File Under: Matt McChesney, Blake Costanzo, All-NFL Europa, first team
06/21 — I just ran into Blake Costanzo in the parking lot of the Jets' training complex late this afternoon. He was leaving, I was coming back after rescuing my ride from the oil change emporium before it closed for the day.
Blake looked a little tired but a little happy. He was tired because he wasted no time in leaving Germany and making the conversion from CEST (Central European Summer Time) to EDT. He was happy because he'd just found out he 'd been named to the All-NFL Europa first team.
Costanzo, who bundled up a bunch of big plays as the Rhein Fire's strongside linebacker, was joined on the first team by guard Matt McChesney, the former DT who started seven of 10 games for Frankfurt and helped the Galaxy to a league-leading 355.5 yards of offense per game.
The Jets were joined by the Miami Dolphins as the only NFL teams to have two of their players represented on the all-league first-team.
Say what you will about the NFLE's level of play, but the Jets had probably their best collective season in the Euro circuit: two all-stars, two participants in Saturday's championship game (McChesney and Frankfurt teammate DT Zarnell Fitch), and a fourth player, S Jamie Thompson, who led the Amsterdam Admirals in tackles.
When I saw Blake, I knew it was him, not because I'm a Green & White nerd after all my years in the \newspaper biz but because I talked with him several times last year when he was an undrafted free agent out of Lafayette trying to make the Jets roster for the first time. He's from Ramapo High School and Bergen County, home of The Record, my employer for the previous 13 NFL seasons. And Blake's agent is also Wayne Chrebet's agent, Art Weiss, who has a way with representing local small-school players.
And Costanzo is typical of the kind of Core Jet Values guy who head coach Eric Mangini and GM Mike Tannenbaum have been seeking out for two years. He didn't want to crow at all about his all-league honor.
"I'm just happy to be back home," he said, "and I can't wait to do everything I can to help the Jets."
That attitude and his new hardware give Costanzo no guarantees to make this edition of the Green & White. But they give him a chance.
antonio Said:
Thu, July 5, 2007 - 5:34pm EDT" Kerry Rhodes got robbed in probowl selection, J. lynch had 0 sacks and 0 ints. and half the tackles rhodes had in 06. how in the world did lynch make it over him, ?"
jose Said:
Mon, July 9, 2007 - 10:59pm EDT"blake costanzo is a great pick up this year for us he has alota heart and is really tough and dedicated to being the best "
Gerv Said:
Tue, July 24, 2007 - 5:05pm EDT"I played with Blake for two years at lafayette and i can tell you first hand he has heart like no other ive ever shared the field with. His love for the game and willingness to go 110% EVERY play whether its practice or a game make him a valuable asset for any team. The Jets gotta keep him!"
Ira Said:
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 7:25pm EDT"Great to see that some Jet players got some recognition. Want to see how McChesney matches up against some NFL players in camp. Randy, Costanzo you sound high on. Special teams is the way for him to make this team. Did you see him play at all while he was in college?"