Weatherford latest in Jets' string of punters
Photo credit: Getty/Scott Boehm | CHICAGO, IL- DECEMBER 30: Punter Steve Weatherford #7 of the New Orleans Saints punts the football against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 30, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Saints 33-25. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Steve Weatherford had heard about Reggie Hodges' preseason struggles and decided to give him a ring last week, offering words of encouragement and a little bit of consolation.
So imagine when Weatherford answered his phone the other day and the Jets were on the line, wanting to bring him in for a workout - after Hodges was cut by the Jets on Saturday. Does the word awkward come to mind?
"I hope he's not thinking that I called him last week to check on the job, because I still had one at the time," Weatherford said with a smile Tuesday after the Jets held their first practice of the week in preparation for Sunday's season opener in Houston. "But he's a great guy. He really is, and I wish the best for him."
Hodges' days had long been numbered throughout training camp because of his inconsistency. Weatherford is the latest person to walk through the revolving punting door, one that has provided a total of seven punters on the roster since Rex Ryan took over as coach in January. Weatherford worked out Monday along with A.J. Trapasso, whom the Jets claimed off waivers from the Titans just a day earlier, at the team's training facility at 9 a.m. The Jets decided to go with the four-year veteran over the undrafted rookie.
Weatherford's career average is 43.5 yards and he spent his first two seasons with the Saints before splitting time with New Orleans, Kansas City and Jacksonville last season. He was cut by the Jaguars on Sunday, and with the way the Jets have been going through punters, he might be wise to rent.
"I think they are just looking for a guy to come out here and be consistent," Weatherford said. "They don't need a guy to come out here and hit 70-yard punts because if you do, I'm not your guy. I'm going to come out here and hit the ball 45 yards every time. I'm going to give you some good hang time, and I'm doing my job and going home."
Said Ryan: "We might not need a home run every time from a guy, but we need some singles. That's what we're looking for. We just need a consistent pro. Knock it out there and we'll go cover it. I think we have outstanding coverage teams."
It didn't take Weatherford long to adjust to his new surroundings. He said he was already familiar with about 12 of the players once he stepped into the locker room, and he has played with more than a few of them.
"Being a kicker or a punter, we're kind of the traveling type of guys," Weatherford said. "So I've gotten to know a lot of guys over the years. It's not like I feel like a rookie going in and I don't know anybody. I'm overly comfortable with Jay [Feely], and Dearth does a great job snapping. So I feel like I just switched kickers, and snappers and helmets, and I'm ready to go. I'm excited to be here."
Notes & quotes: DE Mike Devito (hamstring) was limited in practice but said he'll be ready to play against the Texans . . . RB Shonn Greene (ribs) practiced and proclaimed himself available for Sunday . . . The Jets re-signed RB Danny Woodhead and placed him on the practice squad, waiving FB Jehuu Caulcrick to make room for him. They also signed LB Ryan Fowler and released FB Jason Davis.
