Tag: Al Groh

The 2000 NFL draft could very well be one of the best in Jets franchise history.

Loaded with four first-round picks, two of which he acquired by trading star wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson to the Buccaneers, general manager Bill Parcells approached the draft with more than enough capital to improve upon an 8-8 record and fourth-place finish in the AFC East in 1999.

With players like running back Curtis Martin, wide receivers Wayne Chrebet and Dedric Ward, linebackers Marvin Jones and Mo Lewis and safety Victor Green already in the mix, the Jets were littered with talent entering 2000. All Parcells had to do was sure up a few positions of need and inject some youth into New York’s roster.

Well aware that the Jets needed to address their defensive line and pass rush, Parcells selected University of Tennessee defensive end Shaun Ellis at No. 12 and used the 13th pick acquired from Tampa Bay on South Carolina outside linebacker John Abraham. Parcells spent New York’s other two first-round picks on offense, landing quarterback of the future Chad Pennington at No. 18 and tight end Anthony Bect at No. 27, the other pick the Buccaneers sent to the Jets in exchange for Johnson.

Parcells’ work did not end in the first round, though. He selected wide receiver Laveranues Coles in the third round to give the Jets an immediate weapon at wide receiver and one Pennington could work with once he took over the starting job.

As is the case with any NFL draft class, it takes a while to determine whether the group is successful or not. Some players take time to develop, while others make an instant impact. Ellis, Abraham, Coles and Becht all assumed important roles in 2000. Ellis registered 8.5 sacks, while Abraham chipped in 4.5. Coles caught 22 passes for 370 yards and a touchdown working as New York’s No. 3 receiver, while Becht became the starting tight end and caught 16 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown in his rookie year.

Pennington spent his first year with the Jets sitting behind starting quarterback Vinny Testaverde. He only appeared in one game, going 2-5 for 40 yards and a touchdown. Although he spent most of 2000 on the bench, the lessons Pennington learned watching and working with Testaverde proved key to his success once he ascended to the starting role.

The Jets did not make the playoffs in 2000, going 9-7 and finishing third in the AFC East in Al Groh’s lone season as head coach. However, New York’s 2000 draft class laid the foundation for the future. Ellis and Abraham developed into a dominant pass-rushing duo, one the Jets have not had since. Coles finished his career with nearly 700 receptions and had two stints with the Jets. Becht proved to be a reliable tight end option until he departed in 2004. While Pennington didn’t turn out to be as good as the 199th pick, Tom Brady, he eventually turned into a very good starting quarterback and one of the most accurate passers of all-time. Late-round picks Windrell Hayes, Tony Scott and Richard Seals did not pan out with the Jets, but hitting on five out of eight picks in any draft class is a job well done.

Twenty years later, first-year Jets general manager Joe Douglas has his own chance to lay the foundation for the future. He might not have as much draft capital as Parcells did, but he has enough to fill positions of need and give New York a much-needed influx of talent.

If all goes well, the Jets could be back on their way to the postseason sooner rather than later.