Bucs DE says he did not commit the penalty that gave the Colts another chance.
By GREG AUMAN
Published October 7, 2003
TAMPA - Simeon Rice said he understands the rule on leaping to block a field goal, an unsportsmanlike conduct rule he was flagged for violating. That penalty gave the Colts a second chance at a winning field goal in Monday night's 38-35 overtime victory over the Bucs.
"It was a bad call. What can you say?" said Rice, whose penalty allowed Indianapolis' Mike Vanderjagt to connect on a 29-yard field goal after missing a 40-yarder. "I just went up to block it. I came down on my feet. He threw a flag. It's as simple as that."
The NFL rule for leaping is one created for the safety of players and it keeps defensive players from getting a running start and leaping on other players to block a kick.
"Basically what leaping is ... somebody comes from the defensive backfield, more than a yard from the line of scrimmage, runs to the line of scrimmage and leaps in the air and lands on players - teammates or opponents - that's leaping," said Jerry Seeman, an observer and former NFL director of officials. "It's a safety factor. But that's the definition. That was the judgment of the officials."
Referee Johnny Grier said after the game that Rice "jumped and landed on his own players," adding that umpire Ed Coukart made the call.
"I don't believe we were in error, at least what I could see on the field," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "We had numerous chances to win this game. I'm not going to cry about that one."
Rice said he understood the rule but insisted he did not land on any player, so his block attempt was a legal one.
"I landed on my feet," he said. "I didn't ask for an explanation. What could he say? I know what I did.
"He can explain it to the coaches, but I know what I did."
He said the call shouldn't be blamed for the Bucs' loss - if the Tampa Bay defense doesn't give up 21 points in the closing minutes, there is no overtime and no opportunity to lose the game on a call.
"He made the wrong call, but if we would have never been in that position, it wouldn't matter," he said.
