TOM’ BRUISE
TE making mark as run blocker
TAMPA, Fla. — Jets coach Todd Bowles is not one to throw around compliments, so when he does it is eye-opening.
This week, Bowles praised tight end Eric Tomlinson, who has been a key part of the Jets’ offense this year, primarily as a blocker. Last week, he shifted to fullback on some plays and threw some key blocks as the Jets rushed for 194 yards.
“He’s been great,” Bowles said. “For me, he’s been the unsung guy on the offense because he does all of the dirty work. He allows Austin [Seferian-Jenkins] to be Austin. He helps out with the offensive line. He’s caught a few balls here and there, but he’s a hard worker. He’s a gritty guy and I like the player.”
Tomlinson is a rarity — a tight end who enjoys blocking. He credits his position coach at UTEP — Brian Natkin —with teaching him how to block. Most tight ends come out of college as good receivers, but poor run blockers. Tomlinson is the opposite.
“It feels good just knowing you had a part in breaking a big run or scoring a touchdown,” Tomlinson said. “It’s just doing whatever you can to make the team better.”
The 6-foot-6, 263-pounder also has six catches for 111 yards and a touchdown this season, catching teams off guard for some big receptions.
➤ The Jets have not returned a kickoff or a punt for a touchdown since 2012. Special teams coach Brant
Boyer is running out of patience, waiting to bust a return for a score.
“You don’t know how bad, and how frustrating it’s been and everything,” Boyer said. “I think I told you last week, we’ve been literally a block away, I don’t know how many times here for a year and a half. Literally five or six times, from going to the house. It’s frustrating as hell.
“All it is is a technique error here or there or somebody blows an assignment or something like that. It gets really frustrating. Slowly but surely, I have faith that we’ll get it done at some point.”
The Jets signed WR/KR JoJo Natson off of their practice squad Saturday. They waived/injured DL Ed Stinson. They also signed CB Michael Hunter to the practice squad.