Chris Jones, center, was called for the now-infamous push which resulted in a 15-yard penalty.
Credit: Getty Images
The Patriots apparently haven’t moved on from the pivotal call that went against them late in Sunday’s 30-27 loss at the Jets.
An illegal pushing call on the Patriots during the Jets’ first field-goal attempt of overtime gave the Jets 15 additional yards and a shot to win the game. Nick Folk made a 42-yard field goal three plays later to do just that.
The Patriots are still upset about the call and are pointing their fingers at the other sideline still. Yesterday, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick told reporters the Jets “were using the play themselves.”
Not so, say the Jets.
“That’s not true. That’s not true. He has to make up his mind. Was he aware of this thing? Was it second-level and all this kind of jazz? Or now the story is we did,” Jets head coach Rex Ryan said. “Fact is we’re moving on. We earned that victory plain and simple. We’re focusing on Cincinnati now.”
A report on Tuesday indicated the Jets had done their due diligence on the Patriots’ tendencies to block field goals and tipped off the officiating crew to the possibility of illegal pushing.
Jets notes …
»With an open spot on the practice squad, the Jets signed cornerback Ras-I Dowling. Drafted by the Patriots with the first pick of the second round in the 2011 NFL Draft, he had a hip injury that cost him his rookie year and a thigh injury that sidelined him the next season. He has played in just nine games over the past two years.
»Ryan said tight end Jeff Cumberland and wide receiver Santonio Holmes did not practice Wednesday. Both players were out with a hamstring injury but the Jets head coach sounded optimistic about his tight end being able to play Sunday at the Bengals.
“It’s from the game,” Ryan said.“I think he’s going to be OK but we held him out today.”
»As far as Holmes, who pulled his hamstring in Week 4, it didn’t sound terribly positive.
“Not real sure. We’ll lean on the trainers and doctors for that,” Ryan said. “We’ll see how it is but the fact that he didn’t practice today? We’ll see what that means.” Holmes did not speak with the media on Wednesday.
»Center Nick Mangold was limited in practice today with a ribs injury.
“I feel just peachy, thank you,” Mangold told Metro New York.
»Signed on Monday, veteran quarterback David Garrard has impressed the coaching staff, just months after he retired from the game.
“It’s better, it’s good. I wouldn’t call it great right now,” Ryan said of Garrard’s conditioning.“But the way he was throwing the football – he can really throw the ball.”
Garrard said on Wednesday he feels good, though he agreed with Ryan about his conditioning.
“I could still play in a game if I had to,” Garrard said.
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
