Coaches Arthur Smith, Dennis Allen have heated postgame exchange following Saints-Fal

Here is what the Athletic said.

https://theathletic.com/5183401/2024/01/...decisions/


Dislikes
New Orleans Saints’ fake kneel

First, I want it known that I have no problem with a team running up the score. This is professional football, not Pop Warner. My problem is with how the Saints did it.

On the 1-yard line, they got into victory formation and handed off the ball to Jamaal Williams. Saints coach Dennis Allen said after the game that it wasn’t his decision. He called for a kneeldown. Backup quarterback Jameis Winston said after the game that he went rogue and made that call himself and that it was a “team decision.” The team not respecting its head coach enough and going against his direct order might be worse than Allen calling this himself. Let’s just call this a Saints decision.

>This play crosses the line because the defense will let up as an act of sportsmanship when a team gets into victory formation. It’s an unspoken agreement for both teams to end the game and get out without any more injuries. The Saints signaled to start this process and then broke the agreement. NFL teams were furious at former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano when he had his defenses fire off hard against victory formations years ago. If you want to score a touchdown, get into a regular formation and give your opponent a fair chance to defend. To fake a kneeldown is deceptive, unethical and bush league.

EXACTLY...