Boyer not looking back...

[jetsons]

https://nypost.com/2019/06/16/no-steps-back-jets-brant-boyer-looking-to-rebuild-his-unit/

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‘No steps back’: Jets’ Brant Boyer looking to rebuild his unit

By Ethan Sears

June 16, 2019 | 3:28am

 

Enlarge Image

Brant BoyerBill Kostroun

When Brant Boyer stepped into his room for the first time this year, he came with a message.

“There is no steps back,” he told the Jets’ special-teamers, despite the obvious factors indicating otherwise.

Andre Roberts, a First-Team All-Pro returning kicks and punts last season with the Jets, will now face them twice next year with the Bills. Roberts led the league in yards per punt return and in total kick return yardage. Likewise, the Jets average starting drive position last year was their own 29-yard line — seventh-best in the league despite a defense that was 25th in yardage.

Replacing that production is easier said than done.

“It’s challenging to replace every position,” Boyer, the Jets’ special teams coordinator, said Thursday. “Andre did a hell of a job for us, there is no doubt. That’s gonna be a challenging deal when we go to play [Roberts] twice this year, which makes it harder. But he did a fantastic job, and every position is a challenge that you have to replace.”

As of now, Boyer is uncommitted to naming a replacement. Trenton Cannon, the presumed leader, is doing a good job, he said, but focusing more on kick returns than punts. Whether he gets the returning job or not, he’ll be a core part of the special-teams unit, as he was last year. Boyer holds him up as an example of a rookie who “found his niche” — what a sixth-round pick needs to do to stick.

 

Despite the turnover, Roberts the most notable example, Boyer noted Brandon Copeland, Rontez Miles, Neville Hewitt and Cannon are all back.

Still, Boyer returned this year with a new boss and the biggest piece that built his success gone, and shortly followed by Jason Myers, who made 33 of 36 field goals.

“I’ll tell you, it’s part of the business,” Boyer said. “It’s a tough situation. Those guys were awesome for us. … You gain players every year, you lose players every year. And, is it hard to replace guys like that? It sure is. I’m confident that somebody will emerge and we can get that done.”

Boyer is a holdover from Todd Bowles’ staff, and the former coach valued special teams — an arrangement Boyer was content with. Whether new coach Adam Gase will do so in the same way remains to be seen.

“I think that the relationship with Adam’s been awesome,” Boyer said. “He cares about special teams, wants a real good special teams and hopefully we can give him that. I’m really excited to work with Joe [Douglas] but I didn’t know Adam before, at all. But it’s been a really good working relationship so far.

“I’m excited to see where this takes us.”

[Charlie Brown]

Thank you for the article!

Mac the GM boob was more interested in tearing down players that we developed and a ST unit that for years had been horrendous than having a Strategic plan for the team. 

Mac’s gutting of the ST unit this past offseason was one of the hidden horrors of NOT firing him earlier!!

[Ohio State NY Jets fan]

easy to forget how good the special teams were with such a bad overall team performance

lost a couple of pro-bowl players, kicking and returning - Boyer did a great job and I expect that will continue - bowles may have "valued special teams" according to Boyer but he clearly did not help them with a terrible defense and limited offense

[Sarge4Tide]

Based on that, Cannon might be more likely to make the team than most of us, myself included, have thought 

[NYJ1]

4 hours ago, jetsons said:

https://nypost.com/2019/06/16/no-steps-back-jets-brant-boyer-looking-to-rebuild-his-unit/

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SPORTS

 

‘No steps back’: Jets’ Brant Boyer looking to rebuild his unit

By Ethan Sears

June 16, 2019 | 3:28am

 

Enlarge Image

Brant BoyerBill Kostroun

When Brant Boyer stepped into his room for the first time this year, he came with a message.

“There is no steps back,” he told the Jets’ special-teamers, despite the obvious factors indicating otherwise.

Andre Roberts, a First-Team All-Pro returning kicks and punts last season with the Jets, will now face them twice next year with the Bills. Roberts led the league in yards per punt return and in total kick return yardage. Likewise, the Jets average starting drive position last year was their own 29-yard line — seventh-best in the league despite a defense that was 25th in yardage.

Replacing that production is easier said than done.

“It’s challenging to replace every position,” Boyer, the Jets’ special teams coordinator, said Thursday. “Andre did a hell of a job for us, there is no doubt. That’s gonna be a challenging deal when we go to play [Roberts] twice this year, which makes it harder. But he did a fantastic job, and every position is a challenge that you have to replace.”

As of now, Boyer is uncommitted to naming a replacement. Trenton Cannon, the presumed leader, is doing a good job, he said, but focusing more on kick returns than punts. Whether he gets the returning job or not, he’ll be a core part of the special-teams unit, as he was last year. Boyer holds him up as an example of a rookie who “found his niche” — what a sixth-round pick needs to do to stick.

 

Despite the turnover, Roberts the most notable example, Boyer noted Brandon Copeland, Rontez Miles, Neville Hewitt and Cannon are all back.

Still, Boyer returned this year with a new boss and the biggest piece that built his success gone, and shortly followed by Jason Myers, who made 33 of 36 field goals.

“I’ll tell you, it’s part of the business,” Boyer said. “It’s a tough situation. Those guys were awesome for us. … You gain players every year, you lose players every year. And, is it hard to replace guys like that? It sure is. I’m confident that somebody will emerge and we can get that done.”

Boyer is a holdover from Todd Bowles’ staff, and the former coach valued special teams — an arrangement Boyer was content with. Whether new coach Adam Gase will do so in the same way remains to be seen.

“I think that the relationship with Adam’s been awesome,” Boyer said. “He cares about special teams, wants a real good special teams and hopefully we can give him that. I’m really excited to work with Joe [Douglas] but I didn’t know Adam before, at all. But it’s been a really good working relationship so far.

“I’m excited to see where this takes us.”

I'm glad for this. Since Westy retired it's been a royal pain in the ass to find a good ST coordinator. Boyer finally showed Jets fans that he knew what he was doing. However, now that Roberts and Myers are gone, he's been presented with replacing major cogs. I'm not sure about the kicker but it seems the Jets have some guys that could replace Roberts production? The UDFA from Wake Forest and Cannon (if he can hold on to the ball) ought to fill major roles.

[section314]

41 minutes ago, Sarge4Tide said:

Based on that, Cannon might be more likely to make the team than most of us, myself included, have thought 

I'd say he's pretty much a lock.

[slats]

51 minutes ago, Sarge4Tide said:

Based on that, Cannon might be more likely to make the team than most of us, myself included, have thought 

Gives him a leg up. Not just returning, but on the coverage teams as well. 

He's still not a punt returner, though. I'm hoping one of these guys who's had experience returning punts in college or elsewhere wins that job. 

[jack48]

5 hours ago, jetsons said:

https://nypost.com/2019/06/16/no-steps-back-jets-brant-boyer-looking-to-rebuild-his-unit/

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SPORTS

 

‘No steps back’: Jets’ Brant Boyer looking to rebuild his unit

By Ethan Sears

June 16, 2019 | 3:28am

 

Enlarge Image

Brant BoyerBill Kostroun

When Brant Boyer stepped into his room for the first time this year, he came with a message.

“There is no steps back,” he told the Jets’ special-teamers, despite the obvious factors indicating otherwise.

Andre Roberts, a First-Team All-Pro returning kicks and punts last season with the Jets, will now face them twice next year with the Bills. Roberts led the league in yards per punt return and in total kick return yardage. Likewise, the Jets average starting drive position last year was their own 29-yard line — seventh-best in the league despite a defense that was 25th in yardage.

Replacing that production is easier said than done.

“It’s challenging to replace every position,” Boyer, the Jets’ special teams coordinator, said Thursday. “Andre did a hell of a job for us, there is no doubt. That’s gonna be a challenging deal when we go to play [Roberts] twice this year, which makes it harder. But he did a fantastic job, and every position is a challenge that you have to replace.”

As of now, Boyer is uncommitted to naming a replacement. Trenton Cannon, the presumed leader, is doing a good job, he said, but focusing more on kick returns than punts. Whether he gets the returning job or not, he’ll be a core part of the special-teams unit, as he was last year. Boyer holds him up as an example of a rookie who “found his niche” — what a sixth-round pick needs to do to stick.

 

Despite the turnover, Roberts the most notable example, Boyer noted Brandon Copeland, Rontez Miles, Neville Hewitt and Cannon are all back.

Still, Boyer returned this year with a new boss and the biggest piece that built his success gone, and shortly followed by Jason Myers, who made 33 of 36 field goals.

“I’ll tell you, it’s part of the business,” Boyer said. “It’s a tough situation. Those guys were awesome for us. … You gain players every year, you lose players every year. And, is it hard to replace guys like that? It sure is. I’m confident that somebody will emerge and we can get that done.”

Boyer is a holdover from Todd Bowles’ staff, and the former coach valued special teams — an arrangement Boyer was content with. Whether new coach Adam Gase will do so in the same way remains to be seen.

“I think that the relationship with Adam’s been awesome,” Boyer said. “He cares about special teams, wants a real good special teams and hopefully we can give him that. I’m really excited to work with Joe [Douglas] but I didn’t know Adam before, at all. But it’s been a really good working relationship so far.

“I’m excited to see where this takes us.”

Boyer's first year here was awful.  But it really is about the depth you assemble as a GM.  He simply had better players in subsequent years and he got them to shine.  Depth players are so important.  And you need one or two special teams specialists types.

[jack48]

5 minutes ago, slats said:

Gives him a leg up. Not just returning, but on the coverage teams as well. 

He's still not a punt returner, though. I'm hoping one of these guys who's had experience returning punts in college or elsewhere wins that job. 

he is a premier gunner.  all year he arrived at the ball as it hit the returners hands. that seems to be all he does well. he might be better used as a one trick wideout than as an RB

[slats]

1 minute ago, jack48 said:

he is a premier gunner.  all year he arrived at the ball as it hit the returners hands

I agree, but that's a precarious way to hold onto a roster spot. 

[jack48]

1 minute ago, slats said:

I agree, but that's a precarious way to hold onto a roster spot. 

I cant get those fumbles of his on returns out of my head.

[New York Mick]

1 hour ago, Sarge4Tide said:

Based on that, Cannon might be more likely to make the team than most of us, myself included, have thought 

I hope not. They have a couple of other return guys that should be able to beat him out. 

[T0mShane]

8 minutes ago, jack48 said:

he is a premier gunner.  all year he arrived at the ball as it hit the returners hands. that seems to be all he does well. he might be better used as a one trick wideout than as an RB

 

6 minutes ago, slats said:

I agree, but that's a precarious way to hold onto a roster spot. 

Didn't they sign the Chicago WR to be their big gunner? I think Bilal runs Cannon out of town, especially considering Ty Montgomery is a big special teams player. 

[New York Mick]

9 minutes ago, jack48 said:

he is a premier gunner.  all year he arrived at the ball as it hit the returners hands. that seems to be all he does well. he might be better used as a one trick wideout than as an RB

I’d rather them use a back up DB or LB that can contribute on D for that role and use someone else as a returner. Just being a gunner isn’t enough to keep a roster spot IMO. He’s a below average RB and has awful hands. 

[slats]

7 minutes ago, New York Mick said:

I’d rather them use a back up DB or LB that can contribute on D for that role and use someone else as a returner. Just being a gunner isn’t enough to keep a roster spot IMO. He’s a below average RB and has awful hands. 

He catches passes well enough. Fielding punts is a unique and difficult job. It's why the team should be bringing in experienced punt returners rather than saying, hey, you're fast, learn to catch a punt! That just doesn't work. 

[New York Mick]

2 minutes ago, slats said:

He catches passes well enough. Fielding punts is a unique and difficult job. It's why the team should be bringing in experienced punt returners rather than saying, hey, you're fast, learn to catch a punt! That just doesn't work. 

I was referring to his fumbles not his catching ability. 

They have a few returners on the roster. 

[roscoeword]

Bilal is one of the best special teams guys we've had. I noticed that whenever the other team made an interception on us, it was Powell who made the tackle. Every time.

[T0mShane]

FWIW, this is from one of those camp wrap-up articles:

With so many running backs on the team, 2018 sixth-round pick Trenton Cannon will need to prove he’s a valuable special teams player in order to stay on the roster. The Jets have a need for a return specialist, but it looks like undrafted free agent Greg Dortch might have that job wrapped up already.

Cannon possesses impressive speed and flashed that ability late this past season, but couldn’t find work on special teams after a couple of turnovers. Unless he blows coaches away in training camp, it’s hard to see him making the team with so many other positions lacking depth.

[T0mShane]

Dortch is like 160 pounds. Hard to see how he survives. 

[slats]

8 minutes ago, New York Mick said:

I was referring to his fumbles not his catching ability. 

They have a few returners on the roster. 

For the record, Cannon had zero fumbles last year. 

[Lith]

2 minutes ago, slats said:

I agree, but that's a precarious way to hold onto a roster spot. 

Has worked for Charone Peake so far (although I think he is a huge longshot to stick around this year). 

Although I don't know how many one trick ponies you can afford to keep on a roster.  Last year, we carried two WRs (Peake and Roberts) who made little to no contriubtions in the passing game.  Roberts was worth the roster spot, but can't say the same about Peake.  Then when Anderson and Enunwa got banged up mid-season,  we were forced to bring guys in off the street to catch the ball.  Will be curious to see how Douglas handles the roster. 

For what its worth, over the past couple of seasons the Eagles have used RBs as returners:  Sproles, Barner, Smallwood, Clement.  Could bode well for Cannon, especially if he can learn to catch a punt (and hold on to it once caught).

 

[kdels62]

4 minutes ago, T0mShane said:

FWIW, this is from one of those camp wrap-up articles:

With so many running backs on the team, 2018 sixth-round pick Trenton Cannon will need to prove he’s a valuable special teams player in order to stay on the roster. The Jets have a need for a return specialist, but it looks like undrafted free agent Greg Dortch might have that job wrapped up already.

Cannon possesses impressive speed and flashed that ability late this past season, but couldn’t find work on special teams after a couple of turnovers. Unless he blows coaches away in training camp, it’s hard to see him making the team with so many other positions lacking depth.

 

That’s not accurate because Cannon played on the kick teams and led them in tackles. He also saw the bench because he played behind Andre Roberts who, for one glorious season, was the best return man in the league.

[Lith]

5 minutes ago, slats said:

For the record, Cannon had zero fumbles last year. 

Fumbled a couple of returns in the pre-season, and was never really given a shot as a returner in the regular season.  Only 1 kick return alll season.

[T0mShane]

3 minutes ago, kdels62 said:

That’s not accurate because Cannon played on the kick teams and led them in tackles. He also saw the bench because he played behind Andre Roberts who, for one glorious season, was the best return man in the league.

I thought it sounded fishy. That's what I get for subscribing to "The Jets Wire."

[New York Mick]

58 minutes ago, slats said:

For the record, Cannon had zero fumbles last year. 

He had one return because he looked awful in preseason. 

[GREENBEAN]

2 hours ago, Charlie Brown said:

Thank you for the article!

Mac the GM boob was more interested in tearing down players that we developed and a ST unit that for years had been horrendous than having a Strategic plan for the team. 

Mac’s gutting of the ST unit this past offseason was one of the hidden horrors of NOT firing him earlier!!

I actually agree with this. Myers I can understand, but having a Probowl  KR was something more illusive than it may seem. Roberts was here and wanted to stay here. Boyer clearly wanted him to stay but he's in buffalo.  Just dumb. 

I'm also surprised to hear how "hard" Boyer is. I never heard him speak before this round of coaching interviews. He fits in very well with the new attitude running through the Jets. I could see Boyer, Williams and Joe Vitt grilling up a bone in Rib Eye together for sure. 

[Charlie Brown]

34 minutes ago, GREENBEAN said:

I actually agree with this. Myers I can understand, but having a Probowl  KR was something more illusive than it may seem. Roberts was here and wanted to stay here. Boyer clearly wanted him to stay but he's in buffalo.  Just dumb. 

I'm also surprised to hear how "hard" Boyer is. I never heard him speak before this round of coaching interviews. He fits in very well with the new attitude running through the Jets. I could see Boyer, Williams and Joe Vitt grilling up a bone in Rib Eye together for sure. 

Thank you I was so impressed with Boyer last year and what he had accomplished that I actually wanted him interviewed for the Jets HC position!!!

The fact that we didn’t keep players who were actually performing on a team with perhaps the worst talent level in the NFL was mind blowing to me    Where we didn’t have holes before we literally now have to “find” guys we let go in say Roberts.  

Query to former Jets GM MacCagnan, What NFL Champion had awful STa play in the last 30 years?

Answer = No One 

And MacCagnan’s mismanagement and essential devaluation of this area alone was just another reason why he rightly was let go   

 

[Barkus]

Cannon was a really good gunner. Cannon also has a shot as a KR. I think Peake will be cut as Bellamy will take his spot.

[joenamathwouldn'tcry]

Boyer should be  considered for the "most underrated move this offseason".  His retention was well deserved and was reflective of the awesome job he did last season.

The Jets special teams will be fine this year.  This is largely due to Boyer's prowess as a coordinator and the overall improvement of the roster in general.  Better athletes with capable coaching lead to successful units.  The loss of Myers and Roberts will be felt somewhat, but Cannizzaro and the addition of some experienced "special  teamers" in addition to some faster, younger additions will help make up for their loss.  There are plenty of more than capable return men on this roster, fear not.

As for Cannon, he will most likely make the team.  He is a top notch gunner, and tackler.  As they say, you can't teach speed, or guts.  He has both.  I see him as a capable Kickoff Returner also.  As a punt returner, not so much, unless he makes huge strides.  He just can't seem to catch the ball when it is punted.  Didn't do it in practice or preseason.  Seemed like a mental thing.  He needs to get over it to secure his spot on the roster.  Out of the backfield he is also a  weapon, who I think has skill sets that Gase would like to use.  Again, it's the hands.  His ability to hold on to the ball, may ultimately define his future with the Jets, if not in the league.

As for Peake, I have always liked his potential, but that time has passed.  Didn't see as much development as a receiver as I would have expected.  And like they say, you can't have too many "one trick ponies" on the roster.  It is for those reasons and the roster upgrade, that I see him being cut.

Boyer is a serious man, and a leader.  He fits right in with this current Jets Coaching Staff.  Our special teams are in good hands.

[jack48]

3 hours ago, T0mShane said:

 

Didn't they sign the Chicago WR to be their big gunner? I think Bilal runs Cannon out of town, especially considering Ty Montgomery is a big special teams player. 

that is certainly possible

[jack48]

3 hours ago, New York Mick said:

I’d rather them use a back up DB or LB that can contribute on D for that role and use someone else as a returner. Just being a gunner isn’t enough to keep a roster spot IMO. He’s a below average RB and has awful hands. 

Macc loved what he thought was "upside."  But could he recognize it?

[Lupz27]

1 hour ago, jack48 said:

that is certainly possible

Yes whatever that guys name is again Bellamy?  It was basically Roberts gets that money, or Bellamy, not sure if that’s a Gase ask, or Macc thing.

Also if necessary I think Crowder can return punts with no fumble issues at the least should nobody else be able to do it without fumble issues, and such.

[flgreen]

4 hours ago, New York Mick said:

I was referring to his fumbles not his catching ability. 

They have a few returners on the roster. 

Well except for the fact that he had 0 fumbles last year.

He muffed 2 punts in preseason, but what did they expect?  Guy had never returned punts in his life.

[FloridaJetsFan]

Dortch is like 160 pounds. Hard to see how he survives. 

Same weight as Robby Anderson PLUS he’s not 6 feet tall! He’ll be okay.


Sent from my iPhone using JetNation.com mobile app

[T0mShane]

38 minutes ago, FloridaJetsFan said:

Same weight as Robby Anderson PLUS he’s not 6 feet tall! He’ll be okay.


Sent from my iPhone using JetNation.com mobile app

I’d love to see it. Dortch seems tough and easy to root for