Countdown to kickoff: Three Hall of Fame members make case for Jets legend Joe Klecko

Jets training camp will begin in five weeks. In the meantime, Gang Green fans are anxiously counting down to the much anticipated regular season opener at home vs. the division rival Bills on Sept. 8.

With the countdown to kickoff at 73 days away, let's take a look back at the best No. 73 in Jets history: Joe Klecko.

Joe Klecko is one of the most dynamic players to ever line up on defense for the Jets. Klecko was drafted as a defensive end by the Jets in the sixth round of the 1977 NFL Draft and went on to play in New York until 1987.

Klecko was a member of the vaunted New York Sack Exchange that harassed quarterbacks in the 1980s.

During his time with Gang Green, Klecko transitioned to defensive tackle and nose tackle. The dominant and versatile Klecko made the Pro Bowl at all three positions, was an All-Pro twice (1981, 1985) and won AFC Defensive Player of the Year in 1981.

Klecko recorded 24 sacks and nine fumble recoveries in his career. Klecko's No. 73 is retired by the Jets.

Many of Klecko's Pro Football Hall of Fame opponents have advocated for years that he should be enshrined alongside them.

Hall of Fame center Dwight Stephenson calls Klecko a "great defensive lineman" and deemed him as one of the top two interior linemen he went against, according to a transcript.

Hall of Fame tackle Anthony Muñoz had this glowing review of Klecko to the New York Times:

"In my 13 seasons, Joe is right there at the top of the defensive ends I had to block, up there with Fred Dean, Lee Roy Selmon and Bruce Smith. Joe was the strongest guy I ever faced. He had perfect technique — hands in tight, great leverage. My second year, 1981, we went to Shea and beat the Jets, 31-30, but he was such an intense, smart player, I knew I was in a battle. He was the leader, the guy who kept that unit together."

Hall of Fame guard Joe DeLamielleure added to the New York Times:

"You can’t think of his ten year period without him. I had to block Joe Greene and Merlin Olsen when I was playing and, believe me, Joe Klecko was equal to those two guys. If Joe Klecko had played one position for ten years, he’d have been considered one of the top two or three players at that position, whichever one it was. There’s not another player who went to the Pro Bowl at three different positions. You take a defensive end and put him at nose tackle and he’s just as good there, that’s a great player. We need to get Joe Klecko in the Hall of Fame."

As his peers clearly state, Klecko is a glaring omission to the Hall of Fame and the league would be wise to eventually grant him the entrance he deserves.