Rex backs Holmes after his apology

JERSEY CITY -- Jets coach Rex Ryan stands by his players.

Even in the wake of criticism of Santonio Holmes for his excessive-celebration penalty in Sunday's 45-19 loss to the Eagles, Ryan has remained steadfast in support of his best receiver.

"Santonio and I talk all the time," Ryan said Monday on a conference call. "He apologized for that to me. I'll say this about Santonio and every other player on this team, they have my 100-percent support. We're in this thing together."

With the Jets down 28-3, Holmes caught a 25-yard touchdown pass. He then put one foot on the ball, flapped his arms like an eagle and was flagged for using the ball as a prop.

"Are we perfect? No, none of us are perfect. I'm just saying you wish that thing never happened," Ryan said. "I don't think it will happen again, but again, I have his back, he has mine, and this whole team is that way."

On a day when Ryan made his rounds with the media and defended Holmes, at least 15 Jets took time out from football to support linebacker Bart Scott at his "Can't Wait Grand Prix" fundraiser at Pole Position Raceway. Nearly 300 people attended and at least $25,000 was raised, according to spokeswoman Rosemary O'Brien.

Part of the proceeds, which go directly to Scott's "A Son Never Forgets Foundation," will be funneled to former Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand to assist in his recovery from a spinal injury suffered in 2010 in a game against Army.

The players on hand did their best not to think about losing to the Eagles or Saturday's game against the Giants.

"Even when you don't play well on Sundays and things don't go the way you want, we're still some of the luckiest people in the entire world," Mark Sanchez said. "Being able to step away for a few hours [and] benefit some people who are definitely in need is important to all of us."