Countdown to Camp: 79
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 79
Brent Qvale has been a useful reserve and versatile spot starter over the past few years, having been an undrafted free agent back in 2014. He was arguably one of John Idzik's better pick-ups. In 2017, he figures to have the same role but could again end up starting at guard or tackle if anyone gets hurt.
The Greatest
Marvin Powell is one of the greatest right tackles in Jets history, having gone to five pro bowls in a row from 1979 to 1983. He was also a three-time all-pro:
Actually, though, the best #79 in team history is this guy:
The other 79's
Mike Haight, Sherman Plunkett, Dave Szott...
The '79 season
The Jets ended the season 8-8 but were never really in contention as they won their last three games.
On offense, their best weapon was Clark Gaines, who rushed for almost a thousand yards. Bruce Harper contributed almost 2,000 all-purpose yards too. The leading receiver was Derrick Gaffney with a seemingly impossibly-low 32 receptions.
Defensively, Burgess Owens was the team's best playmaker with six interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
Fittingly, all-pro tackle Marvin Powell was the team's only representative at the pro bowl.
79 yards to the house
Here's a 79-yard score the Jets gave up last year to Tyreek Hill, also known as the roughest moment of Rashard Robinson's season:
On a happier note, here's a Joe Namath connection to Rich Caster for 79 in that infamous shootout where Namath only completed 15 passes but had 496 yards and six touchdowns:
Let us know if there's any connections to 79 that we missed...