In 1979, when the Sony Walkman was the new rage ($200 apiece) and gas was selling for 86 cents a gallon, the New York Jets used their second-round pick on a relatively unknown defensive lineman from East Central Oklahoma State named Mark Gastineau. He started sacking quarterbacks (and dancing), and within three years he was in the Pro Bowl.
It was the last time one of their second-round picks made a Pro Bowl on defense or offense.
In a history filled with inglorious moments and head-scratching decisions, the Jets' second-round curse is one of their most confounding trends. Since Gastineau, they've drafted 35 players in the second round. You can count on one hand the number who went on to distinguished careers in the NFL.
History repeated over the weekend, as tight end Jace Amaro was waived after only two seasons (14 games) with the Jets.
Some of the greatest players in history have been picked in the second round -- 14 Hall of Famers since 1970, including Brett Favre -- but the Jets have trouble avoiding the busts. Their last good one was David Harris in 2007, who has outlasted recent disappointments such as Vladimir Ducasse and Stephen Hill.
They've picked some doozies over the years.
In 1995, they drafted a boorish offensive lineman named Matt O'Dwyer, whose signature moment came when he kicked out the rear window of a police cruiser after being arrested in a bar-room brawl.
In 1991, they settled for the scatter-armed Browning Nagle after a trade for Favre fell through. Nagle was immediately nicknamed "Nuke LaLoosh," the name of the wild pitcher in the 1988 movie "Bull Durham." It was apt.
In 1990, they picked Reggie Rembert, who showed up for his first minicamp complaining about a $79 cab ride from the local airport. Turns out the naive wide receiver got ripped off. It was a bad omen. The Jets traded him in training camp.
In 1989, they drafted Dennis Byrd, a classy kid from the country whose promising career was cut short when he suffered a broken neck in 1992.
In 1987, they drafted linebacker Alex Gordon, who looked great in uniform but never produced. Once, in a scrimmage against the New York Giants, he was approached by Bill Parcells, who skipped the pleasantries. "How come you're not any better?" he asked Gordon.
In 1986, they chose Doug Williams, a big tackle from Texas A&M who was so bad he was cut in his first training camp.
You get the picture.
Of the 35 post-Gastineau picks, three never played in a game for the Jets and another 10 started less than five games in a Jets uniform. There was one other Pro Bowl selection besides Gastineau; it was Justin Miller (2005), who made it as a kick returner, but disappeared after that.
Leaving Byrd out, here's a look back at the hits (very few) and missed (many) of the second round, with their draft year and total starts with the Jets:
BEST OF THE 2s
Linebacker David Harris (2007, 132); center Jim Sweeney (1984, 158).
SOLID INVESTMENTS
Guard Randy Thomas (1999, 61); tackle Reggie McElroy (1982, 72); safety Darrol Ray (1980, 69).
HANGERS ON
Quarterback Geno Smith (2013, 29); guard Vladimir Ducasse (2010, 5); kicker Mike Nugent (2005, 49); linebacker Victor Hobson (2003, 57); quarterback Kellen Clemens (2006, 9); safety Jon McGraw, (2002, 8); guard Matt O'Dwyer (1995, 50); linebacker Kurt Barber (1992, 0); linebacker Alex Gordon (1987, 39); safety Lester Lyles (1985, 15); running back Johnny Hector (1983, 36); running back Marion Barber (1981, 11).
EARLY PROMISE, QUICK FLAMEOUT
Wide receiver Stephen Hill (2012, 19); cornerback/kick returner Justin Miller (2005, 12); running back LaMont Jordan (2001, 0).
BUSTS
Tight end Jace Amaro (2014, 4); defensive end Dorian Boose (1998, 0); defensive end Rick Terry (1997, 0); wide receiver Alex Van Dyke (1996, 1); wide receiver Ryan Yarborough (1994, 2); defensive end Coleman Rudolph (1993, 0); quarterback Browning Nagle (1991, 13); wide receiver Reggie Rembert (1990, 0); cornerback Terry Williams (1988, 0); tackle Doug Williams (1986, 0); tight end Glenn Dennison (1984, 9); wide receiver Ralph Clayton (1981, 0).
JURY STILL OUT
Quarterback Christian Hackenberg (2016); wide receiver Devin Smith (2015, 3).