Good article today on Jets website, and interview. Klecko talks about how Roberston and Vilma handled the transition to 3-4. Sounds like Joe would move Dewayne outside to End. Says he's got a lot of speed and you shouldn't waste him inside like cannon fodder. Not saying Klecko is a Billl Walsh-tactician, but when it comes to the intricacies of D-line play, and getting guys up for the game, he's a perfect fit. http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/art...-credits-robertson-and-vilma-for-3-4-progress
Because a guy was a good player, what makes people think he would be a good coach, let alone want to coach? Most people have no idea the number of hours an assistant coach puts in during the season and even in the offseason, and a lot of former players don't want to put in that amount of time for a heck of a lot less money than what they made playing. Jets already have a D-Line coach anyway.
What makes you think a former All-Pro Lineman wouldn't be a good coach? I'm not saying he could do it, or even that he would want to, but Klecko certainly knows how to play the position. In fact, ol' Joe knows how to play all the D-line positions, End, Tackle and Nose Tackle. He certainly would be able to teach some of the nuances of the position. He certainly taught his son a few things. He certainly would be able to emphasize the importance of superior hand strength as Klecko was reknown for his ability to pull even running backs down with one hand. Many of the tacklers of today can't bring a guy down when they have two arms wrapped around a guy; once Joe got his hands on a guy, it was all over. I don't know if Joe would be an asset or not, but it's February 5th, the day after the Super Bowl, and the only Jet news of the day is about a former Jets star lineman who had some interesting thoughts on the Jless than stellar current lineman. Maybe he's worth talking to.
If he has interest and knows what he's doing, fine, bring him in. But everyone assumes that just because you were a good player makes you a good coach. It doesn't. And you can't say "what makes you think he wouldn't make a good coach" because the burden of proof is on you. I could make the same case for myself, and I could say that same thing. Of course, I haven't played above pop warner, but still.
The Jets, as currently constructed, are a soft team, and have been for too much of their history. The teams of the late 60's, early 80's and late 90's had some ass-kickers, but in between, it's been a lot of marshmallow finesse. Mangini's 2006 squad is a transitional group, and will be again in 2007. We know he's looking for smart, fast, versatile players. Team leaders. That's great, it worked in NE. But you also need hard-nosed players and coaches that can recognize that quality and bring it out in their charges. I don't think Klecko has any interest in being a coach at this stage in his life, but he's the kind of player the Jets need more of in the front 7.
I read somewhere when Roberton was drafted he ran a 40 just under 4.9, which is about the same as Anthony Schlegal...........
NE is not noted for their speed. They are a big team, a physical team. In fact, they are one of the most physical teams in the NFL. That is why it was so much fun to watch them get pushed around by SD and almost pass out against Indianapolis. Mangini is not a small fast kind of coach. He is a big tough kind of coach. It is all out of the Parcells mold.The Jets will neve take NE until they can answer a shove with a harder shove.
