Countdown to Camp: 22
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 22
Trumaine Johnson was a big-money acquisition who could have a huge impact on the Jets' chances of contending for a playoff spot this year. His value comes not only from giving the Jets a viable number one corner, but also from enabling the other cornerbacks to not have to play about their level.
The Greatest
Safety Erik McMillan was one of the most exciting Jets in the late eighties and early nineties. The former third round pick was a pro bowler twice in his first four seasons as he racked up 22 interceptions, five sacks and seven touchdowns - including one where he famously flipped the bird to Dan Marino on his way to paydirt. However, an attempt to convert him to cornerback in his fifth season did not go well and that was his last season with the team.
Here's a play that sums the volatile McMillan up perfectly:
The other 22's
Burgess Owens, Justin Miller, Jim Hudson...
22 years ago
The 1996 season was the worst in Jets' history as they went 1-15. We detailed that earlier in our countdown, here.
22-yard touchdowns
Here's Chad Pennington to Jerricho Cotchery to secure a memorable win in New England in Eric Mangini's first year as head coach:
Another memorable play here, as Brett Favre - in his first game as a Jet - throws it up for grabs on fourth down instead of attempting a field goal because the kicker was injured. Chansi Stuckey comes up with the catch:
More recently, here was a cool 22-yard play by Ryan Fitzpatrick and Bilal Powell from a couple of years ago:
22 on the scoreboard
A couple of memorable wins with 22 on the scoreboard saw the Jets win 22-10 against Denver on Monday Night Football in 1986 and 22-17 against the Steelers in 2010.
In the 1986 game, the Jets stormed to a 22-0 halftime lead and held on for the comfortable win. They'd have faced Denver again in the AFC title if they didn't choke away the late 10-point lead in the double overtime loss to the Browns.
The win over the Steelers was another example of the Jets beating the eventual AFC winners. This time, they themselves were the team who lost to them. Jason Taylor's late safety clinched the win.
22 on the statsheet
22 was also the number of sacks Mark Gastineau had in his record-breaking 1984 season. That has only ever been surpassed once - and that was in controversial fashion because Favre laid down for Michael Strahan to get to 22.5 on the year.
Let us know if there's any connections to 22 that we missed...