Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking took exception to the decision of the Vikings to throw for the end zone while leading by 24 late in Sunday’s division-round game. Brooking made his views known at the time, and he made his views known afterward.
“I thought it was classless,” Brooking said, via Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. “I thought it was B.S. Granted, we get paid to stop them, but we had zero timeouts left. I didn’t think there was any call for that.”
Per Seifert, Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams responded.
“We don’t care what Keith Brooking says,” Williams said. “He was about to get his ass whupped on our sideline over there. It don’t matter. Nobody said anything when they blew out the Eagles [the past two weeks].
“It’s the playoffs. It ain’t no regular-season game. If you lose, you go home. We take no pity on them. Do they expect us to? I don’t care about no Brooking. He can say whatever he wants to say.”
Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, who caught the final touchdown pass, was more contrite. With his tongue planted in his cheek. (And, hopefully, his other body parts planted behind a towel.)
“OK, we apologize,” Shiancoe said. “I’m sorry. Better?”
We still think that no apologies -- real or sarcastic -- are needed. The Cowboys used their time outs when down by 24. Under the universal rules of Madden, he who opts to prolong the agony only invites more of it. If Dallas wanted to concede the game they should have simply let the clock run.
But, hey, it’ll give us all something to talk about when the Cowboys return to the Metrodome during the 2010 season.
If the Vikings win two more, maybe it’ll be the first game of the year.