They have tried several things over the years. With Westhoff's pride I just can't see him in a wheel chair. They tried an elevated directors seat last year. Wouldn't do it. He is a very "hands on" kind of coach. If he can't hit players with his cane, it's just no fun
LMAO There will be an inevitable dropoff in ST production following the departure of Westhoff. I have no idea whether the rumor that they are "very unhappy" with O'Dea is true or not. What happened that caused them to come to this conclusion? Arent they just playing "vanilla special teams" so far? (Sarcasm alert for those who didnt get the memo).
We've speculated all along that Westhoff is on the back burner. Maybe they're in talks with him to bring him back in more of a hands-on advisory capacity for now. I'd love to see Westhoff up in the booth with a headset on, communicating with Mangini and O'Dea on the sidelines... something along those lines until he's well enough to be out there barking orders again.
No idea if he kept some sort of position with the team, but I know he was spotted on the practice field on Day 1 of training camp, not sure if he was there after that. I would be so happy if Westhoff comes back. Like someone said, no offense to O'Dea, but Westhoff is the best STs coach in the entire league.
To be honest. The ST's did'nt look good in either game. If true this CS is working hard for their money. BF consistently on a short field makes for a productive offensive season and the battle for field position turns in the Jets favor.
Bring back Westhoff ASAP! No offense to O'Dea, but Westhoff is HOF coach and I am happy to hear that he is recovering well. Let's pray for this to happen.
Seriously, with the field position that he gave us in the past (only to have it piddled away into dink-and-dunk inspired FG attempts), we could be giving Favre better field position than he's seen in his entire career.
Here's my take on the matter, with a look at some of the Jets' recent special teams performances. http://www.jetsdaily.com/2008/08/loss-and-possible-return-of-mike.html
No doubt Mike Westoff has been the best ST coach (inactive) in the NFL over the last ten years. I remember when Mia let him go, I could not believe it, I thought to myself how stupid could these guys be. If I remember correctly it was Wanstat and his bunch who thought there own guy was a better coach. Then when the Jets brought him in I was thrilled and knew our ST's were in very good hands. Also remember this, head coaches have come and gone, but Mike is the only coach that sticks like glue, why, because he is hands down, the best of the best at what he does. I to would love to have the Cane back with the team, but not at the expense of his health. Mike is not a young man anymore and as such takes much longer to heal. Needless to say this leg thing has been going on for far too long and it needs to be resolved once and for all. With the advances in othopedices and the hardware available to the medical profession today, this replacement should at last free Mike from this cycle of broken bones and surgery. Yet, to expect Mike to be a part time coach or to not give his full attention or to try to give his direction thru another coach is a fantasy. The man knows only one way to coach, that's full speed ahead and 110% just like he expects from his players. If he had his surgery in Feb. it's been a full 6 months of rehab. Knowing this man as we all do and his mind set, you have to think he has been going at his rehab 110%. The question then becomes has he done enough up to this poinbt for his Dr's to okay him back on the sidelines? Has he driven his wife crazy enough over the last six months of being home and not involved in football for her to want him out of the house? This fan wants a healthy Mike Westoff back as soon as possiable no offense to O'Dea,but he has a long way to go before he can even begin to step in to this man shoes. So if this means we have to let Mike sit out the rest of the year then so be it. If he can come back next year with a solid footing ( no pun intended) and be able to resume his coaching career without health issues, welll then he sits this year. Just image if Herm had told Martin your not playing because you health comes first, he might still be running today........
I don't like speaking for people, but I'll take the liberty here. Everyone first and foremost wants to see Westhoff healthy and well. And here's to him. :beer: Second to that, fear The Cane. The Cane eats nails for breakfast. And I don't mean Westhoff. I mean the cane. God only knows what Westhoff eats. Probably something nuclear.
Mike Westhoff can kick Chuck Norris' ass with his bad leg. Before, during, and after his 295th surgery. Jesus, are you guys ever asleep at the wheel.
Here's an interview Mike Westhoff did down here a couple of weeks ago. He does address the possibility of coming back. I'm just not sure if it's to the Jets. http://wqam.com/index.php?page=347 (scroll in the player until you see "Mike Westhoff with Big Dog 8-6")
In case you don't want to sit through the 14-minute interview, the highlights: -He watched Dolphins practice the day before. As you know, he coached here for 15 years and is an old friend of Parcells to boot. -He got his femur replaced with a titanium prosthesis and feels great. His health should no longer be an issue. -He definitely wants to come back and coach next year. Joe Rose, playing the big dog panting with his tongue wagging, hints that maybe he'd like to come back to South Florida. -Westhoff did not commit one way or another as far as where he'd go to, but he seemed pretty adamant about sitting out the year. Of couse, maybe his mind changed after that. After all this interview was conducted the day before the Favre coup. -Other than the above, there's some good random tidbits about players he's coached in the past.
It would help, but I think Westhoff's presence is his most powerful tool. The players all seem to have a deep respect for him, and him yelling at them from the sidelines is what motivates them to play so well on ST.
