I mentioned in the Smorgasbord that I thought Jon Gruden opting to kick a field goal on the last play of the Steelers/Bucs game was kind of a bitch move. As it turns out, it’s not just bitch, it’s historically bitch.
No one has kicked a field goal on the last play of a game to avoid a shutout since Mose Schrute Kelsch kicked a 21-yarder to get a 3-3 tie for his Pittsburgh Pirates against the Brooklyn Dodgers (and yes, it was a football game) in 1933. And even then, Mose’s was to get his team a tie.
Gruden said he made the decision so that Bruce Gradkowski, a Pittsburgh-area native, would be able to “come away with something positive” from his first NFL game in the ‘Burgh. I understand wanting to protect your quarterback’s psyche (and ultimately, none of this is a big deal to me), but I don’t know how exactly that was accomplished with a last-second field goal… is Gradkowski also the kicker?
If you really want him to forget what happened, slip him a roofie and then pound him in the head with a hammer for about 45 minutes. Or, do him. I don’t think a meaningless field goal is going to obscure the fact that he just got his ass whooped up and down the banks of the Monongahela.
The link comes courtesy of the brand spanking new 65isbetterthan2, a promising young sports blog that’s about 36 hours old.
jerloma Says:
December 6th, 2006 at 10:47 am
I’m sure him calling you the wisest man in the galaxy had nothing to do with you linking to him.
I hated seeing Gruden kick the FG. Not because I give a shit if the Steelers get a shut out or not. I really like Gruden. He strikes me as the last person that would do something like that. If you want your QB to walk away with something, draw up a play to get him in the end zone.
Suss Says:
December 6th, 2006 at 10:53 am
Maybe it had something to do with Gradkowski being from Pennsylvania.
No? Okay then.
Mark Says:
December 6th, 2006 at 1:06 pm
If Gradkowski was a REAL Toledoan, he’d get right up in Gruden’s face, point his finger at Gruden’s chest, and threaten to create a split in Toledo’s only party, the Democratic Party. Then, he’d ignore calls to improve the city, let business leave, and thump his chest about the “pride” he has in the city of Toledo. Also, he’d eat a Hungarian hot dog and talk about how much he loves Jamie Farr.
But alas, Gradkowski is not a real Toledoan. He’s just another also-ran pansy who doesn’t get the job done in Tampa Bay.
Suss Says:
December 6th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
If Gradkowski was a real Toledoan, he’d uproot the goal posts after Bryant hit the FG and paralyze someone.
Mark Says:
December 7th, 2006 at 12:41 am
Yo, bite me BG
tony Says:
December 7th, 2006 at 3:49 pm
Good work, Suss. The “hit the coed with the uprights” joke never gets old.