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Who are the new all-time great Jets?


When someone thinks about all-time Jets greats, Joe Namath comes to mind. That's pretty much it. Die-hards will think of the New York Sack exchange with the likes of Joe Klecko and Dave Herman, and think fondly of guys like Freeman McNeil, Al Toon, and Ken O'Brien. But none of them are really all-time greats. More all-time goods, or so/so's. But recent years have brought about stalwarts of Jet teams, and although no one's correctly predicted the greatest upset of 20th century pro football since Joe Willie, can we call them legends?

Star-divide

The candidates are a short list of one first-ballot hall of famer and a bunch of other guys that no one else will remember, but we all will.

 

Curtis Martin - 4th all-time leading rusher. Before his knees gave out, he could shake the cleats off of pretty much anyone, and always got that extra yard. Come From Behind Curtis, as his teammates called him for his propensity to be brought down from behind on big runs, is in my opinion, not a legend. He was freakin' awesome and is second only to the incomprable Barry Sanders in consecutive 1,100 yard seasons to begin a career, but he was a Patriot to start his career, and never really took over a game the way a legend must be able to.

Vinny Testaverde - Now here's a guy who took over games for Gang Green. Engineered the Monday Night Miracle, had his best season during the magical 1998 AFC Championship run, is a local product, and had easily the best name pretty much any 3rd grader, like myself at heart, could make fun of. Yes, Vinny Testicles had his moments, but over the course of his career, played too much elsewhere to be a Jet legend, and other than 2 or 3 great years, was still pretty mediocre for us. Sorry Vince, enjoy your Heisman anyway.

Wayne Chrebet - To me, this is the stuff legends are made of. A career Jet, and arguably one of the all-time fan favorites for any team. No one screamed New York Jets like Chrebet, a small guy out of a small Long Island school who just busted his ass day in and day out, and got every little drop out of his ability. Although concussions derailed his career, he proved himself as a legend by doing everything the Jets asked him to do without question, most notably being just damn good at getting a first down on third and long. He may not be a traditional legend, but when people look back on these Jets, the division-winning, champion-contending Jets of the late 90s, I think I'm not the only one who thinks that Chrebet's legacy will stand out as our guy.

 

Honorable fond memories mentions include - Mo Lewis, Marvin Jones, Jerald Sowell, Aaron Glenn, and, though he probably set a record for worst time-on-the-field-to-pass-interference-calls, I still love him, Ray Mickens.

 

Do you think we (will) have any legends other than Namath and, clearly, Mark Sanchez?

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Ronnie Lott, Art Monk, and Brett Favre?

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by John B on Jul 11, 2009 12:19 PM EDT reply actions  

Jet Legends

Not legends who were on the Jets in the twilight of their careers, twilight being overly generous for all of them. Does John Riggins qualify, or does he count more as a Redskin than a Jet.

by Rothstein on Jul 12, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

Yes

I was being facetious ;-)

Editor-In-Chief
Gang Green Nation
SB Nation's Jets Blog
http://www.ganggreennation.com

by John B on Jul 14, 2009 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions  

Riggins will always be remembered as a Redskin, no question.

by The Brain part II on Jul 13, 2009 11:57 AM EDT reply actions  

mickey shuler,wesley walker!!!,bruce harper,johnny hector and mark gastineau is one of footballs all time greats

by dreaux on Jul 23, 2009 3:10 PM EDT reply actions  

Wow!!!

That’s a no brainer if we are talking B.C.?Well i would like to mention someone i think was over looked too many times Ken O’brien!Ken and Al Toon along with Freeman Mcneil was as potent a offence as any other in the AFC!Ken held his own against Dan Mariano and if not for Don Shula and the Mud Bowl trick Freeman McNeil would have had a perfect playoff and or Superbowl.With that being said can’t forget james hasty,Dennis Byrd,Curtis martin,gastineau,Klecko,wesley walker,and just for argument sake throw Boomer in there.

Only thing good come from New england is chowder all else get the middle finger!!

by Jets belong in NY on Jul 25, 2009 11:44 AM EDT reply actions  

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