The Miami Dolphins want the NFL to review an incident on Sunday in which a New York Jets staff member tripped a Dolphins player running down the sideline during Miami's 10-6 win at the New Meadowlands Stadium, the Sun-Sentinel reported.
Miami cornerback Nolan Carroll was sprinting down the field in punt coverage in the third quarter when the Jets employee -- later identified as strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi -- stuck out his knee, upending Carroll. The special teamer was shaken up on the play, remaining on the Jets' sideline a couple of minutes. He later returned to the game.
A contrite Alosi released a statement through the team late Sunday.
"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."
"That is so dirty," Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby said after seeing a snapshot of the incident. "Come on man. That's dirty! It all trickles down hill. Their head coach opened a can of worms over there, and now he's got to fix it. It's sad. There's no place for that in football. Hopefully they'll be fined for it. I'll leave it up to the league."
Outspoken Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder had his own take on the play.
"I wish they would have tripped me. I would have broken his leg."
Carroll, who had an interception in the first quarter, said he was not angry about the incident.
Ryan said during his postgame press conference that he was unaware of the situation until informed by the team's director of media relations after the loss. Ryan said the Jets would investigate the matter.
