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Facing old trash-talk rival Tom Brady, KC Chiefs’ Chris Jones says mum’s the word

At least in theory entering the Chiefs’ game on Sunday at Tampa Bay, defensive tackle Chris Jones has been chastened by the pivotal unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty he received for his still-undisclosed choice of words to Indianapolis quarterback Matt Ryan in a 20-17 loss to the Colts.

When he was reminded Thursday of his history of jawing with Bucs quarterback Tom Brady, who goads as good as he gets and should be expected to get the benefit of any officiating discretion, Jones playfully recoiled.

Most likely it was a scenario he already had been contemplating … if not perhaps even mentally girding himself for. Because after Jones referred to Brady as “one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game,” he seemed to anticipate my next question about their facemask-nuzzling, trash-talking dynamics.

“I will not exchange nothing with Tom, OK? I’m not getting no flags, OK?” Jones said, smiling. “I don’t know what is allowed and what is not allowed, so I’m not saying nothing.”

For emphasis, he added, “Listen, it’s going to be a clear game; I’m not saying anything.”

Forecasting that “clear game” ahead remains about all that is clear to Jones, he suggested, when it comes to that crucial call last Sunday.

To reset:

Instead of the Colts facing fourth and 14 at their own 31 with the Chiefs leading 17-13 and under 5 minutes left, they were revived by a first down at their own 46 that paved the way to the game-winning touchdown.

After the game, Jones said he didn’t remember what he said but didn’t think it was “anything vulgar or disrespectful” or “horrendous.” He also said he thought he was having a “conversation” with Ryan and noted he’d never been penalized before for talking.

By Thursday, he remained “wholeheartedly” remorseful that he had “put this team in a bad situation.” But he said he’s “still shocked” at the call … even as he continued to say he didn’t remember the offending words.

(Asked if it was one of the worst things he’s said on a field, Jones laughed and said, “It was absolutely one of the nicest things.”)

Whatever chilling effect this episode may or may not have on Jones, on another level he’s challenging what he frames as a vague ruling by seeking clarity — including saying “hopefully (the NFL has) the audio for that so they can explain to the fans.”

And he has a point when it comes to the NFL’s essentially mute stance on a discretionary call that changed the trajectory of the game … albeit a game the Chiefs deserved to lose for plenty of reasons.

Asked to explain Sunday by pool reporter Adam Teicher of ESPN on behalf of the Pro Football Writers of America, referee Shawn Smith said only that it was “abusive language.”

Smith declined to elaborate, saying, “No, but it will be in our game report” to the NFL. The NFL has not disclosed the report. But according to Pro Football Talk, a league source said it referred to “disturbing language” for which “there is no place in professional football.”

The league official told PFF that he believed Smith should have specifically pointed to taunting, the rule for which Jones cited Thursday by chapter and verse and that states “the use of baiting or taunting acts or words that engender ill will between teams.”

While officials and the league may have their reasons for not specifying what Jones said to earn the penalty, it’s impossible to set a true standard or draw a line when you won’t divulge where that is.

Left as this is with no transparency or accountability, it’s the equivalent of an official saying he knows that line when he hears it and that we should just trust that judgment. Or just guess at it game by game, site by site, official by official.

That’s an awful lot of subjective power … and so blurry as to be meaningless.

Particularly given that we don’t even know if other officials would have called it or if Smith heard the same or similar words in other situations and let it pass.

“I think it’s important to the game for players to know what we can and can’t say,” said Jones, who simply said “all is good” when asked about missing practice on Wednesday for personal reasons. “I don’t think I violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1C, to my understanding. But I think it’s important to us as players that we know what’s allowed and what can be said and what can’t be said on the field.

“Because if not then a lot more of those flags could possibly happen.”

Instead of letting players know, not to mention fans of the game who have a keen interest in how such a momentous decision could be made, the NFL has left everyone guessing.

All that said, without knowing what Jones said, it’s impossible to say it wasn’t deserved. He’s been free to reveal what it was at least twice now, and twice he has said he didn’t recall. That only adds to conjecture.

For that matter, Jones could also help himself deal with any perceived gray areas by simply choosing to heed coach Andy Reid’s postgame advice:

“Don’t talk.”

That’s likely to be tested this week in many ways, not the least of which could come with some effort to instigate by Brady. Whether the ever-animated Jones can resist getting embroiled in such antics remains to be seen.

But even without a clear explanation of the line, at least he knows he’d best avoid anything approaching it this week.