BOBBY HOWFIELD
Place Kicker
No. 3
"His idea of a birthday present for himself was to kick a winning 42-yard field goal as time was running out to beat New Orleans, 18-17. It was Howfield's sixth three-pointer of the day. His others were for 30, 39, 31, 23 and 33 yards. After the game he was his unshakable self.
'I wasn't excited,' Howfield said. 'I probably won't get excited until I have my first beer tonight.' His 75-year-old mother was in the stands that day for her first American football game. Bobby is from England where he played professional soccer before being picked up by Denver.
He had come to New York in 1971 in a straight-up trade for kicker Jim Turner. 1971 wasn't very good for Howfield and he worried about losing his job before the 1972 season began.
'Maybe if I have a .750 percentage on field goals I won't have to worry,' he remarked on the eve of the regular season. Bobby came close to that, kicking 73%, so he won't have to worry. The 42-yarder was his longest of the season as he connected on 27 of 37.
Howfield's a fine kickoff man, too, which is one of the reasons the Jets swapped the popular Turner for him."
-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition
"Howfield enjoyed his finest season in the NFL last year, leading the AFC in points scored with 121. He was also third best among AFC kickers in field goal percentage with .730. He converted on 27 of 37 field goal tries, missing only once inside the 37-yard line.
Bobby's best afternoon came against New Orleans when his right foot accounted for six field goals and all the Jets' points as the team won, 18-17. His 42-yarder as the final gun went off provided the winning points. He termed it 'my biggest thrill since coming to the United States.'
Howfield also handled the kickoffs. He has a strong leg but needs to increase the distance on his field goals. His longest was 42 yards, accomplished twice. Bobby is the first soccer-style kicker Weeb Ewbank has ever coached.
He came to the U.S. after a kicking clinic found him in England. He was cut by the Chiefs and went to Denver in 1968. Howfield stayed there before coming to the Jets, and scored 213 points for the Broncos. He was obtained by the Jets in a trade for Jim Turner in January 1971.
Howfield played pro soccer in England for 12 years. His hometown is Bushey, England."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
"Bobby was the AFC's individual scoring champion in 1972. He kicked six field goals as the Jets came from behind to defeat the Saints, 18-17, including one in the closing seconds of the game."
-1973 Topps No. 425
JULIAN FAGAN
Punter
No. 10
Mississippi
"Ranked seventh in the NFC last season, averaging 40.8 yards, despite having one blocked. Julian punted 71 times, tops in the NFC.
A 17th-round pick, he was an Academic All-America three years in a row. 'I'd like five peak years of pro football and then call it quits.' Julian wants to be a lawyer.
He is a youth director for a Baptist church. "For a long time I didn't give much thought to religion even though I was raised in a Baptist environment,' Fagan says. 'One day at Ole Miss I got to thinking about the real purpose of life. I had everything but I still lacked serenity of mind. I got down on my knees and asked God to help me find the real meaning of peace. I asked Jesus to help me and guide me.' "
-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1973 Edition)
"Acquired in a trade with New Orleans along with Margene Adkins in June for Steve O'Neal and Bob Davis, Fagan replaces O'Neal, who was the Jet punter for the past four years.
Fagan has a 41.6-yard average over his three-year career, leading the NFL with a 42.5 showing as a rookie. He has been busy with the Saints, punting over 70 times each season. He once punted nine times in a game against Washington in 1971. Originally the 17th-round choice of Houston in 1970, Fagan joined the Saints that year on waivers.
Julian holds a BA from Ole Miss. He's studying law at Mississippi. His hometown is Laurel, Mississippi."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
"The NFC's seventh leading punter in 1972, Julian had the conference's longest boot of last season, a 74-yarder against the Rams on November 26. He holds all of the Saints' punting marks."
-1973 Topps No. 473
STEVE O'NEAL
Punter-Wide Receiver
No. 20
Texas A&M
"Steve has been the Jets' punter for the past four seasons. He holds the Jets record for most punts in a season with 78 in 1971. He had a pro record 98-yarder against the Broncos in 1969."
-1973 Topps No. 349
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