"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 is 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 interested 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, soft hands. Margene Adkins is fast but inconsistent. Cambal isn't really 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 out- 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 is back 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 and 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
1974 New York Jets Preseason Depth Charts
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Joe Namath (Albama)
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
* Rookie
-Pro Football 1974, published by Cord Communications Corporation
OFFENSE
QB - Joe Namath 12, Al Woodall 18, Bill Demory 6, Ed Baker 16
RB - Emerson Boozer 32, Hank Bjorklund 40, Bob Burns*, Larry Lightfoot*, Jazz Jackson*
RB - John Riggins 44, Mike Adamle 1, Cliff McClain 42, Dennis Cambal 30
WR - Ed Bell 7, David Knight 82, Margene Adkins 26, William Buckley*
LT - Robert Woods 72, Bob Svihus 76, Gordie Browne *
LG - Randy Rasmussen 66, Greg Fountain*
C - John Schmitt 52, Rick Harrell 61, Garry Puetz 78, John Mooring 71, Bill Wyman*
RG - Garry Puetz 78, Robert Woods 72, Buck Baker*, Doug Lowrey*
RT - Winston Hill 75, John Mooring 71
TE - Richard Caster 88, Butch Veazey*, Willie Brister *
WR - Jerome Barkum 83, David Knight 82, Lou Piccone *
DEFENSE
LE - Ed Galigher 85, John Elliott 80, Bob Parrish 74
LT - John Little 57, Steve Thompson 87, Carl Barzilauskas*
RT - Richard Neal 81, Ron Ryadalch*, Ed Thomas*
RE - Mark Lomas 84, Joe Jackson 86
LLB - Ralph Baker 51, Bill Zapalac 53, Godwin Turk*
MLB - Al Atkinson 62, John Ebersole 55
RLB - Bill Ferguson 58, Rob Spicer 59
LCB - Delles Howell 20, Rich Sowells 46, Eugene Bird*
LS - Phil Wise 27, Chris Farasopoulos 19, Steve Tannen 21, Rocky Turner 29
RS - Burgess Owens 22, Rocky Turner 29
RCB - Earlie Thomas 45, Rich Sowells 46
* rookie
-Gridiron News 1974 Pro Yearbook
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