JET NOTES
Al Groh has grumbled for a few weeks about wanting more consistent production from his kicking game. When speaking about special teams, Groh has said on several occasions, “We need to kick the ball better.”
Those words were directed at John Hall, who for the last couple weeks has insisted he’s kicking well and Groh hasn’t confronted him on it.
On Tuesday, though, Groh brought in former Bengals’ K Doug Pelphrey for a look-see in case he needs to supplant Hall, whose previously deep kickoffs have shortened. There, too, has been contact between the Jets and other kickers.
Yesterday, Groh revealed that he has spoken to Hall, who’s 4-of-7 on FGs and has only one touchback on 14 kickoffs.
“On a 16-game basis if we’re going to be in it at the end, we have to be able to kick better than [4-for-7],” Groh said.
Asked if he’s spoken to Hall, Groh said, “Sure. It’s my job to make sure I communicate with all my players.”
Hall, though, indicated that Groh hasn’t spoken to him since “after the first week.”
Asked about his reaction to having a kicker brought in for a tryout on Tuesday, Hall said, “My reaction? Nothing. That’s my reaction.”
When it was mentioned that his once-booming kickoffs have lost distance, Hall said, “Well, that’s a good observation, I guess.”
Of his misses from 33 yards last week and from 52 and 48 yards in Green Bay, Hall said, “If you look at the games I missed, they were difficult kicks. No one’s perfect and that’s the attitude I have. I’m just going to keep working hard and maybe a couple of those will go in next time. I’m really not worried about anything. I feel like I’m kicking the ball well.”
As for the security of his job, Hall said, “I don’t feel threatened by anyone or anything. I got my mom behind me, and she’s not going to let anything happen to me.”
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Despite the re-signing of Dwight Stone, Groh said Kevin Williams and Laveranues Coles will continue to be the kick returners Sunday.
“I don’t think we’ll have any change in how we’re using people right now,” Groh said. “We had a pretty good performance in that area last week, so we’ll probably leave things the way they were last week.
“I just like Dwight Stone,” Groh said. “He’s everything a guy should be – high-minded, competitive, always prepared. To say he’s the consummate professional would be to one-dimensional. He’s the consummate person. I just really wanted him back, and the circumstances presented themselves where we could do that.”
