Seemingly lost in the shuffle after Tyreek Hill’s 78-yard punt retun for a touchdown was Marquette King getting flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for taunting.
King punted right into the middle of the field, despite the entire coverage team heading to the left. It left the right side open and the speedy Hill took advantage, including putting a move on King as the final potential tackler and easily had King reaching at air.
The normally jovial King chased after Hill after the score and got in his face (for some reason). Initially the penalty flag was thought to be on the touchdown celebration. And with the attention Trave Kelce got for mocking King’s Bronco dance, the 15-yard penalty on King went unnoticed.
Jack Del Rio noticed. It was the second week in a row the Raiders’ flamboyant punter was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. Last week it was for picking up a flag that was thrown for roughing the punter, playing with it, and then spiking it.
After that flag, Del Rio chuckled and shook his head. After this one, the mood was not so nice.
“I’ve talked to him. It’s unacceptable,” said Del Rio.
“He can’t have another penalty. Cannot have another penalty. I’ve allowed him to have his freedom. I want him to express himself. I think that’s when he’s at his best. We can’t have routine 15-yard penalties out of our punter. We’ve got two in a row, two weeks in a row, and that’s got to come to a stop.”
King needs to rein it in. He started his career as a raw inconsistent project with a big leg. He got this far because of his work ethic and focus. He should get back to it. Keep dancing, it’s your thing. But it needs to end there.
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