Giants punter fires back at Jets' Westhoff
New York Giants place holder Steve Weatherford celebrates after his team scored a game winning field field during overtime of the NFC Championship. (Jan. 22, 2012) Credit: AP
Taped inside Steve Weatherford's locker all season has been a headline from a September story in which Jets special-teams coach Mike Westhoff said Weatherford "wasn't good enough" to punt for the Jets at the end of last season.
Yesterday, two days after making some key plays to help the Giants reach the Super Bowl, Weatherford took a shot at his former coach. When asked why he was having a better season this year, he said it wasn't always easy to play for Westhoff.
"I think a lot of [my improvement] has to do with playing for Tom Quinn and being comfortable and being confident and being strong," Weatherford said of the Giants' special- teams coordinator. "Playing for the Jets and playing for that positional coach was draining, difficult and physically taxing."
It isn't often that a punter becomes a story line in a big-time win, or any win, for that matter. But that's exactly what happened Sunday after Weatherford held the ball for Lawrence Tynes' overtime field goal in the 20-17 NFC Championship Game win over the 49ers.
Weatherford's celebration has become a mini-sensation on YouTube as he raced around the field like a maniac, swearing and screaming that his team was going to the Super Bowl.
"It feels great to finally make it," said Weatherford, who was 0-3 in conference championship games. "And it feels great to go with the Giants."
Weatherford went to the AFC title game with the Jets the previous two seasons, but they did not re-sign him, and he landed with the Giants on a one-year deal. Before the season, Westhoff ripped his former punter, calling him out for being 23rd in average (42.6). This season he averaged 45.7 yards, tied for 15th.
"There were times when he just didn't do his job," Westhoff said. "I was looking to get better than what he did at that point in time . . . Wasn't good enough, in my opinion."
Weatherford was certainly good enough Sunday, averaging 46.4 yards on 12 kicks and placing two inside the 20-yard line.
His biggest punt came in overtime, when his 37-yarder to Kyle Williams had enough hang time to let the Giants' coverage team get down the field and pressure the returner. Jacquian Williams forced a fumble that Devin Thomas recovered to set up Tynes' kick. Weatherford also showed good hands on Zak DeOssie's low snap, catching and positioning the ball.
Tynes is dumbfounded by Westhoff's negative comments, especially considering Weatherford set a record in 2010 by putting 42 punts inside the 20.
Said Tynes: "That's the worst statement of the year by any coach in this game. That guy, how could you say that? He just broke an NFL record for your team and you throw him under the bus. We're glad to have him. Mike Westhoff is a great coach, but I certainly think he missed on that one."
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