Countdown to Camp: 9
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 9
One of the newest Jets - undrafted rookie receiver Jonah Trinnaman - has been given the number nine jersey. Trinnaman is a great athlete so look for him to perhaps compete for a role as a gunner on special teams. If he doesn't make it as a receiver, there's a chance he could convert to cornerback.
The Greatest
John Hall was the Jets' placekicker for six years and had his share of high-profile misses and big pressure kicks. Perhaps his most important kick saw him nail a last-minute 53-yarder in Oakland to clinch a wild card spot in 2001. However, his most famous is probably the one that clinched the Monday Night Miracle:
The other 9's
Bryce Petty, Steve Weatherford, Jay Fiedler...
9 years ago
In 2009, Rex Ryan became the head coach and the Jets moved up in the draft to select a USC player in the top five. Mark Sanchez got off to a quick start as the Jets started off 3-0, but they fell to 4-6.
Somehow, they bounced back and won seven of their next eight, including two playoff games to get them into the AFC title game. They held a 17-6 lead over the Colts in the first half, but Peyton Manning threw a touchdown pass right before half time and with Thomas Jones and Shonn Green both hurt (along with Bart Scott and a couple of defensive backs) the Jets crumbled to a 30-17 defeat.
Center Nick Mangold and cornerback Darrelle Revis were all-pros with Revis also finishing second to Charles Woodson in Defensive Player of the Year voting after a terrific season in Ryan's number one ranked defense. Guard Alan Faneca, defensive lineman Shaun Ellis and tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson all also went to the pro bowl.
9-yard field goal
Here's a Super Bowl record that will never be beaten - a nine yard field goal by Jim Turner, which will always be tied for the shortest ever unless there's some kind of wacky rule change:
9 on the scoreboard
The Jets beat the Patriots 9-7 in 1973 as placekicker Bobby Howfield scored all their points on three field goals.
9 game winning streak
The Jets' nine game winning streak in 1986 was their longest in franchise history. The team went from 1-1 to 10-1 only to then lose their last five as injuries took their toll. They still earned a wild card spot though.
9 in the record books
In that 1986 season, the Jets won the wild card game but then lost in double overtime against the Browns. They gave up an NFL postseason record nine sacks that day.
Let us know if there's any connections to 9 that we missed...