After bringing in multiple kickers for tryouts earlier this week, the Jets still have faith in Greg Zuerlein despite his multiple doinks on field-goal attempts in the second half of Monday’s 3-point loss to the Bills.
“The more I’m around Greg since he’s been here, there’s not a guy that cares more than that guy,” special teams coach Brant Boyer said Thursday. “There’s not a guy that takes more pride in his job than that guy. He knows he’s got to make those kicks, but at the end of the day, it’s on us as a group. We’ve gotta do more as a unit to come through in those times.
“But to be honest with you, I have not lost faith in Greg at all.”
Zuerlein has made 8 of 12 field goal attempts through the Jets’ 2-4 start ahead of Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh.
But he missed a potential game-winner in the closing seconds in a 10-9 loss to Denver in Week 2, and hit the left upright with tries of 32 yards and 43 yards in the second half against the Bills.
“He’s hurting, which anybody would be, but that’s on me as a coach and we all gotta improve,” Boyer said. “There is no discussion right now about anything else but him being as good as he can be and digging himself out of this hole, and I have full confidence that he’ll do that.”
Veteran left tackle and eight-time Pro Bowler Tyron Smith had a rough game Monday night, including a key holding penalty at the goal line that negated a touchdown by Braelon Allen in the third quarter.
“I don’t have concern with Tyron. He’s an All-Pro-level player. He knows how to fix little technique things that come up,” passing coordinator Todd Browning said. “I don’t think there’s a guy in that offensive meeting room who doesn’t think he could’ve done better on a couple of plays out there, so I believe he’ll get the necessary adjustments made and we’ll be off and rolling.”
With Chuck Clark (ankle) placed on injured reserve Wednesday, the Jets signed safety Marquise Blair to the practice squad. They also waived tight end Brenden Bates.