It seems every other week when you walk into the Jets locker room there’s an issue to be addressed that has nothing to do with preparing for the next opponent.
Yesterday, the Jets were in damage-control mode again, trying to quell the uproar created by linebacker Bart Scott, who ripped Jets fans for heckling the team during halftime of the 49-19 loss to the Patriots on Thanksgiving night.
The heckling as the players headed to the locker room was caught on video and prompted Scott to say those fans were “probably picked last in dodgeball,” he didn’t care about their opinions and those who spent a fortune on personal seat licenses and tickets feel “more entitled.”
Those comments, along with Scott’s subpar play this season, should be enough for the Jets to rid themselves of the 32-year-old linebacker, who has been more disruptive off the field than on it in 2012. Earlier this year, he created headlines for threatening a reporter in the Jets locker room for taking his picture with a cell phone. He has also tried unsuccessfully to instigate a media boycott after the Jets beat the Rams and he generally has been an ornery example of how to deal with adversity.
But instead of cutting Scott, who is in the final year of his contract, and sending a message, coach Rex Ryan spent most of his press conference yesterday trying to make you believe Scott remains one of the most valuable players on his defense and should be praised for playing through an injured toe.
“I just like the fact that when Bart’s out there, he plays with that physical style of play, and that passion,” Ryan said. “It’s good to get him on the field as much as you possibly can, although he’s not 100 percent.”
It got to the point where Ryan started to sound like a used car salesman trying to make you believe a relic performs like a Cadillac. “Trust me,” Ryan said. “Bart can cover still. He’s not 100 percent but he’s good enough. The way he’s attacking the run and doing different things, he doesn’t hurt us. Let’s put it that way. He helps us.”
Hmmm. When last seen Scott was running about 20 yards behind Shane Vereen as the Patriots running back scored on an 83-yard touchdown catch-and-run on Thanksgiving night. “Communication error,” Ryan called it.
Still, the Jets embarrassed themselves by allowing 35 second-quarter points and the fans vented their displeasure as the players headed toward the locker room at intermission.
Considering the Jets’ abysmal performance against the Patriots and their disappointing 4-7 record heading into Sunday’s game against the Cardinals (4-7), Scott has no forum to chastise the fans and, as an 11-year veteran, he should know better. But following the cue of their head coach, the Jets are trained to say whatever they think, which is why Scott felt comfortable blasting the fans.
Ryan and Scott had a chat yesterday morning and, later in the day, the linebacker tried to explain himself. “l was responding to a question about comments that was made to our team about video that the reporter said was disrespectful,” Scott said. “That’s what I was responding to. I wasn’t making a comment about fans.”
Sure. At the very least it’s yet another example of the Jets getting embroiled in an unnecessary distraction. Two weeks ago it was unnamed sources criticizing Tim Tebow, then Scott trying to lead a media boycott after the St. Louis game.
Even offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo added to controversy late yesterday, when he suggested he was being forced to platoon Vlad Ducasse with Matt Slauson at left guard. The nonsense seems endless.
“We all came into the season with expectations,” Scott said, “but I believe the real true character of a man is tested when things aren’t going well. Anybody can answer questions when it’s easy and convenient. But when times get tough, that’s when a real man steps up and shows his true character.”
We’ve noticed.