AL ATKINSON
Middle Linebacker
No. 62
Villanova
"Going into the 1967 season, Al Atkinson hadn't missed a minute of play in a regular season game since the Jets' 12th contest of 1965. Since then, he's become one of the league's most respected middle linebackers.
He reads the keys well and shows marked resourcefulness against both the run and the pass. Last year, he led the Jets in tackles and made four interceptions.
This is a fellow who was a third-round pick by the Bills and then came to the Jets as a free agent just before the start of the 1965 season. He worked his way up on the special teams.
A 6-2, 230-pounder, Al played college ball at Villanova."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967
LARRY GRANTHAM
Linebacker
No. 60
Mississippi
"If they ever hold a Larry Grantham Day for the lightweight linebacker, he ought to be presented with a battered helmet bedecked with oak leaf clusters. This would best symbolize Larry's career in New York, first with the hapless Titans dating back to 1960, then with the Jets in transition.
Through these seven years, Larry has made All-League five times and played in the AFL All-Star Game four times. Although he's only a six-foot, 206-pounder, he's been a standout at outside linebacker because of his sharp play analysis, quick moves and deadly tackling.
He played his college ball as an end at Ole Miss."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967
"Larry is one of the three remaining New York players from the original [1960 Titans] roster. Last year the outstanding linebacker played in his fourth AFL All-Star game."
-1967 Topps No. 93
RALPH BAKER
Linebacker
No. 51
Penn State
"Ralph is looking forward to 1967 after missing most of last year because of torn tendons in his foot. The linebacker was a 6th draft pick in 1964."
-1967 Topps No. 90
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