The Jets special teams unit isn’t catching opponents off guard with the fake punts they have run three of the last four weeks — but they are out-executing them, Mike Westhoff believes.
The grizzled special teams coach said that on the fake punt run each of the last two weeks, the opposition was prepared with eight-man fronts. The plays worked anyway.
“It’s not like we’re just tricking people,” Westhoff said after practice yesterday. “I’m sure New England is going to play it. They’re smart, they’re well coached, let’s see if we run something we believe in how we execute. Can we out-execute them? That’s what it comes down to a lot of times.”
Last Sunday’s fake punt made the biggest impact, a key play in a 35-9 rout of the Colts. After running for short gains against the Dolphins and Texans on fourth downs out of punt formation, Tim Tebow threw for the first time, hitting linebacker NIck Bellore for 23 yards on fourth-and-11 jump pass to extend a drive. The Jets ended up with a 5-yard Mark Sanchez to Jason Hill touchdown pass to extend to a 21-6 lead just before halftime.
During preseason, the Jets were mocked for the use of Tebow as a personal punt protector, but they’re the ones laughing now.
“Tim gives you that kind of talent at that spot … and that’s a huge advantage for us,” coach Rex Ryan said. “I know we were criticized initially for it, but I think people are seeing now why we do it.”
The impetus for the fakes began when the Jets traded for Tebow in March. When Westhoff met the backup quarterback, they instantly went over possible plays.
“I gave him some of my ideas and he countered with 50 of his own,” Westhoff said. “For everything I’ve come up with, a lot of it has been dialogue with him.”
Tebow’s presence is also helping punter Robert Malone, who has said he doesn’t feel as if teams are rushing the Jets with nearly the same amount of aggression because of the threat of a fake. Malone is among the league leaders with an average of 46.2 yards per punt, a 40.8 net and 11 punts downed inside the 20-yard-line.
“That’s very much a factor,” Westhoff said. “You have to account for [Tebow] because we’ve run three successful fakes. It’s not like they are soft, but they are a little cautious.”
Ryan and Westhoff aren’t worried opposing teams will start game-planning for the fake punts. They try to use as many different and unique formations as they can to mask the fakes.
“We still think we can do it,” Westoff said.
Or, as Ryan said, if teams start going to their base defense, “You still have to stop it.”