indy TD. They don't get it.

2006 Week 2 (with Indy): Up 36-17 with 2:38 left in the game, Dungy has the Colts punch in another TD to make the score 43-17

2007 Week 1 (with Indy): Up 27-10 with 10 minutes left, has Manning throw a 45 yard TD versus New Orleans to Reggie Wayne to make the score 34-10.

2007 Week 7 (with Indy): Up 22-7 with under 4 minutes to play, Manning throws a 35 yard TD pass to Dallas Clark to make the score 29-7.

I don't have a problem with most of this (though going for 2 up 46-21 at the 2 minute warning seemed a bit excessive), but the point is the media has crucified Belichick and the Patriots while acting as if other teams/coaches haven't done similar things. It just ain't so. This is a partial list.

J D Sal

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

By any chance, does anyone watch Keith Olberman? This left-wing freak is now somehow mixing Belichick/Pats with politics(one of his guests threw in Belicheck when talking about Bush's ongoing lies and manipulation).

Anyhow-like I said before, I went through it with Dallas in the 90's-we were one of the biggest dynasties, but somehow, the rest of the world did their best to spit in our faces(making life miserable). 10 years later-the national sports media(and even our most hated enemies then) are giving us our due, and all that happened in the 90's at us has been forgotten.

Just keep your heads up-this will go away a few years from now.

 

[PatsFan24]

keith olbermann is f-ing worthless

 

[patsox23]

keith olbermann is f-ing worthless

Anyone who says this doesn't actually watch his show. He's one of the few media-types who is telling the truth and actually EXHAUSTIVELY researches his programs. Forgive me for choosing him over folks who backed the wrong horse. TWICE.

 

[indycolts685]

1998 Week 17 (with Tampa Bay): Up 28-0 vs. Cincinnati, Dungy has starting RB Mike Alstott, still in the game, score a TD with under 10 minutes to go to push the score to 35-0. Alstott was Pro Bowler that year.

2000 Week 2 (with Tampa Bay): Up 34-0 vs. Chicago in the 4th Quarter, Pro Bowl starting RB Mike Alstott is still in the game and scores Tampa's final TD to make the score 41-0.

2000 Week 9 (with Tampa Bay): Up 34-13 with 5 minutes to go vs. Minnesota, Dungy has starting QB Shaun King throw a 16 yard TD pass to starting WR Reidel Anthony to make the score 41-13.

2001 Week 10 (with Tampa Bay): Up 33-14 with less than 10 minutes to go, has starting QB Brad Johnson throw a TD to make the score 40-14. Later, Ronde Barber intercepts a pass and returns it for a TD right at the two minute warning. That makes the score 46-21 BEFORE THE CONVERSION. At the two minute warning, Dungy GOES FOR TWO and gets it to make the final 48-21.

2004 Week 13 (with Indy): Versus Tennessee in the 4th Quarter, Dungy has Peyton Manning throw a TD pass to Reggie Wayne to make the score 48-24. Later in the 4th Quarter, he kicks a field goal to make the score 51-24.

2004 Playoffs (with Indy): Up 42-24 versus Denver at two minutes left, Dungy has his team punch in another TD to make the score 49-24.

2005 Week 5 (with Indy): Up 21-3 with less than 6 minutes left vs. San Francisco (who ended up with less than 200 yard offense for the day), Dungy has Manning throw a TD pass from 18 yards out to make the score 28-3.

2004 Week 9 (with Indy): Versus the Patriots and up 40-21 with under 6 minutes to play, Dungy goes for 2 after the final Indy TD. They don't get it.

2006 Week 2 (with Indy): Up 36-17 with 2:38 left in the game, Dungy has the Colts punch in another TD to make the score 43-17

2007 Week 1 (with Indy): Up 27-10 with 10 minutes left, has Manning throw a 45 yard TD versus New Orleans to Reggie Wayne to make the score 34-10.

2007 Week 7 (with Indy): Up 22-7 with under 4 minutes to play, Manning throws a 35 yard TD pass to Dallas Clark to make the score 29-7.

I don't have a problem with most of this (though going for 2 up 46-21 at the 2 minute warning seemed a bit excessive), but the point is the media has crucified Belichick and the Patriots while acting as if other teams/coaches haven't done similar things. It just ain't so. This is a partial list.

J D Sal

1998 Week 17 (with Tampa Bay): Up 28-0 vs. Cincinnati, Dungy has starting RB Mike Alstott, still in the game, score a TD with under 10 minutes to go to push the score to 35-0. Alstott was Pro Bowler that year. are you kidding me, at least he was running the ball instead of passing out of a shot gun with a 38-0 lead

2000 Week 2 (with Tampa Bay): Up 34-0 vs. Chicago in the 4th Quarter, Pro Bowl starting RB Mike Alstott is still in the game and scores Tampa's final TD to make the score 41-0. again they are running the ball not passing, are you supposed to tell the guy to just fall to the ground and not score?

2000 Week 9 (with Tampa Bay): Up 34-13 with 5 minutes to go vs. Minnesota, Dungy has starting QB Shaun King throw a 16 yard TD pass to starting WR Reidel Anthony to make the score 41-13. 21 point lead with 5 mins left is not safe, the colts proved that against the bucks in 2003

2001 Week 10 (with Tampa Bay): Up 33-14 with less than 10 minutes to go, has starting QB Brad Johnson throw a TD to make the score 40-14. Later, Ronde Barber intercepts a pass and returns it for a TD right at the two minute warning. That makes the score 46-21 BEFORE THE CONVERSION. At the two minute warning, Dungy GOES FOR TWO and gets it to make the final 48-21.
21 point lead with 10 mins left? are you kidding me? your saying thats running up the score? giving me a break, do you even watch the nfl with all the comebacks? now a 38-0 lead late in the 4th and passing is considered running up the score

2004 Week 13 (with Indy): Versus Tennessee in the 4th Quarter, Dungy has Peyton Manning throw a TD pass to Reggie Wayne to make the score 48-24. Later in the 4th Quarter, he kicks a field goal to make the score 51-24. hard to debate that, maybe it was payback for some earlier losses to the Titans

2004 Playoffs (with Indy): Up 42-24 versus Denver at two minutes left, Dungy has his team punch in another TD to make the score 49-24. not sure the circumstances of the TD, I was at that game and im pretty sure we ran the ball for the last 5-6 minutes until we ran out of places and the endzone got in the way

2005 Week 5 (with Indy): Up 21-3 with less than 6 minutes left vs. San Francisco (who ended up with less than 200 yard offense for the day), Dungy has Manning throw a TD pass from 18 yards out to make the score 28-3.
it was only a two score game at 15 points so thats hardly running up the score

2004 Week 9 (with Indy): Versus the Patriots and up 40-21 with under 6 minutes to play, Dungy goes for 2 after the final Indy TD. They don't get it.
again I still don't understand why people in N.E don't understand this but why go up 20 when you can make it a 3 touchdown game? its in the book to go for two when your up 19 and still plenty of time left in the game, just ask Tampa Bay players from 2003

2006 Week 2 (with Indy): Up 36-17 with 2:38 left in the game, Dungy has the Colts punch in another TD to make the score 43-17 19 point lead with only 2:38, this one is kind of on the bubble, could go either way could be considered running it up a bit, close call there

2007 Week 1 (with Indy): Up 27-10 with 10 minutes left, has Manning throw a 45 yard TD versus New Orleans to Reggie Wayne to make the score 34-10.
only up 17 points with 10 minutes left are you kidding me, no way thats running up the score

2007 Week 7 (with Indy): Up 22-7 with under 4 minutes to play, Manning throws a 35 yard TD pass to Dallas Clark to make the score 29-7.two score game with 4 minutes left? no way this is running up the score either

I have already said a few times on this board that I have no problem with the Pats running up the score thats the Pats business and I don't really care..

 

[Buchanty]

Indycolts645, didn't your mother tell you not to shout? So why the yelling?

This was only context to the outcry against NE, not a criticism of Dungy. I think there are enough examples over the history of the league to show that the practice is not unusual, and normally goes without condemnation. Dtuna is right, while you are on top and seemingly invincible rancour is a constant companion. 10 years from now the Pats and Colts will be seen as great teams (yes in that order).

 

[Smash-MouthD]

Indycolts645 "are you kidding me, at least he was running the ball instead of passing out of a shot gun with a 38-0 lead"

how about Manning throwing touchdowns in the fourth quater against the lions on thanksgiving in 30+ point win, I have no problem with this but there was no hue and cry by the media stating that it was uncalled for. Just talk of how great manning is.

 

[Seacoast Fan]

What is interesting to me is that the whole discussion (or argument) about running up the score is always in the context of the offense, perhaps for the obvious reason that the offense controls the ball and generally scores most of the points in a game. But, if you examine this issue from the defensive perspective, I think it shows how silly the "running up the score" issue is.
What I mean is this: pick the best defense ever in the NFL. Most people including myself would pick the '85 Bears, but you could choose a Raven team, or a Pats team, in the early 2000s, or whatever. Now, did you ever see that defense late in a game, say,gee, we are way ahead, lets ease up and let the other team score? No, just the opposite, everyone tries to protect the shutout, if it is still there for the taking, or at least, tries as hard as possible to still keep the other team not only from scoring, but from making any first downs. Do you think Buddy Ryan ever said to Mike Singletary, Okay, Mike, we're up by alot, and its late, so stop making tackles short of the first down marker?
So, if a great defense can play as hard as possible for the entire game, hoping to "preserve the shutout", even if the score is lopsided, then why can't a high powered offiese do the same in its context, that is, go out and try to score as often as possible, regardless of the score?

 

[FlyingElvis75]

1998 Week 17 (with Tampa Bay): Up 28-0 vs. Cincinnati, Dungy has starting RB Mike Alstott, still in the game, score a TD with under 10 minutes to go to push the score to 35-0. Alstott was Pro Bowler that year. are you kidding me, at least he was running the ball instead of passing out of a shot gun with a 38-0 lead

2000 Week 2 (with Tampa Bay): Up 34-0 vs. Chicago in the 4th Quarter, Pro Bowl starting RB Mike Alstott is still in the game and scores Tampa's final TD to make the score 41-0. again they are running the ball not passing, are you supposed to tell the guy to just fall to the ground and not score?

2000 Week 9 (with Tampa Bay): Up 34-13 with 5 minutes to go vs. Minnesota, Dungy has starting QB Shaun King throw a 16 yard TD pass to starting WR Reidel Anthony to make the score 41-13. 21 point lead with 5 mins left is not safe, the colts proved that against the bucks in 2003

2001 Week 10 (with Tampa Bay): Up 33-14 with less than 10 minutes to go, has starting QB Brad Johnson throw a TD to make the score 40-14. Later, Ronde Barber intercepts a pass and returns it for a TD right at the two minute warning. That makes the score 46-21 BEFORE THE CONVERSION. At the two minute warning, Dungy GOES FOR TWO and gets it to make the final 48-21.
21 point lead with 10 mins left? are you kidding me? your saying thats running up the score? giving me a break, do you even watch the nfl with all the comebacks? now a 38-0 lead late in the 4th and passing is considered running up the score

2004 Week 13 (with Indy): Versus Tennessee in the 4th Quarter, Dungy has Peyton Manning throw a TD pass to Reggie Wayne to make the score 48-24. Later in the 4th Quarter, he kicks a field goal to make the score 51-24. hard to debate that, maybe it was payback for some earlier losses to the Titans

2004 Playoffs (with Indy): Up 42-24 versus Denver at two minutes left, Dungy has his team punch in another TD to make the score 49-24. not sure the circumstances of the TD, I was at that game and im pretty sure we ran the ball for the last 5-6 minutes until we ran out of places and the endzone got in the way

2005 Week 5 (with Indy): Up 21-3 with less than 6 minutes left vs. San Francisco (who ended up with less than 200 yard offense for the day), Dungy has Manning throw a TD pass from 18 yards out to make the score 28-3.
it was only a two score game at 15 points so thats hardly running up the score

2004 Week 9 (with Indy): Versus the Patriots and up 40-21 with under 6 minutes to play, Dungy goes for 2 after the final Indy TD. They don't get it.
again I still don't understand why people in N.E don't understand this but why go up 20 when you can make it a 3 touchdown game? its in the book to go for two when your up 19 and still plenty of time left in the game, just ask Tampa Bay players from 2003

2006 Week 2 (with Indy): Up 36-17 with 2:38 left in the game, Dungy has the Colts punch in another TD to make the score 43-17 19 point lead with only 2:38, this one is kind of on the bubble, could go either way could be considered running it up a bit, close call there

2007 Week 1 (with Indy): Up 27-10 with 10 minutes left, has Manning throw a 45 yard TD versus New Orleans to Reggie Wayne to make the score 34-10.
only up 17 points with 10 minutes left are you kidding me, no way thats running up the score

2007 Week 7 (with Indy): Up 22-7 with under 4 minutes to play, Manning throws a 35 yard TD pass to Dallas Clark to make the score 29-7.two score game with 4 minutes left? no way this is running up the score either

I have already said a few times on this board that I have no problem with the Pats running up the score thats the Pats business and I don't really care..

Hahahahahaahahhahahaa. A little defensive now, are we? Funny, replace "Indy" with "NE" up there, and it's running up the score. But since it's Indy, there HAS to be a "legitimate" reason for doing all of that, eh?

 

[rabthepat]

Tony the angel. NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JoeSixPat]

So the Colts are just as "guilty" as the Patriots of embarrassing other teams by running it up...

When will both of these coaches learn?

It's wrong to embarrass other teams by continuing to play football...

They should bring out the Frisbee squad and run out the clock playing Frisbee so as not to show up the other team.

I'm hoping that's what happens this weekend and the Patriots are playing Frisbee against the Colts for the whole 4th quarter, and we won't have to worry about anyone suggesting we're "showing them up".

 

[indycolts685]

Indycolts645, didn't your mother tell you not to shout? So why the yelling?

This was only context to the outcry against NE, not a criticism of Dungy. I think there are enough examples over the history of the league to show that the practice is not unusual, and normally goes without condemnation. Dtuna is right, while you are on top and seemingly invincible rancour is a constant companion. 10 years from now the Pats and Colts will be seen as great teams (yes in that order).

Did anybody tell you that USING ALL CAPS is considered YELLING, and I didn't use all caps, using different colors to make it easier to tell my text from his, is NOT considered YELLING

 

[indycolts685]

Hahahahahaahahhahahaa. A little defensive now, are we? Funny, replace "Indy" with "NE" up there, and it's running up the score. But since it's Indy, there HAS to be a "legitimate" reason for doing all of that, eh?

I really don't care if any team wants to run up the score, it makes no difference to me, I was just going over each game and I even agreed on some of them that the Colts were running up the score in a few instances, but some of his arguments doesn't hold water and I wanted to point that out, I think most of you would agree that anything 21 points and under in the 4th qtr is not safe depending on who your playing, I say if you have the team to do it then hey if thats what you want to do then do it, no big deal to me, I think both the Pats and Colts are guilty at times.

 

[FlyingElvis75]

I really don't care if any team wants to run up the score, it makes no difference to me, I was just going over each game and I even agreed on some of them that the Colts were running up the score in a few instances, but some of his arguments doesn't hold water and I wanted to point that out, I think most of you would agree that anything 21 points and under in the 4th qtr is not safe depending on who your playing, I say if you have the team to do it then hey if thats what you want to do then do it, no big deal to me, I think both the Pats and Colts are guilty at times.

Oh I agree, definitely - apparently much of the media doesn't, considering at least one idiot reporter questioned Belichick to his face after the Miami ("But you were up 21 points..." - after the Fins had just scored 2 TDs in 65 seconds with 10 mins remaining).

My point is that people's threshold for "running it up" is quite different depending on who the team is. I could easily agree or disagree with you on many of the responses you posted, but neither of us is "right" in any objective sense.

 

[He Ban Me]

Didn't you guys read TD's take on "running it up"?? What situations mentioned even remotely mirror what the Pats have done? really, the Boys and the Skins are the two obviousgames in terms of Pats. Were they going to lose to Miami?? NO. Did they really need to bring TB back in, probably not. But, 21 points with 8+ to go, I suppose they could have run it, didn't they throw a bomb??

 

[Buchanty]

Did anybody tell you that USING ALL CAPS is considered YELLING, and I didn't use all caps, using different colors to make it easier to tell my text from his, is NOT considered YELLING

Sorry to correct you but ALL CAPS is shouting, larger font size is also shouting. Using bold or red ink can be for emphasis (where a less agressive color would be appreciated), but combining both is going the extra yard, ie yelling. If you want to distinguish your comments from the original poster either preface them with chevrons <<< or >>>, use italics or use the quote button. I have been using e-mail for close to 30 years, so please be so kind as not to lecture me!

 

[psychoPat]

....
This was only context to the outcry against NE, not a criticism of Dungy. I think there are enough examples over the history of the league to show that the practice is not unusual, and normally goes without condemnation. ... while you are on top and seemingly invincible rancour is a constant companion.

Exactly so.
All of IndyColts' rejoinders are correct. Dungy's decisions were simply good football.
What exasperates us all here is that
so are Belichick's!

But the media won't have it. Their passion now is to besmirch and drag down the Patriots!

 

[Jilla]

I have already said a few times on this board that I have no problem with the Pats running up the score thats the Pats business and I don't really care.

Then why are you still responding ?

 

[PatsFanSince74]

1998 Week 17 (with Tampa Bay): Up 28-0 vs. Cincinnati, Dungy has starting RB Mike Alstott, still in the game, score a TD with under 10 minutes to go to push the score to 35-0. Alstott was Pro Bowler that year.

2000 Week 2 (with Tampa Bay): Up 34-0 vs. Chicago in the 4th Quarter, Pro Bowl starting RB Mike Alstott is still in the game and scores Tampa's final TD to make the score 41-0.

2000 Week 9 (with Tampa Bay): Up 34-13 with 5 minutes to go vs. Minnesota, Dungy has starting QB Shaun King throw a 16 yard TD pass to starting WR Reidel Anthony to make the score 41-13.

2001 Week 10 (with Tampa Bay): Up 33-14 with less than 10 minutes to go, has starting QB Brad Johnson throw a TD to make the score 40-14. Later, Ronde Barber intercepts a pass and returns it for a TD right at the two minute warning. That makes the score 46-21 BEFORE THE CONVERSION. At the two minute warning, Dungy GOES FOR TWO and gets it to make the final 48-21.

2004 Week 13 (with Indy): Versus Tennessee in the 4th Quarter, Dungy has Peyton Manning throw a TD pass to Reggie Wayne to make the score 48-24. Later in the 4th Quarter, he kicks a field goal to make the score 51-24.

2004 Playoffs (with Indy): Up 42-24 versus Denver at two minutes left, Dungy has his team punch in another TD to make the score 49-24.

2005 Week 5 (with Indy): Up 21-3 with less than 6 minutes left vs. San Francisco (who ended up with less than 200 yard offense for the day), Dungy has Manning throw a TD pass from 18 yards out to make the score 28-3.

2004 Week 9 (with Indy): Versus the Patriots and up 40-21 with under 6 minutes to play, Dungy goes for 2 after the final Indy TD. They don't get it.

2006 Week 2 (with Indy): Up 36-17 with 2:38 left in the game, Dungy has the Colts punch in another TD to make the score 43-17

2007 Week 1 (with Indy): Up 27-10 with 10 minutes left, has Manning throw a 45 yard TD versus New Orleans to Reggie Wayne to make the score 34-10.

2007 Week 7 (with Indy): Up 22-7 with under 4 minutes to play, Manning throws a 35 yard TD pass to Dallas Clark to make the score 29-7.

I don't have a problem with most of this (though going for 2 up 46-21 at the 2 minute warning seemed a bit excessive), but the point is the media has crucified Belichick and the Patriots while acting as if other teams/coaches haven't done similar things. It just ain't so. This is a partial list.

J D Sal

For the most part, I think you're stretching, if your point is to show that Dungy actually ran up the score and you fail on that score. If you're trying to show how unfair it is to criticize BB (except in the Skins game, where the critics have a point), I think you succeed.

Example 1: As BB said, anything can happen with 10 minutes to go.

Example 2: Looks like he was running up the score to me.

Example 3: If the other team scores on an INT or Fumble, it's a two score game with five minutes to play. Similar to BB's rationale vs Miami and correct.

Example 4: Same rationale as above for the offensive TD. Regarding the two points vs. one point after the defensive TD, you can argue that the liklihood of success is lower on the two point conversion, so the stats say he was taking the riskier play and lowering his chance of scoring.

Example 5: Not sure about this one. How much time was left? The difference between 48--24 and 51--4 is a three score vs. a four score game. But if there were less than five minutes left, it's definitely running up the score.

Example 6: He's in the playoffs against a potent Denver team. Anything can happen. I think this is OK.

Example 7: Six minutes left. It's a three score game. I don't have a problem with this. And, no matter how few yards they put up, the other team was still an NFL team.

Example 8: 41--21 vs. 42--21 is the difference between losing if the Pats score three times and tying. He loses anyway at 40--21. No problem.

Example 9: Again, the Belichick logic from above. There are more than two minutes to play. A defensive TD makes it a two score game with plenty of time on the clock.

Example 10: New Orleans came into the season as the pick of many to be in Phoenix. A 17 point lead with ten minutes to go is hardly safe.

Example 11: Come on. Two eight-point scores and he loses without the extra TD. Still four minutes to play.

 

[FrontSeven]

Tony runs the score up in a gentlemanly and saintly way. That's the difference.