Countdown to Camp: 18
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 18
ArDarius Stewart was a third round pick last year and the Jets would have been hoping that he'd have become a key contributor by now. Unfortunately, other than a couple of fleeting glimpses, he had a disappointing rookie year and is arguably on the bubble heading into camp.
The Greatest
Al Woodall was a Jet for five years, backing up Joe Namath in the post Super Bowl era. Due to Namath's injuries, Woodall started 19 games as a Jet, winning five. He had 18 touchdown passes in total.
Here's Woodall in action:
The other 18's
Basically nobody...
18 years ago
The 2000 season saw the Jets, coached by Al Groh, storm out to a 6-1 start. They were 9-4 with three games to go but then lost all three to miss out on the playoffs.
In their last game, the Jets - still in contention - led 14-12 and had the ball near the Ravens goal line right before halftime, but Vinny Testaverde threw a pick-six and the Jets never led again. John Hall's missed field goal the previous week had lost them the game against Detroit, 10-7.
Center Kevin Mawae, Fullback Richie Anderson (88 catches) and linebacker Mo Lewis (10 sacks) made the pro bowl, but Curtis Martin (over 1,200 yards and 70 receptions) and Wayne Chrebet (937 receiving yards and eight touchdowns) did not.
Following the Keyshawn Johnson trade, the Jets also drafted Chad Pennington, John Abraham, Shaun Ellis and Anthony Becht in the first round and Laveranues Coles in the third. The young pass rushers, Abraham and Ellis, combined for 13 sacks in their rookie year.
18-yard touchdown
Here's Ryan Fitzpatrick to Jalin Marshall for what should have been a game-winner in Miami in 2016. Unfortunately, the Dolphins returned the ensuing kick-off for the decisive score:
18 on the scoreboard
Geno Smith's NFL debut saw the Jets beat the Bucs 18-17 on a late Nick Folk field goal. Smith had moved the Jets into field goal range when he scrambled to midfield and Lavonte David got called for a late hit.
Let us know if there's any connections to 18 that we missed...