Countdown to Camp: 11
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 11
Robby Anderson has gone from strength to strength on the field and appears on the brink of being a potential thousand yard receiver, perhaps for years to come. However, he'll need to stop getting involved in off-field controversies to ensure that can happen.
The Greatest
Jeremy Kerley spent five years with the Jets after being drafted in the fifth round in 2011 and then returned for a second stint last season. In all, he caught over 200 passes as a Jet with 10 receiving touchdowns. He also had a punt return touchdown. In 2012, he had a career-high 827 yards on 56 catches, despite only starting seven games, as he missed time with an arm injury.
Here was one of the best plays of his career. Unfortunately, it didn't count, due to timeout-gate:
The other 11's
Jim Turner, Brian Hansen, Kellen Clemens...
11 years ago
In 2007, the Jets were hoping to build on their unexpected wild card season the previous year but soon came unstuck, dropping seven of their first eight. They ended up 4-12.
Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens started eight games each as both got hurt. Pennington's numbers weren't bad, but he lost seven of his eight starts.
The Jets didn't have a single pro-bowler, but Thomas Jones and Jerricho Cotchery each had thousand-yard seasons and Leon Washington returned three kick-offs for touchdowns. Kerry Rhodes also had another great year with five interceptions, but Bryan Thomas had a disappointing season after his breakout 2006 campaign. He later admitted he had become complacent.
11-yard plays
Here's one of the most memorable touchdowns in recent times as Shaun Ellis returns a fumble for a late game-winning touchdown:
And here's what would be a routine 11-yard play, if not for Wayne Chrebet's amazing tumbling, juggling catch:
11-year drought
The Jets suffered their longest postseason drought in team history from 1970 to 1980 inclusive.
11 on the stat sheet
While their record is 12 wins in 1998, the Jets have won 11 three other times - in 2010, 1985 and 1968. The 1968 year was the only one of these three in which they won their division and is also their best season in terms of winning percentage.
During the 1987 players' strike, replacement quarterback David Norrie was sacked 11 times in his first game, setting a team record at that time.
Ryan Fitzpatrick holds a team record with 11 consecutive home games with at least two touchdown passes.
Let us know if there's any connections to 11 that we missed...