Jets make baffling kicker decision despite preseason struggles

At the 53-man roster cutdown deadline, the New York Jets decided to move on from Jason Sanders, the kicker they had just named the Week 1 starter almost a week earlier by cutting Cade York, his primary camp competitor.

The Jets then claimed former Indianapolis Colts kicker Blake Grupe off waivers, but were able to bring Sanders back to the practice squad, explaining that the kicking competition was still ongoing. Well, with the season opener just days away, New York has decided on their kicker for Week 1, and they're turning back to their former All-Pro.

Aaron Glenn revealed at his media availability on Friday that Sanders, not Grupe, will suit up for the Green & White. Sanders will be a practice squad elevation, and the former Colts kicker will ride the bench. Clearly, the special teams staff liked what they saw from the veteran

New York Jets turn to Jason Sanders, not Blake Grupe for Week 1

Glenn explained his decision at his press conference on Friday and reiterated that Grupe will still have a chance to compete for the starting kicking gig down the line.

"Jason will kick this week; he's had most of the reps. The thing is, Grupe, I want to make sure that he gets a solid chance. He just got here last week; he hasn't had a lot of chances to really get a lot of work with Henny (longsnapper Thomas Hennessy ) and Mac (punter/holder Austin McNamara), so I want to make sure I give him the proper chance for the competition."

In fairness to Glenn, his reasoning does make sense. Sanders has been working with the Jets' special teams unit all summer long and will get the chance to right his preseason wrongs on Sunday.

The former Miami Dolphins All-Pro did not inspire confidence throughout the summer, particularly in the preseason finale. Sanders missed both an extra point and a field goal, with the field goal attempt coming up short on a 54-yard attempt.

Grupe must not have shown enough in practice this week to warrant the Jets' staff's trust. He himself had an up-and-down preseason with the Colts, going 2-of-4 on field goal attempts. Grupe made a long of 46, but missed from 50+.

The kicking saga in New York is surely not over yet. Both Sanders and Grupe will likely restart their competition early next week, and the coaching staff will have to decide once again who will be the kicker heading into Week 2.

For now, Sanders gets the nod, and what could possibly be his last chance, he deserves a spot on the practice squad.

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