Is Belichick Breaking an Unwritten Rule?

Pats coach under fire for running up the score in blowout wins

By Lev Weinstein, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 31, 2007 1:40 AM CDT

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Is Belichick Breaking an Unwritten Rule? — New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss, right, congratulates Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) after Brady's first rushing touchdown of the day during first quarter action of their NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday afternoon, Oct. 28, 2007. Brady... (Associated Press)

Following Sunday's 52-7 crushing of the Redskins, which included fourth down conversions when ahead 38-0 and 45-0 in the fourth, Pat's coach Bill Belichick is coming under fire for violating an unwritten code of conduct in his unwillingness to concede blowout games. The criticism comes as Belichick's Patriots are on pace to annihilate the NFL's single season points record.

Though Washington coach Joe Gibbs said he had "no problem" with Belichick's tactics, his players were less forgiving. "It's a crappy way to go about things, but I don't want to get into trouble," said center Casey Rabach. Others disagree. Former coach Dan Reeves, who said plainly, "I don't think there are any unwritten rules," cites the NFL's use of scoring margin in its playoff formulas as a valid reason for running it up. (More Bill Belichick stories.)

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