THE GENTLEMAN’S GAME

Sunday’s game between the New York Giants and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was noted for the end of game controversy created by Giants coach Tom Coughlan about the way the final play ended.

The final score was 41-34 in favor of the Giants, and the Giants had the ball on the final play. The Giants feel the game should have been a ho-hum kneeler to end it, but the game was still in doubt with a 7 point differential, so a fumbled snap, mishandle from center to quarterback could have led to a Tampa pick-up and score to tie the game.

The Bucs came all out, playing the last play to the hilt, looking for a miracle, hoping to tie or win with a two-point conversion after the touchdown. If I were a Tampa Bay fan, I would hope my team played that way, and as I fan of football I expect that. If the game was out of reach for Tampa Bay, then you don’t risk any injury.

What the hell was Coughlan complaining about? Why was Manning whining? You play the full game when it is reachable, you reach for the win if you can, even with a slight chance. Did Coughlan think the Bucs should have rolled over for the Giants? Would Coughlan under the same circumstances accepted the same result if the spikes were on the other foot?

That’s all I wrote, folks!