http://www.thejetsblog.com/2008/08/21/is-kevin-odeas-job-in-trouble/ That would be awesome. How is Westoff doing health wise is the question no?
Wow. That's a surprising report. I have no idea about the credibility of the source, so I don't know what to make of it. My understanding was that Westhoff's surgery and rehab were going to keep him out for a full year, thus the need to step aside (at least for a year). So I'm doubting this until confirmed by a source I trust. Sure would be great to get him back though...
Faster westhoff recovers and is back helping our Special teams the better they will be... Guy can coach his squad
Westhoff=genius If they're going to cut O'Dea based solely off pre-season performances, how the fuck does Bob Sutton have a job?
I don't think they would actually fire O'Dea; he'd probably be reassigned to another coaching position.
not sure about that source, but if its true its great news. Westoff is the best ST coach out, period.
No offense to O'Dea but tha would be great news if true. STs are my biggest concern(outside of Favre getting comfortable). That seems like a crazy story though but it's been a crazy offseason.
I would be happy, the special teams to me has shown nothing to wow me, i mean the coverage is horrendous every kick off.
Very interesting, and I'm sure most of us would welcome back Westhoff with open arms. I agree with others in this post that the coverages and even the returns (Lowerys TD not withstanding) are not being executed as crisply as in the past. Granted it is only preseason and they are evaluating different players, but it is definitely an area of concern. The other thing I find odd is that O'Dea's real strength was supposed to lie in his ability to get the most of out kickers/punters, surely Nuge/Graham have not been ringing endorsements of that ability thus far...
Let Us Hope! I Always thought his extended departure was an excuse to eventually reunite with the dolphins. Before anyone goes crazy I believed he was going for treatment , but considered the leave of absence as a possibility for him to go to another team. we will suffer in the special teams area without him ...Guaranteed!
I hope this would be done because Westhoff has recovered quickly, and they're not trying to rush him back.
I'm not sure about this, but doesn't Mike still have some status with the Jets. Some kind of advisory position. I don't think he actually retired. If there is any truth to this, he could just kind of slip back as some kind of asst. HC kind of thing, with out having to fire O'Dea. I read he was at a practice, and looked pretty good
Farewell for Mike Westhoff BY OHM YOUNGMISUK DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Monday, December 31st 2007, 4:00 AM Mike Westhoff was offered a chair to sit in, but as is his style, the special-teams coach insisted on standing tall for his last Jets press conference. Sunday morning, Westhoff told the Jets that their game against the Chiefs would be his final one as Jets' special-teams coordinator. Just a week shy of his 60th birthday, Westhoff will undergo another extensive surgery in February to repair his left leg. Since being diagnosed with bone cancer in 1988, Westhoff has undergone eight surgeries on his leg. "The graft that I have in my left leg keeps fracturing and it is not healing properly and they will replace it with a prosthetic rod," Westhoff said of the surgery that will take place on Feb. 7. "From my hip to my knee, it will be a total replacement. So it is a complex surgery that will take a lot of rehab time." The Jets, who were moved by an emotional video tribute to Westhoff in the morning meeting that left players such as Kerry Rhodes in tears, sent their beloved special-teams leader off by defeating Herm Edwards' Chiefs, 13-10, on a game-winning 43-yard field goal in overtime by Mike Nugent. Westhoff arguably was one of the Jets' greatest assets during a miserable season. Under his direction, the Jets' team MVP, Leon Washington, returned a team-record three kickoffs for touchdowns, including a pair of 98-yarders against Miami and the Giants. Since Westhoff came aboard in 2001, the Jets have returned 10 kickoffs for touchdowns, more than any other team during that span. "A lot of opposing coaches and players are happy about this," said linebacker David Bowens. "He was the heart and soul of our special teams. How fitting to win on a special-teams play." Westhoff coached practices and games while walking on crutches after spending one game in the coaches' box upstairs. He has two metal plates, over 20 screws, 60-some staples and a bone from a cadaver in his leg. At practices, Westhoff often could be seen screaming at his players to run special teams drills perfectly. Under his direction, Chad Morton, Jonathan Carter, Jerricho Cotchery, Justin Miller and Washington all returned kickoffs for touchdowns. Miller was a Pro Bowl selection last season after he returned two kickoffs for 103 and 99 yards. Westhoff said he isn't ready to announce his retirement, and Eric Mangini didn't rule out keeping the special-teams guru around in an advisory capacity. However, Westhoff said he definitely would not coach next season. "I have to address this and have it taken care of correctly or the problem will linger and become worse," Westhoff said. "In essence, I need some time to get my life back."
I hope someone is going to ask mangini about this in today's press conference. Of course he won't be forthcoming with the truth, but depending on his degree of vagueness or how adamently he denies it, it could give some clue as to the possibility of this being true. The highlighted "in some capacity" above could suggest he could come back to tell O'Dea what to do and let him take care of the on-field implementation...so both would be here, w/ MW in charge.
Good points. Remember the Jets are now have web technology for their game films and playbook. He could probably get a lot of coaching done from home with this and use O'Dea as you suggested. I'm sure Westhoff could communicate with O'Dea from home during games too.
