Tight End
No. 88
Jackson State
"Without a doubt one of the most dangerous tight ends in the business today, Caster is a game breaker. He has had 23 touchdowns already in his four-year career to date and has hauled in some the longest passes in Jet history.
Caster started out as a wide receiver for the Jets, but switched to tight end in 1972 and did it so effectively that he won Pro Bowl honors. He picked up right there in 1973 and turned in another top-notch season. He has maintained a 19.1 average per catch over his career.
Rich had his most catches as a pro in 1973 when he caught nine passes for 131 yards against Cincinnati, including a 12-yard touchdown from Al Woodall. The Jets also felt he was in the end zone for what would have been the winning points in the controversial loss. His other touchdowns came against Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Buffalo. In 1972 he had one of the most dramatic games ever by a receiver, catching three touchdown passes against Baltimore, all on first down. Caster was the only NFL receiver to go over 200 yards in a game in 1972, with 204 against Baltimore.
He finished second only to Jerome Barkum among the Jet receiving corps, giving the Jets an explosive inside-outside threat. Caster was timed at 4.5 in the 40 last year in camp, ahead of all other Jet receivers. He has the size to fight off the aggressive defensive back tactics and find the openings in the zone defenses. He usually draws double coverage.
Caster won the Heede Award in 1972 as the most improved and dedicated offensive player. His blocking in the line has improved vastly over his career.
Drafted No. 2 in 1970, Caster also competed in track and field in college, lettering three times. He played on the Alabama state championship grid team while at Williamson High in Mobile, Alabama.
Rich likes to swim and is a fine tennis player. He played tennis against Ed Bell in a benefit match at Nassau Coliseum this spring. His hometown is Mobile, Alabama."
-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook
No comments:
Post a Comment