1975 Profile: Steve Tannen

Free Safety
No. 21
Florida
"Tannen started eight games at free safety, gaining two interceptions for 33 yards. He had particularly outstanding games against the Colts and the Giants. Steve blocked a punt against the Colts and it was recovered by safety-mate Burgess Owens for a touchdown.
Steve has made a habit of blocking kicks from his outside post on the rush team and has knocked down two field goals and two punts, scoring with a punt block against Buffalo in 1970. He led the team in interceptions in 1972 with seven, also good for a second place finish in the entire AFC. Tannen has great versatility, having played every defensive backfield position in his career; a No. 1 draft choice in 1970, he started for three years at left corner.
Tannen has had his poetry published in magazines and has taken acting lessons- he had a small part in a TV film entitled 'Strike Force.' He plays tennis and the guitar and his hometown is Miami, Florida."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: Delles Howell

Cornerback
No. 20
Grambling
"The tallest cornerback in the NFL, Howell spent 1974 primarily as a backup but earned a start at New England in the 10th week. He picked off two interceptions that afternoon, but suffered a severely sprained ankle and was sidelined for the rest of the season.
Howell was the starter on the left side for the entire 1973 season, intercepting four passes for 76 yards. He was the starting right cornerback for the Saints before coming to New York. Originally a No. 4 pick of New Orleans in 1970, Delles has had two broken hands in his career. He came to the Jets in 1973 along with Richard Neal for No. 2 and No. 3 draft choices.
His hometown is Monroe, Louisiana."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: Burgess Owens

Strong Safety
No. 22
Miami
"Owens continued to mature as one of the outstanding young strong safeties in football today. He led the team with three interceptions for 68 yards and a touchdown- he picked off two Bert Jones aerials and returned one 29 yards for a touchdown in the season finale; the other interception came against New England. He also scored a touchdown on a blocked punt recovery against Baltimore in the first meeting between the teams, blocked a field goal against Buffalo in the Jets victory at Shea, and had a quarterback sack on a safety blitz.
He was the Jets rookie of the year as selected by sportswriters in 1973, recipient of all-rookie honors by UPI and Pro Football Weekly, and has continued to grow in the job. Charley Winner says Owens has the potential to become a great defensive back. In 1973 he provided Jet fans with one of the most exciting plays of the year when he took a kickoff back for a touchdown 82 yards against Denver in the home opener.
Drafted No. 1 in 1973, Burgess has started 28 consecutive games at strong safety. He has great speed and good range and is a good leader of the defense.
Burgess was an offensive halfback in high school, gaining over 1,500 yards with 19 touchdowns. He majored in marine biology and plans to go into dentistry. His father is a professor of agronomy at Florida A&M. Burgess is a neighbor of linebacker Bert Cooper, a 1975 Jet draft choice. His hometown is Tallahassee, Florida."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: Bill Ferguson

Linebacker
No. 58
San Diego State
"A promising young linebacker, Ferguson had a frustrating 1974 season. He missed three weeks of training camp with a knee injury and then had to sit out one regular season game with a hip pointer suffered against Houston. Bill was primarily a backup on the left side during the season and performed on special teams.
Bill has impressed Jet coaches with his quickness and ability to read the play and will be given another look at the outside position. He started the final five games of 1973 and has also worked in the middle. Drafted 4th in 1973, Ferguson has good range and fluidity of motion.
Ferguson 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 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: Steve Reese

Linebacker
No. 52
Louisville
"Reese signed with the Jets out of a free agent tryout day at the opening of 1974 training camp and made the squad as a backup linebacker and special teamer. He played in 12 games, sitting out two (the fourth and fifth weeks) with a badly twisted knee.
Steve started 1974 with Birmingham of the WFL as a candidate for a guard position. He started three preseason games at middle linebacker and then moved to the outside, and was a great special teamer during the regular season.
His hobbies include dancing, traveling and reading. Steve majored in physical education. His hometown is Columbus, Georgia."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: John Ebersole

Linebacker
No. 55
Penn State
"The Jets regular right linebacker in 1974, Ebersole finished the season tied with Burgess Owens for the club interception lead with three. One was a 41-yard return at Baltimore, the other thefts came against Los Angeles and Houston.
Ebersole has worked both on the right side and in the middle during his career. 1973 and 1974 have been his only two seasons as a regular; he opened 1973 at the right side but in the third week he switched to middle linebacker for the injured Al Atkinson. Drafted No. 4 in 1970, John has missed only one game in his five years.
John majored in physical education and owns Ebersole Beer Distributing. His hometown is Altoona, Pennsylvania."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: Godwin Turk

Linebacker
No. 56
Southern
"Turk has great potential to help the Jets in 1975. He was easily among the most outstanding rookies in training camp last year before a shoulder separation put him on the shelf midway though the preseason. Turk had surgery in August 1974 to repair ligament damage to the left shoulder and has undergone therapy to strengthen it; he should be 100% this year.
He was working on the left side and proved to be a lusty hitter. Godwin strung out running plays to his side, rarely letting anyone get around him. He plays off the blocks exceptionally well. A No. 3 draft choice in 1974, Godwin has a strong chance to start, according to Jet coaches, and to help the team for years to come.
Godwin majored in physical education and worked as a teacher in the off-season. He's considering medical school and a future in the funeral home business. His brother played for Lamar Tech. His hometown is Houston, Texas."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: Al Atkinson

Middle Linebacker
No. 62
Villanova
"The old pro of the Jets defense, Atkinson spent 1974 as a backup to middle linebacker Jamie Rivers. After being a starter for over eight years, he made the adjustment to the backup role well and was a teacher for the younger players.
He started the finale against the Colts at MLB and also worked there against Buffalo in both meetings. Al recovered a fumble against the Bills at Shea which led to the Jets' first touchdown of a 20-10 upset. He stayed injury-free after 1973 had been clouded by a severe muscle pull in his left thigh; he spent seven weeks on the inactive list that year.
Atkinson closes down well at the point of attack. He has had injuries in the last few years, ankle problems sidelining him in 1971 and 1972.
He played the second half of Super Bowl III 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 good special teams work.
Al is an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and made a tour of Vietnam after the 1968 season in conjunction with the USO. He owns Al Atkinson Angus Restaurant in Philadelphia. His hometown is Upper Darby, Pennsylvania."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: Richard Lewis

Linebacker
No. 57
Portland State
"Lewis came to the Jets on waivers from Buffalo late in 1974 but saw no action during his five games on the roster. He was recuperating from knee damage suffered with the Bills early in the season. Lewis was the starter at right linebacker against the Jets in the third game of the year and according to Jet film study acquitted himself very well. He's one of the reasons Jet coaches have for expecting an improved linebacking corps in 1975. Richard should be fully recovered from his injury.
Richard started seven games for Buffalo in 1973 after being picked up as a free agent. He was originally signed by Atlanta as a free agent (1972), then went to Houston on waivers (1972) and was active with the Oilers for 10 games, starting several at outside linebacker.
Richard makes his home in Portland, Oregon and enjoys fishing. He wants to be a pro coach. His hometown is Portland, Oregon."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: Ralph Baker

Linebacker
No. 51
Penn State
"Baker captained the Jets defensive unit last year, the second time in a row he was accorded that honor. He was a steadying influence on the Jet defense, which had a variety of new faces in 1974 and put in another steady and reliable season.
Ralph played outstanding games against Los Angeles, Houston and Miami and then capped his year with interceptions in the final two games. Against Buffalo he picked off a Joe Ferguson pass late in the game and raced 67 yards for a touchdown to seal a 20-10 upset over the playoff-bound Bills. A week later he snared a Bert Jones pass and ran it back 20 yards. He suffered a broken finger against the Colts and missed most of the second half.
Baker has played 141 games for the Jets, fourth most in the club's history, and has a streak of 34 straight entering 1975. He had four interceptions in 1973, one of them for a touchdown. Ralph has had two straight years of good health after battling mononucleosis and a broken wrist in 1972.
Signed as a 6th round pick in 1964, Ralph has been the starter at left linebacker since his rookie year and has also seen duty in the middle when the Jets have switched into a 4-4 alignment. He had his finest pro campaign in 1968, topping it off with two fumble recoveries, one each in the AFL Championship game and the Super Bowl. Baker is strong at the point of attack and a good downfield pass defender.
Baker majored in mathematics in college and likes to hunt and fish. He makes his home in Greenlawn, New York and is a salesman for Gilbert Phillips, Inc., a contractor and designer of ceilings and partitions. His hometown is Lewistown, Pennsylvania."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: Jamie Rivers

Middle Linebacker
No. 54
Bowling Green
"The Jets middle linebacker who did an outstanding job for the team in 1974, Rivers came to the Jets in a trade in the spring of '74 and won the MLB post during training camp. He suffered from neck, back and charley horse injuries but managed to start and play in 13 games and missed only the finale when a bruised scapula kept him out. Jamie had a memorable afternoon against San Diego when he had 12 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception.
Jamie has fine quickness and speed to fit into the Jet scheme of defense, and always has been an underrated defender. He played under Charley Winner at St. Louis and was the Cards' Rookie of the Year in 1968 when he earned his first starting job. Jamie was outstanding in 1971 when he was Cards' MVP but knee surgery shortened his 1972 season. He bounced back in 1973 to play 10 games before coming to the Jets.
He we was originally drafted No. 5 by St. Louis in 1967 and came to the Jets from St. Louis in a trade for the rights for Clifford McClain. Rivers' boyhood idol was Jim Brown. He makes his home in St. Louis and his hometown is Youngstown, Ohio."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: Joe Schmiesing

Defensive Tackle
No. 74
New Mexico State
"Schmiesing started 11 games at defensive right tackle after being acquired on waivers from Baltimore just prior to the season opener. He had the type of size that Charley Winner wanted at that time. Joe had one sack and one assist on a sack during the season.
Joe began his career as a 4th round pick of the Cardinals under Winner in 1968 and went to Detroit in a trade in 1972. He played one year for the Lions as a backup end and tackle before going to Baltimore for a draft choice in 1973. He started 11 games for Baltimore (six at end, five at tackle) in '73.
Schmiesing majored in history and works in the off-season raising beef and dairy farming. He pronounces his name 'Schmeez-ing' and his hometown is Sauk Centre, Minnesota."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: John Ricca

Defensive End
No. 73
Duke
"Ricca was originally drafted 12th by the Jets in 1974, but passed up signing to join the WFL Florida Blazers where he distinguished himself during their season. He was acquired by the Jets last spring after his WFL contract had been breached. Ricca started at defensive end for the Blazers and won all-league honors, while earning a reputation as an outstanding player.
He was only 229 pounds when drafted, but comes in now at 265, with good speed. John makes the big play and will be given a shot at one of the defensive end positions.
John's father Jim Ricca was a standout NFL guard with the Redskins (1951-54), Lions (1955) and Eagles (1956). John majored in history and his hometown is Bethesda, Maryland."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: Larry Woods

Defensive Tackle
No. 70
Tennessee State
"Woods gave the Jets solid, veteran backup strength on the defensive line last year after being acquired from Miami in a trade during training camp and earned three starting assignments at right tackle. He had a standout game against Kansas City in the opener and had three sacks. Larry has good size and quickness for the inside position.
Larry came into the NFL as a 4th round pick of Detroit in 1971 and spent his rookie year on the Lions' taxi unit. He started 12 games for Detroit in 1972 under line coach Dick Voris. Larry went to Miami in1973 as a free agent and played in three games for the Dolphins.
Larry is the brother of Jets offensive tackle Robert Woods, making the first brother combo in Jet history. His hometown is Rogersville, Alabama."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: Ed Galigher

Defensive Tackle
No. 85
UCLA
"Galigher is a burly defensive line type whose size fits well into Charley Winner's scheme of enlarging the Jets. He has great strength and loves to hit people, playing in 13 games last year despite working with painful rib cartilage damage suffered at Miami early in the year. Galigher sat out the Baltimore game at Shea with a leg disorder, but was back to play the final eight in a row. He started at left end throughout but early plans called for his move to tackle.
Ed has had nagging injuries in each of his three years. He had a broken bone in his wrist in 1972 and in 1973 a badly sprained ankle kayoed him. Ed was drafted 4th in 1972 and as a rookie he played three positions (LT, RT, RE).
Galigher 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 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: Jim Bailey

Defensive Tackle
No. 76
Kansas
"Bailey was acquired on the eve of the draft from Baltimore in exchange for the Jets' 4th round pick.
'He's only 27 and just reaching his physical maturity now,' remarks Charley Winner. 'He fits into our defensive scheme.' Bailey started seven games for Baltimore in 1974 and had a sack and a fumble recovery. He's termed 'the best tackle I've ever coached except for Carl Barzilauskas' by defensive coordinator Dick Voris. Bailey has the flexibility to also be a defensive end.
Bailey has played in 56 consecutive games in the NFL and started every game in 1972 and 1973 for Baltimore with 10 sacks, 141 tackles and a blocked punt, a blocked field goal and a blocked point after touchdown during that span. Originally a second round choice of Baltimore in 1970, Jim had a knee injury which kayoed him late in his rookie year.
Jim was a three-sport high school star in football, track and wrestling. His hometown is Lawrence, Kansas."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook

1975 Profile: Billy Newsome

Defensive End
No. 87
Grambling
"Newsome was acquired during the draft from the Saints in exchange for the Jets' number one pick.
'He's a guaranteed pro and can step in and be a starter for us at end,' said Charley Winner at the time of the trade. Newsome spent the past two seasons with New Orleans and became number one at left end. He was voted the Saints' club MVP in 1973 and was the defensive captain in 1973 and 1974. He played in 13 games last year, sitting out one with a pinched nerve in his neck. He was second on the team with 10 sacks and led in opponents' fumbles recovered with three. Billy has the size and quickness that Winner and defensive coordinator Dick Voris want for the outside position.
Billy began his pro career in Baltimore as the Colts' number three pick in 1970 and was a three-year starter there. He went to New Orleans in exchange for the Saints' number one in 1973.
Newsome majored in industrial engineering and spends the off-seasons in Denver. His hometown is Jacksonville, Texas."

-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook