In just three seasons, Rontez Miles has emerged from a practice squad performertoa special teams leader. New Jets coordinator Brant Boyer wants his veterans to help deliver the message and he has already sought out Miles.
"He came to me and told me to keep everybody going, keep everyone on their toes and take charge," said Miles of Boyer.
Boyer described Miles as an "energizer bunny," whose exuberant personality stretches on and off the field. Miles sees a lot of jump from his new coach, a man who played 10 years in the NFL and served as a special teams captain for the Jaguars and the Browns.
"He brings more energy than a lot of guys out there," Miles said of Boyer. "He allows us to keep the energy flowing. You can just tell from his coaching style that he's going to be big for us. A guy like that you can't help but to have fun with him."
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Despite the lack of contact in the spring, Boyer implemented his new plans and the learning began.
"With a new scheme, we need to mentally have everything down," said Miles. "The mental aspect is more important than anything right now. The physical part will come along. Mentally we have to be sound because special teams can win or lose games."
While Boyer wants the finished product to play at "500 miles per hour," the group needs to walk before they can run. And a player like Miles, who finished third on the club last year with 11 special teams stops, will help Boyer get them moving.
"That's what I'm counting on," Boyer said. "Guys to take a leadership role and teach these young kids how it's done because a lot of these young kids have no clue what it takes right now."
