The biggest difference for Jets punter Lachlan Edwards in his second year doesn't involve the improvements to his game.
"I think it's just a confidence thing right now," Edwards said. "I trained pretty hard in the offseason, but noticeably it's a confidence thing when I'm out there. I know what's expected and what to do, so I've been punting a lot better just with a different mindset."
The 25-year-old continued training with former NFL punter Darren Bennett in San Diego throughout the offseason (they worked together before last year's training camp), specifically working on strength and direction. The 6'4", 209-pound Edwards said he's added roughly 80 pounds to his squat, one of his offseason goals, along with better placement.
"We gave other teams too many chances last year to return the ball, so I'd like to limit that," he said. "That just makes everyone's job easier because I know the guys on the coverage team, as soon as you hit the middle of the field, the ball can go anywhere. I want to squeeze them to one side.
"Then the other thing is not letting that one punt let me down for the game. That's a confidence thing, so that's really going to help me going into my second year."
Last season, Edwards averaged 43.1 yards per punt (59 long) and had 24 boots land inside the 20. Special teams coordinator Brant Boyer called the Aussie's improvement "dramatic" from the end of last year until now and is excited to see what happens once the pads come on and he's on the opposite end of a full rush.
"I think there's big expectations for him," Boyer said. "I don't think there's a person in this building that has worked harder in the offseason than Lachlan has. Personally, him and I had a long talk after the end of last season, and I know how hard that kid has worked. He's put in a lot of hard work in the offseason and I think he's becoming a professional. That is something that all young kids do. There is a maturation process that kids go through and as a young guy, you don't know how to do that."
