New York Jets history: 1971 season

Jets RB Emerson Boozer (Spokeo)

After having not missed a single game due to injury over his first five seasons, QB Joe Namath was forced out of New York’s final nine contests in 1970 because of a broken wrist. Gang Green finished the campaign with a franchise-worst record of 4-10.

Namath was set to return in 1971, though, so there was some cause for optimism.

1971 NFL Draft

New York selected future Hall of Fame RB John Riggins with the sixth overall pick in the first round. Riggins became the first Jet in history to attain a 1,000-yard season when he galloped for 1,005 yards in 1975, but this story didn’t have a fairy tale ending for Jets’ fans. Riggins left the team after the 1975 season, and his best years came as a member of the Washington Redskins.

The remainder of the draft was pedestrian for the Jets. Of note, the team took DB Phil Wise in the sixth round (136th overall) and DB Rich Sowells in the 12th round (292nd overall).

George Sauer retires

Gang Green’s prospects for a successful season were hampered when star WR George Sauer announced his retirement on April 16, 1971. Only 27 years old, Sauer decided to call it quits after six often great seasons because, in a nutshell, he felt guilty about partaking in a sport where violence and hurting others was the norm.

On his decision, Sauer said, “I am dissatisfied with football as it is being played now – to be a player is to be treated like a child. I am physically able to play, so it is hard to retire since I like football. But I dislike present conditions. It’s hard to leave the guys. It’s a hard decision to make knowing you can still play. There are many reasons and it is kind of hard to get into.” (George Usher; Newsday; April 17, 1971; p. 31).

He also said, “The game can really touch you as a human being if you are permitted to touch others as human beings. But this is difficult when you have the Vince Lombardi style of coach hollering at you to hate the opponent, who really is just a guy like you in a different color uniform.” (New York Times; April 17, 1971; p. 22).

Joe Namath injured

Joe Namath, during the offseason prior to the 1971 regular season. (Bettmann/CORBIS)

Sauer’s retirement wasn’t the end of the Jets’ problems. In a pre-season game versus the Detroit Lions at Tampa on Aug. 7, 1971, Namath badly damaged his left knee while trying to make a tackle on a fumble return.

Regarding the severity of the injury, team orthopedist Dr. James A. Nicholas said, “There is a possibility that Joe may be able to play by the 10th game of the season late in November. His leg will be in a cast for six or seven weeks.” (Dave Anderson; New York Times; Aug. 8, 1971; p. 1).

There was also doubt as to whether Namath would ever return because this injury necessitated the fourth combined surgery between his two knees (New York Times; Aug. 9, 1971; p. 35).

Week One: At Baltimore Colts

In a comprehensive disaster, the Jets lost their season opener to the defending Super Bowl Champion Colts, 22-0.

New York’s run defence was putrid in the setback. Colts’ RB Norm Bulaich galloped for 198 yards, a Baltimore club record. The Colts’ previous single-game rushing high, 194 yards, had been set by RB Alan Ameche in a 23-17 win over the Chicago Bears on Sept. 25, 1955 (Anderson; Sept. 20, 1971; p. 33).

The Jets’ offence wasn’t any better. QB Al Woodall (10-19; 94 yards) didn’t turn the ball over, but that’s not saying much. The unit managed just 118 yards, the second fewest in a game in franchise history at that point. Previously, Gang Green gained only 113 yards in a 38-3 loss at San Diego on Dec. 6, 1964 (Anderson; Sept. 20, 1971; p. 36).

As of 2014, the Jets’ 118 yards from this game are tied for the third fewest yards gained in any contest in club history. The all-time low, 72 yards, came in a 42-3 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 12, 1976.

Week Two: At St. Louis Cardinals

Gang Green fell to 0-2 after a 17-10 loss to the Cardinals on Monday Night Football.

A defensive injury hurt the Jets in the loss. With DB Steve Tannen sidelined with a right knee ailment, Sowells filled in at left cornerback, and he was torched. WR John Gilliam reeled in five catches for 119 yards against the rookie’s coverage (Anderson; Sept. 28, 1971; p. 49).

Week Three: At Miami Dolphins

Despite trailing by 10-0 entering the fourth quarter, Gang Green kept its poise and stormed back for a 14-10 triumph.

All units contributed to the Jets’ late rally. First, a forced fumble by CB Earlie Thomas paved the way for RB George Nock’s one-yard plunge, which brought the visitors to within 10-7. Then, C Paul Crane recovered a muffed Miami punt, and Nock reached pay dirt for the winning score from two yards out on fourth down with 1:55 remaining (Anderson; Oct. 4, 1971; pp.. 55-56).

Head Coach Weeb Ewbank gambled by going for the winning touchdown with Nock rather than attempting the tying field goal. On the decision, Ewbank said, “We’re down two games and we’re playing this ball club. We had to go for it. We felt we had to do it. This team’s in our division. We had to have a win not a tie. If we can’t get in the end zone from the 2, we don’t deserve to win.” (Anderson; Oct. 4, 1971; p. 55).

Overtime wasn’t implemented in the NFL regular season until 1974, so if Ewbank took the field goal, the best-case scenario for the Jets would have likely been a tie.

Week Four: At New England Patriots

Behind a dreadful afternoon from Woodall (4-24; 20 yards), the Jets were blanked by the Patriots, 20-0.

With the blanking, the Jets had been shut out as many times in the first four weeks of the 1971 season as they had been shut out cumulatively in the franchise’s first 11 seasons. Gang Green’s only prior shutout defeats had been a 48-0 loss at Kansas City on Dec. 22, 1963 and a 24-0 loss at Houston on Oct. 16, 1966.

1971 is one of only five seasons where the Jets have endured multiple shutout losses. New York was also held without a score in at least two games in 1976, 1977, 1989, and 2006.

Week Five: Buffalo Bills

Veteran backup QB Bob Davis replaced a benched Woodall as the Jets won their home opener at Shea Stadium, 28-17.

Davis (7-12; 140 yards; 2 TD) was efficient in the win, and RB Emerson Boozer (116 yards; 31 carries; TD) ran wild (Anderson; Oct. 18, 1971; p. 49).

Week Six: Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins avoided a head-to-head sweep by the Jets, 30-14.

Miami attained 297 rushing yards [pro-football-reference.com lists the total as 302 yards] in this contest, the highest total amassed in a game against the Jets at the time (Anderson; Oct. 25, 1971; p. 45). Previously, the Jets surrendered 287 rushing yards in a 24-20 loss at San Diego on Oct. 13, 1963.

The current single-game rushing high against Gang Green, 343 yards, was achieved by the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 38-10 win on Sept. 20, 1981.

Week Seven: At San Diego Chargers

On Halloween afternoon, the Jets defence was anything but scary to the Chargers, who trounced New York, 49-21.

Mistakes by Davis (8-18; 83 yards; 2 TD; 2 Int) late in the first half changed the complexion of the game. With the Jets ahead by 14-7, Davis fired a pair of interceptions, which resulted in two San Diego touchdowns and a 21-14 half-time lead (Anderson; Nov. 1, 1971; p. 59).

The 49 points were the most allowed by the Jets since the Chargers scored 53 in a 53-7 win over Gang Green on Nov. 2, 1963. Yikes; it seems like the Chargers handed the Jets some dubious records back in the day!

Week Eight: Kansas City Chiefs

A 39-yard field goal by K Bobby Howfield early in the fourth quarter was the difference as the Jets earned a 13-10 win over the previously 5-1-1 Chiefs.

The Jets’ defence keyed the win. With the unit hampered by injuries, Defensive Coordinator Walt Michaels and Defensive Line Coach Buddy Ryan suggested the use of a scheme with four linebackers and three cornerbacks. This plan confused the Chiefs, and Michaels and Ryan were awarded game balls (Anderson; Nov. 8, 1971; p. 55).

Week Nine: Baltimore Colts

Special teams’ miscues killed the Jets in a 14-13 loss to the Colts. Howfield had both a game-tying extra point try and a potential game-winning 22-yard field goal attempt blocked in the final period (Murray Chass; New York Times; Nov. 15, 1971; p. 57).

In the loss, New York’s defence played well again. After managing only seven total sacks over their first eight games, the Jets recorded six sacks against the Colts [pro-football-reference.com records seven sacks for the Jets in this game] (Chass; Nov. 15, 1971; p. 57).

Week 10: At Buffalo Bills

Gang Green earned a season sweep of the Bills, 20-7.

New York’s defence paved the way to victory. The unit recorded four interceptions, including two late in the first half that led to 10 points and a 17-7 half-time edge (Chass; Nov. 22, 1971; p. 55).

As predicted by Dr. Nicholas at the time of Namath’s injury, the signal caller was available to play in this game. He was held out, however, because of rainy and snowy conditions (Chass; Nov. 22, 1971; p. 57).

Week 11: San Francisco 49ers

In Namath’s return, San Francisco held off a furious Jets’ rally to prevail by 24-21.

Namath (11-27; 258 yards; 3 TD; 2 Int) replaced Davis (1-3; 17 yards), who departed with a strained right ankle tendon in the second quarter, and behind thunderous ovations, he nearly led Gang Green back from two separate 17-point deficits. Unfortunately, with the Jets within three points in the final half-minute, Namath was intercepted on third-and-10 at the San Francisco 19-yard line (Chass; Nov. 29, 1971; pp. 59-60).

Having missed 19 straight regular season games, Namath’s performance would probably seem, at worst, solid to most people. The quarterback wasn’t pleased, though. He said, “I didn’t play well at all. The best pass I threw as far as putting something on it and getting good flight was the last one that was intercepted (Anderson; Nov. 29, 1971; p. 59).”

Week 12: At Dallas Cowboys

Dallas’ Ike Thomas returned the opening kickoff 101 yards to pay dirt, and the home team never looked back. The Cowboys clobbered the Jets, 52-10.

Namath (1-5; 20 yards; Int) left the game late in the first quarter because of a sore arm, but he re-entered in the final period to mop up the debacle when Davis (5-15; 7 yards; TD; 2 Int) sprained his right ankle (Chass; Dec. 5, 1971; pp. 1, 3).

Week 13: New England Patriots

The Jets upped their record to 5-8 with a 13-6 win over the Patriots.

Namath (7-12; 95 yards; 2 Int) played the full contest, but solid performances from the running game, the defence, and the special teams stole the show. Riggins (91 yards; 24 carries; TD) and Boozer (77 yards; 18 carries) excelled, and an interception by Wise and a blocked punt by Tannen, respectively, positioned Gang Green’s 10 third quarter points.

Week 14: Cincinnati Bengals

New York’s offense erupted in a 35-21 triumph over the Bengals in the season finale (Chass; Dec. 20, 1971; p. 49, 51).

Once again, the Jets dominated on the ground. Riggins (99 yards; 17 carries) enjoyed his best game of the year, as did sophomore RB Cliff McClain. After replacing Boozer (34 yards; 13 carries; 2 TD), who was forced out with bruised ribs in the third period, McClain galloped for 76 yards on four carries. 63 of McClain’s yards came on a touchdown run that was the sixth longest burst for any NFL back in 1971.

Despite his great performance, after the game, McClain exuded frustration with his general lack of playing time.

“I’m not playing and I want to play. That’s the only way you can make money in this game. I can understand why, when Joe’s playing, Weeb doesn’t want to put me in. With the limited experience I have, I wouldn’t put myself in, because Joe has to be protected. But when Joe was hurt, he had a chance to play me and give me the experience then. If he didn’t play me this year in that situation, I know he’s not going to play me next year when Joe is playing.” (Chass; Dec. 20, 1971; p. 51).

Aftermath

The consecutive late season wins notwithstanding, 1971 had been another trying year for the Jets. The prospects for 1972 were in doubt.