Buddy Ryan was not in an apologizing mood Monday. His few words carried more sting than the punch he threw at Kevin Gilbride on Sunday night.
At a news conference called to clear the air, Houston coach Jack Pardee did his part, saying he hoped everyone on the Oilers realized the enemy was the team in other color shirts.Gilbride was appropriately contrite.
And then there was Ryan.
"I said my part about it last night and that's all I have to say," Ryan said. Asked what he thought of the play-calling by Gilbride in the first half of the 24-0 victory over the New York Jets that led to the exchange, Ryan said: "I think actions speak louder than words."
Ryan then strode from the podium to a room full of laughter.
Not laughing was Oilers owner Bud Adams.
"I am very concerned and disappointed about the incident that took place last night between Buddy Ryan and Kevin Gilbride," Adams said in a statement Monday. "I understand that what took place occurred during the heat of battle but that does not excuse it.
"This type of situation will not be tolerated within our organization and I certainly don't expect it, or anything similar to it, to happen again."
Ryan, the Oilers defensive coordinator, has never liked Houston's run-and-shoot offense, calling it the chuck-and-duck, and was unhappy with Gilbride's play-calling deep in Oiler territory. He said something to the Oilers offensive coordinator when the Jets recovered Cody Carlson's fumble at the Oiler 18 with 37 seconds left in the first half.
Gilbride answered back and Ryan let fly with a haymaker.