Shannon Sharpe takes Jameis Winston to task over going rogue on final TD
In what many will remember as his final moment as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, Arthur Smith went off on New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen for running up the score in the final minute of Sunday’s 48-17 loss.
Allen took responsibility for the situation, but quarterback Jameis Winston later admitted the players decided to call an audible up by 24 on a victory formation near the goal line and instead let Jamaal Williams punch it in for a 1-yard touchdown.
While Winston received his share of criticism from many media pundits around the league, none were as scathing as the rant former All-Pro tight end Shannon Sharpe unleashed during an episode of ESPN’s “First Take.”
“It makes Dennis Allen look like he lost control of that locker room,” Sharpe said. “But I’ll say this: I would cut Jameis Winston today. I would not want him on my team. That’s loser’s mentality. … If you want to run the ball, let the defense line up. Don’t you fool them, thinking it’s a victory formation, then drive off the ball. That’s going rogue. Dennis Allen’s probably going have to go because his players have no respect for him.”
In explaining his actions, Winston alleges the decision was made to boost team morale and ensure Williams didn’t end the season without scoring a touchdown (he led the league with 17 rushing touchdowns last season.)
Sharpe’s gripe with Winston, who didn’t appear to see anything wrong with his actions, was the blatant disrespect he showed his head coach in overriding his play call.
“There’s a mentality that you have to have if you want to play winning football,” Sharpe continued. “Jameis Winston has a loser’s mentality. That’s why they didn’t win in Tampa. That’s why Tom Brady came there, took the same team, and went to the Super Bowl.”
Winston played in just seven games this season, attempting 47 passes and throwing for 264 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
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