Wilson is Westhoff's Man...
Jets cornerback Kyle Wilson practices during a rookie minicamp at the Jets training center in Florham Park, N.J. (May 1, 2010) Credit: James A. Escher
From the moment Mike Westhoff laid eyes on Kyle Wilson, he knew he had a ready-made punt returner. Wilson was athletic and explosive with great body control. And Westhoff was sold. But the Darrelle Revis soap opera, complete with a 36-day holdout, abruptly altered everyone’s plans.
But now that Revis is back, Westhoff sees promise in Wilson’s special teams potential.
“Absolutely," the coordinator said, when asked if Wilson would assume punt return duties. “Since the day he arrived, he's done that. Now, we didn’t use him in the preseason games because we were just so concerned – although, frankly I’m not necessarily totally of that thinking, but I understand it. It doesn’t mean I believe it, but I understand it. We were so concerned about the burden that was on him as a corner that we didn’t want to put too much on his plate. Plus we also wanted to see what Larry [Taylor] and Joe [McKnight] would do as punt returners. So we gave them the brunt of the work.”
Wilson and safety Jim Leonhard will share the punt returning responsibilities.
Westhoff also expressed his disappointment with veteran wide receiver David Clowney, who was released Sunday after spending the past three seasons with the Jets.
“I gave him the job,” said Westhoff, “and he didn't hold it.”
