1974 Profile: Earlie Thomas

Cornerback
No. 45
Colorado State
"Among the premier cornerbacks in the NFL, Thomas has kept improving each year. He is a first-rate one-on-one coverage specialist and has bolstered his zone work.
Earlie makes the big play. He had two interceptions last year, though he has never been known for his interception work since opposing quarterbacks tend to throw away from him. His last minute theft preserved a 9-7 victory over New England last year, blunting Jim Plunkett's final drive. His steal of the ball from Paul Warfield in 1971 led to a 14-10 Jet upset of the Dolphins in the Orange Bowl.
He's considered to be All-Pro material. As a rookie, against the Rams, he was tested 11 times by Roman Gabriel and gave up no catches. Earlie has extremely long arms and closes down strongly on runs to his side.
Drafted 11th in 1970, Earlie is a former Denver Golden Gloves light heavyweight champion. He majored in entomology, the science of insects, and is completing his masters degree in it. His dissertation is on a weevil parasite. His hometown is Denver, Colorado."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Bill Zapalac

Linebacker
No. 53
Texas
"A backup outside linebacker and special teamer throughout his career, Zapalac has worked mainly at left linebackers but has also worked on the defensive line as an end. He was activated for the final six games in 1972 after being sidelined with a preseason shoulder separation, and played in 13 games in 1973.
Bill was a fourth round pick in 1971. As a rookie he came up with one of the biggest plays in the victory over Kansas City. Inserted late in the game for a pass rush, he broke though and dumped Len Dawson to end the Chiefs' last thrust.
Zapalac played in three Cotton Bowls (1969-71) and played on two national championship squads. His father, Willie, is head offensive coach for Texas and his brother, Jeff, also played for the Longhorns. Bill majored in architectural engineering. His hometown is Austin, Texas."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Rob Spicer

Linebacker
No. 59
Indiana
"Spicer earned three starting assignments at right linebacker as a rookie last year. He suffered rib damage against Buffalo and Miami and also aggravated an ankle against the Dolphins. He had a 12-yard interception against Miami at Shea Stadium.
Rob had a strong preseason with two fumble recoveries against the Eagles. He still needs to learn, but is a promising young linebacker as the Jets work to rebuild that unit.
Drafted 9th in 1973, he majored in geology. His brother Keith is pitcher in the Detroit Tigers' farm system. Rob was a teammate of '74 top pick Carl Barzilauskas at Indiana. He enjoys trout fishing for leisure activity. His hometown is Detroit, Michigan."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Bill Ferguson

Linebacker
No. 58
San Diego State
"Ferguson impressed the Jet coaches very much last year as a rookie and wound up starting the last five games at right linebacker. He's looked for to continue his development this year and Charley Winner thinks Ferguson has the ability to become a top NFL linebacker.
Bill had a bout with the flu in training camp and lost valuable learning time, but recovered to come along slowly. He loves to hit people and saw some time working in the middle when John Ebersole was hurt midway through the year. Drafted 4th in 1973, he has the good range and fluidity of motion which the Jets like.
Bill was named the most inspirational player on the team in college. His biggest thrill was taking a blocked field goal 60 yards to help San Diego State beat Iowa State. His hometown is El Cajon, California."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Jamie Rivers

Middle Linebacker
No. 54
Bowling Green
"Rivers joined the Jets this spring from St. Louis in a trade for the rights to Clifford McClain. He played under Charley Winner when he was the Cardinals head coach. Rivers has been an underrated defender during his career, having fine quickness and speed.
He was the Cardinals Rookie of the Year in 1968 when he became a regular. Rivers was outstanding in 1971 when he was the Cards MVP, but knee surgery shortened his '72 effort. He bounced back last year to have another fine campaign, playing in 10 games.
Originally drafted No. 5 n 1967 by St. Louis, Jamie makes his home in St. Louis."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: John Ebersole

Linebacker
No. 55
Penn State
"Ebersole saw duty at both the right and middle linebacker posts as injuries forced constant shifts among the Jet linebackers. He opened the season at right linebacker against Green Bay and two weeks later had to take over in the middle when Al Atkinson was hurt at Buffalo. Overall he played three games at the right and started nine in the middle, though he, too, was injured late in the year. He hurt his back at Cincinnati and was inactive for one week before returning for limited duty against Baltimore.
John has adequate speed to cover the inside or the outside position. Most of his career has been as a backup. He blocked a field goal against Minnesota in 1970 when he was a standout member of the special teams.
Drafted 4th in 1970, Ebersole majored in physical education. He went to Altoona High with the Bengals' Mike Reid.
John does public relations work in the off-season for Ward Trucking Co. in his hometown of Altoona, Pennsylvania."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Al Atkinson

Middle Linebacker
No. 62
Villanova
"A standout middle linebacker who had a frustrating season due to injuries, Atkinson was off to a fine start when he suffered a severely pulled muscle in his left thigh in the third game of the year at Buffalo. He was forced onto the inactive list for the next seven weeks before returning against Atlanta and Baltimore late in the year. He aggravated the pull against the Colts and was inactive for the final two games.
Atkinson closes down strongly at the point of attack and is particularly effective against the passing game. He has had injuries in recent years, with ankle problems sidelining him in '71 and '72.
Al was defensive captain from 1969-71 and was twice voted the 'Most Underrated Player' in the old AFL. He played the second half of the Super Bowl with a separated shoulder, not telling anyone about it. Al was a 3rd round choice of Buffalo in 1965, but came to the Jets just prior to the season opener for the $100 waiver fee. He earned a starting role for the final two games of '65 after special teams work.
He's an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and made a tour of Vietnam after the '68 season in conjunction with the USO. An institutional broker for Fahnestock & Co., Al's hometown is Upper Darby, Pennsylvania."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Ralph Baker

Linebacker
No. 51
Penn State
"Elected the Jets defensive captain, Baker had a steady and reliable year at his left linebacker post. He started every game and helped lend a stabilizing influence on the younger linebackers when injuries forced changes in the middle and on the right side.
Baker had four interceptions, returning one of them 22 yards for a touchdown at Baltimore. His other thefts came against Buffalo, New England and Atlanta. Baker spent the entire year in good health after a mild mononucleosis and a broken wrist had haunted him in 1972. He had his finest pro campaign in 1968, topping it off with two fumble recoveries, one each in the AFL Championship and the Super Bowl.
Ralph calls the defensive signals and does a good job of mixing up the coverages. He has also seen duty in the middle spot when the Jets have switched into a 4-4 alignment. Ralph is strong at the point of attack and is excellent on downfield pass coverage.
Signed as a 6th round pick in 1964, Baker majored in mathematics in college. He likes to hunt and fish and makes his home in Greenlawn, New York. His hometown is Lewistown, Pennsylvania."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Bob Parrish

Defensive End
No. 74
Duke
"Parrish turned in a very promising preseason when a back injury in the final preseason game sidelined him. He was placed on the reserve list and returns this year to try again. He reported with a low weight for a defensive lineman, but by year's end he was back up in the 240s and should be able to maintain it. Parrish worked at both end and and tackle, but is thought of primarily as an outside pass rusher, which is his strength.
Drafted 13th in 1973, Bob majored in English and political science, and 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. He turned down a chance to go to Duke Law School to play pro football.
Bob's hometown is Jacksonville, Florida."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Steve Thompson

Defensive Tackle
No. 87
Washington
"Thompson spent the 1973 season as a backup lineman and on special teams work. He had come out of retirement in 1972 to join the Jets midway through that season, but played in only five games before breaking his leg, the second major injury of his career. He had retired in the preseason of 1971 to 'follow the way of the Lord.'
Drafted No. 2 in 1968, Steve was a promising young player when he suffered knee cartilage and ligament damage in a rookie game against the Colts. He came back to be a starter in 1969 and had a fine rookie year. He has good speed and likes to play.
Steve made all-conference in basketball as a senior in high school. Deeply religious, he's interested in teaching. His hometown is Lake Stevens, Washington."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Joe Jackson

Defensive End
No. 86
New Mexico State
"Jackson saw action in four games last year as a reserve end and tackle and had one dump. He started two games in 1972 and finished with five dumps, second most on the team
Joe has always been a good pass rusher. He can get good penetration and likes to get the passer, but tends to make mistakes. He has good quickness and with his pass rush, can develop into a fine lineman with time. Drafted 6th in 1972, he's the biggest defensive lineman on the Jets at 270 pounds.
Nicknamed 'Mad Mountain' in college, his brother Mike played football for Central State. Joe is very active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, works in youth camps and enjoys roller skating. His hometown is Cincinnati, Ohio."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: John Little

Defensive Tackle
No. 57
Oklahoma State
"The regular defensive left tackle last year, starting all but one game, Little had five quarterback sacks, second only to Mark Lomas among the front four. He has fought off a weight problem to become a starter and now is able to maintain his weight around the 240-250 mark for the season. He gets a good pass rush, but still needs polishing on the running game.
John led the team in dumps in 1971 and has played left end and left tackle during his career. He shared the Heede Award with Lomas in 1971 as the most improved and dedicated defensive player. Drafted 14th in 1970, he has good strength and quickness.
Little majored in education and was a halfback and offensive end in high school. Nicknamed 'Big Devil' by the coaching staff, he enjoys hunting and fishing. His hometown is Hot Springs, Arkansas."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Ed Galigher

Defensive End
No. 85
UCLA
"A promising young defensive lineman who Charley Winner is counting on for 1974, Galigher has great size and strength and loves to play the game. He will contest for a starting position this year and is a major link in rebuilding the Jets front four.
Galigher has been hobbled by nagging injuries in each of his two years. He had a broken bone in his wrist in 1972 and last year was set back with a badly sprained ankle early in the year. He spent seven games on the inactive list, but should be in perfect shape to go this season. As a rookie he played three positions (LT, RT, RE) but last year was strictly a left end.
Drafted 4th in 1972, Ed majored in engineering. He won the California JC wrestling championship in the last two seconds of the match. His hometown is Hayward, California."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Richard Neal

Defensive Tackle
No. 81
Southern
"Neal became a regular immediately after joining the Jets last year via a trade. He played three of the four defensive line positions before settling into a job as a starting left tackle.
He had four dumps, good for third on the rush line, and started every game, four at left end, three at right tackle and seven as a left tackle. Neal proved to be a standout player for the Jets and is now only 26 years old. He's looked for to provide the up-front strength in the middle that the Jets need. He can play end well, but coaches felt that his style was better suited to inside play and plan on keeping him at tackle this year.
Neal had been a regular defensive tackle for the Saints and was their captain in 1972. He originally was a No. 2 draft pick of the Saints and came to the Jets in a trade with New Orleans in January 1973.
Richard has a B.A. in political science and was an all-state athlete in high school, earning thee letters in football and one in track. He works in public relations for Falstaff Brewing Company. His hometown is Shreveport, Louisiana."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Mark Lomas

Defensive End
No. 84
Northern Arizona
"Lomas has emerged as a fine defensive end, leading the Jets in sacks for the past two years. He had ten dumps in '73 and eight in '72 to pace the pass rushers. Lomas plays the right side exclusively after being used at both left and right early in his career. He teams up with tackle Richard Neal to give the Jets a strong defense on the right side.
Mark has a fine pass rush and has now rounded his game well against the run. The coaches are impressed with his ability to pursue. He had a great afternoon against Pittsburgh last year, and two years ago dumped the Colts' Johnny Unitas three times in one game and then recovered a fumble to set up a touchdown in the rematch. He was hobbled late in '72 with a sprained ankle, but played all the way with it.
In 1971, Mark ended up the senior lineman (in only his second season) as injuries felled every other member of the corps, and shared the Heede Award with John Little that year. He was drafted 8th in 1970.
Lomas played on a championship high school football team in Garden Grove, California, his hometown. He has worked as a substitute teacher during the off-season. Mark is a believer in health foods and enjoys handball and weight lifting."

-The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook