“This too much”: Marcus Spears draws the line for criticism after Shannon Sharpe’s relentless scrutiny of Jameis Winston

The Week 18 season finale of the NFL witnessed some high-voltage games, and the Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints battle was one of them. The game didn’t hit the headlines for a performance-based clash, as the Saints just blew away the Falcons on the field. Instead, the match raised eyebrows due to the series of events that happened in the aftermath of the loss.

The Falcons fired their head coach, Arthur Smith, just after the disappointing defeat. A late touchdown decision by Falcons backup quarterback Jameis Winston and his teammates during the last moment of the match also garnered attention from the NFL community. The NFL star turned analyst Shannon Sharpe slammed the QB for the debating decision, while another ex-NFL star, Marcus Spears, supported the signal-caller in his take.

Marcus Spears checks Shannon Sharpe for his harsh Jameis Winston criticism

Shannon Sharpe’s criticisms centered around the unexpected decision by Jameis Winston and his Saints squad to run a play instead of merely running out the clock in the customary victory formation. The play, resulting in a late-game touchdown, widened the score gap to 48-17. In Sharpe’s eyes, it reflected poorly on the QB, and he was urged to kick him off the roster.

In stark contrast, Marcus Spears swiftly came to the Saints’ defense. Through a social media post, he disagreed vehemently with Sharpe’s call for Winston’s ousting. He acknowledged the room for criticism regarding the play’s execution but deemed Sharpe’s stance excessive

“Nah I ain’t witcha on this one @ShannonSharpe ain’t witcha at all on cuttin the man. You can criticize the play but this too much”, he wrote.

Sharpe’s argument intensified during a segment of First Take, where he lambasted Winston for what he perceived as a deliberate attempt to deceive the defense in the victory formation.

“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 get down, the defense is conceding. If you want to run the ball, let the defense line up. Don’t you fool them. Think this a victory formation and then drive off the ball. You mean to tell me that’s going rogue.”

The fallout from the play extended beyond the studio discussions, as Saints coach Dennis Allen issued an apology to the Falcons’ now-former coach, Arthur Smith. Sharpe even went as far as advocating for Allen’s dismissal due to the controversial play call.

Teammates come to Jameis Winston defense

While Allen called for a kneel to secure victory, Jameis Winston and the team collectively decided to allow running back Jamaal Williams to score. Winston displayed no regret for the unorthodox decision made by the team, which sparked debates and drew attention, but his teammates rallied behind him.

Right guard Cesar Ruiz said that it wasn’t solely on Winston but rather a unified team choice.

“I mean, I see a lot of people that are saying it was Jameis. It was all of us. I mean, it doesn’t mean any disconnect. It was just, hey, look, my brother hasn’t scored a touchdown all year. In that moment, all you can think about is I have to get Jamaal a touchdown”, via BRProud.com.

Center Erik McCoy said this occurrence should not overshadow the team’s overall stellar performance in the game.

“I don’t think it’s a testament to the coaches. It was a one off and I would also just like to say that I feel like that one moment has kind of gotten overblown and overshadowed the fact that we went out and put together our most dominant performance of the season yesterday.”

Tight end Foster Moreau said the victory formation might not have been the ideal context for the touchdown.

“I think in no way, shape or form was it a disrespect or a mutiny against any player, coach, fan or anyone working on the third floor,” Foster Moreau, Saints tight end, said. “I’m glad he got in the end zone. I wish we didn’t do it out of a victory formation.”

The incident agitated the newly-sacked Panthers coach Smith so much that he confronted Allen with some profane words. Even the Saints HC was not happy with his players’ not abiding by the planned strategy.