Nobody felt worse after Friday night time’s 13-13 tie in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons than Cincinnati Bengals rookie security Jordan Battle, whose taunting penalty not solely gave the hosts a brand new set of downs on their first scoring drive however resulted in a benching.
Battle’s penalty got here after Scotty Miller caught a go ultimately zone on Third-and-4 however was dominated out of bounds. Battle twice waved his finger in Miller’s face whereas cornerback Jalen Davis, who was in protection on the play, gave an emphatic “out of bounds” sign, which Battle repeated.
How Did Jordan Battle React to His 15-Yard Taunting Penalty?
As a substitute of dealing with 4th-and-4 and a 41-yard field-goal try, the Falcons had 1st-and-10 on the Cincinnati 11. And the Bengals coaches pulled Battle out of the sport.
“I ain’t by no means been a man the place folks query his character, however clearly, getting that penalty for taunting, it will possibly lead folks to ask questions on how does this man carry himself,” Battle mentioned. “I’ve by no means been that man, and I by no means will probably be that man.”
The third-round choose from Alabama mentioned his preliminary response to the flag was shock.
“Coming from school, they in all probability wouldn’t name that,” he mentioned. “However now within the NFL, you’ve obtained to be a professional. Simply go have a good time together with your teammates. Like on that play proper there, as a substitute of going over there and getting within the different man’s face, I ought to have celebrated with J.D. I simply want to grasp that as a rookie.”
Battle’s secondary response was dismay after being pulled from the sport.
“Yeah, I’ll admit I used to be a bit of nervous. I’ll admit, I used to be nervous,” he mentioned. “I wasn’t certain how lengthy I’d be out.”
Battle’s spot on the 53-man roster is safe, nevertheless it was an uneasy time on the sideline, regardless that the penalty ended up costing the Bengals little greater than about 90 seconds on the clock.
The protection stopped the Falcons on their ensuing third down when Raymond Johnson III and Jeff Gunter mixed for a sack of Taylor Heinicke on Third-and-8 from the 9-yard line, leading to Younghoe Koo kicking a 36-yard area purpose as a substitute of a 41-yarder.
On the following collection, Battle was again on the sphere, and he completed with 42 snaps (61 %), third most amongst Cincinnati defensive gamers.
“I’m understanding the sport increasingly each week,” he mentioned. “Engaged on the communication is the largest factor and simply with the ability to play quicker and extra instinctually. Simply hold enhancing in each facet of the sport, whether or not it’s attending to the ball and displaying nice effort or masking one on one, whether or not it’s a good finish, working again, or receiver. Do every little thing to make my recreation extra broad.”
The Bengals have been utilizing Battle to cowl tight ends at occasions, and Friday night time, he gave up his first reception, a 14-yarder to Parke Hesse on Atlanta’s second play of the second half.
“I swatted with the incorrect hand,” Battle mentioned. “It was extra a method factor. One thing we will repair. It’s good for me. I prefer to cowl guys, and getting these reps are solely going to make me higher.”
Rookies are imagined to make errors within the preseason. Studying from them and never repeating them is the important thing. Battle can’t promise he received’t surrender one other catch, after all, however he’s assured there is not going to be one other taunting penalty.
“Simply apologize and transfer on,” he mentioned.
