Even 3-13 groups produce inspirational performances.
The Jets aren’t any totally different.
On Friday, the gamers voted for Isaiah Williams to be the “Curtis Martin Staff MVP’, maybe probably the most unlikely recipient of all to be honored in group historical past.
The 24-year-old kicker returner and receiver, after all, was launched by the Jets after a poor efficiency towards the Dolphins in Week 4, fumbling a kickoff and fair-catching a punt on the 3-yard line.
Williams was re-signed after being reduce and completed with two punt returns for TDs, averaging 14.1 per return, and he returned 23 kickoffs for a median of 30.2 yards per return.
“I believed that was actually particular as a result of I feel from the surface, even from the within, I don’t assume anyone thought that he can be voted MVP,’’ Jets head coach Aaron Glenn stated. “He was [written] off and, man, for him to go about his enterprise and never be swayed by all of the destructive discuss, I believed it was excellent and now for him to be the MVP of this group, that’s only a story in itself and I’m very, very pleased with him.’’
Williams’ story has been storybook — undrafted, signed off the Bengals observe squad after the season started, reduce, re-signed and returning two punts for a TD — the second of which got here within the second assembly with Miami.
“In the event you would have instructed me I’d be Staff MVP by the tip of the season, I’d have most likely checked out you loopy,’’ Williams stated. “After I bought reduce, I believed I used to be going to be on a observe squad for the remainder of the 12 months, simply working, getting higher. After which if the chance got here, it got here.”
Jets particular groups coach Chris Banjo known as Williams’ season and receiving the award “super,” including, “To see the way in which he began the 12 months and what he’s been capable of do since, his dedication to who he’s as an individual but additionally his progress and growth as a participant, has been actually cool to see.”
DT Harrison Phillips was awarded the “Dennis Byrd Most Inspirational’’ award.
Phillips was additionally the recipient of the Gerald Eskenazi Media Good Man Award for many cooperative participant, named after the long-time Jets beat author for the New York Instances.
Joe Tippmann, who moved from middle to protect this season, was named the “Kyle Clifton Good Man Award.’’
Olu Fashanu was named the “Ed Block Braveness’’ award recipient, beginning all 17 video games at left sort out.
LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball was given the “Marty Lyons Neighborhood Service’’ award for his generosity locally.
And rookie CB Azareye’h Thomas was given the “Invoice Hampton’’ award because the rookie who acts most like a professional.
Operating again Breece Corridor, who was restricted in observe once more on Friday, is just not among the many gamers who’re dominated out for the sport on account of harm, however don’t count on him to be in uniform Sunday.
Corridor, who has been battling knee soreness, eclipsed 1,000 yards speeding final week and is within the last 12 months of his contract. Name it a enterprise determination.
Among the many gamers dominated out are TE Mason Taylor, RB Isaiah Davis, DL Michael Clemons, CB Qwan’tez Stiggers, TE Jelani Woods and OL Xavier Newman.
Jets kicker Nick Folks, who someway was robbed of being named to the Professional Bowl after making 28-of-29 discipline objectives (96.6 %) and all 22 of his PATs, instructed The Submit on Friday he “needs to maintain enjoying’’ in 2026, however nonetheless needs to speak it over along with his spouse and youngsters.
Folks, who’s 41 and in his 18th season, is a free agent after this season.
He has twin 12-year-old sons who’re completed soccer gamers within the youth system of MLS group Dallas FC, and logistics concerning managing their budding careers and schedule will probably be a subject of dialog along with his spouse.
He stated he has not spoken to the group about returning, however plans to take action on Monday, the day after the season.
Remarkably, the Jets beginning offensive line will line up collectively for the seventeenth consecutive sport this season on Sunday, which is a rarity.
Fashanu (992 snaps), LG John Simpson (968), C Josh Myers (1,000), Tippmann (999) and RT Armand Membou (999) have performed in 4,958 of the 5,000 complete offensive snaps, 99.2 % of the accessible snaps.
It’s the primary time the Jets have began the identical OL all season since 2012.
“You don’t see that too typically, to the place you might have 5 guys have that continuity sport after sport, enhancing, getting higher week after week and never one in all them go down,” Glenn stated. “That’s a credit score to these guys caring for their our bodies and understanding what they should exit and compete each week.”
