INDIANAPOLIS — Even in the euphoria of the Giants’ Super Bowl-winning locker room (or perhaps because of it), Steve Weatherford couldn’t resist a dig at the Jets last night.
Fresh off a clutch, big-time performance in the Giants’ 21-17 Super Bowl XLVI win over the Patriots, the veteran punter had a message for Jets special-teams coach Mike Westhoff for letting him walk as a free agent last year.
“I’d like to thank him,” Weatherford said, breaking into a smile. “I appreciate his decision. I really appreciate it.”
COMPLETE GIANTS SUPER BOWL COVERAGE
Weatherford wasn’t re-signed by the Jets after the 2010 season upon Westhoff’s recommendation even though he had tied an NFL record for punts downed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.
Citing Weatherford’s poor punting in last year’s playoffs, Westhoff defended the decision to go with T.J. Conley by saying Weatherford “wasn’t good enough.”
Weatherford was more than good enough for the Giants this season, especially in the playoffs and particularly last night. Three of his four punts were downed inside the Patriots’ 20, and he came within a fingertip of making it a perfect 4-for-4.
Weatherford’s first punt, a perfect coffin-corner shot downed at the New England 6, resulted in the game’s first points one play later when Justin Tuck harried Tom Brady into intentional grounding in the end zone for a safety.
“Punting is really all about confidence, and once I got that first punt out of the way and it turned out so well, I really had the confidence going,” Weatherford said. “I was feeling great all night.”
While — much to Weatherford’s glee — Westhoff and the Jets were no doubt watching at home.