Special teams: the third phase of football. Fans often overlook them; coaches and players depend on them. In a game of margins, the New York Jets know all too well how special teams success, or lack thereof, can affect the outcome of a game.
Shortly after the heartbreak in Orchard Park, New York, head coach Todd Bowles fired former special teams coordinator Bobby April and his assistant, Steve Hagen, after a dismal season. Despite the holes in other positions, special teams was the Jets Achilles heel. The unit gave up four touchdowns, (two punt returns, a blocked punt returned for a score and a kickoff return) was ranked last in net punting and 26th in average kick return.
New York Jets Special Teams Vital for Success
In five seasons, the Jets have hired five special teams coordinators, so the team is desperately searching for stability. Bowles is hoping newly hired coordinator Brant Boyer can be an answer to the Jets special teams’ woes.
Unlike April who brought a wealth of experience, Boyer is a relatively inexperienced coach. He spent four seasons as the assistant special teams coach for the Indianapolis Colts after getting his start as a training camp coaching intern with the Cleveland Browns in 2009. While he had the privilege of coaching punter Pat McAfee and kicker Adam Vinatieri, Boyer helped his players reach new heights. In 2013, Boyer coached long snapper Matt Overton to his first career Pro Bowl. McAfee also set several single-season franchise records for punts pinned inside the 20-yard line, net punting average and kickoff touchbacks during Boyer’s tenure. The Jets hope Boyer can bring the same level of success and instill the basic fundamentals, which the team lacked last season.
Punting Battle Down Under
After the Jets let restricted free agent punter Ryan Quigley walk, the team is searching for a new punter. The Jets have two Australian players – Lachlan Edwards, whom they drafted in the seventh round out of Sam Houston State, and Tom Hackett (an undrafted free agent out of Utah) – competing for the punting position.
Unfortunately for the Jets, this isn’t a perfect world and they can’t have it all. Edwards is a power kicker while Hackett is more of a directional kicker. As the two punters battle for the job, the Jets must decide if they prefer accuracy over power or hope one kicker’s weakness is less than the other.
Nick Folk and Tanner Purdum Lead the Way
Kicker Nick Folk and long snapper Tanner Purdum have been with the Jets since 2010 and both have brought stability to their respective positions. During his tenure as a Jet, Folk has been solid, converting 148 of 182 attempts. After suffering a quad injury during pregame warm-ups against the Jacksonville Jaguars in November, the Jets placed Folk on injured reserve. The Jets are confident he’ll bounce back and post another solid season. Prior to his injury, Folk made all 19 extra-point attempts and converted 13 of 16 field goal attempts. The Jets could opt to go with someone younger and save money, but finding experienced and dependable kickers are hard to find. Purdum has been dependable and rarely has a bad snap.
The Awaited Return
Since 2012, the Jets have not returned a kick or punt for a touchdown. The Jets are hoping they’ve found their answer in wide receiver Jeremy Ross. While he has playmaking ability, ball security has been an issue. Ross averages a solid 11.2 yards per punt return and 25.1 yards per kick return, but has lost 10 fumbles during his career. Undrafted free agent Jalin Marshall has also been turning heads with his speed this offseason. At Ohio State, Marshall had 52 punt returns for 662 yards and a touchdown and returned three kicks for 92 yards. While Ross is likely to get the nod due to this NFL experience, the Jets will see what Marshall can do if turnovers become a problem.
