Todd Bowles Explains Rationale Behind Jets Special Teams Roster Decisions

The Jets made a pair of relatively surprising moves on their special teams over the weekend keeping Chandler Catanzaro and Thomas Hennessy over Ross Martin and Tanner Purdum. By many accounts, Martin outkicked Catanzaro in training camp. By the team’s own admission, Purdum was almost flawless for his Jets career.

Head coach Todd Bowles offered an explanation for the decisions yesterday.

Catanzaro and Ross (Martin) were close. They were very close. Catanzaro is probably a better kickoff guy so he edged him (Martin) out that way. Other than that, they were pretty close. Hennessy, we liked him for quite some time. Now we couldn’t get ahold of him and we finally got ahold of him. Tanner (Purdum) has been here a long time. I have a lot of respect for Tanner, but we went with the younger guy who’s probably a better cover guy down the field.

Only time will tell whether these were the right decisions, but it is nice to at least hear the rationale behind him.