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Classy call may be costly

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 30, 2001

TAMPA -- Ahead 41-14 with two minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Bucs made a gentlemanly decision. Facing second and goal at Minnesota's 5, coach Tony Dungy directed quarterback Shaun King to take a knee on three consecutive plays.

But opting not to run up the score, Dungy admitted, could prove critical in a tight NFC Central. One method for deciding a tiebreaker is points.

"Believe me, there was a thought running through my mind that we should go ahead and run it in and score," Dungy said Monday. "I've just been more of a sportsman than that. I've always been against the points tiebreaker, and it may haunt us."

As time was running down, players and coaches on the sideline discussed whether the Bucs should attempt to score, Dungy said.

"There was a lot of talk about going for it," said Dungy, who admitted that his friendship with Vikings coach Dennis Green factored in the decision. "When it's 41-14, I just don't think it's the right thing to do."

Asked if he would accept responsibility if a tiebreaker involving points determined the Bucs' fate, Dungy was resolute.

"It'll be me all the way," he said. "If we lose out in the tiebreaker, I can go back to commissioner Paul Tagliabue and say, "All we talked about this offseason is sportsmanship and respect for the game and you want to promote that. Yet, you have a tiebreaker that promotes rubbing it in.' My hope is that it doesn't come down to that, but if it does, I'll have to take the criticism."

SOLID REBOUND: The Bucs offensive line gave up 10 sacks against the Steelers but only one against the Vikings.

Rookie left tackle Kenyatta Walker, who was victimized a couple of times late in the Pittsburgh game, was particularly impressive.

"Kenyatta came back from an off day with a real strong performance," Dungy said. "He pass-blocked well and I thought he finished on his run blocks well, got off on the snap count and overall had an excellent game.

"I thought he came back from a day he wasn't happy about. He had a good week of practice and had a good game, and that's what we're looking for."

RETURN GAME: Backup center Todd Washington's entertaining kickoff return, which he scooped at the 22-yard line and returned to the Bucs 44, continues to be a topic of conversation.

Washington not only hammered Vikings linebacker Fearon Wright but showed some running skills by switching the ball to the hand away from the tackler and attempting a straight-arm.

"We've said in the past that we've got to get a guy back there who can catch the ball and break tackles," Dungy joked. "So, we're going to Todd Washington. We are going to look at him as a return man. With a head of steam he can do some damage."

BIG PLAY ABILITY: Dungy has said it is important for the team to have at least one big play a game, such as Aaron Stecker's 35-yard touchdown reception or Reidel Anthony's 16-yard reverse in the second quarter. But some aren't as obvious.

"They are important because that's how you score," Dungy said. "Big plays can come in a lot of ways."

The Vikings had third and 2 at the Bucs 40 on their first possession, and linebacker Derrick Brooks stuck with receiver Cris Carter to force an incompletion.

The Bucs also got an important 13-yard reception from Anthony on the fourth play of the game that kept them from having to punt from their end zone.

"We got them yesterday in a lot of big ways," Dungy said.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT: The Glazer Family Foundation will host about 1,000 children and chaperones from a list of bay area organizations from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Lowry Park Zoo.

Among those invited to the Halloween Celebration are children from the Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, The Children's Home, Children's Cancer Center and the Joshua House.

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