In Part II of a special edition of the Official Jets Podcast, host Eric Allen is joined by members of the 2000 draft class to commemorate the 25th anniversary of a historic group in the franchise's history. The Green & White made four selections in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. The second installment of this special edition begins with a conversation between Allen and QB Chad Pennington, who was selected 18th overall from Marshall (01:42-23:50). Next, the conversation continues with TE Anthony Becht, who was picked 27th overall from West Virginia (24:02-46:28). The conversation concludes with the third-round pick in the 2000 draft, WR Laveranues Coles, who was selected 78th overall from Florida State (46:29-53:04).
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome into the Official Jets Podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
I Eat, Breathe, and Sleep The New York Jets.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
My team that is a tightrope walk across Niagara Fall.
Speaker 3 (00:07):
That's hard to do, say name of inches, So finding
that one little inch to be successful, it all matters.
Speaker 4 (00:13):
The Official Jets Podcast is presented by Kendra Scott, the
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Speaker 1 (00:26):
Hey everybody. This week on the Jets will bark on
their first draft with GM Darren Mugy and head coach
Aaron Glenn. The organization will also celebrate the twenty fifth
anniversary of a franchise altering draft class. The Jets became
the only team in the Common Draft era to make
four first round picks. Bill Parcells and personnel director Dick
(00:49):
Haley drafted defensive end Shawn Ellis, edge John Abraham, quarterback
Chad Pennington, and tight on Anthony Becked. Ellis, a Tennessee product,
went number twelve overall. Abraham has starred South Carolina went
right behind at number thirteen. Pennington was taken eighteenth, and
Becked went twenty seventh. While the four first rounders were unprecedented,
(01:13):
the Jets also got a fifth ace in the two
thousand class when they selected wide receiver Lavernias Cols in
the third round. It was Woody Johnson's first draft as
an owner, and the Jets grab five players who would
line up in forty two playoff games for the Green
and White, plus five hundred and fifteen regular season contests.
(01:33):
On this very special installment of the Official dut podcast,
we look back at the jets historic two thousand draft class. CP.
Can you believe it's been twenty five years since you
were drafted?
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Uh?
Speaker 5 (01:48):
No, I cannot. That means that you know, some people
have kids in the in the league that I knew,
and it's crazy. We were talking about this the other day,
just to think about how fast twenty five years goes
by is unbelievable. But certainly a special time in my
life for sure.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
What was the pre draft process like And did you
get an inkling during that time that hey, I might
be a Jet? You know what?
Speaker 5 (02:16):
No inkling? Really, I only had the inkling once I
was drafted and thought back through the process. But really
all the talk was about Pittsburgh and San Francisco, and
so that was the two private workouts I had, and
a lot of the talk just around the media about that,
but I do remember having one of my formal interviews
(02:37):
with the Jets, and so that kind of once I
thought about that process after I was drafted, I said, Okay,
it makes sense. Al Grow also knew my head coach,
Bob Pruitt. Bob Pruitt worked for al Grow in college,
so there was a relationship there, so they could probably
gather the information they needed to make the decision on
whether or not to draft me.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
What were your memories that interview as far as the
Jets talking to you and who was there, who were
the participants.
Speaker 5 (03:03):
Yeah, good luck on me remembering that. I would you
do remember, Just it's probably in your own mind more
than it is anything. But it's it's a I don't
know if the right word is intense, but it's certainly
a professional environment, one of the first ones that you
(03:24):
know I was able to step into to truly have
an interview. But I was prepared. I feel like IMG,
who represented me at the time, prepared me for those
types of things, and we did some mack interviews and
things like that. But it's from top to bottom, whether
it be football, life, decision making everything in between, because
it's a huge decision for the organization to make and
(03:47):
they're trying to gather as much information as they can,
and so I just remember trying to be as honest
as I could and put my best foot forward as
far as who I was, not only as a football player,
but as a person.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Where were you draft day? It's round one, and who
were you with?
Speaker 5 (04:03):
Yeah, so I was asked to come to New York,
but I just didn't that can go one way or
the other, especially during those times, and so I didn't
feel comfortable doing that. I didn't want to have an
Aaron Rodgers moment, so to speak. Uh you know where
you fall in all eyes are on you while you're
sitting there in the room, Because I really wanted to
be a celebration of one having the opportunity to be drafted.
(04:26):
That that's you know that we take that for granted,
that doesn't that's rare, and so I wanted to be
able to celebrate that, enjoy that moment, and then also
enjoy it with all of the people, both family and friends,
that I felt like had been a part of my
life and part of my development, and I just felt
like to be able to do that. The best way
to do that was go to Norse Lake in the
(04:47):
fall at Tennessee, where I spent my summers, rent a
houseboat and after draft, after I was drafted, to get
on the houseboat and go down the lake and have
a good time with family and friends. And so that's
what we did.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
How many people were.
Speaker 5 (05:01):
Oh, my goodness, I would say, Gosha, I would say
at least close to sixty at least. I mean, it
was packed, but it was a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
So I know, you you don't have, you know, intimate
recollections of the pre draft interview, But how about the
call when you found out that you were actually getting drafted.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
Yeah, I'm completely surprised because I just didn't expect the Jets.
And here's the thing. I think Steelers had to pick
at eight and the forty nine Ers had to pick
at sixteen, so those two picks had already gone by.
So then you're sitting there thinking like, what's going on next?
And I think Sebastian Jenikowski was drafted right before me,
(05:46):
I believe, to the Raiders. So there's a lot of
things going on in your head, like, Okay, what's the
deal here. I did feel like I put myself in
a good position to be the first quarterback taken based
upon my senior Bowl performer as well as my combine
numbers and what I was able to do there, So
I felt good about that. It's just you never know
(06:07):
as far as these teams moving and shaking, as far
as you're trying to get who they want to get,
So you just it's a it's a very weird process,
I'll just tell you, because you're trying to enjoy the moment,
but at the same time, there's so many unknowns it's
hard to enjoy it until it happened. So once it happens,
it's just a huge sigh of relief.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
Who was on the line from the Jets.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
I remember al Grow being on the line, and then
I remember then going to talking to Victor Green, I
guess who was doing some draft day things, and I
don't know if that was back to back, but it's
pretty close after coach Grow had called me, so it was.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
A different time back then. But your thoughts on going
to the Jets who had a proven, established quarterback in
Vinnie Tustaverdi, Well.
Speaker 5 (06:56):
I've always believed then and I still believe now all
that from a development standpoint for quarterbacks coming into this league,
I think having a tested veteran that's number one willing
to work with you as a young player, which was
huge in my case because Vinnie was so professional about that,
(07:16):
but then two had been successful at his job and
at what he's been asked to do. I think that
was huge in my development. And so because and here's why,
as a young quarterback, you need to make mistakes behind
closed doors, and when you're thrown right into the starting lineup,
all of your mistakes are are out there for everyone
to see, and it's really hard to work through those mistakes.
(07:39):
Give yourself some grace why you're learning. They expect you
just to pick it up where you left off in college,
and that's just not the case. I don't care how
good you are.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
And so.
Speaker 5 (07:50):
To be able to make mistakes behind closed doors, to
be able to learn what it's like to be a professional.
That word professional is so much more than what people
give it credit to was huge for me in my development.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
Did you know that history was at hand? Maybe after
you got back from being on the Lake, and he said, well,
not only did I get drafted today, but this is
the first time in NFL history where a team actually
had four first round picks, and they used them on
Sean Alis, Johnny Abraham, yourself of course, and then tight
(08:23):
d Anthony Beckt.
Speaker 5 (08:26):
You know, at the time, right when it happened, didn't
think about it all, but once once we got up
to New York for mini camp and the four of
us were doing interviews and photo shoots and talking about it.
It's pretty remarkable. Really. First of all, I didn't think
it was going to happen. Typically, it just didn't happen. Right,
Historically speaking, they're going to use those picks to gain
more picks and to build the true depth of their
(08:48):
team and do it in a cost effective manner. But
you know, for Bill Parcells to have that type of
that's why he's a Hall of Famer. I mean, when
you look at it, the four of us played it
combined forty nine years. I mean, that's that's crazy. And
then when you put in Lavernius with that in the
third round, we're up to sixty. So it's amazing the
longevity that I think all of us were able to
(09:10):
create and I think it's a testament to Bill's vision,
to the Scouting Department's vision, to them really doing their
research and homework on what type of professionals we would
be and then having the professional fortitude to actually do it,
because most people would tell you not to do that,
and they did it.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
Did you like to nickname the four Aces? And when
was that thrown upon you? Guys? And also we've made
Lavernious part of this here man, because do you consider
a guy who one of your favorite receivers of all time,
Lavernius Coles? Do you consider him a fifth Ace?
Speaker 5 (09:47):
One hundred percent? He was the fifth Ace. I always
think of him as part of our group number one,
because he's such an integral part of what we were
able to accomplish. But when you really think about it,
I mean the that's got a steal. I mean that
if you take away some of the things that happened
to him in college, he is the first round draft pick.
I just think he slid just because some things are
(10:08):
out of his control. So you know, I definitely think
of him as part of our group. He's one of
my best friends and I love him to death.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Why was Parcells such a good program builder. You just
mentioned that he had the eye for talent, and he
lands for you guys in the first round, and he
comes back and gets Kohl's in the third round. But
it wasn't just that the Jets overall what set him apart,
because for my money, he's the best programmed builder in
(10:37):
the history of our league.
Speaker 5 (10:39):
Well, I think that one of Bill's strong points is
that he understands that football is a people gain, and
so when you're putting the pieces of the puzzle together,
he puts them together based upon the people, not just
on number statistics things like that. And I think he
(11:01):
had a very unique way of finding the right people
to put together to build the team that he wanted
to build. That's very hard to do. A lot of
times people fall victim to numbers stats how high someone jumps,
how fast someone runs, instead of looking at the person
(11:23):
as a football player and some of those other tangibles
that really matter in a team sport. And then being
able to put all those pieces together in the right
areas is the next trick to that, and he was
very successful in doing that.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Well, Grow was your first coach, and then it was
herm Edwards. Of course, in two thousand and one. Terry
Bradway comes on board as GM in two thousand and one.
What kind of influence did Parcells have on your career
in that early going and how much did that carry through?
Speaker 5 (11:56):
Yeah, I think you say, once a parsales guy, always
a parsales guy, and that's another key ingredient to his success.
I think anyone who has played for him or worked
with him, because I was able to work with him
again in Miami. Once you're in the fold in his
program and you prove to have the makeup that he's
(12:19):
looking for, you're with him for life because he can
trust that he knows what he's getting and that relationship
piece and that trust is really important, and so that's
what makes him successful in that regard. So although I
was only drafted by him and worked with him for
a year, I do think that one year moving into
(12:40):
coach Edwards era really helped me from a professional standpoint,
a mental toughness standpoint, really understanding what this whole idea
of being an NFL player was all about.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
How would you describe your Jets' career without writing a book?
Speaker 5 (12:59):
Yeah, right, I would just I would describe it as
resilient and really all eleven years. Uh, there's a resilience
all throughout that career when you look at it, when
you take a step back and look at it in
third person, I am really proud of my resilience. Uh.
(13:20):
There are some things that you just cannot control. And
when it comes to injuries, especially those type of injuries
with the shoulder and a dislocated hand, which is extremely rare,
you just can't control those. What you can control is
how you react to them, how you respond, how you
work through it, and how you try to still be available.
(13:41):
And so that's how I would describe it. I look
at my eight years in New York very fondly. I've
told you before that you know those memories of those
two weeks Green Bay at Indianapolis and O two o four,
going out and beating the Chargers, coming back in six
with a a coaching change, and being able to win
(14:03):
the comeback Player of the Year and lead our team
to playoffs. I mean, those are very fond memories for me.
And there's nothing like winning in New York when it's happening.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
Those odd years were tough, but the even years, it
seemed like every time it was an even year, you
knew the Jets are gonna be making a run.
Speaker 5 (14:22):
Yeah, yeah, I don't know. And it even happened that
way in Miami too, right, I mean eight, here we
go to the playoffs. I have no idea, you know.
And that people ask about, Okay, what's your regrets? The
only quote regret I have is coming back too early
from the first shoulder surgery. I feel like, and that's
such a hard thing to do as a competitor. You're
(14:44):
trying to be available to your team. As a competitor,
you're trying to beat deadlines. But when you're talking about
major injuries like that, shoulders, knees, all those different things,
time and patience is really really important. And so when
I look back upon that, I feel like, if I
would have taken some more time and been more patient,
(15:05):
maybe I wouldn't have had the second, second surgery, which
then wouldn't have led to the third and fourth. So
because those type of injuries, they're really hard to come
back from if you don't handle them correctly. And so
luckily that's because the resilience piece and great people around me,
I was able to fight through that and still compete
at a high level. But I would have loved to
(15:27):
have seen how I could compete it with a true
one hundred percent body, so to speak, and not always
having to deal with it with something like that.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Man, oh two was magical. I mean, every time I
talk to you, whether it's in person or you know,
on team's stream yard, I always think about oh two
and when you took that ball and the team got
hot and you really took the league by storm. It
was incredible. And to this day, I don't think Peyton
(15:59):
Manning was ever shut out throughout his professional career. But
you guys took them down forty one nothing in that
first round of the playoffs, and the preceding week there
was no roof on the stadium, because that's a good
thing because the roof probably would have came off at
forty two to seventeen victory over Green Bay.
Speaker 5 (16:19):
Yeah, yeah, exactly. That was man, that was a magical time.
I just remember the energy in that stadium. I don't
know if I ever felt like that again. That energy
at those two weeks was just unbelievable. I mean, you
could just it was palpable. You could feel it, especially
when everyone learned that the Dolphins or the Patriots had
beaten the Dolphins, and so it was up to us.
(16:41):
If we win, we win the division. I mean, and
there was another historical moment. I mean, no team had
ever started out two and five and won a division,
so that was really sweet.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
I consider you a cerebral assassin. So give me a
scotary report on each of those guys in the two
thousand draft class with the Jets that made such an
imprint on this organization, starting with Sean, and then we'll
go to John, then Backed, and look finally Lavernius.
Speaker 5 (17:10):
Yeah. So with Sean, you first start with just his
his physical prowess, how strong he was at the point
of attack. You know, he had to adjust from a
four to three to a three four and then went
back to a four three, So he did a great
job of handling that. But then also I think his versatility.
Although he was strong at the point of attack, and
McCain was a great run stopper. He could rush the passer.
(17:33):
He had eight and a half sacks I believe his
rookie year out of a three four, which is hard
to do. So, uh, I just remember that, and then
you think about his longevity. I mean, for him to
be able to play at that type of level for
such a long period of time. Unbelievable. Look at John Abe,
you know, I think if he wouldn't have had the
injuries early in his career, he probably would have been
a jet longer. But then, you know, luckily for him
(17:55):
as well as you know, testament to him. I mean,
look at the career he had amount of sacks and
what type of pass rusher he became. And he was
always known, you know, to be that, and so that's
what he became, and he he was. He excelled at it.
You know. So his his rush ability off the edge,
his speed, his quickness. I mean, in today's game, he
(18:16):
would getness. Gracious, could you imagine what type player he
had been. He was one of those players that would
translate to today's game right twenty five years later, No, no,
no doubt about it. Uh. And then Anthony. You know
what really proud of Anthony about is first of all,
you know, he's the old school throwback. He became an
(18:36):
outstanding blocker at the point of attack as a tight
end and then could still help and and and be
productive in the past game. That's a lot of times
you don't see that anymore. You see one or the
other he could do both. Uh, and then you look
at his career how long he was able to play
and still be able to do it, and now look
(18:57):
what he's doing as a head coach. But think, I
think is awesome. He's just so versatile in that way.
We've become very close, you know, with with our families,
and so to be able to watch him and his
son Rocko kill it that I stayed. It's just really
cool to see full circle finally Lavernius. You know, with LC,
(19:17):
I don't know what it was. I just had a
natural feel for him. I just think sometimes you sometimes
it takes you as a quarterback some time to get
a feel for receiver and sometimes you just naturally have it.
With him, I just naturally had it. I think part
of that too was I just my trust in him.
When you watched him play, and I was able to
watch him play and be around him for two years
before we played together. You can see how physical he was.
(19:41):
He never got knocked off his spot. He was a
receiver that when the ball was in the air, you
knew good things were going to happen, and if something
bows gonna happen, he was going to do everything in
his possible in his power to keep it from happening.
So that gives you an extreme amount of confidence as
a quarterback to let ball go early, to put the
ball out front, to give him a chance because good
(20:04):
things are going to happen, and that trust was there.
So he played bigger than what his stature was. Obviously
people knew about his speed, but he played like a
six or FOURD type of receiver, and he was a
receiver that you you would like to see press coverage
against him than off covers because he was going to
create such separation because they could not be more physical
(20:28):
than him. So he was a lot of fun to
play with.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
All right, let's end it here. You are a wildly
successful football coach yourself right now, You got your sons
crushing it. You are a busy man. But when it
comes to draft weekend in Green Bay, when it's actually
twenty five years later, are you going to think is
(20:51):
there gonna be a full circle moment where you're gonna
think about the memories, but you're also going to keep
your eye on the Jets because a guy who was
in your locker room when you enter the National Football
League was playing quarnerback for the Jets. That's Aaron Glenn Well.
Speaker 5 (21:07):
It is a full circle moment in that regard twenty
five years and now a former teammate being the head coach.
I'm really excited for him. I think he has the
right makeup. I remember him as a player. Number one,
how professional he was. Number two, His competitive will and
fire was unbelievable. And the way he approached the game
(21:32):
is exactly how he approaches now as a head coach,
and so that doesn't surprise me. And so that's why
I think he'll be successful. So I will be leaning
in a little bit more to see how his program develops.
And I hope that we give him the time and
are patient enough to allow him to develop that program.
It's going to take time, it always does, to put
(21:53):
your stamp on it, get and to build the culture
that you see fit for your team as a head coach,
and I hope we give him the time and we're
patient enough with him to do that.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
So you got a new quarterback here with the Jets,
Justin Fields, former first round pick twenty twenty one. Huh
what do you think about his fit here with the Jets?
And you talk about patients like he's now on his
third team, but Aaron has seen something in him where
he said, Okay, not only is he talented, but he's
(22:26):
going to have an opportunity to really play quarterback here
with this team.
Speaker 5 (22:30):
Yeah. Number one, he is talented, There's no doubt about it.
Number Two, I respect him for how he's handled his situations.
You haven't seen him just go off the handles and
gripe and complain and do those types of things. So
I respect that. I think it shows a lot of
humility and a lot of courage to be able to
go through those situations that he's gone through. And so
(22:50):
I'm excited for his opportunity, really and I think he
has the ability and the potential to lead the Jets.
I really do, so it'll be interesting to see. I
think it always comes down to how everyone in that building,
both player and coach, work together to support him and
that as a staff, the development piece to his development
(23:15):
is intentional, purposeful, and the right path. That's really important
in our league, and it's different for every quarterback. We're
all different. We all bring certain things to the table,
and if we tap into those certain characteristics that each
one of us has, you can be successful, and so
I think the team can be successful with Justin Fields.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Well, we wish you continue lock and congratulations not only
to yourself but the tire two thousand Jets Draft class,
because we're going to be raising a glass for you
next weekend.
Speaker 5 (23:48):
All right, thanks ea.
Speaker 4 (23:51):
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Speaker 1 (24:01):
Anthony, Can you believe it's been twenty five years since
that since that two thousand historic Jets draft class.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Yeah, it's hard to believe. You know, I didn't shave
because I wanted the people to see the grades that
I have. I mean, it's it's been that long, right, Uh,
you know, just what an unbelievable day for me and
my family and uh, you know for all all four
of us quite frankly, getting drafted and and putting something
you know, really good on on the field, you know,
(24:29):
a good product for by all four of us and
and the careers that we all had, and it's an
honor to be a part of that. You know, you
you're you're never going to see four first rounders again,
probably ever. And uh, it's kind of edged in stone
and and like I said, I just you know, it's
it's the memories are are fantastic, and you know, to
(24:49):
be a part of the organization still, Uh, to have
that long lasting relationship is it's even better for me
because it meant that it was a meaningful time you
for myself, the organization, and you know, they still think
very highly of me now. So just really proud of
that moment.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
I'm sure you were happy to be drafted, but were
you elated because young Anthony probably thought he should have
went earlier in the first round.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
Yeah, well, you're right. I thought, I tell everybody this.
You know, Parcells told me he was drafted me in
one of those picks I thought I was going to go.
Was Chad what was he eighteen or seven? What was
his pick?
Speaker 1 (25:28):
He was eighteen.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
Yeah, he was eighteen, So I thought I was going
eighteen because Chad wasn't supposed to be available. He told me,
you know, they got their taking care of some defensive
stuff early, and then I was like, okay, you know
that's where I'm going. And then you know, didn't happen.
So I was like, all right, clearly I'm going to
be the twenty seventh pick, and I tell the story
all the time. You know, that twenty seventh pick came,
(25:50):
and I believe I've never spoke or heard another story.
I'm the only first round pick that did not receive
a phone call prior to the commission coming up to
the stage and announcing their name. So in an act
of anxiety and desperation and about seventy five people at
a party all looking at the television together, I could
(26:10):
hear the whispers in the background, like what's going on.
You know, the Jets are supposed to take them. There's
no phone. I had like this bat phone hardwired all
the way out to the yard. We had this big tent,
and I never got a call. So when Paul Taglabu
came up to the stage and announced my name, it
was like a roar you would never hear, you know, ever,
like in Unison. But yeah, it was kind of crazy.
(26:32):
I mean I was kind of like from the lowest point.
I was like literally depressed because I didn't know, like
who was going to pick me. I didn't talk to
any of the team. I was looking at the list,
like the next ten teams. I had no connection with
at all. So but you know, when I heard my name,
it was sweet. But I did tell Chad. I was like,
it was either Chad or the Steelers. They owe me
about four million dollars because I thought I was going
(26:52):
to go eighteen and and I was like, man, we
need to put our money in a bucket and just
split it. But now I was listening, it was awesome,
you know, to be a first on pick, to be
drafted in New York, it was it was a great honor,
a great privilege, privilege. You know, Green Bay took Bubba
Franks as a tight end. I think at fourteen I
was definitely a viable option there as well, and you
(27:14):
know they decided to go that route. Me and him
were really one two, you know throughout the league. And
you know, again it was it was good. Parcels kept
his word and I became a New York Jet.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
Okay, before we get back to this scene at when
you were drafted, when you actually arrived at Hofstra at
the campus of webew Bank, call, did you ask some
of the jets, hey, maybe Parcels himself. Why did I
get a call?
Speaker 2 (27:43):
Well, they told they told me because the phone rang
immediately after the pick right. So that's when I got
my call. My agent coach grow Parcels were on the
call and my agent's like, well, what do you think
of that? I was like, you know, I mean, it
was exciting for the for that moment I got called,
but I was when my name got called. But I
was kind of, you know, a little bit of anxiety
(28:03):
there at that moment. But it was cool. It's unique,
right again, you know, google it. I don't know, I
haven't heard anybody. Every draft I've watched for the last
twenty five years, e I've seen a phone in somebody's
ear with the camera on them and then all of
a sudden they hang it up. Everybody's hugging and kissing,
and then their name gets announced on on on on
(28:25):
the stage. So I didn't get that, you know, but listen,
it was It was fun and I guess you know,
it was to be unique is something that that you know,
kind of sets me apart. And it's a great story
that i'd always have.
Speaker 1 (28:39):
Where were you during the draft? And you said how
many people were there? And what was that initial A
couple minutes like, yeah, you see tags on the TV,
you get the call, and then who did you talk
to in terms of family in front.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Yeah, well, you know my I as soon to be wife,
Dianne was with me, and then of course any five
family and friends. We had a big got a big
tent set up in my parents' backyard. We had a
big one in big box, big screens TVs, you know,
extension court all the way to the TV, had the
phone out there. We put couches and TV put like food.
(29:17):
I mean, it was just it was awesome. Man. We're
all just hanging out having a good time.
Speaker 5 (29:22):
You know.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
We we we obviously knew we were going to be,
you know in that world, you know, top thirty five,
top forty picks. So it was, yeah, it was awesome, man.
Like it's like the pinnacle. Like I just I just
go back and think of all the doubt that there
was that there was in my career. You know, I
wasn't the best player of my high school. I didn't
have any scholarship offers. I got one the week before
(29:45):
signing day, and you know they basically told me by
my junior and senior year, hopefully I'd be able to
you know, to mature, build my body up and contribute
in some way to help the football team. So there
wasn't a lot of belief there in that moment. And
then ultimately to just develop and grow and learn and
be at a place where I could become, you know,
a really good tight end. And then all of a sudden,
(30:06):
now going into your junior senior year, you're labeled as
one of the best in the in the country. It's
just it's it's gratifying. I just I made a lot
of sacrifices in college during my time there, and not
not even just trying to be in the in the NFL,
just trying to be like a starter in college, to
be a great player, to develop my body was just
(30:26):
I was six five, one hundred and eighty five pounds
my senior year of high school. I just was not
ready physically to be a tight end. And you know,
just to develop myself and get to that moment, all
the people that helped me, and then it was really gratifying,
you know, to to in that strug. You go to
the Senior Bowl, you go the combine, all these things
start adding up and you you start checking the boxes
(30:47):
and all of a sudden, now you're like, yeah, this
guy's going in the first round. So just really awesome.
It's a it's a unique time in my life, and
it really just paved the way for everything that I've been,
that I've accomplished and done in my life. It built
up every relationship, it built every connection, It built anything
that I've done as a player, after as a player,
(31:07):
even now, it's all linked to that day. So just
an incredible, incredible time in my life.
Speaker 1 (31:13):
Did you develop a relationship with Bill Parcells during the
pre draft process, because you each have your own unique story.
Sean told me he felt like he was gone up
to New York every other weekend to visit with the Jets.
John Abraham said, I did not speak to Parcels at
all before I was drafted. Lavernius Coles remembers being drafted
(31:36):
in the third round. Parcel was getting on the phone
and saying, I'll see, listen, we did not draft you
to replace Keyshawn Johnson. You be concerned about special teams.
With that being said, what was your relationship like with
him during that time?
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Yeah, well, I took a visit, official visit to New York,
actually went to the Giants first, then the Jets, and yeah,
I remember I was taking a tour around hobster. I
mean it didn't take that long, right, But was walking
around the building and went into the weight room and
Parcels was on the treadmill by himself. You know, I
(32:13):
never saw him in person. You know, he was, you know,
bigger guy obviously, you know, the pace wasn't heavy. He
stops he saw me coming in and you know, turned around,
grabbed a towel and started talking to me and said, hey, listen,
you know you want to be a jet right And
I said, hell, yeah, coach, you know, like and he
was He's like, well, we're taking you. You're the guy
we want, you know, not Bubba Franks, you this and that,
(32:37):
and I don't know what pick it's going to be,
but it's going to be soon, and you know we're
going to get you at one of those picks. I
was like, great. He's like, you know, just you know,
very complimentary, you know, very positive. You know. I was like, Oh,
this guy's a good dude. You know. I all the
stories you hear and then you know, and then we
could talk about after the fact. But you know, it
turned into a much different situation from a relationship standpoint.
Speaker 5 (32:59):
For there.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
He was very hard on me. I would definitely take
the opposite way in the building when I saw him,
not to walk by him, but he would find his
way to find to find me.
Speaker 1 (33:09):
But h man, it was to avoid him later on.
Speaker 2 (33:12):
Yes, hell yeah, yeah, I was. You know, I just
I remember the first preseason game I played, and I
had like four catches a touchdown, and I just thought like, wow,
like I'm going to be a dude, like, you know,
it's against the Saints in our first preseason game. I
just remember. I don't even know. We had practice the
next day, which is crazy to even think. Right, we
were out in the field doing something and he was
(33:32):
on the other sideline. I was warming up. He called me.
He's like, hey, Beck, He called me over, and I
was like, you know, kind of walking over there, pretty confident,
you know, thinking like this guy is going to tell
me how how good of a pick I you know
I was, And he was right on and and he said,
you know, he was saying, basically, you know, he's like,
if you ever block like that again, you know on
film against a team, He's like, I'm going to send
(33:53):
your bluff beat beat beep, so fast back to West Virginia.
Speaker 3 (33:56):
You won't know.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
I'm like wow, like it was just it was kind
of an eye opening deal. I will say it was.
It was kind of like it changed me because I
was a little bit in that first round Aura. You know,
I really was one of the first I was really
the first guy on the field of all four of us,
and you know, immediately and then Sewan obviously had a
bigger role, and then John sporadically was hurt and Chad
(34:17):
was waiting, so there was a lot of pressure on me.
I had a knee brace after the third week. I
had to play with that, so I was slow, and
I remember wizing Hunt be sitting in the office, you know,
we all watching film as tight ends, you know, during
the week, and then he let us go and the hey, Anthony,
you need to stay back, and he tip his hat
back and like, look, you got to give us more,
you know, your first round pick. And I'm thinking myself, okay, coach,
(34:40):
I'm like everything was so fast on the field. Number one,
I had a knee brace on. I was trying to
learn this, you know, the NFL way. I was on
special teams and I was getting stingers on kickoff return
every week, so you know, so again, yeah, it was
tough time, but you know, I was embraced heavily by
by coach Barcels pre draft and then again that tough love, right,
I mean changed me that day. I kind of put
(35:02):
my lunch pail workman hat on, and that's the way
I became for the rest of my career because I knew,
like the expectation level was not one side. It was
about being a complete tight end and I had to
work to get there.
Speaker 1 (35:13):
What nickname did you like best for that class? So
it was talking to Sean about this earlier on the
podcast that he said, I'd like the four Horsemen, and
I know a lot of people all always referred to
you guys as the four Aces. And also, ab do
you consider it the five aces when you include Lavernius
Coles in that two thousand draft class.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
Yeah, we heard a lot of the four Aces. I
like that. Yeah, yeah, I mean, shoot, I mean throw Lavernia.
He could easily been a first round pick. I mean
there's no doubt about it. So yeah, I like that one.
That was a good one. That was the one I've
heard the most. Four Horsemen. You know, that's somebody else
has that right, Notre Dame or whoever. So that I
feel like I've never heard the four aces before. It
(35:55):
fits the suit well, So yeah, it was cool. It
was a good nickname. Heard it more after the fact
than actually during the fact. But but you know, every
time we go back in time, everybody's talking about you know,
you always hear the four aces.
Speaker 1 (36:09):
Why were you guys so individually successful and you talk
about longevity. I mean you think about how ichi you
produced throughout your career. That's quite rare.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
Yeah, I'll be honest with you. You know, I think
there was just a professionalism that we had to grow
up really fast. We had a veteran late a locker room.
I mean, you know my locker I was next to
Fred Baxter, Wayne Crebett and Vinnie Testa Verdi. I mean
you're talking about that was like thirty five years of experience.
Then you got Richie Anderson, and then Kevin mawi Is
(36:44):
across the way, and then the other side you got
ag and Marcus Coleman and Brian Cox and Moe Lewis
and and Shade Tree and all those guys. I mean, like, dude,
like there wasn't a lot of young guys in that
locker room. So it was like you better grow up
fast and learn how to do it or watch somebody
because you know you're gonna fall fall far. And and
(37:05):
you know it was not easy the first year for me.
I mean, you know, there was a lot, you know,
like I said, I had to play like I had
to be out there and and I was kind of
hurt throughout the year, and you know, I just there's
a lot of pressure. Man, things are moving fast, and
you know, the expectation level on a consistent basis, there
was a lot of push. And I love that it
may be a better player, a better person big long term,
(37:26):
but in that moment, man like I was always the dude,
right like you never no one ever critiqued you in
that in that kind of way, and you know you're
going against grown men every week. I mean different kind
of different, different kind of body types were playing defensive
end in the league than they are now, right So yeah,
it was, uh, you know, it was it was. It
was just a unique experience and uh you were forced
(37:49):
to be a pro right now because that that was
that was what our locker room was made up of.
Speaker 1 (37:56):
You said it before. You are now the radio color
man for the New York Jets. You work alongside Bob
with Shoes in a long time play by play voice
of the Green and White. You play five seasons with
the Jets, one hundred and thirty three receptions for overall
eleven hundred yards and seventeen touchdowns five seasons. But in
(38:17):
many ways, I mean you live in a different place
you're coaching right now. In many plays, the Jets became
part of your family.
Speaker 2 (38:26):
Why, yeah, you know, I mean there's like people like you, right,
I mean, you know all you got. There's so many
people in the business side that were interns or just
starting out that are all now upper level executives for
the organization. Of course, Woody he was the owner, who
was a rookie owner that year, right, So we all
came in together. So you know, those relationships stayed strong.
(38:51):
I mean, obviously I would have loved to have been
there and stayed there my entire career as a player.
You know, business is business, right, it just doesn't happen
that way. But able to reunite down the road, which
was Whi's even better. So, uh, there's just something in
my heart for New York and and the Jets organization,
and uh, you know, I know that they're desperately trying
to get back to where they want to be, and
I'm just glad to be a part of it in small,
(39:11):
some small way. Uh. You know, calling the games now
is is a unique privilege. You know, Marty Lyons is
a legend, and then obviously when he moved on, just
to get that call and get an opportunity again, it's
it's it's special, right. So I love the game of football.
I'm coaching, I'm around it. It's just something that's a
part of me now, my my my son plays. It's
(39:33):
there's just a lot around it that's really molded me
and made me who I am in different areas of
it now, but but as far as the player is concerned,
that's who I was in those in those years, you know.
So uh, you know, just just really gratifying, you know,
to to be a part of the organization still. I'm
thankful that they trust me in the same aspect to
(39:53):
go do those kind of things and and uh, and
you know, been through multiple coaches. You know, I was
you know, doing shows with and you know when Todd
was there and prior. I mean, it's just you know,
there's a lot of history there as I watched that
team from Afar, even though I wasn't playing there or
retired and doing some other things. So and I will
say this, you know those seventeen touchdowns, now that's the
(40:14):
most since Mickey Schuler, dust Dustin Kell, Dustin Keller had
seventeen but wasn't able to eclipse me. So when we
talk about productivity in the end zone, it's been a
minute now since anybody's caught more than that. So I
take that. I take that in stride as well. It's
you know, it's it wasn't easy in that market. You know,
it's there's a lot of there's a lot of things
(40:34):
around you. You got to have some strong mentals. And
I just felt like, you know, I was able to
have a really good, uh successful time, and I was available,
I was I was very rarely injured, you know, except
that rookie year. I didn't miss a game. So take
a lot of pride in that as well.
Speaker 1 (40:50):
Man Too bad people weren't playing Fantasy the way they
are now, otherwise they could have loaded up their rosters
with old number eighty eight.
Speaker 5 (40:57):
Huh.
Speaker 2 (40:58):
Yeah, you know I had a couple of those five
four touchdown seasons, So yeah, I mean, hell, they count
for something, right those points. The yardage maybe not as much,
but those touchdowns. I know, I know there was a
little juice there early on in fantasy, that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (41:11):
Hey, extra significance for you this weekend when you're talking
about the draft and twenty five years and now watching
what your team, your former team, the Jets, are going
to do with the guy who was in that locker room.
How cool is that that that locker room that you
entered at webew Bank Hall had Aaron Glennon and now
(41:35):
he's leading the team that you started with twenty five
years ago.
Speaker 2 (41:39):
Yeah, you know, just it's been an impressive run by him.
You know, I've watched him grow, you know, after football
as a as a young coach, a scout and work
his way up, pay his dues, learn and be part
of really good organizations. Go to an organization where he
finally got the able as a defensive coordinator and and
(42:02):
build something that was in shambles, I mean just complete shambles. Uh,
and and make it a championship, perennial championship contender. And
he's a big reason that happened in Detroit. And uh,
who knows what Detroit will look like moving forward. You know,
when you lose your coordinators and key pieces, you know,
it's it's it's difficult that the head coach obviously leads
the party and the ship, but you need great people
around you. And now you've got to go outside the
(42:24):
box a little bit. So. Uh So now Aaron gets
to do it. He's learned, he's he's he's got the
knowledge and now it's his show. So you know, similar
to me, I got it in a different way, and
and and and again. It's just like I just think
like communication has to be clear. I just think he's
really good at that. I feel like the messaging is
very direct. He has a great plan. There uh instant credibility,
(42:47):
you know, me being a former player. He's a former player,
he played at a high level. I just think there's
a there's a respect for that that that players really
look into a little bit more and deeper when when
words come out of your mouth and you say things
as a coach, because you've been through those things, you
you made it at the highest level. He's a first
round pick, he played a long time, multiple organizations, a
(43:09):
pro bowler, Like those are things that players now in
the league are trying to accomplish, So every nugget that
comes out of his mouth is vital and important. So, uh,
you know, now he gets to do the same thing.
He gets to build the staff, he gets to build
the team. Uh, he gets to put his plan into
place and grow and learn along the way as well.
You don't know it all until you get there, and
(43:30):
then you got to you gotta really, you know, just
hone into the to the day to day and continue
to embrace and do that. And I'm sure you know,
I can't wait to see his plan. I can't wait
to come through after our season and and come into
the to the building and camp and and during the
year when I'm calling the games and and be a
part of it. I think it's going to be great.
I think, you know, when you're looking for a leader
(43:52):
of men, I mean, he checks that box. So again,
I'm just really excited to see what the future lies
for this, for this team and this organization with him
at at home.
Speaker 1 (44:00):
All right, listen here, if we have an opportunity to
have an adult beverage in two thy fifty and in
twenty five years, they're still talking about this being a
historic draft class. How do you want it to be remembered?
Speaker 2 (44:18):
Well, you know, you have to follow up a little
bit to the last question. You know what it means
at twenty five years you know, Well, it's reminding me
that people still care and it matters, right, I mean,
we all had accomplished careers. You know, my son, my daughter,
my family, my friends get to see it. My players
now that don't believe that I was, you know, a
great player or whoever. I was like, oh, well that's
my coach, you know. So it's kind of cool. Man.
(44:41):
So fifty years from now, honestly, I honestly, I'm just
trying to be the same dude I was when I
got drafted my name was called that day. I take
a lot of pride in being me. I take a
lot of pride in being genuine. And if anything, you know,
if people forget me for being a player or a
coach or whatever it is, if they've engaged with me,
they know me. They got respect for me because I
(45:03):
treated them just like they wanted, you know, just like
I wanted myself to be treated. So that's how I
live my life. I'm not going to change from that.
Now we have a different relationship because we we've known
each other for so long. But I can honestly say,
like I don't know if there's any any bad blood
with me in anywhere, in any part of the Jets
building an organization anywhere. Right, So like the fan base,
(45:26):
I love them. You know, you're always going to hear good, bad,
and different. But I know in the moments that I
did great, they cheered for me, and that's important. I
know that even the ones that bowed me were the
ones that may be bad or the ones that hit
me up on accent like oh, you know, you were
one of the worst. I don't care. Like at one
point if they saw me I did some good, they
definitely cheered one time, So that's all that matters. So
(45:48):
I got that out of their blue heart or you know,
at some point. But fans are great. That's what's great,
I think. And starting in New York was awesome for
me because anywhere I went after that, quite frankly, like
you know, nothing was fake like media fan base is like,
you know, you got it in New York and it
made you or it crushed you, and it definitely made
me so fifty years from now, man, I just like
(46:10):
you know what I becked it's been a while, but
he's a good dude. That's kind of that's kind of
how I love to leave it.
Speaker 1 (46:16):
Well, we'll be certainly toasting you next weekend. Man, congratulations,
spent a hell of a run, but fortunately there's a
lot more in store for you, and the Jets appreciate you. Levertius.
It's been twenty five years since the Jets historic two
thousand draft class. When you think about that, what goes
(46:37):
through your mind.
Speaker 3 (46:43):
It's weird remember that it has been twenty five years
already because it went by so fast. I can't tell
it's been that long. But when you say it and
you look at the year and the date now, it
kind of resonates and said, man, it's really been twenty
five years for us since the day we got drafted.
Speaker 1 (46:56):
As far as the pre draft process, what we were
in inactions like with teams and specifically the Jets.
Speaker 3 (47:04):
If I'm not mistaken, I think I had lunch with
Dan Hayne and the officer coordinator at an olive gardener
here in Jacksonville. But that was the most interaction I
think I pretty much had with the New York.
Speaker 2 (47:15):
Jets at that time.
Speaker 3 (47:19):
Really had no clue that I had a chance of
going to New York other than there, and then I
thought Jacksonville was going to take me or RJ.
Speaker 5 (47:27):
Sowerd.
Speaker 3 (47:27):
So it was one of those days where, you know,
my agent told me he didn't know whether I was
going to get picked or not, but whatever place I went,
just make the best of the opportunity, because he said,
it ain't by way you're drafted, it is what you
do once you get there.
Speaker 1 (47:39):
How about painting that picture? Though? At the Olive Garden?
What was that conversation like with Henny?
Speaker 3 (47:44):
I mean, it was just really one of those real
nonchalant lunches where I think he just wanted to see
what type of kid I was, what my head was,
and if he was willing to come back to New
York and put his neck out there on the line
for them to give me an opportunity, because I'm pretty
sure mister Haley had to come back and say, look,
I think he's the great kid. I think he'll fit
(48:04):
well into the system and he won't give us any problems.
Speaker 1 (48:08):
And why did you have to answer those questions? Because
a lot of people, I think right now are going
to be watching or listening and they don't know the
background of Lavernius coming out.
Speaker 3 (48:20):
Well, coming out, you know, I got dismissed from Florida
State football team for taking a discount of bullits, so
it kind of just letting me down a path and
not knowing, I ended up going to Kender, Louisiana to
train with Tom Shaw back in the day. So my
future was in question because that was during the era
when Ray Lewis had got in trouble and the way
I received out of Carolina. So people was very skeptical
(48:42):
about drafting guys with questionable backgrounds, and teams were very
concerned and rightfully so, because they was making investments in
the players and they didn't want to draft a guy
that was going to cause them problems or tarnish their brain.
Speaker 1 (48:55):
And it's ironic because you were in an all time
character player for the Jets throughout your career. Now, with
that being said, sixteenth or seventeenth receiver drafted in the
two thousand class, is that.
Speaker 3 (49:10):
Right, Yes, sir, I mean, and I still remember it.
I mean, like I said, it was a lot of
names called before mine at the wide receiver a position.
But again, it wasn't about where I was drafted. I
think I was drafted to the place that fits me best,
and being there and getting a chance to play with
Vinnie and grow with Chad helped my career to do
what it was, and I'm just thankful I got an
(49:31):
opportunity to play in the Green and White.
Speaker 1 (49:33):
But when you got the call from the Jets, your
initial reaction.
Speaker 3 (49:38):
Uh, it was, it was, it was, it was. It
was bittersweet. It was one of those things. I was
glad the wait was over. But to get on the
phone with Coach Parcels and he's telling me he's not
drafting me to play wide receiver and that I'm not
there to replace Keishawn Johnson. It was one of those
things where I had made up in my mind. I
was like, I'm going to show them that I can
play this position. And I had to say yes sir
and no, sir, and agree with everything he said on
(49:59):
the phone with in the back of my mind, I
was telling myself, I'm gonna play wide receiver.
Speaker 1 (50:05):
The four first round picks showing out was John Abraham,
Chad Pennyton, and Anthony Becked. When you came in with them,
that was a historic class as far as unpressing it
in four first round picks. Did you think that, hey,
it is imperative for us to turn the tide around
(50:25):
for this franchise.
Speaker 3 (50:28):
Well, I know they were doing pretty well before we
got that. I think they had went to the AFC
Championship maybe a year or two before that, And I
know the expectations were high because a lot of the
guys were returning, But I knew that we would have
an opportunity to play and I think that year, if
I'm not mistaken, we probably had probably thirteen rookies ended
(50:50):
up making that roster, which was a lot of different
bodies and a lot of new faces on the team,
and I think we all contributed very well and gave
them something, you know, to look forward to in the
future because we were so young.
Speaker 1 (51:02):
How do you want that draft class, the Jets two
thousand class to be remembered.
Speaker 3 (51:07):
It's one of the best draft drafts they've ever had.
I mean the talent, the talent not only speech for ourselves,
but the number of years that we all played. And
I think what John Abraham didn't get to spend a
lot of time his entire career with the Jets, but
the years he was there he was so productive, bick
Kat Sean Ellis was very productive. Chad, we know what
(51:28):
he all did after we played, had a long career
also himself, and then you had me in the third
round that got ten years in. So I think our
class speaks for itself, and I think the numbers and
the amount of quality football that we put on the
fields speech speech volumes, and not only that, but for
Coach Parcels to give us all the chance and the
opportunity to come in and play.
Speaker 1 (51:50):
What are some of your favorite memories of playing with
the Green and White.
Speaker 3 (51:55):
I mean, there's so many gun ones, but again, the
Monday Night Miracle, my rookie year to be a part
or something that's exton stone and I think it's been
on TV. It's one of the greatest games, greatest comeback
games ever, especially for a Monday night game, and to
be a part of that and to see how our
fans left that night and then came running back into
the stadium as we start coming back. I think I'll
(52:17):
remember that till I probably can't remember anything else.
Speaker 1 (52:21):
Yeah, and you were part of a number of playoff
teams as well with the Jets, and you actually had
two stints with this team.
Speaker 3 (52:29):
Yes, sir, I told the guys, I'm like the straight cap.
They fed and just kept coming back. So it's just
great to be a part of such a great organization.
The people were there, they welcomed me to fans really welcome.
Then I just thank them. They still love me to
this day, even every time I come back to New York.
So I just look forward to putting on green and
white every day. And you as you see, I got
(52:51):
my Jets cap on because I look forward to it.
And I watch the Draft every year and I get
nervous for the guys that's coming there, like I'm about
to get my name called
Welcome into the Official Jets Podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
I Eat, Breathe, and Sleep The New York Jets.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
My team that is a tightrope walk across Niagara Fall.
Speaker 3 (00:07):
That's hard to do, say name of inches, So finding
that one little inch to be successful, it all matters.
Speaker 4 (00:13):
The Official Jets Podcast is presented by Kendra Scott, the
jewelry company that's shining bright and doing good. Shop Game
Day Ready, jewelry styles and so much more at kendrascott
dot com.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Hey everybody. This week on the Jets will bark on
their first draft with GM Darren Mugy and head coach
Aaron Glenn. The organization will also celebrate the twenty fifth
anniversary of a franchise altering draft class. The Jets became
the only team in the Common Draft era to make
four first round picks. Bill Parcells and personnel director Dick
(00:49):
Haley drafted defensive end Shawn Ellis, edge John Abraham, quarterback
Chad Pennington, and tight on Anthony Becked. Ellis, a Tennessee product,
went number twelve overall. Abraham has starred South Carolina went
right behind at number thirteen. Pennington was taken eighteenth, and
Becked went twenty seventh. While the four first rounders were unprecedented,
(01:13):
the Jets also got a fifth ace in the two
thousand class when they selected wide receiver Lavernias Cols in
the third round. It was Woody Johnson's first draft as
an owner, and the Jets grab five players who would
line up in forty two playoff games for the Green
and White, plus five hundred and fifteen regular season contests.
(01:33):
On this very special installment of the Official dut podcast,
we look back at the jets historic two thousand draft class. CP.
Can you believe it's been twenty five years since you
were drafted?
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Uh?
Speaker 5 (01:48):
No, I cannot. That means that you know, some people
have kids in the in the league that I knew,
and it's crazy. We were talking about this the other day,
just to think about how fast twenty five years goes
by is unbelievable. But certainly a special time in my
life for sure.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
What was the pre draft process like And did you
get an inkling during that time that hey, I might
be a Jet? You know what?
Speaker 5 (02:16):
No inkling? Really, I only had the inkling once I
was drafted and thought back through the process. But really
all the talk was about Pittsburgh and San Francisco, and
so that was the two private workouts I had, and
a lot of the talk just around the media about that,
but I do remember having one of my formal interviews
(02:37):
with the Jets, and so that kind of once I
thought about that process after I was drafted, I said, Okay,
it makes sense. Al Grow also knew my head coach,
Bob Pruitt. Bob Pruitt worked for al Grow in college,
so there was a relationship there, so they could probably
gather the information they needed to make the decision on
whether or not to draft me.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
What were your memories that interview as far as the
Jets talking to you and who was there, who were
the participants.
Speaker 5 (03:03):
Yeah, good luck on me remembering that. I would you
do remember, Just it's probably in your own mind more
than it is anything. But it's it's a I don't
know if the right word is intense, but it's certainly
a professional environment, one of the first ones that you
(03:24):
know I was able to step into to truly have
an interview. But I was prepared. I feel like IMG,
who represented me at the time, prepared me for those
types of things, and we did some mack interviews and
things like that. But it's from top to bottom, whether
it be football, life, decision making everything in between, because
it's a huge decision for the organization to make and
(03:47):
they're trying to gather as much information as they can,
and so I just remember trying to be as honest
as I could and put my best foot forward as
far as who I was, not only as a football player,
but as a person.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Where were you draft day? It's round one, and who
were you with?
Speaker 5 (04:03):
Yeah, so I was asked to come to New York,
but I just didn't that can go one way or
the other, especially during those times, and so I didn't
feel comfortable doing that. I didn't want to have an
Aaron Rodgers moment, so to speak. Uh you know where
you fall in all eyes are on you while you're
sitting there in the room, Because I really wanted to
be a celebration of one having the opportunity to be drafted.
(04:26):
That that's you know that we take that for granted,
that doesn't that's rare, and so I wanted to be
able to celebrate that, enjoy that moment, and then also
enjoy it with all of the people, both family and friends,
that I felt like had been a part of my
life and part of my development, and I just felt
like to be able to do that. The best way
to do that was go to Norse Lake in the
(04:47):
fall at Tennessee, where I spent my summers, rent a
houseboat and after draft, after I was drafted, to get
on the houseboat and go down the lake and have
a good time with family and friends. And so that's
what we did.
Speaker 1 (04:59):
How many people were.
Speaker 5 (05:01):
Oh, my goodness, I would say, Gosha, I would say
at least close to sixty at least. I mean, it
was packed, but it was a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
So I know, you you don't have, you know, intimate
recollections of the pre draft interview, But how about the
call when you found out that you were actually getting drafted.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
Yeah, I'm completely surprised because I just didn't expect the Jets.
And here's the thing. I think Steelers had to pick
at eight and the forty nine Ers had to pick
at sixteen, so those two picks had already gone by.
So then you're sitting there thinking like, what's going on next?
And I think Sebastian Jenikowski was drafted right before me,
(05:46):
I believe, to the Raiders. So there's a lot of
things going on in your head, like, Okay, what's the
deal here. I did feel like I put myself in
a good position to be the first quarterback taken based
upon my senior Bowl performer as well as my combine
numbers and what I was able to do there, So
I felt good about that. It's just you never know
(06:07):
as far as these teams moving and shaking, as far
as you're trying to get who they want to get,
So you just it's a it's a very weird process,
I'll just tell you, because you're trying to enjoy the moment,
but at the same time, there's so many unknowns it's
hard to enjoy it until it happened. So once it happens,
it's just a huge sigh of relief.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
Who was on the line from the Jets.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
I remember al Grow being on the line, and then
I remember then going to talking to Victor Green, I
guess who was doing some draft day things, and I
don't know if that was back to back, but it's
pretty close after coach Grow had called me, so it was.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
A different time back then. But your thoughts on going
to the Jets who had a proven, established quarterback in
Vinnie Tustaverdi, Well.
Speaker 5 (06:56):
I've always believed then and I still believe now all
that from a development standpoint for quarterbacks coming into this league,
I think having a tested veteran that's number one willing
to work with you as a young player, which was
huge in my case because Vinnie was so professional about that,
(07:16):
but then two had been successful at his job and
at what he's been asked to do. I think that
was huge in my development. And so because and here's why,
as a young quarterback, you need to make mistakes behind
closed doors, and when you're thrown right into the starting lineup,
all of your mistakes are are out there for everyone
to see, and it's really hard to work through those mistakes.
(07:39):
Give yourself some grace why you're learning. They expect you
just to pick it up where you left off in college,
and that's just not the case. I don't care how
good you are.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
And so.
Speaker 5 (07:50):
To be able to make mistakes behind closed doors, to
be able to learn what it's like to be a professional.
That word professional is so much more than what people
give it credit to was huge for me in my development.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
Did you know that history was at hand? Maybe after
you got back from being on the Lake, and he said, well,
not only did I get drafted today, but this is
the first time in NFL history where a team actually
had four first round picks, and they used them on
Sean Alis, Johnny Abraham, yourself of course, and then tight
(08:23):
d Anthony Beckt.
Speaker 5 (08:26):
You know, at the time, right when it happened, didn't
think about it all, but once once we got up
to New York for mini camp and the four of
us were doing interviews and photo shoots and talking about it.
It's pretty remarkable. Really. First of all, I didn't think
it was going to happen. Typically, it just didn't happen. Right,
Historically speaking, they're going to use those picks to gain
more picks and to build the true depth of their
(08:48):
team and do it in a cost effective manner. But
you know, for Bill Parcells to have that type of
that's why he's a Hall of Famer. I mean, when
you look at it, the four of us played it
combined forty nine years. I mean, that's that's crazy. And
then when you put in Lavernius with that in the
third round, we're up to sixty. So it's amazing the
longevity that I think all of us were able to
(09:10):
create and I think it's a testament to Bill's vision,
to the Scouting Department's vision, to them really doing their
research and homework on what type of professionals we would
be and then having the professional fortitude to actually do it,
because most people would tell you not to do that,
and they did it.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
Did you like to nickname the four Aces? And when
was that thrown upon you? Guys? And also we've made
Lavernious part of this here man, because do you consider
a guy who one of your favorite receivers of all time,
Lavernius Coles? Do you consider him a fifth Ace?
Speaker 5 (09:47):
One hundred percent? He was the fifth Ace. I always
think of him as part of our group number one,
because he's such an integral part of what we were
able to accomplish. But when you really think about it,
I mean the that's got a steal. I mean that
if you take away some of the things that happened
to him in college, he is the first round draft pick.
I just think he slid just because some things are
(10:08):
out of his control. So you know, I definitely think
of him as part of our group. He's one of
my best friends and I love him to death.
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Why was Parcells such a good program builder. You just
mentioned that he had the eye for talent, and he
lands for you guys in the first round, and he
comes back and gets Kohl's in the third round. But
it wasn't just that the Jets overall what set him apart,
because for my money, he's the best programmed builder in
(10:37):
the history of our league.
Speaker 5 (10:39):
Well, I think that one of Bill's strong points is
that he understands that football is a people gain, and
so when you're putting the pieces of the puzzle together,
he puts them together based upon the people, not just
on number statistics things like that. And I think he
(11:01):
had a very unique way of finding the right people
to put together to build the team that he wanted
to build. That's very hard to do. A lot of
times people fall victim to numbers stats how high someone jumps,
how fast someone runs, instead of looking at the person
(11:23):
as a football player and some of those other tangibles
that really matter in a team sport. And then being
able to put all those pieces together in the right
areas is the next trick to that, and he was
very successful in doing that.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Well, Grow was your first coach, and then it was
herm Edwards. Of course, in two thousand and one. Terry
Bradway comes on board as GM in two thousand and one.
What kind of influence did Parcells have on your career
in that early going and how much did that carry through?
Speaker 5 (11:56):
Yeah, I think you say, once a parsales guy, always
a parsales guy, and that's another key ingredient to his success.
I think anyone who has played for him or worked
with him, because I was able to work with him
again in Miami. Once you're in the fold in his
program and you prove to have the makeup that he's
(12:19):
looking for, you're with him for life because he can
trust that he knows what he's getting and that relationship
piece and that trust is really important, and so that's
what makes him successful in that regard. So although I
was only drafted by him and worked with him for
a year, I do think that one year moving into
(12:40):
coach Edwards era really helped me from a professional standpoint,
a mental toughness standpoint, really understanding what this whole idea
of being an NFL player was all about.
Speaker 1 (12:54):
How would you describe your Jets' career without writing a book?
Speaker 5 (12:59):
Yeah, right, I would just I would describe it as
resilient and really all eleven years. Uh, there's a resilience
all throughout that career when you look at it, when
you take a step back and look at it in
third person, I am really proud of my resilience. Uh.
(13:20):
There are some things that you just cannot control. And
when it comes to injuries, especially those type of injuries
with the shoulder and a dislocated hand, which is extremely rare,
you just can't control those. What you can control is
how you react to them, how you respond, how you
work through it, and how you try to still be available.
(13:41):
And so that's how I would describe it. I look
at my eight years in New York very fondly. I've
told you before that you know those memories of those
two weeks Green Bay at Indianapolis and O two o four,
going out and beating the Chargers, coming back in six
with a a coaching change, and being able to win
(14:03):
the comeback Player of the Year and lead our team
to playoffs. I mean, those are very fond memories for me.
And there's nothing like winning in New York when it's happening.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
Those odd years were tough, but the even years, it
seemed like every time it was an even year, you
knew the Jets are gonna be making a run.
Speaker 5 (14:22):
Yeah, yeah, I don't know. And it even happened that
way in Miami too, right, I mean eight, here we
go to the playoffs. I have no idea, you know.
And that people ask about, Okay, what's your regrets? The
only quote regret I have is coming back too early
from the first shoulder surgery. I feel like, and that's
such a hard thing to do as a competitor. You're
(14:44):
trying to be available to your team. As a competitor,
you're trying to beat deadlines. But when you're talking about
major injuries like that, shoulders, knees, all those different things,
time and patience is really really important. And so when
I look back upon that, I feel like, if I
would have taken some more time and been more patient,
(15:05):
maybe I wouldn't have had the second, second surgery, which
then wouldn't have led to the third and fourth. So
because those type of injuries, they're really hard to come
back from if you don't handle them correctly. And so
luckily that's because the resilience piece and great people around me,
I was able to fight through that and still compete
at a high level. But I would have loved to
(15:27):
have seen how I could compete it with a true
one hundred percent body, so to speak, and not always
having to deal with it with something like that.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Man, oh two was magical. I mean, every time I
talk to you, whether it's in person or you know,
on team's stream yard, I always think about oh two
and when you took that ball and the team got
hot and you really took the league by storm. It
was incredible. And to this day, I don't think Peyton
(15:59):
Manning was ever shut out throughout his professional career. But
you guys took them down forty one nothing in that
first round of the playoffs, and the preceding week there
was no roof on the stadium, because that's a good
thing because the roof probably would have came off at
forty two to seventeen victory over Green Bay.
Speaker 5 (16:19):
Yeah, yeah, exactly. That was man, that was a magical time.
I just remember the energy in that stadium. I don't
know if I ever felt like that again. That energy
at those two weeks was just unbelievable. I mean, you
could just it was palpable. You could feel it, especially
when everyone learned that the Dolphins or the Patriots had
beaten the Dolphins, and so it was up to us.
(16:41):
If we win, we win the division. I mean, and
there was another historical moment. I mean, no team had
ever started out two and five and won a division,
so that was really sweet.
Speaker 1 (16:51):
I consider you a cerebral assassin. So give me a
scotary report on each of those guys in the two
thousand draft class with the Jets that made such an
imprint on this organization, starting with Sean, and then we'll
go to John, then Backed, and look finally Lavernius.
Speaker 5 (17:10):
Yeah. So with Sean, you first start with just his
his physical prowess, how strong he was at the point
of attack. You know, he had to adjust from a
four to three to a three four and then went
back to a four three, So he did a great
job of handling that. But then also I think his versatility.
Although he was strong at the point of attack, and
McCain was a great run stopper. He could rush the passer.
(17:33):
He had eight and a half sacks I believe his
rookie year out of a three four, which is hard
to do. So, uh, I just remember that, and then
you think about his longevity. I mean, for him to
be able to play at that type of level for
such a long period of time. Unbelievable. Look at John Abe,
you know, I think if he wouldn't have had the
injuries early in his career, he probably would have been
a jet longer. But then, you know, luckily for him
(17:55):
as well as you know, testament to him. I mean,
look at the career he had amount of sacks and
what type of pass rusher he became. And he was
always known, you know, to be that, and so that's
what he became, and he he was. He excelled at it.
You know. So his his rush ability off the edge,
his speed, his quickness. I mean, in today's game, he
(18:16):
would getness. Gracious, could you imagine what type player he
had been. He was one of those players that would
translate to today's game right twenty five years later, No, no,
no doubt about it. Uh. And then Anthony. You know
what really proud of Anthony about is first of all,
you know, he's the old school throwback. He became an
(18:36):
outstanding blocker at the point of attack as a tight
end and then could still help and and and be
productive in the past game. That's a lot of times
you don't see that anymore. You see one or the
other he could do both. Uh, and then you look
at his career how long he was able to play
and still be able to do it, and now look
(18:57):
what he's doing as a head coach. But think, I
think is awesome. He's just so versatile in that way.
We've become very close, you know, with with our families,
and so to be able to watch him and his
son Rocko kill it that I stayed. It's just really
cool to see full circle finally Lavernius. You know, with LC,
(19:17):
I don't know what it was. I just had a
natural feel for him. I just think sometimes you sometimes
it takes you as a quarterback some time to get
a feel for receiver and sometimes you just naturally have it.
With him, I just naturally had it. I think part
of that too was I just my trust in him.
When you watched him play, and I was able to
watch him play and be around him for two years
before we played together. You can see how physical he was.
(19:41):
He never got knocked off his spot. He was a
receiver that when the ball was in the air, you
knew good things were going to happen, and if something
bows gonna happen, he was going to do everything in
his possible in his power to keep it from happening.
So that gives you an extreme amount of confidence as
a quarterback to let ball go early, to put the
ball out front, to give him a chance because good
(20:04):
things are going to happen, and that trust was there.
So he played bigger than what his stature was. Obviously
people knew about his speed, but he played like a
six or FOURD type of receiver, and he was a
receiver that you you would like to see press coverage
against him than off covers because he was going to
create such separation because they could not be more physical
(20:28):
than him. So he was a lot of fun to
play with.
Speaker 1 (20:30):
All right, let's end it here. You are a wildly
successful football coach yourself right now, You got your sons
crushing it. You are a busy man. But when it
comes to draft weekend in Green Bay, when it's actually
twenty five years later, are you going to think is
(20:51):
there gonna be a full circle moment where you're gonna
think about the memories, but you're also going to keep
your eye on the Jets because a guy who was
in your locker room when you enter the National Football
League was playing quarnerback for the Jets. That's Aaron Glenn Well.
Speaker 5 (21:07):
It is a full circle moment in that regard twenty
five years and now a former teammate being the head coach.
I'm really excited for him. I think he has the
right makeup. I remember him as a player. Number one,
how professional he was. Number two, His competitive will and
fire was unbelievable. And the way he approached the game
(21:32):
is exactly how he approaches now as a head coach,
and so that doesn't surprise me. And so that's why
I think he'll be successful. So I will be leaning
in a little bit more to see how his program develops.
And I hope that we give him the time and
are patient enough to allow him to develop that program.
It's going to take time, it always does, to put
(21:53):
your stamp on it, get and to build the culture
that you see fit for your team as a head coach,
and I hope we give him the time and we're
patient enough with him to do that.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
So you got a new quarterback here with the Jets,
Justin Fields, former first round pick twenty twenty one. Huh
what do you think about his fit here with the Jets?
And you talk about patients like he's now on his
third team, but Aaron has seen something in him where
he said, Okay, not only is he talented, but he's
(22:26):
going to have an opportunity to really play quarterback here
with this team.
Speaker 5 (22:30):
Yeah. Number one, he is talented, There's no doubt about it.
Number Two, I respect him for how he's handled his situations.
You haven't seen him just go off the handles and
gripe and complain and do those types of things. So
I respect that. I think it shows a lot of
humility and a lot of courage to be able to
go through those situations that he's gone through. And so
(22:50):
I'm excited for his opportunity, really and I think he
has the ability and the potential to lead the Jets.
I really do, so it'll be interesting to see. I
think it always comes down to how everyone in that building,
both player and coach, work together to support him and
that as a staff, the development piece to his development
(23:15):
is intentional, purposeful, and the right path. That's really important
in our league, and it's different for every quarterback. We're
all different. We all bring certain things to the table,
and if we tap into those certain characteristics that each
one of us has, you can be successful, and so
I think the team can be successful with Justin Fields.
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Well, we wish you continue lock and congratulations not only
to yourself but the tire two thousand Jets Draft class,
because we're going to be raising a glass for you
next weekend.
Speaker 5 (23:48):
All right, thanks ea.
Speaker 4 (23:51):
The Official Jets Podcast is presented by Kendra Scott, the
jewelry company that's shining bright and doing good shop game
day ready jewelry styles and so much more.
Speaker 1 (24:01):
Anthony, Can you believe it's been twenty five years since
that since that two thousand historic Jets draft class.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Yeah, it's hard to believe. You know, I didn't shave
because I wanted the people to see the grades that
I have. I mean, it's it's been that long, right, Uh,
you know, just what an unbelievable day for me and
my family and uh, you know for all all four
of us quite frankly, getting drafted and and putting something
you know, really good on on the field, you know,
(24:29):
a good product for by all four of us and
and the careers that we all had, and it's an
honor to be a part of that. You know, you
you're you're never going to see four first rounders again,
probably ever. And uh, it's kind of edged in stone
and and like I said, I just you know, it's
it's the memories are are fantastic, and you know, to
(24:49):
be a part of the organization still, Uh, to have
that long lasting relationship is it's even better for me
because it meant that it was a meaningful time you
for myself, the organization, and you know, they still think
very highly of me now. So just really proud of
that moment.
Speaker 1 (25:08):
I'm sure you were happy to be drafted, but were
you elated because young Anthony probably thought he should have
went earlier in the first round.
Speaker 2 (25:17):
Yeah, well, you're right. I thought, I tell everybody this.
You know, Parcells told me he was drafted me in
one of those picks I thought I was going to go.
Was Chad what was he eighteen or seven? What was
his pick?
Speaker 1 (25:28):
He was eighteen.
Speaker 2 (25:29):
Yeah, he was eighteen, So I thought I was going
eighteen because Chad wasn't supposed to be available. He told me,
you know, they got their taking care of some defensive
stuff early, and then I was like, okay, you know
that's where I'm going. And then you know, didn't happen.
So I was like, all right, clearly I'm going to
be the twenty seventh pick, and I tell the story
all the time. You know, that twenty seventh pick came,
(25:50):
and I believe I've never spoke or heard another story.
I'm the only first round pick that did not receive
a phone call prior to the commission coming up to
the stage and announcing their name. So in an act
of anxiety and desperation and about seventy five people at
a party all looking at the television together, I could
(26:10):
hear the whispers in the background, like what's going on.
You know, the Jets are supposed to take them. There's
no phone. I had like this bat phone hardwired all
the way out to the yard. We had this big tent,
and I never got a call. So when Paul Taglabu
came up to the stage and announced my name, it
was like a roar you would never hear, you know, ever,
like in Unison. But yeah, it was kind of crazy.
(26:32):
I mean I was kind of like from the lowest point.
I was like literally depressed because I didn't know, like
who was going to pick me. I didn't talk to
any of the team. I was looking at the list,
like the next ten teams. I had no connection with
at all. So but you know, when I heard my name,
it was sweet. But I did tell Chad. I was like,
it was either Chad or the Steelers. They owe me
about four million dollars because I thought I was going
(26:52):
to go eighteen and and I was like, man, we
need to put our money in a bucket and just
split it. But now I was listening, it was awesome,
you know, to be a first on pick, to be
drafted in New York, it was it was a great honor,
a great privilege, privilege. You know, Green Bay took Bubba
Franks as a tight end. I think at fourteen I
was definitely a viable option there as well, and you
(27:14):
know they decided to go that route. Me and him
were really one two, you know throughout the league. And
you know, again it was it was good. Parcels kept
his word and I became a New York Jet.
Speaker 1 (27:27):
Okay, before we get back to this scene at when
you were drafted, when you actually arrived at Hofstra at
the campus of webew Bank, call, did you ask some
of the jets, hey, maybe Parcels himself. Why did I
get a call?
Speaker 2 (27:43):
Well, they told they told me because the phone rang
immediately after the pick right. So that's when I got
my call. My agent coach grow Parcels were on the
call and my agent's like, well, what do you think
of that? I was like, you know, I mean, it
was exciting for the for that moment I got called,
but I was when my name got called. But I
was kind of, you know, a little bit of anxiety
(28:03):
there at that moment. But it was cool. It's unique,
right again, you know, google it. I don't know, I
haven't heard anybody. Every draft I've watched for the last
twenty five years, e I've seen a phone in somebody's
ear with the camera on them and then all of
a sudden they hang it up. Everybody's hugging and kissing,
and then their name gets announced on on on on
(28:25):
the stage. So I didn't get that, you know, but listen,
it was It was fun and I guess you know,
it was to be unique is something that that you know,
kind of sets me apart. And it's a great story
that i'd always have.
Speaker 1 (28:39):
Where were you during the draft? And you said how
many people were there? And what was that initial A
couple minutes like, yeah, you see tags on the TV,
you get the call, and then who did you talk
to in terms of family in front.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Yeah, well, you know my I as soon to be wife,
Dianne was with me, and then of course any five
family and friends. We had a big got a big
tent set up in my parents' backyard. We had a
big one in big box, big screens TVs, you know,
extension court all the way to the TV, had the
phone out there. We put couches and TV put like food.
(29:17):
I mean, it was just it was awesome. Man. We're
all just hanging out having a good time.
Speaker 5 (29:22):
You know.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
We we we obviously knew we were going to be,
you know in that world, you know, top thirty five,
top forty picks. So it was, yeah, it was awesome, man.
Like it's like the pinnacle. Like I just I just
go back and think of all the doubt that there
was that there was in my career. You know, I
wasn't the best player of my high school. I didn't
have any scholarship offers. I got one the week before
(29:45):
signing day, and you know they basically told me by
my junior and senior year, hopefully I'd be able to
you know, to mature, build my body up and contribute
in some way to help the football team. So there
wasn't a lot of belief there in that moment. And
then ultimately to just develop and grow and learn and
be at a place where I could become, you know,
a really good tight end. And then all of a sudden,
(30:06):
now going into your junior senior year, you're labeled as
one of the best in the in the country. It's
just it's it's gratifying. I just I made a lot
of sacrifices in college during my time there, and not
not even just trying to be in the in the NFL,
just trying to be like a starter in college, to
be a great player, to develop my body was just
(30:26):
I was six five, one hundred and eighty five pounds
my senior year of high school. I just was not
ready physically to be a tight end. And you know,
just to develop myself and get to that moment, all
the people that helped me, and then it was really gratifying,
you know, to to in that strug. You go to
the Senior Bowl, you go the combine, all these things
start adding up and you you start checking the boxes
(30:47):
and all of a sudden, now you're like, yeah, this
guy's going in the first round. So just really awesome.
It's a it's a unique time in my life, and
it really just paved the way for everything that I've been,
that I've accomplished and done in my life. It built
up every relationship, it built every connection, It built anything
that I've done as a player, after as a player,
(31:07):
even now, it's all linked to that day. So just
an incredible, incredible time in my life.
Speaker 1 (31:13):
Did you develop a relationship with Bill Parcells during the
pre draft process, because you each have your own unique story.
Sean told me he felt like he was gone up
to New York every other weekend to visit with the Jets.
John Abraham said, I did not speak to Parcels at
all before I was drafted. Lavernius Coles remembers being drafted
(31:36):
in the third round. Parcel was getting on the phone
and saying, I'll see, listen, we did not draft you
to replace Keyshawn Johnson. You be concerned about special teams.
With that being said, what was your relationship like with
him during that time?
Speaker 2 (31:52):
Yeah, well, I took a visit, official visit to New York,
actually went to the Giants first, then the Jets, and yeah,
I remember I was taking a tour around hobster. I
mean it didn't take that long, right, But was walking
around the building and went into the weight room and
Parcels was on the treadmill by himself. You know, I
(32:13):
never saw him in person. You know, he was, you know,
bigger guy obviously, you know, the pace wasn't heavy. He
stops he saw me coming in and you know, turned around,
grabbed a towel and started talking to me and said, hey, listen,
you know you want to be a jet right And
I said, hell, yeah, coach, you know, like and he
was He's like, well, we're taking you. You're the guy
we want, you know, not Bubba Franks, you this and that,
(32:37):
and I don't know what pick it's going to be,
but it's going to be soon, and you know we're
going to get you at one of those picks. I
was like, great. He's like, you know, just you know,
very complimentary, you know, very positive. You know. I was like, Oh,
this guy's a good dude. You know. I all the
stories you hear and then you know, and then we
could talk about after the fact. But you know, it
turned into a much different situation from a relationship standpoint.
Speaker 5 (32:59):
For there.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
He was very hard on me. I would definitely take
the opposite way in the building when I saw him,
not to walk by him, but he would find his
way to find to find me.
Speaker 1 (33:09):
But h man, it was to avoid him later on.
Speaker 2 (33:12):
Yes, hell yeah, yeah, I was. You know, I just
I remember the first preseason game I played, and I
had like four catches a touchdown, and I just thought like, wow,
like I'm going to be a dude, like, you know,
it's against the Saints in our first preseason game. I
just remember. I don't even know. We had practice the
next day, which is crazy to even think. Right, we
were out in the field doing something and he was
(33:32):
on the other sideline. I was warming up. He called me.
He's like, hey, Beck, He called me over, and I
was like, you know, kind of walking over there, pretty confident,
you know, thinking like this guy is going to tell
me how how good of a pick I you know
I was, And he was right on and and he said,
you know, he was saying, basically, you know, he's like,
if you ever block like that again, you know on
film against a team, He's like, I'm going to send
(33:53):
your bluff beat beat beep, so fast back to West Virginia.
Speaker 3 (33:56):
You won't know.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
I'm like wow, like it was just it was kind
of an eye opening deal. I will say it was.
It was kind of like it changed me because I
was a little bit in that first round Aura. You know,
I really was one of the first I was really
the first guy on the field of all four of us,
and you know, immediately and then Sewan obviously had a
bigger role, and then John sporadically was hurt and Chad
(34:17):
was waiting, so there was a lot of pressure on me.
I had a knee brace after the third week. I
had to play with that, so I was slow, and
I remember wizing Hunt be sitting in the office, you know,
we all watching film as tight ends, you know, during
the week, and then he let us go and the hey, Anthony,
you need to stay back, and he tip his hat
back and like, look, you got to give us more,
you know, your first round pick. And I'm thinking myself, okay, coach,
(34:40):
I'm like everything was so fast on the field. Number one,
I had a knee brace on. I was trying to
learn this, you know, the NFL way. I was on
special teams and I was getting stingers on kickoff return
every week, so you know, so again, yeah, it was
tough time, but you know, I was embraced heavily by
by coach Barcels pre draft and then again that tough love, right,
I mean changed me that day. I kind of put
(35:02):
my lunch pail workman hat on, and that's the way
I became for the rest of my career because I knew,
like the expectation level was not one side. It was
about being a complete tight end and I had to
work to get there.
Speaker 1 (35:13):
What nickname did you like best for that class? So
it was talking to Sean about this earlier on the
podcast that he said, I'd like the four Horsemen, and
I know a lot of people all always referred to
you guys as the four Aces. And also, ab do
you consider it the five aces when you include Lavernius
Coles in that two thousand draft class.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
Yeah, we heard a lot of the four Aces. I
like that. Yeah, yeah, I mean, shoot, I mean throw Lavernia.
He could easily been a first round pick. I mean
there's no doubt about it. So yeah, I like that one.
That was a good one. That was the one I've
heard the most. Four Horsemen. You know, that's somebody else
has that right, Notre Dame or whoever. So that I
feel like I've never heard the four aces before. It
(35:55):
fits the suit well, So yeah, it was cool. It
was a good nickname. Heard it more after the fact
than actually during the fact. But but you know, every
time we go back in time, everybody's talking about you know,
you always hear the four aces.
Speaker 1 (36:09):
Why were you guys so individually successful and you talk
about longevity. I mean you think about how ichi you
produced throughout your career. That's quite rare.
Speaker 2 (36:22):
Yeah, I'll be honest with you. You know, I think
there was just a professionalism that we had to grow
up really fast. We had a veteran late a locker room.
I mean, you know my locker I was next to
Fred Baxter, Wayne Crebett and Vinnie Testa Verdi. I mean
you're talking about that was like thirty five years of experience.
Then you got Richie Anderson, and then Kevin mawi Is
(36:44):
across the way, and then the other side you got
ag and Marcus Coleman and Brian Cox and Moe Lewis
and and Shade Tree and all those guys. I mean, like, dude,
like there wasn't a lot of young guys in that
locker room. So it was like you better grow up
fast and learn how to do it or watch somebody
because you know you're gonna fall fall far. And and
(37:05):
you know it was not easy the first year for me.
I mean, you know, there was a lot, you know,
like I said, I had to play like I had
to be out there and and I was kind of
hurt throughout the year, and you know, I just there's
a lot of pressure. Man, things are moving fast, and
you know, the expectation level on a consistent basis, there
was a lot of push. And I love that it
may be a better player, a better person big long term,
(37:26):
but in that moment, man like I was always the dude,
right like you never no one ever critiqued you in
that in that kind of way, and you know you're
going against grown men every week. I mean different kind
of different, different kind of body types were playing defensive
end in the league than they are now, right So yeah,
it was, uh, you know, it was it was. It
was just a unique experience and uh you were forced
(37:49):
to be a pro right now because that that was
that was what our locker room was made up of.
Speaker 1 (37:56):
You said it before. You are now the radio color
man for the New York Jets. You work alongside Bob
with Shoes in a long time play by play voice
of the Green and White. You play five seasons with
the Jets, one hundred and thirty three receptions for overall
eleven hundred yards and seventeen touchdowns five seasons. But in
(38:17):
many ways, I mean you live in a different place
you're coaching right now. In many plays, the Jets became
part of your family.
Speaker 2 (38:26):
Why, yeah, you know, I mean there's like people like you, right,
I mean, you know all you got. There's so many
people in the business side that were interns or just
starting out that are all now upper level executives for
the organization. Of course, Woody he was the owner, who
was a rookie owner that year, right, So we all
came in together. So you know, those relationships stayed strong.
(38:51):
I mean, obviously I would have loved to have been
there and stayed there my entire career as a player.
You know, business is business, right, it just doesn't happen
that way. But able to reunite down the road, which
was Whi's even better. So, uh, there's just something in
my heart for New York and and the Jets organization,
and uh, you know, I know that they're desperately trying
to get back to where they want to be, and
I'm just glad to be a part of it in small,
(39:11):
some small way. Uh. You know, calling the games now
is is a unique privilege. You know, Marty Lyons is
a legend, and then obviously when he moved on, just
to get that call and get an opportunity again, it's
it's it's special, right. So I love the game of football.
I'm coaching, I'm around it. It's just something that's a
part of me now, my my my son plays. It's
(39:33):
there's just a lot around it that's really molded me
and made me who I am in different areas of
it now, but but as far as the player is concerned,
that's who I was in those in those years, you know.
So uh, you know, just just really gratifying, you know,
to to be a part of the organization still. I'm
thankful that they trust me in the same aspect to
(39:53):
go do those kind of things and and uh, and
you know, been through multiple coaches. You know, I was
you know, doing shows with and you know when Todd
was there and prior. I mean, it's just you know,
there's a lot of history there as I watched that
team from Afar, even though I wasn't playing there or
retired and doing some other things. So and I will
say this, you know those seventeen touchdowns, now that's the
(40:14):
most since Mickey Schuler, dust Dustin Kell, Dustin Keller had
seventeen but wasn't able to eclipse me. So when we
talk about productivity in the end zone, it's been a
minute now since anybody's caught more than that. So I
take that. I take that in stride as well. It's
you know, it's it wasn't easy in that market. You know,
it's there's a lot of there's a lot of things
(40:34):
around you. You got to have some strong mentals. And
I just felt like, you know, I was able to
have a really good, uh successful time, and I was available,
I was I was very rarely injured, you know, except
that rookie year. I didn't miss a game. So take
a lot of pride in that as well.
Speaker 1 (40:50):
Man Too bad people weren't playing Fantasy the way they
are now, otherwise they could have loaded up their rosters
with old number eighty eight.
Speaker 5 (40:57):
Huh.
Speaker 2 (40:58):
Yeah, you know I had a couple of those five
four touchdown seasons, So yeah, I mean, hell, they count
for something, right those points. The yardage maybe not as much,
but those touchdowns. I know, I know there was a
little juice there early on in fantasy, that's for sure.
Speaker 1 (41:11):
Hey, extra significance for you this weekend when you're talking
about the draft and twenty five years and now watching
what your team, your former team, the Jets, are going
to do with the guy who was in that locker room.
How cool is that that that locker room that you
entered at webew Bank Hall had Aaron Glennon and now
(41:35):
he's leading the team that you started with twenty five
years ago.
Speaker 2 (41:39):
Yeah, you know, just it's been an impressive run by him.
You know, I've watched him grow, you know, after football
as a as a young coach, a scout and work
his way up, pay his dues, learn and be part
of really good organizations. Go to an organization where he
finally got the able as a defensive coordinator and and
(42:02):
build something that was in shambles, I mean just complete shambles. Uh,
and and make it a championship, perennial championship contender. And
he's a big reason that happened in Detroit. And uh,
who knows what Detroit will look like moving forward. You know,
when you lose your coordinators and key pieces, you know,
it's it's it's difficult that the head coach obviously leads
the party and the ship, but you need great people
around you. And now you've got to go outside the
(42:24):
box a little bit. So. Uh So now Aaron gets
to do it. He's learned, he's he's he's got the
knowledge and now it's his show. So you know, similar
to me, I got it in a different way, and
and and and again. It's just like I just think
like communication has to be clear. I just think he's
really good at that. I feel like the messaging is
very direct. He has a great plan. There uh instant credibility,
(42:47):
you know, me being a former player. He's a former player,
he played at a high level. I just think there's
a there's a respect for that that that players really
look into a little bit more and deeper when when
words come out of your mouth and you say things
as a coach, because you've been through those things, you
you made it at the highest level. He's a first
round pick, he played a long time, multiple organizations, a
(43:09):
pro bowler, Like those are things that players now in
the league are trying to accomplish, So every nugget that
comes out of his mouth is vital and important. So, uh,
you know, now he gets to do the same thing.
He gets to build the staff, he gets to build
the team. Uh, he gets to put his plan into
place and grow and learn along the way as well.
You don't know it all until you get there, and
(43:30):
then you got to you gotta really, you know, just
hone into the to the day to day and continue
to embrace and do that. And I'm sure you know,
I can't wait to see his plan. I can't wait
to come through after our season and and come into
the to the building and camp and and during the
year when I'm calling the games and and be a
part of it. I think it's going to be great.
I think, you know, when you're looking for a leader
(43:52):
of men, I mean, he checks that box. So again,
I'm just really excited to see what the future lies
for this, for this team and this organization with him
at at home.
Speaker 1 (44:00):
All right, listen here, if we have an opportunity to
have an adult beverage in two thy fifty and in
twenty five years, they're still talking about this being a
historic draft class. How do you want it to be remembered?
Speaker 2 (44:18):
Well, you know, you have to follow up a little
bit to the last question. You know what it means
at twenty five years you know, Well, it's reminding me
that people still care and it matters, right, I mean,
we all had accomplished careers. You know, my son, my daughter,
my family, my friends get to see it. My players
now that don't believe that I was, you know, a
great player or whoever. I was like, oh, well that's
my coach, you know. So it's kind of cool. Man.
(44:41):
So fifty years from now, honestly, I honestly, I'm just
trying to be the same dude I was when I
got drafted my name was called that day. I take
a lot of pride in being me. I take a
lot of pride in being genuine. And if anything, you know,
if people forget me for being a player or a
coach or whatever it is, if they've engaged with me,
they know me. They got respect for me because I
(45:03):
treated them just like they wanted, you know, just like
I wanted myself to be treated. So that's how I
live my life. I'm not going to change from that.
Now we have a different relationship because we we've known
each other for so long. But I can honestly say,
like I don't know if there's any any bad blood
with me in anywhere, in any part of the Jets
building an organization anywhere. Right, So like the fan base,
(45:26):
I love them. You know, you're always going to hear good, bad,
and different. But I know in the moments that I
did great, they cheered for me, and that's important. I
know that even the ones that bowed me were the
ones that may be bad or the ones that hit
me up on accent like oh, you know, you were
one of the worst. I don't care. Like at one
point if they saw me I did some good, they
definitely cheered one time, So that's all that matters. So
(45:48):
I got that out of their blue heart or you know,
at some point. But fans are great. That's what's great,
I think. And starting in New York was awesome for
me because anywhere I went after that, quite frankly, like
you know, nothing was fake like media fan base is like,
you know, you got it in New York and it
made you or it crushed you, and it definitely made
me so fifty years from now, man, I just like
(46:10):
you know what I becked it's been a while, but
he's a good dude. That's kind of that's kind of
how I love to leave it.
Speaker 1 (46:16):
Well, we'll be certainly toasting you next weekend. Man, congratulations,
spent a hell of a run, but fortunately there's a
lot more in store for you, and the Jets appreciate you. Levertius.
It's been twenty five years since the Jets historic two
thousand draft class. When you think about that, what goes
(46:37):
through your mind.
Speaker 3 (46:43):
It's weird remember that it has been twenty five years
already because it went by so fast. I can't tell
it's been that long. But when you say it and
you look at the year and the date now, it
kind of resonates and said, man, it's really been twenty
five years for us since the day we got drafted.
Speaker 1 (46:56):
As far as the pre draft process, what we were
in inactions like with teams and specifically the Jets.
Speaker 3 (47:04):
If I'm not mistaken, I think I had lunch with
Dan Hayne and the officer coordinator at an olive gardener
here in Jacksonville. But that was the most interaction I
think I pretty much had with the New York.
Speaker 2 (47:15):
Jets at that time.
Speaker 3 (47:19):
Really had no clue that I had a chance of
going to New York other than there, and then I
thought Jacksonville was going to take me or RJ.
Speaker 5 (47:27):
Sowerd.
Speaker 3 (47:27):
So it was one of those days where, you know,
my agent told me he didn't know whether I was
going to get picked or not, but whatever place I went,
just make the best of the opportunity, because he said,
it ain't by way you're drafted, it is what you
do once you get there.
Speaker 1 (47:39):
How about painting that picture? Though? At the Olive Garden?
What was that conversation like with Henny?
Speaker 3 (47:44):
I mean, it was just really one of those real
nonchalant lunches where I think he just wanted to see
what type of kid I was, what my head was,
and if he was willing to come back to New
York and put his neck out there on the line
for them to give me an opportunity, because I'm pretty
sure mister Haley had to come back and say, look,
I think he's the great kid. I think he'll fit
(48:04):
well into the system and he won't give us any problems.
Speaker 1 (48:08):
And why did you have to answer those questions? Because
a lot of people, I think right now are going
to be watching or listening and they don't know the
background of Lavernius coming out.
Speaker 3 (48:20):
Well, coming out, you know, I got dismissed from Florida
State football team for taking a discount of bullits, so
it kind of just letting me down a path and
not knowing, I ended up going to Kender, Louisiana to
train with Tom Shaw back in the day. So my
future was in question because that was during the era
when Ray Lewis had got in trouble and the way
I received out of Carolina. So people was very skeptical
(48:42):
about drafting guys with questionable backgrounds, and teams were very
concerned and rightfully so, because they was making investments in
the players and they didn't want to draft a guy
that was going to cause them problems or tarnish their brain.
Speaker 1 (48:55):
And it's ironic because you were in an all time
character player for the Jets throughout your career. Now, with
that being said, sixteenth or seventeenth receiver drafted in the
two thousand class, is that.
Speaker 3 (49:10):
Right, Yes, sir, I mean, and I still remember it.
I mean, like I said, it was a lot of
names called before mine at the wide receiver a position.
But again, it wasn't about where I was drafted. I
think I was drafted to the place that fits me best,
and being there and getting a chance to play with
Vinnie and grow with Chad helped my career to do
what it was, and I'm just thankful I got an
(49:31):
opportunity to play in the Green and White.
Speaker 1 (49:33):
But when you got the call from the Jets, your
initial reaction.
Speaker 3 (49:38):
Uh, it was, it was, it was, it was. It
was bittersweet. It was one of those things. I was
glad the wait was over. But to get on the
phone with Coach Parcels and he's telling me he's not
drafting me to play wide receiver and that I'm not
there to replace Keishawn Johnson. It was one of those
things where I had made up in my mind. I
was like, I'm going to show them that I can
play this position. And I had to say yes sir
and no, sir, and agree with everything he said on
(49:59):
the phone with in the back of my mind, I
was telling myself, I'm gonna play wide receiver.
Speaker 1 (50:05):
The four first round picks showing out was John Abraham,
Chad Pennyton, and Anthony Becked. When you came in with them,
that was a historic class as far as unpressing it
in four first round picks. Did you think that, hey,
it is imperative for us to turn the tide around
(50:25):
for this franchise.
Speaker 3 (50:28):
Well, I know they were doing pretty well before we
got that. I think they had went to the AFC
Championship maybe a year or two before that, And I
know the expectations were high because a lot of the
guys were returning, But I knew that we would have
an opportunity to play and I think that year, if
I'm not mistaken, we probably had probably thirteen rookies ended
(50:50):
up making that roster, which was a lot of different
bodies and a lot of new faces on the team,
and I think we all contributed very well and gave
them something, you know, to look forward to in the
future because we were so young.
Speaker 1 (51:02):
How do you want that draft class, the Jets two
thousand class to be remembered.
Speaker 3 (51:07):
It's one of the best draft drafts they've ever had.
I mean the talent, the talent not only speech for ourselves,
but the number of years that we all played. And
I think what John Abraham didn't get to spend a
lot of time his entire career with the Jets, but
the years he was there he was so productive, bick
Kat Sean Ellis was very productive. Chad, we know what
(51:28):
he all did after we played, had a long career
also himself, and then you had me in the third
round that got ten years in. So I think our
class speaks for itself, and I think the numbers and
the amount of quality football that we put on the
fields speech speech volumes, and not only that, but for
Coach Parcels to give us all the chance and the
opportunity to come in and play.
Speaker 1 (51:50):
What are some of your favorite memories of playing with
the Green and White.
Speaker 3 (51:55):
I mean, there's so many gun ones, but again, the
Monday Night Miracle, my rookie year to be a part
or something that's exton stone and I think it's been
on TV. It's one of the greatest games, greatest comeback
games ever, especially for a Monday night game, and to
be a part of that and to see how our
fans left that night and then came running back into
the stadium as we start coming back. I think I'll
(52:17):
remember that till I probably can't remember anything else.
Speaker 1 (52:21):
Yeah, and you were part of a number of playoff
teams as well with the Jets, and you actually had
two stints with this team.
Speaker 3 (52:29):
Yes, sir, I told the guys, I'm like the straight cap.
They fed and just kept coming back. So it's just
great to be a part of such a great organization.
The people were there, they welcomed me to fans really welcome.
Then I just thank them. They still love me to
this day, even every time I come back to New York.
So I just look forward to putting on green and
white every day. And you as you see, I got
(52:51):
my Jets cap on because I look forward to it.
And I watch the Draft every year and I get
nervous for the guys that's coming there, like I'm about
to get my name called
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