shelby
11-01-2008, 07:02 AM
The Buffalo Bills field one of the best kick return units in the NFL. So do the New York Jets. The Bills are pretty solid in coverage, too. So are the Jets.
As much as the offense and defense, special teams will play a key role in the outcome of Sunday’s game.
“It’s like going to a real, good boxing match. You know it’s going to be interesting,” Bills special teams coach Bobby April said. “This is just a tremendous challenge for us. But we’ll be up for it, and I know they will, too.”
April called the Jets the most consistent kick return team in the league over the past five years. The numbers support that.
The Jets have 10 kickoff returns for touchdowns from 2002-07, tying an NFL record shared by the Gale Sayers-led Chicago Bears’ 1965-70 teams. Three of the Jets’ touchdowns have come against the Bills.
The Jets’ top threat is Leon Washington, who is 10th in the NFL in kickoff returns (27.6-yard average) and punt returns (13.0). The 5-foot-8, 202-pounder hasn’t taken a kick back for a touchdown, but he had three TDs on kickoffs last season.
Washington is more than an outstanding return specialist. He has a career-high 274 all-purpose yards in last Sunday’s 28-24 victory over Kansas City and had a hand in all four Jets’ touchdowns. He scored on an 18- yard screen pass and a career-long 60-yard run. An 8-yard catch on third-and-8 at the Chiefs’ 10, set up a third score and his 37-yard punt return led to the game-winning TD drive.
more... (http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/billsnfl/story/480662.html)
As much as the offense and defense, special teams will play a key role in the outcome of Sunday’s game.
“It’s like going to a real, good boxing match. You know it’s going to be interesting,” Bills special teams coach Bobby April said. “This is just a tremendous challenge for us. But we’ll be up for it, and I know they will, too.”
April called the Jets the most consistent kick return team in the league over the past five years. The numbers support that.
The Jets have 10 kickoff returns for touchdowns from 2002-07, tying an NFL record shared by the Gale Sayers-led Chicago Bears’ 1965-70 teams. Three of the Jets’ touchdowns have come against the Bills.
The Jets’ top threat is Leon Washington, who is 10th in the NFL in kickoff returns (27.6-yard average) and punt returns (13.0). The 5-foot-8, 202-pounder hasn’t taken a kick back for a touchdown, but he had three TDs on kickoffs last season.
Washington is more than an outstanding return specialist. He has a career-high 274 all-purpose yards in last Sunday’s 28-24 victory over Kansas City and had a hand in all four Jets’ touchdowns. He scored on an 18- yard screen pass and a career-long 60-yard run. An 8-yard catch on third-and-8 at the Chiefs’ 10, set up a third score and his 37-yard punt return led to the game-winning TD drive.
more... (http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/billsnfl/story/480662.html)