Sideline Gate: NY Jets Edition

[pbmax]

Ever wonder what Special Teams coaches do to improve punt returns?

Look at the 26 second mark to see not just Sal Alosi but six total NY Jet inactive players, staff or assistants lined up as close as possible to the sideline in a neat little formation. It also appears they are as close to the endzone as the little white line permits.

Florio at PFT has a source who tells him that veteran special teams players can arrange this phalanx so that coaches have plausible deniability. That group is too neatly aligned, with no one else even close to them, for this to be an accident. Has anyone ever seen another team do this? The Jets can't be the first. Their special teams coach used to work for the Dolphins.

For a further hint, watch the guy immediately to Alosi's right. He seems like he turns his left shoulder in toward the field of play. Its a nice move, as it looks like he doesn't even see the gunner and that he is watching the ball travel down the field.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/12/13/league-jets-mum-on-alosi-for-now/

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/12/14/league-not-investigating-whether-alosi-alignment-was-coached/


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h32GjasxOvU

[Patler]

To be honest, I don't have a problem with the individuals standing where they did. Deliberately extending his knee to trip the gunner is wrong, but how far from the field of play should the gunner have free access to? They will use every bit they can, so the problem will never go away.

As long as the team personnel are within their designated area, I don't care if they stand with their toes right up to, but not over the line. They are allowed to be there.

[pbmax]

I love that they are all alone. Its seems like everyone knows what is coming. And that is a heck of a temptation, given that they are a yard out of bounds and the player is still crossing right in front of them.

And I suppose this is in response to gunners using any contact as an excuse to get out of bounds and around the blockers.

[Patler]

I love that they are all alone. Its seems like everyone knows what is coming. And that is a heck of a temptation, given that they are a yard out of bounds and the player is still crossing right in front of them.

And I suppose this is in response to gunners using any contact as an excuse to get out of bounds and around the blockers.

Ya, had the gunner run into one of them, they probably would have toppled like dominoes on top of him.