1970 Jets Offensive Line Profiles

JOHN SCHMITT
Center
No. 52
Hofstra
John never makes a bad snap. His quick initial burst after the snap and well-known strength allow him to keep the deadliest of middle linebackers from Namath.
In 1969 John started every game and made Sporting News 2nd team All-AFL, AP second-team All-AFL and UPI 2nd team All-AFL.


DAVE HERMAN
Guard
No. 67
Michigan State
"At 29, the stumpy 6-0, 255-pound Herman is the 'daddy' of the Jets' offensive line. For years Dave, at right guard, has been one of the staunchest protectors of Joe Namath's tender knees. One crack at the knees by a tackler and Joe's career would be over, and Dave knows it, you'd better believe it.
'We'd cheat and foul to prevent that happening,' Dave says. 'I'd rather take 15 yards than have no quarterback. Especially one like Joe.' Last season Dave was pulling out more on running plays instead of dropping back to protect the passer, and like most offensive linemen he would rather block on a run than a pass.
'When you block for a passer,' he says, 'people hit you. When you're blocking for a running play, you fire out and you hit other people.'"

-Brenda and Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1970


RANDY RASMUSSEN
Guard
No. 66
Nebraska-Kearney
Randy can pass block with playbook perfect protection for Namath or pull out on a sweep and level an opponent to convoy Snell or Boozer. He holds down a regular guard position on the strength of his aggressive, hard-hitting play.


WINSTON HILL
Offensive Tackle
No. 75
Texas Southern
"Last season, this big left tackle, 6-4 and 280 pounds and once a high school tennis champion, was being called the best offensive tackle in the game. The head coaches picked him on their All-Pro combined AFL-NFL team. Like all the Jets on the offensive line, Winston worries about his man getting by him to knock down Joe Namath.
'The way I feel,' he says, 'when someone hits Joe it's like someone walking up and punching my wife in the face.' A smiling, cheerful giant, he played at Texas Southern and was an All-America in his senior year. The Colts drafted him and let him go, and the Jets picked him up as a free agent.
Big but awkward, he had a lot to learn and the learning didn't always come quickly, but now, entering his eighth pro season, Winston has graduated into the superior class."

-Brenda and Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1970


ROGER FINNIE
Offensive Tackle
No. 61
Florida A & M
Roger took over one of the offensive tackle posts after first-rounder Dave Foley went down with a season-ending injury in the opening game. Over the course of the season he impressed everyone with his pro-type pass blocking- a skill that takes most linemen several years to perfect.
This youngster lives for the hand-to-hand combat at the line of scrimmage. He can deliver a bell-ringing block to set a runner free.