When Jets coach Rex Ryan looked at the practice field Monday he saw Jeremy Kerley fielding punts from the team’s Juggs machine. The players had the day off after winning in Washington on Sunday, but Kerley took some time to put in extra work.
A day earlier, Kerley muffed a punt against the Redskins and lost his job as the primary punt returner. Ryan said the team will turn back to Jim Leonhard, whose sure hands he hopes solves the team’s special teams turnover problems. The Jets have six fumbled returns this season.
Kerley hopes he gets another chance.
“I’ll keep catching balls [in practice], keep working hard and hopefully I can take back the job,” he said.
The rookie from TCU made sure he praised Leonhard and said he is not upset that Ryan is going with Leonhard. He understands. He is frustrated that he dropped the ball Sunday.
“It’s very frustrating,” Kerley said. “I see myself as one of the most sure-handed guys on the team, so when I dropped the punt, it hurt.”