Greg Schiano Was Almost Psyched Out By A Jumbotron

Donald Penn's score in Monday's Dolphins-Bucs game was an awesome fat guy touchdown, but it almost didn't happen. Why? Because Greg Schiano was paranoid of the Jumbotron at Raymond James Stadium.

Tampa Bay faced third and goal with one yard to go while running back Mike James was getting treatment for a fractured ankle from the previous play. Schiano and his coordinators had picked a play with Penn as an eligible receiver, but during the injury timeout, the Jumbotron showed that same play from an earlier time in a highlights montage for Penn.

Via the Tampa Tribune:

“We’d already called the play when Mike goes down,’’ Schiano said Tuesday. “During that stoppage, I knew we were going to recognize Donald because his 100th (consecutive) start came on the road. I was great with that, but then (quarterbacks coach) John McNulty says, ‘They’re playing it on the board.’ ”

As a video of of Penn’s previous scoring catch against the 49ers was displayed for all to see in front of a sold-out crowd at Raymond James Stadium — and any attentive Dolphins — Bucs coaches couldn’t believe their eyes.

“The conversation on the headset, you wouldn’t believe it,’’ Schiano said. “You can’t make this stuff up. But cooler minds prevailed. One of our coaches said we can’t let the JumboTron make our decisions.’’

Oh, that Schiano. Always one step ahead of everyone, even electronics.

[ Tampa Tribune]

Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images