Countdown to Camp: 10
As we look ahead to training camp in late July, we're taking a daily retrospective look back at some random people, moments and games from Jets history...
The Current 10
Wide receiver Jermaine Kearse proved to be a great pick-up last year, as he had a career year after being acquired, along with a pick, for Sheldon Richardson. Despite some suggestions that they should move him, Kearse looks set to be another important contributor again in 2018.
The Greatest
Chad Pennington's career didn't pan out as well as it looked like it would, mainly due to injuries. Nevertheless, he had some memorable moments with the team. He ended up with a 32-29 win/loss record as a Jet (and 2-3 in the postseason). His quarterback rating was 88.9 and he is the franchise leader (and number two in NFL history) with his completion percentage of 66 percent.
Here was one of his best postseason highlights as he throws the long touchdown to Santana Moss:
The other 10's
Santonio Holmes, Pat Ryan, Cary Blanchard...
10 years ago
In 2008, the Jets spent plenty of money to upgrade their roster and rode one of the best offensive lines and running games in the NFL to an 8-3 start behind newly-acquired quarterback Brett Favre. Thomas Jones racked up over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and a team-record 15 total touchdowns.
Two impressive road wins - an overtime win over the Patriots and a blowout over the unbeaten Titans - had many predicting the Jets would reach the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, they fell apart down the stretch, losing four of five despite facing mostly easy opposition.
Eric Mangini was fired at the end of the season, although general manager Mike Tannenbaum and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer remained.
After having no pro bowlers in 2007, the Jets sent seven in 2008: Offensive linemen Nick Mangold and Alan Faneca, Jones, Favre, defensive lineman Kris Jenkins, cornerback Darrelle Revis and return man Leon Washington. Washington was also an all-pro.
10-yard touchdown
Here's Josh McCown darting to the end zone for a 10-yard score against the Bills last year:
10 on the scoreboard
The Jets beat the Browns 10-7 in 2004 and the Patriots 10-3 in 2001. The Browns win was notable because Chad Pennington was injured so Quincy Carter had to start and threw the winning touchdown pass to Justin McCareins. The 2001 win, in which Curtis Martin scored the only touchdown, was most notable for Mo Lewis' hit on Drew Bledsoe, which indirectly ushered in the Tom Brady era.
Let us know if there's any connections to 10 that we missed...