Gas2No99 Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Ex-coach Mike Westhoff: Firing Bobby April a case of 'cowardice' by Jets Bobby April wasn't given time or resources to improve the Jets' special-teams unit, said NFL analyst Mike Westhoff. Al Pereira/Getty Images for New York Jets Jan 8, 2016 Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer Email print comment No, retired special-teams coach Mike Westhoff isn't interested in returning to the New York Jets (they haven't asked), but the outspoken former coach has strong feelings about the job opening. “I don’t like the fact that only after one year you would fire Bobby April,” Westhoff said Thursday on ESPN New York 98.7, which pays him as an analyst. “I know him, but it’s not like this is a friend of mine. I’m very disappointed in the fact that happened. Frankly, I’ll tell you exactly how I feel. I think it’s cowardice. And that’s a one-word synonym for the two-word phrase I really think.” Westhoff continued, essentially saying coach Todd Bowles made April the scapegoat for failing to make the playoffs. “You can’t let Buffalo beat you twice if you think you’re good enough to play in the playoffs. You can’t do that,” Westhoff said. “But anyways, what (firing April) says to me is: 'Well, we’ve got to blame somebody. So, let’s blame these guys.'" Westhoff acknowledged the Jets had "a tough year" on special teams. That's an understatement, as they finished in the bottom-five in most of the major statistical categories. While praising Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan for making "tremendous moves" that "fortified this football team," Westhoff added, "They didn’t do anything with special teams. They did nothing. Zero. So why would you think it’d be that good? “Maybe if there were some things we don’t know, maybe some mandates that they asked and didn’t get done. Well, then I understand that. But you know, you gave the guy a chance, you gave him one year and you didn’t do anything to help him out. What makes you think all of a sudden they’re going to be pretty good? It’s not going to happen.” There's some legitimacy to what Westhoff said, especially with regard to the lack of personnel, but there's another factor at play: Bowles already has a potential replacement in mind. As soon as he fired April, the first name that jumped into my head was Keith Armstrong, the Atlanta Falcons' special-teams coach. Bowles and Armstrong were teammates at Temple in the 1980s. Bowles tried to hire him last year, but was blocked by the Falcons. This time, Armstrong's contract reportedly is expiring, so he'll be a free agent unless he re-ups with Atlanta. Don't be surprised if there's an Owl reunion at One Jets Drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joewilly12 Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Looks to me like Westhoff doesn't like Todd Bowles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbatesman Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 The biggest story here is that Westhoff apparently thinks "bullsh*t" is two words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Westoff always has his opinions he is a head coach wannabe sometimes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuscanyTile2 Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Loved Westy as ST coach and he's also great as an analyst. Regardless though I have no issue w/ Bowles wanting to bring in "his guys". I'm for it actually. He's our coach so let him bring in who he believes in. Else it's like we didn't give him a fair chance. If we believe in the guy (and from what I've seen so far, he looks like he's got potential) then let him choose his staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuscanyTile2 Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 The biggest story here is that Westhoff apparently thinks "bullsh*t" is two words. Could've been thinking of "horse hockey". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnitedWhofans Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Looks to me like Westhoff doesn't like Todd Bowles. Never did. Hated him from the outset. Bit of an agenda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neckdemon Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 did westoff same the same thing when we fired rex even though idzik gave him nothing to work with the final year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadFan Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 STs cost the Jets 3 or 4 games. Always liked Westy but he can take this opinion and go "two words." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastineau Lives Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Yup, they should have been REALLY brave and just went ahead and fired Bowles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 The biggest story here is that Westhoff apparently thinks "bullsh*t" is two words. Also Cimini suggesting Keith Armstrong was basically all his idea, when it was common knowledge Bowles wanted him from the start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CM28 Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 I remember him complaining during the pre season that they didn't practice on special teams at all (can't remember for how long). Seems like he had a point there. From what I read, it's not clear if this Armstrong guy is available or not. Him or the Philly guy would be nice. Also, I get that you can't build a team in one offseason so we should have a better ST next year if we don't screw up the draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powpow Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Westhoff acknowledged the Jets had "a tough year" on special teams. That's an understatement, as they finished in the bottom-five in most of the major statistical categories. So what has to happen to justify April's firing? Finishing last statistically in special teams? ST are a bit of a pain, especially with new regimes taking over. You have contracts from previous regimes that roll over you just cant cut e.g. Kerley. As a coach, you have to make the best with the depth you are handed. ST are comprised of mainly backups. Jets previous drafts have not exactly instilled much quality depth (Thanks Idzik). There will be many new faces on this roster next year. I look for Mac to totally redo the ST unit and its start at the top with the ST coach. This is a message sent loud and clear by Mac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Brown Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Unless Westoff was there in the coaching room knowing what was literally happening then his opinion is silly. He doesn't know how April was getting along with the players and also with the rest of the coaching staff. I understand saying a guy was let go as a scapegoat but our ST were the WORST in the NFL according to NFL metrics. Westoff acts like he "knows" what was "given" to the ST coach when he doesn't. Perhaps that is why April was let go in that he said that these players would be ok when they weren't. For him to act like he knows is just silly talk. Bowles gets let go of anyone he thinks is not on the same page with him and the team. His goal should be to win a SB not make Westoff happy.. Good Grief!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gas2No99 Posted January 9, 2016 Author Share Posted January 9, 2016 I find Westy's argument a BIT double-edged, especially when you know Westhoff's natural coaching demeanor. We ALL, as fans, wanted ACCOUNTABILITY with this new regime. Mac cleaned house after YEARS of an underperforming FO. Bowles benched ineffective players (D. Davis, Cumberland) when not meeting HIS standard for performance on the field. WHY should it be different with a Coordinator who's unit UNDERPERFORMED ALL YEAR and, as others have stated here, COST the 2015 Jet points and ultimately Victories. Westy was NEVER one to hesitate on CUTTING a guy for ONE BLOWN ASSIGNMENT on ST, let alone tolerating it an entire season. So axing April would seem to be in Westy's MO of management. YET, I think there is a VALID argument that the ST unit was SUBPAR in terms of sustaining the appropriate talent necessary for the ST unit to simply be COMPETENT. It's a blemish on Mac, but hardly material considering the GENIUS moves he made in assembling the other 2/3 of the roster to a DOUBLE DIGIT WIN season as a rookie GM. So is it Nature (Talent) or Nurture (Coaching) that was the cause of the 2015 JETS ST FIASCO all year long? I think it was a mixture of both. regardless, STANDARDS MUST BE MET - Bowels emphasized that after the HOUSTON Loss and Coples the sacrificial lamb - IN ORDER TO INSTILL A WINNING CULTURE. Bowles merely reverberated THAT message amongst the coaching staff in the same manner he did with the players a month earlier. VIVA LA BOWLES!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slats Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 The biggest story here is that Westhoff apparently thinks "bullsh*t" is two words. Bullsh!t isn't a synonym for cowardice, first phrase that came to my mind was pussy sh!t. Anyway, I tend to agree that Bowles and Mac did little to nothing to support the special teams, and if it's also true that they spent little time practicing them, that's another indictment. Fair or not, though, it appears that Bowles has a friend in mind for the job. Hopefully this Armstrong dude is a good coach. While hiring friends would be a Capitol offense under the prior regime, I'm hoping it works in the Jets favor in this one. By hiring a buddy, Bowles may be more inclined to to support him by dedicating personnel and practice time to special teams. April is a well respected coach who very well may have gotten a raw deal here. That kind of thing happens. Bowles has to get this hire -and his specials- right this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powpow Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Unless Westoff was there in the coaching room knowing what was literally happening then his opinion is silly. He doesn't know how April was getting along with the players and also with the rest of the coaching staff. I understand saying a guy was let go as a scapegoat but our ST were the WORST in the NFL according to NFL metrics. Westoff acts like he "knows" what was "given" to the ST coach when he doesn't. Perhaps that is why April was let go in that he said that these players would be ok when they weren't. For him to act like he knows is just silly talk. Bowles gets let go of anyone he thinks is not on the same page with him and the team. His goal should be to win a SB not make Westoff happy.. Good Grief!!! Snoopy's 2 cents on ST coach April After Jets SB Victory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuscanyTile2 Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 After the "special teams butt-fumble" we had in week 13, April had to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jolot Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 I've been sick of westhoff for years, I've said it many times here before..and he's nothing special on sny by the way...so now firing a coach after his unit was a dumpster fire all year and DID cost us the playoffs is cowardice ???? Screw off westhoff....that's the definition of accountability not cowardice . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Brown Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 After the "special teams butt-fumble" we had in week 13, April had to go. Waaaaaaa I have been a Jets fan for over 40 years and this last loss with Buffalo hurt me more emotionally than many other games combined..... Still not over it and I still cant believe that we are not in the PLAYOFFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Uggggggghhhhhhhh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio State NY Jets fan Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Westy the Head Coach would have done the same thing and fired April, probably during the season Westy the analyst and former specials team coach is acting upset, siding with the fraternity Nice headline, not news... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetCane Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 The biggest story here is that Westhoff apparently thinks "bullsh*t" is two words. I think the phrase he meant was "effed up". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage69 Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Westhoff acknowledged the Jets had "a tough year" on special teams. That's an understatement, as they finished in the bottom-five in most of the major statistical categories. So what has to happen to justify April's firing? Finishing last statistically in special teams? ST are a bit of a pain, especially with new regimes taking over. You have contracts from previous regimes that roll over you just cant cut e.g. Kerley. As a coach, you have to make the best with the depth you are handed. ST are comprised of mainly backups. Jets previous drafts have not exactly instilled much quality depth (Thanks Idzik). There will be many new faces on this roster next year. I look for Mac to totally redo the ST unit and its start at the top with the ST coach. This is a message sent loud and clear by Mac. Mac doesn't pick position coaches for the HC Bowles does.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powpow Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Mac doesn't pick position coaches for the HC Bowles does.. Right. But its Mac's responsibility to get Bowles the players for the ST unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Integrity28 Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 The biggest story here is that Westhoff apparently thinks "bullsh*t" is two words. I thought he meant "chicken sh*t". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T0mShane Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Bullsh!t isn't a synonym for cowardice, first phrase that came to my mind was pussy sh!t. Anyway, I tend to agree that Bowles and Mac did little to nothing to support the special teams, and if it's also true that they spent little time practicing them, that's another indictment. Fair or not, though, it appears that Bowles has a friend in mind for the job. Hopefully this Armstrong dude is a good coach. While hiring friends would be a Capitol offense under the prior regime, I'm hoping it works in the Jets favor in this one. By hiring a buddy, Bowles may be more inclined to to support him by dedicating personnel and practice time to special teams. April is a well respected coach who very well may have gotten a raw deal here. That kind of thing happens. Bowles has to get this hire -and his specials- right this time. The only guy who identified as Rex's "friend" was Pettine, and he ran out of the building screaming. For a guy who sucks as much cock as Rex, he doesn't seem to have a whole lot of buddies in the business outside of those players he coddled throughout his career. The real contrast between this staff and that one is that Bowles actually cut an underperforming player and dumped an underperforming coach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slats Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 The only guy who identified as Rex's "friend" was Pettine, and he ran out of the building screaming. For a guy who sucks as much cock as Rex, he doesn't seem to have a whole lot of buddies in the business outside of those players he coddled throughout his career. The real contrast between this staff and that one is that Bowles actually cut an underperforming player and dumped an underperforming coach. Wasn't sure how you felt about Rex, glad I gave you an opportunity to share. Not really interested in discussing the prior regime, myself. This one completely ignored specials this season. I'm all for anything that changes that next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cant wait Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 The only guy who identified as Rex's "friend" was Pettine, and he ran out of the building screaming. For a guy who sucks as much cock as Rex, he doesn't seem to have a whole lot of buddies in the business outside of those players he coddled throughout his career. The real contrast between this staff and that one is that Bowles actually cut an underperforming player and dumped an underperforming coach. Pettine was a rat that sold the jets out to the media, to the point where the jets front office was tapping his office phone. Remember all the "unnamed sources" from the jets locker room we used to hear all about? screw that guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleedin Green Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 As a starting point, I don't think Westhoff knows what the word "cowardice" means. He certainly doesn't have to like the firing of April, but it's a lot more cowardice to keep around someone you don't think is good at their job because of what others think, as opposed to making the move to actually fire that person. The only thing Westhoff through out there which could at least somewhat of an argument is that April was being thrown under the bus. However, that seems also pretty unlikely as the sole reason for this move, considering Bowles has absolutely no reason to be fearing for his job in the slightest, regardless of how week 17 went. Once again, it doesn't mean anyone has to agree with the move, but the argument being made here simply doesn't make much sense. If anything, Westhoff is really saying Bowles should have acted as more of a coward, and not dared to fire someone who had failed at his job, because of what other people might that and because that person might possibly do better in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoFlaJets Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 I thought he meant "chicken sh*t". that's exactly what he meant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetster Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 I'm positive that Westhoff has CUT players in a "cowardly" way for making mistakes, lol. Give me a f*cking break! His last two years our special teams sucked giant monkey balls! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 Go fishing in Florida somewhere, Westy. Getting tired of his opinions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larz Posted January 9, 2016 Share Posted January 9, 2016 his childhood buddy is going to be available see ya thats life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sourceworx Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Don't know what Westy's problem is, but he seems to have it in for Bowles for some reason. He's been very critical of him since the day the Jets hired him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powpow Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 Don't know what Westy's problem is, but he seems to have it in for Bowles for some reason. He's been very critical of him since the day the Jets hired him. His bitchiness has been ongoing for a while now. When Rex's ship was sinking, he was campaigning for the head coaching job which is why he refused to return for being the ST coach again. He was never taken seriously as a candidate. Ever since then he's become a grumpy ol' man anytime he 'talks' Jet football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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