A Numbers Game
If you check out the roster on the official Jets site, you’ll see that players have gotten their numbers moved around. For instance, Bart Scott got his #57 from Jason Trusnik, while other players have either moved their number or have stepped aside for veterans as well. The most notable changes are Erik Ainge, who has taken the team’s recently vacated #10 for his own. As you can see, this was his collegiate number, but beyond that I’m not sure what significance it holds for Ainge, who wore the #9 during his rookie season with the Jets.
Dwight Lowery has also changed numbers, from the #34 to the #21. Donald Strickland took Lowery’s #34 over. I’m unaware of the significance of #21 to Lowery, who wore #25 for most of his collegiate career as far as I can tell.
Some other notable number re/assignments:
Jim Leonhard — 36
Donald Strickland — 34
Jason Trusnik — 96
I hope you get cut Ainge. That isn’t your number. It’s some hardworking jerk in Miami’s
Do we still have Ty Law?
Strickland wore # 34 at the University of Coloado. Looks like a payoff to Lowery for the uni change. Hope he at least got a free lunch out of it.
21 is a good number for CBs, hopefully Lowery will do it justice. =)
Also, I have no problem with Ainge taking 10… Chad is in another QB controversy in Miami and no longer has anything to do with the Jets. Maybe Ainge is superstitious about his number and he thinks it helps him play better.
I guess he just prefers number 10. Maybe he thinks it will bring him so college luck.
Was hoping Gholsten would go back to #50 since barton left…..I hate seeing #56 is Green and White….doesnt look very good
Hope Ainge gets a FULL shot. Can’t wait to see him with the Ist. team !!!!
well i hope #21 makes us proud.
it should also be the number of INT our CB get this year!
Nice I like #21 with Lowery I didn’t mind 34 though…. Also AKADREW you dont like 56 on gholston??? I think it looks sick a lot better then 50
You know when people make jokes right after some sort of unfortunate event and the reaction is “ahhhh, too soon?” I feel that is what is going on with Ainge and this whole #10 change. Someone should have been like “ahhh, cmon buddy. Too soon.”
GreenMan -
I agree completely. No Jet should be allowed to wear #10 for 4-5 years, but giving it to Ainge is especially galling. The organization allows it to be worn by a 6th round pick who’s never taken a snap and was suspended for taking steroids? Really?
I assume he will get cut. I see us taking a QB at some point. For me it is too soon as well.
Come on guys giving the #10 to Angie is no big deal. Yes it holds a sentimental value for us, but it’s not like Chad had ever accomplished anything worth while when he wore it.
However I was hoping Scott would have been given the #56. I think of all the guys on the roster Scott has the most potential to be the Jets version of LT.
Chad was the face of our franchise for nearly a decade. He may not have won a Super Bowl, but he was the Jets’ unquestioned leader for multiple playoff appearances, and a scrub like Ainge shouldn’t be the next guy to wear Chad’s number, especially so soon.
Curtis Martin never won us a Super Bowl, but would you have been cool with it if Jesse Chatman was given #28 last year? It’s pretty much the same thing.
The thread said Ainge had ‘TAKEN’ the team’s number 10, so nobody GAVE Ainge anyhting.. Give this kid a chance to ATLEAST get on the field before you guys bash him, GEEZZZZ!!!
hank -
That’s even worse. He gets drafted in the 6th round, doesn’t take a snap, gets suspended for taking steroids, then TAKES our previous franchise quarterback’s number a year after he was cut? Screw him if that’s the case.
Thats different though Joe, Curtis did sooo much more for this franchise and he was and still is the man.
Look at it this way would we have ever cut Curtis and let him go to a rival team….Didnt think so.
Joe B:
Let me see Joe; ” He gets drafted in the 6th round,….gets suspended for taking ‘roids……then takes our previous franchise QB’s Number”. Is that 3 strikes against him?
C’mon man, give this kid a chance to get on the field.
And what steroids was he charged with? Do you know for a fact?
hank -
You’re kidding right? “Jet QB Ainge suspended for steroids”
http://us.mobile.reuters.com/m/FullArticle/p.rdt/CSPO/nsportsNews_uUSTRE4AL0WE20081122
The hell difference does it make WHICH steroids he took?
Kyle -
The Jets weren’t exactly welcoming Curtis back with open arms after he got hurt in ‘05. They gently encouraged him to retire, which isn’t far from what they did with Chad.
The bottom line is both were great players and leaders for us, and their numbers shouldn’t be worn again for a while, if ever. Especially not by fourth stringers who have more IR appearances and steroid suspensions than NFL pass attempts.
Having a hard time getting worked up over Ainge taking #10. Much more disappointing that the organization allows players like Bubba Franks to still wear #88.
Joe B:
By late Nov. ‘08 every Jet fan knew Ainge was one of dozens NFL players suspended for use of Steroids AND ” RELATED SUBSTANCES”.I’m sure you know there are possibly hundreds of legal medical forms AND uses for steroids. Some can be used, and are used, safely to increase body weight when it’s impossible otherwise.
Take one look at aInge and tell me if he looks like the second comming of Gholston or TJ.
I’m by no means condining his or anyone’s use of steroidsBent, on November 23rd, 2008 at 5:00 am Said:
Injured players often take steroids to aid their recovery. Doesn’t do much for a broken pinkie though.
However, remember that a ban under this policy does not necessarily mean a guy has actually taken steroids.but I agree with Bent’s comments:
Bent, on November 23rd, 2008 at 5:00 am Said:
“Injured players often take steroids to aid their recovery. Doesn’t do much for a broken pinkie though”.
“However, remember that a ban under this policy does not necessarily mean a guy has actually taken steroids”.
What Bent did not mention was that steroids also help to develop bone growrh.
Look, I am and have been completely with you on Pennington, but lets not label Ainge a ” related substance” abuser untill we Know what steroids he used and what for. I mean take a look at him, does he look he did it for muscle mass?
Eastside – I continue to believe that the disappointing play of everyone to wear 88 since Toon retired is karma for them not having retired the number years ago.
Reuters are irresponsible for saying that Ainge was banned for using steroids (although everyone does it – you may recall the Post did it and then after I called them out for it – no idea if this was directly responsible – they changed the headline but not the name of the link).
Ainge was banned under the steroids and related substances policy and I think the comments were that he had taken a diuretic, rather than a PED.
However, diuretics are banned too because they can (a) aid weight loss and (b) flush actual PEDs from your system quickly. He deserves the ban, but let’s not make him out to be Barry Bonds.
Should they have given him number 10? I don’t know. I will remember Chad fondly when he retires, but for now he represents the enemy.
Ainge is a joke and him getiing #10 JERSEY is a shame. This joke will be out of the league after the summer.
Ainge supporters notice where he is in the pic, down in his own endzone. Notice the checkerboard.
What a f@#$ing joke he is.