Countdown to Camp: 16
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 16
Chad Hansen didn't do much in his rookie season, but he showed more flashes than his fellow rookie ArDarius Stewart and apparently looked really good in OTAs so perhaps he has a shot at contributing more this season.
The Greatest
Vinny Testaverde played seven of his 21 seasons as a Jet, posting a 35-26 record as a starter. His 1998 season was his best, as he won 12 of his 13 starts and went to the pro bowl. However, he also showed a knack for late game heroics in 2000 and 2001, leading a total of nine fourth quarter comebacks. He returned to the Jets in 2005 to post one last win.
Here's Vinny in action:
The other 16's
Brad Smith, Percy Harvin, Josh Cribbs...
16 years ago
The 2002 season is probably best remembered for Herm Edwards' unhinged "HELLO? YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME" speech, but he turned out to be right as the Jets rallied from a 2-5 start to win the AFC East after Chad Pennington took over from Vinny Testaverde as the starter.
After receiving a lifeline on the final day of the season, the Jets blew out the Packers to clinch the division, then destroyed the Colts 41-0 in the first round of the playoffs. They looked set to go all the way and were tied 10-10 at the half in Oakland, but the Raiders put Pennington under heavy pressure in the second half and ultimately won 30-10.
Center Kevin Mawae and pass rusher John Abraham (10 sacks) went to the pro bowl. Curtis Martin and Laveranues Coles had thousand-yard seasons but Pennington was the star, posting a quarterback rating of 104.2 as he passed for over 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns in 12 starts with just six interceptions.
16-yard touchdown
Here's Ryan Fitzpatrick to Bilal Powell for a 16-yard touchdown in 2015:
16 on the scoreboard
The Jets' biggest ever win saw them beat the Colts 16-7 in Super Bowl III. They also had a memorable win over Miami in 1981 as Richard Todd's late pass to Jerome Barkum gave them a 16-15 win.
16 on the stat sheet
One of the Jets' most impressive wins last year saw them beat Miami 20-6, holding running back Jay Ajayi to just 16 yards rushing.
Let us know if there's any connections to 16 that we missed...