New York Jets: Braden Mann speaks about fateful tackle

New York Jets
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 29: A general view of a New York Jets helmet before a game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Jets beat the Bills 13 to 6. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

The New York Jets punter has received some flack from fans after a crucial tackle helped them earn an unappreciated victory.

If anyone on the New York Jets has earned his paycheck this season, it has probably been punter Braden Mann.

The New York rookie, chosen out of Texas A&M in the sixth round of April’s draft, has been called upon to punt on 70 occasions, most in the NFL. He has had a solid showing, averaging just over 45 yards a boot and seeing 13 of his kicks land inside the opponents’ 20-yard-line. Mann has also been willing to sacrifice his body to save a touchdown, earning four tackles this season. That tally is good for best amongst NFL punters this season with Riley Dixon and Mitchell Wishnowsky.

But none of those takedowns might’ve been as impactful as the one Mann had last Sunday in Los Angeles.

Mann wasn’t as busy as he normally has been this season, called upon only five times in the battle against the Rams. His services were required in the latter stages of the second half, with the Jets clinging on to a lead that evaporated from three possessions to one, the margin sitting at 23-20 with under six minutes to go.

Mann’s 50-yard kick landed in the arms of Rams returner Nsimba Webster, who broke through the Jets’ coverage squad and made it past midfield before Mann took him down at the New York 43. The tackle proved fateful, as the Jets’ defense forced Los Angeles into a turnover on downs, allowing the offense to run out the clock and pick up their first victory of this cursed season.

But many Jets fans weren’t appreciative of Mann’s efforts. The Jets (1-13) may have won the game, but some see them as losing the metaphorical war…the endeavor for Trevor Lawrence, to be precise. Both the Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars are assured of choosing either first or second come April’s selections. But, with a weaker strength of schedule, the Jaguars have the inside track at the top pick, one that many foresee being used on the champion thrower from Clemson.

Mann admitted that some Jets fans had sent him toxic messages on social media. But, with the help of his energized teammates, he’s more than happy to get over it.

“I got a few (bad) messages like that,” the former Ray Guy Award winner told Rich Cimini of ESPN. “But whoever says something like that, I don’t think they ever tried to compete at something like this. For us, we get paid to play. We get paid to win.”

Mann’s defensive heroics set off a strong celebration amongst the Jets, whose antics rivaled a championship celebration, per head coach Adam Gase. They were particularly enthused by Mann’s big hit, jumping up and down and surrounding the temporary defender prior to making their final defensive stand.

“We joke with the defensive guys that if we need to learn how to tackle, we’ll just bring him over to the (special teams) side,” Gase said in Cimini’s report. “If we have a couple missed tackles, we give them some crap about it.”

“The kid is getting better and better every week,” special teams coordinator Brant Boyer said of Mann, according to Al Iannazzone of Newsday. “His locations/hang times and ability to control returners get better and better every week. The sky is the limit for him. He is a worker, a great kid and a pleasure to coach. I would have him on my team any day of the week.”

The Jets will play their final home game of the 2020 season on Sunday, battling the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium (1 p.m. ET, CBS).

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags