1973 New York Jets Running Back Profiles

EMERSON BOOZER

Halfback

No. 32

Maryland State

"Boozer figures highly again in the Jets' plans now that Matt Snell is gone for good. Em gained 549 yards (4.6 a carry) last season. He also caught 11 passes for 142 more yards. His 14 touchdowns (11 rushing, three receiving) led the team.

Actually, Boozer has been an important figure in the Jets' scheme since his rookie year. He was hurt badly (severe knee injury) in 1967 but made a comeback in '68.

'Injuries inspire me more,' he says. 'My knee injury happened when I was young. I had myself convinced I could grow another leg to replace the injured one.' He ranks sixth on the list of active rushers, having lugged the ball 936 times for 3,690 yards. Boozer has 45 touchdowns on the ground and eight more on passes. He'll play for several more years if he can.

'Having had a taste of pro ball, I don't want it to end soon.' Emerson has a daily radio show in New York and would like a career in radio or television."

-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition

"The eighth leading active rusher in the AFC, Boozer teamed with John Riggins in the backfield to give the Jets their best rushing attack ever. He finished as the second leading rusher on the club with 549 yards and became 'Mr. Touchdown' of the Jets offense. He set a club record with 11 touchdowns and caught three more TDs for an overall total of 14, to tie the Jet mark in that category. He led the AFC and tied for the NFL lead in touchdowns.

Boozer had three days of three touchdowns each, at Buffalo, at New England and against the Patriots at Shea. He has now turned the three-TD trick five times in his career and is the Jets' all-time rushing touchdown leader with 45. Boo is the third-leading scorer of all time with the Jets (312 points) and second only to the retired Matt Snell in rushing (3,690 yards). Emerson had his greatest afternoon as a pro in 1972, racing to 150 yards and three touchdowns at New England. The 150 yards were the fourth best ever by a Jet.

He accomplished all of this last year despite missing three games entirely due to injuries and sitting out most of two others. Boozer has now put together four outstanding seasons back-to-back and with another could become the Jets' all-time leading rusher. He has been dogged with minor injuries each year but always comes back. His sophomore year (1967) saw him suffer a major injury when he tore ligaments in his knee in the ninth game. He had already scored 13 touchdowns, only six shy of the AFL mark. Boozer recovered from surgery and a year later received praise for his work during the AFL championship game and for his blocking in the Super Bowl. He led the way for Snell, who gained 121 yards.

Emerson has always been known as a superb blocker and teams with Riggins flawlessly. He excels in handling linebackers on blitzes. His bouncy, high-kneed style of running comes from his high school coach. Named AFL Rookie of the Year by the Pittsburgh Courier in 1966, Emerson was drafted sixth that year.

Boozer does an excellent job on the banquet trail during the off-season. He has a daily radio program on WLIB, and is co-director with Dave Herman of a summer football camp. He's extremely interested in working with youths.

Emerson makes his home in Huntington Station, New York. His hometown is Augusta, Georgia."

-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos

"A fine running back for the Jets the past seven seasons, Emerson has always been known as an outstanding blocker for his teammates and is superb at picking up the blitz."

-1973 Topps No. 464

JOHN RIGGINS

Running Back
No. 44
Kansas
"The Jets Most Valuable Player in his second year. He fell just four yards short of Matt Snell's team rushing record and 56 short of the magic 1,000 mark. Riggins may have topped both if it hadn't been for an odd shoulder injury late in the season. He carried 207 times for 944 yards, a 4.6-yard average and seven touchdowns. Riggins was over the 100 mark in three games in 1972. He gained 769 yards rushing as a rookie.
John's best day in '72 was against New England when he rolled for 168 yards. That was the second best ever by a Jet. His 32 carries that day equaled the team record.
A small-town boy who says, 'Stardom to me meant being the best ballplayer at Centralia (Kan.) High School.' Others predict loftier heights for him.
'Riggins is younger and has more speed than Larry Csonka,' says Miami coach Don Shula. 'He certainly will be a great one.' He is also a fine pass catcher, having led the Jets as a rookie. Last season, John caught 21- one was a 67-yard touchdown sprint."

-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition

"Riggins had a stellar sophomore season despite being nagged by injuries and sitting out the final two games of the year after minor knee surgery. He was selected Jets MVP by his teammates. He rushed for 944 yards, only four yards shy of the Jet season record held by Matt Snell, and good enough for a seventh place finish among AFC runners.
John had his finest day as a pro, running for 168 yards on 32 carries, at New England. He went over the century mark on two other occasions- 125 yards at Baltimore and 105 yards at Detroit. John sat out half of the first Miami game and was in for only one play against New England at Shea. He suffered his right knee trouble in the New Orleans game and two days later underwent surgery to remove a chip from the knee.
As a rookie he was the first player in Jet history to lead the team in both receiving and rushing. Ewbank compares Riggins to Marion Motley, Alan Ameche and Matt Snell in terms of potential.
'One of the fastest learners I ever had,' said Ewbank. Riggins was one of the reasons why the Jets set a team record for rushing yards in 1972. He picks up the blitz very well and opens the holes when Boozer carries. Coaches felt he would have been a Pro Bowl choice if not for the injury.
A first round draft choice in 1971, John broke all of Gale Sayers' records at Kansas with 2,706 yards over three years. He also set the Jayhawk season mark with 1,131 yards as a senior. He never missed a game or practice at Kansas.
Riggins set the 60-yard dash state record in high school with a 6.4. He was twice a state 100-yard dash champ with 9.8. Riggins' biggest thrill in sports was seeing himself on a bubble gum card. His hometown is Centralia, Kansas."

-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos

"John became the first player in Jets history to lead the team in both rushing and receiving as a rookie when he did this in 1971. He's a powerful runner."

-1973 Topps No. 245

STEVE HARKEY

Running Back

No. 36

Georgia Tech

"A reserve running back, Harkey was called upon to start in three games last year. He got the nod at Houston, at New England and at Oakland when injuries depleted the Jet running corps. He rushed for 129 yards in 45 tries.

Harkey is a straight-ahead type of runner with power. He has good hands and was used to catch nine passes for 114 yards. He was drafted 16th in 1971.

Steve is Vice-President of Harkey Enterprises, a sporting goods concern. He enjoys modern poetry. His hometown is Atlanta, Georgia."

-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos

HANK BJORKLUND

Running Back

No. 40

Princeton

"Bjorklund was active for seven games in the second half of the season. He was used sparingly in the backfield but returned seven kickoffs for a 21.4 average. His best day came in the season finale against Cleveland when he ran seven times for 28 yards and caught three passes for 19 yards. Bjorklund also caught a 35-yarder against Buffalo at Shea to start the Jets on a drive for a field goal.

Hank is a big, strong type of runner who has straight-ahead speed and excellent hands. Drafted in the 12th round in 1972, he won All-East and All-Ivy honors and was an honorable mention AP All-America.

Bjorklund was drafted by the Jets after bringing his own films to Shea for Weeb Ewbank to look at. He is a licensed real estate salesman and the leading scorer on the Jets' off-season basketball team. His hometown is Glen Head, New York."

-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos

CLIFF MCCLAIN

Running Back

No. 42

South Carolina State

"A valuable backup runner, McClain moved into the spotlight with five starting assignments last year when injuries depleted the ranks. He finished the season third among the rushers with 305 yards. He had the best average gain per attempt with 5.2 yards per try.

McClain's finest day was a 121-yard effort on only 10 carries at Detroit. He also gained 68 on 13 tries against New Orleans.

Cliff has a world of potential, with great speed and moves. He spurted 63 yards against Cincinnati in 1971 for the Jets' longest run from scrimmage ever. He was drafted fifth in 1970.

McClain also competed in track in college. He ran the 9.7 in 100, ran in the 440 relay, and threw the javelin and the shot. His hometown is Orlando, Florida."

-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos

JIM NANCE

Running Back

No. 35

Syracuse

"If Jim Nance is still learning the art of ball-carrying, as he claims, what can be expected of him next? All he did last year- his third in the AFL- was to win his second consecutive rushing title and to go over the 1,000-yard mark for the second time in a row. No other AFL back had ever accomplished either of these feats before. The barrel-chested 6-1, 245-pound fullback gained 1,216 yards in 1967 on 269 carries for a 4.5 average and seven touchdowns. As a soph in '66, he set a league record of 1,458 yards rushing on 299 attempts for a 4.9 average and 11 touchdowns.

These are powerful indications of learning for a guy who was unimpressive as an overweight rookie. Jim's strength as a runner is strictly to the inside, and by the time he hits his hole, he's in full stride. When he tries to go wide, he commits himself too early and draws a crowd.

Incidentally, know what round the Patriots landed him? The 19th."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

"For the second year in a row, Jim was the leading fullback in the AFL. In 1966, he was voted Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player.

Jim was the NCAA wrestling champ in 1963."

-1968 Topps No. 72

"When the 1969 season opens, Jim Nance will have to put aside the five-speed English racer he's been traveling about on in recent months. But Jim won't need it- he's running at top speed again.

Last season he was hurt, and no one on the Patriots suspected just how much until Jim's damaged ankle was opened up and doctors found two bones pressing together. Missing about half the season, the 1,000-yard runner was only half as good as he was in 1967, as he gained 593 yards on 177 carries for a 3.4 average and four touchdowns. But in both 1966 and '67, he went over the 1,000-yard mark and won two consecutive rushing titles.

A brute of a man at 6-1 and 245 pounds, Jim is now in his fifth pro season since coming out of Syracuse as the Pats' nineteenth-round draft choice."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969

"The powerful fullback is the first man to lead the A.F.L. in rushing two years in a row (1966 & '67). Last season, Jim was Boston's top ground gainer again.

Fast and amazingly strong, Jim won 91 out of 92 wrestling matches in college. He will not eat a meal for 16 hours before a game."

-1969 Topps No. 70

"The big fullback has been one of the AFL's best since coming out of Syracuse University five years ago. Although he failed to hit the thousand-yard mark in rushing last year, his 750-yard total was still impressive, considering that he was a doubtful factor before the season began. An ankle injury suffered in 1968 required surgery, but Nance came all the way back last year.

Despite having played out his option, the chances of his remaining with the Patriots are good because they're staying in Boston. Nance feared a shift to the south, which he did not want to make."

-Brenda and Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1970

"The first runner to lead the AFL in rushing two years in a row, Jim was voted as Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the AFL in 1966. He set a club mark with 11 touchdown runs that year. An outstanding and punishing blocker and a good pass receiver, Jim had an impressive finish as a rookie fullback in 1965 after choosing the Patriots over the Chicago Bears.

Jim doesn't eat for 16 hours before each game."

-1970 Topps No. 60

"In 1969 Jim Nance was hailed for making the AFL's comeback of the year when he returned from a severe ankle injury suffered in '68 to rush for 750 yards. Twice, in '66 and '67, Nance had led the AFL in rushing with 1,458 yards and 1,216 yards, respectively.

Whether or not he can be that good again depends solely on the Patriots. Last season, Nance was in good form but managed only 522 yards on the ground behind an injury-riddled offensive line. But the 6-1, 240-pounder blocked solidly and caught passes well. In 1970 'Bo' caught 26 passes for 148 yards.

He has the brute strength to carry tackles with him and enough speed to turn the corner. Only 28, he should be around when the Pats do start winning again."

-Brenda Zanger, Pro Football 1971

"Had a good but not great season in 1970 after reporting to camp late due to salary differences with management. Nance signed a multi-year contract just before the first game. He then went out and led the Patriots to an upset over Miami, rushing for 89 yards and a touchdown, and catching three passes for 28 more. He also scored the winning touchdown in the team's only other 1970 victory.

Nance gained 522 yards to lead the club but his 3.6-yard average was below his lifetime 4.0. He has become a pretty good receiver as the years pass, catching 26 in 1970. He's maybe the best blocking back in the conference.

He had an amazing season in 1966 when he rushed for over 100 yards in eight different games and completed the season with an AFL record of 1,458 yards. He carried the ball 299 times that season.

Nance probably won't gain 1,000 yards again because the Pats' offense is more varied. But he could have his finest all-around year if the team jells.

From Indiana, Pa., he was twice an NCAA wrestling champ and winner of 91 of 92 matches as an amateur. He savors 20-pound lobsters but stays away from the table for 16 hours before a game."

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

"Winner of the 1969 AFL Comeback of the Year award, Jim returned from serious off-season ankle surgery early in the year to finish second in the AFL in rushing. The first player to lead the AFL in rushing two years in a row, he gained over 100 yards in eight different games in 1966 for an AFL record and had six games over 100 yards in 1967. Jim tied a Boston record by scoring five times on the ground in his rookie season of 1965 and set a new mark with 11 ground scores in 1966.

Jim was the NCAA heavyweight wrestling champ in 1963 and 1965, was the Eastern title winner three years in a row, and won 91 of 92 matches. He was the Athlete of the Year at Syracuse as a senior."

-1971 Topps No. 170

"Ideal fullback type. Nance is a great runner, an excellent all-around blocker and a good pass-catcher.

The second-leading rusher (to Leroy Kelly) in the AFC, he has 5,323 career yards and 45 touchdowns. His figures would be even higher except for injuries in the past couple of seasons. Nance could rank among the top ten rushers of all time in pro football if he has a good season this year.

Last season, he gained 463 yards in 13 games. He led the team with five rushing touchdowns and was third on the team in receiving with 18 catches.

Nance led the old AFL in rushing with over 1,000 yards in both 1966 and 1967. His best year was '66 when he gained 1,458 yards. He was twice an All-AFL selection and once league MVP.

From Indiana, Pa., Nance was a standout college wrestler at Syracuse, winning all but one of 92 heavyweight matches. He was twice an NCAA champion."

-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1972 Edition)

"The highlight of the 1971 season for Jim came in the Patriots' 20-0 shutout of the Jets on October 10. In that game he gained 93 yards on 20 carries, putting him over the 5,000-yard plateau in rushing yards and into 15th place among the NFL's all-time rushers.

Jim is a former NCAA wrestling champ."

-1972 Topps No. 183

"Nance signed with the Jets after sitting out the 1972 campaign. He's one of the AFL's great stars. His 5,323 yards places him 11th on the all-time NFL list and ranks him second to Leroy Kelly among active AFC rushers. His total of 45 rushing touchdowns ties him with Emerson Boozer behind Kelly's 71 on the active AFC list.

Jim led the AFL in rushing in 1966, with 1,458 yards and 299 carries, and in 1967. The AFL's most valuable player in 1966, he was twice all-league. He was originally drafted 19th by the Patriots in 1965.

Nance enjoys paddle ball for relaxation. He worked for a real estate firm last year and was recommended to the Jets by Mike Holovak, who coached Nance at Boston. Jim's hometown is Indiana, Pennsylvania."

-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos

MIKE ADAMLE

Running Back

No. 1

Northwestern

"Adamle was acquired in a trade from Kansas City in exchange for Gerry Philbin last February. He was the Chiefs' third-leading rusher in '72 with 303 yards. He had been a backup at Kansas City for the past two years and responded well when called upon a year ago. Adamle also helped return kicks, posting a 21.9 average on kickoff returns. He was originally a fifth-round choice of the Chiefs.

Mike is the son of Tony Adamle, who played linebacker for the Cleveland Browns when Weeb Ewbank was an assistant coach there. His hometown is Kent, Ohio."

-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos