NY Jets 2015 Report Card: Special Teams

Nov 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (11) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Oakland Raiders in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Jets 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The NY Jets have a lot to be proud of this season. Special teams just wasn’t one of them.

The special teams unit of the Jets was awful in 2015.  It was anything but special. They were flat out awful.  The team ranked in the middle, near or at the very bottom in almost every major statistical category imaginable.

They had no consistency when it came to tackling, a steady kickoff/punt returner and failed to produce a single touchdown by the unit.  Due to how terrible the Jets’ special teams were, coach Bobby April was relieved of his duties.

Let’s take a look at all four units of special teams to analyze what exactly went wrong.

Next: Kickoffs

Sep 22, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets kicker Nick Folk (2) kicks during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Kickoffs

This was one of the worst units of the entire NFL this season.  According to the website Team Rankings, the Jets were second-to-last in touchback percentage.

According to Football Database, they allowed 1,168 return yards on 49 returns.  This was second-most in the NFL.  Only the Arizona Cardinals allowed more return yards (1,180) and New York Giants allowed more kickoffs to be returned (54).

Unit grade: D

Next: Field Goals and PATs

Dec 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets kicker Randy Bullock (8) kicks while punter Ryan Quigley (4) hold against the Tennessee Titans at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Field Goals and PATs

The Jets’ field goal kicking was actually the best part of their special teams unit.  They missed one extra point this season, but 26 other teams also missed at least one, so that’s no big deal.

The team scored 123 points from the kicking game (42 PAT and 27 FG).  This ranked 11th in the league.  They were 27-33 of FGA.  Five of their misses came from 40-49 yards (9-14) and they missed one from 50+ (2-3).

Unit grade: B+

Next: Punting

Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets punter Ryan Quigley (4) during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Punting

The punting unit was the worst of the four.  Only ten teams allowed a blocked punt this season and the Jets were one of them.

They had 79 punts, which was 14th in the league, all of which were relatively okay.  Only because the number of punts is more indicative of offensive performance.  However, those punts fared miserably.

First off, their net punt (punt yards – return yards) average was dead last in the league (37.2).  Secondly, they were tied for 27th in the league with four other teams (which is technically tied for second-to-last) in number of punts fair caught (14). Thirdly, they allowed the fourth-most return yards (470) and third-highest return average (12.7).

Unit grade: F

Next: Kickoff/Punt Returns

Aug 29, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Chris Owusu (17) returns the opening kickoff during the first half of their game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Kickoff/Punt Returns

Their kickoff return team was in the middle of the league statistically.  They were 17th (771) in the league in total yards and 26th in average.

Their punt return game wasn’t much better.  While their total yards on punt returns (422) was sixth in the league, their average per return (8.6) was 14th.

The protection wasn’t much better.  The Jets’ opponents punted 86 times and they had 22 fair catches, which was tied for eighth-most in the league.  However, they were one of 12 teams to score a touchdown on a punt return, which is a small plus.

Unit grade: D+

Next: Final thoughts

Dec 19, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Jets kicker Randy Bullock (8) celebrates with teammates after kicking the go ahead field goal during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Final thoughts

This unit was one of the reasons why the Jets failed to make the playoffs.  It definitely needs an overhaul in the off-season.  If I were general manager Mike Maccagnan, I would definitely look for a return man in the 2016 NFL Draft.

More jets: Analyzing Jets' running back situation heading into 2016

This special team unit was one of the worst special teams units in the league and they could pass as one of the worst units (offense/defense/special teams) in the league.  Expect to see many changes coming to this unit to hopefully turn it around quickly heading into next season.

Overall grade: D