I've never agreed with the argument that coaches who encourage their teams to continue scoring even though the game is in the bag are somehow rubbing it in against the opposition.
I remember a game years ago involving Edmonton in the days when Hugh Campbell was the head coach. It may have been a game against the Lions. The Esks were destroying the Lions and there was still plenty of time remaining on the clock. The Esks kept pounding the Lions and kept scoring. The Lions' coach was livid and after the game let Campbell know it in no uncertain terms. I say get over it!
Fans pay good hard earned money to go and watch a football game. Players are vying for personal records and CFL records be it most receptions, most rushing yards, or whatever. They are always working hard to improve their own stats. Why let up other than in the last 30 seconds or so to run out the clock?
Is it rubbing it in when a coach lets his number one QB sit out the remainder of the game and go with his 2nd or even 3rd stringer? [ I'm not referring to Durant in this case.] But there have been numerous games when the game was no longer in doubt and the coach decides to give his 2nd stringer or even 3rd stringer some reps for the game experience. Aren't these QBs going to do everything they can to score? I would think so. I would think a team would feel even more humiliation having it taken to them by the opposition's 2nd or 3rd string QB. Regardless, the home town fans deserve the best from their players for a full 60 minutes and nothing less.
In today's dying minutes of the game when The Roughriders were once again well within scoring range the announcer said the Roughrider coach had "a decision to make". Play conservatively or go for more points and risk appearing that his team was rubbing it against Winnipeg. I don't agree.
I say go for it. These players are paid to play their hardest and their best. Stats can be important. Sheets for example was on the cusp of getting 100 yards rushing. Apparently that hasn't happened since Cates was playing. What if the coaching staff decided to sit Sheets out for the remainder of the game after it was in the bag or not get the ball to him. That would be an injustice to Sheets in my opinion.
Another reason for scoring as many points as possible regardless of the point difference is that at the end of the season total points for and against can play a factor in making the playoffs if teams are deadlocked.
If the score differential becomes ridiculous I say so what? That is not the fault of the dominating team. It is a team sport but also there are personal records and accomplishments to consider and the fans to consider.
Winnipeg got a good shellacking today and they're not going to forget it. Quite frankly, if a team can put up 75 points on the board and hold the opposition to zero more power to them.
Like I said, I've never agreed with the reasoning that there is something wrong with running up a score. In my mind, once the game has been decided it is no longer about the score but about individual performance and each player ought to the opportunities to enhance his own individual performance. These are just some thoughts guys.