EARLIE THOMAS
Cornerback
No. 45
Colorado State
"One of the top cornerbacks in the NFL today, Thomas is the anchorman of the deep backs and has improved steadily over each of his three years. His outstanding man-to-man coverage and zone work is improving, and he patrols his right corner post so well that quarterbacks usually do not throw his way.
Thomas recovered a fumble against Baltimore and had a 14-yard interception late in the New Orleans game to set up a Bobby Howfield field goal. In 1971, his steal of the ball from Paul Warfield in the Orange Bowl helped power the Jets to a win over AFC champ Miami.
Earlie has good speed, and long arms and closes down strongly on runs to his side. He was drafted 11th in 1970.
He is a former Denver Golden Gloves light heavyweight champion. His brother, John, plays for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Earlie majored in entomology, the science of insects, and is completing his Master's degree. His hometown is Denver Colorado."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
DELLES HOWELL
Cornerback
No. 24
Grambling
"One of Delles' finest performances to date occurred during the Saints' 24-14 upset of Dallas in 1970. He intercepted two passes in the game and gained 98 yards on the returns.
As a rookie that year he developed into a starter at right cornerback in the Saints' sixth game and wound up with three interceptions, a number of tackles and knocked-down passes. Delles' brothers preceded him in pro football."
-1972 Topps No. 321
"Howell came to the Jets just before the draft along with Richard Neal from New Orleans for a No. 2 and a No. 3 draft choice. He's the tallest cornerback in the NFL at 6-4.
Delles was the Saints' regular right cornerback in 1971 and 1972 and had five interceptions in '71. He has had broken hands twice in three years, but managed to play with a cast each time. Delles will challenge for a starting job at either corner. He was the No. 4 choice of the Saints in 1970.
Howell majored in physical education. His brother, Mike, is in Cleveland's defensive secondary and his brother, Lane, was a tackle with the Giants and Eagles. His hometown in Monroe, Louisiana."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
"The Saints' regular right cornerback the past two seasons, Delles came to the Jets along with Richard Neal during the off-season. He covers a lot of territory."
-1973 Topps No. 507
RICH SOWELLS
Cornerback
No. 46
Alcorn A&M
"A backup cornerback, Rich suffered through a year of shoulder injuries. In spite of the recurring dislocation of his left shoulder, he started five games at left cornerback and had two interceptions. His starting assignments came against Baltimore, Houston, New England, Miami and Detroit in place of Steve Tannen. His shoulder first acted up against New England and then was re-dislocated in the Detroit game- Rich popped it back in and continued playing.
Drafted 12th in 1971, Sowells' biggest thrill in athletics was a 72-yard pass interception return as a senior. His hometown is Huntsville, Texas."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
STEVE TANNEN
Strong Safety
No. 21
Florida
"Tannen played hurt all of last season, with a series of painful shoulder injuries. He had a stellar preseason and then hurt his right shoulder in the final preseason game at San Diego. He had two interceptions against Buffalo from his left corner slot the next week in the regular season opener despite injuring his left shoulder.
Steve intercepted seven passes for 125 yards to lead the team in both categories and finished second in the AFC. He should be medically all right this year after an off-season to let the shoulders heal properly. A series of pulled muscles idled him in 1971.
Tannen has made a habit of blocking kicks with a wide rush on the kicker. He had a blocked punt in 1971, another in 1970 and knocked down two field goals in 1970. He scored with the punt block against Buffalo in '70. He was the number one draft pick in 1970.
Tannen was an outstanding athlete in the Florida Relays as a senior in high school. He owns a boutique and restaurant, 'Tuesday Morning,' in Gainesville, Florida. His hometown is Miami, Florida."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
"Steve has made a habit of blocking kicks. He scored with a blocked punt against the Bills in 1970. He knocked down two field goals and blocked a punt against the Patriots in 1971."
-1973 Topps No. 54
BURGESS OWENS
Strong Safety
1st Round
Miami
"'He will start for whoever drafts him' ... 'will play immediately,' say the Jet scouting reports on Owens. He impressed the Jet staff with his outstanding effort in the Senior Bowl. He covers man-to-man and zone equally well.
An All-America during his career at Miami, Owens made 160 tackles, eight interceptions and three fumble recoveries. He mainly played left cornerback for the Hurricanes and helped return punts as a junior, averaging 15 yards a try. Could come in at safety or cornerback, says Ewbank. One of the few 'unusual athletes' in the draft, according to Jet scouts."
-Football Digest, August 1973
"Scouting reports for the Jets say, 'He'll start for whoever drafts him,' which the Jets did with their top pick. The Jet staff was impressed with Owens in the Senior Bowl game. He was an All-America on the Sporting News list, which picks on the basis of pro potential. He had eight interceptions, 160 tackles and three fumble recoveries during his career at Miami.
Owens also returns punts."
-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition
"Among the top prospects for instant success in the secondary are Miami's Burgess Owens, the Jets' number one pick. Owens is expected to become a regular cornerback for the Jets from the moment he arrives in training camp."
-Frank Ross, from Previewing the Top Rookies of 1973, Pro Football Illustrated 1973
"The number one draft pick of the Jets, Owens impressed Jet scouts with an outstanding effort in the Senior Bowl. He was named All-America by the Sporting News and second team by NEA.
He made 160 tackles, eight interceptions and three fumble recoveries during his career. Owens was primarily a left cornerback but helped return punts as a junior, averaging 15 yards per try. Burgess 'will play immediately' say Jet scouting reports.
Owens was an offensive halfback in high school, gaining over 1,500 yards with 10 touchdowns. He works in construction during summers, majored in marine biology, and plans to go into dentistry. His father is a professor of agronomy at Florida A&M. His hometown is Tallahassee, Florida."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
GUS HOLLOMON
Strong Safety-Punter
No. 48
Houston
"A starting strong safety for the Jets the past three seasons, Gus is also the club's backup punter. He had a big theft against the Chiefs to preserve a Jet victory in 1971."
-1973 Topps No. 276
CHRIS FARASOPOULOS
Free Safety-Kick Returner
No. 19
Brigham Young
"Farasopoulos won the starting free safety spot in training camp and proceeded to grade out as the best defensive back over the course of the season. He also handled the bulk of the Jets return work, leading the AFC in punt returns with a 10.5 average on 17 returns. He broke a 65-yarder for a touchdown in the season opener at Buffalo, the first punt return for a touchdown by a Jet since 1963. Chris led the Jets in kickoff returns with a 24.1 average, and at his safety post he picked off two opposition passes, returning them for 48 yards; his thefts came against New England and Buffalo.
Faraopoulos suffered a back injury (broken vertebra) at Miami and was forced out of the Detroit game four days later, the only game he has missed since coming to the Jets. He has good speed as a returner and according to Weeb Ewbank is 'beginning to develop the savvy that he had in college when he led the country in returns.' Chris was a third-round draft choice in 1971.
Farasopoulos was born in Piraeus, Greece. His name is pronounced Fair-a-SOP-a-lus. He was drafted as an infielder by the Baltimore Orioles but declined to sign when they asked him to shorten his name. His hometown is Torrance, California."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
"Possessed with good speed and the ability to handle the corner if necessary, Chris has been the Jets' leading kickoff return specialist in his first two years."
-1973 Topps No. 374
PHIL WISE
Safety
No. 27
Nebraska-Omaha
"An outstanding athlete who has been troubled with injuries, Wise suffered a bad groin pull against Baltimore last year and spent five weeks on the move list. He came back to start in three games at the end of the year.
Wise played at cornerback against Buffalo at Shea and then saw work as a linebacker when the Jets went to a double-safety formation against Buffalo, Miami and Detroit. He posted a 23.4-yard average on nine kickoff returns, pairing up with Chris Farasopoulos as the deep men. In 1971, Wise started eight games at safety. He was drafted sixth in '71.
Phil majored in criminal justice and specialized in probation and parole problems. His hometown is Omaha, Nebraska."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
RICK SEIFERT
Safety
8th Round
Ohio State
"Drafted in the eighth round, Seifert was called by Woody Hayes 'one of the finest safeties and one of the hardest hitters we've ever had.' Rick suffered ligament damage and underwent surgery on his right knee last year but is recovered.
Seifert worked in rubber factories for the RCA Rubber Corporation during the summer months. He pronounces his name SIGH-furt. His hometown is Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio."
-The New York Jets Official 1973 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos
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