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Six former Jets have passed away in a year of tragedy, sadness

Related Topics: New York Jets, Cary Blanchard

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- There have been many dark years in the history of the New York Jets, but maybe never a year like this.

And I'm not even talking about the won-loss record.

Six former players and one former coach have been buried in 2016. Sadly, the list is long enough to compile one of those "In Memoriam" tributes, like they do at the Academy Awards every year:

Cary Blanchard. Dennis Byrd. Winston Hill. Curley Johnson. Joe McKnight. Konrad Reuland. Buddy Ryan.

The photo sent across the news wires on Monday was profoundly sad and moving: Mark Sanchez, Bart Scott, Antonio Cromartie and Willie Colon carrying McKnight's casket at his funeral in New Orleans.