FACTS - Too bad D&C will never read it
Hey guys, I just sent the following email to D&C. It contains actual FACT to try and battle their hyperboly. Knowing that, they will never read it on the air and it's too bad.
All of this complaining about the Patriots running the score up is nothing more then made up hyperbole by the media. This kind of stuff has been going on throughout the HISTORY of the game. Please stop preaching from your bully pulpit about how the Patriots are not holding up "tradition" in the NFL. It's simply incorrect. This season is simply a bias against the Patriots after they "got away with it" in regards to "videogate." FIrst it was the videotaping. Next it was how the Patriots are dirty because of the Wilfork hit on Losman. Next Vrabel shows "no class" by trying to "take out" the quarterback during the Browns game. Now it's the big bad Patriots "running the score up" against the Cowboys, Dolphins, and Redskins.
The history of the league is strewn with examples of "running it up." This is not new, this is not the Patriots bucking tradition. In 1993 when the Cowboys destroyed the Bills in the Superbowl 52 - 17, they were not "bullies." No, the score validated the dominance of a Dynasty and they were widely praised. SuperBowl 24 brought us a 55 - 10 drumming of the Broncos handed down by the 49ers. They were running up the score right? No, they were dominant.
So I ask, why now are lopsided victories by the Patriots not considered dominant? Instead, they are "bullies", they "show no respect", and obviously they are "classless." No, what this really shows is how much of an influence the media really has on today's game. I guess the saying of the pen being mightier then the sword is still a fact today when perception truly is reality.
Look below and you will see just a handful of examples of previous teams dominating performances. They were not lambasted for "running it up." Ironic...
1994
SF 44
LA 14
SF beats LA 44-14 puts up 21 points in 4th quarter. Steve Young (yes, the same Steve Young now lambasting the Patriots for running the score up) throws 2 TD in 4th quarter and Jerry Rice runs for 28 yards (reverse?)
Phi 40
SF 8
Randal Cunningham throws for a TD in the 4th quarter when the Eagles were already up 33 – 8.
Buff 44
KC 10
Up 34 – 10 in 4th quarter, Jim Kelly throws TD pass
1998
Atl 51
Car 23
Starter Jamal Anderson scored TD in 4th quarter of blowout
Atl 41
NE 10
Starting QA Chandler throws for TD while leading 31 – 10 in 4th quarter
2001
Stl 42
Mia 10
Warner throws TD pass halfway through 4th quarter while up 32 – 10 and Miami had not scored in 2nd half.
2004
Ind 51
Tenn 24
Tenn had not scored since 1st quarter, yet Manning throws TD in 4th quarter after team had already scored 41 points