Since Westhoff left, we have had the worst special teams EVERY year. We have had numerous special teams coordinators since then, and we have been a disaster with every one. No punt or kickoff return game, no coverage, and poor kicking. How is this possible year after year. Our offensive line is horrible, and 13 penalties is an absolute joke. You can all draw your own conclusions on these facts. I am thrilled that we have Sam, and firmly believe we have a real QB to build around. My only hope this year is they don't screw him up and prepare him for next year when I hope we have a rebuilt offensive line and much better coaching
Just for clarity, our special teams was horrible the last two years westy was here also. It all comes down to the ability to put depth together on a team and well yeah were the jets. Quality depth is something we have almost never known.
Um, 2011, we were 4th in yards per kick return and 18th for punt return. 2012 we were 7th in yards per kick return and 12th for punt return. So clearly we were above average in kick returns and average at worst in punt returns. The first year Westhoff was gone, we dropped to 18th and 16th in kickoff and punt returns. 19th and 30th the year after that.
Also wasnt his last year as our special teams coach in 2007 after that he was just an advisor or some shit
its real simple, we have a bad habit of trading late rd draft picks for various veterans over the years. So while most good teams build their special teams with 4 - 7 rd draft picks, we are building ours with undrafted free agents.
While that's mostly true, on that punt return it wasn't because the "players sucked"....they looked like they weren't coached on how to friggin defend a punt return. They all went out of their lanes and left the entire right side of the field wide open. It was indicative of terrible coaching.
Even the dumbest special teams coach knows how to tell players to hold their lanes. That play was stupid players caught up in excitement and wanting to make a play. Or on the opposite spectrum, the punter's ball placement was shit. Looking at our depth charts and how peak constantly put himself in the wrong place last night as our gunner im gonna blame the players.
Punt on that play was definitely terrible, but he rebounded for the rest of the game so I'm willing to give him a pass. He also prevented another return from going to the house himself!
Kevin odea took over in 2008 due to westy having "medical issues" but remained with the team under contract as an advisor.
Kevin was only the ST coordinator for 2008 and 2009. Westhoff was in charge after that til he retired.
It has less to do with depth and players drafted than it is with coaching. Westhoff used what was made available to him - don't tell me the talent level is any worse then than before. It's all about coaching and making sure your special teams players know their roles and know how to position themselves to be at the right place/right time. Last night's abomination was all about coaching.
Still, you can be sure Westhoff made his presence known. Call his title all the names you want , he was the man.
When there is a consistent problem you need to look at the common threads that exist. In the case of the Jets it's coaching and player acquisition, so what's the solution?
Exactly Lane integrity actually lack of it was the issue on the TD and the long return later in the game. That's poor coaching.
