32 years ago today the Jets selected QB Ken O'Brien from one of the best draft classes in the history of the NFL. In rounds 2 & 3 they took QB Johnny Hector, and WR JoJo Townsell.
Thanks for making me feel old! To this day O'brien is still the best Jet QB I've seen (Namath was a bit before my time). Hopefully I'll live long enough to see one even better.
I think Testaverde was a bit better in certain areas...but KO was one tuff cookie. Fact is...there's only been 6 Jet qb's worth a shit. Testaverde Sanchez Pennington Namath O'Brien Todd ...listed by winning %
Kenny O never really got the respect he deserved while he was our QB. Admittedly, I was never in love with him. That 51-45 OT win against Miami was a great day for Ken, and for me as a fan, but I don't recall seeing many fans wearing O'Brien jerseys to the games back then. Maybe it's because that era was right before the boom in jersey and sports apparel sales. The knock on him back then was his "happy feet" (shuffling his feet nervously before accepting the sack) and the fact that he rarely escaped a rush. Sacks are better than INT's so I guess he was better off that way. When I think of O'Brien I think of many great games, but not a consistently great QB. He was a QB who never fully gained our trust in a big spot.
#7s were littered throughout that Stadium. he was really popular in the mid 80s, it lessened as we got closer and into the 90s when he wasn't the same guy he was in '85 and half of '86.
Great draft class! Is it the only time we've taken all skill positions in the first 3 rounds (QB, RB, WR)? not necessarily in that order, but I think it might be either way. I ask because it's possible it could happen this weekend that our 1st 3 picks are QB, RB, WR... (again- not necessarily in that order)
That was a terrific draft. Any time you draft a QB that plays a full 10 year career, with pro-bow appearances, and years atop statistic leaders, you know you drafted a very good quarterback.