Post by Lithfan on May 3, 2016 5:55:05 GMT -5
May 3, 1977
1976 was as bad as it could get (at least until the Kotite years which proved it could get worse). Head Coach Lou Holt quite on the team as they were headed towards a 3-11 record. In the offseason, the team brough in a new coach, Walt Michaels, and a new GM, Jim Kensil, who set out to transform the franchise. While it would take a few years until the team ad their fans saw results on the field, the team's turnaround began on this date, May 3, 1977, as the Jets selected several players in the draft that would start to form the core of the contending teams of the early 1980s.
With their first pick, #4 overall, they selected OT Marvin Powell from USC. Powell would start at RT for the nxt 9 seasons, play in 5 pro bowls and be named a 3-time All Pro. Picking in the 2nd round, at #33 overall, they selected WR Wesley Walker from Cal. Walker would play his entire 13 year career with the Jets, catching over 430 passes. He may have been the best deep threat the team has ever had, with 71 TD receptions, 2nd only to Don Maynard in team history.
In the 6th round, they took Joe Klecko, DT, Temple. Joe became a cornerstone of the DL, still the only man ever to make the pro bowl at 3 different positions, DT, DT & NT. He played for teh JEts for 11 seasons of his 12 year NFL career. AND HE SHOULD BE IN THE HALL OF FAME. A great player and a great Jet.
In the 8th round they picked another 10+ year starter in LSU G Dan Alexander, who played 13 years, all with the Jets, starting 183 games for the team. Other mid & late round picks included RBs Scott Dierking & Kevin Long and back-up QB Matt Robinson. Not a bad haul from one draft.
2 Years later, in 1979, the draft would also be held on May 3. Although it was not as strong top to bottom as the 77 draft, the Jets did add two members of the sack exchange on May 3, 1979, selecting Marty Lyons and Mark Gastineau with their first two picks.
1976 was as bad as it could get (at least until the Kotite years which proved it could get worse). Head Coach Lou Holt quite on the team as they were headed towards a 3-11 record. In the offseason, the team brough in a new coach, Walt Michaels, and a new GM, Jim Kensil, who set out to transform the franchise. While it would take a few years until the team ad their fans saw results on the field, the team's turnaround began on this date, May 3, 1977, as the Jets selected several players in the draft that would start to form the core of the contending teams of the early 1980s.
With their first pick, #4 overall, they selected OT Marvin Powell from USC. Powell would start at RT for the nxt 9 seasons, play in 5 pro bowls and be named a 3-time All Pro. Picking in the 2nd round, at #33 overall, they selected WR Wesley Walker from Cal. Walker would play his entire 13 year career with the Jets, catching over 430 passes. He may have been the best deep threat the team has ever had, with 71 TD receptions, 2nd only to Don Maynard in team history.
In the 6th round, they took Joe Klecko, DT, Temple. Joe became a cornerstone of the DL, still the only man ever to make the pro bowl at 3 different positions, DT, DT & NT. He played for teh JEts for 11 seasons of his 12 year NFL career. AND HE SHOULD BE IN THE HALL OF FAME. A great player and a great Jet.
In the 8th round they picked another 10+ year starter in LSU G Dan Alexander, who played 13 years, all with the Jets, starting 183 games for the team. Other mid & late round picks included RBs Scott Dierking & Kevin Long and back-up QB Matt Robinson. Not a bad haul from one draft.
2 Years later, in 1979, the draft would also be held on May 3. Although it was not as strong top to bottom as the 77 draft, the Jets did add two members of the sack exchange on May 3, 1979, selecting Marty Lyons and Mark Gastineau with their first two picks.
