JOHN ELLIOTT
Defensive Tackle
No. 80
Texas
"A top-flight tackle who has been having his troubles in the past couple of seasons because of injuries. Elliott played in only four games in 1971 and missed another in 1972.
'The good lord gave me five good years in the pros,' he says. 'I figure now I've got to start paying for them. But I hope I can play another five or six years.' A tough guy from the Texas farm country who was earning money by carrying 100-pound sacks of feed at age 12, he returns to his ranch in the off-season.
Elliott was criticized for clobbering Houston's Dan Pastorini. But he says it wasn't intentional: 'I don't want to hurt anyone. I've had two or three operations myself so I know what they're like."
-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition
"One of the premier defensive linemen in pro football, Elliott began to show his original form late last season. He spent the preseason and the early games of the regular season fighting his way back from knee surgery in 1971. He finally has regained his full mobility and his ability as a 'chaser' of quarterbacks. John had an outstanding year in 1970, but he suffered torn ligaments in his right knee in the fourth game of 1971 at New England and underwent surgery immediately.
In 1970 he was named to numerous All-AFC squads, to the Pro Bowl and was voted the NEA Third Down Award by his teammates as the Jets' most valuable player. It's no coincidence that the Jets led the AFL in defense for two of the three years after Elliott became a starter. He led the team in sacking quarterbacks in 1970 with 16 dumps.
Elliott draws consistent praise from his opponents and from coaches for his speed and 'active' nature on the line. He was drafted seventh in 1967.
John enjoys hunting and fishing and works as a rancher during the off-season. His hometown is Warren, Texas."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
JOHN LITTLE
Defensive Tackle
No. 57
Oklahoma State
"Little became a full-time regular last year, starting all 14 games and leading the team in sacks with eight. He was hobbled somewhat by a pinched nerve in his neck and a broken wrist but still played all the way. Little had an outstanding game at Buffalo, dumping Dennis Shaw three times and helping on another.
Over his three years, he played at both left-side positions before becoming a starter. John put on weight before the '71 campaign and has maintained himself in the 240s ever since. He shared the Heede Award in 1971 as the most improved and dedicated defensive player. He was drafted 14th in 1970.
Little was a fullback and an offensive end in high school. He majored in education and was nicknamed 'Big Devil' by his coach Buddy Ryan. His hometown is Hot Springs, Arkansas."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
STEVE THOMPSON
Defensive Tackle
No. 87
Washington
"Thompson came out of retirement midway through the 1972 campaign to take a backup post along the defensive line. He played in only five games before breaking his right leg in Miami. He went on the reserve list after that.
Steve had retired following the Jet-Giant preseason game in 1971 to follow the way of the Lord. He was a starter in 1969 and had a fine year. 1970 saw him struck with a series of rib, knee and shoulder ailments.
Thompson had his rookie year cut short in 1968 with cartilage and ligament damage suffered in the Jets rookie game with the Colts in July. He recovered by late in the year to play in the AFL Championship game and the Super Bowl.
A second-round draft choice in 1968, his hometown is Lake Stevens, Washington."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
BOB PARRISH
Defensive Tackle
13th Round
Duke
"Drafted 13th, Parrish has a good pass rush but needs to beef up his frame. He pursues well and is a hitter. He made second team All-ACC and was All-Academic in the ACC.
Parrish went on an NCAA-sponsored tour of Korea and Southeast Asia. He works as a public relations and recreation director for a resort hotel in Florida. His hometown is Jacksonville Beach, Florida."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
MARK LOMAS
Defensive End
No. 84
Northern Arizona
"The starting defensive right end, Lomas had another consistent season. He had a great afternoon against Baltimore, dumping Johnny Unitas three times. In the rematch at Shea, Lomas recovered a Norm Bulaich fumble to set up a Jet touchdown. He started one game at right tackle as the Jets varied their defensive fronts.
In 1971 he was the senior lineman much of the way as injuries cut through the unit, leaving him the only defensive man to remain healthy all season. He shared the Heede Award with John Little in 1971. As a rookie he handled left end and left tackle before being converted to the right side. Mark was drafted eighth in 1970.
Lomas has worked as a substitute teacher during the off-season and is a health food believer. His hometown is Garden Grove, California."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
"Mark has proven to be an outstanding right end for the Jets, earning praise from the club's coaching staff. Mark has come up with the big plays for the defensive unit and gets to the quarterback quickly. A versatile lineman with the ability to play either end or tackle, he played at defensive left tackle in 1970."
-1973 Topps No. 302
RICHARD NEAL
Defensive End
No. 81
Southern
"'Richard Neal should be ready to blossom into a pro standout but he was hobbled by a sprained ankle most of last season,' says Saints coach J.D. Roberts. He needs to work on his moves for the pass rush.
The co-captain on defense for the Saints, Neal was voted the team's most valuable defensive player. He was picked by the Saints in the second round of the 1969 draft and has been a starter ever since.
Born in Minden, Louisiana, Neal attended Booker T. Washington High in Shreveport. He is well-liked by his teammates for his easy-going yet conscientious ways."
-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1972 Edition)
"An all-state athlete at Booker T. Washington High in Shreveport where he earned three football letters and one in track, Richard was selected as an NAIA All-American in 1968. He was awarded four letters and was Southern University's team captain in 1968 and All-Southwestern Athletic Conference in 1967 and 1968.
Richard came into his own at left defensive end in 1970 after playing behind Doug Atkins as a rookie in 1969."
-1972 Topps No. 87
"Acquired along with Delles Howell from New Orleans for a No. 2 and a No. 3 draft choice just prior to the draft, Neal was a regular defensive end for the Saints and was elected captain for 1972. He had a sprained ankle in 1971 and knee trouble in 1970 but played injury-free a year ago. Neal played very well against the Jets' Winston Hill when the Saints visited Shea last year. He was the Saints No. 2 draft choice in 1969.
Richard works in public relations for the Falstaff Brewing Co. His hometown is Shreveport, Louisiana."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
"Acquired by the Jets from the Saints, Richard never fails to give 100% on the field. He has excellent potential, particularly in rushing the quarterback."
-1973 Topps No. 443
JOEY JACKSON
Defensive End
No. 86
New Mexico State
"Joey saw action at both tackle and at end during his rookie campaign. He started twice, against Oakland and Cleveland, at right end. He is a player who gets good penetration into the backfield and likes to get the quarterback. Joey had five sacks, second most on the team, and could challenge for a starting position this year. He was drafted sixth in 1972.
He's nicknamed 'Mad Mountain' after a local Indian legend. His brother, Mike, plays football for Central State. Joey is very active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His hometown in Cincinnati, Ohio."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
ED GALIGHER
Defensive End
No. 85
UCLA
"Galigher enjoyed a very promising rookie season last year, playing three different positions along the defensive end. He started in Detroit, his only start of the year, but suffered a broken hand in that game and was finally placed on reserve for the last game of the year. Galigher impressed the coaches and could challenge for a starting position this season. Drafted fourth in 1972, he has great strength and quickness.
Ed majored in engineering. His hometown is Hayward, California."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
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