Player Connections
*ILB Jonathan Vilmawas a first round draft pick of the Jets in 2004 and played in New York from 2004-07. He was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2004 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2005.
*WR Marques Colstonwas a standout at Hofstra from 2001-05 along with Jets G Willie Colon.
*CB Keenan Lewisand Colon were teammates in Pittsburgh from 2009-12.
*S Malcolm Jenkinswas a high school All-American at Piscataway (N.J.) HS.
*Jenkins, Jets C Eric Mangoldand WR Santonio Holmeswere college teammates at Ohio State
*Jets RB Chris Ivoryplayed for the Saints from 2010-2012.
*S Isa Abdul Quddusprepped at Union (N.J.) HS where he was first-team All-County and secondteamAll-State as a senior and then played at Fordham for four years where he was a two-year starter in the Rams defensive backfield.
*RB Mark Ingramwas born in Hackensack, N.J.
*WR Nick Toon's father, Al was the tenth overall pick in the 1985 NFL Draft by the Jets and went on to become a three-time Pro Bowl receiver who played his entire career with the club from 1985-92.
*NT John Jenkinsattended Francis T. Maloney (Meriden, Conn.) HS.
*RB Darren Sprolesand WR Robert Meachemplayed with Jets LB Antwan Barnesin San Diego. CB Chris Carrand Barnes were teammates in Baltimore in 2009.
*ILB Kevin Reddickand Jets LB Quinton Copleswere teammates at North Carolina.
Coaching Connections
*Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryanis the twin brother of Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan. Rob and Rex served on the same defensive coaching staff with the Arizona Cardinals from 1994-95.
*Rob, Rex and Jets Assistant Defensive Line/Linebackers Coach Jeff Weekswere college roommates and teammates at Southwestern Oklahoma State.
*Weeks served on the same staff as Rob Ryan with Oakland in 2008.
*Rob Ryan and Jets tight ends coach Steve Hagenserved on the same staff in Cleveland from 2009-10.Hagen tutored TE Benjamin Watsonfor the Browns from 2010-12
*Wide Receivers Coach Henry Ellardserved in the same position for the Jets from 2009-11.
*Director of Football Administration Khai Harleyis a Somerville, N.J. native and graduate of Rutgers.
*Jets College Area Scout Aaron Glennplayed cornerback for the Saints in 2008.
*Quarterbacks Coach Joe Limbardicoached tight ends and running backs for the XFL's New York/New Jersey Hitmen in 2001.
*Executive Director of Communications Doug Millerwas a member of the Jets PR staff from 1990-2006.
*Scouting Assistant Michael Parentonspent part of the 2009 season on the Jets practice squad.
*Head Coach Sean Payton, Jets Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Anthony Lynnand Quarterbacks Coach David Leeserved on the same Dallas offensive staff.
*Jets Quality Control/Defense & Assistant Defensive Backs Bobby April IIIis a Mandeville native who graduated from Louisiana-Lafayette and coached at Nicholls State and Tulane.
*Jets Defensive Line Coach Karl Dunbaris an Opelousas native who played at LSU, played for the Saints from 1992-93 and also coached for the Colonels and Tigers.
