Ravens, Jets smooth over snap-count controversy
Jets coach Eric Mangini cleared the air with Baltimore's Brian Billick after the Ravens coach accused New York of using an "illegal" ploy to draw his team offside during Sunday's game.
"I talked to Brian (Tuesday) and we had a good conversation," Mangini said Wednesday. "It was important for me to talk to him and make sure we didn't have a misunderstanding. We don't coach things to cause penalties. We don't believe in getting penalties, and it's something that we work to minimize at all times."
Billick said Monday that the Jets' defense "did a very, very effective job of illegally simulating the snap count" to intentionally throw off the Baltimore offense during the Ravens' 20-13 win. He claimed the tactic led to three illegal procedure penalties against the Ravens, but said his criticism was leveled at the officials, not the Jets.
"I was being critical of the officiating," Billick said. "It had nothing to do with Eric Mangini. I was more upset that they were doing it better than we were. We all do it. The official usually gets on it right away and stops it. That's all I was saying.
"It's not fair to Eric. Eric didn't deserve the grief he got for that. That was not my intention."
Rams' Jackson apologizes: Steven Jackson apologized to his St. Louis Rams teammates Wednesday for his sideline rant at the end of the team's second straight loss.
"I didn't want anything to get out of hand," the running back said. "I didn't know how guys took it, so I didn't want them to read something and then think what they're reading is true.
"I wanted to let them know from my heart and talk to them without being scripted, let them know how I felt and what happened and explain to them that there were no problems."
Jackson also reminded the team's patchwork offensive line that during a similar injury wave last year the Rams won four of their last six games.
"Steven brought up a great point," center Brett Romberg said. "There's no reason why we can't do the same thing."
Texans' Johnson to miss Colts: Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson ruled out playing against Indianapolis this week as he recovers from a sprained knee.
Asked Wednesday if there was any chance he could play against the Colts, Johnson said: "No. I mean as it looks right now, you look at me right now, no I wouldn't be out there on Sunday."
The news is a blow to a team that is 2-0 for the first time and preparing to face the Super Bowl champions.
Johnson, who wore a large brace on his injured left knee Wednesday, said he is unsure of when he can return but didn't rule out next week's game.