Jets fans weren’t the only ones who left MetLife Stadium disgusted with the team’s performance 12 days ago.
Special teams coach Mike Westhoff was right there with them after the disappointing 30-9 loss to the AFC East rival Dolphins.
“[I was] as frustrated as I’ve ever been in my entire career,” the veteran coach said.
The unit struggled mightily in the loss to Miami, allowing a punt block to be returned for a touchdown, having a field goal blocked, getting caught off-guard on an onside kick and failing to cover punts and kickoffs well.
Making it more agonizing, Westhoff said the Jets were prepared for every ill-fated play and just missed on a few big plays themselves, such as blocking a field goal and having a big return.
“That stuff’s tough, it’s hard to deal with,” Westhoff said. “But you don’t get to feel sorry for yourself in this business.”
It was a surprisingly shoddy effort by the usually stout unit. Despite having the bye week up next, Westhoff didn’t go home after the loss — he drove to the team’s practice facility in Florham Park to watch the gruesome highlights.
“They were probably thrilled they didn’t have to see me for a week and I was probably just as elated,” he said.
Westhoff later added: “You roll up your sleeves, go back to work and you solve the problem. You can’t change what happened; I wish I could.”
Coach Rex Ryan said during his press conference yesterday one possible factor is young players being asked to now produce on offense or defense, such as rookie Demario Davis, who has filled in at outside linebacker for Bart Scott.
Davis dismissed that as a possibility.
“It was mental mistakes, made by an individual or a couple of players,” he said.
“This week has been about fixing the errors that have been made and making no mistakes,” special-teamer Nick Bellore said.
Westhoff, known as an intense coach who points out errors even on positive plays, has been extra tough on the unit this week.
“He’s been saying we have to get back to who we are as a unit,” Bellore said. “We all know how good we could be. It’s about doing it on Sundays.”
A big boost will be the expected return of safety and special teams ace Eric Smith (knee). When asked what having him back would mean, Westhoff cracked a smile.
“It means like it would quit snowing,” he said jokingly. “There’s going to be a lot of happy people. Eric plays roles not many people can do for us. He has so much versatility. … We’re happy to have him back.”