DAINARD PAULSON
Safety
No. 40
Oregon State
"His teammates cite 190-pound Dainard Paulson as the most valuable player in the Jet secondary. He plays the left, or weak side, safety with great intelligence and dedication. He is not exceptionally quick, but he does not get sucked out of position often and when he hits, he hits hard.
Dane was a single wing tailback at Oregon State, but he became a safetyman when he joined New York six years ago. In 1964, he made All-AFL when he led the league with 12 interceptions, tying a league record."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"For the third consecutive season, this veteran defensive back led the Jets in interceptions. Dainard holds the team and AFL season record with 12 interceptions in 1964. He is the defensive captain of the Jets.
In college, Dainard played as a tailback for Oregon State."
-1966 Topps No. 97
BILL RADEMACHER
Safety
No. 23
Northern Michigan
After two seasons as a reserve, Bill is ready to assume a regular safety spot in 1966. Jet coaches are impressed by his speed, skilled hands and his fierce desire to challenge opposing receivers.
Northern Michigan's MVP in 1963, Bill made the Jets as a wide receiver in 1964, thus proving to be a two-way player who adds depth to New York's already impressive receiving corps.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Saturday, August 30, 2014
1966 Profile: Dee Mackey
Tight End
No. 89
East Texas State
"The starting tight end for the Jets, Dee suffered a broken bone late in the 1965 season against Houston.
Dee was signed as a free agent by the New York club in 1963 after playing in the NFL for several years. He won the regular tight end job in 1965."
-1966 Topps No. 93
No. 89
East Texas State
"The starting tight end for the Jets, Dee suffered a broken bone late in the 1965 season against Houston.
Dee was signed as a free agent by the New York club in 1963 after playing in the NFL for several years. He won the regular tight end job in 1965."
-1966 Topps No. 93
Friday, August 29, 2014
1966 Profiles: Jim Turner and Curley Johnson
JIM TURNER
Place Kicker-Quarterback
No. 11
Utah State
"He draws his pay for place-kicking, but three-year pro Jim Turner also makes himself triply useful by being able to play quarterback and flanker.
Turner comes off his finest kicking season in 1965. He made 20 of 34 field goals and 31 consecutive extra points. Until last year, he was not considered too accurate beyond 40 yards, but he changed that rap by drilling home a 49-yarder and a 45-yarder.
Jim attended Utah State, where he was a roll-out passer."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"Last season Jim was the fourth leading scorer in the American Football League. The kicker tied a circuit record with seven straight field goals and set a record by kicking six extra points against Denver.
Jim's longest field goal was a 50-yarder versus Houston in 1964."
-1966 Topps No. 103
CURLEY JOHNSON
Punter
No. 33
Houston
The impressive second half of the Jets' 1965 season was greatly helped by opposing offenses starting further back in their own territory due to Curley's booming punts. His 72 punts (fifth in the AFL) for 3,269 yards (third in the AFL) were good for a Jet record 45.3 yard punting average, second in the league, as was Curley's long punt of 73 yards. He was selected to both the AFL players' All-Star team as well as that of the Sporting News.
At the end of the 1965 season, Curley held the AFL record with 324 career punts.
Place Kicker-Quarterback
No. 11
Utah State
"He draws his pay for place-kicking, but three-year pro Jim Turner also makes himself triply useful by being able to play quarterback and flanker.
Turner comes off his finest kicking season in 1965. He made 20 of 34 field goals and 31 consecutive extra points. Until last year, he was not considered too accurate beyond 40 yards, but he changed that rap by drilling home a 49-yarder and a 45-yarder.
Jim attended Utah State, where he was a roll-out passer."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"Last season Jim was the fourth leading scorer in the American Football League. The kicker tied a circuit record with seven straight field goals and set a record by kicking six extra points against Denver.
Jim's longest field goal was a 50-yarder versus Houston in 1964."
-1966 Topps No. 103
CURLEY JOHNSON
Punter
No. 33
Houston
The impressive second half of the Jets' 1965 season was greatly helped by opposing offenses starting further back in their own territory due to Curley's booming punts. His 72 punts (fifth in the AFL) for 3,269 yards (third in the AFL) were good for a Jet record 45.3 yard punting average, second in the league, as was Curley's long punt of 73 yards. He was selected to both the AFL players' All-Star team as well as that of the Sporting News.
At the end of the 1965 season, Curley held the AFL record with 324 career punts.
1966 Jets Defensive Tackle Profiles
PAUL ROCHESTER
Defensive Tackle
No. 72
Michigan State
"Originally a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Paul was signed by the Jets as a free agent.
The strong defensive tackle was All-America in high school before going on to star at Michigan State. Paul played in the 1957 Rose Bowl."
-1966 Topps No. 100
JIM HARRIS
Defensive Tackle
No. 78
Utah State
Playing all 14 games last year, Jim formed an imposing defensive tackle tandem with Paul Rochester. Considered fast, smart and strong, Jet coaches foresee a bright future for the fellow nicknamed 'Big Jim' by his friends because of his size.
The holder of a B.S. degree in social work, Jim works for Police Athletic League during the off-season.
HENRY SCHMIDT
Defensive Tackle
No. 74
USC
"San Diego fans agree that Henry had his best year as a pro in 1963. A hard, vicious tackler, he is the type of ballplayer that refuses to give up. An ex-Marine, he played football for the Marine Corps in San Diego. A massive man, Henry's appearance spreads fear in the hearts of the opposition.
Henry played his college football for the University of Southern California and also for Trinity College in San Antonio."
-1964 Topps No. 172
Defensive Tackle
No. 72
Michigan State
"Originally a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Paul was signed by the Jets as a free agent.
The strong defensive tackle was All-America in high school before going on to star at Michigan State. Paul played in the 1957 Rose Bowl."
-1966 Topps No. 100
JIM HARRIS
Defensive Tackle
No. 78
Utah State
Playing all 14 games last year, Jim formed an imposing defensive tackle tandem with Paul Rochester. Considered fast, smart and strong, Jet coaches foresee a bright future for the fellow nicknamed 'Big Jim' by his friends because of his size.
The holder of a B.S. degree in social work, Jim works for Police Athletic League during the off-season.
HENRY SCHMIDT
Defensive Tackle
No. 74
USC
"San Diego fans agree that Henry had his best year as a pro in 1963. A hard, vicious tackler, he is the type of ballplayer that refuses to give up. An ex-Marine, he played football for the Marine Corps in San Diego. A massive man, Henry's appearance spreads fear in the hearts of the opposition.
Henry played his college football for the University of Southern California and also for Trinity College in San Antonio."
-1964 Topps No. 172
Thursday, August 28, 2014
1966 Jets Linebacker Profiles
AL ATKINSON
Middle Linebacker
No. 62
Villanova
Al made five unassisted tackles on kickoffs in one game against Denver, yet Jet defensive coach Walt Michaels said of Al: "We had to get him off those special teams before he killed himself ... or killed someone else." Taking over as the regular middle linebacker last year and playing all 14 games, Al is a worthy addition to the Jets' combative linebacking corps.
CARL MCADAMS
Middle Linebacker
3rd Round
Oklahoma
"Another middle linebacker will confront the same problems as Tommy Nobis. He is Carl McAdams of the New York Jets. Oklahoma press agents do not have the same resources as their Texas brethren but they do all right, and Sonny Werblin has spared no expense, as usual, in obtaining McAdams' services for his Jets. New York sent Wahoo McDaniel to the Miami Dolphins this year and the linebacking job is McAdams' to lose."
-Pro Football Almanac 1966
LARRY GRANTHAM
Linebacker
No. 60
Mississippi
"You've got to be more than good, you've got to be outstanding to survive six years of pro football as a 206-pound corner linebacker. Larry Grantham not only has survived, he's been All-AFL five years in a row. Larry, who played end on three Ole Miss varsities, makes up for his lack of brute strength with smart play diagnosis, speed and tooth-rattling tackling ability.
He has been with the New York AFL franchise from the start, suffering through those lean and sometimes unrewarding Titan years under Harry Wismer."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
RALPH BAKER
Linebacker
No. 51
Penn State
"Two years ago, the Jets threw rookie linebacker Ralph Baker into the starting lineup and told him to sink or swim. Baker, 6-3 and 235 pounds, swam - although he had to struggle occasionally.
Ralph plays the left side, and he now plays it well. He has improved his pass coverage, and he has always been a hard tackler. This could be the season he blossoms.
He came into pro football from Penn State, where he played end and center as well as linebacker. In the off-season, he teaches school in New York City."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
Middle Linebacker
No. 62
Villanova
Al made five unassisted tackles on kickoffs in one game against Denver, yet Jet defensive coach Walt Michaels said of Al: "We had to get him off those special teams before he killed himself ... or killed someone else." Taking over as the regular middle linebacker last year and playing all 14 games, Al is a worthy addition to the Jets' combative linebacking corps.
CARL MCADAMS
Middle Linebacker
3rd Round
Oklahoma
"Another middle linebacker will confront the same problems as Tommy Nobis. He is Carl McAdams of the New York Jets. Oklahoma press agents do not have the same resources as their Texas brethren but they do all right, and Sonny Werblin has spared no expense, as usual, in obtaining McAdams' services for his Jets. New York sent Wahoo McDaniel to the Miami Dolphins this year and the linebacking job is McAdams' to lose."
-Pro Football Almanac 1966
LARRY GRANTHAM
Linebacker
No. 60
Mississippi
"You've got to be more than good, you've got to be outstanding to survive six years of pro football as a 206-pound corner linebacker. Larry Grantham not only has survived, he's been All-AFL five years in a row. Larry, who played end on three Ole Miss varsities, makes up for his lack of brute strength with smart play diagnosis, speed and tooth-rattling tackling ability.
He has been with the New York AFL franchise from the start, suffering through those lean and sometimes unrewarding Titan years under Harry Wismer."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
RALPH BAKER
Linebacker
No. 51
Penn State
"Two years ago, the Jets threw rookie linebacker Ralph Baker into the starting lineup and told him to sink or swim. Baker, 6-3 and 235 pounds, swam - although he had to struggle occasionally.
Ralph plays the left side, and he now plays it well. He has improved his pass coverage, and he has always been a hard tackler. This could be the season he blossoms.
He came into pro football from Penn State, where he played end and center as well as linebacker. In the off-season, he teaches school in New York City."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
1966 Profile: Don Maynard
Flanker
No. 13
Texas Western
"The fans at Shea Stadium booed Don Maynard early last year when the 6-1, 185-pound flanker from Texas Western dropped several touchdown passes from Joe Namath. But the hoots turned to hurrahs as Maynard settled down to finish the year with 68 catches and 14 touchdowns.
Don holds nearly every Jet pass receiving record, yet his coaches say he has not realized his potential. They say his tendency to 'bust' a pattern - that is, to cut in a direction other the one called for in the playbook - can be exasperating. But then Maynard turns in a spectacular grab and all is forgiven, if not forgotten."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"Last season was Don's finest in the AFL. The flanker tied for the league lead with 14 touchdowns, catching nine touchdowns in his last seven games, and finished third in total grabs.
Don is one of three players who were with the New York franchise in 1960."
-1966 Topps No. 95
No. 13
Texas Western
"The fans at Shea Stadium booed Don Maynard early last year when the 6-1, 185-pound flanker from Texas Western dropped several touchdown passes from Joe Namath. But the hoots turned to hurrahs as Maynard settled down to finish the year with 68 catches and 14 touchdowns.
Don holds nearly every Jet pass receiving record, yet his coaches say he has not realized his potential. They say his tendency to 'bust' a pattern - that is, to cut in a direction other the one called for in the playbook - can be exasperating. But then Maynard turns in a spectacular grab and all is forgiven, if not forgotten."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"Last season was Don's finest in the AFL. The flanker tied for the league lead with 14 touchdowns, catching nine touchdowns in his last seven games, and finished third in total grabs.
Don is one of three players who were with the New York franchise in 1960."
-1966 Topps No. 95
Monday, August 25, 2014
1966 Profile: Bill Mathis
Halfback
No. 31
Clemson
"Bill Mathis, the Jets' 220-pound heavy-duty halfback, had a good season last year, his best since 1961 when he carried the ball for 846 yards. In 1965, he gained 604 yards for a 4.1 average.
But the way the Jets run their attack, Bill's full contribution can't be measured by statistics. His hard, unselfish blocks help keep Joe Namath in one piece and clear boulevards through the line for Matt Snell as he runs for glory.
Mathis has been in the AFL since its inception in 1960. He played college football at Clemson."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"One of the original members of the New York club in 1960, Bill had a top year in 1965. He set a team record with a 79-yard touchdown run last year.
The halfback came to New York from Houston just prior to opening day in 1960. Bill has played in two AFL All-Star Games."
-1966 Topps No. 94
No. 31
Clemson
"Bill Mathis, the Jets' 220-pound heavy-duty halfback, had a good season last year, his best since 1961 when he carried the ball for 846 yards. In 1965, he gained 604 yards for a 4.1 average.
But the way the Jets run their attack, Bill's full contribution can't be measured by statistics. His hard, unselfish blocks help keep Joe Namath in one piece and clear boulevards through the line for Matt Snell as he runs for glory.
Mathis has been in the AFL since its inception in 1960. He played college football at Clemson."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"One of the original members of the New York club in 1960, Bill had a top year in 1965. He set a team record with a 79-yard touchdown run last year.
The halfback came to New York from Houston just prior to opening day in 1960. Bill has played in two AFL All-Star Games."
-1966 Topps No. 94
Sunday, August 24, 2014
1966 Profiles: Gerry Philbin and Verlon Biggs
GERRY PHILBIN
Defensive End
No. 81
Buffalo
"A defensive end is supposed to be tall, so that quarterbacks will find it hard to throw over his outstretched hands. Gerry Philbin is not that tall - he stands only 6-2. But at 242 pounds, he is still a powerful pass rusher who is fast approaching all-star stature.
Gerry, who played college ball at Buffalo, is now entering his third year in the AFL, but actually only his second competitive season. He missed most of his rookie campaign because of a shoulder separation that has since been surgically corrected.
Philbin compensates for his lack of height with a fierce drive and desire. He has enough speed to be an outstanding middle linebacker, too."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"A member of the Jets' 'Awesome Foursome,' Gerry was recognized as the club's most consistent defensive lineman in 1965. He's a sure tackler with fine range and speed.
At the University of Buffalo, Gerry was Little All-America. He made the Dean's List as a college student."
-1966 Topps No. 98
VERLON BIGGS
Defensive End
No. 86
Jackson State
"Walt Michaels, the Jets' defensive line coach, expects Verlon Biggs to be the next dominant pass rushing end in the league.
Biggs is a magnificent physical specimen - he's 6-4 and 250 pounds - and he runs with frightening speed (4.6 seconds for 40 yards). As a rookie last year, he showed great promise - and occasional crudeness. That's understandable since he had to make the transition from tackle (his position in college at Jackson State) to defensive end.
Though he played for a small Negro school, Verlon was the Jets' third-round draft choice, and they came away with a winner."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"The big defensive end has unlimited potential. Verlon has the speed and the strength to make him one of the great ends in the AFL this coming year.
Verlon was a third-round draft choice of the Jets last year. As a college senior, he played in the College All-Star Game."
-1966 Topps No. 90
Defensive End
No. 81
Buffalo
"A defensive end is supposed to be tall, so that quarterbacks will find it hard to throw over his outstretched hands. Gerry Philbin is not that tall - he stands only 6-2. But at 242 pounds, he is still a powerful pass rusher who is fast approaching all-star stature.
Gerry, who played college ball at Buffalo, is now entering his third year in the AFL, but actually only his second competitive season. He missed most of his rookie campaign because of a shoulder separation that has since been surgically corrected.
Philbin compensates for his lack of height with a fierce drive and desire. He has enough speed to be an outstanding middle linebacker, too."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"A member of the Jets' 'Awesome Foursome,' Gerry was recognized as the club's most consistent defensive lineman in 1965. He's a sure tackler with fine range and speed.
At the University of Buffalo, Gerry was Little All-America. He made the Dean's List as a college student."
-1966 Topps No. 98
VERLON BIGGS
Defensive End
No. 86
Jackson State
"Walt Michaels, the Jets' defensive line coach, expects Verlon Biggs to be the next dominant pass rushing end in the league.
Biggs is a magnificent physical specimen - he's 6-4 and 250 pounds - and he runs with frightening speed (4.6 seconds for 40 yards). As a rookie last year, he showed great promise - and occasional crudeness. That's understandable since he had to make the transition from tackle (his position in college at Jackson State) to defensive end.
Though he played for a small Negro school, Verlon was the Jets' third-round draft choice, and they came away with a winner."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"The big defensive end has unlimited potential. Verlon has the speed and the strength to make him one of the great ends in the AFL this coming year.
Verlon was a third-round draft choice of the Jets last year. As a college senior, he played in the College All-Star Game."
-1966 Topps No. 90
Saturday, August 23, 2014
1966 Profile: Matt Snell
Fullback
No. 41
Ohio State
"How good is Matt Snell? The 6-2, 220-pound Jet fullback gained 763 yards last year for a 4.5-yard average. That made him the league's fourth-best ball carrier - yet Matt was considered to have had an off season. That may be because he spoiled everyone as a rookie in 1964 when he picked up 945 yards for No. 2 in rushing. Actually, the former Ohio State star was hampered by a nagging leg injury all last year and never could cut and run full-blast.
Despite his size, Snell is one of the fastest men on the Jets, an excellent pass receiver and a crushing blocker."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"For the past two seasons, Matt has been the only player to finish among the top 10 rushers and pass receivers.
In 1964, the fullback was the AFL Rookie of the Year and was voted Jets' MVP by his teammates. Matt gained 100 yards in one game in 1964 ... a team record."
-1966 Topps No. 102
No. 41
Ohio State
"How good is Matt Snell? The 6-2, 220-pound Jet fullback gained 763 yards last year for a 4.5-yard average. That made him the league's fourth-best ball carrier - yet Matt was considered to have had an off season. That may be because he spoiled everyone as a rookie in 1964 when he picked up 945 yards for No. 2 in rushing. Actually, the former Ohio State star was hampered by a nagging leg injury all last year and never could cut and run full-blast.
Despite his size, Snell is one of the fastest men on the Jets, an excellent pass receiver and a crushing blocker."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"For the past two seasons, Matt has been the only player to finish among the top 10 rushers and pass receivers.
In 1964, the fullback was the AFL Rookie of the Year and was voted Jets' MVP by his teammates. Matt gained 100 yards in one game in 1964 ... a team record."
-1966 Topps No. 102
Thursday, August 21, 2014
1966 Profile: Joe Namath
Quarterback
No. 12
Alabama
"If 6-2, 191-pound Joe Namath isn't already the top quarterback in the league after only one pro season, he will almost certainly be after two. Namath, the Jets' famous $400,000 prize from Alabama, with the fragile right knee, was the AFL's Rookie of the Year and voted the MVP in the league's All-Star game. He also was a 48.2 percent passer who got better and better as he learned to diagnose changing defenses and call the proper automatics.
Joe has great poise, courage, a tremendous throwing arm, enormous hands that enable him to pump-fake deceptively, and an amazingly quick release. The Jets try to protect him from rushing linemen by having him fade back ten yards instead of the usual seven."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"When the 1965 season opened, Joe was sitting on the bench. At the close of the campaign, the young quarterback was voted MVP in the All-Star tilt against the champion Buffalo Bills.
Joe was MVP in the 1965 Orange Bowl. He was the Jets' No. 1 draft pick in 1965."
-1966 Topps No. 96
IS THE PRESSURE OFF NAMATH?
He Was The Rookie-Of-The-Year In The American Football League. He Did All Anyone Expected Of Him. Now ...
"In the summer of 1965, as he prepared for a rather formidable challenge, Joe Namath said, 'In sports, people sometimes expect too much. I hope I don't disappoint the people in New York, but people can come to expect an awful lot and that does bother me.'
Namath did not disappoint the people. He proved himself worth every coin of his unprecedented bonus by starring at quarterback for the New York Jets and becoming the American Football's Rookie of the Year. But because 'people can come to expect an awful lot' the pressure is not off Namath. It will never be off Namath.
Last year Namath had to prove he was worth his bonus. This year Namath has to prove he was not lucky last year. If he has an exceptional 1966 season, he will be rated a proven star and he will be expected to perform as one every season. In that respect, the pressure on Namath will, in time, be no greater than the pressure on any star. But right now, it is greater, because Joe Namath still stands as the symbol of the Big Bonus.
Last summer, John Devaney wrote, 'If he fails- and Namath knows this- he will become a national joke. An expensive flop, like the Edsel and Cleopatra. The TV comics and office comedians will add his name to their Losers' List.'
It still goes. Oh, yes, Namath still has that one good season behind him, but suppose he doesn't ever equal it? Tune in on one of the late-hour variety shows on television in about five years. 'Whatever happened to Joe Namath?' says the straight man. 'Joe Who?' says the comic. Big laugh.
Joe Namath is national news and he accepts the pressure with the glory. The draft board rules him 4-F because of his bad knee, and thousands of people who don't know knees from elbows react with rage. He attends a performance of Funny Girl, doesn't wear a tie, and guess which underdressed football player steals the column space from best-dressed leading lady Barbara Streisand?
Not only is Namath news on the sports pages and in the gossip columns, but also on the medical pages. And thereby rests another pressure. He must play football with the knowledge that he is causing permanent damage to his knee. 'Joe Namath will have an arthritic knee like a man 70 years old when he gets to be 40,' says Jet coach Weeb Ewbank. 'That's the price he will pay to play football. Joe will always have trouble with his bad knee.'
When Namath came to training camp with the Jets last season, the knee proved an immediate problem. 'At the start of training,' says Ewbank, 'he was making many mistakes because he had got into bad throwing habits from favoring his bad knee.'
There were other problems, too. He was driving away from camp evenings in his Lincoln Continental, and some of the older players, resentful of his $400,000 bonus to begin with, were becoming resentful of his social life, too. He was not always cool under the pressure of eternal interviews and attention from the fans. Once, when a fan yelled, 'Hey, Joe, you'd better watch out- Huarte's coming in,' Namath cursed the fan. Then Joe turned to a reporter and shouted, 'Yeah, and you can print that! I don't give a blank.'
At the end of training camp, after the final squad cut, the Jets held their annual 'unifying' meeting, only players, no coaches, allowed. At the meeting, Larry Fox wrote, 'Namath said he had felt an undercurrent of resentment from the veterans, and as quarterback, he had to face this head-on. He had the impression that they thought he was getting away with things and that he wouldn't put out because of his fat, no-cut contract. Well, he wasn't in this just for the money, he said, but to be a member of the squad and a winner. Believe it or not, he said, he was going to do all he could ... and more.
'Joe said, too, that nobody had made any open accusations. He challenged them to make them now. He waited. Nobody spoke.'
Looking back, now, Namath says, 'I think that meeting cleared the air.' Another Jet says, 'If Joe had kept silent in that meeting or said the wrong thing, it could have made a big difference.
Some of the pressure eased up then, the pressure of being accepted by his teammates. But Joe still faced the pressure of proving himself on the field. It took time. He didn't start until the third game of the season. He did well in his start but did not do well immediately thereafter, and he was dropped back to No. 2 quarterback behind Mike Taliaferro. Finally, with the Jets 1-5-1, Joe took command of the team. The Jets won four of their final seven games and Namath finished the season as the league's third-ranked passer. He completed 164 of 340 passes for a .482 percentage, 2,220 yards and 18 touchdowns. His interception percentage was .044 and his average gain per completion was 6.53 yards. The AFL ranks its passers on the basis of 'completions, yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, interception percentage and average gain.' A perfect score is 60 points and Namath had 41 points. Only John Hadl (49 points) and Len Dawson (46) were ahead of him.
In providing reporters with colorful copy, only one man in the AFL, Cookie Gilchrist was ahead of Joe. 'I believe in the happy time,' Joe often told reporters during the season, and he proved it to them. He told them about the swinging places he went to and the reasons (girls) he went to them. He told them his philosophy of marriage: 'That's the worst thing you can do. It's like football. Somebody once asked me if it easier to score on one play from the five-yard line or from the 40. I said the 40 because out there you have more things to do. Once you narrow the field, your choice of plays is limited. It's the same with girls.'
Such quotes and such swagger help make Joe a delightful fellow, but they also add to the inevitable pressure. A man who comes on strong often invites envy and has people rooting against him. He knows, too, that most of the people who root for him will do so only for as long as he comes through. If you live grandly, you must perform grandly. So goes it for the man in the public eye.
Joe says, however, that he feels some pressure has shifted from him to others. Particularly to Jim Grabowski and Donnie Anderson, the bonus champions. 'I'm glad I'm not the champ anymore,' Joe says. 'Now I can get back to plain old football.'
Not so, Joe. Not so, at all. To the public, you will always be the bonus champ."
-Pro Football Almanac 1966, published by MacFadden-Bartell Corp.
No. 12
Alabama
"If 6-2, 191-pound Joe Namath isn't already the top quarterback in the league after only one pro season, he will almost certainly be after two. Namath, the Jets' famous $400,000 prize from Alabama, with the fragile right knee, was the AFL's Rookie of the Year and voted the MVP in the league's All-Star game. He also was a 48.2 percent passer who got better and better as he learned to diagnose changing defenses and call the proper automatics.
Joe has great poise, courage, a tremendous throwing arm, enormous hands that enable him to pump-fake deceptively, and an amazingly quick release. The Jets try to protect him from rushing linemen by having him fade back ten yards instead of the usual seven."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"When the 1965 season opened, Joe was sitting on the bench. At the close of the campaign, the young quarterback was voted MVP in the All-Star tilt against the champion Buffalo Bills.
Joe was MVP in the 1965 Orange Bowl. He was the Jets' No. 1 draft pick in 1965."
-1966 Topps No. 96
IS THE PRESSURE OFF NAMATH?
He Was The Rookie-Of-The-Year In The American Football League. He Did All Anyone Expected Of Him. Now ...
"In the summer of 1965, as he prepared for a rather formidable challenge, Joe Namath said, 'In sports, people sometimes expect too much. I hope I don't disappoint the people in New York, but people can come to expect an awful lot and that does bother me.'
Namath did not disappoint the people. He proved himself worth every coin of his unprecedented bonus by starring at quarterback for the New York Jets and becoming the American Football's Rookie of the Year. But because 'people can come to expect an awful lot' the pressure is not off Namath. It will never be off Namath.
Last year Namath had to prove he was worth his bonus. This year Namath has to prove he was not lucky last year. If he has an exceptional 1966 season, he will be rated a proven star and he will be expected to perform as one every season. In that respect, the pressure on Namath will, in time, be no greater than the pressure on any star. But right now, it is greater, because Joe Namath still stands as the symbol of the Big Bonus.
Last summer, John Devaney wrote, 'If he fails- and Namath knows this- he will become a national joke. An expensive flop, like the Edsel and Cleopatra. The TV comics and office comedians will add his name to their Losers' List.'
It still goes. Oh, yes, Namath still has that one good season behind him, but suppose he doesn't ever equal it? Tune in on one of the late-hour variety shows on television in about five years. 'Whatever happened to Joe Namath?' says the straight man. 'Joe Who?' says the comic. Big laugh.
Joe Namath is national news and he accepts the pressure with the glory. The draft board rules him 4-F because of his bad knee, and thousands of people who don't know knees from elbows react with rage. He attends a performance of Funny Girl, doesn't wear a tie, and guess which underdressed football player steals the column space from best-dressed leading lady Barbara Streisand?
Not only is Namath news on the sports pages and in the gossip columns, but also on the medical pages. And thereby rests another pressure. He must play football with the knowledge that he is causing permanent damage to his knee. 'Joe Namath will have an arthritic knee like a man 70 years old when he gets to be 40,' says Jet coach Weeb Ewbank. 'That's the price he will pay to play football. Joe will always have trouble with his bad knee.'
When Namath came to training camp with the Jets last season, the knee proved an immediate problem. 'At the start of training,' says Ewbank, 'he was making many mistakes because he had got into bad throwing habits from favoring his bad knee.'
There were other problems, too. He was driving away from camp evenings in his Lincoln Continental, and some of the older players, resentful of his $400,000 bonus to begin with, were becoming resentful of his social life, too. He was not always cool under the pressure of eternal interviews and attention from the fans. Once, when a fan yelled, 'Hey, Joe, you'd better watch out- Huarte's coming in,' Namath cursed the fan. Then Joe turned to a reporter and shouted, 'Yeah, and you can print that! I don't give a blank.'
At the end of training camp, after the final squad cut, the Jets held their annual 'unifying' meeting, only players, no coaches, allowed. At the meeting, Larry Fox wrote, 'Namath said he had felt an undercurrent of resentment from the veterans, and as quarterback, he had to face this head-on. He had the impression that they thought he was getting away with things and that he wouldn't put out because of his fat, no-cut contract. Well, he wasn't in this just for the money, he said, but to be a member of the squad and a winner. Believe it or not, he said, he was going to do all he could ... and more.
'Joe said, too, that nobody had made any open accusations. He challenged them to make them now. He waited. Nobody spoke.'
Looking back, now, Namath says, 'I think that meeting cleared the air.' Another Jet says, 'If Joe had kept silent in that meeting or said the wrong thing, it could have made a big difference.
Some of the pressure eased up then, the pressure of being accepted by his teammates. But Joe still faced the pressure of proving himself on the field. It took time. He didn't start until the third game of the season. He did well in his start but did not do well immediately thereafter, and he was dropped back to No. 2 quarterback behind Mike Taliaferro. Finally, with the Jets 1-5-1, Joe took command of the team. The Jets won four of their final seven games and Namath finished the season as the league's third-ranked passer. He completed 164 of 340 passes for a .482 percentage, 2,220 yards and 18 touchdowns. His interception percentage was .044 and his average gain per completion was 6.53 yards. The AFL ranks its passers on the basis of 'completions, yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, interception percentage and average gain.' A perfect score is 60 points and Namath had 41 points. Only John Hadl (49 points) and Len Dawson (46) were ahead of him.
In providing reporters with colorful copy, only one man in the AFL, Cookie Gilchrist was ahead of Joe. 'I believe in the happy time,' Joe often told reporters during the season, and he proved it to them. He told them about the swinging places he went to and the reasons (girls) he went to them. He told them his philosophy of marriage: 'That's the worst thing you can do. It's like football. Somebody once asked me if it easier to score on one play from the five-yard line or from the 40. I said the 40 because out there you have more things to do. Once you narrow the field, your choice of plays is limited. It's the same with girls.'
Such quotes and such swagger help make Joe a delightful fellow, but they also add to the inevitable pressure. A man who comes on strong often invites envy and has people rooting against him. He knows, too, that most of the people who root for him will do so only for as long as he comes through. If you live grandly, you must perform grandly. So goes it for the man in the public eye.
Joe says, however, that he feels some pressure has shifted from him to others. Particularly to Jim Grabowski and Donnie Anderson, the bonus champions. 'I'm glad I'm not the champ anymore,' Joe says. 'Now I can get back to plain old football.'
Not so, Joe. Not so, at all. To the public, you will always be the bonus champ."
-Pro Football Almanac 1966, published by MacFadden-Bartell Corp.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
1966 Profile: Weeb Ewbank
Head Coach
"Waggish New York sportswriters like to kid Jet head coach Weeb Ewbank by asking, 'What's a Weeb?' The answer is: a Weeb is a 5-5, 210-pound barrel of a man who looks like the jolly green elf when he wears his emerald-colored Jet practice uniform.
Weeb Ewbank is a sound coach. He built the Baltimore Colts into NFL champs after serving an assistant coaching apprenticeship under Paul Brown, for whom he built those formidable Cleveland Brown offensive lines that tyrannized the NFL.
Weeb had his troubles last year, as he sought to settle Joe Namath into the starting quarterback job without rushing the rich, young passer too hard. He almost got away with it. Had the Jets gotten a break or two in close games they might have been contenders. They will be this year.
Ewbank doubles as general manager, too. Give him, as well as Sonny Werblin, some credit for the Jets' excellent record of signing college players despite hard NFL competition. And Weeb has a habit of molding good material into good football teams."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"Waggish New York sportswriters like to kid Jet head coach Weeb Ewbank by asking, 'What's a Weeb?' The answer is: a Weeb is a 5-5, 210-pound barrel of a man who looks like the jolly green elf when he wears his emerald-colored Jet practice uniform.
Weeb Ewbank is a sound coach. He built the Baltimore Colts into NFL champs after serving an assistant coaching apprenticeship under Paul Brown, for whom he built those formidable Cleveland Brown offensive lines that tyrannized the NFL.
Weeb had his troubles last year, as he sought to settle Joe Namath into the starting quarterback job without rushing the rich, young passer too hard. He almost got away with it. Had the Jets gotten a break or two in close games they might have been contenders. They will be this year.
Ewbank doubles as general manager, too. Give him, as well as Sonny Werblin, some credit for the Jets' excellent record of signing college players despite hard NFL competition. And Weeb has a habit of molding good material into good football teams."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
Monday, August 18, 2014
1966 New York Jets Outlook
"The romance between Joe Namath and New York, which had a modest beginning last fall, now looms as the big love story of 1966, as the tycoon quarterback figures to guide the Jets to their first Eastern Division title.
Namath matured as a professional right before your eyes last season. He got set up quickly, learned how and when to call automatics, and he proved his knee could stand up against the murderously onrushing defensive linemen. Lest anybody forget, the Jets have two quarterbacks, a fact constantly pointed out to newsmen by coach Weeb Ewbank; George Taliaferro, a sure and steady performer, is in the wings.
It took a while for Namath and his receivers to get together last year - some of them were guilty of dropping his speedball deliveries - but there should be vast improvement here in '66. Don Maynard, who enjoyed his finest season as a pro, is back at flanker. George Sauer, who won the regular job at split end as a rookie and then had to shift to tight end when Dee Mackey was hurt, will be a better receiver now that he has a season under his belt. Mackey, who fractured a collarbone against Houston, Jim Colclough, whom the Jets got from Boston in a trade for John Huarte, and Gene Heeter give the club good depth at tight end. But the job just may go to Bill Yearby, the Jets' No. 1 draft choice, who was a two-time All-American at Michigan. Yearby earned his rating at defensive tackle, but the Jets are convinced he can make it as a pass catcher.
With Matt Snell, the fourth-leading rusher in the league last year, and Bill Mathis, who ranked tenth, the club is well set in the backfield. Both are excellent blockers on running plays, do a good job in protecting the passer, and can run with the football. Mark Smolinski is a good swing man, and there are two swift rookies moving in - Emerson Boozer, the sixth-round draft choice from Maryland State, and Allen Smith, a future pick from Findley. Boozer led the nation's small colleges in rushing and scoring for two consecutive seasons.
Maybe the Jets' interior line doesn't rate with the best in the league, but it gets the job done. Tackles Sherman Plunkett and Winston Hill, and guards Sam DeLuca and Dave Herman improved their pass blocking enough last year so that Jet quarterbacks were dropped only 17 times for 162 yards, the fewest in the league. With Mike Hudock gone to Miami, the center job is wide open. The top candidates are Jim Waskiewicz, who came from Boston in the Huarte deal, and John Schmitt, who has spent most of the last two seasons on the Jet taxi squad.
The story is a little different along the defensive line. Gerry Philbin, Verlon Biggs, Paul Rochester and Jim Harris are developing into one of the better units in the league. The linebacking corps behind them should be improved this year, with Ralph Baker, Larry Grantham and Al Atkinson returning, and with top rookie Carl McAdams figuring to squeeze his way into the starting job in the middle. McAdams, a two-time All-America at Oklahoma, is regarded as the best linebacker prospect in football. The Jets drafted him in the third round.
The Jets are weakest in the deep secondary, where injuries have hit them hard in recent years. The only ranking performer back there is Dainard Paulson, who made All-Pro safety for the second year in a row in '65. At the other safety spot, it will be a toss-up between Ray Abruzzese and Jim Hudson, who are just adequate. The cornerbacks are Cornell Gordon and Billy Baird, but they'll receive some competition from rookies Jim Gray, a member of last year's taxi squad, Richie Higgins and Sherman Lewis, a 1964 draft choice who spent the last two seasons playing in Canada."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"Namath is as ready as he'll be. Snell is fit- but the defensive backfield doesn't seem capable of championship play yet."
-Dick Kaplan, Pro Football Almanac 1966
It's Joe Namath's Arm Against Joe Namath's Knee. Can The Strength Of One Overcome The Other's Weakness? Some Sharper Play By The Defensive Backs Would Be A Big Help.
"Unless Joe Namath is cut down by Selective Service (doubtful) or his delicate legs (always possible), coach Weeb Ewbank will open the season with the best quarterback he has had since Unitas. Namath, with the arm and instincts of a great one, almost assures New York of another second-place finish, since top quarterbacks are hard to find, especially in the AFL. But catching Buffalo may be asking too much. The Jets still must shape up in the defensive secondary, at middle linebacker, at offensive center and tight end. Fortunately, spare parts are available in quantity and quality.
Let's start with Namath's receivers. Joe has decent ones, but that's all. Based on his rookie performance, George Sauer Jr. rates ahead of veteran spread end Bake Turner. But both may be displaced by Jim Colclough, obtained from Boston for John Huarte. Colclough isn't big or fast, but he catches the ball. Flanker Don Maynard sometimes doesn't. Maynard aggravated home fans early last year by dropping several touchdown passes. Still, he ranked No. 3 in the league with 68 receptions and tied Lance Alworth for the lead in scoring catches (14). The Jets have two experienced tight ends in Gene Heeter and Dee Mackey, both hurt last year, but may go with an inexperienced one: 6-3, 230-pound first-round draft pick Bill Yearby, who was an All-American tackle at Michigan. Yearby has the good hands of a basketball player, which is what he was as a college sophomore. If Yearby can't make the transition from the interior line, No. 8 choice Pete Lammons, 225, was an outstanding tight end at Texas.
The Jets need a fast halfback to counterpoint fullback Matt Snell's locomotive power. They have two swift rookies in 195-pound Allen Smith and 215-pound Emerson Boozer. Smith averaged 6.3 yards per carry for tiny Findlay College in Ohio and sprints the 100 in 9.8 seconds. Boozer had touchdown runs of 96, 80, 77, 75, 70 and 51 yards for Maryland State. It may boil down to who blocks better. Holdover halfback Bill Mathis, 220, does that superlatively and self-sacrificingly, which compensates for his slow running.
Snell excepts to have a better year. An exhibition game knee injury held him back in '65. He couldn't cut away from tacklers. Even so, he finished fourth among all AFL rushers.
In the line, center Mike Hudock, a five-year starter, was drafted by Miami. That puts it up to 227-pound rookie Jim Waskiewicz, the No. 4 choice from Wichita, and 265-pound veteran John Schmitt. Otherwise, it'll be business as usual: Winston Hill, 275, and Sherman Plunkett, 300, at the tackles; Sam DeLuca, 250, and Dave Herman, 255, at the guards.
The Jet defensive line is beginning to make a name for itself, and the name is good. Gerry Philbin, 245, and Verlon Biggs, 253, are the ends; Jim Harris, 280, and Paul Rochester,250, the tackles. Coach Ewbank would like Harris ten pounds lighter, though. Bert Wilder can swing between both positions, and there are two big rookies- Tulsa's Jim Jones and Seth Cartwright of Prairie View.
Second-year man Al Atkinson is listed as the first-string middle linebacker. He's a savage hitter, like the man he replaced, Miami-bound Wahoo McDaniel, but nimbler against passes. All-American rookie Carl McAdams of Oklahoma could be even better. He's a growing 220-pounder, supposedly the equal of the famous Texas linebacker, Tommy Nobis- maybe not as strong, but faster. All-leaguer Larry Grantham plays one corner linebacker for the Jets, and Ralph Baker, over on the other side, seems to have mastered his pass drops at last.
But the secondary could be sounder. Only safetyman Dainard Paulson fully satisfies, although soph Cornell Gordon should become a fine cornerback. Gordon ranks ahead of veteran Clyde Washington, who has undergone his second leg operation in two years. Billy Baird, the other cornerman is short (5-10) and light (180). He may be beaten out by shorter (5-9) and lighter (165) Sherman Lewis of Michigan State, who comes to the AFL after two years in Canada. If nothing else, Lewis should put life in the moribund Jet kick-return game. Ray Abbruzzese will play strong safety. Cornerback Jim Gray, on the injured reserve list last year, and safety Jim Hudson are the reserves.
The kicking is excellent. Placement specialist Jim Turner kicked 31 for 31 on PATs and 20 for 34 on field goals. Punter Curley Johnson ranked No. 2 in the league with a 45.3-yard average.
New York will go as far as Namath can take the team. If Joe gets hurt, good night. No offense meant to standby quarterback Mike Taliaferro, but no offense."
-Dick Kaplan, Pro Football Almanac 1966
1966 New York Jets Preseason Roster
25 Ray Abbruzzese (DB) Alabama
56 Al Atkinson (LB) Villanova
87 Dave Austin (TE) Georgia Tech
46 Bill Baird (DB) San Francisco State
51 Ralph Baker (LB) Penn State
86 Verlon Biggs (DE) Jackson State
32 Emerson Boozer (HB) Maryland State*
35 Charlie Browning (HB) Washington
45 Kern Carson (HB) San Diego State
77 Seth Cartwright (DT) Prairie View A & M*
40 Earl Christy (HB) Maryland State
18 Jim Colclough (DE-FL) Boston College
54 Paul Crane (LB-C) Alabama
71 Nick DeFelice (T) Southern Connecticut State
65 Sam DeLuca (G) South Carolina
70 Mitch Dudek (G) Xavier*
80 Jim Evans (FL) Texas Western
61 Dan Ficca (G) USC
48 Cornell Gordon (DB) North Carolina A & T
60 Larry Grantham (LB) Mississippi
22 Jim Gray (DB) Toledo*
78 Jim Harris (DT) Utah State
85 Gene Heeter (E) Virginia
67 Dave Herman (G) Michigan State
26 Rich Higgins (DB-FL) Montclair State
75 Winston Hill (C) Texas Southern
73 Ken Hollister (DE) Indiana*
44 Jim Hudson (DB) Texas
32 Cosmo Iacavazzi (FB) Princeton
33 Curley Johnson (HB) Houston
82 Jimmy Jones (DE-OT) Omaha*
30 Mike Katz (FB) Southern Connecticut State
87 Pete Lammons (TE-LB) Texas*
89 Dee Mackey (E) East Texas State
61 Bob Mallendick (OT-OG) Hillsdale
31 Bill Mathis (HB) Clemson
63 John Matlock (OT-C) Miami
13 Don Maynard (FL) Texas Western
50 Carl McAdams (LB) Oklahoma*
43 Jerry Mosher (DB-E) California*
12 Joe Namath (QB) Alabama
63 Jim O'Mahoney (LB) Miami
40 Dainard Paulson (DB) Oregon State
64 Pete Perreault (G) Boston University
81 Gerry Philbin (DE) Buffalo
89 Gary Plumlee (DE) New Mexico*
79 Sherman Plunkett (T) Maryland State
23 Bill Rademacher (FL) Northern Michigan
42 Eddie Robinson (DB) Grambling
72 Paul Rochester (DT) Michigan State
83 George Sauer (E) Texas
57 John Schmitt (C) Hofstra
20 Bob Schweikert (FL-DB) Virginia Tech
76 Arnie Simkus (DT-DE) Michigan
28 Allen Smith (HB) Findlay
30 Mark Slominski (FB) Wyoming
41 Matt Snell (FB) Ohio State
85 Bill Starr (TE) Hofstra
17 Mike Taliaferro (QB) Illinois
29 Bake Turner (E) Texas Tech
11 Jim Turner (K-QB) Utah State
74 Bob Walton (DT) Auburn*
42 Clyde Washington (DB) Purdue
52 Jim Waskiewicz (C-LB) Wichita State*
84 Sammy Weir (E) Arkansas State
62 Bob Werl (G-DE) Miami
82 Bert Wilder (DT-DE) North Carolina State
88 Bill Yearby (TE) Michigan*
* rookie
-Pro Football 1966
1966 New York Jets Preseason Depth Charts
OFFENSE
QB - Joe Namath (Alabama) 12, Mike Taliaferro (Illinois) 17
HB -Bill Mathis (Clemson) 31, Emerson Boozer (Maryland State)* 32
FB- Matt Snell (Ohio State) 41, Mark Smolinski (Wyoming) 30
SE - George Sauer (Texas) 83, Bake Turner (Texas Tech) 29, Jim Colclough (Boston College) 18
T - Winston Hill (Texas Southern) 75, Nick DeFelice (Southern Connecticut State) 71
G - Sam DeLuca (South Carolina) 65
C - Jim Waskiewicz (Wichita State)* 52, John Schmitt (Hofstra) 57
G - Dave Herman (Michigan State) 67, Dan Ficca (USC) 61
T - Sherman Plunkett (Maryland State) 79
TE - Gene Heeter (Virginia) 85, Dee Mackey (East Texas State) 89, Bill Yearby (Michigan)* 88
FL - Don Maynard (Texas Western) 13
DEFENSE
DE - Gerry Philbin (Buffalo) 81
DT - Paul Rochester (Michigan State) 72
DT - Jim Harris (Utah State) 78
DE - Verlon Biggs (Jackson State) 86
LB - Ralph Baker (Penn State) 51, Pete Lammons (Texas)* 87
MLB - Al Atkinson (Villanova) 56, Carl McAdams (Oklahoma)* 50
LB - Larry Grantham (Mississippi) 60
CB - Bill Baird (San Francisco State) 46
S - Dainard Paulson (Oregon State) 40, Bob Schweikert (Virginia Tech) 20
S - Ray Abbruzzese (Alabama) 25, Jim Hudson (Texas) 44
CB - Cornell Gordon (North Carolina A & T) 48, Clyde Washington (Purdue) 42
* rookie
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
OFFENSE
QB - Joe Namath (Alabama) 12, Mike Taliaferro (Illinois) 17, Bob Schweikert (Virginia Tech) 20
HB - Emerson Boozer (Maryland Eastern Shore)*, Bill Mathis (Clemson) 31, Allen Smith (Findlay)*
FB- Matt Snell (Ohio State) 41, Mark Smolinski (Wyoming) 30
SE - George Sauer (Texas) 83, Bake Turner (Texas Tech) 29
T - Winston Hill (Texas Southern) 75, Nick DeFelice (Southern Connecticut) 71
G - Sam DeLuca (South Carolina) 65, Dan Ficca (USC) 61
C - John Schmitt (Hofstra) 52, Jim Waskiewicz (Wichita State)*
G - Dave Herman (Michigan State) 67, Pete Perreault (Boston University) 64
T - Sherman Plunkett (Maryland State) 79, Mitch Dudek (Xavier)*
TE - Pete Lammons (Texas)*, Bill Yearby (Michigan)*, Dee Mackey (East Texas State) 89, Gene Heeter (West Virginia) 85
FL - Don Maynard (Texas Western) 13, Jim Evans (Texas Western) 80
DEFENSE
DE - Gerry Philbin (Buffalo) 81
DT - Paul Rochester (Michigan State) 72, Seth Cartwright (Prairie View A & M)*
DT - Jim Harris (Utah State) 78
DE - Verlon Biggs (Jackson State) 86, Bert Wilder (North Carolina State) 82
LB - Ralph Baker (Penn State) 51, Paul Crane (Alabama)*
MLB - Al Atkinson (Villanova) 62, Carl McAdams (Oklahoma)*, Jim O'Mahoney (Miami) 63
LB - Larry Grantham (Mississippi) 60, Jim Waskiewicz (Wichita State)*
CB - Bill Baird (San Francisco State) 46, Sherman Lewis (Michigan State)*
S - Ray Abbruzzese (Alabama) 25, Jim Hudson (Texas) 22
S - Dainard Paulson (Oregon State) 40, Bill Rademacher (Northern Michigan) 23
CB - Cornell Gordon (North Carolina A & T) 48, Clyde Washington (Purdue) 42
SPECIALISTS
K - Jim Turner (Utah State) 11
P - Curley Johnson (Houston) 33
KR - Emerson Boozer (Maryland Eastern Shore)*, Bake Turner (Texas Tech) 29
PR - Bake Turner (Texas Tech) 29, Sherman Lewis (Michigan State)*
* rookie
1966 New York Jets Profile Summary
Head Coach - Weeb Ewbank
QB - Joe Namath (Alabama) 12
HB - Bill Mathis (Clemson) 31
FB- Matt Snell (Ohio State) 41
FL - Don Maynard (Texas Western) 13
SE - Bake Turner (Texas Tech) 29
SE - George Sauer (Texas) 83
TE - Dee Mackey (East Texas State) 89
C - John Schmitt (Hofstra) 52
G - Sam DeLuca (South Carolina) 65
G - Dave Herman (Michigan State) 67
T - Sherman Plunkett (Maryland State) 79
T - Winston Hill (Texas Southern) 75
DT - Paul Rochester (Michigan State) 72
DT - Jim Harris (Utah State) 78
DT - Henry Schmidt (USC) 74
DE - Gerry Philbin (Buffalo) 81
DE - Verlon Biggs (Jackson State) 86
MLB - Al Atkinson (Villanova) 62
MLB - Carl McAdams (Oklahoma) 50
LB - Larry Grantham (Mississippi) 60
LB - Ralph Baker (Penn State) 51
CB - Bill Baird (San Francisco State) 46
CB - Cornell Gordon (North Carolina A & T) 48
CB - Johnny Sample (Maryland State) 24
S - Dainard Paulson (Oregon State) 40
S - Bill Rademacher (Northern Michigan) 23
K - Jim Turner (Utah State) 11
P - Curley Johnson (Houston) 33
KR - Bake Turner (Texas Tech) 29
PR - Bake Turner (Texas Tech) 29
Namath matured as a professional right before your eyes last season. He got set up quickly, learned how and when to call automatics, and he proved his knee could stand up against the murderously onrushing defensive linemen. Lest anybody forget, the Jets have two quarterbacks, a fact constantly pointed out to newsmen by coach Weeb Ewbank; George Taliaferro, a sure and steady performer, is in the wings.
It took a while for Namath and his receivers to get together last year - some of them were guilty of dropping his speedball deliveries - but there should be vast improvement here in '66. Don Maynard, who enjoyed his finest season as a pro, is back at flanker. George Sauer, who won the regular job at split end as a rookie and then had to shift to tight end when Dee Mackey was hurt, will be a better receiver now that he has a season under his belt. Mackey, who fractured a collarbone against Houston, Jim Colclough, whom the Jets got from Boston in a trade for John Huarte, and Gene Heeter give the club good depth at tight end. But the job just may go to Bill Yearby, the Jets' No. 1 draft choice, who was a two-time All-American at Michigan. Yearby earned his rating at defensive tackle, but the Jets are convinced he can make it as a pass catcher.
With Matt Snell, the fourth-leading rusher in the league last year, and Bill Mathis, who ranked tenth, the club is well set in the backfield. Both are excellent blockers on running plays, do a good job in protecting the passer, and can run with the football. Mark Smolinski is a good swing man, and there are two swift rookies moving in - Emerson Boozer, the sixth-round draft choice from Maryland State, and Allen Smith, a future pick from Findley. Boozer led the nation's small colleges in rushing and scoring for two consecutive seasons.
Maybe the Jets' interior line doesn't rate with the best in the league, but it gets the job done. Tackles Sherman Plunkett and Winston Hill, and guards Sam DeLuca and Dave Herman improved their pass blocking enough last year so that Jet quarterbacks were dropped only 17 times for 162 yards, the fewest in the league. With Mike Hudock gone to Miami, the center job is wide open. The top candidates are Jim Waskiewicz, who came from Boston in the Huarte deal, and John Schmitt, who has spent most of the last two seasons on the Jet taxi squad.
The story is a little different along the defensive line. Gerry Philbin, Verlon Biggs, Paul Rochester and Jim Harris are developing into one of the better units in the league. The linebacking corps behind them should be improved this year, with Ralph Baker, Larry Grantham and Al Atkinson returning, and with top rookie Carl McAdams figuring to squeeze his way into the starting job in the middle. McAdams, a two-time All-America at Oklahoma, is regarded as the best linebacker prospect in football. The Jets drafted him in the third round.
The Jets are weakest in the deep secondary, where injuries have hit them hard in recent years. The only ranking performer back there is Dainard Paulson, who made All-Pro safety for the second year in a row in '65. At the other safety spot, it will be a toss-up between Ray Abruzzese and Jim Hudson, who are just adequate. The cornerbacks are Cornell Gordon and Billy Baird, but they'll receive some competition from rookies Jim Gray, a member of last year's taxi squad, Richie Higgins and Sherman Lewis, a 1964 draft choice who spent the last two seasons playing in Canada."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"Namath is as ready as he'll be. Snell is fit- but the defensive backfield doesn't seem capable of championship play yet."
-Dick Kaplan, Pro Football Almanac 1966
It's Joe Namath's Arm Against Joe Namath's Knee. Can The Strength Of One Overcome The Other's Weakness? Some Sharper Play By The Defensive Backs Would Be A Big Help.
"Unless Joe Namath is cut down by Selective Service (doubtful) or his delicate legs (always possible), coach Weeb Ewbank will open the season with the best quarterback he has had since Unitas. Namath, with the arm and instincts of a great one, almost assures New York of another second-place finish, since top quarterbacks are hard to find, especially in the AFL. But catching Buffalo may be asking too much. The Jets still must shape up in the defensive secondary, at middle linebacker, at offensive center and tight end. Fortunately, spare parts are available in quantity and quality.
Let's start with Namath's receivers. Joe has decent ones, but that's all. Based on his rookie performance, George Sauer Jr. rates ahead of veteran spread end Bake Turner. But both may be displaced by Jim Colclough, obtained from Boston for John Huarte. Colclough isn't big or fast, but he catches the ball. Flanker Don Maynard sometimes doesn't. Maynard aggravated home fans early last year by dropping several touchdown passes. Still, he ranked No. 3 in the league with 68 receptions and tied Lance Alworth for the lead in scoring catches (14). The Jets have two experienced tight ends in Gene Heeter and Dee Mackey, both hurt last year, but may go with an inexperienced one: 6-3, 230-pound first-round draft pick Bill Yearby, who was an All-American tackle at Michigan. Yearby has the good hands of a basketball player, which is what he was as a college sophomore. If Yearby can't make the transition from the interior line, No. 8 choice Pete Lammons, 225, was an outstanding tight end at Texas.
The Jets need a fast halfback to counterpoint fullback Matt Snell's locomotive power. They have two swift rookies in 195-pound Allen Smith and 215-pound Emerson Boozer. Smith averaged 6.3 yards per carry for tiny Findlay College in Ohio and sprints the 100 in 9.8 seconds. Boozer had touchdown runs of 96, 80, 77, 75, 70 and 51 yards for Maryland State. It may boil down to who blocks better. Holdover halfback Bill Mathis, 220, does that superlatively and self-sacrificingly, which compensates for his slow running.
Snell excepts to have a better year. An exhibition game knee injury held him back in '65. He couldn't cut away from tacklers. Even so, he finished fourth among all AFL rushers.
In the line, center Mike Hudock, a five-year starter, was drafted by Miami. That puts it up to 227-pound rookie Jim Waskiewicz, the No. 4 choice from Wichita, and 265-pound veteran John Schmitt. Otherwise, it'll be business as usual: Winston Hill, 275, and Sherman Plunkett, 300, at the tackles; Sam DeLuca, 250, and Dave Herman, 255, at the guards.
The Jet defensive line is beginning to make a name for itself, and the name is good. Gerry Philbin, 245, and Verlon Biggs, 253, are the ends; Jim Harris, 280, and Paul Rochester,250, the tackles. Coach Ewbank would like Harris ten pounds lighter, though. Bert Wilder can swing between both positions, and there are two big rookies- Tulsa's Jim Jones and Seth Cartwright of Prairie View.
Second-year man Al Atkinson is listed as the first-string middle linebacker. He's a savage hitter, like the man he replaced, Miami-bound Wahoo McDaniel, but nimbler against passes. All-American rookie Carl McAdams of Oklahoma could be even better. He's a growing 220-pounder, supposedly the equal of the famous Texas linebacker, Tommy Nobis- maybe not as strong, but faster. All-leaguer Larry Grantham plays one corner linebacker for the Jets, and Ralph Baker, over on the other side, seems to have mastered his pass drops at last.
But the secondary could be sounder. Only safetyman Dainard Paulson fully satisfies, although soph Cornell Gordon should become a fine cornerback. Gordon ranks ahead of veteran Clyde Washington, who has undergone his second leg operation in two years. Billy Baird, the other cornerman is short (5-10) and light (180). He may be beaten out by shorter (5-9) and lighter (165) Sherman Lewis of Michigan State, who comes to the AFL after two years in Canada. If nothing else, Lewis should put life in the moribund Jet kick-return game. Ray Abbruzzese will play strong safety. Cornerback Jim Gray, on the injured reserve list last year, and safety Jim Hudson are the reserves.
The kicking is excellent. Placement specialist Jim Turner kicked 31 for 31 on PATs and 20 for 34 on field goals. Punter Curley Johnson ranked No. 2 in the league with a 45.3-yard average.
New York will go as far as Namath can take the team. If Joe gets hurt, good night. No offense meant to standby quarterback Mike Taliaferro, but no offense."
-Dick Kaplan, Pro Football Almanac 1966
1966 New York Jets Preseason Roster
25 Ray Abbruzzese (DB) Alabama
56 Al Atkinson (LB) Villanova
87 Dave Austin (TE) Georgia Tech
46 Bill Baird (DB) San Francisco State
51 Ralph Baker (LB) Penn State
86 Verlon Biggs (DE) Jackson State
32 Emerson Boozer (HB) Maryland State*
35 Charlie Browning (HB) Washington
45 Kern Carson (HB) San Diego State
77 Seth Cartwright (DT) Prairie View A & M*
40 Earl Christy (HB) Maryland State
18 Jim Colclough (DE-FL) Boston College
54 Paul Crane (LB-C) Alabama
71 Nick DeFelice (T) Southern Connecticut State
65 Sam DeLuca (G) South Carolina
70 Mitch Dudek (G) Xavier*
80 Jim Evans (FL) Texas Western
61 Dan Ficca (G) USC
48 Cornell Gordon (DB) North Carolina A & T
60 Larry Grantham (LB) Mississippi
22 Jim Gray (DB) Toledo*
78 Jim Harris (DT) Utah State
85 Gene Heeter (E) Virginia
67 Dave Herman (G) Michigan State
26 Rich Higgins (DB-FL) Montclair State
75 Winston Hill (C) Texas Southern
73 Ken Hollister (DE) Indiana*
44 Jim Hudson (DB) Texas
32 Cosmo Iacavazzi (FB) Princeton
33 Curley Johnson (HB) Houston
82 Jimmy Jones (DE-OT) Omaha*
30 Mike Katz (FB) Southern Connecticut State
87 Pete Lammons (TE-LB) Texas*
89 Dee Mackey (E) East Texas State
61 Bob Mallendick (OT-OG) Hillsdale
31 Bill Mathis (HB) Clemson
63 John Matlock (OT-C) Miami
13 Don Maynard (FL) Texas Western
50 Carl McAdams (LB) Oklahoma*
43 Jerry Mosher (DB-E) California*
12 Joe Namath (QB) Alabama
63 Jim O'Mahoney (LB) Miami
40 Dainard Paulson (DB) Oregon State
64 Pete Perreault (G) Boston University
81 Gerry Philbin (DE) Buffalo
89 Gary Plumlee (DE) New Mexico*
79 Sherman Plunkett (T) Maryland State
23 Bill Rademacher (FL) Northern Michigan
42 Eddie Robinson (DB) Grambling
72 Paul Rochester (DT) Michigan State
83 George Sauer (E) Texas
57 John Schmitt (C) Hofstra
20 Bob Schweikert (FL-DB) Virginia Tech
76 Arnie Simkus (DT-DE) Michigan
28 Allen Smith (HB) Findlay
30 Mark Slominski (FB) Wyoming
41 Matt Snell (FB) Ohio State
85 Bill Starr (TE) Hofstra
17 Mike Taliaferro (QB) Illinois
29 Bake Turner (E) Texas Tech
11 Jim Turner (K-QB) Utah State
74 Bob Walton (DT) Auburn*
42 Clyde Washington (DB) Purdue
52 Jim Waskiewicz (C-LB) Wichita State*
84 Sammy Weir (E) Arkansas State
62 Bob Werl (G-DE) Miami
82 Bert Wilder (DT-DE) North Carolina State
88 Bill Yearby (TE) Michigan*
* rookie
-Pro Football 1966
1966 New York Jets Preseason Depth Charts
OFFENSE
QB - Joe Namath (Alabama) 12, Mike Taliaferro (Illinois) 17
HB -Bill Mathis (Clemson) 31, Emerson Boozer (Maryland State)* 32
FB- Matt Snell (Ohio State) 41, Mark Smolinski (Wyoming) 30
SE - George Sauer (Texas) 83, Bake Turner (Texas Tech) 29, Jim Colclough (Boston College) 18
T - Winston Hill (Texas Southern) 75, Nick DeFelice (Southern Connecticut State) 71
G - Sam DeLuca (South Carolina) 65
C - Jim Waskiewicz (Wichita State)* 52, John Schmitt (Hofstra) 57
G - Dave Herman (Michigan State) 67, Dan Ficca (USC) 61
T - Sherman Plunkett (Maryland State) 79
TE - Gene Heeter (Virginia) 85, Dee Mackey (East Texas State) 89, Bill Yearby (Michigan)* 88
FL - Don Maynard (Texas Western) 13
DEFENSE
DE - Gerry Philbin (Buffalo) 81
DT - Paul Rochester (Michigan State) 72
DT - Jim Harris (Utah State) 78
DE - Verlon Biggs (Jackson State) 86
LB - Ralph Baker (Penn State) 51, Pete Lammons (Texas)* 87
MLB - Al Atkinson (Villanova) 56, Carl McAdams (Oklahoma)* 50
LB - Larry Grantham (Mississippi) 60
CB - Bill Baird (San Francisco State) 46
S - Dainard Paulson (Oregon State) 40, Bob Schweikert (Virginia Tech) 20
S - Ray Abbruzzese (Alabama) 25, Jim Hudson (Texas) 44
CB - Cornell Gordon (North Carolina A & T) 48, Clyde Washington (Purdue) 42
* rookie
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
OFFENSE
QB - Joe Namath (Alabama) 12, Mike Taliaferro (Illinois) 17, Bob Schweikert (Virginia Tech) 20
HB - Emerson Boozer (Maryland Eastern Shore)*, Bill Mathis (Clemson) 31, Allen Smith (Findlay)*
FB- Matt Snell (Ohio State) 41, Mark Smolinski (Wyoming) 30
SE - George Sauer (Texas) 83, Bake Turner (Texas Tech) 29
T - Winston Hill (Texas Southern) 75, Nick DeFelice (Southern Connecticut) 71
G - Sam DeLuca (South Carolina) 65, Dan Ficca (USC) 61
C - John Schmitt (Hofstra) 52, Jim Waskiewicz (Wichita State)*
G - Dave Herman (Michigan State) 67, Pete Perreault (Boston University) 64
T - Sherman Plunkett (Maryland State) 79, Mitch Dudek (Xavier)*
TE - Pete Lammons (Texas)*, Bill Yearby (Michigan)*, Dee Mackey (East Texas State) 89, Gene Heeter (West Virginia) 85
FL - Don Maynard (Texas Western) 13, Jim Evans (Texas Western) 80
DEFENSE
DE - Gerry Philbin (Buffalo) 81
DT - Paul Rochester (Michigan State) 72, Seth Cartwright (Prairie View A & M)*
DT - Jim Harris (Utah State) 78
DE - Verlon Biggs (Jackson State) 86, Bert Wilder (North Carolina State) 82
LB - Ralph Baker (Penn State) 51, Paul Crane (Alabama)*
MLB - Al Atkinson (Villanova) 62, Carl McAdams (Oklahoma)*, Jim O'Mahoney (Miami) 63
LB - Larry Grantham (Mississippi) 60, Jim Waskiewicz (Wichita State)*
CB - Bill Baird (San Francisco State) 46, Sherman Lewis (Michigan State)*
S - Ray Abbruzzese (Alabama) 25, Jim Hudson (Texas) 22
S - Dainard Paulson (Oregon State) 40, Bill Rademacher (Northern Michigan) 23
CB - Cornell Gordon (North Carolina A & T) 48, Clyde Washington (Purdue) 42
SPECIALISTS
K - Jim Turner (Utah State) 11
P - Curley Johnson (Houston) 33
KR - Emerson Boozer (Maryland Eastern Shore)*, Bake Turner (Texas Tech) 29
PR - Bake Turner (Texas Tech) 29, Sherman Lewis (Michigan State)*
* rookie
1966 New York Jets Profile Summary
Head Coach - Weeb Ewbank
QB - Joe Namath (Alabama) 12
HB - Bill Mathis (Clemson) 31
FB- Matt Snell (Ohio State) 41
FL - Don Maynard (Texas Western) 13
SE - Bake Turner (Texas Tech) 29
SE - George Sauer (Texas) 83
TE - Dee Mackey (East Texas State) 89
C - John Schmitt (Hofstra) 52
G - Sam DeLuca (South Carolina) 65
G - Dave Herman (Michigan State) 67
T - Sherman Plunkett (Maryland State) 79
T - Winston Hill (Texas Southern) 75
DT - Paul Rochester (Michigan State) 72
DT - Jim Harris (Utah State) 78
DT - Henry Schmidt (USC) 74
DE - Gerry Philbin (Buffalo) 81
DE - Verlon Biggs (Jackson State) 86
MLB - Al Atkinson (Villanova) 62
MLB - Carl McAdams (Oklahoma) 50
LB - Larry Grantham (Mississippi) 60
LB - Ralph Baker (Penn State) 51
CB - Bill Baird (San Francisco State) 46
CB - Cornell Gordon (North Carolina A & T) 48
CB - Johnny Sample (Maryland State) 24
S - Dainard Paulson (Oregon State) 40
S - Bill Rademacher (Northern Michigan) 23
K - Jim Turner (Utah State) 11
P - Curley Johnson (Houston) 33
KR - Bake Turner (Texas Tech) 29
PR - Bake Turner (Texas Tech) 29
Sunday, August 17, 2014
1965 Profiles: Clyde Washington and Bill Baird
CLYDE WASHINGTON
Cornerback
No. 42
Purdue
"Cornerback Clyde Washington literally had an Achilles heel last year. He tore his Achilles tendon in the Jets' eighth game, against Buffalo, and that was it for 1964.
Clyde made second-team All-AFL in '63, his first season in New York.
He's 27, 6-1 and 197 pounds, and is now entering his fifth pro season. Now what he must demonstrate is that the injury did not drain his great speed, since he must cover the league's swift spread ends from his position at right corner."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"A natural born athlete, Clyde was called 'Mr. Everything' in high school. He was a four-letter performer, starring in football, basketball, baseball and track.
One of the most reliable defensive backs in the AFL, Clyde suffered an injury in the eighth game of the 1964 season and was out of action for the remainder of the campaign. 1963 was his first season with the Jets.
Clyde works as a basketball referee during the off-season."
-1965 Topps No. 130
BILL BAIRD
Cornerback
No. 46
San Francisco State
"1964 was another big season for Bill and it was certainly the year he proved his real value to the Jets. When injuries hit the New York club, Bill easily made the transition from regular safety to cornerback. He was second high on the club with eight interceptions and ranked fourth in the AFL.
He holds an AFL record with a 93-yard punt return against Houston."
-1965 Topps No. 111
Cornerback
No. 42
Purdue
"Cornerback Clyde Washington literally had an Achilles heel last year. He tore his Achilles tendon in the Jets' eighth game, against Buffalo, and that was it for 1964.
Clyde made second-team All-AFL in '63, his first season in New York.
He's 27, 6-1 and 197 pounds, and is now entering his fifth pro season. Now what he must demonstrate is that the injury did not drain his great speed, since he must cover the league's swift spread ends from his position at right corner."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"A natural born athlete, Clyde was called 'Mr. Everything' in high school. He was a four-letter performer, starring in football, basketball, baseball and track.
One of the most reliable defensive backs in the AFL, Clyde suffered an injury in the eighth game of the 1964 season and was out of action for the remainder of the campaign. 1963 was his first season with the Jets.
Clyde works as a basketball referee during the off-season."
-1965 Topps No. 130
BILL BAIRD
Cornerback
No. 46
San Francisco State
"1964 was another big season for Bill and it was certainly the year he proved his real value to the Jets. When injuries hit the New York club, Bill easily made the transition from regular safety to cornerback. He was second high on the club with eight interceptions and ranked fourth in the AFL.
He holds an AFL record with a 93-yard punt return against Houston."
-1965 Topps No. 111
1965 Profiles Dee Mackey and Gene Heeter
DEE MACKEY
Tight End
No. 89
East Texas State
"Dee was signed by New York scouts as a free agent in 1963. He completed his second season with the Jets in 1964, though he has been a combatant in the pro football wars for five years. With the men from Shea Stadium, Dee split playing time at tight end with teammate Gene Heeter in '63 and '64.
This football vet is great at finding an open spot."
-1965 Topps No. 120
GENE HEETER
Tight End
No. 85
West Virginia
"For the past two seasons, Gene has split the tight end duties with teammate Dee Mackey. Gene came to the Jets from San Diego. He missed half of his rookie season because of a bad knee injury. Gene scored his first touchdown on opening night at Shea Stadium by grabbing a Dick Wood pass.
Coach Weeb Ewbank has the speedy offensive end scheduled for more duty in 1965."
-1965 Topps No. 115
Tight End
No. 89
East Texas State
"Dee was signed by New York scouts as a free agent in 1963. He completed his second season with the Jets in 1964, though he has been a combatant in the pro football wars for five years. With the men from Shea Stadium, Dee split playing time at tight end with teammate Gene Heeter in '63 and '64.
This football vet is great at finding an open spot."
-1965 Topps No. 120
GENE HEETER
Tight End
No. 85
West Virginia
"For the past two seasons, Gene has split the tight end duties with teammate Dee Mackey. Gene came to the Jets from San Diego. He missed half of his rookie season because of a bad knee injury. Gene scored his first touchdown on opening night at Shea Stadium by grabbing a Dick Wood pass.
Coach Weeb Ewbank has the speedy offensive end scheduled for more duty in 1965."
-1965 Topps No. 115
1965 Profile: Bake Turner
Split End
No. 29
Texas Tech
"The Jets dipped into the NFL for their fine split end, Bake Turner. With the Baltimore Colts, young Bake couldn't beat out Lenny Moore, but with the Jets, he's been a consistent and productive ballplayer. He caught 71 passes in his rookie year of 1963 and 58 last season when he ranked sixth in the league.
Bake is a lightweight at 180 pounds, but he has excellent speed, tricky moves and sure hands. He can also serve as a punter, and he once ran back a kickoff 95 yards in an exhibition game against Boston."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"One of the most reliable performers in the AFL, Bake led the Jets in receiving in 1964 and finished sixth in the league.
In 1963, Bake was voted the MVP by his teammates and played in the All-Star Game that year. In his first play as a Jet, he returned a kickoff 95 yards. Bake holds a Jet mark with 210 yards gained receiving in one game, against Houston in 1963."
-1965 Topps No. 129
No. 29
Texas Tech
"The Jets dipped into the NFL for their fine split end, Bake Turner. With the Baltimore Colts, young Bake couldn't beat out Lenny Moore, but with the Jets, he's been a consistent and productive ballplayer. He caught 71 passes in his rookie year of 1963 and 58 last season when he ranked sixth in the league.
Bake is a lightweight at 180 pounds, but he has excellent speed, tricky moves and sure hands. He can also serve as a punter, and he once ran back a kickoff 95 yards in an exhibition game against Boston."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"One of the most reliable performers in the AFL, Bake led the Jets in receiving in 1964 and finished sixth in the league.
In 1963, Bake was voted the MVP by his teammates and played in the All-Star Game that year. In his first play as a Jet, he returned a kickoff 95 yards. Bake holds a Jet mark with 210 yards gained receiving in one game, against Houston in 1963."
-1965 Topps No. 129
Friday, August 15, 2014
1965 Profiles: Ralph Baker and Al Atkinson
RALPH BAKER
Linebacker
No. 51
Penn State
"In his rookie season with the Jets, Ralph was a regular at left linebacker. New York's coaches predict this young man is going to develop into a standout pro linebacker.
He played end, center and linebacker in college. Signed by the Jets after being selected as their No. 6 draft pick, Ralph teaches in a Queens, New York high school in the off-season."
-1965 Topps No. 112
AL ATKINSON
Linebacker-Guard
3rd Round (Buffalo Bills)
Villanova
"Al Atkinson, a Villanova All-American, will be tried at offensive tackle. He's 6-2, 225 pounds."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
Linebacker
No. 51
Penn State
"In his rookie season with the Jets, Ralph was a regular at left linebacker. New York's coaches predict this young man is going to develop into a standout pro linebacker.
He played end, center and linebacker in college. Signed by the Jets after being selected as their No. 6 draft pick, Ralph teaches in a Queens, New York high school in the off-season."
-1965 Topps No. 112
AL ATKINSON
Linebacker-Guard
3rd Round (Buffalo Bills)
Villanova
"Al Atkinson, a Villanova All-American, will be tried at offensive tackle. He's 6-2, 225 pounds."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
1965 Jets Defensive Line Profiles
PAUL ROCHESTER
Defensive Tackle
No. 72
Michigan State
Paul proved outstanding at stopping the most powerful opposing runners last year in his first full season with the Jets after being acquired from the Chiefs. He joined forces with Gordy Holz to give New York an imposing veteran defensive tackle tandem.
Selected to the AFL Pro Bowl after the 1961 season, Paul considers the double-overtime victory of the Dallas Texans the following year in the AFL championship game as his greatest thrill in football.
GORDY HOLZ
Defensive Tackle
No. 74
Minnesota
A most welcome arrival in the multi-player trade with the Broncos, Gordy played all 14 games for the Jets as he had done the previous three seasons with Denver. He joined forces with Paul Rochester to bolster the Jet defense by providing a smart and aggressive tackle tandem.
His knack for knowing where opposing runners are going and for not being trapped was developed during his time with Winnipeg of the CFL.
GERRY PHILBIN
Defensive End
No. 81
Buffalo
"Sidelined most of last season by a shoulder separation, second-year pro, Gerry Philbin has it in him to become an All-Pro defensive end. The surgeons have repaired him now, which means bad news for quarterbacks. Gerry is big (6-2, 242 pounds), fast and rough.
The Jets' third draft pick two years ago, he can play middle linebacker or on the offensive line if he has to. He played tackle at the University of Buffalo, where he made Little All-America - and Dean's List as an honor student."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"Gerry was off to [an outstanding start to] his AFL career last season when he suffered a shoulder separation and was sidelined for most of the 1964 campaign. Despite his little playing time in a New York uniform, he was mentioned in the Rookie of the Year balloting at the end of the season.
He has the potential to become an All-Pro defensive end or linebacker, and Weeb Ewbank will see his sophomore at both positions in training camp. He has the speed to play middle guard if needed.
Gerry played in the Coaches All-America Game in Buffalo."
-1965 Topps No. 124
VERLON BIGGS
Defensive End
3rd Round
Jackson State
"Verlon Biggs, a 6-4, 250-pounder from Jackson State, will probably win a place somewhere on the defensive line."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"Look for this explosive football player to figure in the 1965 plans of the New York Jets. Coming into the pro wars after earning himself a great reputation at Jackson State, this 23-year-old rookie is big and strong enough to do the required job. Coach Weeb Ewbank will make the decision as to Verlon's role with the Jets ... defensive end or defensive tackle.
One of the fastest collegiate linemen in the country- Verlon was clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.7 seconds- Verlon was a third-round draft pick of the Jets."
-1965 Topps No. 131
Defensive Tackle
No. 72
Michigan State
Paul proved outstanding at stopping the most powerful opposing runners last year in his first full season with the Jets after being acquired from the Chiefs. He joined forces with Gordy Holz to give New York an imposing veteran defensive tackle tandem.
Selected to the AFL Pro Bowl after the 1961 season, Paul considers the double-overtime victory of the Dallas Texans the following year in the AFL championship game as his greatest thrill in football.
GORDY HOLZ
Defensive Tackle
No. 74
Minnesota
A most welcome arrival in the multi-player trade with the Broncos, Gordy played all 14 games for the Jets as he had done the previous three seasons with Denver. He joined forces with Paul Rochester to bolster the Jet defense by providing a smart and aggressive tackle tandem.
His knack for knowing where opposing runners are going and for not being trapped was developed during his time with Winnipeg of the CFL.
GERRY PHILBIN
Defensive End
No. 81
Buffalo
"Sidelined most of last season by a shoulder separation, second-year pro, Gerry Philbin has it in him to become an All-Pro defensive end. The surgeons have repaired him now, which means bad news for quarterbacks. Gerry is big (6-2, 242 pounds), fast and rough.
The Jets' third draft pick two years ago, he can play middle linebacker or on the offensive line if he has to. He played tackle at the University of Buffalo, where he made Little All-America - and Dean's List as an honor student."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"Gerry was off to [an outstanding start to] his AFL career last season when he suffered a shoulder separation and was sidelined for most of the 1964 campaign. Despite his little playing time in a New York uniform, he was mentioned in the Rookie of the Year balloting at the end of the season.
He has the potential to become an All-Pro defensive end or linebacker, and Weeb Ewbank will see his sophomore at both positions in training camp. He has the speed to play middle guard if needed.
Gerry played in the Coaches All-America Game in Buffalo."
-1965 Topps No. 124
VERLON BIGGS
Defensive End
3rd Round
Jackson State
"Verlon Biggs, a 6-4, 250-pounder from Jackson State, will probably win a place somewhere on the defensive line."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"Look for this explosive football player to figure in the 1965 plans of the New York Jets. Coming into the pro wars after earning himself a great reputation at Jackson State, this 23-year-old rookie is big and strong enough to do the required job. Coach Weeb Ewbank will make the decision as to Verlon's role with the Jets ... defensive end or defensive tackle.
One of the fastest collegiate linemen in the country- Verlon was clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.7 seconds- Verlon was a third-round draft pick of the Jets."
-1965 Topps No. 131
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
1965 Profiles: Dainard Paulson and Ray Abruzzese
DAINARD PAULSON
Safety
No. 40
Oregon State
"Let's play a guessing game. What safety made the All-League team last year and led the AFL in interceptions with a record-tying 12? The answer is Dainard Paulson, named MVP in '64 by his Jet teammates.
Though not exceptionally fast, Paulson is a fine tackler and an aggressive and intelligent defender who makes few mental blunders.
The greybeard of the New York secondary, he's beginning his fifth season with the club. He weighs 190 pounds and played tailback at Oregon State."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"Last season this all-league safety led the AFL in interceptions and tied the league record with his 12 swipes. Dainard, who holds the Jets record with interceptions in one game, played tailback in college.
An outstanding tackler, Dainard is the acknowledged team leader of the Jets. He was voted the club's Most Valuable Player by his teammates."
-1965 Topps No. 123
RAY ABRUZZESE
Safety
No. 25
Alabama
Ray's arrival provides a steadying veteran presence in the developing Jet defensive secondary. He and Dainard Paulson should be a reliable safety tandem. As a punt returner in 1963, Ray was fourth in the league with 17 returns and also fourth with 152 punt return yards.
In his college days with the Crimson Tide, Ray registered a 4.1 rushing average and a 7.4 receiving average.
Safety
No. 40
Oregon State
"Let's play a guessing game. What safety made the All-League team last year and led the AFL in interceptions with a record-tying 12? The answer is Dainard Paulson, named MVP in '64 by his Jet teammates.
Though not exceptionally fast, Paulson is a fine tackler and an aggressive and intelligent defender who makes few mental blunders.
The greybeard of the New York secondary, he's beginning his fifth season with the club. He weighs 190 pounds and played tailback at Oregon State."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"Last season this all-league safety led the AFL in interceptions and tied the league record with his 12 swipes. Dainard, who holds the Jets record with interceptions in one game, played tailback in college.
An outstanding tackler, Dainard is the acknowledged team leader of the Jets. He was voted the club's Most Valuable Player by his teammates."
-1965 Topps No. 123
RAY ABRUZZESE
Safety
No. 25
Alabama
Ray's arrival provides a steadying veteran presence in the developing Jet defensive secondary. He and Dainard Paulson should be a reliable safety tandem. As a punt returner in 1963, Ray was fourth in the league with 17 returns and also fourth with 152 punt return yards.
In his college days with the Crimson Tide, Ray registered a 4.1 rushing average and a 7.4 receiving average.
Monday, August 11, 2014
1965 Profile: Wahoo McDaniel
Middle Linebacker
No. 54
Oklahoma
"In a moment of inspiration, the public address announcer at Shea Stadium said, 'Tackle by guess who?' and the huge big roared back, 'Wahoo!' With that, 240-pound middle linebacker Wahoo McDaniel became the 'image' player the Jets have been seeking. Maybe he didn't make the 115 tackles with which he was credited, but he made enough of them to revitalize New York's linebacking corps.
Wahoo played with Houston and Denver before coming to the Jets. His real name is Ed, but he uses his Choctaw Indian name of Wahoo. He's an off-season pro wrestler and he played his college ball at Oklahoma."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
No. 54
Oklahoma
"In a moment of inspiration, the public address announcer at Shea Stadium said, 'Tackle by guess who?' and the huge big roared back, 'Wahoo!' With that, 240-pound middle linebacker Wahoo McDaniel became the 'image' player the Jets have been seeking. Maybe he didn't make the 115 tackles with which he was credited, but he made enough of them to revitalize New York's linebacking corps.
Wahoo played with Houston and Denver before coming to the Jets. His real name is Ed, but he uses his Choctaw Indian name of Wahoo. He's an off-season pro wrestler and he played his college ball at Oklahoma."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
Saturday, August 9, 2014
1965 Profile: Don Maynard
Flanker
No. 13
Texas Western
"Don Maynard is a 185-pound flanker who one of these days is going to put all of his skills together and enjoy a dream season.
Maynard has tremendous speed (he can run 100 yards in under 10 seconds), good fakes and good hands. He must learn, however, to stick to his patterns and not 'bust' them.
Don holds seven team records: most points, career (234), most pass receptions, season (72), most pass receptions, career (255), most touchdown passes caught, career (39), longest pass reception (89 yards), and most yards gained receiving passes, season (1,265) and career (4,562)."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"Don is one of the four remaining players who started the New York franchise when the AFL was formed in 1960. He holds eight club records, including 234 points scored during his career.
The speedy flanker back finished third on the Jets in receiving and second in touchdowns caught for the 1964 season.
Don played football for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League in 1959."
-1965 Topps No. 121
No. 13
Texas Western
"Don Maynard is a 185-pound flanker who one of these days is going to put all of his skills together and enjoy a dream season.
Maynard has tremendous speed (he can run 100 yards in under 10 seconds), good fakes and good hands. He must learn, however, to stick to his patterns and not 'bust' them.
Don holds seven team records: most points, career (234), most pass receptions, season (72), most pass receptions, career (255), most touchdown passes caught, career (39), longest pass reception (89 yards), and most yards gained receiving passes, season (1,265) and career (4,562)."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"Don is one of the four remaining players who started the New York franchise when the AFL was formed in 1960. He holds eight club records, including 234 points scored during his career.
The speedy flanker back finished third on the Jets in receiving and second in touchdowns caught for the 1964 season.
Don played football for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League in 1959."
-1965 Topps No. 121
Friday, August 8, 2014
1965 Profiles: Bill Mathis and Cosmo Iacavazzi
BILL MATHIS
Halfback
No. 31
Clemson
"Self-sacrificing Bill Mathis would be a standout fullback for a lot of teams. At 6-1 and 220 pounds, he has the physique and the strength for it. But Mathis willingly switched to halfback last year - a position for which he's really not fast enough - just so the Jets could squeeze spectacular rookie Matt Snell into the starting backfield.
Bill blocks powerfully on runs and on pass plays. He also holds the club rushing mark with 2,004 yards gained. His best season came in 1961 when he carried 202 times for 846 yards - a 4.2 average."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
COSMO IACAVAZZI
Halfback
Free Agent
Princeton
"Cosmo led the Princeton Tigers to the Ivy League title in 1964. After compiling a sensational career record at Princeton, he was overlooked in the football draft and snatched up quickly by the Jets.
At the Ivy League school, Cosmo set a mark with 31 career touchdowns as he compiled 186 points. The strong running back shattered a Princeton record when he picked up 185 yards in one game and 909 yards for the season. Cosmo was named to the All-America first-team by the Associated Press."
-1965 Topps No. 118
Halfback
No. 31
Clemson
"Self-sacrificing Bill Mathis would be a standout fullback for a lot of teams. At 6-1 and 220 pounds, he has the physique and the strength for it. But Mathis willingly switched to halfback last year - a position for which he's really not fast enough - just so the Jets could squeeze spectacular rookie Matt Snell into the starting backfield.
Bill blocks powerfully on runs and on pass plays. He also holds the club rushing mark with 2,004 yards gained. His best season came in 1961 when he carried 202 times for 846 yards - a 4.2 average."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
COSMO IACAVAZZI
Halfback
Free Agent
Princeton
"Cosmo led the Princeton Tigers to the Ivy League title in 1964. After compiling a sensational career record at Princeton, he was overlooked in the football draft and snatched up quickly by the Jets.
At the Ivy League school, Cosmo set a mark with 31 career touchdowns as he compiled 186 points. The strong running back shattered a Princeton record when he picked up 185 yards in one game and 909 yards for the season. Cosmo was named to the All-America first-team by the Associated Press."
-1965 Topps No. 118
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
1965 Profiles: Jim Turner and Curley Johnson
JIM TURNER
Place Kicker
No. 11
Utah State
Last year Jim wasted no time establishing himself as the franchise's first true place-kicking specialist. As the Jets opened the season at home by inaugurating pro football in Shea Stadium, his three field goals and three extra points were part of a 30-6 New York victory.
Over the course of the season, Jim's 13 field goals, including a Jet record 50-yarder, were fourth in the AFL. He was 33-for-33 on PATs, finishing sixth in both extra points and extra point attempts, as well as sixth with 72 points.
CURLEY JOHNSON
Punter-Halfback
No. 33
Houston
"Curley began his career in the American Football League with the old Dallas Texans. He was traded to the Jets midway through the 1961 season.
He's a versatile performer who can play fullback, halfback and tight end. He holds the Jets mark with a 70-yard punt. A natural born athlete, Curley won a home run hitting contest at Shea Stadium last year!"
-1965 Topps No. 119
Place Kicker
No. 11
Utah State
Last year Jim wasted no time establishing himself as the franchise's first true place-kicking specialist. As the Jets opened the season at home by inaugurating pro football in Shea Stadium, his three field goals and three extra points were part of a 30-6 New York victory.
Over the course of the season, Jim's 13 field goals, including a Jet record 50-yarder, were fourth in the AFL. He was 33-for-33 on PATs, finishing sixth in both extra points and extra point attempts, as well as sixth with 72 points.
CURLEY JOHNSON
Punter-Halfback
No. 33
Houston
"Curley began his career in the American Football League with the old Dallas Texans. He was traded to the Jets midway through the 1961 season.
He's a versatile performer who can play fullback, halfback and tight end. He holds the Jets mark with a 70-yard punt. A natural born athlete, Curley won a home run hitting contest at Shea Stadium last year!"
-1965 Topps No. 119
Sunday, August 3, 2014
1965 Jets Offensive Line Profiles
MIKE HUDOCK
Center
No. 52
Miami
"Mike Hudock broke into pro football as a man without a future. He was Chuck Bednarik's understudy with the Philadelphia Eagles - and you know how indestructible Bednarik was. With the Jets, however, Mike has been the starting offensive center for five years, and in 1964 he was second-team All-AFL.
He's 6-2 and 245 pounds, and he played his college football at Miami (Florida).
Though he suffered a leg injury last year, he is expected to come back strong. With his experience, think how valuable he'll be working with expensive new quarterbacks Joe Namath and John Huarte."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
SAM DELUCA
Guard
No. 65
South Carolina
"Sam's AFL career began with the San Diego Chargers in 1960. Sam retired in 1962 but returned to the gridiron in 1963. The quick guard was purchased by the New York Jets before the 1964 season began. The local boy missed the first three games of the campaign but came on strong and was the Jets' regular starter at right guard.
An important addition to the club, Sam is a top-notch pass protector.
Sam keeps in shape during the off-season by teaching physical education in a Queens, New York high school."
-1965 Topps No. 113
DAN FICCA
Guard
No. 61
USC
Following a 14-game rookie season with the Raiders in 1962, New York traded All-AFL guard and Titan icon Bob Mischak to Oakland for Dan, and have no reason to regret the transaction. He has become one of the most feared guards in the league while playing all 14 games in both of his Jet seasons.
New York scouts and coaches have highly regarded Dan since he was an outstanding tackle at the University of Southern California.
WINSTON HILL
Offensive Tackle
No. 75
Texas Southern
"The Jets believe that big Winston Hill could blossom into one of the top offensive tackles in the league.
In 1963, Hill, a 275-pounder, started out on the New York taxi squad after signing as a free agent. Last year, he was a starter and made the East All-Star team. That's rapid progress.
Winston can also play offensive center - and he did for three games last season."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"Winston was signed by the New York Jets as a free agent in 1963. Last season, the big, strong tackle opened the campaign on the taxi squad, but his solid performance during team drills convinced Weeb Ewbank to activate him. Winston played three games at center when injuries rocked the Jets at that spot.
The young offensive tackle has what it takes to develop into one of the best linemen in the league. Winston played in the AFL East-West All-Star Game.
Winston was his high school's tennis singles champ from 1957-1959."
-1965 Topps No. 116
SHERMAN PLUNKETT
Offensive Tackle
No. 79
Maryland State
"The only problem facing offensive tackle Sherman Plunkett is keeping his weight 'down' to 295 pounds. Last season Sherm stayed comparatively thin and he made second-team All-AFL.
He blocks on pass plays; the Jets coaches graded him at 91 percent on pass blocking, which is an almost unbelievable mark. He is also deceptively fast. How many 295-pounders do you know who can run 40 yards in 5.2 seconds? Sherman can.
In 1958 and '59, he played for Weeb Ewbank's NFL champion Colts. He came to the Jets from San Diego in 1963."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"The veteran offensive tackle showed a marked improvement last year and was named to the AFL's second All-League team. Sherman, an excellent pass protector, played in the 1964 All-Star contest for the East.
This is the second time that Sherman has played for a Weeb Ewbank team. Now beginning his third year with the New York Jets, Sherman originally played for the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League.
Sherman's big problem is keeping his weight down, yet he can run the 40-yard dash in 5.2 seconds."
-1965 Topps No. 125
Center
No. 52
Miami
"Mike Hudock broke into pro football as a man without a future. He was Chuck Bednarik's understudy with the Philadelphia Eagles - and you know how indestructible Bednarik was. With the Jets, however, Mike has been the starting offensive center for five years, and in 1964 he was second-team All-AFL.
He's 6-2 and 245 pounds, and he played his college football at Miami (Florida).
Though he suffered a leg injury last year, he is expected to come back strong. With his experience, think how valuable he'll be working with expensive new quarterbacks Joe Namath and John Huarte."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
SAM DELUCA
Guard
No. 65
South Carolina
"Sam's AFL career began with the San Diego Chargers in 1960. Sam retired in 1962 but returned to the gridiron in 1963. The quick guard was purchased by the New York Jets before the 1964 season began. The local boy missed the first three games of the campaign but came on strong and was the Jets' regular starter at right guard.
An important addition to the club, Sam is a top-notch pass protector.
Sam keeps in shape during the off-season by teaching physical education in a Queens, New York high school."
-1965 Topps No. 113
DAN FICCA
Guard
No. 61
USC
Following a 14-game rookie season with the Raiders in 1962, New York traded All-AFL guard and Titan icon Bob Mischak to Oakland for Dan, and have no reason to regret the transaction. He has become one of the most feared guards in the league while playing all 14 games in both of his Jet seasons.
New York scouts and coaches have highly regarded Dan since he was an outstanding tackle at the University of Southern California.
WINSTON HILL
Offensive Tackle
No. 75
Texas Southern
"The Jets believe that big Winston Hill could blossom into one of the top offensive tackles in the league.
In 1963, Hill, a 275-pounder, started out on the New York taxi squad after signing as a free agent. Last year, he was a starter and made the East All-Star team. That's rapid progress.
Winston can also play offensive center - and he did for three games last season."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"Winston was signed by the New York Jets as a free agent in 1963. Last season, the big, strong tackle opened the campaign on the taxi squad, but his solid performance during team drills convinced Weeb Ewbank to activate him. Winston played three games at center when injuries rocked the Jets at that spot.
The young offensive tackle has what it takes to develop into one of the best linemen in the league. Winston played in the AFL East-West All-Star Game.
Winston was his high school's tennis singles champ from 1957-1959."
-1965 Topps No. 116
SHERMAN PLUNKETT
Offensive Tackle
No. 79
Maryland State
"The only problem facing offensive tackle Sherman Plunkett is keeping his weight 'down' to 295 pounds. Last season Sherm stayed comparatively thin and he made second-team All-AFL.
He blocks on pass plays; the Jets coaches graded him at 91 percent on pass blocking, which is an almost unbelievable mark. He is also deceptively fast. How many 295-pounders do you know who can run 40 yards in 5.2 seconds? Sherman can.
In 1958 and '59, he played for Weeb Ewbank's NFL champion Colts. He came to the Jets from San Diego in 1963."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"The veteran offensive tackle showed a marked improvement last year and was named to the AFL's second All-League team. Sherman, an excellent pass protector, played in the 1964 All-Star contest for the East.
This is the second time that Sherman has played for a Weeb Ewbank team. Now beginning his third year with the New York Jets, Sherman originally played for the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League.
Sherman's big problem is keeping his weight down, yet he can run the 40-yard dash in 5.2 seconds."
-1965 Topps No. 125
Friday, August 1, 2014
1965 Profile: Larry Grantham
Linebacker
No. 60
Mississippi
"The name is Larry Grantham, and there is no lighter linebacker playing regularly in professional football. Larry tips the scales at 206 pounds, yet he's been voted an All-AFL outside linebacker for four consecutive years.
He's the kind of player who invariably makes the key play. He tackles very hard, blitzes well and has the mobility to cover fast backfield men on pass plays. His ability to read a play before it unfolds is phenomenal.
Larry is one of only four players who date back to the 1960 and the original New York AFL franchise - the Titans. Remember them? The others: Bill Mathis, Don Maynard and Mike Hudock."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"For the fourth straight year, Larry was named an all-league outside linebacker. He has played in three American Football League All-Star Games. Larry's top thrill in pro ball was intercepting a pass and running it back for a touchdown in the 1963 AFL All-Star Game.
He has shown the skeptics by overcoming his lack of bulk with aggressiveness, agility and fast reflexes."
-1965 Topps No. 114
No. 60
Mississippi
"The name is Larry Grantham, and there is no lighter linebacker playing regularly in professional football. Larry tips the scales at 206 pounds, yet he's been voted an All-AFL outside linebacker for four consecutive years.
He's the kind of player who invariably makes the key play. He tackles very hard, blitzes well and has the mobility to cover fast backfield men on pass plays. His ability to read a play before it unfolds is phenomenal.
Larry is one of only four players who date back to the 1960 and the original New York AFL franchise - the Titans. Remember them? The others: Bill Mathis, Don Maynard and Mike Hudock."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"For the fourth straight year, Larry was named an all-league outside linebacker. He has played in three American Football League All-Star Games. Larry's top thrill in pro ball was intercepting a pass and running it back for a touchdown in the 1963 AFL All-Star Game.
He has shown the skeptics by overcoming his lack of bulk with aggressiveness, agility and fast reflexes."
-1965 Topps No. 114
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)