Panthers’ accusations of ‘bush league’ tactics by Buccaneers videoboard operator dismissed by NFL

The Carolina Panthers’ disappointing 2016 season ended a week ago with a 17-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that dropped the Panthers to 6-10. But Carolina isn’t happy about the circumstances of the loss and has taken aim at the Buccaneers’ videoboard operators.

Panthers kicker Graham Gano made just one of four field-goal attempts in the game, but he claimed Tampa Bay made it more difficult. The kicker said the videoboards behind the end zone showed a live feed from behind the line of scrimmage, creating a distracting image of two sets of goal posts.

“I know the league talked to them about it before when we played here a couple years ago. So it’s a bit bush league,” Gano told the Charlotte Observer. “But once again, it’s not a reason why I performed poorly. It just adds another element.”

However, the NFL said there wasn’t any evidence to support his claim. There are rules prohibiting images that could distract a kicker, and the Charlotte Observer says the NFL suggests a wide shot of all 22 players for kicks. But a league spokesman said there were no violations.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera also said the Buccaneers’ videoboard operators used “bush league” tactics, but he complained about multiple replays of a Thomas Davis tackle being shown. In his opinion, Tampa Bay sought a personal foul for the hit and showed a pair of replays to “incite.”

The NFL saw no issues with the Buccaneers’ stadium operators in that instance either, though.

Gano made all three field-goal attempts during his road game against the Buccaneers in 2015 and all four extra-point attempts. In 2014, he made two of three field-goal attempts.