1974 New York Jets Outlook

"The New York Jets are becoming proficient in the three R's, but it won't get them straight A's or a lift in the won-lost column of the AFC Eastern Division standings. The three R's in the Jets' case are reluctance, resentment and regression.
The reluctance is symbolized by John Riggins and Joe Namath. Riggins is the massively talented fullback who tore up the league two years ago, then couldn't even decide if he wanted to play football last year. By the time John reported last season, the regular campaign had already begun and it took him until Thanksgiving to get into physical condition. He never did get into mental gear for football.
Namath's reluctance is more sophisticated. Financially, he doesn't need football anymore. The American Broadcasting Company made him an offer he almost couldn't refuse to replace Don Meredith as a member of the Monday night broadcasting trinity. Joe's knees keep him in near-agony during the season and the deterioration of his blocking in recent seasons has added to that particular woe. It certainly isn't inconceivable that his active football days are over.
The resentment exploded last spring when Al Atkinson, the veteran middle linebacker, ripped the club's management for what he called 'a terrible coldness' in its attitude toward the squad. Atkinson is a moderate, soft-spoken man, which gave his public outburst all the more impact.
Contract squabbles have characterized the downfall of the Jets. The latest discontented players to leave were veteran defensive tackle John Elliott and young linebacker Mike Taylor, who played out their contract options and signed with the New York Stars of the World Football League. Previously, management's heavy hand cost it All-Star defensive end Gerry Philbin, wide receiver George Sauer and defensive end Verlon Biggs.
The regression is symbolized by the misfired draft choices and the failure to achieve potential. An example of a draftee who missed is Taylor, the All-America linebacker from Michigan who failed to shore up one of the team's dilapidated areas. Failure to achieve potential is the rap on tight end Richard Caster, a man who has the skill to rip apart defenses but whose inconsistencies hurt the Jets as much as his successes gore the enemy.
If Namath decides to quit, the quarterbacking will done by Al Woodall, whose career as a part-time starter has been checkered. There is serious doubt whether he is equipped to win consistently.
It is vital that Riggins pays attention this year. Emerson Boozer is an honest workman, a player who can hurt a defense running the ball or catching it, but he is getting old.
Winston Hill, the big tackle, is the only offensive lineman of real quality. The big hope is that Robert Woods, a second-year man, will come along at guard or tackle. The second-round draftee, Gordie Browne of Boston College, will get a clear shot at winning a starting job.
Jerome Barkum seems on the verge of joining the league's pass-catching elite. If Caster were more consistent, that department would be ranked as high as almost any around.
Defensively, the draft may have brought two quality starters. Management opened the purse strings for the top pick, Indiana's Carl Barzilauskas, who got more money than Namath did as a rookie.
The Jets then speared a ruby in the third round, Southern U. linebacker Godwin Turk, who many thought wouldn't last beyond the first round. Turk will challenge veteran Ralph Baker at first but Charley Winner, the new head coach, may find that the percentage is to shift him to the other side where sophs Bill Ferguson and Rob Spicer are neck-and-neck.
Barzilauskas is a vital figure in the defensive line. Mark Lomas, an end, led the team in sacks last season but he can't be considered a stopper by any means. Probably the most efficient lineman is former New Orleans Saint Richard Neal.
Earlie Thomas is one of the league's most underrated players at cornerback. His partner Delles Howell, another ex-Saint who joined the team last year, does a firm job.
The best new player in the secondary is Burgess Owens, who did some excellent things from his strong safety position in his rookie season. Phil Wise ended the year as the starting free safety, but now Chris Farasopoulos has recovered from knee surgery and will challenge. Steve Tannen is always in the competition.
Place kicker Bobby Howfield should do all right under the new kicking rules, but punter Julian Fagan had a horrible season and could be displaced by rookie Greg Gantt."

-Larry Felser, Pro Football 1974

OFFENSE
"Quarterbacks: Will brittle Broadway Joe ever be around for a full season? Then again, he may not be around at all. Al Woodall is fragile, too, and of questionable talent. Bill Demory is for disasters.
Performance Quotient: 3 [1 through 5, 1 being best]
Running Backs: Emerson Boozer, though still productive, is grinding to a halt. John Riggins is moody- an unfortunate characteristic for a would-be superstar when it shows on the field.
Mike Adamle and Hank Bjorklund are interesting but ordinary. Tight end Dennis Cambal will get a look here.
Performance Quotient: 3
Receivers: The BBC trio- Jerome Barkum, Eddie Bell and Rich Caster- can scald defenses when two conditions exist: 1) they're concentrating; 2) the ball gets to them. Neither circumstance can be taken for granted. Eddie's size is a minus, but he makes a lot of receptions.
David Knight has good moves and soft hands. Margene Adkins is fast but inconsistent. Cambal isn't ready yet.
Performance Quotient: 3
Interior Linemen: Unless the once-secure airbag of pass protection can be reinflated to a reasonable facsimile of the glory days, there's trouble here. 37 sacks testify to the collapse. One of them tore up Joe Willie, the meal ticket.
Winston Hill remains surly but is a youngster no longer. Unheralded rookie Gordie Browne is programmed for the other side. Randy Rasmussen does commendable work. Robert Woods, frequently a revolving door, will try to fill retired Dave Herman's shoes. John Schmitt can be shoved aside by Garry Puetz.
Bob Svihus is worn out. John Mooring, once highly regarded, is slipping. Smallish Bill Wyman has heart.
Performance Quotient: 4
Kickers: There's spring in Bobby Howfield's leg, but sometimes he thinks too much. Julian Fagan was atrocious- the worst in the NFL. Rookie Greg Gantt should win the job.
Performance Quotient: 3"

-Larry Felser, Pro Football 1974

DEFENSE
"Front Linemen: Deep thinkers are convinced Carl Barzilauskas (now spell it without peeking) will be a sure-fire remedy to one malady, but there are many other troubles. John Elliott, a wise ex-All-Pro, ran off to the WFL. Richard Neal is a pleasant package of talent and desire. But the ends? Yikes! Mark Lomas and Ed Galigher don't frighten anyone. And without a pass rush from them, the secondary is in for a lot of heat.
John Little, Steve Thompson and Joey Jackson may help- but not much.
Performance Quotient: 4
Linebackers: Yet another rebuilding project. Godwin Turk is supposed to be a savage. He'll probably make Ralph Baker a part-timer. Al Atkinson keeps getting injured and keeps wrestling with the alternative of retirement or demanding a trade. Whether he's present or not, ex-Cardinal Jamie Rivers may well take over. John Ebersole was adequate in the middle for most of last season and will be around for insurance. So will Bill Zapalac.
The other outside area is an enormous question mark. Bill Ferguson and Rob Spicer are about equal, which isn't encouraging.
Performance Quotient: 4
Cornerbacks: Earlie Thomas knows the ropes and doesn't get fooled very often. Delles Howell is rangy and covers ground reasonably well, but he's susceptible to getting stung deep. Rich Sowells is a respectable sub.
Performance Quotient: 3
Safeties: Burgess Owens burst on the scene as a rookie and demonstrated he'll soon be among the NFL's elite. Phil Wise is highly vulnerable. If Chris Farasopoulos returns after knee surgery, he'll most likely be the regular.
Steve Tannen is an in-and-outer who is out of favor with the coaches. Roscoe Word is a mighty mite kick returner.
Performance Quotient: 3"

-Larry Felser, Pro Football 1974


"Problems ... questions ... new faces ... a new coach. The outlook for the New York Jets is clearly unclear, but all the woes could resolve themselves and new head man Charley Winner might come up with a winner after all. Yet even if he does, the defense is such that dreams of a championship- or even the playoffs- seem remote at best.
The chief question, of course, is quarterback Joe Namath. Will he decide to play? Can he? And if he does, will he be as magnetically marvelous as he has been in the past?
If Namath doesn't, or can't, the job will belong to Al Woodall, who is sometimes good, sometimes not so good. But the rest of the offense should be sweet- John Riggins and Emerson Boozer running the ball, Jerome Barkum, Eddie Bell and Rich Caster catching it, and such as Robert Woods, Randy Rasmussen, John Schmitt, Garry Puetz and Winston Hill making both activities possible by blocking.
Puetz was a rookie last year and so was Woods, but they looked good and now with veteran guard Dave Herman retired, a spot is open. Veteran Bob Svihus is back, and young John Mooring may move out someone. So, too, might No. 2 pick Gordie Browne.
There isn't much running depth, but receivers like David Knight and Margene Adkins provide insurance at the wide spots.
The defense is Winner's problem. Wherever he turns, he finds questionable talent or aging talent or thin reserves.
Up front, he'll go with Ed Galigher, John Little, Richard Neal and Mark Lomas, but there is the spectre of No. 1 pick Carl Barzilauskas lurking behind Little and Galigher.
The linebacking should fair to good, better in the middle where Al Atkinson returns. On Atkinson's left will be old pro Ralph Baker, but if age or slowness become problems there is No. 3 draft choice Godwin Turk, a 'steal' from Southern very much like L.A.'s Isiah Robertson. On the right is Bill Ferguson ... or Rob Spicer ... but you see that problem.
The secondary has Delles Howell and Earlie Thomas at corners (both good) and Burgess Owens and Phil Wise at safeties (Owens is a budding star). Chris Farasopoulos and Steve Tannen should fight for a job, mostly the one now owned by Wise.
It's the front four and the linebackers, plus some uncertainty on the offensive line, that will haunt Winner."

-Gridiron News 1974 Pro Yearbook

NEW COACH - BUT NOT A LIKELY WINNER

"Will Joe Namath play? Probably. And if he does, the biggest problem for new head coach Charley Winner is solved. But even with this super quarterback, the Jets don't seem ready to mount an offensive against the Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills in their AFC Eastern Division race.

With Namath are would-be runners John Riggins and Emerson Boozer,  and receivers Eddie Bell, Jerome Barkum and Rich Caster. Barkum made the Pro Bowl for his 44 catches and 810 yards. Boozer gained 831 yards, but Riggins was sub-par, injured and upset by a long holdout, and the huge fullback managed just 482 yards.

He must improve, while Boozer cannot get hurt, for depth here is thin indeed. Only Mike Adamle or a rookie or two is to be found.

The interior line will be newer and younger. Guard Dave Herman has retired and tackle Bob Svihus seems ready for a sub's role, making the starting five Robert Woods and Winston Hill (at tackles), Randy Rasmussen and Garry Puetz (at guards) and veteran John Schmitt at center.

The defense? It needs help, baby, especially up front. And help, in the person of No. 1 draft choice Carl Barzilauskas, is what the Jets got. Right now, the starting four are Ed Galigher, John Little, Richard Neal and Mark Lomas. But Barzilauskas will threaten both Little and Galigher and probably win one of those jobs.

Al Atkinson returns at middle linebacker, with Ralph Baker and Bill Ferguson the other two starters, but rookie Godwin Turk (No. 3 pick) might send Fergy to the sidelines. The corners will be Delles Howell and Earlie Thomas, with Burgess Owens and Phil Wise (or Steve Tannen, or Chris Farasopoulos) at the safeties.

But the main concern is the quarterback. If it's not Namath, it's going to be Al Woodall. He's been erratic to date.

Prediction: Third."

-Dave Klein and the editors, Pro Football Illustrated 1974

Can The Jets Keep Joe Willie Happy And Healthy For A Full Year?

"'I'm looking forward to having a family. I'd like to have some land with dogs and cows and a little garden of my own to grow plants and flowers. That's in my blood I think.'

If you think the above quote is from retired head coach Weeb Ewbank as he turned the job as New York's top man to Charley Winner- you're dead wrong. So help me Hannah, the words have been attributed to none other than Joe Willie Namath, America's most famous bachelor.

Of course, this was while Joe was talking about leaving the Jets. This was when he was debating offers from the World Football League and from ABC Television as a commentator on their Monday Night Football contests. Now that it's probable that old number 12 will be back in pads for 1974, the cows and garden and plants and flowers will just have to wait a little longer.

Once again an injury to Namath spelt disaster to the Jets on the field. He missed more than half the season. This wasn't the only problem for Weeb in his final year. John Riggins held out and was ineffective after he finally did sign. Others were injured and the bench failed miserably, along with such first-round draft choices of recent years as linebacker Mike Taylor and safety Steve Tannen. Neither has won a big spot on the club and Winner can only hope his scouts did better in leading him to select Indiana's huge defensive tackle Carl Barzilauskas in the first round last January.

Linebacker Al Atkinson was still talking about retirement as we went to press, so that's another rebuilding job that may face beleaguered Charley as he takes over the coaching chores.

Rookie safety Burgess Owens performed strongly for the Jets, particularly late in the season. A healthy competition at offensive guard between veteran Dave Herman and sophomore Gary Puetz, along with the continued excellence of Randy Rasmussen on the other side should improve the blocking. It appears that sophomore Robert Woods has definitely won one tackle position to go along with Winston Hill up front. Hopefully, this will keep blitzing linebackers from crippling Jet quarterbacks- the situation which knocked out first Namath and then backup Al Woodall for much of the year.

A big problem for the Jets offense continues to be the running game. It's frustrating to see Namath pass for over 400 yards in a game and then have the club lose because there are no healthy backs on hand to punch for scores in short-yardage situations. Emerson Boozer continues to have frequent injury troubles. John Riggins was looked on as a future star after his 1971 rookie performance, but after last year's holdout, he was never effective. But New York must believe the talent is already on hand to build up that situation since the club waited until the 7th round before selecting its first running back in this year's draft, Wayne Jones of Mississippi State.

Morale will be the chief difficulty facing the new coaching staff. Injuries, bad drafts and trades, and cockeyed football bounces have severely hurt the Jets for two years. And many of the players were griping about the way they were being handled under the old regime. Charley Winner must stem this discontent, must get his troops to believe in themselves, or '74 could become an even worse disaster. Since New England and Baltimore are both beginning to look moderately successful in building, it wouldn't take much for the Jets to fall all the way into the cellar in the AFC East this year.

I shouldn't expect that to happen. There's still a lot of great talent on this ball club. If Winner can get them off and running early, they should seriously challenge the Bills for the second spot in the division. Good play and health from Joe Willie, Boozer, Riggins and the rebuilt offensive line, a decision to stay by Atkinson, and the New Yorkers could be back in championship contention. The receiving corps is one of the biggest pluses, headed by tight end Rich Caster and wide receivers Jerome Barkum and Ed Bell.

But if Namath's knees get hurt again ...

The Jets will spend a long, long time looking up from the bottom."

-Tommy Kay's 1974 Big Book of Pro Football

1974 NEW YORK JETS ROSTERS

1974 New York Jets Preseason Position Roster
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Joe Namath (Alabama)
Al Woodall (Duke)
Bill Demory (Arizona)

Running Backs
Emerson Boozer (Maryland Eastern Shore)
John Riggins (Kansas)
Mike Adamle (Northwestern)
Hank Bjorklund (Princeton)

Receivers
Jerome Barkum (W) (Jackson State)
Ed Bell (W) (Idaho State)
Richard Caster (T) (Jackson State)
David Knight (W) (William & Mary)
Margene Adkins (W) (Henderson JC)
Dennis Cambal (T) (William & Mary)
(W)-Wide Receiver  (T)-Tight End

Interior Linemen
Winston Hill (T) (Texas Southern)
Gordie Browne (T) (Boston College 
Robert Woods (G-T) (Tennessee State)
Randy Rasmussen (G) (Kearney State)
John Schmitt (C) (Hofstra)
Bob Svihus (T) (USC)
Garry Puetz (C-G) (Valparaiso)
John Mooring (T-C) (Tampa)
Bill Wyman (C) (Texas)
(T)-Tackle  (G)-Guard  (C)- Center

Kickers
Bobby Howfield (PK)
Julian Fagan (P) (Mississippi)
Greg Gantt (P) (Alabama)
(PK)-Place Kicker  (P)-Punter

DEFENSE
Front Linemen
Mark Lomas (E) (Northern Arizona)
Ed Galigher (E) (UCLA)
Carl Barzilauskas (T) (Indiana)
Richard Neal (T-E) (Southern)
John Little (T) (Oklahoma State)
Steve Thompson (T) (Washington)
Joey Jackson (E) (New Mexico State)
(E)-End  (T)-Tackle

Linebackers
Godwin Turk (O) (Southern)
Bill Ferguson (O) (San Diego State)
Al Atkinson (M) (Villanova)
Ralph Baker (O) (Penn State)
Jamie Rivers (M) (Bowling Green)
Rob Spicer (O) (Indiana)
John Ebersole (M) (Penn State)
Bill Zapalac (O) (Texas)
(O)-Outside Linebacker  (M)-Middle Linebacker)

Cornerbacks
Delles Howell (Grambling)
Earlie Thomas (Colorado State)
Rich Sowells (Alcorn A & M)

Safeties
Burgess Owens (S) (Miami)
Phil Wise (W) (Nebraska-Omaha)
Chris Farasopoulos (W) (Brigham Young)
Steve Tannen (S-W) (Florida)
Roscoe Word (W) (Jackson State)
(S) Strong Side  (W) Weak Side or "Free" Safety

-Pro Football 1974, published by Cord Communications Corporation

1974 New York Jets Preseason Veteran Roster

  1 Mike Adamle (RB) Northwestern

26 Margene Adkins (WR) Henderson JC

62 Al Atkinson (LB) Villanova  

51 Ralph Baker (LB) Penn State

83 Jerome Barkum (WR) (Jackson State)

  7 Ed Bell (WR) Idaho State

40 Hank Bjorkland (RB) Princeton

32 Emerson Boozer (RB) Maryland State 

30 Dennis Cambal (TE) William & Mary

88 Rich Caster (TE) Jackson State

  6 Bill Demory (QB) Arizona

55 John Ebersole (LB) Penn State

80 John Elliott (DE-DT) Texas

10 Julian Fagan (P) Mississippi

19 Chris Farasopoulos (S) Brigham Young 

58 Bill Ferguson (LB) San Diego State

85 Ed Galigher (DE) UCLA 

54 Rick Harrell (C) Clemson

75 Winston Hill (T) Texas Southern 

24 Delles Howell (CB) Grambling

  3 Bobby Howfield (K)

86 Joe Jackson (DE-DT) New Mexico State 

82 David Knight (WR) William & Mary

57 John Little (DT) Oklahoma State

84 Mark Lomas (DE) Northern Arizona

42 Cliff McClain (RB) South Carolina State

71 John Mooring (T-C) Tampa

12 Joe Namath (QB) Alabama

81 Richard Neal (DT-DE) Southern 

22 Burgess Owens (S) Miami

78 Gary Puetz (G-T) Valparaiso

66 Randy Rasmussen (G) Kearney State

44 John Riggins (RB) Kansas

52 John Schmitt (C) Hofstra 

46 Rich Sowells (CB) Alcorn A&M

59 Rob Spicer (LB) Indiana

76 Bob Svihus (T-G) USC

21 Steve Tannen (S-CB) Florida

50 Mike Taylor (LB) Michigan

45 Earlie Thomas (CB) Colorado State

87 Steve Thompson (DT) Washington

29 Rocky Turner (WR-S) Tennessee-Chattanooga

27 Phil Wise (S) Nebraska-Omaha

18 Al Woodall (QB) Duke

72 Robert Woods (T) Tennessee State

53 Bill Zapalac (LB) Texas

-1974 Gridiron Pro Yearbook

1974 New York Jets Draft Choices

1 Carl Barzilauskas DT Indiana

2 Gordie Browne T Boston College

3 Godwin Turk         LB Southern

3 Roscoe Word         DB Jackson St. (from Washington Redskins)

5 Gary Baccus         LB Oklahoma

6 Bill Wyman         C Texas

6 Wayne Jones         RB Mississippi St. (from St. Louis Cardinals)

7 Burney Veazey TE Mississippi

8 Greg Gantt          K Alabama

8 Larry Lightfoot         RB West Alabama (from New Orleans Saints)

8 Ron Rydalch         DT Utah (from Kansas City Chiefs)

9 Robert Burns         RB Georgia

10 Sam Baker         G Georgia

11 Eugene Bird         DB Southern Miss

11 Bill Buckley         WR Mississippi St. (from St. Louis Cardinals)

12 John Ricca         DE Duke

13 John Tate  LB Jackson St.

14 Greg Fountain         G Mississippi St.

15 Willie Brister         TE Southern

16 Clarence Jackson RB Western Kentucky

17 Doug Lowrey         G-C Arkansas St.

-1974 Gridiron Pro Yearbook

1974 NEW YORK JETS DEPTH CHART

1974 New York Jets Depth Chart

OFFENSE

QB Joe Namath, Al Woodall, Bill Demory, Ed Baker*

RB Emerson Boozer, Hank Bjorklund, Bob Burns*, Larry Lightfoot*, Jazz Jackson*

RB John Riggins, Mike Adamle, Cliff McClain, Dennis Cambal 

WR Ed Bell, David Knight, Margene Adkins, William Buckley*

LT Robert Woods, Bob Svihus, Gordie Browne*

LG Randy Rasmussen, Greg Fountain

C John Schmitt, Rick Harrell, Garry Puetz, John Mooring, Bill Wyman*

RG Garry Puetz, Robert Woods, Buck Baker*, Doug Lowrey*

RT Winston Hill, John Mooring

TE Rich Caster, Butch Veazey*, Willie Brister *

WR Jerome Barkum, David Knight, Lou Piccone 

DEFENSE

LE Ed Galigher, John Elliott, Bob Parrish

LT John Little, Steve Thompson, Carl Barzilauskas*

RT Richard Neal, Ron Ryadalch*, Ed Thomas

RE Mark Lomas, Joe Jackson 

LLB Ralph Baker, Bill Zapalac, Godwin Turk*, John Tate*

MLB Al Atkinson, John Ebersole 

RLB Bill Ferguson, Rob Spicer 

LCB Delles Howell, Rich Sowells, Eugene Bird*

LS Phil Wise, Chris Farasopoulos, Steve Tannen, Rocky Turner, Roscoe Word*

RS Burgess Owens, Rocky Turner

RCB Earlie Thomas, Rich Sowells 

* rookie

-Gridiron News 1974 Pro Yearbook