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Kickoff coverage test

By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff December 13, 2007 07:49 AM

When the Patriots host the Jets on Sunday, one key area will be kickoff coverage.

New York's Leon Washington has a league-high three kickoff returns for touchdowns and ranks second in the NFL with an average of 28.5 yards per kickoff return.

With that in mind, here is a look at the 11 players who comprised the Patriots' kickoff coverage unit in their most recent game, a win over Pittsburgh:

LB Eric Alexander
S Willie Andrews
RB Kyle Eckel
RB/FB Heath Evans
K Stephen Gostkowski
S Rodney Harrison
LB Larry Izzo
S Brandon Meriweather
S Mel Mitchell
WR Kelley Washington
LB Pierre Woods*

(* leads team with 19 special teams tackles)

3 comments so far...

  1. What worries me the most is whether the Pats will even be able to see Leon through the snow. I HATE to think that lousy passing conditions will not only keep the score down but increase the presently minuscule odds of an upset. YIKES!!

    Posted by Petulant Paul December 13, 07 08:04 AM
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  1. Hey, its not only going to be difficult to see Leon but any passing advantantage will disappear as well. Yes, Pats are at home and used to playing in the muck but so are the Jets. Hang on!

    Posted by Jay Ramsey December 13, 07 10:43 AM
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  1. I disagree that any passing advantage will disappear because the quaterback and the receiver know when and where to be which gives them an advantage over the defense which has to guess and react. If vision is limited that makes it only worse for the DB. Can we all agree Brady 9-0 in snow hasn't really had too much of a problem in the snow. Also it won't be muck like the dolphin steelers game because the stadium is field turf not natural grass. It may be slushy which also gives the receivers an advantage over DB's who have to back pedal and twist around to cover down field.

    Posted by larry December 13, 07 03:18 PM
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