Greg Zuerlein has ‘lot to prove’ as he looks to win Jets’ job

Ed Sheeran sings that his dangerous habits result in late nights ending alone and that he has nothing left to lose. 

Greg Zuerlein’s “dangerous habits” led to the Jets and one thing to win. 

After biking by 11 kickers over the previous three seasons — together with a outstanding seven in regular-season video games — the Jets signed Zuerlein to a one-year, $2.75 million contract in March. For the primary time in an 11-year profession beforehand spent with the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys, Zuerlein is altering particular groups coordinators and studying underneath Brant Boyer as a substitute of John Fassel. 

“After I first began taking a look at completely different groups, Coach Boyer referred to as and I favored every part he was about,” Zuerlein informed The Submit. “From the skin, I knew the Jets’ particular groups have been actually good underneath him and that was interesting. He and Coach Fassel are comparable in the way in which they each go about teaching guys in what is predicted of them. I’ve been very impressed with what he’s educating and the way he handles kickers to date.” 

The Jets’ particular groups have positioned within the high 13 within the NFL in Rick Gosselin’s industry-standard rankings 3 times previously 4 years (together with No. 1 in 2018), however kicking has been the weak hyperlink since Jason Myers left in free company earlier than the 2019 season. Signing Zuerlein appeared like a easy resolution … however not so quick. 

The Jets had been sincere with the 34-year-old Zuerlein about their intention to additionally re-sign Eddy Pineiro — the transactions got here two days aside — and create a real place battle between two veterans, in contrast to a yr in the past when Sam Ficken, Matt Ammendola and Chris Naggar (none of them on NFL rosters as we speak) had been up for the job. 

Boyer stated the competitors was “neck and neck” with no “front-runner” by organized workforce actions. Pineiro transformed all eight of his discipline targets for the Jets late final season. 

“It doesn’t matter who else is in camp: You might be competing in opposition to all different kickers within the league, all different kickers not within the league and most significantly in opposition to your self,” Zuerlein stated. “You might be at all times simply making an attempt to be one of the best model of your self. This spring is all about bettering. I really feel like I’ve loads to show.” 

Since he was named First Group All-Professional in 2017 and kicked the Rams into the Tremendous Bowl on the finish of the 2018 season, Zuerlein has endured three inconsistent seasons and a second again surgical procedure. 

“I haven’t been my greatest for one purpose or one other, however these are all simply excuses,” Zuerlein stated. “I do know I could be a lot higher than what I’ve proven not too long ago.” 

Nicknamed “Greg the Leg” for vary that included a 61-yarder in 2015, Zuerlein made 83.5 p.c of his discipline targets from 2012-18. He slipped to 79.8 p.c from 2019-21, prompting his launch from the Cowboys in March. 

“Zuerlein matches proper into our room and has accomplished a improbable job to date,” Boyer stated. “I believe his again is okay. I don’t see any points that he’s had since he’s been right here. He’s accomplished every part I requested him to do.” 

Actuality is that again surgical procedures in 2018 and 2021 performed a serious position in Zuerlein’s downturn. 

“You get into dangerous habits kicking by ache as a result of should you kick such as you usually do it’s going to harm, so you discover different methods to make the kicks,” Zuerlein stated. “I needed to have photographs to have the ability to play after I bought harm mid-year [in 2020] and had two practices earlier than the primary sport final yr. I really feel nice proper now. I’m making an attempt to get again to being my regular self, swinging with confidence and placing them by the pipes.” 

That’s trickier within the Northeast than open air in Los Angeles or indoors in St. Louis or Arlington, Texas. Besides, as Boyer was nicely conscious, Zuerlein arrives with the consolation of getting gone 13-for-13 on discipline targets and 7-for-9 on PATs in his profession at MetLife Stadium. 

“It’s at all times windy out right here,” Zuerlein stated from the observe discipline. “That’s the very first thing I observed. It’s not going to be ideally suited day by day out right here and you’ll most likely miss some kicks. Having this problem, I believe, will assistance on Sundays.” 

If he wins the job.