The New York Jets didn’t have any representatives in this year’s Pro Bowl, so let’s look back at some history.
In the 21st century, the New York Jets have had 41 Pro Bowlers. Only five of those came via the offensive skill positions:
- Brandon Marshall, running back, 2015
- Leon Washington, running back, 2008
- Thomas Jones, running back, 2008
- Curtis Martin, running back, 2004
- Richie Anderson, running back, 2000
An even more startling number is this: Just one lonely wide receiver has been to the Pro Bowl in modern times (21st century) and that’s Brandon Marshall. The Jets have obviously struggled to draft and develop that position.
While a lot of that can fall on the poor play from the quarterback position, not all of it can.
The Jets went from 2007-2015 without having a receiver cross the 1,000-yard plateau for god’s sake. Yikes.
The other startling statistics are in the trenches. 14 Pro Bowlers in the 21st century played along the offensive line:
- Kevin Mawae, Center, (2000, 2002-04)
- Nick Mangold, Center, (2008-11, 2014)
- Alan Faneca, Guard, (2008-09)
- Brandon Moore, Guard, (2011)
- D’Brickashaw Ferguson (2009-11)
The Jets haven’t used a first-round pick on an offensive lineman since they double-dipped back in the 2006 draft with two future Ring of Honor members (Mangold and Ferguson).
It’s no surprise the Jets haven’t been to the playoffs since 2010. They need help up front and the depth is questionable.
Before we get out of here, we have to address the elephant in the room. The Jets have struggled at the games’ most important position, quarterback.
Only one Pro Bowl quarterback for the green and white in 18 years and that’s Brett Favre. While certainly one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time, that wasn’t the case with the Jets. His Pro Bowl appearance with the Jets was more of a popularity vote than based on performance.
Favre finished the season with as many touchdowns (22) as he did interceptions (22). The Jets were 8-3 and seemingly in position to win the whole darn thing, of course, they would finish 1-4 down the stretch to miss the postseason entirely and Eric Mangini lost his job. Good times.
After the season, Favre continued to teeter-totter with retirement, he ended up coming back and having one of the best seasons of his career with the Minnesota Vikings (33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions with 4,202 yards through the air).
Other Jets News, Stories:
- Ex-Jets player says Aaron Hernandez was taunted (Kathleen Joyce of Fox News)
- Did the Jets see their QB at the Senior Bowl (Rich Cimini of ESPN New York)
