JOHN SCHMITT
Center
No. 52
Hofstra
A man who enjoys the hand-to-hand combat at the line of scrimmage, John played all 14 games last year and recovered a fumble. After the snap, he's a center who's always able to provide stand-up blocking and pass protection.
DAVE HERMAN
Guard
No. 67
Michigan State
Dave started all 14 games last year and recovered a fumble. He was named first-team All-AFL by the New York Daily News.
He's a sure-shot blocker with tremendous second effort.
RANDY RASMUSSEN
Guard
No. 66
Nebraska-Kearney
Randy solidifies the Jet offensive line after starting all 14 games as a rookie last year. He forms an intimidating young offensive guard tandem with Dave Herman. Randy is effective when pulling out on sweeps or when providing pass protection for Namath.
BOB TALAMINI
Guard
No. 61
Kentucky
"Sound as they come after a knee operation in 1960 is Bob Talamini, the coaches' choice for All-AFL guard in '61. Superb at pulling wide to lead all end sweeps, he's also a terror at picking off defenders who charge the passer. Spirited and sensible in his assignments, he's a non-flashy type who gets his job done with a minimum of effort."
-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook
"They used to say the Oiler ground game was handicapped by the lack of a guard who could lead Billy Cannon on sweeps. Not so anymore. Bob has gained all-league esteem as one of the most effective minesweepers in the business, without yielding any of his effectiveness as a fine pass protection blocker.
Bob came to the Oilers out of the University of Kentucky and immediately nailed down a regular job. He was a popular pick as an All-AFL guard in 1962."
-1963 Fleer No. 39
"One of pro football's better athletes is Bob Talamini, a grade A golfer and bowler who slumped a trifle last year and dropped to the AFL's second team at guard. Injuries harrassed him in 1960, but a year later he improved so rapidly that the following season he was rated the best guard in the league."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1964
"Once again, All-AFL guard Bob Talamini looms as the anchorman of the Oilers' offensive line. Recognized as an excellent blocker and a sharp lead-blocker on pull-out running plays, he's 250 pounds but remarkably swift at 6-1.
Talamini came out of Kentucky, where he received All-America mention. He was plagued by injuries during his 1960 rookie season with the Oilers but he began to develop in 1961 when he was selected to the All-AFL second team. He has been named to the All-AFL team the past two seasons.
Talamini is a good golfer."
-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964
"There's no doubt about it- Bob was one of the Houston Oilers' most improved players during the 1963 football season. In 1961, having recovered from previous injuries, he was on the All-AFL second team. For the past two years, he has been named an All-AFL offensive guard.
A good lead blocker on sweeps, the powerful Talamini is tops at pass protection. He's a talented golfer, too."
-1964 Topps No. 85
"Pro teams recognize what a strong, durable running guard can mean to their rushing offense. He leads the interference, and his key block can transform a no-gain play into a first down. Houston has a good one in 6-1, 255-pound Bob Talamini. He's the Oilers' leading blocker on running plays and a hard-shell pass protector.
He's been named to three All-AFL teams and has been a Houston regular for five seasons. Bob played his college ball at Kentucky."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"As a rookie in the American Football League in 1960, Bob was injury-ridden and never had the chance to play regularly. Bouncing back in fine form during his sophomore season, the powerful guard was named to the second team All-AFL that year.
His marked improvement has made him one of the Oilers' most steady and reliable linemen. Bob is a top-notch pass protection blocker and operates best as a good lead blocker on sweeps. This man is big, strong and capable!
Bob is one of pro football's top golfers."
-1965 Topps No. 85
"Nobody talks much about Bob Talamini, except at All-Star time. But that's the way life is when you're an offensive guard- and Talamini is one of the best around. He's made All-AFL four times.
A 255-pounder, he draws an exceptionally high rating as a pass blocker; he lacks outstanding speed for an offensive lineman, but he still manages to lead the interference on wide plays. That's a testimonial to his excellent timing and coachability."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966
"One of the few remaining original Oilers, Bob Talamini still ranks among the finest blocking guards in the league. In 1966 he was named to the All-AFL team for the fifth time in seven years.
He's a tough, gritty, and dedicated competitor who excels at protecting the passer. This is a guy who literally grew up in the pros. He weighed only 225 pounds when he joined the Oilers out of the University of Kentucky in 1960; but he went on a weight-lifting program and built himself up to his current 250 pounds. Even as a comparative lightweight, he was good enough to be named Rookie of the Year in '60."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967
"Named five times to All-AFL squads, Bob is the Oilers' finest blocking guard. Opposing players find it literally impossible to get by him when he is protecting his passer. In addition, Bob is perhaps the best pulling lineman in the league when it comes to scrimmage plays."
-1967 Topps No. 54
"Living proof that professional football players are made, not born that way, is Bob Talamini. A mere undernourished 225-pounder when he joined the Oilers in their first year of play back in 1960, he beefed himself up to his current 255 pounds. Since then, he has made All-Pro six times and earned the ungrudging respect of his rivals as one of the two or three best guards in the league.
Bob gets most of his points for his work as a pass-protection blocker, but he also gets up a pretty good head of steam as the lead blocker on sweeps.
Bob played his college football at Kentucky."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968
"One of the original Oilers, Bob was named to the AFL All-League team for the sixth straight time last year. He was Houston's 2nd-round selection in 1960.
The Oiler is tough, hard-hitting and is the best pass-blocker on the Houston club. He can really make the offense go into high gear."
-1968 Topps No. 68
WINSTON HILL
Offensive Tackle
No. 75
Texas Southern
"Slowed down in mid-season by an ankle injury, offensive tackle Winston Hill still had his finest year, making the All-Star team for the second time in his career.
The 6-4, 275-pounder has consistently improved in his five pro seasons, and is big enough, strong enough and young enough to become one of the better linemen in the league. Winston gives good pass protection to Mr. Namath, and he can provide the punch necessary to open up the running game.
Now in his sixth year as a regular, the tall Texan signed as a free agent in 1963."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968
JIM HARRIS
Offensive Tackle
No. 78
Utah State
"According to Weeb Ewbank, Jim Harris lacks the 'meanness' necessary to be a defensive tackle. So, Jim is getting the opportunity to take over on offense for Sherman Plunkett, whose weight has become an unsheddable problem.
Harris, who played on both sides of the line at Utah State, was originally drafted for the offense in 1965, and his three years of experience on defense should be beneficial to him at his new spot. The 280-pounder is big and strong enough to pass block as well as Plunkett does, and has the added advantage of being quick and mobile enough to give the running game some drive."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968
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