Countdown to Camp: 5
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 5
Teddy Bridgewater is the new number five, having recently switched from number 2 following Christian Hackenberg's departure. Bridgewater is only 25, was a pro bowler just a couple of years ago and looked good in OTAs, so now everyone thinks he might be traded. Sounds about right.
The Greatest
Kicker Pat Leahy is the Jets' all-time leading scorer, having played a record 18 seasons for them in a career spanning the mid seventies to the early nineties. Over the years, he had plenty of big kicks and big misses. At one stage, he almost set the NFL record for consecutive field goals made, but he missed the one that would have tied it. He was an all-pro in 1978.
Here is Leahy making a game-winner in his younger days:
The other 5's
Brooks Bollinger, Matt Simms...
5 years ago
In 2013, the Jets hired John Idzik as their general manager, traded Darrelle Revis and drafted Dee Milliner and Sheldon Richardson in the first round and Geno Smith in the second round.
The team fared better than expected with Smith at the helm, beating the likes of New England, Atlanta and New Orleans to post a 5-4 record at the bye. Unfortunately, they lost four of their next five coming out of the bye to slip out of contention, but then bounced back to win their last two and save Rex Ryan's job.
Nick Mangold and Antonio Cromartie were the team's only two pro bowlers. Muhammad Wilkerson and Calvin Pace posted double-digits in sacks, though.
5 time all-pro
Linebacker Larry Grantham is perhaps the most decorated Jet of all-time, having been an all-AFL selection in each of the franchise's first five seasons. He would later go on to have two more AFL all-star appearances.
5 yard-touchdown
Here's Matt Forte scoring on a five yard run against the Bills:
5 in the record books
In the 1963 game against the Bills, running back Cookie Gilchrist led Buffalo to a 45-14 win by scoring a record five rushing touchdowns.
Let us know if there's any connections to 5 that we missed...