FLORHAM PARK, New Jersey — The Patriots delivered the first salvo of the season, mocking the Jets with a “Throwback Thursday” photo of the infamous “Butt Fumble” on the team’s official Twitter account with a caption that read: “This seems relevant #TBT.”
Within two hours, however, they deleted the dig.
Asked what coach Bill Belichick may have done to the team’s social media manager, former Patriots running back Stevan Ridley joked: “There’s no telling, man. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t there.”
The Jets (4-1) have remained relatively quiet during ”Patriots Week,” a departure from recent years, when head coach Rex Ryan would generate his own headlines.
But New England (5-0) didn’t pass up an opportunity to show up the Jets with a humbling reminder three days before they meet in Foxborough. It’s been three years since former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez ran head-first into the rear end of guard Brandon Moore. Sanchez’s infamous face plant resulted in a fumble that was returned for a touchdown in a 49-19 Thanksgiving night debacle at MetLife Stadium. It was one of three turnovers in a 52-second span that led to 21 New England points.
The Patriots also tweeted a “Butt Fumble” photo hours before a Thursday night game against the Jets last October.
There was no return fire Thursday from Florham Park. Todd Bowles said he was unaware of the tweet and wasn’t the least bit bothered by it. “I have no reaction,” he said. “I’m not a Twitter guy.”
Asked for his reaction to the tweet, Ridley said: “That doesn’t surprise me. That’s fine if they want to look back. I know Bill, I know that team, nobody’s worried about what they’re putting up on the Internet or the Twitter or Instagram.
“They’re focused on the Jets, we’re focused on the Patriots. It’s going to be a fun ballgame to watch on Sunday. So I’m excited.”
Patriots drop DL Thornton, Williams from roster
The New England Patriots released defensive lineman Khyri Thornton from the 53-man roster and offensive lineman Brennan Williams from the practice squad on Thursday.
Thornton was claimed off waivers from the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 6. He was released by New England on Sept. 15, signed again two days later with the practice squad and was promoted to the 53-man roster on Oct. 1.
The 25-year-old Thornton spent the 2014 season on injured reserve
Williams had signed with the Patriots’ practice squad on Oct. 20. The 24-year-old was a third-round draft choice by the Houston Texans in 2013 but was on injured reserve during his rookie season. The Texans released him in July 2014 and he hooked on with the Jacksonville Jaguars this summer before being released.
Williams’ father, Brent, played defensive end for the Patriots from 1986 through 1993.
GAME NOTES: Patriots LB Jamie Collins: Collins has played as well as any linebacker in the league through Week 6 and has 7.5 sacks and a PAT block in the past 10 games. … Pats QB Tom Brady will set the franchise record with his 212th career start in this game. … Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis leads the NFL with six takeaways (three INT, three fumble recoveries).