1979 Profile: Mark Gastineau

Defensive End

2nd Round

East Central Oklahoma

Gastineau gained the attention of pro scouts when he was named the outstanding defensive lineman for the North in the Senior Bowl, the same honor won by his new defensive linemate Marty Lyons for the South. He had 27 quarterback sacks in two seasons for East Central, and as a senior made 107 tackles (26 solo). He has the size (6-5,253) to be a defensive tackle and the speed and quickness (4.7 in the 40) to be a defensive end.

1979 Profile: Marty Lyons

Defensive End

1st Round

Alabama

The Jets have continued the rebuilding of their defense with this consensus All-American and unanimous All-SEC, who was named most valuable defensive lineman for the South in the Senior Bowl. 'Marty was our best player,' says Bear Bryant.

In 1978 Lyons led the Tide with 119 tackles, including 15 QB sacks, caused four fumbles, recovered a fumble and broke up a pass. In 1977, after replacing Bob Baumhower, now with the Dolphins, he had 59 tackles (34 solo), five quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries. Lyons made 11 tackles in the Crimson Tide's victory over Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.

1979 Profile: John Hennessey

Linebacker

No. 63

Michigan

Last year Hennessey was moved from defensive end to inside linebacker when the Jets switched to a 3-4 defense and started every game. As a rookie in 1977, he played every game, starting twice at defensive end, but was used mostly on special teams.

A three-year letterman at Michigan, Hennessey was a starter at defensive tackle as a senior when the Wolverines won the Big Ten title and played in the Rose Bowl. As a junior he played in the Orange Bowl.

1979 Profile: Mark Merrill

Linebacker

No. 58

Minnesota

Merrill played all 16 games as a rookie in 1978, starting the last four at inside linebacker. A three-year starter at defensive end in college, he was an honorable mention Sporting News All-American and a second-team AP All-Big Ten as a senior. He played in the East-West Shrine Game, the Hall of Fame Classic and the Challenge Bowl. As a senior, he had three interceptions and returned two blocked punts for touchdowns.

1979 Profile: Dan Alexander

Guard

No. 60

LSU

Dan started every game at guard last year as the Jets set a team rushing record. He played in all 14 games as a rookie in 1977, starting eight.

Drafted as a defensive tackle, Dan started on the LSU defensive line for two years as a linemate of A.J. Duhe, now with the Dolphins, and had 10 quarterback sacks as a senior.

He spends the off-seasons working as a jailer in a sheriff's office in Baton Rouge.

R.I.P. Gerry Philbin

1979 Profile: Rich Szaro

Place Kicker

No. 10

Harvard

"Rich booted two field goals in first NFL game in 1975, one of which came on the final play, as the Saints beat the Packers, 20-19. Ever-improving with his accuracy, he provided the Saints with consistently effective place-kicking last season. A solid athlete, he's a tough tackler as a safetyman in kickoff situations. Rich had trials with the Raiders and Eagles.

He excelled at both soccer and football at Harvard where he was a hard running halfback."

-1977 Topps No. 182

"Rich spent much of 1978 on the injury list but hopes to be back in top form this season. He hit on 18 of 23 field goals during the 1976 campaign.

Rich excelled in soccer at Harvard."

-1979 Topps No. 293