Cowboys at Jets: Special Teams Review

We've been breaking this week's game against the Cowboys. We wrap up today's analysis with a look at the special teams.

Let's review the key contributions...

Kicking game - Unseasoned Ficken

It's a case of so far so good with inexperienced kicker Sam Ficken. He made four kicks yesterday, including a vital 38-yard field goal and each of his five kick-offs went for a touchback.

Punter Lac Edwards only had to punt four times this week and had a pretty uneventful game. All four of his punts was between 40 and 50 yards for both gross and net, including one that was downed inside the 20.

The Jets had one special teams penalty on the punt unit as Albert McClellan allowed some interior pressure and was called for holding.

As for Dallas' kicking game, they made three field goals, including a 62-yarder, but then missed on a shorter field goal despite no pressure from the Jets. Perhaps more importantly, their onside kick at the end of the game was unsuccessful, although Demaryius Thomas was extremely lucky to get the ball back after bobbling it and letting it hit the turf.

Return game - Vyncint Nice

With Trenton Cannon out, the Jets debuted Vyncint Smith as their new kickoff returner and he showed some burst on a run out to the 28, then broke two tackles on his next return, although he was still stopped short of the 25. He was stuffed inside the 20 on his first return.

Perhaps Smith could retain this job once Cannon returns, because Cannon hadn't done much to stand out in the first four games.

On punt returns, Braxton Berrios slipped a couple of tackles on his two returns of 12 and 10 yards. He also made a tough fair catch in traffic after Smith got blocked back into him. He's been reliable so far.

In terms of blocking, Blake Cashman and Josh Bellamy did a good job on a couple of plays, but Daniel Brown missed his block on one return.

Kick coverage - You Hewitt to yourself, you do, and that's what really hurts

With five touchbacks on kick-offs and only two punts returned, there weren't many chances to generate production in coverage, as only Neville Hewitt and Harvey Langi were credited with tackles.

Hewitt made an excellent open field tackle on a play where the return man seemed to have a lot of room. Arthur Maulet initially drew a block in the back penalty on the play but the flag was picked up.

Langi's tackle near the sideline came as Bellamy was in position to down a punt, but he misjudged the bounce which enabled the return man to field it and take it up field.

On one other punt, Bellamy was down first with a chance to down it, but again it bounced over his head and Maulet fielded it instead at the 16.

That's it for today's analysis. Don't forget to leave your suggestions for which players to look at in more detail in this week's 3-on-D and 3-on-O.