With a first-round pick in the 1984 NFL Draft they had acquired from New Orleans in a trade for veteran quarterback Richard Todd, the Jets chose University of Arkansas defensive end Ron Faurot.
An All-American who led the Razorbacks with seven sacks and 61 tackles during his senior season, Faurot arrived in New York and fit in well with his new teammates.
“I was obviously excited to be drafted in the first round,” he said. “I bonded with some of the other rookies, Kyle Clifton, and some of those guys. Joe Klecko was real nice. Lance Mehl and some of those guys on defense, were the leaders. They were all real nice and made me feel welcome.”
Playing on the line along with veterans Mark Gastineau, Marty Lyons, Barry Bennett, and Klecko, the rookie made nine starts at right defensive end.
“Being on the field, it’s just something you’ve watched on TV your whole life,” Faurot said. “To be out there living it was just a great feeling. That was just something I’ll never forget. And in the end,…