Many fans were freaking out about Jawaan Taylor’s pre-snap positioning during the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 1 loss against the Detroit Lions.
It’s a tendency that Taylor has displayed for years, but it’s only recently come under heavy scrutiny once the football world noticed it during the NFL’s kickoff game. Not only does Taylor tend to line up as far back as possible on the offensive line, but he’s also the first one to step back as the ball is snapped.
Buy Chiefs TicketsNBC's Terry McAulay on Chiefs' RT Jawaan Taylor: "He's really not remotely close, and it's really putting the defensive end at a tremendous disadvantage when you can be that far back."
Taylor appeared well behind the LOS and appeared to start early throughout the game. pic.twitter.com/2UrkTH8bTo
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 8, 2023
Many think this tendency should continually be penalized as an illegal formation and/or a false start, but some have chimed in saying it’s technically legal if the referee allows it. That includes Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who noted that it’s ultimately up to the ref on duty.
“Normally, you’re able to split the center’s hip there,” Reid said during Monday’s press conference. “The guys – you don’t want it to be a tell when you’re running or passing, you also have the officials there, they will normally help you out with that if you are too deep. They’ll give you a warning and you go with it. They do a good job with that.
“The guys are trying to get every advantage they can … that’s been one of the things tackles do. I mean, that’s been around for a long time and then you just have to make sure that you don’t take advantage of it and get yourself either too deep or leave off the snap too quick.”
Funny enough, Taylor was eventually penalized for a false start at the worst possible moment — on the Chiefs’ final drive as they attempted to take the lead.
It took 58 minutes, but Jawaan Taylor just finally got called for a penalty.
Collinworth: "Jawaan Taylor playing slot receiver."pic.twitter.com/PbWziIfNxe
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 8, 2023
Since it’s ultimately up to the ref, this tendency is likely something that won’t change for Taylor this season unless refs decide to crack down on it. So the football world will have to continue being annoyed every week when watching the Chiefs.
