New York Jets: Seven Players Named to All-Division Team

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan watches the game from the sideline during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, you read the title correctly. Despite that the Jets weren’t very good in 2014, that didn’t stop our friends at Pro Football Focus from acknowledging their performance. Each year, based on their statistical formulas, they come up with an All-Pro team from each division.

Well, the AFC East team is out and the Jets have seven representatives. To put that into perspective, the Patriots have 11. Yes, they obviously only have four teams to choose from, but would aspect seven of our players to be chosen? I know I didn’t.

Well, here are the seven Jets chosen for the PFF All-AFC East Team:

Next: Eric Decker

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets wide receiver

(87) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

ERIC DECKER:

It wasn’t the caliber of season the Jets had hoped for from Decker when signing him as a free agent this past offseason, though the inconsistency at quarterback certainly did not help. However, he did finish the year with a string of solid performances that he can hopefully build upon heading into 2015.

It’s hard to argue with choosing Decker. When you take into account the Jets quarterback play, Decker had a wonderful season. 74 catches for 962 yards and five touchdowns is nothing to frown at, and the 74 receptions only marked a decrease in 13 catches from the previous season, and that was with Peyton Manning. The Jets found themselves a number one receiver.

Next: Oday Aboushi

Aug 16, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; New York Jets offensive tackle

(75) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

ODAY ABOUSHI:

Not a lot of great guard play in the division, but for the most part Aboushi held his own after moving to guard and taking over for the injured Brian Winters.

Oday was an unexpected choice, but really, he didn’t have a bad season for the Jets at all. According to PFF, he was only called for one penalty, and he graded out at 2.4 in run blocking. If he can improve in pass protection (-11.4), the Jets could have a solid left guard for a long time.

Next: Nick Mangold

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets center

(74) wears an NYPD cap during the coin toss before a game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

NICK MANGOLD:

After a bit of a down year in 2013 by his standards, Mangold regained his elite form to make our All-Pro team while earning the highest overall grade among centers this season.

This one was a no-brainer. Nick Mangold had a great season for the Jets, given the blame for only one sack, two hits, and four quarterback hurries. He led the league on PFF with an overall grade of 22.6, a pass blocking grade of 5.5, and was second in the league in run blocking with a grade of 18.2. Nick Mangold is not showing any signs of slowing down as the Jets man in the middle.

Aug 1, 2013; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets defensive tackle

(91) and defensive end

(96) stretch during training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

MUHAMMAD WILKERSON AND SHELDON RICHARDSON:

The Jets boast arguably the two best 3-4 defensive ends not named J.J. Watt. In his second season, Richardson was just as stout against the run while improving considerably as a pass rusher. Wilkerson missed some time, but he earned at least a +4.0 overall grade in six of the 12 full games that he played.

Two of the top defenders in the NFL, the Jets should have these two on this team for many years to come. The two posted 14 sacks together, dominating the Jets resurgence with the pass rush. This would have been a bad roster if these two weren’t on it.

Next: Ryan Quigley

Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets punter

(4) kicks off to the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit:

-USA TODAY Sports

RYAN QUIGLEY:

Quigley was a Top 10 punter this season and his 32.1% of punts returned was the third-lowest in the league.

Who knew, huh? With the facts noted above, it’s not hard to see why Ryan Quigley was chosen. It’s just hard for us Jets fans to believe, since he seemed so inconsistent. Quigley can punt, but it never seemed like he could kick one of those deep punts when the Jets really needed one, you know? But, congratulations to Ryan Quigley on this one.

Nov 3, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets linebacker

(54) celebrates a defensive stop against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets won the game 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

NICK BELLORE:

Bellore made our All-Pro Special Teams as one of the best special-teamers in the league, with his specialty being kickoff coverage.

Per PFF, Bellore is quite the specialist, posting an overall grade on special teams of 8.0.

Take a look at the whole team by clicking here.

So, what do you think about the roster?

Next: Jets Odd Kevin Patullo Hire