Patriots QB Mac Jones Drawing Criticism; NFL CB: 'Dirty AF’
FOXBORO — New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones remains under fire for his controversial slide-block on Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple in the team’s Week 16 loss at Gillette Stadium.
Not only has he been the subject of criticism from fans and media alike, he is also a bit lighter in the wallet as a result of his actions.
Now, he appears to be drawing the ire of several current and former NFL players.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay had some choice words for Patriots regarding Jones’ block attempt during the fourth quarter of New England’s 22-18 loiss to the Bengals. In fact, the soon-to-be 32-year-old (whose birthday is on Jan. 1) felt compelled to share his feelings on the subject via social media.
“Dirty af!!” the Eagles defensive back wrote.
Slay’s reaction is not without context, as Jones has previously found himself circled by controversy. As a rookie, he was accused of intentionally holding the ankle of then-Carolina Panthers linebacker Brian Burns while attempting to make a tackle during a November meeting between the two teams.
In October, Jones was admonished by Chicago Bears defender Jaquan Brisker for a dangerously-high leg kick during a slide to avoid a tackle. Earlier this month, he received a fine of $10,609 for unsportsmanlike conduct when he flipped a ball into the midsection of Buffalo Bills defensive lineman A.J. Epenesa during a Week 13 loss.
Despite the negativity surrounding him, Jones maintained that he was simply making an attempt to keep Apple from catching New England’s speedy wideout Tyquan Thornton, who was in hot pursuit of Pratt.
“I went down in front of him [Apple] to kind of get in the way to stop him from slowing down Tyquan [Thornton], who obviously could make the tackle there,” Jones said on Monday. “So, just kind of went down in front of him, trying to stop a fast guy from getting to another fast guy. It’s a split-second decision and there’s a lot that goes into it.”
Following the game, Apple was clearly convinced that Jones’ actions were both petty and intentional, labeling the block as a “dirty play.”
“Of course I did [notice it]. He tripped me,” said Apple when asked about Jones’ slide-block. “I thought it was a dirty play. He’s done that before, I’ve seen it.”
While Apple is likely to continue harboring some ill sentiment, Jones was clear to express that his intentions were not nefarious.
“I have all the respect for Eli and the Bengals.” Jones added. They played a great game. So, there’s no hard feelings and definitely no intention to hurt anybody on that play.”
Not everyone is buying that explanation … including Slay.
While the veteran cornerback seems determined to act as judge and jury regarding Jones’ reputation, (despite not being involved with either the play, or the game), he did not seem to have a problem with the questionable history of longtime teammate Ndamukong Suh, who has been at the center of several questionable plays throughout his career.
In fact, Suh is one of the most-fined players in NFL history, having been forced to monetarily atone for such acts as stomping on Evan Dietrich-Smith of the Green Bay Packers in 2011 ($164,000 fine), kicking Matt Schaub of the Houston Texans in the groin in 2012 ($30,000) and stepping on the leg of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay in 2014 ($70,000), for which he also earned a suspension.
Yet, Slay offered the following explanation of Suh’s behavior when the veteran lineman signed with Philadelphia earlier this season.
“He’d [Suh] play hard for his team,” said Slay. “Never been a nasty thing about him. Everybody keeps thinking about all the times he did all the so-called dirty stuff, but he’s not a guy that does dirty stuff.”
The NFL’s financial ledger would suggest otherwise.
Still, Slay is not alone in his displeasure for Jones’ on-field actions. Former Eagles and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith likened Jones to Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen, who has also developed the dubious distinction of questionable intentions during game play.
While Smith and Slay were angered by Jones’ slide-block attempt, Pro Football Hall of Famer and current FOX Sports analyst Shannon Sharpe believes that the Pats starter may have painted a target on his back with his latest problematic act.
“Dirty ass play, and he’s had a history of this,” Sharpe said Monday on FS1’s “Undisputed. “Now, I defended him on some of the plays, but that’s behind the play. They gotta suspend him. That ain’t no block. You could’ve injured that man. You know you don’t cut no man’s knees, Mac Jones. What the hell are you doing? If I’m all defensive players, first chance I get, I’m [going to] knock his block off.”
Sharpe added: “Now, you put a bullseye on your back. Now you have defenders going to be head-hunting you. They’re going to look to get you. You watch. Somebody is going to clean his clock.”
Whether Sharpe’s prediction comes true may be revealed in the coming days, as the Pats prepare to host the Miami Dolphins for a must-win matchup on Sunday, Jan 1 at Gillette Stadium.
If the Patriots are able to win their final two games, they will qualify for the playoffs. To do so, they will need Mac Jones to be healthy and on the field.
Kickoff from Foxboro is set for 1 p.m. ET on New Years Day.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots
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