The Top Five Most Popular Jets of All Time

[Jetsfan80]

2 minutes ago, nj meadowlands said:

Deep cuts:  Chad Pennington

eww

[#27TheDominator]

21 minutes ago, southparkcpa said:

So under your judgement...the greatest 5 Yankees of all time would not be on the list for Yankees .  I always SMH when someone says, normally a fan under 40, ... "Well, I never saw him".  Namath is number 1, I don't care who the fan is.  Calling some of the greatest Jets "ILK" speaks volumes to how you and many others see sports. A 20-30  year window . Sports marks time. It is history.    From field of dreams.. "Baseball marks the time".  

Do you think a Packers list would have Don Hutson, Jerry Kramer or Herb Adderly?  I'm betting that it wouldn't.

16 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

The thread is titled "Most Popular Jets", not "Greatest Jets".  Of course Namath is at the top of the "greatest" list (though I wouldn't quibble with anyone who wanted to put Maynard in that top slot).  But "most popular" is something different.  

That's fair, but popularity certainly wanes the further the playing days are.  Honestly, Maynard was awesome and deserves damn near every accolade he can get, but he doesn't seem very popular these days.  Hell, if it wasn't for the nerdy kid with the glasses wearing his jersey in Wonder Years re-runs, I don't think I have heard him mentioned on television in 40 years.

[UntouchableCrew]

3 hours ago, Warfish said:

 

No idea why Mawae would be so popular, I get he was very good, but he wasn't exactly a ball of personality by my memory (maybe I've forgotten).  I respect him, but he was never a favorite of mine.

Mawae is easily a top five favorite of mine -- I think you underestimate (or don't remember) him personality wise. He was a huge trash talker. I remember seeing him mic'd up a few times on NFL Films or Inside the NFL -- one time against the Dolphins. "They don't even think they can beat us."

[UntouchableCrew]

Just because:

My favorite Jets:

1. Kevin Mawae

2. Nick Mangold

3. Victor Green

4. Curtis Martin

5. Jericho Cotchery

Honorable Mentions: David Harris, Wayne Chrebet, Mo Lewis, Darrelle Revis

Weren't Here Long Enough But Loved Them as Jets: Bryan Cox, Kris Jenkins, LaDanian Tomlinson

[Dcat]

6 hours ago, More Cowbell said:

I can't  believe Martin is not on this list.  I would never  have put Mawae over Mangold who was a career Jet. 

agree on Mawae.  Ilike Wesley Walker even Al Toon's shortened career before Wayne Chrebet.  

[southparkcpa]

12 minutes ago, #27TheDominator said:

Do you think a Packers list would have Don Hutson, Jerry Kramer or Herb Adderly?  I'm betting that it wouldn't.

That's fair, but popularity certainly wanes the further the playing days are.  Honestly, Maynard was awesome and deserves damn near every accolade he can get, but he doesn't seem very popular these days.  Hell, if it wasn't for the nerdy kid with the glasses wearing his jersey in Wonder Years re-runs, I don't think I have heard him mentioned on television in 40 years.

In Wisconsin maybe....   no idea.  

[jgb]

22 minutes ago, Dcat said:

I suppose one has to add Revis in somewhere. 
He just wasn't a green blooded NY Jet AFAIC.  Well he got his ring with the Pats.  He doesn't make the list for me. 

I hope he takes care of his superbowl ring well and keeps it in a warm place.

Most polarizing would be an interesting poll.

Gastineau, Revis, whoever the current starting QB is (lol)... Who else?

[DoubleDown]

Chrebet should be #2.

Mangold should replace Mawae.

Martin needs to be on this list.

Pennington is borderline, but probably should be on the list. Love him or hate him, he was very popular among most of the fanbase, and he is probably the most recognizable Jet in modern history.

[southparkcpa]

2 minutes ago, DoubleDown said:

Chrebet should be #2.

Mangold should replace Mawae.

Martin needs to be on this list.

Pennington is borderline, but probably should be on the list. Love him or hate him, he was very popular among most of the fanbase, and he is probably the most recognizable Jet in modern history.

The new Jets Pennington tee shirt.....

[Warfish]

41 minutes ago, UntouchableCrew said:

Mawae is easily a top five favorite of mine -- I think you underestimate (or don't remember) him personality wise. He was a huge trash talker. I remember seeing him mic'd up a few times on NFL Films or Inside the NFL -- one time against the Dolphins. "They don't even think they can beat us."

Aye, fair enough.  I just have never thought of him that way really. 

I honestly think of him more as a Seahawk than a Jet (like so many HOF'ers the Jets have had later in their careers).

Certainly no disrespect to him, he's a HOF level player.  Just not one I ever considered as a favroite.

[munchmemory]

For me, add Mickey Shuler.

[greenwichjetfan]

My favorite Jets:

1) Revis' first stint with the Jets. Ironically, I have him as my number 2 all-time most hated Jet for winning with the Pats and then the BS he pulled during his second stint here. Still, the feelings I had for his play from '07-'10 were indescribable. 
2) Mangold
3) Brick
4) Leon Washington
5) Cotch

Honorable mentions: Sheldon Richardson from the moment he was drafted till he won DPOY. Then he lost his damn mind.

[nj meadowlands]

39 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

eww

Pennington was as popular as it got in the early 00's.  Can't be revisionist about it.

[UntouchableCrew]

5 minutes ago, Warfish said:

Aye, fair enough.  I just have never thought of his that way really. 

I honestly think of him more as a Seahawk than a Jet (like so many HOF'ers the Jets have had later in their careers).

Certainly no disrespect to him, he's a HOF level player.  Just not one I ever considered as a favroite.

That's interesting -- re: Seahawk over Jet. He was with the Jets for twice as long, and wasn't a Pro Bowler or All Pro until he came to the Jets -- he became a HoFer here. I definitely think that's what he's best remembered for, although I'll admit that his arrival to the Jets was around the time I really got into football.

[Joe Willie White Shoes]

34 minutes ago, RutgersJetFan said:

At this point in time there are more Jets fans that didn't see Namath play than those who did. It's time to move on. Mitchell and Ness needs to start making some Testaverde throwbacks or something.

Why is it time to move on?  Namath's accomplishments and impact on the NFL and the Jets don't disappear as time passes.  I wasn't alive during the American Revolutionary War and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Can I say it is time to move on from July 4 as a  holiday?  Let's celebrate something more recent that Americans who were alive can remember.  Why do we celebrate Presidents Day?  I never saw Washington or Lincoln.  

We recognize and celebrate history.  Namath is still the most important and accomplished player in Jets history.  

[munchmemory]

1 minute ago, Joe Willie White Shoes said:

Why is it time to move on?  Namath's accomplishments and impact on the NFL and the Jets don't disappear as time passes.  I wasn't alive during the American Revolutionary War and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Can I say it is time to move on from July 4 as a  holiday?  Let's celebrate something more recent that Americans who were alive can remember.  Why do we celebrate Presidents Day?  I never saw Washington or Lincoln.  

We recognize and celebrate history.  Namath is still the most important and accomplished player in Jets history.  

Folks who didn't see it have no idea the charisma Joe possessed.  Took over NYC.

[JohnnyLV]

14 hours ago, JetNation said:

As you read, please keep in mind that there is a distinction between popularity and on-field accomplishments.  Popularity is not performance.  We are not trying to make a list of the best players in NY Jet history.  If that is a topic of interest, you can weigh in here:

Although stats are cited in making the case for each player, it is only to highlight some of the reasons the player is held in such high regard by the fans.  Popularity is more about the level of adoration of a player and that player’s ability to maintain a significant place in the minds of the fans.  This is not a scientific endeavor.  It is an attempt to gauge the emotional attachment that fans have to each player.  We are just trying to have a little off-season fun.  And of course, if you want some extra off-season amusement you can get Casino advice by Erik King  .

Let’s get to it.

5. Wayne Chrebet

Chrebet lands on this list for two primary reasons: first, he is a local guy – a graduate of Garfield High School in Garfield New Jersey.  There’s always something about a hometown kid making it to the big league.  Garfield is a 20-minute drive to MetLife Stadium.  Secondly, Chrebet is the ultimate underdog. Fans love an underdog and Chrebet certainly qualifies.  He stands at 5’10” and played at 188 pounds – hardly NFL typical measurements.  He graduated from Hofstra University, which is not known for cranking out NFL talent.  Despite long odds, Chrebet excelled on the field.  He played for the Jets for all of his 11-year career.  He caught at least 48 passes for his first eight seasons.  It seemed like Chrebet was catching tough passes in traffic at critical points in games since the first time he put on the Jet helmet.

4. Don Maynard

Don Maynard is not a name that young Jet fans will be familiar with, but he’s easily worthy of this list with older fans.  Although Maynard played his final game for the Jets in 1972, you can still spot his number 13 jersey around the stadium on Sundays.  Maynard is arguably the best Jet player of all time.  He is a Hall of Famer for a franchise that has very few , and he was part of the Jets Super Bowl team in 1969.  Maynard remains among the all-time leaders in yards per catch with an 18.7 mark.   Maynard produced stats comparable with players in the modern era despite playing shorter seasons during a time when the passing game was not nearly as much of a focus.

3. Kevin Mawae

Kevin Mawae is another name that may be fading for current Jet fans, but most fans remember Mawae very fondly.  Like Maynard, Mawae would need to be mentioned on a list of all-time best Jet players.  Mawae lands on this list largely for displaying toughness and tenacity at a position most fans don’t fully appreciate.  The fans that do appreciate the game that takes place in the trenches recognize Mawae’s effectiveness and the fact that he was an emotional leader on offense.  You could often spot the seven-time Pro Bowler celebrating big runs downfield after making effective blocks at multiple levels of the defense.  Mawae was a centerpiece for the Jets during a period where the playoff-starved franchise made the post-season four times.  Kevin Mawae is another player on the short list of Jet Hall of Famers.

2. Joe Klecko

Joe Klecko might be the defensive equivalent of Kevin Mawae.  Jet fans love Kelcko to this day for the high-motor effort and lunch-pail approach the four-time Pro Bowler applied to his craft.  Klecko has a bit of underdog in his fan appeal as well, entering the league at 263 pounds and playing the interior defensive line at about 270 pounds.  He played with a strength that far exceeded his stature.  Klecko was the perfect complement to the flash of Mark Gastineau.  Klecko’s understated style suited many fans who felt his teammates may have been over the top.  Joe Klecko rates well in this analysis as he excelled at a position where the franchise has historically struggled.  Klecko and the rest of the “Sack Exchange” pressured and sacked quarterbacks at a rate the team has not nearly approached since.

1. Joe Namath

Joe Namath is far and away the most popular New York Jet.  Namath is maybe the only Jet player in history to carve a space for himself in the psyche of non-Jet fans.  The franchise’s struggle for success since Namath and the Jets won the Super Bowl over 50 years ago is a barrier for most Jet players in achieving national recognition.  Namath’s success on the field, his transition to broadcasting, and his personal flair have allowed him to stay relevant in the mind of football fans for nearly 60 years.  Namath was perhaps the first player to have a brand.  His on on-field individuality, appearances in commercial spots, and very public personal life resulted in a level of notoriety that had not been approached before.  Namath escaped the anonymity with which the NFL helmet veiled other players.  He was larger than life during his time in the league, and he is still a relevant cultural icon today.

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Is this supposed to be in order?

[Jetsfan80]

10 minutes ago, nj meadowlands said:

Pennington was as popular as it got in the early 00's.  Can't be revisionist about it.

Very popular amongst his loyal followers, yes.  And definitely liked by the casual fan.  But he was also reviled by a vocal minority of the fanbase and rightfully so.  Hard to even consider him on a top 5 list like this with that kind of polarizing nature.  

[Joe Willie White Shoes]

55 minutes ago, Dcat said:

I suppose one has to add Revis in somewhere. 
He just wasn't a green blooded NY Jet AFAIC.  Well he got his ring with the Pats.  He doesn't make the list for me. 

I hope he takes care of his superbowl ring well and keeps it in a warm place.

Revis would never make a most popular list. He might be the most polarizing Jets player ever and is disliked as much as he is liked.  

[Joe Willie White Shoes]

4 minutes ago, munchmemory said:

Folks who didn't see it have no idea the charisma Joe possessed.  Took over NYC.

I'm glad we finally agree on something.  Spot on.  He took over more than NYC. He was arguably the most popular player in pro football from 68-73.  

[Bronx]

20 years from now, this guy better be on the list!

[nj meadowlands]

19 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Very popular amongst his loyal followers, yes.  And definitely liked by the casual fan.  But he was also reviled by a vocal minority of the fanbase and rightfully so.  Hard to even consider him on a top 5 list like this with that kind of polarizing nature.  

I know it's hard to grasp when you're under the influence of the noxious fumes of this forum 24/7, as we well are, but Pennington had way more cheerleaders than detractors.

[PorP]

27 minutes ago, Joe Willie White Shoes said:

Revis would never make a most popular list. He might be the most polarizing Jets player ever and is disliked as much as he is liked.  

Snope..

Close maybe but the dill hole who wrote the book about giving him the ball... can't remember his name now....

[section314]

1) Namath

2)Klecko

3)Toon

4)Mangold

5) Dennis Byrd......talk to any of us who were there the day he walked out of that tunnel, and you'll know why.

[Fantasy Island]

5 hours ago, THE BARON said:

Some others to consider

Freeman McNeil

Bruce Harper

Pay Leahy

Mangold

Wesley Walker

Kyle Clifton

Mo Lewis

 

 

 

Fixed

[Jetsfan80]

36 minutes ago, nj meadowlands said:

I know it's hard to grasp when you're under the influence of the noxious fumes of this forum 24/7, as we well are, but Pennington had way more cheerleaders than detractors.

I said as much in my post that his detractors were a vocal MINORITY.  But nevertheless I’d lean on intelligent JN posters 10 out of 10 times over the opinion of your run of the mill Jets fans.  

@CTM, @Bleedin Green and @ZachEY all despised Pennington and all 3 are significantly more intelligent than I am.  And I’ll run with that crew before I run with the 70+ % majority crew who loved the guy undeservedly.  

[jgb]

1 hour ago, nj meadowlands said:

I know it's hard to grasp when you're under the influence of the noxious fumes of this forum 24/7, as we well are, but Pennington had way more cheerleaders than detractors.

 

1 hour ago, Jetsfan80 said:

I said as much in my post that his detractors were a vocal MINORITY.  But nevertheless I’d lean on intelligent JN posters 10 out of 10 times over the opinion of your run of the mill Jets fans.  

@CTM, @Bleedin Green and @ZachEY all despised Pennington and all 3 are significantly more intelligent than I am.  And I’ll run with that crew before I run with the 70+ % majority crew who loved the guy undeservedly.  

What I wouldn't give to have a QB as good as Pennington to despise again.

[nj meadowlands]

1 hour ago, Jetsfan80 said:

I said as much in my post that his detractors were a vocal MINORITY.  But nevertheless I’d lean on intelligent JN posters 10 out of 10 times over the opinion of your run of the mill Jets fans.  

@CTM, @Bleedin Green and @ZachEY all despised Pennington and all 3 are significantly more intelligent than I am.  And I’ll run with that crew before I run with the 70+ % majority crew who loved the guy undeservedly.  

Lol this isn't a debate of Pennington's merits as a quarterback. It is literally a popularity contest. And Pennington was extremely popular.

[jgb]

2 hours ago, Joe Willie White Shoes said:

Why is it time to move on?  Namath's accomplishments and impact on the NFL and the Jets don't disappear as time passes.  I wasn't alive during the American Revolutionary War and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Can I say it is time to move on from July 4 as a  holiday?  Let's celebrate something more recent that Americans who were alive can remember.  Why do we celebrate Presidents Day?  I never saw Washington or Lincoln.  

We recognize and celebrate history.  Namath is still the most important and accomplished player in Jets history.  

I have a more basic question -- move on to what? 

[nj meadowlands]

It's fun to think that if the Jets win the Super Bowl in the next 3-4 years, Zach Wilson will likely be #1 on this list. ? ?‍♂️

[jgb]

1 minute ago, nj meadowlands said:

It's fun to think that if the Jets win the Super Bowl in the next 3-4 years, Zach Wilson will likely be #1 on this list. ? ?‍♂️

And you know Joe would be right there partying with the team. Joe has earned the #1 spot until someone else delivers a ring.

[Joe Willie White Shoes]

18 minutes ago, jgb said:

I have a more basic question -- move on to what? 

He told us. Vinny Testaverde.  

[munchmemory]

14 minutes ago, nj meadowlands said:

It's fun to think that if the Jets win the Super Bowl in the next 3-4 years, Zach Wilson will likely be #1 on this list. ? ?‍♂️

Man, if that happens?  I will go down on Zach's mom.   Er...I mean I'll build him a statue/shrine.

[Jetsfan80]

29 minutes ago, nj meadowlands said:

Lol this isn't a debate of Pennington's merits as a quarterback. It is literally a popularity contest. And Pennington was extremely popular.

And I’m saying those 3 hated him.  Like as a person too.  So….

[Jetsfan80]

31 minutes ago, jgb said:

 

What I wouldn't give to have a QB as good as Pennington to despise again.

Ryan Fitzpatrick’s 2015 season > anything Pennington provided after 2002.