Former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas said on Miami’s WQAM radio on Tuesday that he thought the Jets coaching staff orchestrated the whole “tripping on the sideline” incident, and that there was more to the story than was originally reported. Thomas said that he believes that Sal Alosi, the strength and conditioning coach, was ordered to stand as close to the sideline as possible to obstruct any player coming down the sideline.

Alosi tripped Dolphins rookie Nolan Carroll on a punt coverage as he ran down the Jets sideline. Alosi was suspended indefinitely by the organization and fined $25,000. Thomas said the fact that six members of the organization were standing toe-to-toe as close to the sideline as allowed had to be intentional, and probably ordered.

“They had to be ordered to stand there because they’re foot-to-foot,” Thomas said. “They’re only out there to restrict the space of the gunner.” The gunner is the outside player on punt coverage that sometimes gets blocked out of bounds.

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