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VIDEO: Jets assistant coach trips Dolphins player

By ArtieFufkin

(CBS Image via Newsday.com)

The New York Jets are going to get a call from the league office regarding a sideline incident involving a member of their coaching staff … and surprisingly, it has nothing to do with Rex Ryan! Well, not directly anyway, but it certainly reflects negatively on the head coach and the culture he’s fostered surrounding this ball club.

During the third quarter of today’s 10-6 loss to the Dolphins, New York strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi intentionally tripped Dolphins CB Nolan Caroll while he was sprinting downfield on punt coverage. The Miami gunner was two yards deep on the Jets sideline when Alosi stuck out his left knee and took Carroll out. Watch below:

Carroll – who had an interception earlier in the game – was shaken up on the play, but returned to the game later. Afterward, Alosi issued an apology and said he’s prepared for any punishment that’s coming his way (cough *you’re fired* cough):

“I made a mistake that showed a total lapse in judgment. My conduct was inexcusable and unsportsmanlike and does not reflect what this organization stands for. I spoke to Coach Sparano and Nolan Carroll to apologize before they took off. I have also apologized to (Jets owner) Woody (Johnson), (Jets general manager) Mike (Tannebaum) and Rex (Ryan) I accept responsibility for my actions as well as any punishment that follows.”

Not surprisingly, the Dolphins were calling for the league to investigate the incident, but weren’t necessarily expecting the Jets to be punished. Two players – Karlos Dansby and Channing Crowder – were particularly outspoken:

“I wish they would have tripped me,” Channing Crowder said. “I would have gotten up and broken the old man’s leg . . . That just speaks to the character of the Jets.”

“That is so dirty,” linebacker Karlos Dansby said. “Come on, man. Their head coach opened a can of worms over there, and now he’s got to fix it.”

It was an ugly incident in an otherwise ugly game, where heavy rain made for sloppy play on both sides. But in the end, the Jets dropped their second straight game and fell two games back to the Patriots in the AFC East.

I’m thinking Rex might have Alosi buried this week instead of a game ball … and it won’t necessarily be a motivational tactic. This is Jersey, after all.