http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/14112/ryan-taking-calculated-risk-with-scott FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- What in the world is Jets head coach Rex Ryan thinking? In preparation for this week’s organized team activities, Ryan gave special-teams coach Mike Westhoff permission to use veteran linebacker Bart Scott -- the heart and soul of the Jets’ defense -- on special teams. The Jets are considering using Bart Scott on punt return coverage. "I don’t mind it," said Scott. "I will do anything to help this team win." Scott is never shy about expressing his real feelings. But in this case, notice what he didn’t say -- he didn’t say that he’s thrilled to be pressed into service on the punt return team unit. "I told them, ‘If you’re going to put me on special teams, just give me something where I can get off the field and sit my [butt] down right away and we’re good,’" he said. Scott said this is how he got his "foot in the door" in the NFL, playing special teams with the Baltimore Ravens. But he’s not a rookie anymore. Scott will be 30 this season. And do you want one of your more important defensive players to be exposed to injury playing on the punt return unit? Ryan said he was not concerned. "He’s got a little Gumby in him," said Ryan. "He’s just got to block one guy. He’ll be all right." Remember, as the Jets navigated through the playoffs last season, Scott had a severely sprained ankle, which limited his effectiveness in the AFC Championship Game against the Colts. Is this a permanent move? Well, Westhoff is short of linebackers on special teams. Last season’s special-teams stalwarts at linebacker -- Marques Murrell and Larry Izzo -- are gone. Newly acquired veteran pass-rusher Jason Taylor is counted as a linebacker. But he's 35 and is coming off a shoulder injury. And somewhere in the NFL rule book it must say, "Guys who were on 'Dancing With the Stars' don't have to play special teams." Linebacker Bryan Thomas is not fast enough. Calvin Pace needs to be fresh to rush the passer. And David Harris is too valuable. That leaves Scott to step into the breech. Punt coverage is very important for a ball-control, field-position team like the Jets. And it’s hard to doubt Westhoff, one of the league’s best special-teams coaches. The Jets finished fifth overall in special teams last season. But this decision is not on him. If Scott gets hurt shadowing an interior punt coverage kamikaze, Ryan may regret this move.
I love Bart, but heart and soul he is not... Bart is the Mouth of this defense, and he personafies the attitude that our defense is trying to portray.
Punt return is a pretty safe special teams unit. If he was on Kickoff or Punt teams, I'd worry about wall blocks, but in this case he'll be doing the blocking.
I actually like this as a move. Scott's role in the defense is basically to act as a blocker for Harris. He's strong enough to drive back some DLine so he should be able to knock back a few coverage guys.
Jamaal Westerman. The same guy who plays if Bart Scott injures himself doing pretty much the same thing on defense that he would do on punt returns. He's not being asked to tackle so he's not going to be absorbing massive hits here. All he is doing is playing one more down per series. This is pretty low risk.
Blocking on a return can be a very high impact collision a good percentage of the time. You have large mammals coming at you with a full head of steam after getting up to full speed with a 20-40 yard head start. It's not the same thing he does on defense. Not even close.
He's not taking on guards on punt return, and it's about as much force as he's going to be taking from a fullback. Not every block is going to be a kill shot. It's likely going to be about as much force as one of his tackles. We're not risking much with this move.
In my experience, the blow of blocking on kick return is much more violent than taking on a blow from a fullback. That was only HS football so it's hardly a high level but I imagine it translates fairly well.
Knowing how to deliver a block keeps you from getting injured. You're going to absorb less impact if you know where and how to absorb it. It's not like Scott hasn't done this before: We don't even know which spot he's playing, either. He could be up front blocking on the line which is less taking on a charging bull and more holding, dropping back and bumping.
Why dont we just sit Bart for the whole game. Hes obviously too valuable to the team to be risked playing. Maybe we can make him the long snapper or punter so he doesnt get hurt.
That doesn't mean it's not a more violent collision. I'd just rather see the backup guy doing this. fair enough. If he's on the LOS it's much less of a concern. It specifically says return team.
Good idea, let's keep him off the field for where he matters most to this team. Blocking for punt return is clearly a very important role for Bart Scott on the Jets this year.
