Westhoff: Firing Bobby April A Case Of Cowardice

[flgreen]

Ex-coach Mike Westhoff: Firing Bobby April a case of 'cowardice' by Jets

Bobby April wasn't given time or resources to improve the Jets' special-teams unit, said NFL analyst Mike Westhoff. Al Pereira/Getty Images for New York Jets
Jan 8, 2016
Rich Cimini
ESPN Staff Writer

No, retired special-teams coach Mike Westhoff isn't interested in returning to the New York Jets (they haven't asked), but the outspoken former coach has strong feelings about the job opening.

“I don’t like the fact that only after one year you would fire Bobby April,” Westhoff said Thursday on ESPN New York 98.7, which pays him as an analyst. “I know him, but it’s not like this is a friend of mine. I’m very disappointed in the fact that happened. Frankly, I’ll tell you exactly how I feel. I think it’s cowardice. And that’s a one-word synonym for the two-word phrase I really think.”

Westhoff continued, essentially saying coach Todd Bowles made April the scapegoat for failing to make the playoffs.

“You can’t let Buffalo beat you twice if you think you’re good enough to play in the playoffs. You can’t do that,” Westhoff said. “But anyways, what (firing April) says to me is: 'Well, we’ve got to blame somebody. So, let’s blame these guys.'"

Westhoff acknowledged the Jets had "a tough year" on special teams. That's an understatement, as they finished in the bottom-five in most of the major statistical categories.

While praising Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan for making "tremendous moves" that "fortified this football team," Westhoff added, "They didn’t do anything with special teams. They did nothing. Zero. So why would you think it’d be that good?

“Maybe if there were some things we don’t know, maybe some mandates that they asked and didn’t get done. Well, then I understand that. But you know, you gave the guy a chance, you gave him one year and you didn’t do anything to help him out. What makes you think all of a sudden they’re going to be pretty good? It’s not going to happen.”

There's some legitimacy to what Westhoff said, especially with regard to the lack of personnel, but there's another factor at play: Bowles already has a potential replacement in mind. As soon as he fired April, the first name that jumped into my head was Keith Armstrong, the Atlanta Falcons' special-teams coach. Bowles and Armstrong were teammates at Temple in the 1980s. Bowles tried to hire him last year, but was blocked by the Falcons. This time, Armstrong's contract reportedly is expiring, so he'll be a free agent unless he re-ups with Atlanta.

Don't be surprised if there's an Owl reunion at One Jets Drive.

 

[LGM]

Westhoff= Bitter, old, angry

 

[Mainejet]

Ex-coach Mike Westhoff: Firing Bobby April a case of 'cowardice' by Jets

Bobby April wasn't given time or resources to improve the Jets' special-teams unit, said NFL analyst Mike Westhoff. Al Pereira/Getty Images for New York Jets
Jan 8, 2016
Rich Cimini
ESPN Staff Writer

No, retired special-teams coach Mike Westhoff isn't interested in returning to the New York Jets (they haven't asked), but the outspoken former coach has strong feelings about the job opening.

“I don’t like the fact that only after one year you would fire Bobby April,” Westhoff said Thursday on ESPN New York 98.7, which pays him as an analyst. “I know him, but it’s not like this is a friend of mine. I’m very disappointed in the fact that happened. Frankly, I’ll tell you exactly how I feel. I think it’s cowardice. And that’s a one-word synonym for the two-word phrase I really think.”

Westhoff continued, essentially saying coach Todd Bowles made April the scapegoat for failing to make the playoffs.

“You can’t let Buffalo beat you twice if you think you’re good enough to play in the playoffs. You can’t do that,” Westhoff said. “But anyways, what (firing April) says to me is: 'Well, we’ve got to blame somebody. So, let’s blame these guys.'"

Westhoff acknowledged the Jets had "a tough year" on special teams. That's an understatement, as they finished in the bottom-five in most of the major statistical categories.

While praising Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan for making "tremendous moves" that "fortified this football team," Westhoff added, "They didn’t do anything with special teams. They did nothing. Zero. So why would you think it’d be that good?

“Maybe if there were some things we don’t know, maybe some mandates that they asked and didn’t get done. Well, then I understand that. But you know, you gave the guy a chance, you gave him one year and you didn’t do anything to help him out. What makes you think all of a sudden they’re going to be pretty good? It’s not going to happen.”

There's some legitimacy to what Westhoff said, especially with regard to the lack of personnel, but there's another factor at play: Bowles already has a potential replacement in mind. As soon as he fired April, the first name that jumped into my head was Keith Armstrong, the Atlanta Falcons' special-teams coach. Bowles and Armstrong were teammates at Temple in the 1980s. Bowles tried to hire him last year, but was blocked by the Falcons. This time, Armstrong's contract reportedly is expiring, so he'll be a free agent unless he re-ups with Atlanta.

Don't be surprised if there's an Owl reunion at One Jets Drive.

WOW. I never figured Westhoff would be that totally honest? I appreciate his candor. I also find it rather predictable that the first post in this thread by a sold out Jets fan no less (go figure) posts that Westhoff is bitter, old, and angry. Talk about nonsensical.

Westhoff is not bitter, old, and angry. He's just a guy that takes a no BS approach to the game. He tells it like it is. It's a wonderful and refreshing approach. It's a breath of fresh air.

Now, personally I thought Bob April just sucked as our ST coordinator. I thought it was just a bad hire. But let me tell you, I'd much sooner take the word of a sure fire hall of fame coordinator (if they ever start inducting them), before I would ever take the word of a guy who strokes the NYJ daily.

The fact is, Todd Bowles sucked a fat one in the Buffalo game. He got owned and there is no other way to put it. We had the better QB. We had the better RB. We had the better overall offense. We had the better overall defense. But none of that mattered in the Buffalo. It was all about coaching. Rex Ryan got way more out of his Buffalo Bills than Todd Bowles got out of the NYJ. Todd Bowles cost us the playoffs.

All I am doing is acknowledging the obvious when I ask the following question:

Be honest. That's probably too hard for most of you, but I know a few will actually answer the question honestly....

How many here were questioning Todd Bowles coaching ability when the Jets had just lost to the Texans (with no QB no less) and the team had just sunk to 5-5???

The fact is, what Mike Westhoff said is probably correct. It's common in all walks of life for people to find fall guys when sh*t f*cks up. If you know naval history at all, you might know about a ship called the USS Indianapolis. It was the ship that delivered the first Atomic bomb that was eventually dropped on Hiroshima Japan. After successfully, delivering the payload the ship was hit by two torpedoes in the south Phillipine Sea. The torpedoes immediately took the ships ability to communicate with big navy. On top of that, no one knew that the ship was out to sea because their mission was so top secret. Approximately, 900 men floated in the Sea for about 5 days. They died from exposure, delirium, and shark attacks.

When all the smoke cleared, the US government blamed the Captain when there was absolutely nothing he could have done to avoid the disaster. They threw him in jail as all the survivors were UNANIMOUSLY on the Captains side. After 18 years in jail, the Captain dressed up in his Navy uniform and popped himself in the head with his side arm. He was finally cleared of all wrongdoing in 2004 after the crew continually fought to get his name cleared.

His conviction was one of the worst miscarriages of justice the US may have ever seen.

The point is, people find "fall guys" all the time, it's a world renowned practice in the workplace.

Moreover, WHO would know more about the inner workings of the team? Every preseason the guy is standing on the sideline talking with the coaches and the players. He has intimate access to the team that you or I could never even hope to get.

Truth be told, Todd Bowles is a rookie HC. It's probably not uncommon for rookie Head Coaches to get outcoached quite a bit in their first season. Honestly, I thought prior to the season that Todd Bowles would lose all 4 games against the Bills and Patsies. Well, the fact that the Jets did win one game against those two opponents means he's actually slightly ahead of schedule. But make no mistake about it, Todd Bowles sucks as a HC and Mike Westhoff just acknowledged the elephant in the room.

 

[JohnnyBaseball1]

This is a results oriented league and we all know it and Westhoff knows it too. Of course April was at risk of being fired, our special teams was pure crap, and that's just the way it is - your unit plays like crap all season, you probably get fired. Nothing unusual about that whatsoever.

 

[flgreen]

WOW. I never figured Westhoff would be that totally honest? I appreciate his candor. I also find it rather predictable that the first post in this thread by a sold out Jets fan no less (go figure) posts that Westhoff is bitter, old, and angry. Talk about nonsensical.

Westhoff is not bitter, old, and angry. He's just a guy that takes a no BS approach to the game. He tells it like it is. It's a wonderful and refreshing approach. It's a breath of fresh air.

Now, personally I thought Bob April just sucked as our ST coordinator. I thought it was just a bad hire. But let me tell you, I'd much sooner take the word of a sure fire hall of fame coordinator (if they ever start inducting them), before I would ever take the word of a guy who strokes the NYJ daily.

The fact is, Todd Bowles sucked a fat one in the Buffalo game. He got owned and there is no other way to put it. We had the better QB. We had the better RB. We had the better overall offense. We had the better overall defense. But none of that mattered in the Buffalo. It was all about coaching. Rex Ryan got way more out of his Buffalo Bills than Todd Bowles got out of the NYJ. Todd Bowles cost us the playoffs.

All I am doing is acknowledging the obvious when I ask the following question:

Be honest. That's probably too hard for most of you, but I know a few will actually answer the question honestly....

How many here were questioning Todd Bowles coaching ability when the Jets had just lost to the Texans (with no QB no less) and the team had just sunk to 5-5???

The fact is, what Mike Westhoff said is probably correct. It's common in all walks of life for people to find fall guys when sh*t f*cks up. If you know naval history at all, you might know about a ship called the USS Indianapolis. It was the ship that delivered the first Atomic bomb that was eventually dropped on Hiroshima Japan. After successfully, delivering the payload the ship was hit by two torpedoes in the south Phillipine Sea. The torpedoes immediately took the ships ability to communicate with big navy. On top of that, no one knew that the ship was out to sea because their mission was so top secret. Approximately, 900 men floated in the Sea for about 5 days. They died from exposure, delirium, and shark attacks.

When all the smoke cleared, the US government blamed the Captain when there was absolutely nothing he could have done to avoid the disaster. They threw him in jail as all the survivors were UNANIMOUSLY on the Captains side. After 18 years in jail, the Captain dressed up in his Navy uniform and popped himself in the head with his side arm. He was finally cleared of all wrongdoing in 2004 after the crew continually fought to get his name cleared.

His conviction was one of the worst miscarriages of justice the US may have ever seen.

The point is, people find "fall guys" all the time, it's a world renowned practice in the workplace.

Moreover, WHO would know more about the inner workings of the team? Every preseason the guy is standing on the sideline talking with the coaches and the players. He has intimate access to the team that you or I could never even hope to get.

Truth be told, Todd Bowles is a rookie HC. It's probably not uncommon for rookie Head Coaches to get outcoached quite a bit in their first season. Honestly, I thought prior to the season that Todd Bowles would lose all 4 games against the Bills and Patsies. Well, the fact that the Jets did win one game against those two opponents means he's actually slightly ahead of schedule. But make no mistake about it, Todd Bowles sucks as a HC and Mike Westhoff just acknowledged the elephant in the room.

i understand the point of the story but it's not exactly accurate.

"McVay was found guilty on the charge of failing to zigzag. The court sentenced him to lose 100 numbers in his temporary rank of Captain and 100 numbers in his permanent rank of Commander, thus ruining his Navy career. In 1946, at the behest of Admiral Nimitz who had become Chief of Naval Operations, Secretary Forrestal remitted McVay's sentence and restored him to duty. McVay served out his time in the New Orleans Naval District and retired in 1949 with the rank of Rear Admiral. He took his own life in 1968."

 

[Mainejet]

i understand the point of the story but it's not exactly accurate.

"McVay was found guilty on the charge of failing to zigzag. The court sentenced him to lose 100 numbers in his temporary rank of Captain and 100 numbers in his permanent rank of Commander, thus ruining his Navy career. In 1946, at the behest of Admiral Nimitz who had become Chief of Naval Operations, Secretary Forrestal remitted McVay's sentence and restored him to duty. McVay served out his time in the New Orleans Naval District and retired in 1949 with the rank of Rear Admiral. He took his own life in 1968."

The point is the same. To save time I omitted a lot of the facts. Failing to zigzag would not have made any difference. Although no one has ever been able to prove it (how would you?), McVay committed suicide more than likely because he had been shamed by the Navy and set up as the fall guy.

Now, obviously this is a little more serious than football, but the point remains the same. People find Fall guys all the time. Probably YOU at some point in your life has been set up as the fall guy by someone else. It's common. But that does not make it OK. It means some pussy needed a reason for his failures. April deserved to be fired anyhow. But I find it hard to believe that Mike Westhoff would make up some BS just to feed the media's need for controversy. He could personally care less. Todd Bowles is a rookie HC and he still has a LOT to learn. I'm not saying he can't learn it as time goes on, but up to this point? He sucks and he laid ALL of the teams problems at the feet of Bobby April, when the fact is, April is just a small part of the problem. How much of a percentage is ST in any game? Certainly not as important as offense and defense.

BTW, answer the question and be honest. Were you questioning Todd Bowle's ability as a HC during the mid part of the season?

 

[LGM]

So if Bowles "sucks" at 10 wins 6 losses, does a HC who finished at 8-8 with personnel projected better by every single "expert" before the season, who had the fourth ranked defense in the prior year and who hasn't produced a winning NFL season in FIVE years suck WORSE?

I would definitely say YES

 

[flgreen]

The point is the same. To save time I omitted a lot of the facts. Failing to zigzag would not have made any difference. Although no one has ever been able to prove it (how would you?), McVay committed suicide more than likely because he had been shamed by the Navy and set up as the fall guy.

Now, obviously this is a little more serious than football, but the point remains the same. People find Fall guys all the time. Probably YOU at some point in your life has been set up as the fall guy by someone else. It's common. But that does not make it OK. It means some pussy needed a reason for his failures. April deserved to be fired anyhow. But I find it hard to believe that Mike Westhoff would make up some BS just to feed the media's need for controversy. He could personally care less. Todd Bowles is a rookie HC and he still has a LOT to learn. I'm not saying he can't learn it as time goes on, but up to this point? He sucks and he laid ALL of the teams problems at the feet of Bobby April, when the fact is, April is just a small part of the problem. How much of a percentage is ST in any game? Certainly not as important as offense and defense.

BTW, answer the question and be honest. Were you questioning Todd Bowle's ability as a HC during the mid part of the season?

Not arguing MJ. I said I understood the point of the story.

Yes. In the middle of the losing streak I had some questions with Bowles. Honestly, I haven't made my mind up one way or the other. Either way it's way to early to declare him the second coming, or a bad HC.

Ask me again this time next year.

 

[Mainejet]

Not arguing MJ. I said I understood the point of the story.

Yes. In the middle of the losing streak I had some questions with Bowles. Honestly, I haven't made my mind up one way or the other. Neither way it's way to early to declare him the second coming, or a bad HC.

Ask me again this time next year.

Thank you very much for that refreshingly rare and completely honest opinion. For me that is rather exhilarating because it is probably the first time I have ever seen it on this board. If you're not one of the most respected posters on this board, you should be.

 

[Mainejet]

So if Bowles "sucks" at 10 wins 6 losses, does a HC who finished at 8-8 with personnel projected better by every single "expert" before the season, who had the fourth ranked defense in the prior year and who hasn't produced a winning NFL season in FIVE years suck WORSE?

I would definitely say YES

You must be referring to 2013 with Rex as HC? Actually, 2013 is widely considered Rex's very best coaching jobs. He had almost ZERO offensive talent on that squad. But they ultimately managed to finish 8-8 having beaten 3 winning teams as I recall. Patsies, Saints, and the 3rd I cannot recall. This was all in spite of Geno Smith's rookie woes. He gave up a pick 6 to the Patsies to start the game if you remember and yet they still managed to come out victorious.

But I'm not defending Rex with this, merely stating things objectively. Rex is gone now and I just hope we can start to beat the Bills as regularly as the Patsies have done so in the past. To me, that is the sign of a good team. A team that can consistently beat the teams that they are supposed to beat. Buffalo is definitely is probably a prime example of those teams. We are not that team right now and I hope Bowles will be able to change although I have my reservations.

 

[LGM]

You must be referring to 2013 with Rex as HC? Actually, 2013 is widely considered Rex's very best coaching jobs. He had almost ZERO offensive talent on that squad. But they ultimately managed to finish 8-8 having beaten 3 winning teams as I recall. Patsies, Saints, and the 3rd I cannot recall. This was all in spite of Geno Smith's rookie woes. He gave up a pick 6 to the Patsies to start the game if you remember and yet they still managed to come out victorious.

But I'm not defending Rex with this, merely stating things objectively. Rex is gone now and I just hope we can start to beat the Bills as regularly as the Patsies have done so in the past. To me, that is the sign of a good team. A team that can consistently beat the teams that they are supposed to beat. Buffalo is definitely is probably a prime example of those teams. We are not that team right now and I hope Bowles will be able to change although I have my reservations.

No actually

8-8 with a team projected to contend that had the 4th best D the prior year (and dropped into the 20s) would be your boy the bragging blowhard in 2015

 

[OCCH]

Like most talking heads, Westhoff likes the sound of his own voice. Did it ever occur to him that April was never Bowles' first choice to begin with? We have another thread saying the guy he "really" wanted is available this year -- you don't think that factored into this decision?

Sorry, but I have trouble seeing much sincerity in Westy's "anger". April certainly didn't do anything to KEEP his job, so it's pretty hard to get upset when he loses it . . .

 

[flgreen]

Like most talking heads, Westhoff likes the sound of his own voice. Did it ever occur to him that April was never Bowles' first choice to begin with? We have another thread saying the guy he "really" wanted is available this year -- you don't think that factored into this decision?

Sorry, but I have trouble seeing much sincerity in Westy's "anger". April certainly didn't do anything to KEEP his job, so it's pretty hard to get upset when he loses it . . .

Actually I don't think Westy is doing the "stir the pot" commentator bit. The guy is genuinely a loose cannon. That's why he was fired in Miami when he was widely considered the best ST's coach in the NFL

He says what's on his mind and doesn't give a crap who's listening. He would have been a trip as a HC. He interviewed for the job when Rex was hired.

 

[Mainejet]

Like most talking heads, Westhoff likes the sound of his own voice. Did it ever occur to him that April was never Bowles' first choice to begin with? We have another thread saying the guy he "really" wanted is available this year -- you don't think that factored into this decision?

Sorry, but I have trouble seeing much sincerity in Westy's "anger". April certainly didn't do anything to KEEP his job, so it's pretty hard to get upset when he loses it . . .

Did you even read the article? Or better yet, have you ever watched Westhoff on SNY? He was well aware that April was not Bowles first choice. Well aware of it. The moral of the story isn't Bowles 1st and 2nd choice, it's that the Jets did NOTHING to improve their ST's If you don't put anything in, you don't get anything out. They gave Bobby April sh*t to work with and they got sh*t in return. He worked with what he was given. Todd Bowles, on the other hand, personally blew the Jets chance at the playoffs.

 

[Elias]

Arguing whether or not April should be fired is dumb. It was by far the least producing unit of ours. Talent was short, I admit, but there's no excuse for huge returns against us time after time. Crappy talent should still be able to close lanes.

 

[jetgreen13]

Did you even read the article? Or better yet, have you ever watched Westhoff on SNY? He was well aware that April was not Bowles first choice. Well aware of it. The moral of the story isn't Bowles 1st and 2nd choice, it's that the Jets did NOTHING to improve their ST's If you don't put anything in, you don't get anything out. They gave Bobby April sh*t to work with and they got sh*t in return. He worked with what he was given. Todd Bowles, on the other hand, personally blew the Jets chance at the playoffs.

come on maine, aside from kickers, punters, returners & gunners, ST's are mostly a casserole.. you work with what you got..

BTW, i remember reading devin smith was one of the best "gunners" in college at ohio state.. where was he in april's game planning??

 

[Mainejet]

come on maine, aside from kickers, punters, returners & gunners, ST's are mostly a casserole.. you work with what you got..

BTW, i remember reading devin smith was one of the best "gunners" in college at ohio state.. where was he in april's game planning??

So you're saying you think Mike Westhoff is a liar? You get out what you put in and the Jets put nothing in special teams. They hamstrung Bobby April and that isn't the first time that has happened. They did the same to Rex for basically the last 4 seasons.

 

[jetgreen13]

So you're saying you think Mike Westhoff is a liar? You get out what you put in and the Jets put nothing in special teams. They hamstrung Bobby April and that isn't the first time that has happened. They did the same to Rex for basically the last 4 seasons.

look, don't get me wrong, i've always been a fan of westhoff & thought he should have at least gotten an interview after ryan got fired..

but april's unit played uninspired, undisciplined all season.. definitely not the way westhoff had his team's play, no??

IMO, westhoff sounds like a guy with hurt feelings venting in front of a microphone..

 

[Mainejet]

look, don't get me wrong, i've always been a fan of westhoff & thought he should have at least gotten an interview after ryan got fired..

but april's unit played uninspired, undisciplined all season.. definitely not the way westhoff had his team's play, no??

IMO, westhoff sounds like a guy with hurt feelings venting in front of a microphone..

I could not possibly fathom you thinking that. Mike Westhoff doesn't give a sh*t enough to waste his time on hurt feelings. At the end of the day, he knows he did his job exceptionally well. I am not debating how badly ST's played this season. I am not debating that April should have been replaced. But there's equally a time for reflection when you have to let someone go. You have to think, "What do I need to do to make ST's a little easier to coach?". Westhoff pointed out the side of what everyone perceives. And he's right.

And, YES, he definitely should have gotten interviewed for the HC job after Rex was let go. Like I have posted many times before, if he hasn't earned that right then you tell me who has?

 

[SackExchange]

Westhoff was an excellent ST coach. Does that make his opinion here valid?

Many fans here wanted April gone after this season. Not sure fans have a particularly better opinion, by any stretch, but it was obvious someone had to go for the awful specials performance. He couldn't be blamed for poor kicking and punting, but something was definitely not working.

I still don't understand what part of this merited someone taking a shot at Bowles.