T.J. Conley thought he avoided The Turk during training camp. He thought wrong.
The New York Jets released the punter on Tuesday, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. In a corresponding move, the team signed former San Diego Chargers punter Robert Malone.
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Conley punted for the Jets last season, and held off two challengers in training camp, but a shaky preseason ultimately cost him the gig. He averaged 44 yards per punt in the preseason, which ranked 26th in the league. His 37.9 net average ranked 19th.
Malone -- recently cut by the Chargers -- appeared in 10 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2010, when he was one of the NFL's worst punters statistically. He posted better numbers during the preseason with the Chargers, averaging 44.8 yards per punt and a 39.9 net average.
The moves provide a reminder of the Jets' mistake to move on from Steve Weatherford after the 2010 season. Weatherford -- who special teams coach Mike Westhoff said "wasn't good enough" to kick for the Jets -- signed with the New York Giants and went on to play a substantial role in a Super Bowl run.
Westhoff is almost always right when it comes to special teams. Stress almost.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @danhanzus.
