Comments on: TJB Hall of Fame: Joe Klecko

By: Fonzie

Fonzie — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:49:20 +0000

Bassett:
There has never, Ever been a Jet player (maybe Joe Willie) to dominate his position AND the league like Joe Klecko. He would cause a fumble without tackling the guy ; I saw him swipe the ball (a couple of times) before center could snap the ball. He belongs right up there next to Namath as the alltime greats!

By: Bent

Bent — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:03:36 +0000

Thanks, Ed. We’ve tried to mix it up with a lot of players from each era. Tune in later today to see who the last entrant in this year’s class is.

And rest assured that next year some of those names on your list will be honored!

By: sjfalcon2001

sjfalcon2001 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:17:07 +0000

There’s no question Klecko deserves NFL HOF enshrinement. People on the HOF selection committee would do well to listen to Dr. Z on linemen. He knows his stuff. Here’s my question, since the sack totals weren’t counted until halfway through his career, why can’t they review game film of the years before that to see how many sacks he has in those years by applying the standards they used in the 80s? Wouldn’t that make sense? Oh wait, that’s right, the HOF is voted on by REPORTERS who clearly have no agenda, right? Reporters don’t need to make sense because they have no oversight. Let the veterans decide…

By: Reprocity

Reprocity — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:46:27 +0000

Fabini played very well both right and left tackle and also started some games for washington last year. I would also like to add to the list 2 of boomers body guards: Cadigan, and Criswell. One of my personal favorites but was here and gone to quick was Johnny Jhonson though closely fallowed by Adrian Murrell. Also, no Rob Moore?

By: Fonzie

Fonzie — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:01:39 +0000

Two very vivid images forever from that glorious time: 1) saw Klecko’s pants legs (both fronts) stained (the right leg down bellow the knee) with Huston Oiler Qb Ken Stablers blood at Shea stadium and 2) meeting him in person for the first time outside Giants stadium and beign mesmerized at how chizzled square and shinny his face and neck were. I swear he was made out of marble.

By: The Ed(itor)

The Ed(itor) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:23:36 +0000

My Heinz 57 list was to get Bassett thinking about JETS all time not just the JETS since he starting watching the games. I am not sure how I missed matt snell. Bill baird was also excellent. I may have been a little liberal (boy do I hate that word) in my list, but I wanted bassett to consider and reject a name rather than not considering a name at all.
Can’t wait to see the next name bassett selects.

By: Bent

Bent — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:07:06 +0000

Joe must go! Joe must go! (to the hall).

I remember when he was in Cannonball Run and I was like “that’s Joe Klecko!” and nobody believed me, so I had to stay up and wait for the end credits. As a kid that was really exciting for me!

Ed…thanks for the list. We have considered all those guys and will again next year. But, Fabini…really?

Surely Nuu Faaola has to be on the list too.

By: jeff i

jeff i — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:43:57 +0000

klecko is a stats era casualty. bassett hit the nail right on the head. he straddled the stats era. if he played 5 years earlier or 5 years later, he’d be in the hall.

the guy redefined his position and was THE dominant defensive player in the league for several years. i respect dr. z for pushing his cause for the HOF.

By: SackDance99

SackDance99 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:33:27 +0000

Ed, what, no Stan Blinka? Also, Matt Snell, Bill Baird (Jets career INT leader), Ray Mickens, Marvin Washington, and Richie Andersonl merit inclusion, but Snell and Baird are definites.

By: howard tish

howard tish — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:05:10 +0000

Thanks The Ed. Your list gave me a real laugh with some of those names from the past. I would only suggest that you should be a little more selective. 57 may work for Heinz, but it doesn’t work for the Jets. But I’m sure Johnny Hector would thank you.