Nick
10-08-2008, 06:12 PM
Denver defensive players should think twice before they attempt to return an interception or a fumble after listening to coach Mike Shanahan's reaction to the fumble by tackle Marcus Thomas.
"It was inexcusable," Shanahan said. "You cannot turn the football over, especially as a defensive lineman. Hit the ground."
Thomas had dropped into zone pass coverage and intercepted a pass by Tampa Bay quarterback Jeff Garcia in the fourth quarter Sunday. He rumbled for 11 yards, holding the ball in only his right arm, before a Tampa player knocked it loose. Tampa recovered and got a new set of downs.
"Sometimes those defensive linemen try to pick up the ball instead of falling on it, and that's a mistake. You can't do it," Shanahan said. "You're not going anywhere with it. You're slow. You're not a running back, and you're not a running back for a reason." :lol:
"It was inexcusable," Shanahan said. "You cannot turn the football over, especially as a defensive lineman. Hit the ground."
Thomas had dropped into zone pass coverage and intercepted a pass by Tampa Bay quarterback Jeff Garcia in the fourth quarter Sunday. He rumbled for 11 yards, holding the ball in only his right arm, before a Tampa player knocked it loose. Tampa recovered and got a new set of downs.
"Sometimes those defensive linemen try to pick up the ball instead of falling on it, and that's a mistake. You can't do it," Shanahan said. "You're not going anywhere with it. You're slow. You're not a running back, and you're not a running back for a reason." :lol: