Countdown to Camp: 44
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 44
Lawrence Thomas provided some entertainment last year after converting from defensive lineman to fullback, but his effectiveness waned over the course of the season. He'll face a stiff challenge from undrafted rookie Dimitri Flowers in the offseason.
The Greatest
Letting John Riggins go will always be a big regret from Jets history. They drafted him in the first round and he had five good years as a Jet, including the first thousand yard rushing season in team history. However, he would become an all-pro and Super Bowl MVP after he left.
Here he is in action:
The other 44's
Tom Newton, Corwin Brown, James Ihedigbo...
44 years ago
In 1974, the Jets started off 1-7 but then went on a six-game winning streak to end the year with a 7-7 record. We detailed that earlier in our countdown, here.
Clutch from 44
It doesn't seem like much, but Raul Allegre's 44-yard field goal was one of the most clutch in team history. In a winner-takes-all showdown in Miami on the last day of the season, the Jets had blown a lead and Dan Marino appeared to have thrown the winning touchdown in the last minute. However, Allegre, who'd only been a Jet for a few days and was barely clearing the crossbar on extra points when the game began, managed to save the season by sending the game into overtime:
Allegre made another field goal in overtime to send the Jets to the playoffs.
44 on the scoreboard
The Jets have had some big wins where they've scored 44 points over the years, including 44-34 in the famous Unitas-Namath shootout in 1972 and 44-6 against the Indianapolis version of the Colts in 1998. However, the most important has to be their 44-17 postseason win over the Bengals in 1982. Freeman McNeil ran for over 200 yards and rushed and passed for touchdowns in the win.
Let us know if there's any connections to 44 that we missed...