Cameron Jordan criticizes roughing calls: QBs might as well have flags on hips

New Orleans Saints pass-rusher Cameron Jordan didn't mince words when discussing the NFL's rules for protecting quarterbacks on Thursday.

"Quarterbacks have red jerseys on in practices, and at this point, they're going to have red jerseys on during games as well," Jordan said, according to Luke Johnson of Nola.com. "That's just the game we're playing at this point. We might as well just attach a flag to their hips and go off that."

The Saints accumulated 115 penalty yards on 11 calls Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. This included two roughing the passer flags for hits on Sam Darnold during their 26-7 defeat.

"Seriously, this is a part of the game we have to play. I think it sucks," Jordan said.

"Eleven years ago when I first entered the league, when you saw quarterbacks being fearful of being hit on their blindside to now knowing that they're fully protected, it sort of takes away from the game, but again, that's the game that we're in right now."

Saints rookie Payton Turner was responsible for the first roughing penalty while defensive tackle Christian Ringo was docked for the second call. The latter's penalty occurred during a fourth-quarter scoring drive by the Panthers.

Despite the penalties, Jordan notes the Saints will not play in fear and will strive to be more disciplined.

"We'll correct penalties on tape and try to get better from that, but what you can't do is play with fear in your heart in this game. Especially as a defense," Jordan said. "We're going to have to live with some of these and learn from a lot of them."

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