JACKSONVILLE – Gus Bradley on Monday left no doubt.
The slew of penalties and multiple ejections that marred the fourth quarter of a one-sided home loss to the Oakland Raiders Sunday was unacceptable, the Jaguars' head coach said Monday. Absolutely and without question.
"It's an unacceptable moment, the way I look at it," Bradley said Monday a day after a 33-16 loss to the Raiders at EverBank Field. "To have two players disqualified from one game … it is unacceptable."
Players on Sunday called the fourth-quarter actions embarrassing.
"To say it's frustrating or embarrassing – I'm with them," Bradley said. "It's about poise. It's not only those penalties, but in critical times we had some penalties."
The Jaguars, who rank second in the NFL in penalties this season, on Sunday were penalized 13 times for 112 yards. That's the third time this season they have had more than 90 yards in penalties.
Defensive tackle Malik Jackson was penalized three times on one drive Sunday: once for roughing the passer and twice for unsportsmanlike conduct. By NFL rule he was ejected following the second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
"I disagreed with the call, but I have to understand there's a line to toe," Jackson said. "We have a job to do. … A lot of things were said and a lot of things happened. I got thrown out as a result. I've learned my lesson. I have to do right by the team and grow up a little bit. I can't make mistakes like that. …
"I got frustrated and lost my cool. … You can't have that happen. … I've got to do better."
Jaguars rookie cornerback Jalen Ramsey also was ejected in the fourth quarter. He and Raiders wide receiver Johnny Holton were disqualified for fighting.
"I'm going to keep it real with ya'll: if I was out there nine more times I would have done the same thing," Ramsey said. "I don't think I should have been thrown out of the game for it and I don't think he should have been thrown out of the game for it, to be honest. I'm not going to be disrespected. You all know that about me by now."
Bradley on Monday said he took the fourth-quarter run of penalties personally.
"I do," Bradley said. "That's a reflection of me as a head coach. It's a reflection of our discipline. It's a reflection of how our culture is. It's how we talk and how we handle things, so yeah … that part of it, that hits home with me. Obviously, it's my responsibility, the demeanor of this team, how we approach things, how we play with poise … I take personal responsibility."
Bradley said while certain types of penalties are going to happen within the course of a game, penalties such as the ones that occurred in the fourth quarter do not fall into that category. Wide receiver Marqise Lee also drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty late in the third quarter.
Bradley said players on Sunday were removed temporarily from the game following some infractions.
"Those things that are important," Bradley said. "The ones that are in our control, the self-inflicted ones … neutral zones and false starts – those are unacceptable as well. You can't have those in a game."
Bradley said while the on-field actions were disturbing, he did not believe they were a sign of the coaching staff having lost control of the players.
"I think what I feel in the locker room is where we're at [as a team] is unacceptable, and that's a good thing," Bradley said. "I think of it more that way. I think it was a situation in the locker room where there will be more accountability from teammates. I did sense that [Sunday], and that's a good thing.
"I don't feel any breaking apart or anything like that. It was more, 'We're better than this and we're not doing it, so let's get back on track.'"
