Countdown to Camp: 14
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 14
Sam Darnold is destined to be the biggest story surrounding this Jets team for the next few years, no matter what happens. The rookie quarterback is probably an outside bet to start this year, but the team will start the ball rolling on grooming him to be the quarterback of the future as soon as possible.
The Greatest
Quarterback Richard Todd started at least five games in each of his eight seasons with the Jets, eventually posting a 44-53-1 record, including postseason play. He led the Jets to the playoffs twice, including in 1982 where the Jets reached the AFC title game. Todd passed for 110 touchdowns and rushed for another 14 as a Jet.
Here's Todd in action, firing a touchdown to Mickey Shuler in the 1981 wildcard game where he led a late comeback that came up just short:
The other 14's
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Neil O'Donnell, Greg McElroy...
14 years ago
The 2004 season started off in promising fashion as the Jets jumped out to a 5-0 start. However, things then started to go awry, as they lost three of their next four and Chad Pennington was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
The defense stepped up over the next two games, as the Jets beat the Browns 10-7 and the Cardinals 13-3 with Quincy Carter deputizing at quarterback. Eventually the Jets backed into the postseason at 10-6 but beat the Chargers in overtime to move on to face the Steelers in the divisional round.
Doug Brien, whose field goal had beaten the Chargers in the previous game, missed two potential game winning kicks and the Jets ultimately lost to the Steelers in overtime.
Curtis Martin had his best season as a Jet, leading the league in rushing as he was named as an all-pro. Center Kevin Mawae and pass rusher John Abraham also went to the pro bowl, although Abraham (9.5 sacks in 12 games) controversially decided to sit out both postseason games. Surprisingly, Justin McCareins was the team's leading pass catcher.
14-yard touchdown
Here's Mark Sanchez on a gutsy 14-yard touchdown run early on in his rookie season:
14 on the scoreboard
Two memorable wins with 14 on the scoreboard saw the 2005 Jets beat Tampa Bay 14-12 and the 1986 Jets beat the Bills 14-13. The Tampa Bay win saw Vinny Testaverde return to the team following another Pennington injury for one last win as a starter. Mickey Shuler caught the game winning touchdown pass from Ken O'Brien in the win over the Bills.
14 in the record books
Thomas Jones set a franchise record with 14 touchdown runs in 2009. Brandon Marshall had 14 touchdown receptions in 2015, tying a record shared by Don Maynard from 1965 and Art Powell from the franchise's inaugural season.
Al Toon holds the team record for pass receptions by a wide receiver in a game. He caught 14 passes for 181 yards in a 38-34 win over the Dolphins in 1988. Wesley Walker scored the winning touchdown on a pass from Ken O'Brien, who didn't start but erased a 34-24 deficit with two fourth quarter touchdown passes.
Let us know if there's any connections to 14 that we missed...