Didn't see this posted. It's from Randy Lange's blog on the Jets' website. http://www.newyorkjets.com/blog/posts/981-szott-s-player-development-work-recognized More uniform number changes: QB Erik Ainge hung with No. 9 all last season, but now he's hung up No. 9 and is switching to 10. That was Chad Pennington's number, of course. It was also Ainge's number in four years as Tennessee's starting QB. CB Dwight Lowery, who wore 34 all last season, is downshifting to 21. He was 25 at San Jose State but Kerry Rhodes has staked out that territory for four years. Newly signed Donald Strickland, who wore No. 30 for the 49ers when he started at LCB against the Jets in San Francisco last season, comes in at No. 34, but we're hearing he also will "trade down" if the number is right.
I don't see a prob with this, we weren't going to retire it or anything and Chad never really was around to teach Ainge anything. The problem with Eric Ainge is that he really doesn't have great prospects for doing anything in the NFL and it's because we know he sucks. It's because he is stuck in 3rd with 2 unproven guys ahead of him who will be given every chance to become the number one guy. Unless one of them looks like total shit, he'll remain number 3. If he makes the active roster, he will be hoping for an injury. Because he was drafted late, there's little reason for anyone to pick him up off our practice roster, especially since they all passed on drafting him in the first place. Plus, what are the chances of a guy in his situation ever becoming anything impressive in the league?? He'd be better off to give the CFL a try if things don't work out in the NFL before his contract expires, then try to put up some numbers in Canada and get a better shot int he NFL in 4 or 5 years.
Somewhat interesting that no one has worn #80 or #28 since they left the team, but #10 is given away to the third string QB. I have no problem with it, but says something about the organization's opinion about Chad...
#28 is also the number that the Jets top career rushing leader and a sure-fire hall of famer wore. And #80 was worn by one of the most beloved Jets of all time. Both of whom ended their career with the Jets and did not sign with the Dolphins and play against the Jets twice a year.
Ainge does have pretty good prospects; he had a very impressive college career. A big factor on why he was taken so low was that he was injury prone in college, so I don't see any glaring reason why he couldn't be successful at this level. As far as being given an opportunity, I think he'll find his place on a roster, even if the Jets decide they don't need him. There are much worse prospects out there and a lot of teams desperate for a QB with potential he has.
28 could very well be retired and 80 was a huge fan favorite. If a player wants a number that's available, I don't see any reason why the organization would deny him that. After so many years with chadwick, it'll definitely be weird seeing someone else wearing #10 on the sidelines though.
Yeah lol it seems like a good fit for him. I really didn't like it when Justin Miller went from 22 to 21 tho.
Lowery will look great in 21. I think Ainge taking Pennington's #10 is fine. I've always disliked Chad to begin with so this is ok with me.
28 and 80 were on a completely different level than 10. Years from now, 10 will be referred to mostly in jokes, nobody is going to miss him (and what a sad state we'll be in if we are missing him). While I do appreciate what Pennington did for us, that fact of the matter is he will go down as just another player.
