Call it what it is

I think the Patriots' running up the score is a classless thing and downright bizarre when you consider the weird revenge motive stemming from Belicheck getting caught cheating that prompts it. But, hey, its the NFL and they're all getting paid so the players and coaches shouldn't complain.

What is disappointing is that NFL announcers can't even bring themselves to call it what it is when the Patriots purposely run it up. I'm not talking about when and by how much they should be winning by before Brady should be pulled from the game. But with the Patriots going for it on 4th and 1 from the Bills ten yard line up 42-10 at the tail end of the 3rd quarter, Al Michaels has to inanely observe that maybe kicking the field goal here might be considered running it up more than actually going for it. Give me a break. The Patriots made the 1st and scored several plays later to make it 49-10 to start the 4th quarter.

I'm not expecting Michaels or Madden to offer an opinion on running up the score. NFL announcers simply don't criticize coaches. Certainly not on the air, and most assuredly not one of Bill Belicheck's stature.

But announcers can simply state that what is going on on the field is in fact running up the score and let the viewer decide how appropriate it is. Anything else, like lamely proffering Michales' rationale that going in for a touchdown rather than kicking a field goal up by 32 points is the more sportsmanlike approach just insults our intelligence.