Forget Geno Smithâs big right arm for a moment. The rookie quarterbackâs legs created scoring opportunities on Sunday â and were responsible for Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte DavđŒidâs game-costing brain cramp.
With juàœ§st seven seconds remaining and the Buccaneers nursing a two-point lead, David hit Geno Smith at the tail end of a 10-yard run while the quarterback was out of bounds, a 15-yard penalty that gift-wrapped a manageable game-winning field-goal attempt.
Nick Folk drilled the 48-yard try, sending Gang Grâ±een to a thrilling, come-frođșm-behind 18-17 victory and assuring the Bucsâ physical second-year linebacker a pair of goat horns.
âTheyâ just called the flag, I donât what to say,â David said. âI guess I hit him out of bounds.â
âTo me, he was iđnbounds, but I guess they said he was out of bounds. They called the flag. I was definitely surprised about it. You just got to live with it and move on.â
Smith was flushed out of the pocket on the play and took off toward the sideline. When he got there, he ê©Čdidnât immediately go out of bounds, picking up precious extra yards to the Tampa 45-yard line.
âIt was a good job byđ€Ą him walking the tightrope and obviously gettđing hit [out of bounds],â Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano said. âItâs smart, a good play. Lavonte plays at a high speed, plays all out. Unfortunately, that got him that time.â
Before the penalty, Tampaâs 13th and final infraction â costing the Bucs a totađšl of 102 yards â David was enjoying a special afternoon. He had eight tackles, three of them solo, one sacđŒk, an interception, two tackles for losses and two passes defensed.
âWithout him, we would never be nowhereï·œ near winning the game,â Bucs linebacker Mason FoêŠster said.
It was just one of mađny impressive plays by Smith, who completed 24-of-38 passes for 256 yards, one touchdown and one interception and ran for an additional 47 yards, a team high, in his NFL debut. He also led theêŠ Jets on a pair of go-ahead field goal drives in the gameâs final 5:05.
âHe made a lot of plays with his arm, feet, he did a great job getting his team up and down the field,â Foster saiđd. âYou got to tip your hat to him.â