Westhoff denies making accusations

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Mike Westhoff wants to make it clear again: He wasn't snitching on the Patriots and he had no knowledge of the sideline wall the Jets say was ordered by Sal Alosi.

The Jets' longtime special- teams coordinator made comments to a Chicago radio station last week that implied New England had utilized the sideline wall tactic before. He's come under fire since, and the NFL is looking into those comments to determine whether it will take any disciplinary action.

"I wasn't being derogatory and I wasn't accusing anyone of anything," Westhoff - who's unsure if he'll be fined for his comments - said Thursday. "I was frustrated with the fact that I know my involvement in the whole thing. I'm not accusing anybody of doing anything wrong. Absolutely not."

The NFL was at the Jets' training facility last Friday investigating whether anyone other than Alosi - the strength and conditioning coach who has been suspended indefinitely for tripping Miami's Nolan Carroll and ordering the inactive players to form the wall - played a role in the incident.

"They came in and talked with us, and we had to go through the whole thing," Westhoff said. "They were very thorough. But I think they fully understood, in my opinion, all the circumstances and I think they believe it because I know it's true."

Westhoff took issue with Boomer Esiason's comments during CBS' pregame show on Sunday, when the native Long Islander and former Jets quarterback accused Westhoff of playing "semantics" while denying his involvement with the sideline wall situation.

"I heard them. I don't agree with them at all," Westhoff said. "I'm on the record with every word that I've said. Everyone has an opinion. You have a right to have an opinion, but you'll have a hard time, in my opinion, finding semantics in anything I said, a very difficult time.

"I know exactly what I said the whole time and know my involvement, no question about it. There's no gray area."