Sack Exchange : The Definitive Oral History of the 1980s New York Jets

J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS!Comprised of exclusive interviews with Jets players, coaches, and other figures surrounding the organization, Sack Exchange: The Definitive Oral History of the 1980s New York Jets is an eye-opening account of a memorable era in one team's history, which also takes a step back and looks at the state of the National Football League as a whole during the 1980s.From the events that shaped the 1980s Jets, such as the legacy of Joe Namath, to their multiple playoff appearances during the decade, each triumph and disappointment is chronicled and supplemented with insider information. Other highlights include examinations of the beginning of the Jets' rivalry with the Miami Dolphins; the controversial firing of head coach Walt Michaels; the defensive line, given the nickname "The New York Sack Exchange" and steroid use by certain players and throughout the NFL.Featured are original interviews with Joe Klecko, Mark Gastineau, Marty Lyons, Abdul Salaam, Wesley Walker, Al Toon, Ken O'Brien, Richard Todd, Pat Leahy, Walt Michaels, and Joe Walton, among many others. Front Cover......Page 1 Copyright......Page 5 Table of Contents......Page 6 Introduction......Page 8 MEET THE JETS:THE NAMATH ERA......Page 14 THE NAMATH ERA......Page 22 MEET THE JETS: 1976......Page 30 1976......Page 33 WALT MICHAELS,HEAD COACH......Page 41 MEET THE JETS: 1977......Page 49 1977......Page 54 MEET THE JETS: 1978......Page 62 1978......Page 66 MEET THE JETS: 1979......Page 75 1979......Page 78 MEET THE JETS: 1980......Page 87 1980......Page 89 MEET THE JETS: 1981......Page 96 1981: PART 1......Page 98 THE SACK EXCHANGE......Page 110 1981: PART 2......Page 133 1981 PLAYOFFS: WILD CARD......Page 145 MEET THE JETS: 1982......Page 153 1982: PART 1......Page 155 STRIKE......Page 159 1982: PART 2......Page 166 1982 PLAYOFFS: WILD CARD......Page 173 1982 PLAYOFFS: DIVISIONAL ROUND......Page 179 1982 PLAYOFFS: AFC CHAMPIONSHIP......Page 192 WALT’S DISMISSAL......Page 210 JOE WALTON, HEAD COACH......Page 223 MEET THE JETS: 1983......Page 229 1983......Page 231 GOODBYE, SHEA......Page 247 MEET THE JETS: 1984 +1985......Page 256 1984 +1985......Page 257 1986......Page 271 1987......Page 284 1988:GASTINEAU’S EXIT+1989: WALTON’S EXIT......Page 291 JETS FANS......Page 302 SHEA REMEMBERED......Page 312 FUN WITH THE JETS......Page 320 JETS VS. DOLPHINS: FRIENDS OR FOES?......Page 325 HARMONY OR DISHARMONY?......Page 330 STEROIDS......Page 340 JOE KLECKO......Page 356 MARK GASTINEAU......Page 366 LEON HESS......Page 387 TOUGHEST OPPONENTS: TEAMS......Page 390 TOUGHEST OPPONENTS: PLAYERS......Page 398 LOOKING BACK ON ’80S JETS......Page 404 TODAY......Page 423 Back Cover......Page 440 “If you're one of those fans who stepped on the Jets bandwagon for the Rex Ryan-Mark Sanchez years, here's the story of an earlier, wild and woolly era.” —New York Post (“Required Reading” selection) Comprised of all-new, exclusive interviews with Jets players, head coaches, and those closest to the organization, Sack Exchange is not only an eye-opening account of the Jets from this time, but also of the National Football League as a whole. The New York Sack Exchange was the nickname given to the New York Jets defensive line of the early 1980s, consisting of Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, Marty Lyons, and Abdul Salaam. Examined are such topics as the beginning of the Jets-Dolphins rivalry, the controversial firing of head coach Walt Michaels and hiring of Joe Walton, the team's relationships behind the scenes, the emergence of Joe Klecko, the rise and fall of Mark Gastineau, steroid use among the Jets and in the NFL, the legendary Shea Stadium as well as never-before-heard stories and insight into the legacy of Joe Namath. “Greg paints a picture where you feel like you're right in the locker room with these guys... or hanging out with them back in the day in the NYC clubs during the Koch era. There is not a single true Jets fan on the planet that shouldn't own this book.” —Keith Roth, The Electric Ballroom Radio Show “A great read and info from those days and it sure was interesting to see what all everyone had to say... Your book really brought back some great and wonderful memories.” —Chuck Ramsey, Former New York Jets Punter J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS! Comprised of exclusive interviews with Jets players, coaches, and other figures surrounding the organization, Sack The Definitive Oral History of the 1980s New York Jets is an eye-opening account of a memorable era in one team's history, which also takes a step back and looks at the state of the National Football League as a whole during the 1980s. From the events that shaped the 1980s Jets, such as the legacy of Joe Namath, to their multiple playoff appearances during the decade, each triumph and disappointment is chronicled and supplemented with insider information. Other highlights include examinations of the beginning of the Jets' rivalry with the Miami Dolphins; the controversial firing of head coach Walt Michaels; the defensive line, given the nickname "The New York Sack Exchange" and steroid use by certain players and throughout the NFL. Featured are original interviews with Joe Klecko, Mark Gastineau, Marty Lyons, Abdul Salaam, Wesley Walker, Al Toon, Ken O'Brien,Richard Todd, Pat Leahy,Walt Michaels, and Joe Walton, among many others.

Comprised of exclusive interviews with Jets players, coaches, and other figures surrounding the organization, this eye-opening account of a golden era in one team’s history also takes a step back and looks at the state of the National Football League as a whole during the 1980s. From the events that shaped the 1980s Jets, such as the legacy of Joe Namath, to their four playoff appearances during the decade, each triumph and disappointment is chronicled and supplemented with insider information. Other highlights include examinations of the beginning of the Jets’ rivalry with the Miami Dolphins; the controversial firing of head coach Walt Michaels; the defensive line, given the nickname 'The New York Sack Exchange;' and steroid use by the players and throughout the NFL.

Comprised of exclusive interviews with Jets players, coaches, and other figures surrounding the organization, Sack Exchange: The Definitive Oral History of the 1980s New York Jets is an eye opening account of a memorable era in one team's history, which also takes a step back and looks at the state of the National Football League as a whole during the 1980s