The numbers behind Jets punter Austin McNamara's breakout season

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Austin McNamara was a punter looking for work last year, but he wasn’t unemployed. He had a part-time job, working the phones at an automobile finance company as he waited for NFL teams to call him.

In between shifts, the 6-4 McNamara would spend hours in the gym lifting or on an Arizona football field preparing for when his phone rang.

Using an almost scientific approach in his training, McNamara would punt the ball over and over and focus on “matching hang time, distance, field ratio and [directing it] outside the numbers.”

It was time well spent. McNamara proved he was more than ready when the Jets called in March. He beat out Kai Kroeger for the punting job and has been a bright spot in another dark season for the franchise.

McNamara, an undrafted rookie out of Texas Tech, is among the NFL leaders in many categories and on pace to do things no Jets punter has done.

“He is a weapon, and I call him a weapon,” coach Aaron Glenn said. “We call him our sniper, because he has the ability to flip the field for us at any given time.”

Pinning teams back in their territory by booming punts that give his teammates ample time to get down the field and cover has been the norm. But the Jets haven’t taken advantage because of their defensive troubles. They’re allowing the seventh-most points in the NFL.

McNamara arguably has been the Jets’ MVP this season. He has had 24 punts downed inside the 20-yard line and forced 19 fair catches. Both are tied for the third most.

Teams are averaging 6.7 yards per return, the second fewest behind Washington. McNamara’s net average (43.5) and opponents’ starting field position (their 21.7) are the best in franchise history.

“Mac is punting the hell out of the ball,” said gunner Qwan’tez Stiggers, who recovered a fumble at the 2 on a McNamara punt against Atlanta. “He’s doing a good job with his field ratio and just giving us a chance to cover and make plays.”

McNamara, 24, learned how to punt by watching YouTube videos before his freshman year of high school. A quick learner, McNamara averaged 45.91 yards per punt at Texas Tech, which is the highest in Big 12 history and 10th all-time in the FBS.

He was in Bengals training camp last year but was cut in August. McNamara worked out for more than a dozen teams before the Jets called. They’re absolutely glad they did.

“He's done a great job taking care of the whole unit,” special teams coordinator Chris Banjo said. “Putting those guys in position to make plays. Putting the team in a good position by flipping the field.”

McNamara has had eight punts downed inside the 10, tied for seventh most. He was named November’s AFC Special Teams Player of the Month after 11 of his 20 punts were downed inside the 20. The Jets limited teams to only 14 return yards in November.

McNamara, who gives credit to his coaches and teammates, is getting some Pro Bowl hype, and deservedly so.

“It's amazing,” McNamara said. “I know what it was like when I wasn't on a team last year, and so I'm grateful just to be on a team and be able to play. But I want to have success and do well. That's how you keep your job.”

McNamara’s job is safe.

He seems unfazed by the often windy conditions inside MetLife Stadium. Playing in Lubbock, Texas, McNamara is no stranger to wind and he knows how to account for it.

McNamara drops the ball “a little lower, that way I can impact it sooner.” The longer the drop the greater the chance of the wind affecting it. In the Jets' seven games this season at MetLife Stadium, McNamara has had 15 punts downed inside the 20.

Like many players at his position, McNamara has a grading system for his punts based on distance, hang time and landing spots.

His “A Ball” is 48 to 51 yards. His “B Ball” is in the 46-yard range and “where I try to live,” McNamara said. The “C-Ball” is below that with little hang time. The conditions can lead to that.

McNamara is proud to say he hasn’t had many Cs. By McNamara’s estimation, his punts have been in the “B-plus range” for most of the season.

“I've hit a lot of really good balls,” McNamara said. “I'm really confident in my ball striking and I feel like I'm in a good groove right now and just trying to gain confidence each week. But I feel like I'm right in that sweet spot right now.”

McNamara has put the Jets’ defense in a sweet spot often this season. They've just failed to take advantage of it.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.