Jets players, along with Eric Mangini, yesterday scoffed at the accusations made by Ravens coach Brian Billick about their defense illegally barking out cadence signals and forcing his players into illegal-motion penalties.
“We aren’t coached to do that and we don’t play that way,” Jets defensive captain Jonathan Vilma said. “I know it’s a sensitive issue after what happened out of New England [Bill Belichick Spygate], but I would hope [Billick] had some concrete evidence that we were doing that before making an [accusation].
“In two years being coached [by Mangini], no one has ever complained about this – not even the Bills, Dolphins and Patriots, who we play twice a year. All I can say is we don’t do it.”
Chad Pennington called what went on in Baltimore “part of the game.”
“That’s happened to us before,” Pennington said. “What you try to do is get back in the huddle and talk to your guys about understanding and listening to the sound of your voice. You talk about mixing up the snap counts to where your offensive line and offense is one step ahead, they’re listening to you and they know the rhythm of the cadence that you are on. That’s the advantage you have as an offense.
“All of us here at the Jets take pride in competing hard, fairly and doing everything we can in our own power to give ourselves an advantage within the rules.”
Mangini said he phoned Billick Tuesday, saying, “It was important for me to talk to him and make sure we didn’t have a misunderstanding. We don’t coach things like that. I felt very good about the conversation.”
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WR Justin McCareins, who dropped two possible game-tying TD passes in the final moments of the Jets’ 20-13 loss Sunday, said yesterday he’s moved on from the disappointment and that “it’s business as usual.”
“We all know the game is made of opportunities to win and the defense gave us a great opportunity and Kellen [Clemens] gave us a great chance at the end and I didn’t deliver; I didn’t make it happen when it counted,” he said. “I look forward to getting more opportunities to earn the trust back from my teammates.”
The Jets yesterday signed offensive lineman Will Montgomery to the active roster. Montgomery, 6-2, 312 out of Virginia Tech, was drafted by Carolina in the seventh round (234th overall) in 2006. He appeared in seven games for the Panthers last year, starting three at left guard and one at right guard . . . Dolphins LB Zach Thomas didn’t practice yesterday because of migraine headaches, though he’s expected to play Sunday.