EARLIE THOMAS
Cornerback
No. 45
Colorado State
"Thomas proved himself to be one of the most brilliant young players in the game last season patrolling as the right cornerback in the Jets unit of Sky Marshalls. He suffered an elbow problem late in the year but he had already proven that he can play with the best. Thomas also had a sprained right ankle against Pittsburgh and Boston.
His best day of the year came at Los Angeles when Roman Gabriel threw 11 times into his coverage and completed none. His incredible one-handed interception set up a big Jim Turner field goal in the win over Minnesota. Earlie had a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first encounter with Boston.
He has great speed, long arms, quick hands and is tough. He was drafted 11th in 1970.
Thomas is a former Denver Golden Gloves light-heavyweight champion. He worked during the summer before he came to the Jets with Willie Brown, Oakland's All-Pro cornerback. His brother John plays cornerback for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Earlie majored in entomology, the science of insects. His hometown is Denver, Colorado."
-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
STEVE TANNEN
Cornerback
No. 21
Florida
"Tannen was the Jets No. 1 draft choice in 1970 and was the team's left cornerback last year as a rookie. He did an outstanding job at the position and helped anchor the completely rebuilt backfield which led pro football in the lowest percentage of passes completed against it. Tannen played at safety during most of the preseason, but moved to cornerback for the last two weeks of the preseason and stayed there.
He intercepted two passes- one at Buffalo and one at Minnesota. He allowed only six touchdown passes over his coverage. Steve shut out Boston's Ron Sellers with an 0-for-8 show at Shea.
He also made a habit of blocking kicks. Steve knocked down two field goals (against Boston and Pittsburgh) and blocked a punt at Buffalo and returned it for a touchdown. He suffered a slight concussion in the second Miami game and sat out part of the second half.
Tannen was the Outstanding Athlete in the Florida Relays as a senior in high school. At Florida he majored in finance and competed in track in the high hurdles, pole vault, high jump and 440 relays.
He enjoys writing poetry and owns a boutique and restaurant in Gainesville, Florida. His hometown is Miami, Florida."
-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
JOHN DOCKERY
Cornerback
No. 43
Harvard
"Dockery was the Jets' top reserve at either cornerback in 1970 after being the starting left corner for the '69 campaign. He filled in for Earlie Thomas on the right side four times. He played three quarters when Thomas injured his ankle at Pittsburgh and again against Boston. Dockery saw a lot of playing time at Miami and Baltimore in the final two games of the year when Thomas was idled by an elbow injury.
He tied for the club lead in interceptions in 1969 with five. One of the few players to go both ways in the pros, John caught a six-yard pass against Denver in the second game of the '69 season. He also had a 41-yard catch against the College All-Stars.
John came up to the active roster of the Jets for the final three games of 1968 and played in the AFL Championship game and in the Super Bowl. He signed as a free agent in 1967 and played for the Bridgeport Jets. He played a year of minor league baseball with Pittsfield (Mass).
He enjoys art and music. He's working on his thesis in urban planning at Columbia's Graduate School of Architecture. John's hometown is Brooklyn, N.Y."
-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
RICH SOWELLS
Cornerback
12th Round
Alcorn A&M
"Sowells was the twelfth round choice of the Jets. One of the outstanding athletes on the Alcorn squad, he was twice chosen the outstanding defensive back in the Southwest Athletic Conference last year. He intercepted five passes last year for 93 yards and was on all-conference selection. In 1968 Sowells played in the Orange Blossom Bowl. His biggest thrill in athletics was his 72-yard pass interception return last year.
He is great on the special team units when not patrolling in the defensive backfield. He was a high school quarterback, once scoring 23 points in one game.
Rich majored in business administration. He was on his high school track, baseball and basketball teams. He enjoys ping-pong. His hometown is Huntsville, Texas."
-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
GUS HOLLOMON
Strong Safety
No. 48
Houston
"Hollomon was obtained from Denver for cornerback Cornell Gordon in August of 1970. He won the starting strong-side safety job when injuries forced Jim Hudson out of the lineup in the opening game at Cleveland. Hollomon intercepted three passes and started the next 13 games. Early in 1969, he was a starter for the Broncos at strong safety.
The backup punter for the Jets behind Steve O'Neal, Gus handled the punting for Denver in '69 when Billy Van Heusen was injured. He booted 47 for an average of 39.7 yards.
Gus had two interceptions with the Broncos and helped return kickoffs during his rookie year. He has covered his zone well with the Jets, allowing no more than 10 passes to be completed over him.
He majored in education and spends the off-seasons hunting. Gus was nicknamed 'Hound Dog' by Dickie Post of the San Diego Chargers. His hometown is Beaumont, Texas."
-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
PHIL WISE
Strong Safety-Running Back
6th Round
Nebraska-Omaha
"A sixth round pick, Wise is 'a good return man who can play cornerback or in a pinch, running back,' says Weeb Ewbank. As a senior, he led Nebraska-Omaha in rushing and kickoff returns. Wise rushed for 983 yards and returned 22 kickoffs for 440 yards, his only year on the kickoff unit.
His career rushing totals are 447 carries for 2,129 yards and 21 touchdowns. He intercepted five passes in his career. Phil was a cornerback as a sophomore, then switched to running back for his last two years. He transferred from South Dakota after his freshman year.
Phil majored in law enforcement (parole and probation). In high school in Omaha, his hometown, he was an all-city wrestling choice. He's nicknamed 'Philly Dog.' "
-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
W.K. HICKS
Free Safety
No. 33
Texas Southern
"A teammate of Winston Hill's at Texas Southern, where he was an All-American defensive halfback, W.K. Hicks joined the Jets via a trade with Houston in 1970. He played a key role in New York's secondary defense, which allowed opponents a league low of 43.1 percent in pass completions. The 6-1, 195-pounder, who is entering his ninth pro season, intercepted eight passes from his free safety post last year, tying Miami's Dick Anderson for second place in the AFC, and for third place in the league. They were also the most interceptions in one season by a Jet since Dainard Paulson established the team record in 1964.
W.K., whose initials stand for Wilmer Kenzie, has 35 career steals, with a high of nine in 1965, when he led the AFL. With Houston, Hicks was a regular at both cornerback and free safety for six years."
-Brenda Zanger, Pro Football 1971
"Real name is Wilmer Kenzie Hicks. He shored up an unpredictable backfield last season. His eight interceptions tied for second among all pros. He's the leader of the Jets' newly nicknamed 'Sky Marshalls.'
Hicks was an All-Star in 1966 and 1967. After six years as a starter with Houston, including a 1965 season in which he led the league with nine interceptions, he was picked up by the Jets for a bargain price- a fifth-round draft choice.
Being a former cornerback, Hicks is tough against the run as well as the pass. He's an ex-college teammate of Winston Hill."
-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1971 Edition)
"One of the best trade acquisitions made by the Jets, Hicks was gained via a fifth round draft choice from the Houston Oilers during the 1970 draft. He won the starting free safety position and wound up leading the team in interceptions with eight. His interceptions were the most by any Jet since Dainard Paulson's club record 12 in 1964.
Hicks had two interceptions against Minnesota, Baltimore and Buffalo and one each against Miami and Oakland. This tied him for second in the AFC with Miami's Dick Anderson.
He played cornerback and safety in his career with Houston. He was a starter for the Oilers for six years until late in 1969. W.K. was twice an American Football League All-Star. He led the AFL in interceptions in 1965 with nine, and his 35 career interceptions rank him fifth among active AFC players.
W.K. was a quarterback and safety in high school. He is the Air Force Reserve. His given name is Wilmer Kenzie and his hometown is Texarkana, Texas."
-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
MIKE BATTLE
Kick Returner-Free Safety
No. 40
USC
"Mike led the Jets in punt and kickoff returns for the second straight year in 1970, hauling in 19 punts and 40 kickoffs. The 40 kickoff returns set a Jet season record and the 891 yards returned tied the club mark set by Leon Burton in 1960.
He suffered bruised ribs and a broken hand in 1970. A valuable member of the specialty units, Mike is almost among the first men downfield to cover kicks and make the initial contact.
His longest punt return of 1970 was a 21-yarder against the Colts to give the Jets field position for a third-quarter touchdown. Mike had a 41-yard kickoff return against the Giants and a 40-yarder at Pittsburgh. He returned a punt 86 yards for a touchdown to help the Jets defeat the Giants in their first meeting ever in 1969.
Mike is part owner of a men's hair styling salon."
-1971 Topps No. 179
"In 1970 Battle led the Jets in punt and kickoff returns for the second straight year. He hauled in 19 punts and 40 kickoffs; the 40 kickoff returns set a Jet season record and the 891 yards returned tied the club mark set by Leon Burton in 1960.
Mike retained his fearless style of returning, although he called for 15 fair catches in 1970, compared with only four in his rookie season. A valuable member of the specialty units, he's almost always among the first men downfield to cover kicks and make the initial contact.
His long punt return of the year was 21 yards against Baltimore at Shea Stadium to give the Jets field position for a third-quarter touchdown. Battle broke a 41-yard kickoff return against the Giants and a 40-yarder at Pittsburgh. He suffered bruised ribs against the Colts and then broke his hand on a return against Boston later in the year.
He was drafted 12th by the Jets in 1969. That year he returned a punt 86 yards for a touchdown to help the Jets beat the Giants in their first meeting ever.
Mike enjoys hunting and fishing in his spare time. He received good notices for the part of Rabbit in the movie 'C.C. and Company' with Joe Namath. He had a part in the NFL Players TV special 'Super Comedy Bowl.' Mike's uncle Art Battle played for USC from 1945-47."
-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
CHRIS FARASOPOULOS
Kick Returner-Free Safety
3rd Round
Brigham Young
"Returned punts and kickoffs for 2,454 yards in three years to set the NCAA record. Farasopoulos also returned kicks 1,075 in a single year (1969) for another record. He fills a big void for the Jets if he can make runbacks in the pros, but is also highly regarded as a cornerback.
Farasopoulos was rated an outstanding baseball prospect and was selected in the sixth round by the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles wanted him to change his name; he told them if they wanted him, they had to take all of him. He prefers football, anyway.
Born in Greece, he came to the U.S. at the age of 5 and now resides in Torrance, California."
-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1971 Edition)
JIM BETTS
Safety-Quarterback
10th Round
Michigan
"Betts was the No. 10 draft choice. He played quarterback, flanker and safety for the Wolverines.
He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior at safety. Scouting reports say he has 'ideal size for a safety ... plays the run well ... real ball hawk and hitter.' Betts had three interceptions as a senior and recovered two fumbles. He was among the leaders in tackles with 45.
Jim split the quarterbacking duties during his junior year and worked out at the position regularly during his career. He was considered by some to be the second best quarterback in the Big Ten. He sustained an eye injury while teaching a physical education class prior to training camp.
He played in the Blue-Gray Game in 1970. He played on two city championship football teams at Benedictine High in Cleveland, Ohio, his hometown.
Jim enjoys horseback riding, dogs and shooting pool. His biggest thrill was going to the Rose Bowl in 1970."
-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
JIM WILLIAMS
Defensive Back
7th Round (1970)
Virginia State
"Jim was the seventh round draft pick of the Jets in 1970 and spent the season on the taxi squad. The coaches were impressed with his speed and felt he was covering well in practice at the end of the year.
A four-year starter at Virginia State, Williams helped return kicks. He played wide receiver occasionally.
Jim majored in accounting. He participated in track for two years at State and was a district shot put champion. His hometown is Washington, D.C."
-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
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