[More Cowbell]

I think coaches in football should only criticized if they are running passing plays in the second half and trying trick plays. If they are running the ball, that's about all they can do. I think sometimes people just want to complain about running up the score no matter how it was done.

Good post.

I really don't see the whole thing with criticizing a coach for running up the score, no matter what sport it is. You play the game to try to win, and you win by scoring points.

That said, if I were the coach of a team in a blowout, I would certainly take the opportunity to substitute my bench guys in. Those younger players need experience too, and a blowout is a great chance to get that experience without the pressure of a close game. Plus, it rests the starters for the next game.

Now if a coach wants to leave his starters in and run the score up, I won't complain. If he wants to take the chance of an injury to a starter and deprive some backups of a chance to get some experience, I may call him stupid, but I won't call him a bad person.