Good writeup by Dave Hutchinson again this morning. I especially like what he has about our ST's contribution yesterday and what Mike Westhoff said before the game: http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/09/fumbles_by_titans_rookie_retur.html Fumbles By Titans Rookie Returner Ryan Mouton Lead To Touchdowns For NY Jets In 24-17 victory By Dave Hutchinson/The Star Ledger September 27, 2009, 9:15PM NOTEBOOK Titans kickoff returner Javon Ringer was supposed to be the bearer of gifts for the Jets special teams, but he was ineffective in the first two games of the season and Tennessee switched to rookie Ryan Mouton Sunday. Bad move. Mouton, who worked with the starters for the first time last week in practice, fumbled his first kickoff return following the Jets’ opening drive score and then coughed up the ball midway through the third quarter on a punt. Both fumbles, which were forced by linebacker Jason Trusnick and wide receiver Brad Smith, respectively, led to touchdowns and were the difference in the Jets’ 24-17 victory Sunday over the winless Titans at Giants Stadium. ‘‘We felt against these guys there would be some opportunities,’’ said linebacker Larry Izzo, who recovered the third-quarter fumble that led to the Jets’ go-ahead touchdown. ‘‘We knew we had the edge on special teams. (Coach) Mike Westhoff talked about us dominating that phase of the game. That’s what we were looking to do.’’ Four plays after Izzo’s recovery on a fumble forced by Smith, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez hit wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery for a 6-yard touchdown to give the Jets a 21-17 lead late in the third quarter. Later, Jim Leonhard peeled off a 37-yard punt return midway through the fourth quarter that gave the Jets a first down at the Titans’ 39-yard line. But two plays later, Sanchez threw an interception. Tennessee averaged just 21.5 yards on four kickoff returns and six yards on two punt returns. Cotchery recorded his ninth career 100-yard game, finishing with a team-high eight catches for 108 yards. Two came on big plays. First, he hauled in a 6-yard TD by beating Rutgers product Jason McCourty on a quick slant late in the third quarter to give the Jets a 21-17 lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Later, he beat McCourty again on a 46-yard catch down the left sideline that set up Jay Feely’s 30-yard FG to give the Jets a seven-point lead. “Remember, he’s just an average receiver as far as anybody knows,” Rex Ryan said with a coy smile. “I’m not saying he is the No. 1 receiver. When I look at those stats, he is posting numbers as good as anybody in the league right now. Again, let’s just keep him under the radar.” The Jets rushed for just 83 yards on 31 carries, a paltry 2.7-yard average. RBs Leon Washington (12 carries for 46 yards) and Thomas Jones (14 carries, 20 yards) found little daylight. Jets LB Bart Scott had a team-high nine tackles and a quarterback hurry but didn’t have a confrontation with Titans FB Ahmard Hall, who had a relatively quiet game. Hall has said he didn’t like Scott because he ran his mouth. ‘‘You tell me what you think,’’ said Scott. CBs Dwight Lowery and Drew Coleman, stepping in for the injured Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland, both ‘‘did well,’’ said Ryan. ‘‘I thought Drew looked outstanding in the slot.’’ Titans QB Kerry Collins threw 13 straight incompletions to end the game. Jets TE Ben Hartsock, a six-year veteran, caught his first career touchdown, a 2-yarder from Sanchez on a play-action fake. Eric Smith had an interception, a pass defensed and four tackles on defense, and two tackles on special teams. K Feely is 5-of-5 this season and has connected on 19 straight dating back to last season, tying Mike Nugent for the second-longest streak in team history. The Jets had just three penalties for 35 yards compared to 18 for 135 yards in the first two games. Former Rutgers WR Kenny Britt had four catches for a team-high 59 yards. P Reggie Hodges, an ex-Jet, averaged 43.3 yards on seven punts. In a mild surprise, WR David Clowney and LB Jamaal Westerman were among the inactives. For the Titans, Vince Young was the third quarterback and TE Bo Scaife (knee) was inactive
Everybody needs to recognize how great it was that we were able to keep Mike Westhoff. I absolutely love that guy. Probably one of the best ST coaches in the NFL and we've got him right here in NY.
OK, serious question, take off the green glasses and be objective. Who is the better special teams coach: Mike Westhoff or Bobby April?
I'm sorry but I'm not familiar enough with Bobby April. Maybe someone else can answer the question. I just know from observing Westhoff at TC for several years and the results on the fiedl, that he is one special ST coach.
True, but we seized the opportunity and capitalized when Smith wrapped him up. He saw the bobble, went for the tackle, and I think he unintentionally kept the ball from being tucked in. The rest was all STs. That's what separates good STs from mediocre ones.
the fumbles set up opportunities and the Jets offense capitalized. Three red zone possessions, three TDs, and two came off fumbles. How many times would we have been in the same situation and pulled a run, run, bubble screen, FG attempt?? They might have handed us the ball but the offense had to earn the points against a solid Titan D.
Special teams rules! I'm not sure we would have won that game yesterday had it not been for Special Team play. You gotta love Izzo.
i agree that special teams played a big role in the win, but i got a question. on the second mouton fumble, did anyone notice how brad smith instead of going for the ball just kind of pinned him down while waiting for the players covering the punt to come pick up the ball? smart play i guess, but is this legal? if it was caught could that be a form of holding? weird play, just wondering if its completely legal.
