1971 Jets Receivers Profiles

RICHARD CASTER

Wide Receiver
No. 88
Jackson State
"The Jets' receiving corps, among the best in football for several years, fell upon hard times last season. But a large (6-5, 222 pounds) rookie named Richard Caster played a large part in preventing what could have been a total breakdown. New York's second draft choice in 1970 out of Jackson State, where he averaged 22.7 yards per catch and had caught 28 scoring passes in four years, Caster nabbed 19 passes in 1970 for 393 yards, a highly laudable 20.7-yard average gain.
Rich's biggest catch of the year was a 72-yard scoring bomb thrown by Joe Namath against Baltimore.
Caster has outstanding speed to go with his size. Although he played mostly flanker last season when Don Maynard's pulled muscle persisted, Rich may be moved to tight end in 1971 to give the Jets an additional deep threat. He must overcome a tendency to blow the easy catch."

-Brenda Zanger, Pro Football 1971

"Before Sauer's announced retirement, the Jets knew they would find a place for Caster after his excellent debut- but where? He was considered as Don Maynard's heir apparent at flanker but also as a possible tight end ahead of Pete Lammons. Now he's a sure starter at one of the flanks.

Caster got a chance to play in 1970 because of his teammates' (especially Maynard's) injuries. He started six games and caught 19 passes. He makes the long gainers- he averaged 20.7 yards on catches and scored three touchdowns. Caster has 4.5 speed in the 40.

He averaged 27.5 yards a catch in his senior year of college and made 28 touchdowns in four years. He could be a big star in 1971 with Namath at the other end of his passes.

Married, his wife's name is America."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1971 Edition)

"A great young prospect. Caster showed his potential last year, filling in for the ailing Don Maynard on the right side. He started six games for the Jets while Maynard was sidelined with leg injuries. 

He finished sixth among Jet receivers with 19 for 393 yards and three touchdowns. His total of receiving touchdowns was second only to George Sauer. He led the team in average per catch with 20.7, the best ever by a Jet rookie and second only to Don Maynards' 22.8 in 1968, the club record.

Caster broke a 72-yard touchdown against Buffalo and a big 29-yarder at Los Angeles. He received his starting assignments against Boston, Buffalo, Oakland, Baltimore and Miami twice.

Drafted 2nd in 1970, he has great speed and plays off the bump and run techniques handily. In college, Richard competed in track and field, lettering three times. He played on the Alabama State Championship grid squad at Williamson High in Mobile, his hometown."

-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos

ED BELL

Wide Receiver

No. 7

Idaho State

"The smallest Jet ever, 'Flea' came to camp at 152 pounds. He backed up George Sauer on the left side during the 1970 season. Bell started the final two games of the year when Sauer was nursing a pulled hamstring. He finished as the fifth leading receiver on the squad with 21 catches for 246 yards and two touchdowns.

Ed broke onto the scene against Baltimore at Shea, when he tied the Jets single-game record for receptions with 12 for 151 yards and a touchdown. He scored his other touchdown against Miami later in the year. Bell helped Mike Battle on punt returns, taking seven for a 4.7 average.

Drafted 9th in 1970, he was the club's second-leading receiver in the pre-season with 14 catches for 251 yards and three touchdowns.

Ed majored in speech pathology and audiology and wants to go into the field of helping the deaf and speech handicapped. He rates his 77-yard touchdown catch against Idaho his top thrill in athletics as it enabled State to beat its top rival for the first time. Ed also competed in track and was the Big Sky Conference champ in the 220 in 1968. His hometown is Waco, Texas."

-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos

HARVEY NAIRN

Wide Receiver

14th Round (1968)

Southern

"Nairn is returning to the Jets this year after two years of service in the Army. He spent the 1968 season on the taxi squad. Drafted 14th in 1968, Nairn has great speed and could be the fastest man on the squad.

An outstanding track man, he was the Canadian record holder in the 60-yard dash indoors with 6.0. He was the leadoff member of the 400-relay team that shattered the world outdoor record. Harvey was one of the top hurdlers with wins over Earl McCullough and Ralph Boston. He did not play varsity football in college.

Harvey majored in physical education. He last played football at Northwest High in Miami, his hometown. He spent one tour in Vietnam from 1970-71."

-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos

VERN STUDDARD

Wide Receiver-Kick Returner

11th Round

Mississippi

"Studdard was a Rebel home threat throughout his three-year career. He hauled in 71 passes for 1,047 yards and seven touchdowns from his wide receiver post. 

He also helped Ole Miss return kicks, running back 22 kickoffs for 531 yards and two touchdowns. He had a 100-yarder against Alabama last year and also had an 86-yarder against Chattanooga. Studdard had the best kickoff return average in the SEC (25.9) and ranked 12th in the nation.

He was slowed somewhat as a junior due to a broken hand sustained in spring practice. Vern quarterbacked the Rebel frosh. He also competed in track.

Vern quarterbacked Lee High in Columbus, Miss. and captained the football and track teams. He worked in the off-season for a Georgia state legislator. His brother, Larry, is a wide receiver at Georgia Tech. His hometown is Columbus, Mississippi."

-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos

PETE LAMMONS

Tight End

No. 87

Texas

"The fourth-leading receiver on the Jets in 1970 caught 25 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns. Lammons is a hard man to bring down when he gets going. He had an outstanding year as a blocker- he teamed up with right tackle Dave Foley to do outstanding jobs on Deacon Jones of Los Angeles and Carl Eller of Minnesota.

Lammons had a great game against Oakland, including a 12-yard touchdown reception. He had six receptions against the Giants, good for 73 yards. His other touchdown came against Boston on a four-yard Joe Namath toss.

He capped a fine year in 1968 with a touchdown in the AFL Championship game. He caught two for 13 yards in the Super Bowl. Pete has never missed a game in his five years as a pro.

Drafted 8th in 1966, Pete led AFL tight ends in receiving as a rookie with 41 catches for 565 yards. He had his best game that year, with eight catches for 141 yards against Denver.

Pete is a manufacturing agent for Pete Lammons Carpets in Houston during the off-season. He enjoys hunting and fishing for relaxation. His hometown is Jacksonville, Texas."

-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos

WAYNE STEWART

Tight End

No. 89

California

"Wayne was a backup tight end last year until injuries cut him down. He was sidelined for ligament and cartilage damage in his right knee after being hurt in a practice session and underwent an operation. Wayne had also suffered a hyperextended knee and a pulled hamstring earlier in the year.

He performed mainly on special teams and is reckless and hard hitting on the bomb squads. He played tight end against Boston and Cincinnati in 1969, his rookie year. Drafted in the 15th round, he could also be a wide receiver.

Wayne's hometown is Downey, California. He's in the National Guard."

-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos

GARY ARTHUR

Tight End

No. 82

Miami (Ohio)

"Arthur was activated for the final seven games of the year after being on the taxi squad. He came to the active list when Wayne Stewart was hurt.

Drafted 5th in 1970, he is used primarily on special teams and for blocking strength in short-yardage running situations. He could be used as a tackle as well.

Arthur majored in finance at Miami. His hometown is Dayton, Ohio, and he played on the state championship basketball team at Dayton Chaminade."

-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos

JOHN CURTIS

Tight End

9th Round

Springfield (Mass.)

"John holds nearly every Springfield receiving record and has New England marks for yards in a game (214), yards in a season (1,000) and career yards (1,848). His career receiving stats are 104 receptions for 1,848 yards for a 17.7 average with 14 touchdowns.

He was AP Little All-America, Coaches Kodak All-America, All-East and All-New England. John was Springfield College MVP in 1970. He majored in physical education.

His father was a three-letter man at Amherst in baseball, football and track. John is a grammar school student teacher. He attended Clifford Scott High School in East Orange where he started out as a second-team defensive end. His hometown is Newark."

-The New York Jets Official 1971 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos