Weatherford’s Judgment Comes Half a Yard Short
One of the biggest gaffes during the course of the game yesterday was the decision to fake a punt and let Steve Weatherford run for it. While the team had pre-planned for him to use his discretion to take off on a play during the course of the day.
Punter Steve Weatherford made the daring decision on his own to go for it with a fake punt play in the first quarter of Sunday’s 9-0 loss to the Packers and without realizing the exact yardage the Jets needed.
Mark Sanchez had been sacked for a loss of nine yards on third down, pushing the Jets back to their 20-yard line. On fourth-and-18, Weatherford charged up the right sideline for what appeared to be a first down. After a Packers challenge and a replay showing his foot had gone out of bounds before he was downed, Weatherford was a yard and a half short.
"I didn’t see exactly how many yards we lost on the sack," Weatherford said. "Once I get out of the pocket, I feel like if it’s 12 or 15 yards, I think I can make it. I came up about a half-yard short."
First, Steve Weatherford is having a hell of a season and is punting crap out of the football for the Jets, but I have to wonder how it comes to that. Did he see Reggie Hodges big play last week and want some of that? I have no idea. I just know that if he’s going to run the ball, especially in that sort of a situation, I don’t know how he could NOT know how far he needs to get. It’s like Donovan McNabb not knowing the game can end in a tie. If you are going to fake it, you damn well better know where you need to get to.
"This is something that Steve did on his own.” Ryan said, disavowing Weatherford in the process. “We told him before that it obviously needs to be a manageable situation, not a fourth-and-(18)."
So we can assume the coaches weren’t pleased with his judgment or execution. The last time that happened on special teams, it cost Kenwin Cummings his job. Should we expect the same thing this time around?
78 Responses to Weatherford’s Judgment Comes Half a Yard Short
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Thank you for beating me to this.
Can we please stop with this garbage? It cost the Jets three points in a game where they managed ZERO!
If anything, I’d say good for him for watching the film and seeing an opportunity. Maybe he didn’t realize how long he had to go, but he managed 17.5 yards for crying out loud. Pretty good if I may say so.
No one is denying that given the situation, it was a bad decision. Chalk it up to a mental error. Mangold, another potential pro bowler, got a ridiculous hold that killed the Jets best chance to score. It was completely unnecessary and it also cost points. I have not seen a SINGLE comment mentioning that brain cramp which was just as egregious.
Enough is enough with Weatherford. Lay off the only guy who has truly been consistent week in and week out.
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Two reasons I don’t have a huge problem with this play. 1. (and foremost) It didn’t cost us the game only 3 lousy points. 2. on a 4th and 18 NO-ONE expects you to run…he came betwen 1/2 yard and 1 yard of catching them sleeping. What cost us the games is Schotty “I’ve never had a QB throw for over 300 yards in a gme” horrid play calling and our recievers stone hands. Mark was by no means perfect, but I can’t throw all that too much blame on him…he made the throws when he had to. Too many times the ball hit the recievers right in the hands…they get paid MILLIONS of dollars to make these catches that any one of us could have made. Sorry to say, as much as I like Cotch and all he has done for us over the years, he has been a bit of a liability this year. It has not been one game as some others on the blog have suggested…I don’t know that stats, but it seems like he has dropped more then he has caught this year….
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Or Schotty “I don’t Know how to adjust”
or Schotty “The run is working so lets pass”
or Schotty “I don’t know how to adjust”
Or Schotty “I wanna be a head coach so I’m gonna show them how creative I can be”
or Schotty “I don’t know how to adjust”
Or Schotty “the wind is howling lets throw the ball 30+ times, that’ll trick ‘em”
Or Schotty “I don’t know how to adjust”
OR Schotty “I know the end around hasn’t worked the last 9 times I’ve tried it, but the 10th time is a charm”-
Thank you. Schotty is a complete fool. Rex can not be that stupid or weak. Kick his ass into shape or take over the play calling your self. Dont let Schotty kill our season. Please.
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Can someone explain why the Cotchery and Keller plays were rules “interceptions” and not fumbles, since they clearly had control, and “alledgedly” lost the ball according to the blind refs?
I know it doesn’t make a difference, I was just wondering.
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he shouldnt lose his job for that because like the person above me said it was NOT the reason they lost the game
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Bingo. When you’re not easily replaced, you don’t get fired for one mistake (albeit a big one).
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@CoryV
1) Weatherford didn’t know the distance on the fake punt
2) Holmes dropped a TD (IMO)
3) Cotchery dropped 2 first downs
4) Folk missed a FG(there was no wind)
5) Sanchez is not improving (IMO) (you’ve gotta hit Edwards on that play action) Smh
6) Smith Fumbled
7) 3 turnovers
8) Greene dropped an easy pass on a screen play
9) Mangold had a hold that negated a huge Greene first down late in the game.
10) Rex… Clock management.. Lmao
24) Revis is a Joke (IMO) why do we pay him 16 mill again? (I had to do it)How come nobody wants the WR/QB coach fired ?
But when in doubt.. Blame Schotty
Btw.. We picked up a first down after the failed end around play, but who cares.. Lmao
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You mean the one Sanchez ran because he thought the Packers were going to challenge that he was past the LOS? Yeah, that was actually a smart play regardless of whether he was behind the LOS or not.
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Really a smart play? He was clearly behind the line of scrimmage, Jets coaches in the booth could have seen that in a heartbeat and relayed it to Shotty and to Sanchez. If the Packers wanted to waste a challenge on it, then let them. But to waste a play on that, when we needed everything possible, was a horrible move
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Jets coaches in the booth could have stopped a play that took about 3 seconds to get off? Really? Aside from wasting a TO, how would they have acomplished that.
So, yes, it was a good play in the scheme of things.
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Well, to be honest, Sanchez should know where the line of scrimmage was and whether or not he crossed it.
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Sanchez can’t just yell out to do the same play? and if no ones open just chuck it so its not just some wasted play atleast u have a chance for some yards.
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yes he should have yelled out run the same play!!….the packers would have never known, man we should hire you next year to take shottys job!
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NjdPelc says:
Its called a no huddle offense. You see it in the last two mins of any game. Call ANY other play with a chance of gaining some real yards. You don’t actually yell “same play” use your head.
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I just want to see how narrow this can get. Don’t like this format. New posts disappear to the next page, too quickly. Stupid fake-punt. The Jets should duct-tape Weatherfords butt to the goalpost.
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@Marvel
You are right there is plenty of blame to go around in this game…coaches and players alike. But the most glaring thing is the drops that could have prolonged drives. And the one thing that has been consistently bad for the most part for a number of years now is the offensive play calling and inability to adjust to conditions, to how the players are playing,etc…-
“how the players are playing” .. You mean not catching the ball ? Fumbling the ball?
Watching people give Schotty the blame even as players were dropping catches left & right was complete comedy yesterday..
It would seem as if the players weren’t prepared, but god forbid we blame Rex..
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Rex does get the blame for the clock mis-management and not taking a role in the offense when he should have. You said “You mean not catching the ball ? Fumbling the ball?” Exactly my point…adjust to the players not playing and get other players involved…Should have been running the ball from the begining, but when WR’s are dropping balls RUN THE BALL, especially when the wind is blowing. Fumbles will happen, but million dollar WRs dropping balls that hit them in the hands is inexusable. So stop throwing to them (I know the decsion who to pass to still lies with Sanchez), RUN the BALL. It was our bread and butter last year. I can’t remember how many times last year (in both wins and losses) that I kinda got a little aggrivated with all the runs, many of which didn’t get much yardage in the first quarter to quarter and a half. But then as the game wound down, the defense would get tired and our backs had some great runs. Why get away from that just because Mark has a better understand of the offense (I know…debatable) and we have more WR weapons..but they should compliment the run game.
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Dont let the YPC fool you, the run wasnt working yesterday imo. I would like to see Greene pound the rock some more, but you can’t NOT throw WRs the ball, that’s crazy talk.
Bottom line, if the players played to their capability yesterday, we would have won. I don’t like this blame Schotty stuff, it’s not acceptable.
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I agree you do have to throw the ball sometimes, but not 38 times in windy conditions when your wr’s can’t catch a cold! And def not every single play on 1st and 10 (slight exageration). I have never been one to talk the blame Schotty talk until now, but his record has not been great.. Not just with us, but with other teams as well. For the most part I agree with what you say but I guess we will have to agree to disagree about Schotty at this point.
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you serioulsy think throwing the ball 40 times and running it 22 times while the packers were ranked 24th against the run is good game planing??
get off you knees and zip up shottys pants your a mess..
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It was 38 times, 6 were dropped, 2 were picked (allegedly) one was thrown at LTs feet, plus the run was getting stuffed. But you’re right I’m a Schotty fan, so I’m bias. Clown..
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Revis is a joke? ok look at his numbers from last year which are record breaking numbers, and than you might say he faked his injury ok look at the vikings game where he wasnt 100% and then look at yesterdays game where he said he was 100%, a HUGE improvement, your just a revis hater and hates the fact that he is making the type of money that he DESERVES
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The best part of this picture is that you can see an apoplectic Westhoff in the background! I would not want to be in that meeting room today …
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I would LOVE to be in that meeting room to see the well-deserved pounding these bums on offense and specials get from the coaches
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WOW off topic, but apparently the Vikings waived Moss!
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Insane. I am going to be sick if the Patriots end up signing him after trading him for a pick!
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the pats have the best record in football, there is no way he makes it all the way down to them from waivers
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Did he get cut or waived? I thought that when you played a certain amount of years, you didn’t have to clear waivers and could sign wherever you want.
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Idk but apparently he had some bizarre post game press conference where he criticized the team and the coach.
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Not 100% sure, but since he has played 4+ seasons in the NFL, would he be cut and not waived, meaning he is free to sign anywhere?
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I have no problem with the fake punt……The Jets have balls now, good or bad…I’ll take this team over any Kotite/Mangini/Herm team any day…You will never hear me complain about Rex or Tanny….The jets are relevant, that is what matters most…Everyone has a bad game…
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+1. I don’t think the team is above criticism if they play badly but I agree with your basic point. We’re 5-2 and the two losses were games that we played badly but still had a chance to win late into the 4th quarter. Not too shabby.
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Loss his job? No way. I liked the move when I thought Ryan made the call, so I’m sticking to my guns. I didn’t like the outcome, or the fact that he didn’t fully understand the situation before taking a risk, but I love the moxie. Punishing him severely would send the wrong message to the team.
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Even worst Randy Moss released by vikes! Stayed in Boston! Pats will resign him for .15 on the dollar! There is your reason while we will never take out the Pats. They get players cheap and pick up free draft picks. We over pay and don’t have any draft picks.
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Only difference is we use our draft picks better then them. Look at both teams draft history. We almost always come out with just as many (if not more) impact players. Quality over quantity.
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This is COMPLETELY our HC’s fault. You do not let a punter decide when to go for it on fourth down!! It’s also indicative of why he can’t fire Shotty. Tee guy has no interest in anything other then defence.
At some point Ryan has to take the reigns of the ENTIRE team. Or he shoudl go back to being a Defensive coordiantor.
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Have to agree with you Nick. No way, I let my punter decide to fake a punt, close to our goal line, during a battle of field position. Our offense has had problems, from day one. Hopefully, Rex is going to wake up and do something about Schottenheimer. It is his responsibility and if he doesn’t take care of it — he will be getting a coordinator’s job somewhere, as you mentioned.
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So the Pats got a free draft pick (again) .. I also think it’s safe to say they outdrafted us this past draft (not even close).. Smh
I need for us to play them again asap, I need some clarity.. -
I hope Moss goes back to the Pats.. I love the comp.. I’m not just saying that, it makes our schedule tougher but it will ultimately make us a better team IMO .. I’m pumped
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No problem at all with this decision and believe too much is being made of it. It took a great effort and somewhat lucky tackle to knock him 1/2 inch out of bounds and a yard short.
Bigger problem: giving up on the run…22 rushes for LT and Shonn v. 38 passes. the game was within one score until the end. no reason at all to get away from what you do best even if its not working as well as you are used to. 4 “gadget runs” for a net of 4 yards…embarrassing play calling by Schotty. They work with an element of surprise, not when you do 3-4 every single week.
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wow! I mean there is no way Moss will survive the waiver process an the way I read the rules is the Pat’s are the last to have a craxk at him. Anybody who has a clear understanding of how this process works please speak up!
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Pats have the NFL’s best record, so they’d pick at 32…but, why would they? If they know Randy wants to re-join, they’d wait until he cleared waivers, then sign him for the prorated veteran minimum and the Vikes would be on the hook for the rest of his contract. Yeesh!
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its one game, we’ve played great most of the season. The defense looked absolutely phenomenal against the Packers, who yes are very injured, but have a top 3 quarterback in the league and a hell of a passing attack. The fact aaron rodgers had less than 200 yards throwing was unreal. I personally liked the fake, yea we didn’t make it, but still, shows that we got confidence in the defense. this did not lose us the game, if nick folk hits the 40 yard field goal were tied. we lost cause we couldn’t make the plays when we needed to. Also, mark sanchez shouldn’t get any blame either, his two picks could have been avoided, however i do believe that they were because of the receivers not holding on. What i didn’t understand is why we didn’t run with shonn greene more
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hello, i must be the only person that realized the offense scored ZERO points, in a game where i think a single touchdown would have won the game….. maybe the call was there to give a spark to the struggling offense
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agreed! If I read correctly Minny has to pay the remained of his contract…even if not don’t let him get back to the Pats (who would basically get a free draft pick)
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My issue with the fake punt was that Weatherford didn’t know the distance. He didn’t realize that Sanchez had been sacked and he needed 18 yards. Also, I wasn’t wild about taking off when the LOS isn’t, at least, at the 35. But, if it had worked, we all would be saying how great the call was. It didn’t work and the Jets lost 3 points…who knew that the Jets would struggle to score?
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Hard to say this one play determined the flow of the rest of the game, let alone the outcome. 4.1 yards per carry isn’t bad considering there was no commitment to running the ball. What was there, a total of 22 carries? Why does Shotty have immunity within this organization?
To Rex: Better step up and get rid of this guy and promote Callahan before it’s too late
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The running game wasn’t working. The 4.1 per carry was inflated by Weatherford’s run and Sanchez’s late scramble. Greene and LT were at @3.5 YPC…not very good. The Jets ran the ball 11 out of 22 times on second down and it killed the Jets. If anything, IMO, there should have been even less running. As Buttle always says: you pass to score and run to win. Jets needed points and running on obvious passing downs doomed the Jets yesterday.
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@JennyVrentas: Braylon Edwards was asked if there was any safety help on 2nd-qt play when he was wide open. He chuckled. “No there wasn’t,” he said. #nyj
Blame Schotty..
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There is plenty of blame to go around and Schotty should get the least of it this time around. Still he is not a good OC and we could do a lot better with an OC who could develop Sanchez.
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Now this I can agree with.. Schotty is not that good of an OC , we could do a lot better. But to blame him for the GB game is insane. But shouldn’t the QB coach be blamed for Sanchez’s (lack of) development? Not all of the blame but some?
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It really is getting annoying that the Schotty faithful will use ever reason to blame others except the right person… Schotty… The QB coach does not call the plays… Schotty does… The personnel on offense are players that Schotty wants. In Hard Knock they asked Schotty if he was going to use Clowney not the WR Coach or the QB Coach. The GM asked Schotty please… If the OC was worth his paycheck he would utilize Sanchez’s strengths not his weakness. I OC calls the plays the whole game… and how many points did we score…Game… Set… Match…
ugh.