I came across this article ranking the best safeties of all time: Ronnie Lott, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, Ken Houston, and Brian Dawkins.
Personally, I think we’ve had some solid safeties, but none on the level of those NFL legends. What do you guys think?
15 comments
We did have Ronnie Lott and Ed Reed
Jamal was the only guy at an All-Pro level but that was for such a short period of time.
Victor Green was a mainstay for a decade and had by far the best overall tenure. He got better as he aged.
Rhodes and McMillan were both terrific but just weren’t with the Jets as long as Green.
Jim Leonhard!
Ugh we really need a playmaking safety. I miss Leonhard and Rhodes. Shit even those first couple of years with Jamal Adams
Unless you count HoFers getting an end of career paycheck/cup of coffee I’d imagine the Jets would be quite low on this list
Victor Green was the man
Solid yes but nowhere the caliber of this list. Someone like Jamal Adams isn’t even in the same conversation as the rest.
A reminder that the Jets selected Bryan Thomas 22nd overall in 2002.
The Ravens selected Ed Reed two picks later.
Remember when Jamal Adams was all in for the jets and then requested a trade like 6 months later
We’ve never had a top tier HOF Safety and our current ones won’t be either.
Steve Atwater, Ronnie Lott, Ed Reed – Jets have had three HOF safeties.
Each time I remember reading so many articles about each of them were going to train up Jets secondary before they slip into retirement.
I really want one. I love a great defense and always wanted to see us with an exciting safety.
Jets legend Ed Reed
Kerry Rhodes in 06 was the best I can remember
Jets all time interception leader was Bill Baird, a safety for us in the 60s. 34 interceptions from 63 to 69, which is crazy, especially when teams were predominantly running the ball.