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Namath sounds alarm bells over Jets, slams front office

The New York Jets haven't heard the last from Joe Namath.

The team's Hall of Fame quarterback, who criticized the coaching style of Rex Ryan after the team's loss to the Oakland Raiders in Week 3, was at it again Monday, ripping the team's personnel department and lack of unity in an interview with ESPN 1050.

Namath wasn't happy that Jets receiver Santonio Holmescriticized quarterback Mark Sanchez for an interception that was returned for a touchdown and New York's offensive line for their play in the Jets' 34-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night.

"For Holmes, as a captain, to go outside, to the media, and start pointing fingers. ... I mean, he's right about the ball getting out late to him (on the interception), and he's right about the offensive line, but that can create a problem in the locker room. ... That divisiveness can bury a team."

Namath wasn't too kind to the Jets front office, either.

"I'm not sure what's going on there," he said. "We picked some poor players and we're not owning up to it. That's what it amounts to. You've got guys on the roster who have been picked and you keep trying to say, 'OK, they're going to work out.' Well, guess what? We tried that with (Vernon) Gholston and it didn't work out.

"You have to (say), 'Hey, I made a bad pick, a bad selection,' and move on. The Jets didn't do that and it's a little late for the season to get it righted."

Left guard Matt Slauson, presumably one of the "poor players" Namath was referring to, told ESPN, "We don't care one bit what Joe Namath has to say. He means nothing to us."

Ryan was similarly dismissive of Namath on Monday night, suggesting the Jets' problems were not isolated to Sanchez.

"Joe Montana can be the quarterback -- maybe not Joe Namath -- but Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, whoever, would have had a rough day," Ryan said.

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