An extraordinary Joe: Klecko a sixth-round steal for Jets in 1977

[Gas2No99]

An extraordinary Joe: Klecko a sixth-round steal for Jets in 1977

by Dick Semen-i

 

One of the reasons the 1977 draft is considered the greatest in New York Jets history is because it produced the franchise's best defensive player -- Joe Klecko, chosen in the sixth round. He's one of the best defensive linemen not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a talent so versatile that he made the Pro Bowl at three different positions -- nose tackle, tackle and end. Many of Klecko's peers, including Hall of Famer Howie Long, have said he deserves to be enshrined in Canton as a senior candidate.

Klecko's path to the NFL was unusual. Before enrolling at Temple, he played semi-pro football under an assumed name -- Jim Jones, from fictional Poland University. That way, he maintained his college eligibility. He didn't do well in school, clashed with his coach and wasn't invited to any all-star games, hurting his pro stock. His hometown Philadelphia Eagles were reportedly planning to take him in the sixth round (145 overall), but the Jets had the 144th pick. And that was that.

Joe Klecko made the Pro Bowl as a nose tackle, defensive tackle and end. Manny Rubio/USA Today Sports

At Temple, Klecko won two NCAA boxing championships, which served him well in the NFL trenches. He was known for his quick and powerful hands, which he developed in the boxing ring. He played with tremendous leverage, allowing him to bull rush a guard. But he also was quick enough to beat an offensive tackle on the edge.

Klecko was a sack master before sacks became an official statistic, recording a league high 20.5 in 1981. He was a member of the celebrated "New York Sack Exchange," which also included Mark Gastineau, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam -- a four-man wrecking crew that terrorized quarterbacks in the early 1980s. In 2004, Klecko became only the third player in Jets history to have his number, 73, retired. Years later, he was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor.

Honorable mention

Joe Fields, C, Widener: In 1975, the Jets struck gold in the 14th round (349 overall), finding a future offensive line cornerstone. The undersized center started for 12 seasons and played through 1988, making two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team (1982).

Randy Rasmussen, G, Nebraska-Kearney: He played in more games (207) than any non-kicker in franchise history -- not bad for a 12th-round pick (302 overall) in 1967. Rasmussen started for the Super Bowl championship team in 1968 and spanned three decades before hanging 'em up after the 1981 season.

[ljr]

Nice blurb on Klecko ... Fields & Rasmussen don't have anything to do with the title ... But both were excellent picks in their day ... Which I guess is what the point of the article was suppose to be to include them