Don't Run Up The ScoreThere is little question about who will win Sunday's game between the Jets and the Patriots. Nor is there much question that the game will be a blowout. The only real question is how large the margin will be.
In the interests of sportsmanship, respect for one's opponent, and basic human decency, I do hope that the Jets do not run up the score.
When the score is 41-9 early in the 4th quarter, and Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery and Chris Baker have each caught a touchdown pass against the Patriots' soft secondary, Eric Mangini should do the right thing and pull Kellen Clemens. And he should not replace Clemens with Chad Pennington; after seven weeks on the sidelines, Chad, after all, will be motivated to show the NFL that his off-speed passes remain as on target as ever. Instead, it should be Marques Tuiasosopo throwing to Justin McCareins. And it wouldn't hurt if Brian Schottenheimer toned down his innovative playcalling, with Bob Sutton doing the same on defense and not blitzing a beleaguered Tom Brady down after down.
posted on 12/12/2007
