Jacksonville Jaguars’ discipline has become a serious issue
By Luke Sims
Jacksonville Jaguars penalties have almost become comical in 2016 and the team needs to tighten up or become the laughing stock of the entire league for a long time.
13 penalties for 112 yards is not professional football.
13 penalties for 112 yards is amateur hour.
The product that the Jacksonville Jaguars is putting on the field week in and week out is far from the professionalism expected of an NFL franchise. Sadly, it is an indication of just how bad things have gotten for the Jaguars.
The Jaguars have had over 10 penalties in three of their six games this season. Week 7 wasn’t even the worst, as Week 2 yielded 14 penalties for 93 yards in a blowout loss to the San Diego Chargers.
Through six games, the Jaguars have 58 penalties for 554 yards. That’s almost 10 penalties a game for just over 92 yards. For some perspective, the Jags rushing game is averaging just under 77 yards per game with about 20 attempts per game.
The Jags are on pace for 154 penalties in the season and almost 1500 yards. The league record for penalties in a season belongs to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1998 with 158. The Los Angeles Raiders and Oakland Raiders from 1994 and 1996, respectively, occupy second place with 156. The Jaguars could bump the 1989 Houston Oilers down to fourth ever (149) if they keep this up.
Sadly, it looks like it may only get worse.
Jalen Ramsey on ejection: They don't want me to say this but I would do it again. I won't be disrespected. #Jaguars
— Hays Carlyon (@HaysCarlyon) October 24, 2016
Malik Jackson and Jalen Ramsey, two key defensive players, were both ejected in the Week 7 loss. Jackson cost the team 30 points on one play with his penalties then found himself ejected on the next play. Ramsey fought with a receiver and got himself and the receiver ejected. Ramsey says he’d do it again.
Head coach Gus Bradley has completely lost control of his team. The “rookie mistakes” of years past have become ingrained problems for this team. False starts, holding penalties, personal fouls, the team continues to hurt itself with discipline problems that range from those penalized to missed assignments.
The Jacksonville Jaguars on the field on Week 7 didn’t deserve to be lined up opposite a contender like the Oakland Raiders. While there were plenty of flags on both sides (Oakland received 11 penalties) the contrast between former Jags head coach Jack Del Rio on the Oakland sideline and Bradley was stark.
One of those two coaches looked in control on Sunday and it wasn’t Bradley.
Related Story: Quick Notes after loss to Raiders
It’s time to move on before this issue becomes big enough to end up in the record books.