Special teams is light years ahead of 2015

The special teams of the New York Jets have been the laughing stock of the NFL for years now. This preseason it appears that has all changed with a couple new additions.

The New York Jets used to be the cream of the crop when it came to special teams in the NFL. The face of those units was, Mike Westoff, a longtime veteran of the sport. But those record-breaking units of the past are long gone and the Jets needed to move on. It seems they have, at least in the preseason.

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Whether it be a 55-yard Ross Martin field goal or a 45-yard bomb from Lac Edwards, even the kicking has improved. Even on the return side of things with Jeremy Ross and Jalin Marshall, the return game has improved dramatically.

So far through preseason the Jets have impressed on every level and they reached a new height on Saturday night. Early in the game, the Jets got their first block of the preseason, thanks to Bruce Carter and Rontez Miles.

The Jets have been close several times, including other times in this game. Much of the appreciation should be thrown at new special teams coordinator, Brant Boyer.

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Head coach Todd Bowles recently talked about his thoughts on the special teams’ performance after the Week 3 preseason loss.

Those thoughts are shared with us, via the Media Relations Department of the Jets:

On if he was happy with the play of the Jets special teams…

They’re getting better. They did some good things. We gave up a couple of returns here and there that got out of the box that we need to cover. For the most part, they’re getting better. It’s hard to gauge that when you’re shuffling players in and out.

The Jets have some difficult decisions to make with the big roster cuts looming. Coincidentally the battle at the return job brings a lot of intrigue. The battle seems to be between Ross and Marshall, old vs new. Will the Jets go young at the position, or rely on a veteran?

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Regardless of that decision, the Jets look to win games with their special teams this season. As opposed to last season when the Jets’ special teams units cost them games.