The rabid SC fans who are posting the most content online seem unhinged. I know they make up an inconsequential fraction of the SC fanbase and alums, but it's a bad look for their brand. I guess it means more down there, or whatever.
I still cannot grasp the histrionics over defensive substitutions, nor any excuse-making her and elsewhere for said histrionics. No, Brett/Aaron were not "pushing it" or "bending the rules" or whatever ridiculous cope the SC fans have used. Beamer's offensive plan ALL SEASON, and for this game, included late offensive substitutions for this exact reason, to catch the defense in a personnel mismatch. It typically worked, and the staff obviously planned for that. The entire point of the substitution rule is to allow the defense to counter-substitute. Ironically, it was Beamer who was manipulating this rule beyond its intent. He was deliberately making late substitutions, and other defenses fell for it. Brett didn't let him get away with it, and Beamer threw a hissy fit.
"But they weren't running off the field fast enough." No, our defense is not required to run max effort wind-sprints when the offense intentionally substitutes with 10 seconds on your game clock. Our players ran on to and off of the field with pace. Manage your own f#$%^ing game clock. Want to run an uptempo offense? Then you don't get to make late substitutions to gain a personnel advantage. JHC, why is this even a debate?
Many SC fans and their defenders have accused Brett of "gamesmanship," whatever that means. Yeah. No sh-it. It's a game. There's usually a great deal of gamesmanship involved, including personnel substitutions. There's usually a lot less whining, though.
