[ad_1]
The Jets cut kicker Sam Ficken on Saturday in a somewhat surprised move.
Ficken, in nine games this season for the Jets, made 13 of 15 field goal attempts and finished 12 of 15 with extra points. He blocked two shots on goal last week against the Browns, a field goal attempt and a point attempt after. Ficken has missed five games with a groin injury this year after kicking in 15 games for the Jets in 2019.
Chase McLaughlin will be the New England kicker in Sunday’s season finale. The Jets claimed McLaughlin of waivers from the Jaguars last month, but he didn’t appear in a game for them. McLaughlin has played three games for Jacksonville this season and has gone 4 for 5 with field goals and 3 for 4 with extra points. He will be the third kicker used by the Jets this season.
The Jets blocked two kicks last week, which infuriated special teams coordinator Brant Boyer. Ficken had an extra point attempt and a blocked basket try.
“It’s a rated kids’ show, so I’ll try to temper what I’m saying here,” Boyer said. “It was a collaboration of things. We gave up a little too much pressure on the inside, a little low kick, and then had to submit a guy at the last second to get him in there on the second. I think we can certainly do a better job.
All this stops the inner pressure. They didn’t have that much pressure, and that’s the problem, not enough to generally block a kick. So, we definitely need to fix this before this week. Obviously, that can never happen, and it has happened twice in one game. So, needless to say, I’m not happy for sure.
The Jets activated guard Greg Van Roten out of the injured reserve on Saturday. He should start at the right guard, where he started for the Jets’ first 12 games of the season. He sustained a turf toe injury that put him on casualty reserve on December 12 … Cornerback Bless Austin was ruled out after missing this week with a non-COVID-19 illness. Lamar Jackson is expected to start in his place.
The Jets also signed DL Tanzel Smart and LB Sharif Finch to the active roster of the practice squad. They bred Practice Team LBs Noah Dawkins and Brady Sheldon.
Jets rookie WR Denzel Mims had a quiet game last week against the Browns, which went without a grip for the first time in a game this season.
Mims has had a rookie year of ups and downs that was hampered by hamstring injuries early on. He showed the ability that saw the Jets take him in the second round out of Baylor, but he hasn’t had a monster game yet. Could that happen on Sunday against the Patriots?
The Jets said there were reasons he was being held without a hold by Cleveland.
“I think there were a couple of things that – the coverage dictates where the ball goes,” said offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. “Obviously the guys on the inside had a bigger game [Jamison] Crowder, [Braxton] Berrios and [TE Chris] Herndon. I think we had eight targets for the away guys and we were 0 for 8. There were some contested balls, a few go routes that were thrown. Sometimes a game turns like this and when the ball comes out towards your guys they have to make contested plays. And when you’re not making those games, sometimes your stats line won’t be as good. “
Mims has 22 catches for 342 yards in eight games this season. He’s still looking for his first touchdown.
[ad_2]
Source link