Andrew Beck had already confirmed his versatility this season, however he took it to a different stage final week in Kansas Metropolis.
Beck, who has performed fullback and tight finish for the Jets this season, dealt with the group’s kickoffs within the loss to the Chiefs final week. Beck, who’s in his eighth season, was a shock on particular groups for the Jets.
“It was one thing I talked about with [special teams coach Chris] Banjo,” Beck mentioned. “We talked about it some time in the past, type of joking round. Then, final week we talked about it a little bit bit extra.”
The Jets had given up a kickoff return for a landing in opposition to the Raiders of their prior sport, and Banjo noticed a approach to get an additional tackler on the sphere with Beck kicking off.
“Any time you have got a chance to get an additional tackler on the sphere with a play like this, I feel it’s a profit,” Banjo mentioned. “So, sure, we’ve positively been engaged on it for some time. All the time search for alternative ways, a approach to get 1 p.c higher, proceed to shut the hole that we proceed to speak about and stress.
“So, at any time when we really feel like and determine an space the place it might probably assist, we’re positively going to attempt to maximize it.”
Beck had solely messed round kicking in highschool and in a few of his earlier stops. He had by no means really kicked in a sport earlier than. He is also the Jets’ emergency lengthy snapper.
“I’m an emergency specialist,” Beck mentioned.
He mentioned that he practiced doing it once more this week, however he’s unsure if the coaches can have him kick off this week in opposition to the Payments. Punter Austin McNamara and kicker Jason Sanders have kicked off within the Jets’ earlier video games this season.
Beck kicked off 5 occasions and solely had one mistake, kicking the ball out of bounds to open the second half and giving the Chiefs the ball at their 40. They scored a landing after that.
Jets RB Braelon Allen has identified Payments defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard since he was 16 years outdated. Leonhard was the defensive coordinator at Wisconsin and recruited Allen to go there. On the time, Allen was a security. Later, Leonhard served because the interim head coach whereas Allen was there.
“He’s nice. I like Coach Leonhard to demise,” Allen mentioned. “He was a giant cause why I went to UW. As soon as I received there our relationship constructed an increasing number of over time. He was really the primary one to provide me a nickname at Wisconsin. It was ‘Conflict Machine.’ We’ve had an excellent relationship. I’m excited to see him.”
Leonhard, who performed for the Jets from 2009-11, is in his first season because the Payments defensive coordinator.
The Jets activated rookie security VJ Payne off injured reserve Saturday. They waived OL Kohl Levao to clear the roster spot.
Jets RT Armand Membou was fined $14,926 by the NFL for eradicating his helmet within the loss to the Chiefs. Membou spiked his helmet after permitting a sack within the fourth quarter and was penalized.
