When Jets punter Steve Weatherford kicked the ball 12 yards on a punt against the New England Patriots on Monday night, he walked to the team's sideline immediately. He considered the winds blowing across the field and tried to move on.
"You can go through technically nine million things, but the bottom line was that it was a lousy punt," special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff said. "It shouldn't happen. He's had a very good year, but he didn't get the drop you want and it was affected by the wind. He shanked it off to the side. Frustrating."
Weatherford maintained that it was a mis-hit and nothing more.
"I don't feel like I'm melting down," Weatherford said by his locker Friday.
Weatherford, ranked fifth in the NFL for net yards per punt with an average of 39.5, said he and place kicker Nick Folk are adapting to the cold and windy conditions of December. The two practiced at the New Meadowlands Stadium on Thursday to further acclimate themselves to the first-year confines.
"It was actually a little windier at the practice facility, but it's good to get some extra attempts in there," Weatherford said, noting that the wind should be "really irrelevant."
A serious weight lifter and confident presence in the locker room, Weatherford, now in his fifth season and playing for his fourth team, boomed a 61-yard punt against Miami in September that resulted in a fair catch. It was the longest of his season.
"The good thing about this weather is that I'm used to it," said Weatherford, who joined the Jets in 2009. "(Dolphins kicker) Brandon Fields will have to adjust, too."
With field position becoming more and more of a priority with the offense struggling to get started, Weatherford recognizes his role in righting his approach.
"Whoever can win the battle is going to help their team," Weatherford said.
WOODY'S FINE LINE
Right tackle Damien Woody (knee) is expected to play for the third straight week with a sore knee, but his injury status has not spared him from being the subject of locker-room jokes.
Typically, his name appears atop his locker stall at the team's facility, but Friday, his name appeared as "Waldo," a joke ostensibly aimed at his absence from active practice in recent days. He is listed as questionable on the official injury report. ... Rookie Joe McKnight, who was drafted as a tailback and return man from USC last April, has found motivation from the success of New England Patriots tailback Danny Woodhead, who was cut by the Jets following their season-opening loss to the Ravens. Rex Ryan mentioned McKnight is "ready to get more opportunities." ... Safety James Ihedigbo (knee and ankle) said he is undergoing treatment from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the team's facility each day. He suffered both injuries during the loss in New England. Ryan would not rule him out for next week's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. ... WR Santonio Holmes (back) was the only addition to the injury report. He was listed as probable for the game.
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