In a move that could only be described as classless and unnecessary, Jets’ strength coach Sal Alosi tripped Miami Dolphins’ gunner Nolan Carroll as he was running down the sidelines in New York’s 10-6 loss on Sunday at the New Meadowlands.
As Carroll streaked down the sidelines to cover a punt in the second half of the game, Alosi stuck his knee out and lean towards the field to intentionally trop Carroll, who fell to the turf with a knee injury. TV replays caught the whole thing and Alosi apologized following the game.
“I made a mistake that showed a total lapse in judgment,” Alosi said in a statement. “My conduct was inexcusable and unsportsmanlike and does not reflect what this organization stands for. I spoke to Coach [Tony] Sparano and Nolan Carroll to apologize before they took off. I have also apologized to Woody [Johnson], Mike [Tannenbaum] and Rex [Ryan]. I accept responsibility for my actions as well as any punishment that follows.”
Carroll wasn’t upset, but his Miami teammates were.
“They’re cheaters,” Dolphins inside linebacker Channing Crowder said. “They do what they do. They cheat. They talk junk. But we beat the hell out of them today.
“I wish they’d tripped me. I’d have broken that old man’s leg. I didn’t see anything. He stuck his leg out and tripped him? He should be ashamed of himself. A grown man from the coaching staff? That’s high character.”
Running back Ricky Williams said: “It’s the Jets right? We’re not surprised.”
The Dolphins had the last laugh in the end, but Alosi should face punishment. After losing two straight, the Jets don’t need this kind of embarrassment and should, at the very least, suspend him for the final four games of the season. A fine would also be in order, seeing as how players get fined for everything these days. (Granted, they also make more than Alosi, too).
It was an ugly scene and Alosi is fortunate that Carroll didn’t suffer a season-ending injury as a result of his stupidity. Either way, it was an unnecessary, dirty move by a guy who should no better.