Jawaan Taylor’s got more flags than a UN conference! This might be the joke that can be making rounds in Kansas City, but for Andy Reid, it’s no laughing matter. On October 7, 2024, during the Chiefs for their “Monday Night Football” clash with the Saints, Reid’s patience wore thinner than a dollar-store t-shirt.
Taylor’s penalty woes have become the elephant in the room. With five flags in just four games this season, including four false starts, the man brought in to protect Patrick Mahomes has instead become a liability that’s threatening to derail the Chiefs’ high-octane offense.
“He’s got to fix it; that’s the bottom line,” Reid barked after a recent practice this week, his usual zen-like calm nowhere to be found. Taylor’s been about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. The Chiefs Kingdom is restless, and Reid’s finally let the mask slip. “He’s very quick off the ball and takes a lot of pride in that, but you’ve got to make sure you’re not offsides,” Reid added, his words laced with a mixture of exasperation and urgency.
Andy Reid on Taylor this week to media: ““He’s got to fix those, I mean he’s got to fix those, that’s the bottom line. He’s very quick off of the ball and he takes a lot of pride in that, but you can’t be – you have to make sure that you’re not offsides.” — So far 2 fo 15yds.
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) October 8, 2024
Remember last season? Taylor led the NFL with 19 penalties. Nineteen! You could make a bloody quilt with all that laundry. Now, he’s responsible for nearly a quarter of the Chiefs’ total penalties this year. It’s like he’s trying to set a record or something.
Taylor’s got this lightning-quick release off the line. Great for stonewalling pass rushers, sure. But it’s backfiring more often than not. The refs have got their eyes glued on him like he’s got the winning lottery numbers tattooed on his forehead.
Taylor’s penalty in MNF Clash against Saints has Reid seeing red
During Monday night’s showdown with the Saints, Taylor’s penalty problems reared their ugly head again. In the second quarter, the Chiefs were knocking on the door of the end zone. Mahomes found Gray for what looked like a sweet touchdown pass. But wait – what’s that yellow flag doing on the field? You guessed it – Taylor got caught holding. The touchdown wiped off the board, and the Chiefs pushed back.
That’s when Reid lost it. The usually stoic head coach, known for his zen-like calm on the sidelines, suddenly looked like a volcano ready to blow. He got animated, gesticulating wildly, his face a shade of red usually reserved for the Chiefs’ uniforms.
It was as if Taylor’s penalties not only cost the team yards but also stripped away Reid’s legendary patience. The message was clear: Taylor’s mistakes weren’t just hurting the team on the field; they were pushing the limits of even the most level-headed coach in the NFL.
Before the first quarter, Taylor False started. The Chiefs, trying to build momentum, instead found themselves backpedaling again. When cornered about his flags after the game against the Chargers, Taylor went for the “less is more” approach: “Just getting off early, that’s all it was.” His fix? “Just keep honing in on it.” Groundbreaking stuff, Jawaan. Really.
The stats don’t lie. Pro Football Reference has Taylor tied for second in false starts league-wide. It’s like he’s allergic to “hike” or something. To his credit, Taylor’s not hiding from the zebras. “We talk between TV timeouts about some things,” he admitted. But talk’s cheap when you’re still jumping the gun more often than an over-caffeinated sprinter.
As Monday night looms, the question on everyone’s mind is: Can Taylor get his act together? Or will Reid be forced to consider some tough decisions? One thing’s for sure: all of Kansas City will be holding its breath every time the ball’s snapped. Let’s just hope Taylor doesn’t jump before they exhale.
