Throwback Thursday: The 2000 NFL Draft

Sep 15, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive coordinator Al Groh watches his defense warm up before taking on the Virginia Cavaliers at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Josh D. Weiss-USA TODAY Sports

Good evening Jets fans, and happy Thursday. Time once again for another edition of “Throwback Thursday”.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have used the throwback post to talk about previous successful drafts. We are essentially telling the world that, even though the Jets have had a lot of bad moments on draft day, they have had some terrific moments we well, and we are here to celebrate those.

So far, we have gone back to some drafts in the history of the team. We have covered the 1977 and 1979 draft, which yielded the Jets several players.

Tonight, we go back into the recent past, the year 2000, to look at another successful draft season.

The year 2000 marked the one year reign of Al Groh as the Jets head coach. Bill Parcells had stepped down from the position, and BB defected from the Jets to the Patriots.

For one season, the Jets gave Al Groh one heck of a draft. The Jets had four first round picks in the draft in 2000, and five picks in the first 100.

How did the Jets use them? Look at the slide-show and you will find out:

Shaun Ellis was selected with the Jets first choice in 2000, number 12 overall. He was a staple on the Jets’ defensive line for over a decade, recording 72.5 sacks during that time. Ellis posted 499 tackles and forced 12 fumbles as well, making Ellis a beloved player in New York Jets’ history.

January 25, 2014; Honolulu, HI, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker

(55) takes photographs during the 2014 Pro Bowl Ohana Day at Aloha Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The very next pick of the draft yielded pass rusher John Abraham. In six years in the Green and White, John posted 53.5 sacks, as dominant off the edge as we have ever had.

The 18th pick yielded a favorite of this editor, Chad Pennington. Before injuries derailed his career, Pennington was an accurate quarterback that led the league in passer rating in his first year starting, 2002. Injuries took Chad off of the field well before his time, but Herm Edwards put it best when he said the every time Pennington played a full year, the Jets made the playoffs.

The Jets final pick in the first round, 27th overall, brought Anthony Becht into the fold. Anthony was never a superstar, but he was consistent and solid, in both blocking in the run game and as a receiver. He posted 17 touchdowns in five season with the Jets.

July 30, 2012; Cortland, NY, USA; Former Jets player

at the New York Jets practice. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

The Jets did not choose again until the third round. With the 78th pick overall, the Jets took WR Laveranues Coles. He became a staple in the Green and White, with two separate stints in New York, and an attempt at a third. He had chemistry with both Vinny Testaverde and Chad Pennington. In seven seasons with the Jets, Coles posted 37 touchdown receptions, showing a consistent nose for the end zone, and some of the more reliable hands the team sported during that time period.