Hank Stram Liked to Run Up the Score Too

by Chris Thorman on Oct 31, 2007 4:04 PM CDT in 2007 Campaign Comment 16 comments

Dr. Z relayed a story to us that Lenny Dawson told about former Chiefs coach Hank Stram. If you don't know who Hank Stram is, please click the x in the right corner of your browser and never come back.

"We were playing, I think it was Buffalo, my first year under Hank Stram," said the Chiefs' Hall of Fame quarterback, Len Dawson. "Now Henry was a guy who loved running up the score. We had 34 points late in the fourth quarter and we were calling time outs and still trying to score more. The Bills had a plane they were trying to catch back home, and we're slowing the game and trying to humiliate them.

"I mean they were really pissed. They were yelling across the line at me, 'Hey Dawson, we'll see you at our place. We won't forget this, Dawson.'

"I told Henry, 'It's enough. We have to play these guys again.' He said, 'Nah, we're gonna score all we can.' Sure enough, when we played them up there, they had smoke coming out of their noses. They beat us and I got hurt in the game. Ribs or something."

I, for one, have absolutely no problem with the Patriots "running up the score". This is football. Your objective is to score and if possible to score touchdowns. The Patriots do this very well.

If their opponents don't like it, here's some advice: Play harder.

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Reaction to Cheating Allegations?

I have no problem with running up the score in general, but if they're only doing this because Belichek is pissed that he was accused of cheating, that is just petty and lame.

My favorite part of that whole scenario was how they dressed the cameraman up in Jets colors, but them pleaded ignorance about the rules surrounding "a videotaping procedure." If you thought this was OK, why go through that whole charade? You knew you were breaking the rules, you got caught, you pay the price. Keeping Brady in when you're up 35 in the 4th to "punish" everyone who dares get in your way is meglomanical, and is asking for trouble, IMO.

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Oct 31, 2007 5:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

shunning away vistors chris?

gees chris, dont you want more traffic?? ; )...

i agree with you 100%. it doesnt bother me when people run up the score, as long as they dont get too carried away.

going for 2 (im looking at you, tom osborne) up 33-0 is unacceptable, and i dont like trick plays when it is late and you are killing the competition.

but the entire idea of being a pro athlete is to play your hardest at all times, and if you told them not to it wouldnt really be a sport any more IMO.

bench huard. start croyle.

by rockchalk on Oct 31, 2007 6:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ha

Just trying to keep the commenters above the AOL fanhouse type. We do an excellent job of that.

by Chris Thorman on Nov 1, 2007 6:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is

New England really running up the score? Set aside last weeks game for a minute. Before that, New England hadn't won a game by more than 24 points. Yes, I wish that the Chiefs won more games by 24, but that's not the issue now.

The thing is, if you are up 14 or 17 in an NFL game, are you going to put the brakes on? Hell no. So much crazy sh*t happens in the NFL that a two touch down lead is not safe, even if you are as good as the Patriots. So, if you are up 14 at the beginning at the beginning of the 4th quarter, do you:

(a) take out Tom Brady and run the risk of the offense stalling (and the other team getting a cheap TD or two and right back into the game)
(b) leave in Tom Brady but run the ball more or somehow not really try to score touchdowns (by the way: they'd still score if they started running)
(c) just keep things going as they are. Score TDs, hope that nobody gets hurt, and continue to prove to the rest of the league that you basically score at will.

by smg49 on Oct 31, 2007 7:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It depends

On the one hand, the opposition would be embarrased by you going 3 and out and not really trying too hard, just to give you the ball back.

On the other hand, they had an opportunity to go to knee against Dallas but decided to get another TD.

by sir eccles on Oct 31, 2007 7:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This ain't intramurals, brother

To paraphrase Dan Hawkins, this is the National Football League!

These guys are getting paid millions of dollars and if New England is still throwing it well, I guess that sucks that you can't stop it. Now, whether it's smart to keep Brady in the game late is another issue entirely but that's up to them.

Of course, since he and Moss are on my fantasy team I think they should try to score 70 a game!

by Pauli on Oct 31, 2007 10:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Intimidation

Do you think intimidation plays any role in this? For some lower end team, don't you think they would be more intimidated of New England if they saw them putting up over 40 a game against teams like the Cowboys. This way NE won't get caught up in a "trap game" like the Miami game a few years ago.

by Joel Thorman on Nov 1, 2007 1:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

When the Chief's offense clicked

several years ago, we had plenty of games where we were up by 14 or 17 after 3 quarters and we went all conservative...3 and out and punt. A lot of the time, we almost lost those games (I remember one against SD in particular) because if you continually put the ball in the hands of a desperate team that needs to score one of two things will happen. 1) they act desperate and throw an INT or 2) they get desperate, throw a hail mary and beat your silly ass. 15 minutes is an eternity, I mean, the Packers 2 TD's last week took what, like 25 seconds total off the clock?

by PVChiefsfan on Nov 1, 2007 6:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't like the comparison

This defense is totally different than 2003. We're a totally different team. Being conservative fits into our game plan now...

by Joel Thorman on Nov 1, 2007 7:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

I wasn't talking about us not being conservative now. I was just reminding everybody that we did have some games that we almost lost when we stopped trying to score (because we thought we were far enough ahead). So I don't fault the Patriots. If you don't want to get embarrassed, stop them.

by PVChiefsfan on Nov 1, 2007 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pats- Chiefs

What would the score of a Pats- Chiefs game be right now? I'm guessing somewhere around 45-3.

by KennyGregoryRockThaCradle on Nov 1, 2007 8:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

45-3?

I think you are giving our offense too much credit. But I think that you are underestimating our defense. I would guess something like 30-0 (or even better, 30-2). Even though the Chiefs are not doing as well as we would all like, they have done quite well in the Red Zone against some pretty good offenses, so I say we would hold the Pats to field goals more than once (as long as we don't get burned deep on the fake spike...who runs that crap?)

by PVChiefsfan on Nov 1, 2007 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think

there are three reasons why the Pats are running up the scores.

They are trying to prove they are a power house team WITHOUT the spy game.
They already have several rings, so they want to set every NFL record they can while they have this RED HOT talent.

3.They want to intimidate next weeks opponent every week, I even think Paytons a little scared.

Its hard to stomach the fact that even if we get to the playoffs and win a game, we're given no chance to beat the Patriots or Colts. We've beat the same Colts team with a worse Defence than we have now but, are Offence (LINE) was much better.

Derrick Thomas- G.O.A.T

by D Thomas on Nov 1, 2007 11:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it's interesting

that everyone keeps saying "I'm probably in the minority, but I'm tired of all these whiners..."

All I've heard is the sentiment Chris has expressed, at least in the media. Everyone is using the "If you don't like it, stop it." line. And that's valid. I'm not disputing it.

The players and coaches are the ones that are generally upset with Belichek. It shows a disprespect to the game in their eyes, and they're not cool with that.

At this point, I'm just looking at the Patriots like an earthquake, a tornado, a stock market crash, spilling your last beer, finding out your date's an abstinent Mormon, and the NHL season. I hate it, and it's a shame when it happens, but it's just one of those things in life you have to accept.

I will say this. I agree that they are asking for trouble. If Brady ends up traction, they're going to be awfully upset that someone "stopped" them.

Also, I think we're going to be hosting some spelling lessons around here. I'm not asking for college thesis level arguments about the development of the 4-3 cover 2 versus the nickel standard, but can we get some of the essentials right?

I mean, geez, the spelling around here is worse than our offence. Not that it's Huard's fault.

by Ridiculous Matt on Nov 1, 2007 2:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

sorrrry

Mann i drouped out n da fourf grad:

Derrick Thomas- G.O.A.T

by D Thomas on Nov 1, 2007 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I must say

that the fake spike TD pass to Moss was a little over the top. Who pulls that crap when they're ahead? I can see the stopping them thing turn into a yellow flag nightmare. If the media starts hyping the whole rumor about someone taking a cheap shot on Brady, then anytime he is getting pressured or sacked, the referee is going to pay a little more attention than he would otherwise. If the rumor mill gets some momentum, I bet we see some personal fouls on what would normally be good sacks.

by PVChiefsfan on Nov 1, 2007 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs