Running Up The Score

Over the weekend, I was able to watch the Tennessee Titans comeback win against the Atlanta Falcons. Granted this was only a preseason game, it was fun to watch the primarily 3rd-string team come in and get some valuable playing experience. Regardless of the score, I am sure head coach Jeff Fisher planned to play these guys for so many series.

This leads me to bring up something that has bothered me for years in any sport. When a game is a blowout, what good does it do to bring in your 2nd and 3rd string guys just to "sit on the ball?" Besides preventing any freak injuries on your 1st string team, the playing experience that the backups get in these situations is minimal at best. Why not have the 3rd string quarterback throw downfield? I don't think this is disrespecting your opponent...we've already proven that "our" first string is better than "your" first string on this day, why not let the 2nd stringers go at it at full force? If you are just going to "sit on it," you might as well keep your first team in.

This goes for almost all sports (well, maybe except hockey in which you need a good four lines flowing at most times). In baseball, why do teams let up when they get a big lead and so many "unwritten rules" come into play? No more holding the runner on if you are ahead by a bunch? Don't steal bases with a big lead? That's stupid! With no clock in baseball, no lead is ever truly safe until the 27th out is made. Play the game!!

For all you TV and fantasy freaks out there, wouldn't this make games more interesting if everyone on the field played hard until the final horn?

BQ UPDATE:

The BQ started her new job today. I am sure she will do quite well and I am excited for her. The first weekend of "house hunting" came up blanks, but I'm sure the right place will arise at just the right time. After that, the really scary part arises...finding a job for me! :-)