1980 Jets- what happened?

[CSKreager]

The Jets, when they had their resurgence post-Namath around the time they changed their logo/unis, had a pair of 8-8 seasons in 1978-1979 (in which they gave playoff bound Miami teams fits) and playoff teams in 1981-1982.

In between, with virtually the same team, they went 4-12 and struggled mightily.

This sums them up in a nutshell- they beat that memorable 1980 Falcons team in Atlanta (last loss before they ran off 9 straight), but lost at home to the Aints that nearly went winless (the week after they blew that 35-7 lead at SF no less!)

So how do they go from improving to cratering to improving again (at least after the 0-3 start in '81)?

[Gary Najman]

I think of three main reasons of the 1980 colapse and 1981 improvement:

1) in 1980 Richard Todd led the NFL with 30 interceptions. One year later he only had 13.

2) They got Freeman McNeil in the first round of the 1981 NFL Draft and improved their rushing game from 18th to 6th overall. In 1979 they led the NFL in rushing with Clark Gaines and Scott Dierking rushing for more tan 1,600 yards combined. Gaines got injured for most of 1980, then went to Kansas City, where he wouldn't gain another yard in 10 games over two seasons.

3) The emergency of the Sack Exchange (the defense improved from 22th to 5th in total yards allowed).

[Bryan]

I think of three main reasons of the 1980 colapse and 1981 improvement:

1) in 1980 Richard Todd led the NFL with 30 interceptions. One year later he only had 13.

Richard Todd...possibly the most enigmatic QB in NFL history. Sets single game passing records in 1980, and leads league in INTs.

[Reaser]

Richard Todd...possibly the most enigmatic QB in NFL history. Sets single game passing records in 1980, and leads league in INTs.

Exactly.

I've always thought he would be interesting for a lengthy doc or long form article - especially if done by a Jets fan from the era.

[oldecapecod11]

by Reaser » Tue Aug 04, 2015 2:34 pm

Bryan wrote:
Richard Todd...possibly the most enigmatic QB in NFL history. Sets single game passing records in 1980, and leads league in INTs.

Exactly.
I've always thought he would be interesting for a lengthy doc or long form article - especially if done by a Jets fan from the era.

Surely that article would include his sack avoidance statistics? (Critical, you know!)

[74_75_78_79_]

Jets did beat Houston that year.