Bucs showed Donald Penn’s touchdown on Jumbotron before play

Last night the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got their first win of the season. They started off the scoring by getting creative and throwing a touchdown pass to offensive tackle Donald Penn. That play almost didn’t happen though.

Before Penn’s touchdown, running back Mike James was injured and there was a long delay. During that delay, the Buccaneers paid a tribute to Penn for his 100th consecutive start with a highlight reel on the Jumbotron. That included a clip of Penn scoring on a previous tackle eligible trick play, the same play they were planning on running.

“We’d already called the play when Mike goes down,’’ Schiano said, via the Tampa Tribune. “During that stoppage, I knew we were going to recognize Donald. . . . I was great with that, but then [quarterbacks coach] John McNulty says, ‘They’re playing it on the board.’”

Then, Schanio and his coaches had to make a decision on what to do, stick with the play or change it up.

“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.’’

Penn was nervous and said he would’ve been disappointed if the play had been changed.

“I’ve been lobbying for the play all year and they finally put it in,’’ said Penn. “I was a little nervous because they showed me on the big screen, but it was a great pass.’’

How pissed do you think the Miami Dolphins are to find out they watched the play happen on the Jumbotron before it being used against them in the game.

 You can see Penn’s touchdown and his celebratory dunk over the cross-bar here.