One thing that a gunner on punts probably shouldn't do is go out of bounds near the opposing team's sideline: there are all sorts of people over there who do not like you in that vicinity. But Nolan Carroll, who did that, still didn't deserve to get tripped by an unidentified member of the Jets.
PHOTO: Nolan Carroll Tripped By Unknown Member Of Jets On Sideline
That image, via @bubbaprog, clearly shows someone on the Jets sideline tripping Carroll. That is going to be a problem for the Jets.
Under Rex Ryan, the Jets have been known for very aggressive, almost bellicose play. That works, because there is aggressive play, and then there is dirty play, and the Jets have successfully kept their behavior in the first category. But tripping Carroll is definitely in the latter category.
It will be hard to figure out which Jet extended a knee into Carroll’s thigh as he ran by, at least until reporters get to ask questions of the Jets. But whichever Jet — be it a player, an assistant coach, or another member of the team — will probably face a fine and maybe a suspension for doing something that unsportsmanlike.
And then we’ll get to figure out how grave the NFL judges a trick like that to be, and both a) compare it to suspensions for dangerous hits on the field of play and b) endure a week of media scrutiny of Ryan’s approach, which seems to be producing diminishing returns both on the field. That will be fun. (Note: it will not be fun.)
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