AL ATKINSON
Middle Linebacker
No. 62
Villanova
"Atkinson had another solid year at the middle linebacker post. He was particularly outstanding in games against Baltimore and Washington. In the 'Skins game he was flawless in breaking down the blocking for Larry Brown, a factor which helped the Jets hold Brown to his lowest rushing total of the year (48 yards). Atkinson suffered an ankle injury late in the season and had to sit out the game at Miami.
Al could be tried on the outside this year. Coaches feel he has the speed to cover the outside sweeps and the power to close down strongly at the line.
Atkinson was defensive captain of the Jets from 1969-1971. He had an injury riddled year in '71, again with an ankle injury which kept him out of four games. He was twice voted the Most Underrated Defensive Player in the old AFL but has come out of the shadows in the past three years. Al was a third-round choice of Buffalo in '65 but came to the Jets just prior to the season opener for the $100 waiver price.
Atkinson is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He visited Vietnam after the '68 season in conjunction with the USO. He's an institutional broker for Fahnestock & Co. His hometown is Uppper Darby, Pennsylvania."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
JOHN EBERSOLE
Middle Linebacker
No. 55
Penn State
"Ebersole spent the '72 campaign as a backup linebacker, mainly in the middle. He played extensively at Miami in place of the injured Al Atkinson. He could challenge for a starting MLB post this year if the Jets move Atkinson to the outside.
A terror on special teams, Ebersole is one of the first men down under kicks. He started five games in '71 and was named defensive MVP after his show against Kansas City. He was drafted fourth in 1970.
John does public relations work in the off-season for Ward Trucking Company in Altoona, Pennsylvania, his hometown."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
ROB SPICER
Middle Linebacker
9th Round
Indiana
"Drafted in the ninth round, Spicer played two years in the middle and only his sophomore year outside. John Pont said he 'was a fine prospect for the ninth round.' Spicer also took an interception for a touchdown against Purdue as a junior.
Rob's brother Keith is a pitcher with Toledo in the Detroit Tigers farm system. His hometown is Detroit, Michigan."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
WALLY DEMPSEY
Middle Linebacker
Free Agent
Washington State
"Dempsey played eight years in the Canadian League with Saskatchewan and twice won All-CFL honors at middle linebacker for the Roughriders. He has never missed a play in 112 consecutive games, a CFL record. Wally played on the Grey Cup Champs in 1966. He came to the Jets after playing in the Rams training camp in 1972 before returning to Canada.
Wally works in the off-season with Dempsey Brothers Masonry in Reseda, California, his hometown."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
LARRY GRANTHAM
Linebacker
No. 60
Mississippi
"Larry plays well against the running attack to his side, closing it down consistently. A pro since 1960, he's an absolute master at calling the blitz."
-1973 Topps No. 74
RALPH BAKER
Linebacker
No. 51
Penn State
"Baker enters his 10th year with the Jets at left linebacker. He came down with a case of mononucleosis last year, missing four games in the middle of the season, yet fought back from it to close out in good style. He had an interception against Buffalo in the game at Shea.
Ralph had his finest pro campaign in 1968, topping it off with two fumble recoveries, one in the AFL Championship game and another in the Super Bowl. He's excellent on pass coverage and plays well against runs to his side. Ralph is strong at the point of attack.
Signed as a sixth-round draft choice in college, Baker majored in mathematics in college. He likes to hunt and fish and makes his home in Greenlawn, New York. His hometown is Lewistown, Pennsylvania."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
"Ralph enjoyed his finest pro campaign in 1968, topping it off with two fumble recoveries, one in the AFL Championship Game against the Oakland Raiders and one in the Super Bowl against the Colts."
-1973 Topps No. 486
PAUL CRANE
Linebacker-Long Snapper
No. 56
Alabama
"Crane was playing the best ball of his career last year before suffering torn ligaments in his left knee against Washington. He underwent an immediate operation and sat out the remainder of the year. Crane had been the starting left linebacker in Ralph Baker's absence due to illness and had one interception. He has been the number-one backup on either side for seven years and also makes the long snap for punts.
Paul has two career touchdowns, one on a 26-yard interception return and another on a blocked punt recovery in 1969. He was named winner of the Heede Award, given to the most dedicated and improved defensive player in 1969. Signed as a free agent after impressing Jet coaches in workouts for the 1966 Senior Bowl, Paul was a consensus All-America center under Bear Bryant at Alabama.
A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Crane is the leader of the Jets' devotional services. His hometown is Prichard, Alabama."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
BILL ZAPALAC
Linebacker
No. 53
Texas
"Activated for the final six games after a shoulder separation had kayoed him during the preseason, Zapalac played mainly on the defensive line last year. As a rookie, he came up with one of the biggest plays in the victory over Kansas City. Inserted late in the game, he broke through and dumped Len Dawson to end the Chiefs' last thrust. He was a fourth-round pick in 1971.
Zapalac played in three Cotton Bowls ('69-'71) and on two national championship squads. His father, Willie, is head offensive coach for Texas. Bill majored in architectural engineering. His hometown is Austin, Texas."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
MIKE TAYLOR
Linebacker
No. 50
Michigan
"Taylor started in five of the final six games after seeing spot duty earlier in the year. He reported injured from the College All-Star Game and was slowed in his training camp learning. His staring assignments were at both outside slots. Mike should benefit from a full training camp season this year. He was drafted second in the first round in 1972.
Mike was All-City at Martin Luther King High in Detroit, his hometown."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
BILL FERGUSON
Linebacker
4th Round
San Diego State
"Drafted in the fourth round by the Jets, Ferguson is an aggressive prospect according to scouts. He reads very well and is hard at the line. Scouted by Bill Baird, former Jet defensive back, Bill had two blocked field goals for touchdowns in 1972. He transferred from Washington to Grossmont J.C. before heading to San Diego State.
Ferguson was named the most inspirational player on the San Diego State team. His biggest thrill was taking a blocked field goal 60 yards to help San Diego State beat Iowa State. His hometown is El Cajon, California."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
BRUCE BANNON
Linebacker
5th Round
Penn State
"Drafted fifth, Bannon is a smart, durable player who makes very few mistakes. Named a first-team All-America defensive end by the American Football Coaches Association, NEA, UPI and Walter Camp among others, Bruce was named the outstanding defensive player in college by the Washington (D.C.) Pigskin Club. He was a member of the College All-Star team.
Bannon compiled a 3.92 (out of 4) average in geology and worked in coal mines in Pennsylvania. His hometown is Rockaway, New Jersey."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
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