05/26 — We'll have more news stories and Radar entries on the current crop of Jets this week, including features on Thomas Jones and Calvin Pace and reports from two days of OTAs this week, Wednesday and Thursday.

Until then, we hope you're having an enjoyable and meaningful Memorial Day weekend. And here is a short Radar entry on two former Jets whose names came up in the last week or so.

Joe Klecko, of course, is one of the most popular Jets ever, one of the members of the Sack Exchange, an NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a Pro Bowler at three different positions. His jersey No. 73 was retired in ceremonies in 2005.

A week ago on Sunday, Klecko was honored in a far different way than he's been used to. He offered the commencement speech at Caldwell College's graduation ceremonies and was presented with an honorary degree from the New Jersey college.

The role was not a stretch for Klecko, a member of Catholic Athletes for Christ who speaks at events and rallies about faith in today's culture. Caldwell is a Catholic co-ed four-year liberal arts institution.

Klecko's message to the Class of 2008 grads: Being courageous is one of the toughest things to do in life but is a key ideal to strive for.

For the other ex-Jet's tie-in, stay with me.

Green & White fans of a certain age such as myself noted with a tear in the corner the eye and a smile on the corner of the lip the passing of comedian Dick Martin over the weekend. Martin and Dan Rowan were the hosts of "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" from 1968-73.

Why is Martin on the Radar? Well, his path crossed with that of a Jets titan shortly after. When Laugh-In was canceled, Martin began looking for a new creative outlet. Game shows didn't hold his interest long. Then comedian Bob Newhart suggested Martin try directing, and so he did, becoming one of TV's busiest directors.

He worked numerous episodes of "Newhart," "Archie Bunker's Place" and "Family Ties." And in 1978 he directed some, perhaps all, of the nine episodes (only four were aired) of "The Waverly Wonders." That short-lived series focused on Joe Casey, a washed-up pro basketball player turned history teacher and hoops coach at Waverly High in Wisconsin.

Joe Casey was, of course, Joe Namath.