When Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson fails to receive a Christmas card from New York Jets coach Bruce Coslet, it won't be an oversight.
Coslet is still fuming about the fourth-quarter blitz tactics of the Cowboys that knocked quarterback Boomer Esiason out the Jets' 28-7 loss to Dallas with bruised ribs.But Esiason said Monday that his sore ribs won't prevent him from practicing this week for Sunday's game at Buffalo. But he added, he could "understand' Coslet's frustratation, adding, "There are no rules about it. In the NFL, there is no etiquette.'
The coaches exchanged heated words in the tunnel heading off the Giants Stadium field Saturday when Coslet refused to shake Johnson's hand.
"He came up to me and wanted to shake my hand," Coslet said Monday. "I didn't feel like I wanted to.
"I asked him why he would do something like that. I'd still like to know what his motive was.
"Why would you pick that time to do it? That's what I was asking myself on the sideline when I saw Boomer lying on the ground."
Linebacker Ken Norton slammed Esiason from the blind side just as he released a pass at the New York 32. Esiason was replaced by Browning Nagle.
"The guy we still have a chance to get in the playoffs with is lying on the ground. That's my only question, `What's your motive, Jimmy?' " Coslet said.
Coslet reportedly reminded Johnson coming off the field that Johnson didn't like it when the Philadelphia Eagles blitzed Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman late in a game in 1989.
"Someone needs to pass me a note or give me the rule when we are supposed to blitz and when we can't blitz," Johnson said. "We just try to win ballgames."
Jets safety Ronnie Lott didn't appreciate the rough treatment of his quarterback.
"I'll tell you this: What goes around comes around," Lott said.