Sal Alosi, Jets Strength Coach, Only a Symptom of the Jets' Problems

Sal Alosi, the New York Jets' strength and conditioning coach, stuck his knee out during the third quarter of New York's 10 to 6 loss to the Miami Dolphins, and tripped special teams player Nolan Carroll as he ran along the sideline. The trip caused Nolan to fall, though it was not noticed by game officials and only really came to light after the game.

The New York Jets season seems to be rapidly unraveling as the team lost in embarrassing fashion last week to the New England Patriots and again this week to the Dolphins. A team who has cried out for attention via a stunning mix of bravado and swagger now seems to be in need of all the help it can get.

The Jets are 9 and 4. While a playoff berth seems all but guaranteed at this point, the team seems to be in freefall. It is difficult to tell what is worse: the Jets' offensive game plan or its execution. Mark Sanchez, who struggled for most of his rookie season, doesn't look to be any better this year than last; in fact, it could be argued that he has regressed. Rex Ryan, the ballyhooed second year coach, loves to play to the room and to the media, but his trash talking and cocksure approach are wearing thin to the Jets faithful who see a team that had many great breaks earlier this year and could just as easily be 4 and 9.

The most disturbing aspect of the Jets' play in recent weeks is the seeming lack of discipline. As one example, Santonio Holmes made a nice, though hardly game changing, catch in the second quarter today and danced around the thirty yard line, seemingly completely unaware of the fact that the Jets' offense was struggling all game and that they were losing 10 to 0. A few plays later, a wide open Holmes dropped an easy catch in the end zone.

Even more disturbing, though, was the very dangerous and 'bush' play by Alosi. To stand on the sideline, in a position of authority, and stick a knee out to intentionally trip a player is inexcusable behavior. Fairly or not, the bluster and talk of Super Bowls that have been the signature trademark of the Jets has brought about a sense that the team, and the organization itself, lacks respect for opponents and even for the game itself.

Alosi did offer an apology after the game, saying, "I made a mistake that showed a total lapse in judgment," the statement read. "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), (general manager) Mike (Tannenbaum) and (coach) Rex (Ryan). I accept responsibility for my actions as well as any punishment that follows."

While the apology is a nice first step, it is not going to undo the damage done.

Sal Alosi should be suspended, at a minimum, by the Jets and/or the NFL, and he likely will be. But the Jets should also take a long hard look in the mirror and consider whether or not Sal Alosi is himself a problem, or simply a symptom of a much bigger issue that seems to be infecting the Jets.

Source:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101213/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_dolphins_jets_tripping