The Baltimore Ravens had seven wins in 2002. Eight, if you count signing undrafted free agent linebacker Bart Scott from Southern Illinois University.
The Jets picked up an extra victory of their own seven years later when they signed the 2006 Pro Bowler as an unrestricted free agent.
Having started in 62 consecutive regular-season and playoff games since moving into the starting lineup seven games into the 2005 season, Scott arrived in New York prior to the 2009 campaign with four straight 100-tackle seasons the last four years.
He chose to sign with the Green & White because the man who witnessed every one of those tackles as his defensive coordinator with the Ravens was now the first-year head coach of the Jets – Rex Ryan.
"That was my sole decision to sign with the Jets. No way I would have come to the Jets if Rex wasn't here. I would have stayed in Baltimore," Scott said.
"He knew who I was. I knew who he was. We think alike. So there was never any conversation, 'I need you to be a leader. I need you to be that,' because he knew who I am as a person. There was never a conversation about what he needed. He just needed me to be me."
And he came through. Stretching his 100-tackle season streak to five, Scott helped the Jets finish 2009 ranked No. 1 in the NFL in total defense. The first time in franchise history.
"Commitment," Scott said, was the key. "There were no egos. We had a perfect mix of veteran guys and a perfect mix of young guys. Guys like David Harris, guys like Darrelle Revis, who were trying to make a name for themselves.
"And they brought in guys who had names for themselves. At that point, we had already achieved what we wanted to achieve. So we weren't looking for individual accolades. We looked for opportunities to win and the young guys were looking to learn how to win."
They'd find those opportunities. During Scott's first two seasons with the Jets, that mix of veteran and young players helped them win 20 of 32 regular-season games and reach back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 2009 and 2010.
While New York had every right to be proud of its accomplishments, the success on the field doesn't headline Scott's fondest memories of his four seasons as a Jet. He more so cherished the camaraderie that comes with football.
"For me, I think it's different from what people think is important to players," Scott said. "It's not one game. It's none of that stuff. It has nothing to do with that. It's really about the fellowship, the brotherhood, the practices, the funny stuff in the meetings, the hanging out with each other. That's what you miss.
"Games are games. I'm sure a certain game is more important to some people, but what people miss after the game is the brotherhood, being with like-minded people, being able to do stuff and explore things with people, learn stuff with people, the personalities like a big fraternity. And then when you retire, it's all gone."
Making every team in the league regret overlooking him during the 2002 Draft, and all but two for not having him wear their uniform, Scott spent 11 seasons in the NFL.
A standout who played with intensity, Scott was a linebacker who checked all the boxes – run-stopping, pass-rushing, coverage. A team leader, he was forced to leave the game in 2013 after having to have a total reconstruction of a big toe.
What makes him most proud of his career?
"That I was self-made," Scott said. "That I came in with no expectations and was able to get three contracts, which means I did something right. That my opponents respected me. That when I walk around, people always understand that I was a guy that laid it all on the line.
"And I got a level of respect from the OGs about the way I played the game, and my approach to the game. That's what I'm more proud of. I care more about respect from my peers than I do from fans, because my peers understand what goes into doing what we do."
What Scott is doing now is something that was initiated during his first season with the Jets when he and Eric Allen, the Jets Vice President, News Strategy, started Barking with Bart, a webisode before pods became popular. They were soon taping segments for the NFL Network.
"People thought I was funny, thought I was good at it, and it kind of went from there," Scott said. "Then when I retired, Fox execs and CBS execs wanted to offer me a job. I never went to any broadcast boot camps or anything like that. My background is in finance."
"Shortly after he retired, we brought him back as an analyst," Allen said. "He is a weekly fixture on "The Jets Official Podcast" that's hosted by me and features Brian Baldinger in-season. He also serves as our analyst for Jets Gameday, a weekly broadcast show that airs locally on WCBS-2 in New York, and also is available on NewYorkJets.com and YouTube.
"A great character, everyone knew he would have a broadcasting career when he was done playing. He's dynamite on-camera and has a unique way of breaking down football that pleases both the hardcore fans and people who just want to be entertained. Truly one of a kind."
Previously a studio analyst for CBS' The NFL Today pregame show, Scott now co-hosts the Bart & Carlin radio program with Chris Carlin, which airs weekdays from 10 to 1 on 880 AM ESPN New York.
"I enjoy being able to stay current with the game and connect with fans, connect with people," said Scott, who is also a studio analyst on SNY's Jets Post Game Live. "Broadcasting and coaching are similar. You're just talking and teaching people, opposed to teaching players."
Making their home in New Jersey, Scott and his wife, Darnesha, have three children: Bartholomew, Gisele, and Bryce.
