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