TEAM DIRECTORY
President: Philip H. Iselin
General Manager and Head Coach: Weeb Ewbank
Assistant Coaches: Walt Michaels, Buddy Ryan, Ken Meyer, C.W. Hewgley
Trainer: Jeff Snedeker
Office: 595 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10022
Stadium: Shea Stadium (60,000)
Colors: Kelly Green and White
Training Camp: Hofstra University, Hempstead, Long Island, NY
-The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1972 Edition)
But one fact must be considered when judging the Jets: the injury problem has happened two years in a row and therefore it can happen again. Injury problem No. 1, of course, is Joe Namath. When he's okay, the Jets are a sound ballclub. When he's not, well ... neither are the Jets. A healthy Joe could mean a contender although the AFC East is tough at the top with Baltimore and Miami. Injury problems No. 2 through 11 are the 10 defensive starters who lost playing time last season. The Jets were 13th among AFC teams in defense last season and you can't get lower. This is a good defensive team when healthy."
-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1972 Edition
OFFENSIVE BACKFIELD
"The failure of the Jets to control the ball on offense contributed to the problems on defense. Should Namath return to good health, the offensive problem could be quickly solved.
Namath has two established receivers in Don Maynard, who's old but still effective, and Rich Caster, who's young and bursting with potential. Top rook Jerome Barkum has the marks of greatness as a receiver. Chances are Caster will bump tight end Pete Lammons out of a job in order to make room for Barkum if the yearling lives up to his billing. Barkum has the size to play tight end, too, but his development will be slowed by his participation in the College All-Star Game.
John Riggins proved to be an outstanding runner as a rookie. He rushes brilliantly and he caught a lot of passes, even from the backup quarterbacks, Bob Davis and Al Woodall. If Matt Snell recovers from his many injuries in recent seasons, the Jets could field a near-perfect offense. Even without him, Riggins and Emerson Boozer, with Clifford McClain in reserve, formulate a strong running game."
-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1972 Edition
OFFENSIVE LINE
"The Jets do a job of protecting Namath and opening up holes in the middle of the line. But there could be a gap at tight end if Caster or Barkum play there. Center John Schmitt and tackle Winston Hill are outstanding; tackle Bob Svihus and guards Dave Herman and Randy Rasmussen are very good. There's depth, too, with Dave Foley and John Mooring (a possible guard starter) in reserve."
-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1972 Edition
DEFENSIVE LINE
"In 1968 and 1970, the Jets led their league in defense. That's every two years and here it is, 1972. Only Mark Lomas, an end, was able to go all the way last year. With Gerry Philbin, the other end, and tackles John Elliott and John Little back, the Jets could be powerful again. Because of the injuries, Roger Finnie and Scott Palmer got lots of playing time, so the Jets have depth."
-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1972 Edition
DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD
"Rookie Mike Taylor gives the linebacking corps some much-needed depth. In fact, the first-round draft choice could take away one of the starting jobs. He could play either the outside or the middle. Incumbents are Ralph Baker, Al Atkinson and Larry Grantham, who have teamed together for years.
The secondary is up in the air, but not without good candidates. Earlie Thomas is a sure starter at one corner and John Dockery and Rich Sowells compete for the opposite side. Phil Wise, W.K. Hicks, Gus Hollomon, Steve Tannen and Chris Farasopoulos vie for the two safety jobs. Wise and Hicks have the edge but Tannen is a strong possibility."
-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1972 Edition
SPECIALISTS
"The Jets didn't get as much boot out of Bobby Howfield as they expected (he made eight of 19 field goals). But he's talented.
The young corps of kick returners (Farasopoulos, Wise and Vern Studdard) did a good job and all-purpose player Gary Hammond (a rookie who can play quarterback and receiver) will add depth."
-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1972 Edition
OUTLOOK
"If this team can get out of the training room, it could be a factor in the AFC race."
-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1972 Edition
"THE OFFENSE: Okay, class, today's quiz is: is discretion really the better part of valor and what would Joe Namath do now if the return of an intercepted pass was coming his way? Say it ain't so, Joe. In the first preseason game last summer against Detroit, Namath tried to stop a Lion who had intercepted one of his passes. We all know the result. Someone fell on Namath's knees; the operation put him out of action for 15 weeks. Even a Namath needs some preseason work. And if a situation similar to the Detroit incident should occur, Namath says he's ready to attempt the tackle.
'Exhibition games are played for real, I don't care what anybody says. You give 100 percent. Ask somebody who's been there and got hurt,' says Joe. 'Pro athletes have a certain amount of personal pride. No man, in any profession, wants to be second best. And that goes for exhibition games.'
Now that we've cleared up that matter for the Jets, there's just one more thing ... Namath has been making off-season noises about negotiating a new contract. Something about a million dollars for two years. (Remember when being a $400,000 quarterback was a really big deal?) As of late May, Namath was being quoted as saying, 'I don't know whether I'll play again this year or ever.' No one believes it, of course, because the Jets can ill afford any more time without Namath. True, injuries have raped the Jets the past two seasons. But no one inspires the Jets like Namath. Says center John Schmidt: 'If I look out the window and see the sun shining but Joe says it's raining, I'm going to put on a raincoat and carry my umbrella with me.'
In the 21 games Namath has failed to start the past two years, New York is 7-14. The Jets, who had been shut out just twice in 11 years, were scoreless twice in the first four games of 1971. Al Woodall had first crack at replacing Namath last year, but the kid from Duke who had beaten the Rams and Vikings the year before couldn't throw a touchdown in 97 attempts. Bob Davis followed with 10 touchdown passes and a 40.5 completion percentage before going down with an ankle injury. Namath, seeing action in parts of two games and directing victories in the last two games of the season, was 28-59, five touchdowns and six interceptions. The upbeat finish couldn't save the Jets from coming in last in total offense in the AFC. Namath had to learn how to play with braces on both knees.
Another broken up Jet returns to the offense this year- Matt Snell, regarded by some as the best blocking back in football a few years ago, has been cut down by a ruptured Achilles tendon and a knee injury the past two seasons. Rookie running back John Riggins provided the only bright spot for the Jet offense last year, ranking sixth in the AFC in rushing with 769 yards and picking up a few votes for Rookie of the Year. Emerson Boozer was 12th in the conference with 618 yards. Coach Weeb Ewbank felt he had sufficient depth at running back with Cliff McClain, George Nock and Steve Harkey on hand, so he drafted just one back, Princeton's Hank Bjorklund (the nation's No. 3 college rusher) in the 12th round. Riggins achieved a 1,000-yard year by leading the Jets in receiving with 36 for 231 yards.
The Jets' passing suffered last year after Namath went down, as Ewbank went to a run-oriented attack. Rich Caster, often booed for dropitis, had 26 catches, a 17.5 average and six touchdowns. Don Maynard had only 21 catches and two touchdowns but his 408 yards cemented his position as the leading active receiver in the NFL. He has 603 career catches for 11,306 yards and 86 touchdowns. Caster or No. 1 draft choice Jerome Barkum of Jackson State will go to tight end. Many Jets fans would probably say tight end, a blocking position, would be a nice place for Caster.
'Some fans have even sent me boxes of glue,' says Caster. Maynard caught his fewest number of passes as a Jet, an abbreviated follow-up to his previous low, 31 in 1970. He says New York's thickly polluted atmosphere is making it difficult to get downfield these days. Look who's talking. Maynard works in the off-season for an El Paso firm that manufactures anti-pollution devices.
Winston Hill and Bob Svihus, a top tackle duo, head the Jets' pass-and-protect-Namath oriented offensive line. Schmitt is beginning his ninth year at center, Dave Herman his ninth year at right guard and Randy Rasmussen his sixth season at left guard. Second-year man John Mooring could muscle into a guard job. Dave Foley and Roy Kirksey offer good depth, and the conversation of training camp is sure to be 16th round draftee Gary Kipfmiller of Nebraska at Omaha. The 6-4, 365-pound Kipfmiller will be tried at center. He's a collegiate wrestler, which is supposed to mean he's mobile.
The most interesting rookie probably will be second-round draft choice Gary Hammond of Southern Methodist. The Southwest Conference Player of the Year in 1971, Hammond made All-SWC three years in a row at different positions: wide receiver as a sophomore, halfback as a junior, quarterback as a senior. The Jets don't know quite where to put the 5-11, 180-pound rollout quarterback; they've penciled in his order of events as wide receiver, quarterback and safety.
THE DEFENSE: Dr. James Nicholas, the Jets' physician, says the average amount of injuries for a pro football team for one season (an injury being defined as anything that takes a man out of at least one game) is between 15 and 16. The Jets have been boosting that average the past two years. Dr. Nicholas counted 28 injuries in 1970, mostly to the offense. Last year, the figure was a team record 29.
'It's a good barometer of why the Jets had all their trouble,' the Doctor says. The defense was the hardest hit last season. Only two starters made it to every game, linebacker Larry Grantham and end Mark Lomas. But even Grantham was no iron man; he suffered a fractured cheekbone in the last game. Three-fourths of the defensive line had torn or partially torn knee ligaments- John Elliott, Gerry Philbin and Roger Finnie. Grantham's associates were hurt at linebacker, too. Al Atkinson had a broken bone in his right hand and ankle problems. Ralph Baker suffered a broken thumb and wrist problems. Backup middle linebacker John Ebersole had stretched knee ligaments. Tackle Scott Palmer missed his rookie year with broken ribs suffered in an auto accident.
The injuries took their toll on this once excellent defense. Ranked No. 1 in total defense and rushing defense in 1968 and 1970, the Jets were 11th in total defense last year. You could score on them almost any way you pleased. The backfield took down only 13 interceptions; only Buffalo had less. They gave up 299 points, their most since 1967. Some Sundays were downright embarrassing ... San Diego rolling up 523 yards total offense, including 358 passing; Miami rushing for 297 yards; Baltimore's Norm Bulaich rushing for 198 yards; Dallas scoring 52 points one particularly long December afternoon. The Jets even tried a 4-4 defense with four linebackers.
In a search for depth, Ewbank drafted eight defensive people, including linebacker Mike Taylor of Michigan in the first round (bonus pick), cornerback Dickie Harris of South Carolina No. 5 and end Joey Jackson of New Mexico State No. 6.
Lomas, John Little and Bill Zapalac picked up good experience last year by necessity. Philbin, Little, Elliott and Lomas will start as the front four with Baker, Atkinson and Grantham the linebackers.
Earlie Thomas is established at right corner and John Dockery will have to fight off Rich Sowells, who started six games, for the left corner spot. Steve Tannen has moved from corner to free safety, where he'll battle incumbent W.K. Hicks for playing time. Phil Wise and Gus Holloman share the strong safety job. Rocky Turner, Jeff Ford and Phil Sullivan are rookie names to remember.
THE KICKING AND SPECIAL TEAMS: Jet kickers were only so-so last year. Bob Howfield, acquired from Denver for Jim Turner, hit eight of 19 field goals and scored 49 points. He had an up and down year, beating Kansas City one week and losing 14-13 to Baltimore the next week when an extra point and 22-yard field goal attempt were blocked. Howfield may lose his job to Grant Guthrie, the Buffalo castoff. Punter Steve O'Neal was off with a 38.8 average, his worst in three years with the Jets.
The return game was okay, with Chris Farasopoulos ranking sixth in running back punts (8.2 average, 61-yard touchdown) and 11th in kickoffs, 21.8. Vern Studdard was 10th in kickoff returns with a 21.9 average and Phil Wise ran back eight kicks for an average of 26.3 yards.
THE QUESTIONS: Quarterbacking depth, tight end speed, physical condition of the defense.
THE STRENGTHS: A healthy Namath, running game.
THE OUTLOOK: The Jets can be a good football team again. But they seem to be living in the glories of 1968 and 1969, when they won a Super Bowl and came close, respectively. This is 1972, however. The defense is a little older, Namath's knees are a bit more scarred. There should be enough talent to challenge Baltimore for second place in the AFC East."
-Al Levine, Gridiron 1972 Pro Yearbook
"Sometimes, when they are embarrassing the Kansas City Chiefs or Miami Dolphins, the New York Jets give people the notion that if they ever gathered all their troops together and kept them all healthy, it could be 1968 all over again.
Everything went wrong for the Jets, for the second year in a row. Joe Namath was a spectator for four-fifths of the season, George Sauer retired, Verlon Biggs defected to Washington, John Elliott, Gerry Philbin and others too numerous to mention got themselves injured seriously and the club traded itself right out of reliable place kicking.
But they still won six games.
Even if the Jets toss off the blanket of injuries that has cursed them over the last two seasons, they'll still have their serious problems. Sauer indicates he'll continue communing with nature rather than announce his premature retirement. Philbin, linebacker Larry Grantham, guard Dave Herman, wide receiver Don Maynard and a few others are aging. Steve Tannen, once considered a promising defensive back, is at psychological odds with the coach, Weeb Ewbank.
But as long as the Jets can keep Namath in operating condition, you have to give them a chance, even though they are in a division with Baltimore and Miami.
Joe Willie got to throw only 59 passes after his knee healed last year. Physically, he'll never resemble Terry Bradshaw again, but the Jets are cheered by a by-product of the frustration he's suffered through for the last two injury-hexed seasons. The by-product is a renewed competitive fire.
Namath wants to play again, to win again. That's an intangible which counts for plenty, particularly on a team that lost a Matt Snell through injuries and a Sauer through disillusionment with the sporting life.
Without Joe for most of 1970 and '71, the Jets seemed to learn a new discipline, too. They had to bite the bullet in the knowledge that he was no longer available to pull them out of the big jam. They had to do it themselves and it matured a lot of them.
Tangibly, Namath's biggest problem may be to reacquaint himself with his receivers.
Sauer is gone and there is no sign he will be back. Pete Lammons, the veteran tight end, appears to be phased out. Richard Caster was an inconsistent rookie when Namath last worked with him in early '70. Now he's an inconsistent veteran. Don Maynard still shows flashes of his prime, but at age 35 the flashes are getting to the rare stage.
Confronted by all this the Jets made Jerome Barkum of Jackson State their No. 1 draft choice. He is built along the lines of Caster, with whom he once played at Jackson. Both are tall and lithe and possess admirable speed.
By opening day one of them may be the starting tight end. Coach Ewbank gave Caster the first look there when Barkum was in the College All-Star Game. Barkum will get his look there later. Lammons just doesn't have the speed a modern tight end needs to take the heat off the wide receivers.
Assuming that either Caster or Barkum plays tight end, the open wide receiver position will be a problem for Ewbank. If Maynard can't provide steady service for one more year, Weeb will have to rely on a youngster like Ed Bell or Vern Studdard. Bell caught only five passes last year and his 5-9, 160-pound frame is not something you envision for an NFL starter. Studdard was limited to returning kickoffs as a rookie. He's no stallion himself at 5-11 and 175.
Another possibility is Gary Hammond, the Southern Methodist quarterback who was drafted as a wide receiver. Hammond is often mentioned in mystery terms by Ewbank. Gary's quarterbacking background may come in handy if the little coach decides to use the wishbone formation in close-to-the-goal situations.
Unless he is a miracle healer in '72, Matt Snell's career as a first-echelon running back appears to be over. He was cut down by a torn Achilles tendon and when that healed a bruised knee kept him out of action.
In his absence, the Jets unleashed John Riggins, the fullback from the plains of Kansas. Riggins thump-thumped over people for 769 yards rushing and caught 36 passes for 231 more yards. It was the first time the Jets ever had one man lead them in both categories. Riggins is a frightening fellow on the business end of a screen pass.
His success, and the Jets' decision to opt for a ball-control offense in Namath's absence, helped Emerson Boozer to his greatest ground gaining season. Boozer, who also blocked effectively for Riggins, gained 618 yards.
The Jets' cup runneth over with running backs. There is hard-blocking Steve Harkey; seldom-used Cliff McClain, who was unleashed late in the season with big results; and Princeton's Hank Bjorklund, third in the nation rushing in '71 with 1,081 yards.
For the previous two seasons, the Jets lamented a nagging problem in their offensive line. They just couldn't seem to come up with a starting right tackle, no matter high they drafted for him. Then last year they traded with Oakland for seasoned Bob Svihus. They installed him at left tackle and moved Winston Hill to the right side. The move went so well that Ewbank claims the pair gives him the strongest combination in the club's history.
John Schmitt is among the better centers in the AFC. Randy Rasmussen is a respected guard and Dave Herman, who might have slipped a bit, could be pushed into a first-rate season by young John Mooring. Mooring was the team's second draft choice in '71 as an offensive tackle. He was switched to guard late last year and the prospects are rosy for him.
Ewbank feels that Mooring and Dave Foley, ousted as a starter by Svihus, give him better offensive line depth than he's had in years.
Weeb made a controversial trade last year, sending Jim Turner, the veteran field goal kicker, to Denver for soccer-styler Bobby Howfield. The idea was to improve on Turner's short kickoffs. Howfield did a better job as a kickoff man, but not good enough to compensate for his field goal deficiencies. Last winter the Jets signed ex-Bill Grant Guthrie as a challenger to Howfield.
Defensively, the Jets expect to be much stronger- health permitting.
Serious injuries kayoed two of the best linemen in the NFL, tackle John Elliott and end Gerry Philbin, for long periods. Besides, Verlon Biggs had played out his option and signed with Washington. For the second straight season that meant using a front four often populated by strangers.
Undersized John Little spent a good part of the season as a starting tackle. Chuck Hinton came from Pittsburgh and was immediately rammed into the lineup. Roger Finnie was converted from offensive tackle, then tore up a knee. Only Mark Lomas, a sophomore, started every game.
Philbin and Elliott should prop things up considerably, provided they stay healthy. Lomas should have benefitted from the experience. Little played well enough to rate ahead of Hinton, Scott Palmer (another rookie, injured in an auto accident) and '72 rookie Ed Galigher of UCLA add depth. Finnie, now well again, joins rookie Joey Jackson of New Mexico State in backing up Philbin and Lomas.
The linebackers, too, were hexed by injuries but one of the bright spots of the season occurred in this area. It was the play of Larry Grantham, still being written off by the experts after 12 pro seasons. Undersized Larry had his best year and was voted the team's MVP. If he can work another miracle he'll line up with the fellows he's played with since 1965- Al Atkinson in the middle and Ralph Baker on the strong side.
Ewbank attempted to upholster the area by drafting Michigan's All-America, Mike Taylor, with the No. 1 pick he received from Washington as balm for Biggs' defection. Taylor will be auditioned at weakside and at middle linebacker. Bill Zapalac, who played end and tackle as a 220-pound rookie, will be moved to a more realistic linebacker position to contend with Paul Crane and John Ebersole for one of the reserve spots.
The biggest problem for Ewbank will be to solidify his secondary. Cornerback Earlie Thomas is the only Jet considered a stable starter. His old running mate, Steve Tannen, has moved back to free safety. Most scouts envisioned the rugged Tannen as a safety when he was drafted. If he makes a quick hit at his new position, Steve may get out of Weeb's doghouse.
John Dockery, the utility man from Harvard, finished the season at the corner opposite Thomas, but that situation is likely to change. Rich Sowells, who learned something through bitter experience in his rookie year, will challenge. Tannen's competition at free safety is W.K. Hicks and Chris Farasopoulos, used mostly as a kick returner (44 for 70 yards) in his rookie season.
Phil Wise, another late-blooming '71 rookie, will battle veteran Gus Hollomon for the strong safety spot. Hicks also played the position in his days as a Houston Oiler.
The punt and kick returning was on the mediocre side, so Hammond will get a real good shot at both specialties. Punter Steve O'Neal had a miserable 38.8-yard year so Ewbank will closely inspect Ken Gamble, who averaged 44.5 at Fayetteville College.
If Namath stays in one piece the question of who will be the No. 2 quarterback is academic. But off his '72 form, young Bob Davis forged ahead of Al Woodall for the honor."
-Larry Felser, Street and Smith's Official 1972 Pro Football Pro Football Yearbook
'Exhibition games are played for real, I don't care what anybody says. You give 100 percent. Ask somebody who's been there and got hurt,' says Joe. 'Pro athletes have a certain amount of personal pride. No man, in any profession, wants to be second best. And that goes for exhibition games.'
Now that we've cleared up that matter for the Jets, there's just one more thing ... Namath has been making off-season noises about negotiating a new contract. Something about a million dollars for two years. (Remember when being a $400,000 quarterback was a really big deal?) As of late May, Namath was being quoted as saying, 'I don't know whether I'll play again this year or ever.' No one believes it, of course, because the Jets can ill afford any more time without Namath. True, injuries have raped the Jets the past two seasons. But no one inspires the Jets like Namath. Says center John Schmidt: 'If I look out the window and see the sun shining but Joe says it's raining, I'm going to put on a raincoat and carry my umbrella with me.'
In the 21 games Namath has failed to start the past two years, New York is 7-14. The Jets, who had been shut out just twice in 11 years, were scoreless twice in the first four games of 1971. Al Woodall had first crack at replacing Namath last year, but the kid from Duke who had beaten the Rams and Vikings the year before couldn't throw a touchdown in 97 attempts. Bob Davis followed with 10 touchdown passes and a 40.5 completion percentage before going down with an ankle injury. Namath, seeing action in parts of two games and directing victories in the last two games of the season, was 28-59, five touchdowns and six interceptions. The upbeat finish couldn't save the Jets from coming in last in total offense in the AFC. Namath had to learn how to play with braces on both knees.
Another broken up Jet returns to the offense this year- Matt Snell, regarded by some as the best blocking back in football a few years ago, has been cut down by a ruptured Achilles tendon and a knee injury the past two seasons. Rookie running back John Riggins provided the only bright spot for the Jet offense last year, ranking sixth in the AFC in rushing with 769 yards and picking up a few votes for Rookie of the Year. Emerson Boozer was 12th in the conference with 618 yards. Coach Weeb Ewbank felt he had sufficient depth at running back with Cliff McClain, George Nock and Steve Harkey on hand, so he drafted just one back, Princeton's Hank Bjorklund (the nation's No. 3 college rusher) in the 12th round. Riggins achieved a 1,000-yard year by leading the Jets in receiving with 36 for 231 yards.
The Jets' passing suffered last year after Namath went down, as Ewbank went to a run-oriented attack. Rich Caster, often booed for dropitis, had 26 catches, a 17.5 average and six touchdowns. Don Maynard had only 21 catches and two touchdowns but his 408 yards cemented his position as the leading active receiver in the NFL. He has 603 career catches for 11,306 yards and 86 touchdowns. Caster or No. 1 draft choice Jerome Barkum of Jackson State will go to tight end. Many Jets fans would probably say tight end, a blocking position, would be a nice place for Caster.
'Some fans have even sent me boxes of glue,' says Caster. Maynard caught his fewest number of passes as a Jet, an abbreviated follow-up to his previous low, 31 in 1970. He says New York's thickly polluted atmosphere is making it difficult to get downfield these days. Look who's talking. Maynard works in the off-season for an El Paso firm that manufactures anti-pollution devices.
Winston Hill and Bob Svihus, a top tackle duo, head the Jets' pass-and-protect-Namath oriented offensive line. Schmitt is beginning his ninth year at center, Dave Herman his ninth year at right guard and Randy Rasmussen his sixth season at left guard. Second-year man John Mooring could muscle into a guard job. Dave Foley and Roy Kirksey offer good depth, and the conversation of training camp is sure to be 16th round draftee Gary Kipfmiller of Nebraska at Omaha. The 6-4, 365-pound Kipfmiller will be tried at center. He's a collegiate wrestler, which is supposed to mean he's mobile.
The most interesting rookie probably will be second-round draft choice Gary Hammond of Southern Methodist. The Southwest Conference Player of the Year in 1971, Hammond made All-SWC three years in a row at different positions: wide receiver as a sophomore, halfback as a junior, quarterback as a senior. The Jets don't know quite where to put the 5-11, 180-pound rollout quarterback; they've penciled in his order of events as wide receiver, quarterback and safety.
THE DEFENSE: Dr. James Nicholas, the Jets' physician, says the average amount of injuries for a pro football team for one season (an injury being defined as anything that takes a man out of at least one game) is between 15 and 16. The Jets have been boosting that average the past two years. Dr. Nicholas counted 28 injuries in 1970, mostly to the offense. Last year, the figure was a team record 29.
'It's a good barometer of why the Jets had all their trouble,' the Doctor says. The defense was the hardest hit last season. Only two starters made it to every game, linebacker Larry Grantham and end Mark Lomas. But even Grantham was no iron man; he suffered a fractured cheekbone in the last game. Three-fourths of the defensive line had torn or partially torn knee ligaments- John Elliott, Gerry Philbin and Roger Finnie. Grantham's associates were hurt at linebacker, too. Al Atkinson had a broken bone in his right hand and ankle problems. Ralph Baker suffered a broken thumb and wrist problems. Backup middle linebacker John Ebersole had stretched knee ligaments. Tackle Scott Palmer missed his rookie year with broken ribs suffered in an auto accident.
The injuries took their toll on this once excellent defense. Ranked No. 1 in total defense and rushing defense in 1968 and 1970, the Jets were 11th in total defense last year. You could score on them almost any way you pleased. The backfield took down only 13 interceptions; only Buffalo had less. They gave up 299 points, their most since 1967. Some Sundays were downright embarrassing ... San Diego rolling up 523 yards total offense, including 358 passing; Miami rushing for 297 yards; Baltimore's Norm Bulaich rushing for 198 yards; Dallas scoring 52 points one particularly long December afternoon. The Jets even tried a 4-4 defense with four linebackers.
In a search for depth, Ewbank drafted eight defensive people, including linebacker Mike Taylor of Michigan in the first round (bonus pick), cornerback Dickie Harris of South Carolina No. 5 and end Joey Jackson of New Mexico State No. 6.
Lomas, John Little and Bill Zapalac picked up good experience last year by necessity. Philbin, Little, Elliott and Lomas will start as the front four with Baker, Atkinson and Grantham the linebackers.
Earlie Thomas is established at right corner and John Dockery will have to fight off Rich Sowells, who started six games, for the left corner spot. Steve Tannen has moved from corner to free safety, where he'll battle incumbent W.K. Hicks for playing time. Phil Wise and Gus Holloman share the strong safety job. Rocky Turner, Jeff Ford and Phil Sullivan are rookie names to remember.
THE KICKING AND SPECIAL TEAMS: Jet kickers were only so-so last year. Bob Howfield, acquired from Denver for Jim Turner, hit eight of 19 field goals and scored 49 points. He had an up and down year, beating Kansas City one week and losing 14-13 to Baltimore the next week when an extra point and 22-yard field goal attempt were blocked. Howfield may lose his job to Grant Guthrie, the Buffalo castoff. Punter Steve O'Neal was off with a 38.8 average, his worst in three years with the Jets.
The return game was okay, with Chris Farasopoulos ranking sixth in running back punts (8.2 average, 61-yard touchdown) and 11th in kickoffs, 21.8. Vern Studdard was 10th in kickoff returns with a 21.9 average and Phil Wise ran back eight kicks for an average of 26.3 yards.
THE QUESTIONS: Quarterbacking depth, tight end speed, physical condition of the defense.
THE STRENGTHS: A healthy Namath, running game.
THE OUTLOOK: The Jets can be a good football team again. But they seem to be living in the glories of 1968 and 1969, when they won a Super Bowl and came close, respectively. This is 1972, however. The defense is a little older, Namath's knees are a bit more scarred. There should be enough talent to challenge Baltimore for second place in the AFC East."
-Al Levine, Gridiron 1972 Pro Yearbook
"Sometimes, when they are embarrassing the Kansas City Chiefs or Miami Dolphins, the New York Jets give people the notion that if they ever gathered all their troops together and kept them all healthy, it could be 1968 all over again.
Everything went wrong for the Jets, for the second year in a row. Joe Namath was a spectator for four-fifths of the season, George Sauer retired, Verlon Biggs defected to Washington, John Elliott, Gerry Philbin and others too numerous to mention got themselves injured seriously and the club traded itself right out of reliable place kicking.
But they still won six games.
Even if the Jets toss off the blanket of injuries that has cursed them over the last two seasons, they'll still have their serious problems. Sauer indicates he'll continue communing with nature rather than announce his premature retirement. Philbin, linebacker Larry Grantham, guard Dave Herman, wide receiver Don Maynard and a few others are aging. Steve Tannen, once considered a promising defensive back, is at psychological odds with the coach, Weeb Ewbank.
But as long as the Jets can keep Namath in operating condition, you have to give them a chance, even though they are in a division with Baltimore and Miami.
Joe Willie got to throw only 59 passes after his knee healed last year. Physically, he'll never resemble Terry Bradshaw again, but the Jets are cheered by a by-product of the frustration he's suffered through for the last two injury-hexed seasons. The by-product is a renewed competitive fire.
Namath wants to play again, to win again. That's an intangible which counts for plenty, particularly on a team that lost a Matt Snell through injuries and a Sauer through disillusionment with the sporting life.
Without Joe for most of 1970 and '71, the Jets seemed to learn a new discipline, too. They had to bite the bullet in the knowledge that he was no longer available to pull them out of the big jam. They had to do it themselves and it matured a lot of them.
Tangibly, Namath's biggest problem may be to reacquaint himself with his receivers.
Sauer is gone and there is no sign he will be back. Pete Lammons, the veteran tight end, appears to be phased out. Richard Caster was an inconsistent rookie when Namath last worked with him in early '70. Now he's an inconsistent veteran. Don Maynard still shows flashes of his prime, but at age 35 the flashes are getting to the rare stage.
Confronted by all this the Jets made Jerome Barkum of Jackson State their No. 1 draft choice. He is built along the lines of Caster, with whom he once played at Jackson. Both are tall and lithe and possess admirable speed.
By opening day one of them may be the starting tight end. Coach Ewbank gave Caster the first look there when Barkum was in the College All-Star Game. Barkum will get his look there later. Lammons just doesn't have the speed a modern tight end needs to take the heat off the wide receivers.
Assuming that either Caster or Barkum plays tight end, the open wide receiver position will be a problem for Ewbank. If Maynard can't provide steady service for one more year, Weeb will have to rely on a youngster like Ed Bell or Vern Studdard. Bell caught only five passes last year and his 5-9, 160-pound frame is not something you envision for an NFL starter. Studdard was limited to returning kickoffs as a rookie. He's no stallion himself at 5-11 and 175.
Another possibility is Gary Hammond, the Southern Methodist quarterback who was drafted as a wide receiver. Hammond is often mentioned in mystery terms by Ewbank. Gary's quarterbacking background may come in handy if the little coach decides to use the wishbone formation in close-to-the-goal situations.
Unless he is a miracle healer in '72, Matt Snell's career as a first-echelon running back appears to be over. He was cut down by a torn Achilles tendon and when that healed a bruised knee kept him out of action.
In his absence, the Jets unleashed John Riggins, the fullback from the plains of Kansas. Riggins thump-thumped over people for 769 yards rushing and caught 36 passes for 231 more yards. It was the first time the Jets ever had one man lead them in both categories. Riggins is a frightening fellow on the business end of a screen pass.
His success, and the Jets' decision to opt for a ball-control offense in Namath's absence, helped Emerson Boozer to his greatest ground gaining season. Boozer, who also blocked effectively for Riggins, gained 618 yards.
The Jets' cup runneth over with running backs. There is hard-blocking Steve Harkey; seldom-used Cliff McClain, who was unleashed late in the season with big results; and Princeton's Hank Bjorklund, third in the nation rushing in '71 with 1,081 yards.
For the previous two seasons, the Jets lamented a nagging problem in their offensive line. They just couldn't seem to come up with a starting right tackle, no matter high they drafted for him. Then last year they traded with Oakland for seasoned Bob Svihus. They installed him at left tackle and moved Winston Hill to the right side. The move went so well that Ewbank claims the pair gives him the strongest combination in the club's history.
John Schmitt is among the better centers in the AFC. Randy Rasmussen is a respected guard and Dave Herman, who might have slipped a bit, could be pushed into a first-rate season by young John Mooring. Mooring was the team's second draft choice in '71 as an offensive tackle. He was switched to guard late last year and the prospects are rosy for him.
Ewbank feels that Mooring and Dave Foley, ousted as a starter by Svihus, give him better offensive line depth than he's had in years.
Weeb made a controversial trade last year, sending Jim Turner, the veteran field goal kicker, to Denver for soccer-styler Bobby Howfield. The idea was to improve on Turner's short kickoffs. Howfield did a better job as a kickoff man, but not good enough to compensate for his field goal deficiencies. Last winter the Jets signed ex-Bill Grant Guthrie as a challenger to Howfield.
Defensively, the Jets expect to be much stronger- health permitting.
Serious injuries kayoed two of the best linemen in the NFL, tackle John Elliott and end Gerry Philbin, for long periods. Besides, Verlon Biggs had played out his option and signed with Washington. For the second straight season that meant using a front four often populated by strangers.
Undersized John Little spent a good part of the season as a starting tackle. Chuck Hinton came from Pittsburgh and was immediately rammed into the lineup. Roger Finnie was converted from offensive tackle, then tore up a knee. Only Mark Lomas, a sophomore, started every game.
Philbin and Elliott should prop things up considerably, provided they stay healthy. Lomas should have benefitted from the experience. Little played well enough to rate ahead of Hinton, Scott Palmer (another rookie, injured in an auto accident) and '72 rookie Ed Galigher of UCLA add depth. Finnie, now well again, joins rookie Joey Jackson of New Mexico State in backing up Philbin and Lomas.
The linebackers, too, were hexed by injuries but one of the bright spots of the season occurred in this area. It was the play of Larry Grantham, still being written off by the experts after 12 pro seasons. Undersized Larry had his best year and was voted the team's MVP. If he can work another miracle he'll line up with the fellows he's played with since 1965- Al Atkinson in the middle and Ralph Baker on the strong side.
Ewbank attempted to upholster the area by drafting Michigan's All-America, Mike Taylor, with the No. 1 pick he received from Washington as balm for Biggs' defection. Taylor will be auditioned at weakside and at middle linebacker. Bill Zapalac, who played end and tackle as a 220-pound rookie, will be moved to a more realistic linebacker position to contend with Paul Crane and John Ebersole for one of the reserve spots.
The biggest problem for Ewbank will be to solidify his secondary. Cornerback Earlie Thomas is the only Jet considered a stable starter. His old running mate, Steve Tannen, has moved back to free safety. Most scouts envisioned the rugged Tannen as a safety when he was drafted. If he makes a quick hit at his new position, Steve may get out of Weeb's doghouse.
John Dockery, the utility man from Harvard, finished the season at the corner opposite Thomas, but that situation is likely to change. Rich Sowells, who learned something through bitter experience in his rookie year, will challenge. Tannen's competition at free safety is W.K. Hicks and Chris Farasopoulos, used mostly as a kick returner (44 for 70 yards) in his rookie season.
Phil Wise, another late-blooming '71 rookie, will battle veteran Gus Hollomon for the strong safety spot. Hicks also played the position in his days as a Houston Oiler.
The punt and kick returning was on the mediocre side, so Hammond will get a real good shot at both specialties. Punter Steve O'Neal had a miserable 38.8-yard year so Ewbank will closely inspect Ken Gamble, who averaged 44.5 at Fayetteville College.
If Namath stays in one piece the question of who will be the No. 2 quarterback is academic. But off his '72 form, young Bob Davis forged ahead of Al Woodall for the honor."
-Larry Felser, Street and Smith's Official 1972 Pro Football Pro Football Yearbook
"Don Maynard, 35 years old, has been playing professional football for 14 years. Only one man, Raymond Berry, has caught more passes. Opposition defenses treated Maynard almost as an afterthought in '71.
But in the last game of the 1971 season, Maynard made a 74-yard touchdown catch, longest in the history of the Jets.
The difference was that Joe Namath was on the field playing quarterback. Namath can make veterans like Maynard forget they are old. He can coax mediocre talent into playing like superb talent. That's why the Jets, a 6-8 club in 1971, a season played mostly without Joe, still can't be discounted as playoff contenders.
Namath suffered torn knee ligaments in the opening exhibition game and wasn't able to return until the 10th regular season contest. He terrified the San Francisco 49ers, champions of the National Conference Western Division, with three touchdowns even though the San Franciscans pulled the game out, 24-21.
That one game was enough to ignite the morale of the Jets for the season. With Namath at quarterback, they can beat anyone.
The big move this year will be to inject some speed into the tight end position. Pete Lammons just doesn't get off the mark fast enough to add anything to the Jets passing game, so his blocking will be sacrificed for a speedier and more dangerous receiver. Coach Weeb Ewbank will either convert wide receiver Richard Caster to tight end or install one of his No. 1 draft choices, Jerome Barkum of Jackson State, there.
Whichever man doesn't play tight end will be lined up across Maynard. Ewbank hopes to coax one more year out of the fragile veteran. He has his fingers crossed as pint-sized Ed Bell, his top reserve, doesn't have the physique to play full-time.
Ewbank installed rookie fullback John Riggins into his starting lineup immediately last year and the results had the little coach beaming. Riggins led the team in rushing with 769 yards in 180 attempts and in pass receiving with 36 catches for 231 yards.
Riggins isn't the end of the ball-carrying story. Emerson Boozer had his best season as a Jet, gaining 618 yards. Boozer has developed into a complete player. The depth is good, with Matt Snell a possible returner from injury, Clifford McClain and Steve Harkey.
Experience is the key on the offensive line. Tackle Winston Hill begins his 10th season, guard Dave Herman and center John Schmitt their ninth, tackle Bob Svihus his eighth and guard Randy Rasmussen his sixth.
Injuries nearly decimated the Jets defense in '71. The fourth game of the year saw tackle John Elliott go down for the year and end Gerry Philbin for four games. Linebackers Ralph Baker and Al Atkinson and linemen Roger Finnie and Scott Palmer were also knocked out by injuries.
With Elliott and Philbin hurt, John Little got to play and led the team in quarterback sacks. He may stay at tackle. Elliott and Philbin return with Mark Lomas starting his third season as a regular at end.
The Atkinson-Baker-Larry Grantham linebacking combination has been around since 1965. Grantham won his teammates' vote as most valuable player in his 12th season. Ewbank didn't want to tempt fate, however, and used his second No. 1 choice to draft Michigan's All-America, Mike Taylor.
What could sink New York is their pass defense. Only cornerback Earlie Thomas commands any serious respect from the opposition. The Jets went against the views of most scouts three years ago when they made their premium draftee, Steve Tannen, a corner instead of a safety. After a couple of unsatisfactory seasons at cornerback, Tannen is finally being switched to free safety. Weeb hopes the late transplant takes place.
That leaves journeyman John Dockery at corner and Phil Wise battling Gus Hollomon at strong safety. W.K. Hicks, who ended up the free safety last year, will contest Tannen or one of the strong safeties.
Weeb made one disastrous trade last year, sending Jim Turner to Denver for Bobby Howfield in an exchange of placekickers. Turner continued to produce but Howfield hit a sour 8-for-19. If the little Englishman doesn't shape up, Ewbank will have to find another hired gun."
-Cord Sportfacts Pro Football Guide 1972
OFFENSE
"QUARTERBACKS: The whole idea is to keep Joe Namath whole. With him, the Jets can defeat any team. Without him they are ho-hum. Bob Davis and Al Woodall are pale imitations of the man.
Performance Quotient: 1 [1 through 5, 1 being best]
RUNNING BACKS: John Riggins was the first Jet to lead the team in both rushing and pass catching. He's a madman with the ball in his hands. Emerson Boozer had his best year, and he's had some fine ones. His blocking is so sharp he's now the complete back. Matt Snell vows to come back.
Cliff McClain, with great speed, must get playing time. Steve Harkey is a blocker.
Performance Quotient: 2
RECEIVERS: Big change in sight. Rich Caster, inconsistent on the outside, goes to tight end, which he played in college. Jerome Barkum definitely will start on the outside and if Caster can't perform tight end chores, Jerome will be shifted there. Fingers are crossed tightly over Maynard's 35 years.
If Don can't play full-time, Ed Bell, small but well regarded, will attempt to play regularly among the Goliaths. Gary Hammond was a college quarterback.
Performance Quotient: 4
INTERIOR LINEMEN: This unit may be at the perfect stage- not too old, but well seasoned. The Jets feel they made a master move by coaxing Bob Svihus away from the Raiders. Winston Hill moved from left to right tackle but the move didn't cut his efficiency. Dave Herman is still a brute of a guard, and Randy Rasmussen, in his sixth season, is his equal. John Schmitt remains among the AFC's best centers.
John Mooring started as a tackle in his rookie year but Coach Ewbank is on the lookout for depth. It's time for Dave Foley.
Performance Quotient: 2
KICKERS: Bobby Howfield was a bitter disappointment after being acquired from Denver in a trade for Jim Turner. Grant Guthrie flubbed his chance in Buffalo but Weeb likes him. Punter Steve O'Neill slumped badly.
Performance Quotient: 5"
-Cord Sportfacts Pro Football Guide 1972
DEFENSE
"FRONT LINEMEN: It makes all the difference in the world when John Elliott plays. Big John missed all but the first four games last year and it hurt. Gerry Philbin also battled the injury hex. In their absence, John Little, a quick, lean type like Elliott, led the club in sacking enemy quarterbacks. The most consistent lineman is Mark Lomas, who has been starting since his rookie season.
Chuck Hinton, at 33, better not show signs of wear. Roger Finnie, an ex-strongboy offensive tackle, gets one more look on defense. Rookie Ed Galigher and young Scott Palmer are in a deep competitive situation.
Performance Quotient: 3
LINEBACKERS: The Jet linebackers have been playing together for seven seasons. Larry Grantham was supposed to be over his head years ago due to his small size. He wasn't. Now they're saying he's over the hill, but he had his finest season in '71. Al Atkinson is another with an injury jinx. Ralph Baker cracked his wrist, but when whole is a deadly tackler and sound on pass defense. Rookie Mike Taylor is a future star.
Performance Quotient: 2
CORNERBACKS: Quarterbacks are learning respect for Earlie Thomas but neither John Dockery nor Rich Sowells intimidates the good throwers. A hurry-up patch job here is essential.
Performance Quotient: 4
SAFETIES: Phil Wise seemed to solidify his starting status over Gus Hollomon near the end of the season. He has better speed than Gus and the tight ends get faster every year. A battle looms at free safety, particularly if Steve Tannen is out of Ewbank's doghouse. He can play, but not at corner. W.K. Hicks' name comes up in trade talks.
Performance Quotient: 4"
-Cord Sportfacts Pro Football Guide 1972
"All the New York Jets need is good health and they can make it all the way back to the Super Bowl. A healthy offense with Joe Namath and Matt Snell in top shape makes them the equal of any team in the league.
The Jets may have helped themselves as much as any team in the league in the draft. Their first six picks are all outstanding pro prospects. They took wider receives Jerome Barkum, a big speedster from Jackon State, and Gary Hammond from Southern Methodist to plug one weakness.
Defensive ends Ed Galigher from UCLA and Joey Jackson from New Mexico State and deep back Dickie Harris from South Carolina, and Michigan's outstanding linebacker, Mike Taylor, can all step in and play on the defensive platoon.
The Jets also have Weeb Ewbank, a very shrewd man in putting a winner together. He did it at Baltimore and he did it again in New York."
-Bob Billings, Football Digest, May-June 1972
"Some one of these years- but maybe never- Joe Namath will be able to again sustain the physical pressures that come with playing the game. Namath has been wiped out for the last two years because of serious injuries but if he can stay in one piece the Jets can regain respectability.
A quarterback of Namath's inherent skills means the difference in challenging and being shuttled back with the 'also-rans.' Without Joe, the Jets might just as well refund ticket money and pay to watch the Giants because he's that important with his live passing arm and perceptive ways of picking apart a secondary and reaching receivers when they become open.
Namath has had bad luck and the Jets suffered along with him. In addition, they had Matt Snell and Emerson Boozer out with injuries and Don Maynard ailing. So the Jets were only a facsimile of the kind of team they could have been if the physical problems hadn't overwhelmed them before the opposition put them under.
And, defensively, the Jets had trouble, too, the kind of ill-fortune that doesn't figure to continue to dog them. In the draft, the Jets helped themselves with two excellent wide receivers in Jerome Barkum of Jackson State and Gary Hammond of SMU. So it's obvious that coach Weeb Ewbank wants to be staffed with the right kind of catchers for the return of Namath in 1972.
Improvement should come from powerful John Riggins, coming into his second year, after a rookie showing that was indeed worthy of his advance billing. Riggins was the leading yardage contributor to the Jets, gaining an even 1,000 yards rushing and receiving. Additionally, Riggins is a good blocker and should make an excellent body-guard for Namath.
The draft bought the Jets two good defensive end prospects in Ed Galigher of UCLA and Joey Jackson of New Mexico State. But peg the name of Mike Taylor, linebacker from Michigan, as can't-miss material. He's active and a hitter.
Ewbank is considering putting Barkum or Rich Caster at a tight end in place of Pete Lammons, another Jet who was injured. Caster is 6-foot-5, 222 pounds and might not drop as many passes as a tight end as he did as a receiver. He has ability and can get open.
The Jets have a serious situation with the defensive line, where tackles Roger Finnie and John Elliott were injured. This could have been a major reason for the Jets having such an anemic pass rush, plus the fact that the linebackers didn't get the job done. Losing Elliott, who had his greatest season in 1970, was a major blow as the Jets slumped from being one of the best teams in the AFC in defending against the rush to one of the worst.
Ewbank, the only coach in history to win championships in the NFL and AFL, should find Taylor, the linebacker, much to his liking. Taylor might be as outstanding as a rookie as Isiah Robertson was for the Los Angeles Rams a year ago and there has never been a first-year linebacker who looked as good as the active and mobile Robertson."
-John Steadman, Football Digest, September 1972
1972 NEW YORK JETS ROSTERS
New York Jets 1972 Veteran Roster
82 Gary Arthur (TE) Miami (Ohio)
62 Al Atkinson (LB) Villanova
51 Ralph Baker (LB) Penn State
7 Ed Bell (WR) Idaho State
32 Emerson Boozer (RB) Maryland State
88 Richard Caster (WR) Jackson State
56 Paul Crane (LB-C) Alabama
15 Bob Davis (QB) Virginia
43 John Dockery (CB) Harvard
55 John Ebersole (LB) Penn State
80 John Elliott (DT) Texas
19 Chris Farasopoulos (S) Brigham Young
61 Roger Finnie (DT) Florida A&M
70 Dave Foley (T-C) Ohio State
60 Larry Grantham (LB) Mississippi
36 Steve Harkey (RB) Georgia Tech
67 Dave Herman (G) Michigan State
33 W.K. Hicks (S) Texas Southern
75 Winston Hill (T) Texas Southern
64 Chuck Hinton (DT) North Carolina College
48 Gus Hollomon (S) Houston
3 Bobby Howfield (K)
63 Roy Kirksey (G) Maryland State
87 Pete Lammons (TE) Texas
57 John Little (DT-DE) Oklahoma State
84 Mark Lomas (DE) Northern Arizona
13 Don Maynard (WR) Texas Western
42 Clifford McClain (RB) South Carolina State
71 John Mooring (G-T) Tampa
12 Joe Namath (QB) Alabama
20 Steve O'Neal (P) Texas A&M
72 Scott Palmer (DT) Texas
81 Gerry Philbin (DE) Buffalo
66 Randy Rasmussen (G) Kearney State
26 Jim Richards (WR) Virginia Tech
44 John Riggins (RB) Kansas
52 John Schmitt (C) Hofstra
41 Matt Snell (RB) Ohio State
46 Rich Sowells (CB) Alcorn A&M
89 Wayne Stewart (TE) California
22 Vern Studdard (WR) Mississippi
76 Bob Svihus (T) USC
21 Steve Tannen (CB-S) Florida
45 Earlie Thomas (CB) Colorado State
27 Phil Wise (S) Nebraska-Omaha
18 Al Woodall (QB) Duke
53 Bill Zapalac (LB-DE) Texas
-The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1972 Edition)
1972 Rookies in Draft Order
Jerome Barkum (WR) Jackson State
Mike Taylor (LB) Michigan
Gary Hammond (WR) SMU
Ed Galigher (DE) UCLA
Dickie Harris (DB) South Carolina
Joe Jackson (DE) New Mexico State
Marion Lattimore (G) Kansas State
Jeff Ford (DB) Georgia Tech
Harley Turner (DB) Tennessee-Chattanooga
Robert Stevenson (LB) Tennessee State
John H. Bjorklund (RB) Princeton
Steve Sullivan (T) North Texas State
Louis Age (G) Southwest Louisiana
Phil Sullivan (DB) Georgia
Gary Kipfmiller (C) Nebraska-Omaha
Ken Gamble (P) Fayetteville (N.C.)
-The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1972 Edition)
1972 Jets Veterans
82 Gary Arthur (TE) Miami (Ohio)
62 Al Atkinson (LB) Villanova
51 Ralph Baker (LB) Penn State
7 Ed Bell (WR) Idaho State
32 Emerson Boozer (RB) Maryland State
88 Richard Caster (WR) Jackson State
56 Paul Crane (LB-C) Alabama
15 Bob Davis (QB) Virginia
43 John Dockery (CB) Harvard
55 John Ebersole (LB) Penn State
80 John Elliott (DT) Texas
19 Chris Farasopoulos (S) Brigham Young
61 Roger Finnie (DT) Florida A&M
70 Dave Foley (T-C) Ohio State
60 Larry Grantham (LB) Mississippi
36 Steve Harkey (RB) Georgia Tech
67 Dave Herman (G) Michigan State
33 W.K. Hicks (S) Texas Southern
75 Winston Hill (T) Texas Southern
64 Chuck Hinton (DT) North Carolina College
48 Gus Hollomon (S) Houston
3 Bobby Howfield (K)
63 Roy Kirksey (G) Maryland State
87 Pete Lammons (TE) Texas
57 John Little (DT-DE) Oklahoma State
84 Mark Lomas (DE) Northern Arizona
13 Don Maynard (WR) Texas Western
42 Clifford McClain (RB) South Carolina State
71 John Mooring (G-T) Tampa
12 Joe Namath (QB) Alabama
20 Steve O'Neal (P) Texas A&M
72 Scott Palmer (DT) Texas
81 Gerry Philbin (DE) Buffalo
66 Randy Rasmussen (OG) Kearney State
26 Jim Richards (WR) Virginia Tech
44 John Riggins (RB) Kansas
52 John Schmitt (C) Hofstra
41 Matt Snell (RB) Ohio State
46 Rich Sowells (CB) Alcorn A&M
89 Wayne Stewart (TE) California
22 Vern Studdard (WR) Mississippi
76 Bob Svihus (T) USC
21 Steve Tannen (CB-S) Florida
45 Earlie Thomas (CB) Colorado State
27 Phil Wise (S) Nebraska-Omaha
18 Al Woodall (QB) Duke
53 Bill Zapalac (LB-DE) Texas
Coach - Weeb Ewbank
-Gridiron 1972 Pro Yearbook
1972 Jets Rookies
D1: Jerome Barkum (WR) Jackson State
D1: Mike Taylor (LB) Michigan
D3: Gary Hammond (WR) SMU
D4: Ed Galigher (DE) UCLA
D5: Dickie Harris (DB) South Carolina
D6: Joe Jackson (DE) New Mexico State
D8: Marion Lattimore (G) Kansas State
D9: Jeff Ford (DB) Georgia Tech
D10: Harley Turner (DB) Tennessee-Chattanooga
D11: Robert Stevenson (LB) Tennessee State
D12: Hank Bjorklund (RB) Princeton
D13: Steve Sullivan (T) North Texas State
D14: Louis Age (G) Southwest Louisiana
D15: Phil Sullivan (DB) Georgia
D16: Gary Kipfmiller (C) Nebraska-Omaha
D17: Ken Gamble (P) Fayetteville (N.C.)
-Gridiron 1972 Pro Yearbook
Jets Veteran Roster
82 Gary Arthur (TE) Miami (Ohio)
62 Al Atkinson (LB) Villanova
51 Ralph Baker (LB) Penn State
7 Ed Bell (WR) Idaho State
32 Emerson Boozer (RB) Maryland State
88 Richard Caster (WR) Jackson State
56 Paul Crane (LB-C) Alabama
15 Bob Davis (QB) Virginia
43 John Dockery (CB) Harvard
55 John Ebersole (LB) Penn State
80 John Elliott (DT) Texas
19 Chris Farasopoulos (S) Brigham Young
61 Roger Finnie (DT) Florida A&M
70 Dave Foley (T-C) Ohio State
60 Larry Grantham (LB) Mississippi
11 Grant Guthrie (K) Florida State
36 Steve Harkey (RB) Georgia Tech
67 Dave Herman (G) Michigan State
33 W.K. Hicks (S) Texas Southern
75 Winston Hill (T) Texas Southern
64 Chuck Hinton (DT) North Carolina College
48 Gus Hollomon (S) Houston
3 Bobby Howfield (K)
63 Roy Kirksey (G) Maryland State
87 Pete Lammons (TE) Texas
57 John Little (DT-DE) Oklahoma State
84 Mark Lomas (DE) Northern Arizona
13 Don Maynard (WR) Texas Western
42 Clifford McClain (RB) South Carolina State
71 John Mooring (G-T) Tampa
12 Joe Namath (QB) Alabama
20 Steve O'Neal (P) Texas A&M
72 Scott Palmer (DT) Texas
81 Gerry Philbin (DE) Buffalo
66 Randy Rasmussen (OG) Kearney State
26 Jim Richards (WR) Virginia Tech
44 John Riggins (RB) Kansas
52 John Schmitt (C) Hofstra
41 Matt Snell (RB) Ohio State
46 Rich Sowells (CB) Alcorn A&M
89 Wayne Stewart (TE) California
22 Wayne Studdard (WR) Mississippi
76 Bob Svihus (T) USC
21 Steve Tannen (CB-S) Florida
45 Earlie Thomas (CB) Colorado State
27 Phil Wise (S) Nebraska-Omaha
18 Al Woodall (QB) Duke
53 Bill Zapalac (LB-DE) Texas
-Steet and Smith's Official 1972 Pro Football Yearbook
Rookies
69 Louis Age (G) Southwest Louisiana
83 Jerome Barkum (WR-TE) Jackson State
40 Hank Bjorklund (RB) Princeton
Mike Dempsey (G-T) Hofstra
54 Dan Dyches (C) South Carolina
30 Jeff Ford (DB) Georgia Tech
85 Ed Galigher (DE) UCLA
24 Ken Gamble (P) Fayetteville (N.C.)
68 Tony Garay (T-C) Hofstra
17 Gary Hammond (WR-S-QB) SMU
47 Dickie Harris (DB) South Carolina
86 Joey Jackson (DE) New Mexico State
79 Gary Kipfmiller (C) Nebraska-Omaha
58 Chuck Kyle (LB) Purdue
Mo Lattimore (G-K) Kansas State
25 Harvey Nairn (WR) Southern
Mike Packer (QB) L. Haven St.
59 Robert Stevenson (LB) Tennessee State
49 Phil Sullivan (DB) Georgia
77 Steve Sullivan (T) North Texas State
50 Mike Taylor (LB) Michigan
29 Rocky Turner (DB) Tennessee-Chattanooga
-Steet and Smith's Official 1972 Pro Football Yearbook
1972 New York Jets Roster, by Position
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Joe Namath (Alabama)
Bob Davis (Virginia)
Al Woodall (Duke)
Running Backs
John Riggins (Kansas)
Emerson Boozer (Maryland Eastern Shore)
Cliff McClain (South Carolina State)
Steve Harkey (Georgia Tech)
Matt Snell (Ohio State)
Receivers
Don Maynard (W) (Texas Western)
Richard Caster (T-W) (Jackson State)
Jerome Barkum (T-W) (Jackson State)
Ed Bell (W) (Idaho State)
Pete Lammons (T) (Texas)
Gary Hammond (W) (SMU)
Vern Studdard (W) (Mississippi)
(W)-Wide Receiver (T)-Tight End
Interior Linemen
Winston Hill (T) (Texas Southern)
Bob Svihus (T) (USC)
Randy Rasmussen (G) (Kearney State)
Dave Herman (G) (Michigan State)
John Schmidt (C) (Hofstra)
Dave Foley (T) (Ohio State)
John Mooring (G) (Tampa)
(T)-Tackle (G)-Guard (C)- Center
Kickers
Bobby Howfield
Grant Guthrie (Florida State)
Steve O'Neal (Texas A & M)
DEFENSE
Front Linemen
Mark Lomas (E) (Northern Arizona)
Gerry Philbin (E) (Buffalo)
John Elliott (T) (Texas)
John Little (T) (Oklahoma State)
Chuck Hinton (North Carolina College)
Roger Finnie (T-E) (Florida A&M)
Ed Galigher (T) (UCLA)
Scott Palmer (T) (Texas)
(E)-End (T)-Tackle
Linebackers
Larry Grantham (O) (Mississippi)
Ralph Baker (O) (Penn State)
Al Atkinson (M) (Villanova)
Mike Taylor (M-O) (Michigan)
John Ebersole (M-O) (Penn State)
Paul Crane (O) (Alabama)
(O)-Outside Linebacker (M)-Middle Linebacker)
Cornerbacks
John Dockery (Harvard)
Earlie Thomas (Colorado State)
Rich Sowells (Alcorn A & M)
Safeties
Phil Wise (S) (Nebraska-Omaha)
W.K. Hicks (W) (Texas Southern)
Steve Tannen (W) (Florida)
Gus Hollomon (S) (Houston)
Chris Farasopoulos (W) (Brigham Young)
(S) Strong Side (W) Weak Side or "Free" Safety
-Cord Sportsfacts Pro Football 1972
1972 New York Jets Revised Roster (after final cutdown before start of regular 1972 season)
62 Al Atkinson (LB) Villanova
51 Ralph Baker (LB) Penn State
83 Jerome Barkum (WR) Jackson State
7 Ed Bell (WR) Idaho State
32 Emerson Boozer (RB) Maryland State
88 Rich Caster (TE) Jackson State
56 Paul Crane (LB-C) Alabama
15 Bob Davis (QB) Virginia
55 John Ebersole (LB) Penn State
80 John Elliott (DT) Texas
19 Chris Farasopoulos (S) Brigham Young
61 Roger Finnie (G-DE) Florida A&M
85 Ed Galigher (DE) UCLA
60 Larry Grantham (LB) Mississippi
17 Gary Hammond (WR-QB) SMU
36 Steve Harkey (RB) Georgia Tech
67 Dave Herman (G) Michigan State
33 W.K. Hicks (S) Texas Southern
75 Winston Hill (T) Texas Southern
48 Gus Hollomon (S) Houston
3 Bobby Howfield (K)
86 Joey Jackson (DE) New Mexico State
63 Roy Kirksey (G) Maryland State
57 John Little (DT-DE) Oklahoma State
84 Mark Lomas (DE) Northern Arizona
13 Don Maynard (WR) Texas Western
42 Clifford McClain (RB) South Carolina State
71 John Mooring (G-T) Tampa
12 Joe Namath (QB) Alabama
20 Steve O'Neal (P) Texas A&M
81 Gerry Philbin (DE) Buffalo
66 Randy Rasmussen (G) Kearney State
44 John Riggins (RB) Kansas
52 John Schmitt (C) Hofstra
41 Matt Snell (RB) Ohio State
89 Wayne Stewart (TE) California
76 Bob Svihus (T) USC
21 Steve Tannen (CB) Florida
50 Mike Taylor (LB) Michigan
45 Earlie Thomas (CB) Colorado State
27 Phil Wise (S) Nebraska-Omaha
18 Al Woodall (QB) Duke
-Football Digest, December 1972
1972 NEW YORK JETS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
QB Joe Namath (Alabama) 12, Bob Davis (Virginia) 15, QB Al Woodall (Duke) 18
HB Emerson Boozer (Maryland State) 32, Cliff McClain (South Carolina State) 42
FB John Riggins (Kansas) 44, Steve Harkey (Georgia Tech) 36, Matt Snell (Ohio State) 41
WR Jerome Barkum (Jackson State)*, Eddie Bell (Idaho State) 7
T Bob Svihus (USC) 76, Roger Finnie (Florida A & M) 61
G Randy Rasmussen (Nebraska-Kearney) 66, Roy Kirksey (Maryland State) 63
C John Schmitt (Hofstra) 52, Paul Crane (Alabama) 56
G Dave Herman (Michigan State) 67, John Mooring (Tampa) 71
T Winston Hill (Texas Southern) 75
TE Rich Caster (Jackson State) 88, Wayne Stewart (California) 89
WR Don Maynard (Texas Western) 13, Gary Hammond (SMU)*, Steve O'Neal (Texas A & M) 20
DEFENSE
DE Gerry Philbin (Buffalo) 81, Joey Jackson (New Mexico State)*
DT John Little (Oklahoma State) 57, Ed Galigher (UCLA)*
DT John Elliott (Texas) 80
DE Mark Lomas (Northern Arizona) 84, Roger Finnie (Florida A & M) 61
LB Ralph Baker (Penn State) 51, Paul Crane (Alabama) 56
MLB Al Atkinson (Villanova) 62, Mike Taylor (Michigan)*, John Ebersole (Penn State) 55
LB Larry Grantham (Mississippi) 60
CB Steve Tannen (Florida) 21
SS Gus Hollomon (Houston) 48, Phil Wise (Nebraska-Omaha) 27
FS Chris Farasopoulos (Brigham Young) 19, W.K. Hicks (Texas Southern) 33
CB Earlie Thomas (Colorado State) 45
SPECIALISTS
K Bobby Howfield 3
P Steve O'Neal (Texas A & M) 20
KR Chris Farasopoulos (Brigham Young) 19, Gary Hammond (SMU)*
PR Chris Farasopoulos (Brigham Young) 19, Gary Hammond (SMU)*
* rookie
1972 New York Jets Topps Cards
Al Atkinson
Emerson Boozer
Rich Caster
Chris Farasopoulos
Dave Herman
W.K. Hicks
Winston Hill
Joe Namath
Pro Action: Joe Namath
George Nock
Gerry Philbin
John Riggins
Pro Action: John Riggins
1972 New York Jets NFLPA Wonderful World Stamps, alphabetical
Al Atkinson
Ralph Baker
Emerson Boozer
John Elliott
Dave Herman
Winston Hill
Gus Hollomon
Bobby Howfield
Pete Lammons
Joe Namath
Gerry Philbin
Matt Snell
Steve Tannen
Earlie Thomas
Al Woodall
1972 New York Jets NFLPA Wonderful World Stamps, by position
QB Joe Namath
QB Al Woodall
HB Emerson Boozer
FB Matt Snell
TE Pete Lammons
G Dave Herman
T Winston Hill
DT John Elliott
DE Gerry Philbin
MLB Al Atkinson
LB Ralph Baker
CB Earlie Thomas
SS Gus Hollomon
FS Steve Tannen
K Bobby Howfield
1972 New York Jets Sunoco Stamps, alphabetical
Al Atkinson
Ralph Baker
Ed Bell
Emerson Boozer
Rich Caster
John Dockery
John Elliott
Chris Farasopoulos
Larry Grantham
Dave Herman
W.K. Hicks
Winston Hill
Chuck Hinton
Bobby Howfield
Pete Lammons
John Little
Mark Lomas
Don Maynard
Joe Namath
George Nock
Steve O'Neal
Gerry Philbin
Randy Rasmussen
John Riggins
John Schmitt
Bob Svihus
Steve Tannen
Earlie Thomas
Phil Wise
1972 New York Jets Sunoco Stamps, by position
WR Ed Bell 7 (update)
LT Bob Svihus 76 (update)
LG Randy Rasmussen 66
C John Schmitt 52
RG Dave Herman 67
RT Winston Hill 75
TE Rich Caster 88
TE Pete Lammons 87
WR Don Maynard 13
QB Joe Namath 12
RB Emerson Boozer 32
RB John Riggins 44
RB George Nock 37
DE Gerry Philbin 81
DT John Elliott 80 (update)
DT John Little 57
DT Chuck Hinton 64
DE Mark Lomas 84
LLB Ralph Baker 51
MLB Al Atkinson 62
RLB Larry Grantham 60
LCB John Dockery 43
RCB Earlie Thomas 45
LS Phil Wise 27
RS Steve Tannen 21 (update)
RS W.K. Hicks 33
K Bobby Howfield 3
P Steve O'Neal 20
KR Chris Farasopoulos 19 (RS) (update)
1972 New York Jets Profile Summary
President - Philip H. Iselin
Chairman of the Board - Townsend B. Martin
Vice-President and Treasurer - Leon Hess
Vice-President and Secretary - Helen L. Springborn
Head Coach & General Manager - Weeb Ewbank
Director of Player Personnel - Homer Edington
Talent Scout & Assistant Coach - Mike Holovak
Linebackers Coach - Walt Michaels
Defensive Line Coach - Buddy Ryan
Receivers Coach - Ken Meyer
Offensive Line Coach - Wimp Hewgley
Defensive Backs Coach - Ed Biles
QB Joe Namath (Alabama) 12
QB Bob Davis (Virginia) 15
QB Al Woodall (Duke) 18
HB Emerson Boozer (Maryland State) 32
HB Cliff McClain (South Carolina State) 42
HB George Nock (Morgan State) 37
HB Hank Bjorklund (Princeton) 40
FB John Riggins (Kansas) 44
FB Matt Snell (Ohio State) 41
FB Steve Harkey (Georgia) 36
WR Don Maynard (Texas Western) 13
WR Jerome Barkum (Jackson State) 83
WR Ed Bell (Idaho State) 7
WR Gary Hammond (SMU) 17
WR Vern Studdard (Mississippi) 22
WR Rocky Turner (Tennessee-Chattanooga) 29
WR Steve O'Neal (Texas A & M) 20
TE Rich Caster (Jackson State) 88
TE Wayne Stewart (California) 89
TE Gary Arthur (Miami-Ohio) 82
C John Schmitt (Hofstra) 52
C Paul Crane (Alabama) 56
G Dave Herman (Michigan State) 67
G Randy Rasmussen (Nebraska-Kearney) 66
G John Mooring (Tampa) 71
G Roy Kirksey (Maryland State) 63
T Winston Hill (Texas Southern) 75
T Bob Svihus (USC) 76
T Dave Foley (Ohio State) 70
T Roger Finnie (Florida A & M) 61
DT John Elliott (Texas) 80
DT John Little (Oklahoma State) 57
DT Scott Palmer (Texas) 72
DT Chuck Hinton (North Carolina College) 64
DT Ed Galigher (UCLA) 85
DT Bill Dunstan (Utah State) 73
DE Gerry Philbin (Buffalo) 81
DE Mark Lomas (Northern Arizona) 84
DE Roger Finnie (Florida A & M) 61
DE Joey Jackson (New Mexico State) 86
MLB Al Atkinson (Villanova) 62
MLB Mike Taylor (Michigan) 50
MLB John Ebersole (Penn State) 55
LB Larry Grantham (Mississippi) 60
LB Ralph Baker (Penn State) 51
LB Paul Crane (Alabama) 56
LB Bill Zapalac (Texas) 53
CB Earlie Thomas (Colorado State) 45
CB Rich Sowells (Alcorn A & M) 46
CB John Dockery (Harvard) 43
SS Gus Hollomon (Houston) 48
SS Phil Wise (Nebraska-Omaha) 27
FS Steve Tannen (Florida) 21
FS W.K. Hicks (Texas Southern) 33
FS Chris Farasopoulos (Brigham Young) 19
K Bobby Howfield 3
K Grant Guthrie (Florida State) 11
P Steve O'Neal (Texas A & M) 20
P Gus Hollomon (Houston) 48
KR Chris Farasopoulos (Brigham Young) 19
KR Vern Studdard (Mississippi) 22
PR Chris Farasopoulos (Brigham Young) 19
PR Vern Studdard (Mississippi) 22
1972 New York Jets Team Photo
Gary Arthur
Al Atkinson
Ralph Baker
Jerome Barkum
Ed Bell
Ed Biles (assistant coach)
Hank Bjorklund
Emerson Boozer
Rich Caster
Paul Crane
Bob Davis
John Ebersole
John Elliott
Weeb Ewbank (head coach)
Chris Farasopoulos
Roger Finnie
Ed Galigher
Larry Grantham
Gary Hammond
Bill Hampton (equipment manager)
Steve Harkey
Dave Herman
Wimp Hewgley (assistant coach)
W.K. Hicks
Winston Hill
Gus Hollomon
Bobby Howfield
Joey Jackson
Roy Kirksey
John Little
Mark Lomas
Don Maynard
Clifford McClain
Ken Meyer (assistant coach)
Walt Michaels (assistant coach)
John Mooring
Joe Namath
Herb Norman (assistant Shea Stadium manager)
Steve O'Neal
Scott Palmer
Gerry Philbin
Randy Rasmussen
John Riggins
John Schmitt
Jeff Snedeker (trainer)
Matt Snell
Rich Sowells
Wayne Stewart
Bob Svihus
Steve Tannen
Mike Taylor
Earlie Thomas
Phil Wise
Al Woodall
Bill Zapalac
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