Remember though, several others passed on Marino too, teams that chose QB's who faired far worse than Kenny O. I think the Chiefs went with Blackledge over Marino. Marino allegedly had cocaine rumors surrounding him. We had other choices work out far worse than O'Brien/ Marino. Can't blame the Jets for Marino's pro success. (well, maybe a little bit)
I heard that story from a former Jets employee who was working for the team at the time, so it's got to be pretty close to the truth. Wasn't there another crazy Walt story out there about Walt being paranoid about Al Davis bugging or tapping their communications in Oakland? Seems Walt was a bit high-strung, which when combined with a temper and whiskey, does not alway produce prime results. That said, he was great for the team. They became tough like him. He even did a good job with the Generals. I'm glad he's still around. I also remember feeling good about retaining Walton, (other teams wanted him) and him becoming our head coach. Boy was I wrong. I'd bet many of you were too.
The Gang Green is good, sadly it ends right as Parcells was hired. I found it to be quite a good history of the franchise although outside of the SB year it missed all the "good years" . If your a fan you have to read. I'm nearly down with Rex's book, I think Chapter 18. Just got done reading how he motivated the Ravens to kick the Cowboys ass in the last game at Texas Stadium. I was alive during the Michaels era but am too young to remember most of it. The 85 season was the 1st I remember.
That's always the story I heard, they say he got a call at halftime and he went nutso. They said the whole week leading up to the Phins game he was out of his mind. I'm hoping his side of the story is in this book. I guess looking back it wouldn't have mattered because it would have been tough for us to win the SB that year and if we were gonna win one in my lifetime I'd have hated for it to be that one as I was only like 3 or 4 and don't remember. My 1st heartbreak was the Browns double OT game.
I think I remember reading somewhere that Walton did not think Marino was smart enough to run his offense :breakdance:
Remember some interview stating the same thing. Supposedly Jets had some type of test which they used to judge decision-making or intelligence & Marino did poorly.
No, Richard Todd was traded because he wasn't very good. He wasn't smart enough to avoid throwing the ball too often to the other team - especially in the playoffs.
Chapter 26 is titled "Walt's Dismissal." It includes comments from Abdul Salaam, Richard Todd, Greg Buttle, Wesley Walker, Joe Fields, Barry Bennett, Bob Baumhower, Marion Barber, Scott Dierking, Joe Klecko, Mark Gastineau, Darrol Ray, Walt Michaels himself, and others. Chapter 46 ("Toughest Opponents: Players") is interesting. Some of the obvious guys were noted such as Lawrence Taylor, Bruce Smith, Anthony Munoz, John Hannah, Dwight Stephenson, Albert Lewis, and Earl Campbell. It was nice to read that Jerome Barkum considers Robert James to have been his toughest opponent. James was a great cornerback for a short spell but he blew out his knee. Anybody who remembers the 1980s Jets would enjoy this book.
Jets: "So, Daniel, final question; Would you EVER stoop so low, so scum bag, so low life, so ASSHOLE, as to throw a fake spike?" Marino: "Ah. Um. Maybe". Jets: "Thank you Mr. Marino, have a good life." Jets: "Bring in Kenny". :finssuck:
Sack Exchange is not a coffee table book, but this book is- The latter is a quintessential coffee table book- larger but more slender and is filled with color photographs. The former is smaller in height but more bulky and only has a smattering of photos in the 400+ pages. Both books are now in Barnes & Noble bookstores.
There were a lot of rumors about Marino & cocaine which hounded him throughout his senior year at Pitt, and caused him to drop to the bottom of the first round. Also, Todd was coming off his (only) two good years and no one at the time thought 1983 would be his last season as a Jet (as it turned out to be) so I think the Jets felt that O'Brien, who was clearly the sixth QB (after Marino, Elway, Kelly, Eason & Blackledge) was a good project pick. I've always felt that even if the Jets had drafted Marino, the brain trust at the time (esp Walton) would have hindered and obstructed him from realizing the potential he did w/Miami
I can't wait to buy this book. Chapter Eight, Abdul Salaam's top ten places Mark Gastineau shot up with Deca Durabolin, is alone worth the price.
