Countdown to Camp: 98

As we look ahead to training camp in late July, we're going to take a daily retrospective look back at some random people, moments and games from Jets history...

The Current 98

Mike Pennel did a solid enough job as a role-playing rotational lineman last season but perhaps the team is counting on more from him, having signed him to a multi-year deal. He's still only 26 and hopefully has put the suspensions he had in Green Bay behind him. Now, perhaps he can focus on doing something about those back-breaking penalties...

The Greatest

Surprisingly, only two Jets who wore the number 98 lasted more than three seasons. Kurt Barber - a rotational linemen on some teams that weren't very good - was the first. So, while the former first-round pick was ultimately a disappointment, Quinton Coples was probably the best we've had. And this has to be the greatest play by a #98 ever...

The other 98's

Anthony Pleasant, Jarvis Jenkins, Darrell Davis...

The '98 season

One of the greatest seasons in team history didn't exactly go to plan early on. The Jets gave up a 96-yard touchdown run in overtime to drop their season opener and starting quarterback Glenn Foley lost his first three starts. However, Vinny Testaverde turned in the best year of his career, leading the Jets to a 12-4 record and an AFC East division title.

The most memorable win saw the Jets come from behind to edge the Seahawks 32-31 on a controversial play where Testaverde definitely didn't break the plane on his game winning touchdown run. That led to instant replay being brought in permanently.

In the playoffs, Keyshawn Johnson led the Jets to a win over the Jaguars in a do-it-all performance, but the Jets blew a half-time lead in Denver in the AFC title game.

A record-breaking 98

Wide receiver Terence Mathis never really made his mark with the Jets as his highest output in his four years with the team was 28 catches, 352 yards and three touchdowns, with all three of those numbers coming in different years.

However, he made a bit of history in his rookie year, unwisely fielding a punt over the shoulder at the two-yard line but then managing to run it back for a then-NFL record 98 yard touchdown.

In 1994, Mathis left the Jets and went to Atlanta where he caught 111 passes and had the first of four thousand-yard seasons.

This record will stand forever though:

Let us know if there's any connections to 98 that we missed...