Post by Lithfan on Jul 17, 2016 7:06:01 GMT -5
July 17, 2003
The Jets would be taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the opener to the NFL's pre-season in the American Bowl in Tokyo in the beginning of August. Both teams signed a Japanese player who would join the team for a couple of weeks in training camp to prepare for the game. On this date, July 17 in 2003, the Jets signed Japanese clothing salesman (and wide receiver) Yoshinobu Imoto. Imoto had played at least one season at WR for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe.
Jets Coach Herm Edwards was determined to give the Japanese fans a reason to cheer for their countryman. “When he gets in just be alert, because he’s not coming in to block,” Edwards said. “We’ve got three plays for him. One of them I drew up. Hopefully, one of them works. There’s a lot of pressure on me to get him the ball. The one he catches will be the play I designed. He needs to be the star. He’s going to get some balls thrown to him. Some kind of way he’s going to have at least one reception. The guys are rooting for him.”
Imoto would make the most of his opportunity. His big moment came in the 4th quarter of the Jets 30-14 loss to the defending champion Bucs. He hauled in a 44-yard reception from QB Brooks Bollinger.
The Jets would be taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the opener to the NFL's pre-season in the American Bowl in Tokyo in the beginning of August. Both teams signed a Japanese player who would join the team for a couple of weeks in training camp to prepare for the game. On this date, July 17 in 2003, the Jets signed Japanese clothing salesman (and wide receiver) Yoshinobu Imoto. Imoto had played at least one season at WR for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe.
Jets Coach Herm Edwards was determined to give the Japanese fans a reason to cheer for their countryman. “When he gets in just be alert, because he’s not coming in to block,” Edwards said. “We’ve got three plays for him. One of them I drew up. Hopefully, one of them works. There’s a lot of pressure on me to get him the ball. The one he catches will be the play I designed. He needs to be the star. He’s going to get some balls thrown to him. Some kind of way he’s going to have at least one reception. The guys are rooting for him.”
Imoto would make the most of his opportunity. His big moment came in the 4th quarter of the Jets 30-14 loss to the defending champion Bucs. He hauled in a 44-yard reception from QB Brooks Bollinger.