Greg Schiano defends his last-play charge on Eli Manning
Don't be surprised if the Tampa Bay Bucs repeat the strategy that infuriated Tom Coughlin on Sunday and charge the next quarterback who takes a knee against them.
Bucs coach Greg Schiano made no apologies at his Monday press conference for the move that knocked Eli Manning to the ground on the final play of the Giants' victory over Tampa Bay. And he indicated he'll do it again.
"We've caused a fumble four times in the last five years with that play, and it's something that we practice,'' said Schiano, referencing his time as Rutgers' head coach. "To me, it's a clean, hard, tough, finish-the-game play."
Added Schiano (via the Tampa Tribune): "Some people disagree with that, but that's what makes the world go round. Everybody has opinions. But I don't have any remorse or regret. There was no sneak attack. We were down, ready to go and that's how we do it all the time.''
According to the Tribune, the strategy was effective when Rutgers played North Carolina last September, and forced a fumbled snap that was recovered by Tar Heels running back Ryan Houston.
Also, in 2009 it caused a fumble by Pittsburgh and by West Virginia. In the West Virginia game Rutgers recovered the loose ball but had the turnover nullified by an offside penalty.
An ESPN poll found 65 percent of voters favoring Schiano's strategy. But Jerome Bettis, the NFL's sixth-ranked rusher all-time, criticized Schiano in his blog for SOTL.com, writing that:
"Schiano said he coaches his guys to play until the final second has ticked off, but he's wrong on this one. I think you have to back off there. In the NFL, that is always a courtesy from the losing team. The winning team is saying we're not going to try to add insult to injury, we're going to be gracious in victory and kneel down, as opposed to trying to put up another TD on you. I understand that Schiano is trying to get his team going in his first year on the job, but he also has to understand this is the NFL, and he needs to learn the climate."
-- Tom Weir/SOTL.com
Marq Cerqua Thank you for having a pair of balls coach! The game wasn't over and I completely stand behind Schiano's decision to call that play. He broke no rules and played within the limits of the game. Shame on anyone for criticizing this call...This is football at the highest level, there are no gentleman agreements.
Jitter Fields Hey guys you play to the last play. Now,what if Eli had of fumble that ball. Eli's knee did not touch the ground until he was knock further back into the backfield. Tampa safeties were looking for the ball to pop loose. Im never a big proponent of the victory formation when the game is really close. Offenses gotta be extremely cautious about it when the game is close, especially when the guys on the losing end are ticked off about getting there hat handed to them.
Chris Jones This sounds foolish. There's nothing to explain. Like Lang said the game was over!
Orson Mobley The NFL is not like college, and it is called the victory formation for a reason, how quickly he forgot with 2 mins left against the panthers his team took a knee not once but three times, hopefully he wont make that mistake again
Gene Lang This is not college and if he did this in college he should get his ass whipped. The game was over at that point and you don't try to hurt anyone that's not sportsmanship. Maybe Schiano needs to go back to college.
Stacey Hairston I dont care what he says, with 2 seconds left on the clock right? the game is over, shake hands get off the field and get ready for your next game. It is not given up just because you realize that you have lost the game with zero chance to win. What if Eli would have dropped back and throw the ball into the endzone trying to score again, then the Bucs would be upset saying that they were trying to rub their noses in it. There is a way to do things, and that wasnt it!
Daryn Colledge As an offensive lineman I see this as dirty play because we are defenseless when we prepare to take a knee. Would hate to see someone get hurt, because of something as foolish as this.
Jason McKie Bad move, your not going to cause a fumble in that situation, just going to get somebody hurt... C'MON MAN!!!!
Tony Coats I like what the Bus had to say about this story. There is a courtesy and no need for injury in that situation.
Jorge Diaz I see both sides of this , as a Giant your telling them were taking a knee and dont expect them to fire off into you. On the otherside if your a Bucc and have a new coach and he is looking for guys not to quit then your going to do what he says !! Nothing wron with what Tampa did NY wasnt ready for it thats why they are upset !
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