Tuesday, June 10, 2014

1963 Profiles: Bill Mathis and Mark Smolinski

BILL MATHIS
Fullback
No. 31
Clemson
"Few fullbacks put in as hard a day at practice or in a game as Bill Mathis, the 25-year-old toiler from Manchester, Connecticut.
He fell off in personal production in '62, all because his blocking was so vitally required to juice up a passing attack. Bill was quite sound in all departments in '61 when he topped the AFL in rushing attempts (202) and advanced more than 900 yards as a runner and receiver.
His moves are quite deceptive and he's quite capable of running short hook patterns.
The Oilers had him in '60 only to turn him over to New York during the training period."

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963

"Until he banged up a shoulder in the preseason exercises, Bill had never missed a minute of action on the football field because of injury through any phase of his career. The injury virtually wiped him out for the 1962 campaign.
In 1961, he was second in the AFL in rushing with 846 yards on 202 carries and was the All-League fullback, and also the MVP on his own club.
He was a college halfback because of his speed and has grown into a burly 230-pounder."

-1963 Fleer No. 12


MARK SMOLINSKI
Fullback
No. 30
Wyoming
"The new Colt fullback of the future may very well be Mark Smolinski, the Roger City (Mich.) ripper who showed so much spark when Joe Perry came down with late-season injuries.
Signed as a free agent, Smolinski showed such determination to make the squad that he was taken on as a third fullback in 1961. Used sparingly last year, he rushed for 98 yards and added another 100 as pass-catcher."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

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