Mike Westhoff: Jets May Draft Defense In First Round
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Mike Westhoff doesn't expect the Jets to pick him a special teams superstar at No. 30 in next month's NFL Draft.
Speaking at Daytop New Jersey, Westhoff touched on a number of topics, including what could come out of New York's ultra-secretive draft plan.
Westhoff was asked by a student who the Jets might select first. According to the Star-Ledger, the special teams coach "suggested perhaps a pass rusher or a big defensive lineman, adding that a great receiver could be 'a temptation.'"
If that is indeed the Jets' plan, he's fine with it.
"Is it unnerving? Not any more so than it normally is, no," said Westhoff. "You'd like to keep as many as possible, whatever that is. To be honest, I don't drive myself crazy over it. … Do I have to fill certain areas sometimes? Sure. I'm convinced I can do it. As much as I love Brad Smith and things like that, I just have confidence the system works."
Thanks to the NFL lockout, this offseason has a much different feel. The Jets have to prepare for the draft under the stoppage, and coaches across the board were forced to accept a 25 percent pay cut.
"With this whole thing, all of us are involved, and there's a certain amount of sacrifice that everyone's going to make," Westhoff said. "I believe it's all going to work out just fine, I firmly believe that. But yet at the same time, we have to be prepared for whatever sacrifice equally across the board, and I think that's what we're doing."
Jets head coach Rex Ryan delivered a Super Bowl guarantee last month. Westhoff wasn't about to go there.
"We haven't fulfilled our destiny and our quest," said the special teams coach. "We're close. How do we get there? I've been asked a million times. I have not been to the Super Bowl. I haven't been. I was with those great teams in Miami, we didn't get there either."
But the Super Bowl isn't Westhoff's only prize. The Jets' 28-21 playoff take-down over the Patriots was sweet for the coach.
"I'd rather beat (the Patriots) than maybe go to heaven," Westhoff joked.
Who do you want the Jets to pick in the first round? Let us know in the comments below...
