No sympathy for Bucs from NFL

The Bucs were penalized a total of four times against Carolina for unnecessary roughness, taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct.

The flurry of calls left coach Jon Gruden and players wondering whether rules were being interpreted too strictly, with each of the calls coming in the emotional moments following a big defensive play. And to be fair, each of the calls seemed legitimately questionable.

Today, at a gathering of NFL owners in St. Petersburg, league officials maintained their stance on such matters.

"I think we've struck a very good balance between spontaneous celebrations and those that are rehearsed (or) designed to either create a reaction from opponents," commissioner Roger Goodell said. "Those, we oppose vigorously."

League executive vice president of operations Ray Anderson echoed those sentiments, saying, "We are taking an elevated view to enforcing those rules. So, if players feel like we're being a little more aggressive on things like unsportsmanlike conduct or taunting, then that's okay. The officials are instructed that we want to enforce those rules to try and clean up our game.

"We sometimes have to remind (players), 'Hey, this taunting stuff, or any disrespect for your peers, it's not what we're about, so be cognizant.' So, yes, you may be seeing that. And we hope players get the message."

See Wednesday's newspaper for the full version of the story.

Comments

[jersey buc]

Obvious that they were cracking down on "celebrations" on this game. I have the NFL Package, and I can tell you the rest of the officials in the league didn't get the memo. AND what about the phantom call on Ronde? cartwheel brings back memories of the LEAPING penalty, have you seen that called since 03? Think John Madden would blow off one of the NFC east teams, who he has traveled across the country for years to cover? NO RESPECT from the league or the media.

[jersey buc]

Obvious that they were cracking down on "celebrations" on this game. I have the NFL Package, and I can tell you the rest of the officials in the league didn't get the memo. AND what about the phantom call on Ronde? cartwheel brings back memories of the LEAPING penalty, have you seen that called since 03? Think John Madden would blow off one of the NFC east teams, who he has traveled across the country for years to cover? NO RESPECT from the league or the media.

the NO FUN LEAGUE!

[jobucs]

Thank you jersey buc. I could not have stated it any better!! Why has the league singled out the Bucs? Are we just to good but not a big enough market share?

[Drew]

Stephen, is there a rule allowing a referee to flag a fan for sacreligous outbursts like "Oh my GOD what a hit"?

Given the circumstances, would a candy gram or a bouguet of roses expressing your gratitude and condolences to the opposing team be considered taunting or unsportsmanlike coduct.

The point I'm trying to make is this seems so silly. However, when I put it in to the perspective that Goodell would make a great Dictator in a third world country I have to accept it for what it is.

[Drew]

On another note, Goodell may ultimately censor this and other blogs. Violating our constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression.

[Valrico Rick]

As far as Madden goes, great video game, but I would rather listen to Chris Collinsworth anyway, so who cares!

It will be interesting to see what the officials will be like on the national stage Sunday Night! If the Bucs have been chosen to be the poster boys for unnecessary exuberance, as in make an example of, it will be obvious Sunday Night. Although it is possible, considering the intensity of the rivalry between the Panthers and Bucs that the officials felt like they were keeping things under control. Considering the heat and the beating the Panthers took, frustrations were sure to have caused some heated exchanges, and we already know the Bucs won't back down! We have the talent and the temperament, now about the gameplans...! Ok, 'Nuff Said!

[DR]

I agree with the calls that were made. I like the Tampa defense more than anything, but the celebrating after a good hit is ridiculous. It's maturity and its not something you want kids to watch and accept as part of the game. Act like you made a good hit before. When you celebrate after a typical NFL hit, its as if you went above your capabilities. To have a professional athlete in any sport to a back flip in the middle of the field is down right embarrassing. Thats not even acceptable in pee wee leagues.

[Hoot]

I'm in aggreement DR...I remember the Bucs used to instill "Humble" as part of the team's makeup and vocabulary!...I guess those days are gone!

[Dark Side]

Its plain as day we are being targeted. Trust me, no glamour team like the cowgirls, pats, etc. would be flagged for this kind of stuff. But its no big deal, now we have definitive proof that we get hated on because we dont have the market of those other teams. The important thing is that now the players know it, and behave accordingly on sunday.

[Mike J]

DR, you cant "taunt" an opponent if you are 8 yards away & facing a different direction. "Strutting" is not a foul; happens every game & players arent flagged for it. & despite Herr Goodell's defense of the zebras, a one-man cartwheel near the s/l is not a pre-planned, coordinated demonstration; this also was not a foul under the rules. Rules work both ways, like laws.

[Bob]

"Humble" is exactly the word I would use to describe Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice.

[Dr's Dad]

DR agreed with the penalties because there is nothing else he can say that's a negative. He's always been a negative even as a kid. I think it stems from the ridicule he took in high school when erveryone made fun of his tiny little wamker in the locker room.

[drew]

SCREW GOODHELL I HATE HIM . I SAY IF YOUR MAKING THE CASH WHAT IS A FINE TO THESE PLAYERS? GO OUT THERE PLAY BUC BALL CELEBRATE . THATS WHAT PUMPS THESE PLAYERS UP , WE DID IT IN THE PAST WHY STOP NOW

[max]

Great job by Goodell. It's time to get rid of the thugery in the NFL. What happened to "acting like you've been there" in the endzone? That shows class. Most NFL players lack that now.

[DR]

Sapp and Rice talked samck like men do. They didn't do kiddie cart wheels in the middle of the field.
I like classy players like Emmitt Smith and Marvin Harrison who act like they've been there before and know that they'll do it again.
This is crazy man. My dad is posting from the grave.

[Yoshi]

It comes as no surprise that DR would agree with such a stupid rule. This is what the fans like to see and like drew said it gets the players hyped. Who cares if the other team gets mad. They're opponents, not friends, atleast during the game. Pretty soon you wont even be able to spike the ball after a touchdown much less jump into the stands. The league has let this rule get way to strict. I mean think about it, what would a highlight reel be without some celebrations. The whole thing has just gone completely overboard. The commissioner treats football as if it is one o-clock tea time and we must maintain our manners throughout. What if it is 4th down and you need ten to get in field goal range to win the superbowl and you get it and someone hits a backflip you mean to tell me that you would get penalized!? The rules are ridiculous. Im surprised smiling on the sidelines hasnt become a 15 yard penalty. Rules like these rob the fans and players of some of the excitement of the game. If they want to label us as the team that likes to have fun while playing football then by all means we accept the title!

[Yoshi]

By the way im sure DR doesnt get mad when T.O. does a crazy celebration in the endzone. I guess T.O is as classy as they get right?

[Stephen Holder]

I know I'm supposed to remain impartial in these things, but I have to say I love the emotion. I'm a Miami alum so it's sort of in my blood to expect some over-the-top stuff. Hey, it's football. It's supposed to fun, right?

One other thing: As to the point made by "Mike J", the cartwheel was technically a penalty because Haye "went to the ground" while performing the celebration. That language was added to the rules over the summer, I believe. Not saying I agree, just saying that they technically followed the rules on that one.

[TitansFan]

The League is not singling out the Bucs, just so you'll know. The Titans have had some "phantom" calls as well, and other teams we've PLAYED have had "phantom" calls. It's league-wide, which is why I don't take THAT much offense to the increase in penalty calls.

As far as Madden goes - you people that are griping about him missing a game need to start realizing that life is not always about YOU. The man is OLD. Traveling across the country is NOT FUN. Shoot, I'm 35, and I have blood circulation issues when I sit on a plane for 6 hours, so I can't imagine being HIS age and trying to travel that much! Get off his back. He's in the twilight of his LIFE. Don't be so darn selfish.

[James]

"I like the Tampa defense more than anything." - DR

You mean more than your Tony Romo doll? Do you really need the pinky to continue your enjoyment in raping it?

[LarryS]

IF the officials are not applying the rules as concerning penaties on celebrations (or anything else) equally to each team thats a pretty serious charge and should be investigated by someone independent of the NFL. It that is happening and it is also intentional then those responsible should be penalised. And I'm not talking about 15 yards, but rather jail.

[Yoshi]

Stephen, no wonder you're the best reporter. You're from THE U!!!!!!!!! It all adds up now.

[Darren]

Will enacting Goodell's ruling cause the players to act as if they are in a Monty Python rerun?

“Pip pip and cheerio.”

Will this cause the NFL’s games to morph into the python’s Upper Class Twit of the Year competition?

“Good play I say old man.”

I hope not. Tampa’s refs should follow the example of their fellow referees and ignore Goodell’s enthusiasm and entertainment killing rule. Let the boys play.

[Donovan]

I hope I see the players mocking the league by bowing or coutsying and shaking hands with one anotherafter a monster hit. Yeah right, this is a gentlemens sport and that's why they try to vociferously rip the ball from each other or knock an opposing player flat on his keaster!

Let's be real.
If my team doesn't seem as into a big play as I am, I am going to lose interest. Yawn...

[gbuc]

Well, one good thing about the new celebration rules, we won't EVER have to see the Lambeau Leap again! Right?

[DR]

Yoshi, I think TO is a buffoon when he celebrates a TD like he does.
Nothing is worse than watching a player celebrate a hit after the guy already got a first down or even worse than that, the team is down 28 points. There is nothing to celebrate when your losing. Unless, of course, you're a selfish POS.

[STIXX]

The "LAMBEAU-LEAP" should be penalized now right? I always thought that was excessive. How could the REFS not?

[Yoshi]

Yeah, but we were winning and by alot. Not only that but it was a division rival who had beaten us at home 5 or 6 years straight and we were playing for first place. All im saying is, if a player makes a big play whether they are losing or not why not let them celebrate it. The best thing a player can do for their team is get them fired up and what better way to do that than a little celebrating. I mean who wouldnt get hyped watching a 300+ pound lineman do a cartwheel. It shows the enthusiasm they play with and the passion they have for the game. I remember we were losing to the Colts when Tanard Jackson busted Dallas Clarks head last year and every one celebrated and no flag was thrown. Its just a natural reaction and its ridiculous to penalize the team for it. I bet if you talk to the players they would feel the same way. Im sure their feelings dont get hurt when they see the other team celebrating. Half of these rules come from people who never played the game and dont know how it feels to come up with a big play like the ones on sunday and every year it seems to get worse. I think it was either John Lynch or Joe Jurevicius who grabed a huge buccaneer flag from the gameday crew and started waving it during the superbowl after a touchdown. Now a days you would get fines up the wazoo for stuff like that. Like i said the rule has got to go or atleast be alot less strict.

[Duane]

I liked the classy way Marvin Harrison gunned down some guy in his bar. What class. He plays for Dungy, doesn't he. Who cares about Madden, he has a man crush on Farve and is a complete bufoon. I'll be at the game anyway so I wouldn't have had to listen to his stupidity. The biigest mystery in the game still remains why the refs let a fumble recovery by the Bucs go on. Then, after conferring for 3 or 4 minutes in a huddle about how bad thier investments were going, took the ball back to the spot of the fumble and were ready to start play again without an explanation.

[Jim]

the league doesn't like defense & u might as well define buc ball by spelling it DEFENSE first. the flip from Haye, maybe but what exactly did Ronde do? I was there and had to ask several who witnessed on tv and everyone thought it was a bogus call. As for Madden, I'd rather have Frank Caliendo do Madden. Now that would be worth watching! Keep doing what ur doing bucs and when people keep denying you, say hello to them as you line up for NFC conference game just like in 2002!

[Stephen Holder]

Hey guys, The Lambeau Leap is not illegal. As I said before, the cartwheel was illegal because Haye used the ground during his celebration. That is specifically prohibited. The only way the Lambeau Leap might be construed as excessive is if it is deemed to be a prolonged celebration. Prolonged celebrations are assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct foul.

[Brian]

Ok-first, as been said many times before, DR is the biggest tool in the shed-nuff' said.
As far as the ridiculous penalties, I agree that the Bucs are getting the screw. I watched other games Sunday and saw MANY of the same things not called. If "planned" celebration is the standard, obviously the "Lambeau Leap" should get a penalty every time. Will Herr Goodell have his little minions penalize those? Let's see!!!!

[Itch]

If we still had Gramatica we would get a penalty after every field goal.

[DR's Grandfather]

To DR's Dad. I told you to always wear a condom. No look what you did. You ruined our family lineage.

To DR. QUIT EMBARASSING US!

[DR's Grandmother]

Where is TexMex and his Donkey when you need them?

[aj]

One could argue that a player uses the ground during every celebration.

I don't care as long as it is consistent, which it is not. The Browns should have gotten a flag after just about every play Monday night then. They were celebrating their asses off, and rightfully so, just like the Bucs on Sunday.

It does drive me nuts when a guy celebrates when their team is getting slaughtered. But it's an emotional game. How can anyone be surprised when it comes out.

[Dave T]

I'm disgusted with Goodell and the NFL. I've been watching the NFL for 30 years and this is the worst I've ever seen it. It sickens me to no end that try to take the emotion out of a game that could paralyze or even kill you.
Just make us money, and show no emotion. Screw Goodell, he'll start losing the fans who built this thing.
Let the players play the game!

[michael]

they say that they dont want to have one team taunt the other but common a celebration? if a team cant handle another players celebration they obviously not mature enough for the nfl. let the boys have fun.. they make u the commisioner so much money

[scooter freeman]

We are totally disrepcted by the media, Madden skips our game, How in the world is the Cards-Dallas game more important than the Bucs-Panthers game? I guarantee you Aikmen and crew will be there for the dallas game and that will be it for Aikmen the rest of the season for bucs games. Fox has its head up the Cowboys and nfc east backside!

[John]

I say if they are going to hold the Buc's to the ruling then they had better do the same for the rest of the league. I saw a whole lot of celebrations that were worse than ours and none of them drew a flag. I also say not to let the ref's that were throwing them back into Tampa. Obviously they were a bunch of MORONS and quite prejudiced against our team. I think one good accidental hit on one of them would be soooo satisfying.

[Mark]

Stephen,

Please explain how one executes the Lambeau Leap without using the ground.

That call was garbage, I don't care what the rule book says.