Just a couple of random thoughts on some Jet royalty and kin. Saw where the Eagles signed Dan Klecko to play fullback and personal escort for Brian Westbrook. I thought that was a very creative solution for their team. Klecko needs to lose about 20 pounds to get into fullback shape, but he's done the job before and is an overall good player to fill out a roster. He's also versatile, playing a myriad of positions. And he's a young player (27). True, it's no sure thing that Klecko will work out there, but neither is bringing in fullback who's been smashing helmets for almost 15 years. --------------------------------------- The second thought is one that is always hanging around...why not bring Joe Klecko in to tutor your nose tackle. You don't have to add him to the staff, but he could be there in training camp schooling guys up on the eagle position, gaining leverage, even the cock-eye stance. In general, why not take a look at some of the guys from team history and/or the offspring who may be able to help the current squad.
Great thought- Marketing is an important part of winning- The Jets shouldnt forgot fan favorites who could represent the team in some official capacity (Klecko, Chrebet, Ken O'Brien and whoever else)
Klecko did not play nose tackle in a 3-4. He played tackle in an offset 4-3 where he lined up in front of the center.
He was drafted by New England and later played for the colts. I would have loved t see him suit up for the Jets.
I think you're right, I can't remember. He was listed as a NT later in his career and I though Bud Carson ran a 3-4 at times. Either way, I'm sure he could provide some insights into positioning and especially the proper attitude. Joe Klecko Year Age Tm Pos G GS 1977 24 NYJ LDT 13 6 1978 25 NYJ RDE 16 16 1979 26 NYJ RDT 16 16 1980 27 NYJ RDE 15 15 1981 28 NYJ RDE 16 16 1982 29 NYJ RDE 2 2 1983 30 NYJ LDT 16 16 1984 31 NYJ LDT 12 11 1985 32 NYJ NT 16 16 1986 33 NYJ NT 11 10 1987 34 NYJ NT 7 7 1988 35 IND NT 15 14
Klecko did play NT in the 3-4 after the defense was changed. That was after his knee injury, after his days in the 4-3 as a DE with the Sack Exchange. That's how he made the Pro Bowl at three positions, DE, DT and NT, the first guy to ever do that. Maybe still the only one.
Joe did play NT at least for a little while. Joe is the only player to make the PB at 3 different positions, NT in the 3-4, DE and DT in the 4-3. I am not sure but I think it was after Bud Carson became the DC that they switched schemes.
Given that he's been cut by 3 teams already in his short career, I doubt he's anything more than a journeyman at this point. Admittedly I believe he's a journeyman with two super bowl rings, but a journeyman none the less.
According to the stats GSourJr posted, I think that's the case. I'm pretty sure 1985 was when Bud Carson came in as DC and put in the 3-4. That's when Klecko went to NT and started lining up all cock-eyed. He jumped offsides a lot but he made up for it the way he played NT. It revitalized his career. Klecko's 1988 stats are with the Colts. I was at the Saturday Jets-Colts game in December 1988 when he left the field injured for the last time. One of the sadder sights I've witnessed at a Jet game.
I was at that Colts game as well, it was 2 years before I would start going to every game but in the years before we had tickets I went to 1 game a year and that was it in '88. I remember Dickerson had a long TD run(he may have caught it out of the backfield) and then after running through the EZ he tripped over the net that keeps the balls from going into the seats on FGs.
That was the same game when Dickerson scored a TD but he got the crap knocked out of him by Alex Gordon and someone else right at the goal line. It was replayed for years as one of the great hits, but I never truly enjoyed seeing it because we had given up the TD on the play. Kind of like the Nat Moore hit from 1984--it looks cool now, but at the time he hung onto the ball inside our 5 and the play sucked for us.
You're talking about the helicoptor shot right? It's still a good memory because the Jets won the game. But I think that was 1985, Monday Night when Namath's jersey was retired.
Junc is right, the Nat Moore play was from 1984. I remember the 1985 MNF game well though, Namath was a commentator for ABC at the time. The Jets had also switched to the white uniforms for home games in 1985, they wore white that night, green in the 1984 game. They lost the 1984 game, won the 1985 game 23-7.
