JACKSONVILLE - One of the craziest finishes now has an equally odd epilogue. Tired of hearing the Saints gripe about the way Jacksonville tried to block the decisive missed extra point in its 20-19 win Sunday, Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio suggested the Saints should have more important things to worry about.
"I think that last year at this time, we were in Carolina knocking them out of the playoffs," said Del Rio, who was defensive coordinator for the Panthers last year. "We knocked them out again this year. Really, instead of worrying about what our guys are doing on extra points, they probably ought to shore up their run defense."
A few minutes later Del Rio said he regretted making the statement.
"It was inappropriate," Del Rio said. "I feel bad about making that kind of comment."
But the original statement was already out.
The Saints, who have the No. 28 run defense, allowed 194 yards to Fred Taylor in the loss that knocked them out of the postseason.
Taylor's performance, however, was overshadowed by the final play, in which the Saints used three laterals to score a 75-yard touchdown and pull within one point with no time left.
John Carney missed the extra point wide right, and after the game Haslett complained the Jaguars had been using "leverage" - the illegal practice of having defenders climb onto other players to gain height - in an attempt to block field goals all season.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis added his voice to the debate Tuesday, calling the NFL to complain.
"There's no question on film that it's a blatant violation of the leverage rule, and it should be called," Loomis said. "The game is over, so there's nothing we can do about that. The more important question is what are they going to do to prevent it from happening again?"
49ERS: Terrell Owens was placed on injured reserve, forcing San Francisco to sign receiver James Jordan from the practice squad. Owens broke his collarbone Sunday in Philadelphia.
BILLS: Willis McGahee likely will have to wait until next season to make his debut. "No," he said, when asked if he's playing Saturday at New England. McGahee didn't express any disappointment. "You never look back in the past, always look forward," he said.
BRONCOS: Clinton Portis and two other starters won't play in Green Bay. Portis, who has a sprained right ankle, will be joined by guard Dan Neil (ankle) and cornerback Kelly Herndon (hand).
CARDINALS: After his worst season, Emmitt Smith will wait a month before deciding whether to come back. "I have to talk about next year as if I will be back because I'm under contract to be back," Smith said.
DOLPHINS: James McKnight will sit out Sunday's game against the Jets because of a sprained left wrist suffered at Buffalo. McKnight has just 23 catches.
PACKERS: A somber Brett Favre was surrounded by family and friends as he said goodbye to his father. Hundreds gathered at a church in Pass Christian, Miss., for the funeral of Irvin Favre, who died Sunday. Some waited in line for as much as an hour. Favre greeted mourners with a smile and hugged those he knew among the crowd. He did not speak.
TITANS: Steve McNair, with a sore left ankle, didn't take part in a 90-minute walkthrough. Coach Jeff Fisher said there was very little chance that McNair will practice the rest of the week.
