Jets special teams anything but special

An0ther week, another special teams turnover for the New York Jets.

With Jeremy Kerley’s fumble on a punt in the second-quarter of yesterday’s 34-19 win over the Washington Redskins, the Jets have not gone four straight games with a turnover on a return. Kerley is the third different player to botch a punt.

Andrew Mills/The Star-Ledger

Kerley dropped the ball at the Redskins’ 18, and Washington recovered to set up a Graham Gano field goal, giving them a 13-10 halftime lead.

“That’s [six] returns that have been fumbles, which is ridiculous,” Jets coach Rex Ryan said. “Jeremy is an outstanding player. We’ve got to find a way to get it done. Leave Jimmy Leonhard out there. He’ll catch it in a hurricane. I’m fine with that.”

Sure enough, Leonhard was back on punts in the second half.  Kerley, Joe McKnight and Antonio Cromartie each have fumbled a punt in the past four games.

“It just can’t happen, there’s no other way around it,” said safety Leonhard. “We’ve made a lot of big plays this year, but we’ve also given up more than our share. We have to stop that. It’s going to hurt you.”