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#JetsCamp: Special Teams


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Nick Folk

Coach

This unit is coached by Thomas McGaughey (pronounced Mc-GAY-hee). Coach McGaughey is entering his first season with the Jets. He joins the Jets from Louisiana State University, where he coached the special teams. McGaughey takes over for now Washington Redskins special teams coach, Ben Kotwica. Prior to Kotwica having the job in 2013, now retired legendary special teams coach Mike Westhoff spent eleven seasons with the Jets from 2001-2012.

Question Marks

As with any team, roster depth is key to having a quality special teams unit. As a by factor to the Jets roster talent slipping in the past few seasons, so has the production of the special teams unit. We have seen the Jets struggle, at times even very substantially in the return game the past few seasons. Last season (2013-14) marked the first time in several seasons that the Jets failed to net a kick/punt return touchdown. The biggest question mark facing the Jets special teams group, heading into the season is will the return game get back to its old form? Can the likes of Jacoby Ford and Jeremy Kerley give the Jets a much needed punch? Or in contrast, will they leave us reminiscing about the days of Justin Miller, Brad Smith, and Leon Washington?

Strengths

Nick Folk, Nick Folk and well Nick Folk! This offseason the Jets used the franchise tag and then signed Nick Folk to a contract 4-year extension.  Nick made 33 out of 36 field goal attempts last season on his way to what should have been his second pro bowl appearance. He has been clutch and he has been a competitor beating out any competition thrown his way in camp.

Nick BellorePlayers to Watch

Jalen Saunders, Jeremiah George, and Nick Bellore.

Jalen Saunders is a pocket rocket! At 5-9, 164 lbs. Jalen is an electrifying player, specializing in open field heroics. Due to this specialized skill set the first year rookie makes for a potential quality punt returner.  Hopefully for the Jets, Jalen will be able to take hold of the punt return gig from Jeremy Kerley, keeping the key receiver fresh.

“Undersized” first year rookie linebacker, Jeremiah George was taken by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft and could instantly play a major role for the team on special teams. George brings toughness and grit, with a nose for the football that should translate well to special teams.

Nick Bellore is one of the better special teams players on the team, possibly even in the entire NFL.  Nick is a player that George can model his game after. With any luck these two players will show fans that John Idzik can improve the roster, even in the later rounds of the draft.

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I had forgotten that the Jets changed special teams coaches. I remember hearing good things about this McGaughey guy, but looking up the return stats at LSU last year didn't inspire me. Overall, the 19 players drafted the last two years (it would take Tannenbaum four or more years to draft 19 players) should be a big boost. At the very least, the defense squads should be top notch.

Every year it seems we're hoping some rookie can take over return duties, but returning punts on the NFL level is a tricky job. If Jalen Saunders can do it, that would be awesome. He averaged 15.4 yards on 20 returns last season for Fresno State (compare that to the 8.9 yards Odell Beckham Jr. managed for McGaughey at LSU). He also had three TDs returning punts in 25 attempts over the last two years. I imagine the Jets are going to do everything in their power to get this kid up to speed ASAP.

Saunders might be a little small to return kicks, and if he can win the punt return job, it might serve them well not to beat him up too much in the kick return game. This is where Ford, Evans, or Enunwa will try to secure a roster spot, I'd think.

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IEvery year it seems we're hoping some rookie can take over return duties, but returning punts on the NFL level is a tricky job. If Jalen Saunders can do it, that would be awesome. He averaged 15.4 yards on 20 returns last season for Fresno State (compare that to the 8.9 yards Odell Beckham Jr. managed for McGaughey at LSU).  think.

Jalen Saunders was on Oklahoma last year.

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I still believe Ford starts the year as the KR/PR guy. I think it's one of the main reasons they brought him in. If Saunders takes over in the middle of the year that's a different story, but I think Ford starts the season returning, if healthy.

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I still believe Ford starts the year as the KR/PR guy. I think it's one of the main reasons they brought him in. If Saunders takes over in the middle of the year that's a different story, but I think Ford starts the season returning, if healthy.

One thing I think is for certain: they want to get Kerley out of there. He's too valuable as a receiver to risk in the return game. They want him to come into the huddle fresh, not winded or bell-rung. And frankly, he's really just a reliable punt catcher, not a difference maker in that role.

Ford is fighting for a roster spot, IMHO. I'm sure he'd love to land the punt return job, as that would give him a little security. The numbers Saunders put up in college, though, suggest that he might be the more explosive guy back there. I'm sure we'll see quite a bit of both of them in the preseason.

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One thing I think is for certain: they want to get Kerley out of there. He's too valuable as a receiver to risk in the return game. They want him to come into the huddle fresh, not winded or bell-rung. And frankly, he's really just a reliable punt catcher, not a difference maker in that role.

Ford is fighting for a roster spot, IMHO. I'm sure he'd love to land the punt return job, as that would give him a little security. The numbers Saunders put up in college, though, suggest that he might be the more explosive guy back there. I'm sure we'll see quite a bit of both of them in the preseason.

Agree on JK. I seem to be in the minority about Ford but I guess time will tell. Either way I think it's an upgrade over what we had back there last year.

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One thing I think is for certain: they want to get Kerley out of there. He's too valuable as a receiver to risk in the return game. They want him to come into the huddle fresh, not winded or bell-rung. And frankly, he's really just a reliable punt catcher, not a difference maker in that role.

Ford is fighting for a roster spot, IMHO. I'm sure he'd love to land the punt return job, as that would give him a little security. The numbers Saunders put up in college, though, suggest that he might be the more explosive guy back there. I'm sure we'll see quite a bit of both of them in the preseason.

I'm tired of Kerley setting records for fair catches, so I much rather find another punt returner. Did Jacoby Ford return punts in Oakland? I feel like I only saw him return kicks there. It seems to be that Jalen Saunders is fearless, which is important for return punts in the NFL. I didn't watch much of him live, but from what I've seen he seemed like a hell of a returner.

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I'm tired of Kerley setting records for fair catches, so I much rather find another punt returner. Did Jacoby Ford return punts in Oakland? I feel like I only saw him return kicks there. It seems to be that Jalen Saunders is fearless, which is important for return punts in the NFL. I didn't watch much of him live, but from what I've seen he seemed like a hell of a returner.

Ford's returned 9 punts in his pro career, all last season, for an 8.6 yard average and a long of 14 yards. I firmly agree with you. I think if Saunders can demonstrate he can handle the role on the NFL level, that he's the guy for the job. I've seen the same highlights you've seen. Guy looks fearless and tough. Takes a big hit and bounces right back up.

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Ford's returned 9 punts in his pro career, all last season, for an 8.6 yard average and a long of 14 yards. I firmly agree with you. I think if Saunders can demonstrate he can handle the role on the NFL level, that he's the guy for the job. I've seen the same highlights you've seen. Guy looks fearless and tough. Takes a big hit and bounces right back up.

Ford however has over 1800 yards KR and 4 touchdowns in his career. What's the chances Saunders returns punts and Ford returns kicks? Is it more likely they hand all return jobs to one guy?

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Ford however has over 1800 yards KR and 4 touchdowns in his career. What's the chances Saunders returns punts and Ford returns kicks? Is it more likely they hand all return jobs to one guy?

They have a new special teams coach this year, so I really don't know how he'll handle it. Usually, they like to have a punt return specialist and a separate KOR. The Jets have a lot of bodies at WR. Ford will be battling for a roster spot with the rookies, Gates and maybe even Salas, all trying to make the team thru specials. It's a good problem for the Jets to have, not so much for the players who won't make the cut. Ford's career 25 yard KOR average isn't guaranteeing him anything.

Where Ford might have an in is if he can demonstrate himself to be a legitimate deep threat, one who's better than Hill. I think it's gonna be really tough for him.

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Ford however has over 1800 yards KR and 4 touchdowns in his career. What's the chances Saunders returns punts and Ford returns kicks? Is it more likely they hand all return jobs to one guy?

I think Ford and Saunders will both make the squad through special teams. Ford will handle the kick off and use his speed and Saunders will return punts and use his shiftiness and explosiveness in short areas. They will also be the back up WR's for both Decker, Nelson and Hill (Ford) and Kerley (Saunders). 

 

Hopefully we can find a way to keep both these guys. 

 

Shaq Evans

 

And Quincy Enunwa. 

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I think Jalen Saunders was drafted exclusively with special teams in mind.  Anything else he can contribute to the offense will be years down the road, or perhaps as soon as next year, to replace Kerley should we let him get away. 

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