NFL's WWWF-like integrity
 

I find Coughlin's comments troubling, but in keeping with the shady interpretation of ethics we see in the NFL.

After all, this is a league that thinks nothing about letting a team roll over in Week 16 if they have a playoff spot clinched, even though that game may be important to another team looking to make the playoffs. It happens every year and reflects a lack of respect for the game. Worse, it has become recognized as a smart move by coaches by a world in which winning with integrity doesn't matter.

Coughlin had his team ill-prepared for the game-ending play. The TB coach used that strategy previously in his coaching career. Coughlin should have expected he would use it as a professional since it is within the rules and happened during a one possession game.

For the record, this is correct...Rich, I do not think you are a cheater. Of course not...however, just because it's the last play does not mean we should expect the defense to just stand there and do nothing. And for you - or anyone on a forum like this - to dismiss someone's opinion about that just because they are a coach (the "I don't care how you coach it" comment) is just as insulting to that coach as being called a cheater is to an official. Had both - know what I am talking about.

Then what point is that? I know for a fact when I watch many games in basketball, basketball officials often do not get so technical about a travel or other insignificant violations when the game is ending. I do not read Rocky or others going on rants about someone "cheating" when it happens on every nationally televised game when the outcome is very certain. The outcome in a football game where someone is running the "V" formation is rather certain. Everyone tends to let up or to relax. It is good sportsmanship or it would not be done. So what point is he making? Again every sport has a way to end the game with some sportsmanship when the outcome is very clear. I think that is the way things should be done, now if others disagree that is fine. But would I be accusing someone of cheating by doing this in basketball or using common sense and ended the game by not calling a slight moving of a pivot foot as seconds are literally running off the clock?

Peace

In a game where the margin is 3 points or less (one scoring trip), then yes you had better be on it. If Tampa had been down by 24 points, this would be a different discussion.

Basketball is not a good analogy. In basketball it's the team getting beat that decides when it's time to hang it up. If the losing team gives up (i.e. stops pressing or fouling), then there's no reason for the winning team to do anything to disrupt that. In football, the team that is losing may not have decided it's give up time. I see nothing wrong with trying to win the game - that's their jobs. Unwritten rule or not.

Just IMO and take it for what it's worth, but I don't see how this could be read as anything other than implying Rich is a cheater. He's a big boy and can see fit how to handle this if he feels it needs to.

Again, there's a reason the Giants were as incensed after this tactic and a fight nearly broke out. It's simply not done in the NFL as protocol and as an "unwritten rule." If you watched any other games this Sunday, in an apparent V-formation/kneel down situation, the accepted practice was followed.

We are not asking them to give up, but not be silly. And not many fumbled snaps are caused by blowing up the left tackle.

Peace

At worst, he's implying Rich cuts corners, probably similar to calling a foul on a quick touch when the losing team tries to foul (with opposite results) or ignoring the little violations when a game is no longer in doubt.

More likely, (confirmed by rocky himself), it's a rhetorical point. Knowing rocky, I thought it was clearly the latter.

But he came up with a nefarious reason. We do the same as you illustrated all the time and wish I would have used that example earlier.

Peace

I'll say this... There was more than one game this past weekend where there was a kneel down play when the game was decided by 8 or less points (one possession game). NONE of the other games had defenses that acted in this manner.

Bottom line, it was a cheap shot by the defense. The Giants have a right to be angry.

It was hyperbole.

If anything, the practice Rich noted hurts the offense, in that he eliminates the chance for a fake.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Philadelphia Eagles...one point game with even more time left (1:04). And they (rightfully) didn't decide to try and pull these shenanigans.

For the record, it is illegal to fake this play. ;)

Peace

NCAA rules, it is. No specific coverage in NFHS rules.

I know of more than one white hat that would flag it as UNS after being told the QB is taking a knee, though.

It was considered a deception play to act like you are going to run a kneel down and then try to run a play and we threw a flag. And that is the interpretation from our state as well. We had this happen a couple of years ago and were backed by our higher ups.

Peace