chad morton ~ ~ ~

[kelly]

Thursday, July 3
Williams, Manning among top prospects for 2004 draft
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

~ ~ Around the league

~ ~ ~ Field position
Still wondering why the Jets fought so hard (but unsuccessfully) a few months ago to keep restricted free agent Chad Morton from defecting to the Washington Redskins? One of the league's premier return specialists, Morton was key to the Jets leading the NFL in 2002 in average field position following a kickoff. The average starting point for New York was the 31.7-yard line. There were just five teams that averaged better than the 30-yard line after a kickoff and here is a look at them:
Team Average field position
N.Y. Jets 31.7
New England 31.4
Philadelphia 31.1
Dallas 30.6
Kansas City 30.1

http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1576171.html

[kelly]

thanx guys ~ ~ ~

:banghead:

[CarMike]

Originally posted by kelly
thanx guys ~ ~ ~

:banghead:

You're welcome.;)

But, seriously. Like many have already stated, there's more to returning kicks than just the return man. You have to have guys willing to throw their bodies in the action to make the blocks. That seems to be our problem. Betts done a good job returning KOs last year. He could have done a lot better if we had better run blocking.

Its going to fun to watch Morton definately. But, he's a small part of STs that has to work together in order for STs to work.

[hail2skins]

Agreed CarMike. Theren't aren't many returners out there that can do it alone. They need the blocking. The guys have to be crazy too and sacrifice themselves.

[JoeDaSchmoe]

Yeah, it's true about the whole of special teams needing to be primed for action. However, I think we might have done better than people think last year, as Betts averaged about 25 yards per return, and he's no Chad Morton.

[Skins57]

I am much happier with our ST, on paper anyhow. Hall worries me but he is much better than what we have had but was he worth the money? Hopefully we won't have too turn away this year for short FGs

[dj_stouty]

Originally posted by Skins57
I am much happier with our ST, on paper anyhow. Hall worries me but he is much better than what we have had but was he worth the money? Hopefully we won't have too turn away this year for short FGs

An upgrade is still an upgrade my friend!

[LostinNH]

I'm not crazy about Hall. I would have preferred a more reliable kicker like John Carney. I understand the team likes Hall for his kickoff abilities as well, but from what I know of from Jets fans and AFC east fans, Hall's kickoffs are nothing special. However Hall is an upgrade over the garbage we had kicking last year. We've probably had the longest stretch of terrible kicking on any one team that I can remember. Excluding Conway's occasional decency when healthy.

[CarMike]

Perhaps Conway can unseat Mike Vanderjagt in Indi. :D

[Skaggsrules]

Perhaps Conway can unseat Mike Vanderjagt in Indi.

Remember, Vanderjagt is in rough water with them

[Skins57]

Didn't Vandy just sign a big extension with them? Also Indy would be stupid to let Vandy go, even though I would not mind:D

[truant]

did we really end the year with Jose Cortez????

it's all coming back to me now

[LadyNRedskinsfan]

i agree completely with those who said that we need better blocking, but chad morton is scary fast. he should be able to make things happen when there is nothing there. the kicking and punting game is what bothers me....:(

[truant]

i can feel your anxiety about the kicking a punting esp with the way we've played for the last few years but Hall is a big improvement and with last years woes hopefully the staff will pay more attention the punting competition that will be at camp

we've added some good young talent and hopefully that'll translate to SP teams paying with more energy

[kelly]

Pro Football Weekly
COMMENTARY
Columns

My most exciting players
Matching wits with experts around the league
By Hub Arkush (hub@pfwmedia.com)
June 30, 2003

It’s almost time folks, almost! Training camps are just around the corner and our Pro Football Weekly NFL Preview 2003 and 2003 Fantasy Football Guide are on sale now at local newsstands. Not only do our two annual magazines bring you everything you need to get ready for maximum enjoyment of the NFL season, but each year they include a couple of great feature articles that really get folks talking and thinking— and this year is no exception.

The article that really has me going at the moment is called “Jaw Droppers – PFW takes a look at the 10 most exciting players in the NFL” in our 2003 NFL Preview Magazine. What I love about it is we polled NFL coaches and front-office personnel to come up with our Top 10, and the guys I would rank my hands-down No. 1 and No. 2 were just Nos. 8 and 7 respectively in our NFL Preview Magazine list. In fact, that list’s No. 1 isn’t in my Top 5, and three of my Top 10 didn’t make the list. Now I don’t want to spoil the magazine for you by revealing the whole list but you’ve probably figured out by now I am going to offer you my list and match wits with the experts.

~ ~ ~ No. 8 for me is RS Chad Morton, probably a long shot to make most people’s lists but last season with the Jets he was the best kick returner I’ve ever seen. While return specialists often struggle to put back-to-back seasons together, and Morton is with a new club in Washington, his combination of quickness and speed is electric. Besides, is there a more exciting play than a kickoff brought back all the way?

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/Commentary/Columns/2003/harkush1803.htm

[kelly]

:banghead:

[TexSkin]

Heh don't beat yourse;f silly Kelly...your FO just got caught with its pants down. I was moe intrested in the part of the article that stated they dont see your #1 being in camp right away. He might not be very prepared for the season opener if he is late. That is a good thing for us,bad news for all those Jets fans that want revenge. ;)

[kelly]

Originally posted by TexSkin
Heh don't beat yourse;f silly Kelly...your FO just got caught with its pants down. I was moe intrested in the part of the article that stated they dont see your #1 being in camp right away. He might not be very prepared for the season opener if he is late. That is a good thing for us,bad news for all those Jets fans that want revenge. ;)

TexSkin : our fo did not do their job this off-season.
however, they do have a record of getting our draft picks signed & in camp on time. other than palmer/qb - bengals/#1 pick, i don't think too many other 1st round picks have been signed to date.
snyder & co. have done a good job of up-grading their roster this off-season. other than your dl dept; you guys are in pretty good shape.
see ya sept.4th.

:beer:

[eric]

I think ST's will be willing to work harder when they feel they can actually make a difference in the game, by having him back there returning they will hopefully make the extra efforts required for ST success.

[Green-Is-Good]

chad morton is second only to donte hall

[nyjunc]

Originally posted by CarMike
You're welcome.;)

But, seriously. Like many have already stated, there's more to returning kicks than just the return man. You have to have guys willing to throw their bodies in the action to make the blocks. That seems to be our problem. Betts done a good job returning KOs last year. He could have done a lot better if we had better run blocking.

Its going to fun to watch Morton definately. But, he's a small part of STs that has to work together in order for STs to work.

RamseyFanMike? I like the right side of your avatar.:D

As great as Chad was it was Miek Westhoff's schemes that made the biggest difference. Chad will do very well for you but I'm not sure he'll be as good. Westhoff is the best in the business and he always had good returners at Miami and has done the same heer in NY, We had Craig Yeast 2 years ago and he did very well. Not as good as Chad but among the upper echelon of KR. Of all the losses this offseason I was most disappointed about Chad but I still think our KR game will be among the best- again not as good but good enough.

[nyjunc]

Originally posted by LostinNH
I'm not crazy about Hall. I would have preferred a more reliable kicker like John Carney. I understand the team likes Hall for his kickoff abilities as well, but from what I know of from Jets fans and AFC east fans, Hall's kickoffs are nothing special. However Hall is an upgrade over the garbage we had kicking last year. We've probably had the longest stretch of terrible kicking on any one team that I can remember. Excluding Conway's occasional decency when healthy.

Hall used to be a great at KOs. When he first signed here he boomed touchbacks on a consistent basis but for some reason he hasn't been as effective as he used to be. Maybe it was b/c we switched to that awful grass or maybe it was part by design but he wasn't the same. He's a decent K, he'll make most of his kicks but he'll drive you nuts by missing that kick that can put you up 2 scores and seal a game and you will ALWAYS hold your breath whenever he kicks. I liked him more than most Jet fans but at best he was a decent K but by the sounds of it he's a big upgrade over what you guys had last year.

[CarMike]

Originally posted by nyjunc
RamseyFanMike? I like the right side of your avatar.:D

Yep, thats me. lol I thought you'd like that...:D