Post by kentuckyjet on Dec 20, 2014 14:10:23 GMT -5
STS*: The Ball Keeps Finding T.J. Graham
Posted 3 hours ago
TJ Brennan
Jets WR Has Found an Important Role on of Latching Onto Opponents' Fumbled Kicks
Maybe it’s his wide receiver instincts kicking in, but T.J. Graham has developed a knack for finding the ball on special teams, having recovered three opponents’ fumbled kicks this season.
Graham currently has the most special teams fumble recoveries by any Jet in a season since Chris Burkett, who, like Graham, was wide receiver originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills, recovered four fumbles 23 years ago during the 1991 season. .
Graham’s three special teams recoveries are also tied for the second-most by any player in his Jets career. Only Burkett (5) has more in a career.
For even more perspective on Graham’s accomplishment, in 2013 the Jets recovered two opponents’ fumbles for the entire season.
“It’s definitely not something I expect to get. It’s just about being around the ball,” he said. “Any time you pursue the ball and the ball is on the ground and you’re around it, hopefully you have a chance to get on it. Thankfully I’ve been close enough to get to the ball.”
The three recoveries have come in the last five weeks in games against the Steelers, Vikings and Titans. Last week’s recovery of former Jet Leon Washington’s muff on a free kick, Graham said, is the most memorable because of what he went through to come out with the ball.
“That’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in any level of football. My fingers were jacked up for the next couple of series,” Graham said. “My forearms were cramping because I was trying to grip the ball so hard. I was just lucky to fall into it, played my technique and pursued the ball as hard as I could.”
While the Jets didn’t come away with points on their ensuing possession, Graham’s recovery against the Titans flipped field position. The defense forced a 3-and-out and the Jets scored their first points of the game on the next series.
Before this season, Graham hadn’t played on any special teams unit in his career other than being a returner. His first snap on special teams in which he wasn’t a returner came against San Diego, six days after he signed with the Jets.
Graham said special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey put him in as a gunner on punt formations and told him to play fast and make plays, something Graham has taken to heart. He’s third on the team with nine special teams tackles. He hadn’t played in a defensive role since his high school days at Wakefield High School in Raleigh, NC.
“He tells me to play fast all the time,” Graham said. “The more plays you make, the more the team depends on you, so I’ve taken more ownership on going out there and making plays and being around the ball.”
McGaughey said Graham has been able to utilize his speed on special teams, one of the main reasons he's able to be around the ball.
“He’s playing hard, running fast. That’s it. He’s a guy that came in off the street and just assimilated to the room and he’s just been playing his tail off,” McGaughey said. “He’s done a good job, he really has. He just plays hard. He’s a very talented young man that plays hard and he’s tough, he’s scrappy. For a wide receiver, you can’t ask for anything more than that guy.”
Posted 3 hours ago
TJ Brennan
Jets WR Has Found an Important Role on of Latching Onto Opponents' Fumbled Kicks
Maybe it’s his wide receiver instincts kicking in, but T.J. Graham has developed a knack for finding the ball on special teams, having recovered three opponents’ fumbled kicks this season.
Graham currently has the most special teams fumble recoveries by any Jet in a season since Chris Burkett, who, like Graham, was wide receiver originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills, recovered four fumbles 23 years ago during the 1991 season. .
Graham’s three special teams recoveries are also tied for the second-most by any player in his Jets career. Only Burkett (5) has more in a career.
For even more perspective on Graham’s accomplishment, in 2013 the Jets recovered two opponents’ fumbles for the entire season.
“It’s definitely not something I expect to get. It’s just about being around the ball,” he said. “Any time you pursue the ball and the ball is on the ground and you’re around it, hopefully you have a chance to get on it. Thankfully I’ve been close enough to get to the ball.”
The three recoveries have come in the last five weeks in games against the Steelers, Vikings and Titans. Last week’s recovery of former Jet Leon Washington’s muff on a free kick, Graham said, is the most memorable because of what he went through to come out with the ball.
“That’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in any level of football. My fingers were jacked up for the next couple of series,” Graham said. “My forearms were cramping because I was trying to grip the ball so hard. I was just lucky to fall into it, played my technique and pursued the ball as hard as I could.”
While the Jets didn’t come away with points on their ensuing possession, Graham’s recovery against the Titans flipped field position. The defense forced a 3-and-out and the Jets scored their first points of the game on the next series.
Before this season, Graham hadn’t played on any special teams unit in his career other than being a returner. His first snap on special teams in which he wasn’t a returner came against San Diego, six days after he signed with the Jets.
Graham said special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey put him in as a gunner on punt formations and told him to play fast and make plays, something Graham has taken to heart. He’s third on the team with nine special teams tackles. He hadn’t played in a defensive role since his high school days at Wakefield High School in Raleigh, NC.
“He tells me to play fast all the time,” Graham said. “The more plays you make, the more the team depends on you, so I’ve taken more ownership on going out there and making plays and being around the ball.”
McGaughey said Graham has been able to utilize his speed on special teams, one of the main reasons he's able to be around the ball.
“He’s playing hard, running fast. That’s it. He’s a guy that came in off the street and just assimilated to the room and he’s just been playing his tail off,” McGaughey said. “He’s done a good job, he really has. He just plays hard. He’s a very talented young man that plays hard and he’s tough, he’s scrappy. For a wide receiver, you can’t ask for anything more than that guy.”
