Gus Bradley takes multiple ejections personally

Jalen Ramsey doesn't regret actions that led to being tossed

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars fourth loss of the season wasn’t embarrassing because of the 33-16 final score against the Oakland Raiders. Yes the team didn’t play well and has failed to live up to expectations this season.

Frustration is expected when these types of things happen. However there’s no explanation for having multiple players ejected. Defensive tackle Malik Jackson was tossed in fourth quarter following a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Later in the quarter cornerback Jalen Ramsey was thrown out for fighting.  

“It’s an unacceptable moment,” said Jaguars coach Gus Bradley during Monday’s press conference. “To have two players disqualified from one game it is unacceptable. There’s no other way to look around it. To say it’s frustrating or embarrassing I’m with them.”

To see that lack of composure unfold was hard to watch. Bradley said that he took those actions personally.

“I do. 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 and how we talk. And how we handle things. So yeah that part of it hits home with me because obviously it’s my responsibility. The demeanor of this team and how we approach things and how we play with poise. It is. I take personal responsibility of that.”

Neither Jackson nor Ramsey was in the locker room following Sunday’s loss. Both players spoke on Monday to explain what happened.

“I don’t know if it was a meltdown, but then again I don’t know what I would call it,” said Jackson. “I think we kind of lost it and unraveled at the end. But I don’t know if meltdown is the word I would choose.”

Coming into the week Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash explained that the Raiders would be a tough matchup for Jackson. Oakland’s scheme called for Jackson to see multiple double teams throughout the game. Prior to being ejected Jackson had zero tackles.

“It was a culmination of the whole day. Just a lot of things going on,” said Jackson. “I just got frustrated and lost my cool and we can’t have that happen. I cost my team a bunch of penalty yards and I don’t know what happened after that.”

Ramsey plays with a sense of fire that the Jaguars brass loves. That’s a big reason why they made him the No. 5 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. But there’s a difference in playing with passion and losing your cool.

“There’s a fine line between it,” said Ramsey. “You just have to keep your head.”

Another thing that Ramsey has shown during his first NFL season is that he’s not afraid to say exactly what’s on his mind.

“If I was out there nine more times I would do the same exact thing,” said Ramsey. “I don’t think I should’ve been thrown out the game for it. Neither do I think he (Raiders WR Johnny Holton) should’ve been thrown out the game for it. I’m not going to be disrespected. I’m pretty sure you’ll know that about me by now. I would do the same thing.”