Rutgers twice forced victory formation fumbles under Schiano
Posted by Mike Florio on September 17, 2012, 9:25 PM EDT
350x-4 Reuters
The debate regarding whether the Bucs were right to crash the Giants’ victory formation rages on. But before reaching a final conclusion, consider this nugget from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network: During 11 years at Rutgers, Schiano’s defense twice forced a fumble in victory formation.
Both happened in 2009, against Pitt and against West Virginia. (In the West Virginia game, the Scarlet Knights were offside.)
So consider that when deciding whether it was — or wasn’t — a “cheap shot” to decide to take a shot at forcing the ball loose and in turn forcing overtime and in turn winning the game.
Posted by Mike Florio on September 17, 2012, 9:25 PM EDT
350x-4 Reuters
The debate regarding whether the Bucs were right to crash the Giants’ victory formation rages on. But before reaching a final conclusion, consider this nugget from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network: During 11 years at Rutgers, Schiano’s defense twice forced a fumble in victory formation.
Both happened in 2009, against Pitt and against West Virginia. (In the West Virginia game, the Scarlet Knights were offside.)
So consider that when deciding whether it was — or wasn’t — a “cheap shot” to decide to take a shot at forcing the ball loose and in turn forcing overtime and in turn winning the game.
My buddy writes a blog for fun. He talked about this on Monday:
Today’s hot button topic deals with the Giants-Buccaneers game from yesterday. A game that saw a battle between two teams. One team struggling to prove last year’s Super Bowl win wasn’t a fluke, and the other trying to prove their worth in the National Football League. But the beauty of the game was marred with an act that some will call cheap, while others will say it’s part of the game.
Of course I’m talking about the final play of the game. But let’s take a step back and review. The fourth quarter saw the Giants rattle off 25 points in a furious come from behind victory over the Buccaneers. Let’s face it, the Bucs dominated the entire game, and probably felt bad about a game that they should have one. Maybe that’s the reasoning behind going after the quarterback on the final play of the game.
The Giants were in victory formation with 0:05 seconds to go in the fourth. Usually when this happens, the quarterback kneels down, and the game is over. That’s what happens in the NFL I should say. Apparently first-year NFL coach Greg Schiano didn’t get the message. With five seconds left he sent his defensive line in on a blitz. This was done without the offense even knowing it was coming. It knocked Eli Manning to the ground, and sent the offensive line tumbling to the ground.
We get it Coach, you were trying to apply pressure in the hopes that Eli fumbles the ball. If he does, and you recover, the clock will stop and you have five seconds to tie with a field goal, or possibly win with a 2 pt. conversion. But Coach, that rarely happens in the NFL. This wasn’t a kneel down with a minute left. This was a kneel down with five seconds. It wasn’t done to show your team up. Hell, if they wanted to show you up, I’m sure Manning could have mustered up another 80 yard bomb to Cruz like he did three scoring drives earlier.
Coach, what you have to realize is, this is not the Big East anymore. We’re not dealing with kids who probably won’t sniff an NFL field. We’re dealing with grown men who make a living from this game. You not only jeopardized the Giants, but you also jeopardized your own players. Think about what could have happened to your star defensive players if their knees got blown out on the final play of what is widely considered garbage time.
Now, you guys may disagree. You can call me a Giant homer, but if this were your team, how would you feel? How would you feel if you are a Bucs fan, and a defensive player got injured? I don’t think you’d be too happy.
Coach Ditka says Tom was wrong. Would he be saying the same thing if it were Jim McMahon who was knocked down in garbage time?
What about Ron Jaworski? Would he be saying it’s fine if he were the one knocked down? No. Or better yet, would he be saying it if a defender came over the top and knocked down his stud QB Dan Raudabaugh? No.
For those that don’t know, Ron Jaworski owns a part interest in the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul. This past season, the team went 15-3 on the regular season, with an appearance in the ArenaBowl. Dan Raudabaugh is the Soul’s starting QB.
Should the Bucs be fined? No. Schiano may not have broken a rule, but he did break a “rule.” I believe Coach Schiano’s antics will catch up with him, and other teams will be watching for plays like this. As Justin Tuck said, “it won’t be forgotten.” He’s right Coach, the Giants won’t forget it, and neither will the other teams on your schedule.
Today’s hot button topic deals with the Giants-Buccaneers game from yesterday. A game that saw a battle between two teams. One team struggling to prove last year’s Super Bowl win wasn’t a fluke, and the other trying to prove their worth in the National Football League. But the beauty of the game was marred with an act that some will call cheap, while others will say it’s part of the game.
Of course I’m talking about the final play of the game. But let’s take a step back and review. The fourth quarter saw the Giants rattle off 25 points in a furious come from behind victory over the Buccaneers. Let’s face it, the Bucs dominated the entire game, and probably felt bad about a game that they should have one. Maybe that’s the reasoning behind going after the quarterback on the final play of the game.
The Giants were in victory formation with 0:05 seconds to go in the fourth. Usually when this happens, the quarterback kneels down, and the game is over. That’s what happens in the NFL I should say. Apparently first-year NFL coach Greg Schiano didn’t get the message. With five seconds left he sent his defensive line in on a blitz. This was done without the offense even knowing it was coming. It knocked Eli Manning to the ground, and sent the offensive line tumbling to the ground.
We get it Coach, you were trying to apply pressure in the hopes that Eli fumbles the ball. If he does, and you recover, the clock will stop and you have five seconds to tie with a field goal, or possibly win with a 2 pt. conversion. But Coach, that rarely happens in the NFL. This wasn’t a kneel down with a minute left. This was a kneel down with five seconds. It wasn’t done to show your team up. Hell, if they wanted to show you up, I’m sure Manning could have mustered up another 80 yard bomb to Cruz like he did three scoring drives earlier.
Coach, what you have to realize is, this is not the Big East anymore. We’re not dealing with kids who probably won’t sniff an NFL field. We’re dealing with grown men who make a living from this game. You not only jeopardized the Giants, but you also jeopardized your own players. Think about what could have happened to your star defensive players if their knees got blown out on the final play of what is widely considered garbage time.
Now, you guys may disagree. You can call me a Giant homer, but if this were your team, how would you feel? How would you feel if you are a Bucs fan, and a defensive player got injured? I don’t think you’d be too happy.
Coach Ditka says Tom was wrong. Would he be saying the same thing if it were Jim McMahon who was knocked down in garbage time?
What about Ron Jaworski? Would he be saying it’s fine if he were the one knocked down? No. Or better yet, would he be saying it if a defender came over the top and knocked down his stud QB Dan Raudabaugh? No.
For those that don’t know, Ron Jaworski owns a part interest in the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul. This past season, the team went 15-3 on the regular season, with an appearance in the ArenaBowl. Dan Raudabaugh is the Soul’s starting QB.
Should the Bucs be fined? No. Schiano may not have broken a rule, but he did break a “rule.” I believe Coach Schiano’s antics will catch up with him, and other teams will be watching for plays like this. As Justin Tuck said, “it won’t be forgotten.” He’s right Coach, the Giants won’t forget it, and neither will the other teams on your schedule.
I wonder how often this has taken place over recent years? My impression is that there seems to be an unspoken rule about not going all out vs. the other team if they are in victory formation. If that's the case then it was a cheap shot by a frustrated coach. On the other hand, given the Giants history of fumbling away a sure win in the closing seconds of a game (Hello Eagles) - then why not take a shot at a miracle. My guess is that this is rarely done so the Giants weren't expecting it thus pissing them off. Can you imagine the uproar if Eli had been injured on the play? Coughlin's skin color would have gone way beyond purple. Coach isn't going to win too many friends that's for sure.
no problem at all
why should anyone concede because the other team is in a victory formation? they're in that formation because it gives them the best chance to win, not because they're being nice guys
if you're within 1 score, I have no problem with it. Shit happens, you're hoping for a muffed snap. I would never quit, genetically incapable
why should anyone concede because the other team is in a victory formation? they're in that formation because it gives them the best chance to win, not because they're being nice guys
if you're within 1 score, I have no problem with it. Shit happens, you're hoping for a muffed snap. I would never quit, genetically incapable
It's not dirty, it's chickenshit. It is now accepted etiquette in football not to tackle or rush hard the kneeling quarterback. But things change, it's ok with me. I don't like to see ball players huddling in prayer after the game. Keep your religious life private. And ball players should never shake hands with Cowboys - dirty scumbags that they are!
