Same again please :beer: http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/multimedia/video/230-back-in-the-day-12-31-82-jets-bengals
I understand the McNeal loyalty, considering the Jets drafted him. But, you could make a strong case for Thomas Jones. He's got superior stats, in a league that is generally a much faster, stronger league than it was back in the 80's and 90's. And, I agree Gus!
i wish i was alive for that game. but i am for this one. so heres to another jets blow out of the bengals. :beer:
Jones may be stronger and more durable, but Mcneil was faster, more explosive and instinctive.... and unfortunately injury prone (from what I remember)
Freeman Mcneal certainly wasn't better than Jones but Freeman McNeil was:up: at least he was more talented. Freeman had HOF talent but he just wasn't durable. If Jones plays a couple more years for us he'll have had a more productive Jet career than Freeman as talented as Freeman was. Freeman had 38 TDs in 144 games as a Jet, Jones has 27 in his last 32 games. I know the Jets had short yardage backs that cut into that # but it's still pretty amazing.
Freeman LED the NFL in rushing that year with only 786 yds!! Gee, that must have been lean times for the NFL run game or the defenses must have been stout. As I recall, the Jets offense was pretty nasty that year, near tops in the NFL.
When healthy he was a monster. He carried us in the playoffs to the point where Shula gambled on a ruined field stopping him rather than his own team stopping him. A pretty risky move and one that is a lasting testimony to how dangerous he was. Jones no doubt, durability and getting most of the carries kills him on total stats. McNeil healthy was simply better.
No question talent wise he was the best we have ever had but typical Jets luck he was never healthy. he was fun to watch when he was healthy.
Agreed. Amazing that we had him and Al Toon on the same team and couldn't keep either of them healthy. 86 Toon was a monster and McNeal was nicked up.
I don't agree the league is stronger or faster than it was in the 80's and 90's. There are 4 more teams than there was in freeman's prime and the league was talent loaded back then. Freeman's stats in today's league might well be far better today when teams that choose to run the ball against a stacked D put in extra line men to match up.
The talent is greater today but the teams were MUCH better back then. There hasn't been a truly great team since Dallas in the 90s. I know Den won back to back, NE won 3 of 4 and Pitt won 2 in 4 but none of those teams were as good as an '84/'89 Niners, '85 Bears, '86 Giants,...
was a strike year teams only played 9 games. believe the jets were 6-3, fish 7-2, and raiders 8-1. jil
Oh yeah...totally forgot about that!! I figured that number as weird because I remember Freeman churned out 100yd games week after week. He was nice on screen plays as well!!
I remember that game well - Freeman was on fire and Wesley Walker also had a great game. That was the year of the Mud Bowl when Shula never covered the field at the Orange Bowl and we lost the AFC Championship when Todd decided to play catch with his old college roommate from 'Bama - AJ Duhe. Had won lottery that year to pick up tix at Shea monday morning for Super Bowl in Pasedena if we made it past the Dolphins. At least the ex-Jet Riggins ruined their day - would have been nice to see the Jets -Skins in that SB- we would have won that year!! Anyway Freeman was all class - quality guy - sorry he was not at the Meadowlands during halftime last week. I heard there are ill feelings because he might have left on bad terms (fired?) as Jets post game radio analyst. He was great at that by the way - told it like it was and was all over Jets ownership. mgmt and players- no kissing but like Buttle does every week!
some highlights at the offical site: http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/mul...24-7-greatest-moments-jets-at-bengals-1-09-83
Hmm , remarkable simularity between that team and the team today, Pro Bowl running backs, great D and STs.....does lightning strike twice?
