Bucs/NFL

Penalty plays key role in winning drive

Justin Smith says he simply tackled Bruce Gradkowski. The ref says it was roughing.

By JOANNE KORTH
Published October 16, 2006

TAMPA - When Bengals defensive end Justin Smith wrapped his arms around Bucs quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, he thought he had the game wrapped up, too.

Gradkowski felt something altogether different.

"I was like, 'That felt weird,' " Gradkowski said.

"He kind of slammed me on my head."

An 8-yard sack turned into a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty and automatic first down. The call, questionable as far as the Bengals were concerned, aided the Bucs' winning drive late in the fourth quarter.

Smith used leverage to bring Gradkowski down but said he did nothing wrong.

"They said I drove his head into the ground," Smith said. "I definitely don't agree with it. It's crazy. That's football. There were probably some things we could have done earlier for it not to get to that point, but I thought we had the game won."

Referee Mike Carey explained the call.

"In the tackle, the defender stopped forward progress, drove him backwards and then at the end gave him the extra effort and stuffed his head into the ground," Carey said. "We're directed to protect the safety of the quarterback."

Several rules designed to protect quarterbacks have been instituted in recent years, leaving defenders little room for error. Hits to the head and below the knees are illegal. Also, tacklers cannot slam or drive quarterbacks to the ground.

Smith believed he made a football play.

"I don't know," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "I guess you have to cuddle him to the ground."

The Bucs trailed 13-7 with 4:21 left when they got the ball at their 46. There were less than three minutes left when Gradkowski took the sack. Knowing it was costly but not wanting to risk a turnover, he tucked the ball and braced for the hit.

But instead of second and 18 at the Cincinnati 40, the roughing call gave the Bucs first and 10 from the 25.

"I don't think guys should be teeing off on these guys," Smith said.

"They should be good, clean hits. I felt that was a good, clean hit. I'm not trying to hurt him out there."

There was more drama to come.

On third and 3 from the 8, the Bucs appeared to pick up a first down on a pass to fullback Mike Alstott, but the play was negated by a tripping penalty against left guard Sean Mahan.

"It's never fun to get a penalty and hear your name called," said Mahan, who played the entire second half after replacing starter Dan Buenning late in the first. "I've never really heard of that: tripping. It was a little strange."

On third and 13, running back Michael Pittman got the penalty yardage back with a 10-yard reception.

On fourth and 3, Michael Clayton caught the winning touchdown but not until instant replay overturned the onfield ruling of incomplete pass with 35 seconds left.

The winning drive covered 54 yards in nine plays and 3:46.

"It was a little bit of a roller coaster, but you have to keep your head in it," rookie guard Davin Joseph said. "There was extra focus on that drive knowing it was probably going to be our last chance."

[Last modified October 16, 2006, 00:53:12]