Jets vs. Jaguars: Week 4 special teams grades

It was another uneventful day for the New York Jets special teams during the team’s 31-12 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. What grade did the unit earn following this unspectacular showing?

In a way, the New York Jets special teams performance was a microcosm of the performance of the entire team during Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Nothing much happened and whatever did happen didn’t matter.

As harsh as that may sound, the Jets special teams unit didn’t really have itself a busy day nor did they do anything to stand out in any way, positive or negative. That being said, a little over-analyzation never hurt anyone so let’s break down the special teams’ performance against the Jaguars.

Kicker Jason Myers had a solid day connecting on both of his field goals attempts with his longest being from 38 yards out. Since the team went for two on their only touchdown, he did not attempt an extra point in this contest.

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Myers has connected on all seven of his field goal attempts so far this year proving to be the steady presence at kicker that most thought he wouldn’t be. While he has missed an extra point attempt, something he has struggled with throughout his career, the former Jaguars kicker has been a pleasant surprise for the team to this point.

Punter Lachlan Edwards had another involved day punting seven times for a grand total of 345 yards. Edwards was able to down one kick inside the 20 and was the beneficiary of an excellent bounce and roll that produced a 61-yard punt, but also saw one of his kicks bounce into the end zone for a touchback.

Edwards has quietly developed into a very reliable punter who gets above average hangtime on his kicks regularly. While his coffin corner skills still need some work, the Australian punter has shown significant improvement from his rookie season and is rarely seen visiting the dreaded “Shanksville” that he so often inhabited early in his career.

In the return game, Andre Roberts had his least effective game returning three kicks for just 40 yards. The veteran return man was stopped inside the 15-yard line on two of his returns and failed to make it back to the 25-yard line on his third solidifying a poor overall showing.

His only punt return went for a respectable seven yards but his kick returns did the Jets offense no favors with their starting field position. Roberts was also aided by a kick catch interference penalty on the speedy Jacksonville gunner, rookie D.J. Chark, who tackled Roberts before he had caught the ball netting the Jets an extra 15 yards.

Elsewhere, standouts in kick coverage included Terrence Brooks, Doug Middleton, and Neville Hewitt who each got down the field to make tackles. With starting outside linebacker and key special teams contributor Josh Martin officially placed on the injured reserve after suffering his second concussion, the Jets will need other players to step up and make plays in kick coverage.

Rookie Parry Nickerson filled in for Charone Peake as one of the team’s gunners and was able to draw an illegal block in the back penalty to eliminate a 22-yard return from Jacksonville. If Peake is still unable to play next week, look for the speedy Nickerson to maintain this role for the time being. Ultimately, an average, uneventful performance deserves an average, uneventful grade.

Final Grade: C