FOOTBALLL

BILLICK: JETS ‘ILLEGALLY’ SIMULATED SNAP COUNT SUNDAY

Ravens coach Brian Billick accused the Jets of using an “illegal” ploy to draw Baltimore offside during Sunday’s game.

Billick said yesterday that the Jets’ defense shouted out signals to intentionally throw off the Baltimore offense. Billick claimed the tactic led to the three illegal procedure penalties against the Ravens.

“They did an outstanding job. I credit the New York Jets. Their defensive line and linebackers did a very, very effective job of illegally simulating the snap count,” Billick said. “They did it the whole game long. It needs to be caught.”

Tackle Adam Terry bolted offside in the first and third quarters. Tight end Quinn Sypniewski jumped in the first quarter.

“That’s not an excuse by any stretch of the imagination. But it is illegal,” Billick said. “Our guys have to deal with it. I don’t know how to help my linemen with that because, you’re in the heat of battle and you’re calling the snap count, and the guy across from you is also calling a snap count — which is illegal.”

FISHER UNDER CONTRACT WITH TITANS THROUGH 2011

Titans owner Bud Adams said more than a year ago that coach Jeff Fisher wouldn’t be going anywhere. Yesterday, the NFL’s longest-tenured coach with his current team said he hopes to finish his career in Tennessee.

Adams picked up the 2007 option on Fisher’s contract at the end of last season when the Titans rallied from an 0–5 start to finish 8–8, and an extension had been expected since then. Fisher said they finally worked out the last details last week.

“Never at any time was I of the opinion it was not going to get done,” Fisher said. “What was most important to me was the team and the players and winning games.”

BASKETBALL

REFEREE CRAWFORD REINSTATED 5 MONTHS AFTER SUSPENSION

NBA referee Joey Crawford was reinstated by commissioner David Stern yesterday, five months after he was suspended indefinitely for improper on-court conduct. San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan contended that Crawford challenged him to a fight during a game against the Dallas Mavericks on April 15. Crawford ejected Duncan while the player was laughing on the bench. Stern cited a pattern of similar acts in suspending Crawford.

“Based on my meeting with Joey Crawford, his commitment to an ongoing counseling program, and a favorable professional evaluation that was performed at my direction, I am satisfied that Joey understands the standards of game management and professionalism the NBA expects from him and that he will be able to conduct himself in accordance with those standards,” Stern said in a release.

HOCKEY

SABRES TO HOST PENGUINS IN OUTDOOR GAME IN BUFFALO

Sidney Crosby will show off his passing skills at the same place Jim Kelly did for years — in front of shivering fans at Buffalo’s Ralph Wilson Stadium.

It’ll be pucks instead of footballs and the home team will be the Sabres and not the Bills.

Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins will face Buffalo on New Year’s Day in the first outdoor NHL game in America. It will be the second time the league staged such an event in the regular season, coming more than four years after the Montreal Canadiens faced the Oilers outside on a frigid November day in Edmonton.

The official announcement was made yesterday at the 74,000-seat stadium, where the league attendance record is expected to be broken.