New York Jets First Ten Games: Earning Their Wings

Nov 9, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back

(33) leaps over Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback

(22) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Time to give out this week of wings. The Jets didn’t have a game yesterday, so it’s not going to be like normal. Instead, we are going to give out our “wings” this week, to the top players on the team over the first ten games. Yes, even though the Jets are 2-8, there are players to identify that have excelled.

So, who earned their wings prior to the bye week?

CHRIS IVORY: Aside from a couple of dud performances, Chris Ivory has been the best running back for the New York Jets thus far in 2014. Ivory had a rough go against the Broncos, with eight carries for seven yards, but for the most part Ivory has been tough. He leads the Jets with 548 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He has been everything Jets fans hoped for and more.

Oct 26, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver

(87) during warm ups before the game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Buffalo Bills defeated New York Jets 43-23. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Despite having some difficulty with a hamstring problem, Eric Decker has been everything the Jets have looked for in a number one wide receiver. On the season, Decker has caught 43 passes for 450 yards and four TDs. Are those outstanding numbers? Hardly. Some of that, however, has to be credited to the fact that the Jets have seen poor quarterback play to say the least. Decker has been a consistent force that the Jets have lacked on the outside for years.

Oct 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Jets inside linebacker

(56) on the sideline during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

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Does anyone else think that Demario Davis looks a bit like Lawrence Taylor in this picture? That aside, Davis is rapidly becoming the leader of the Jets defense. In year number three, Demario knows the Jets defense almost to the level of his predecessor, Bart Scott, and is on pace for a career high 120 tackle season. He improves in all phases every week, and will be a star for the Jets for years to come.

Nov 2, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs nose tackle

(92) talks to New York Jets defensive end

(96) after the game at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 24-10. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Finally, we give to the big guy, Muhammad Wilkerson. Big Mo has been the expected “Beast” on the outside for the Jets, with 4.5 sacks to date. He also is on a career topping pace for tackles with 48, putting him on a pace for 77. We know how good Mo is at stopping the run. He more than earned his wings.