Kevin Hagen for New York Daily News
Jets linebacker Bart Scott should have let his T-shirt, and not hand gesture, get his point across.
The NFL will investigate Bart Scott’s decision to use an obscene gesture toward a photographer as he cleaned out his locker on Monday, according to a league spokesman. The morning after the Jets’ season-ending loss to the Dolphins, Scott gave the middle finger to a photographer as he gathered his belongings at the team’s Florham Park facility.
“What he did was unacceptable,” general manager Mike Tannenbaum told ESPN Radio on Tuesday. “We’re going to address it. We’ll certainly talk to him.”
SHOULD SCOTT STAY? PLAY JETS KEEP 'EM OR DUMP 'EM
Tannenbaum said that any punishment for the veteran linebacker would remain in-house. Rex Ryan admitted on ESPN Radio that Scott’s actions were “not acceptable in dealing with the media.”
Ryan, of course, was fined $50,000 by the Jets in 2010 for giving the middle finger to fans at a public event during Super Bowl week.
Scott’s frustration over diminished playing time was palpable in the past couple months, according to two sources. His body language when he was substituted out of games didn’t sit well with several teammates. The Jets took Scott out on several packages due to his diminished ability to cover tight ends and running backs in space.
As part of an agreement with the Jets, Scott’s 2012 base salary of $4.2 million is fully guaranteed after he agreed to take a $1 million pay cut in 2011. He has three years remaining on his deal that expires after the 2014 season. It’s unlikely that Scott would agree to take anything less than his fully guaranteed salary.
ON THE OFFENSIVE
Ryan told ESPN Radio that he’ll “definitely be around the offense more. There is no doubt. For no other reason, just so I have a better idea of our team.”
SANCHEZ: SAFE WITH HOLMES
Mark Sanchez was confident that he will be able to play with Santonio Holmes in the future. Holmes clashed with Sanchez last week in a meeting and was unhappy with his role in Sunday’s loss.
“We got to make things work,” the quarterback told ESPN Radio.
MOORE OF THE SAME?
Ryan reiterated that Brian Schottenheimer will be back as offensive coordinator if he doesn’t get a head coaching job elsewhere. The News reported on Monday that Schottenheimer will interview for the Jaguars’ head coaching opening as early as this week.
Ryan said that he was “not really sure” about consultant Tom Moore’s role from this point on, but admitted that “I would love to have Tom around.” . . . RB John Griffin and OL Matt Kroul were signed to reserve/future contracts.
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