1976 Profile: Gordie Browne

Offensive Tackle
No. 79
Boston College
"He played well in the preseason at both tackle spots for Robert Woods and Winston Hill and filled in for Hill during the regular season. Browne missed one regular season game with an ankle injury.
The coaches think he is coming into his own and has a good future in pro ball. Browne has the necessary quickness to go with his size but needs work on his upper body strength. He's rated as a good running game blocker and has greatly improved on his pass blocking. 1976 should be an important year in Gordie's maturity and development as an offensive lineman and he will work at right tackle primarily. He gained valuable experience in 1974 playing as a backup tackle- he only played one year as an offensive lineman in college. Gordie was drafted No. 2 in 1974 after an outstanding Senior Bowl performance against Dallas No. 1 pick Ed 'Too Tall' Jones.
Gordie played tight end and offensive tackle at Boston College. He was a member of the College All-Star squad and played in the Coaches' All-America Game. He also played college basketball.
He holds a B.S. in marketing, a B.S. in management and is earning a Master's in marketing. Gordie enjoys basketball, hockey and paddle ball and plays for the Jets basketball team in the off-season. His hometown is Millis, Massachusetts."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Willie Brister

Tight End
No. 86
Southern
"Brister had a frustrating second season in 1975 highlighted only by injuries and a touchdown on a fumble recovery in the end zone against the Colts on October 26. He started the first two preseason games at tight end but suffered a bruised abdomen against the Redskins. Willie played in 12 of 14 regular season games, starting against the Vikings in place of the injured Jerome Barkum at left wide receiver, but missed the Steelers and Patriots games because of an ankle injury. He caught one pass in 1975, for three yards.
In his first season, he proved to be a capable backup tight end to Richard Caster and started two games when Caster was hurt. Willie caught four passes for 49 yards as a starter against Houston, but strained his knee later in the season and sat out the final two games.
Brister is a solid blocker with good quickness for a big man; he runs a 4.9 40. Drafted 15th in 1974, he was used mainly as a blocker at Southern U. where he was a teammate of Jets linebacker Godwin Turk. Honorable mention All-SWAC, Brister caught only three passes in his college career.
Willie majored in history and would like to be a coach after his playing career. His hometown is Baton Rouge, Louisiana."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Emerson Boozer

Halfback
No. 32
Maryland Eastern Shore
"Boozer had a frustrating year in 1975. He was nagged by injuries early but was inserted in the lineup because of his blocking ability and experience. He started four games but missed five regular season games because of assorted injuries including shoulder and ankle problems.
His rash of injuries started in the preseason when he missed the first game with a groin injury. Boozer finished the season with 51 yards on 21 carries, a 2.6 average. He caught a pass for 16 yards and a touchdown against Buffalo after playing only one play against the Chiefs.
Boozer became the 22nd player in pro football history to join the 5,000-yard club in 1974 and was runner-up to Joe Namath as Jets MVP that year. He was the captain of the offensive unit and started 13 games, missing the last game because of a sprained ankle. Emerson finished 11th in the AFC in rushing with 563 yards on 153 carries, four touchdowns and a 3.7 average.
Emerson opened 1974 with a 116-yard effort against Kansas City and put together other strong performances against Chicago, Los Angeles and New England. He caught a five-yard touchdown pass in overtime to defeat the rival Giants, and also gained 58 yards and caught four passes for 42 yards. Boozer broke the 5,000-yard barrier against he Dolphins with a 41-yard effort.
His 52 career rushing touchdowns are tops among NFL active players. He has always been known for his 'nose' for the goal line. In his second year (1967) he suffered a major knee injury that required surgery; he had already scored 13 touchdowns, only six short of the AFL record. Emerson drew praise for his work during the AFL Championship and as a blocker for Matt Snell in the Jets Super Bowl upset of the Colts.
Emerson picks up the blitz well and his bouncey, high-kneed style in his early years is now modified to smoother, smarter running. He leads the Jets in career rushing attempts (1,291) and in most yards rushing in a career (5,135). He holds the Jet records for most touchdowns rushing in a game (three, done five times), season (11) and career (52). Emerson's biggest rushing game of his career came against Philadelphia in 1973, 160 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown; he's gained 100 or more yards in a game nine times. He has caught 139 career passes for 1,448 yards, 12 touchdowns and a 10.7 average.
Emerson was a two-time All-America. He carried 374 times for 2,537 yards in four varsity seasons, averaging 6.8, with 22 touchdowns. He majored in industrial education.
Born on the Fourth of July, Emerson does an excellent job on speaking tours in the off-season. He has had a daily radio show in the past and looks to a career as a broadcaster. Extremely articulate, Emerson guest hosted the John Sterling daily radio show in 1975. He's extremely interested in youth-related projects, plays for the Jets basketball team and makes his year-round home in Huntington Station, New York. His hometown is Augusta, Georgia."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Ken Bernich

Middle Linebacker
No. 53
Auburn
"Bernich came to the Jets in November of 1975 as a free agent. Originally drafted fourth by the Chargers, he was cut with a subsequent look at Green Bay. Ken impressed Jet coaches with his aggressiveness and quickness and size for the middle and played several standout games as a member of the Jets specialty squad. He recovered a fumble while on the punt coverage team against New England. He saw action in the last five Jets games.
He was a three-time All-SEC linebacker and was selected first team AP, Kodak and Walter Camp All-America. Bernich led Auburn in tackles in 1972 and 1973 and was second in 1974 with 94. He had 13 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and broke up seven passes as a senior. Ken played in the Gator Bowl twice and in the Sun Bowl.
Ken majored in history and political science, worked as a sand blaster on the Mississippi River and has done construction work at the Superdome. He's nicknamed 'Corn Bread Man' and his goals include 'graduation and learning to help young people.' Born in Biloxi, Louisiana, Ken's hometown is Gretna, Louisiana."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Ed Bell

Wide Receiver
No. 7
Idaho State
"Coming off a solid 1975 season as both a wide receiver and a blocker, Bell caught 20 passes for 344 yards, a 17.2 average, and four touchdowns. He had his best day of the season at Baltimore, catching six passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. He caught touchdown passes in the Jets regular season opener at Buffalo, against Baltimore at Shea (22 yards) and against Buffalo at home (31 yards). Bell started every 1975 game at right wide receiver (with David Knight injured) after playing in a backup role in 1974 when he caught 13 passes for 126 yards.
He is often used in a three wide receiver formation on passing downs. He has distinguished himself as a clever, speedy (4.5) wide receiver. Ed played regularly on the left side in 1972 and 1973, catching 59 passes and was third among Jet receivers in 1973 with 24 catches. He missed one game in 1974 with a bruised knee cap. Despite his small size, Ed has a durable record as a pro, missing only three games in his career.
Ed has enjoyed an impressive career against Baltimore, catching 42 passes in 12 games for 735 yards, an average gain of 17.5, and six touchdowns. He had two outstanding games in 1972, grabbing seven passes for 197 yards at Baltimore and then taking a tipped last-minute pass 83 yards for the winning touchdown against the Colts at Shea. Bell co-holds the Jet record for receptions in a game (12 against the Colts, 1970) with Don Maynard and Art Powell. He was drafted ninth in 1970.
Bell set three small college national receiving records as a senior with 96 catches for 1,522 yards and 20 touchdowns, and set seven Big Sky and nine Idaho State records. He transferred from Compton JC where he was all-conference.
Ed majored in speech pathology and audiology and wants to help the deaf and speech-handicapped. He has attended drama school during the off-season and had a lead role in the off-Broadway production of 'Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?' in 1974. Ed works for the State Department in helping find employment for minority youths. His hometown is Waco, Texas."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Carl Barzilauskas

Defensive Tackle
No. 77
Indiana
"He's coming off a rugged sophomore pro season of double teams and over-playing after his super rookie year when he was named to the Pro Writers, Pro Football Weekly and UPI all-rookie squads and was also PFW's rookie defensive lineman of the year. Barzilauskas was runner-up as AP's defensive rookie of the year and named Jets rookie of the year by the Pro Football Writers Association.
Barzilauskas was nagged by minor injuries in 1975 but started every regular season game. He missed the preseason game with the Redskins with a rib injury and injured his back in the first New England game. Carl put together his best game of the season in the second Miami game, recovering a Dolphin fumble.
Jets defensive coordinator Walt Michaels says, 'Carl can be as good as he wants to be.' His assets include size, strength and tenacity. He needs to shed blockers and improve with game playing experience. Carl did everything asked of him, learning steadily as his rookie season moved along. He finished in the club lead in quarterback sacks with five, starting every game at left tackle.
He's been called by Miami's Jim Langer 'one of the strongest players I've ever faced,' and hailed by Don Shula and Tommy Prothro as one of the best young defensive linemen they have ever seen. Carl has 5.0 speed to match with his extreme strength; more consistent play by the Jets front line this season may relieve double and triple team pressure. He was a No. 1 draft choice in 1974.
A three-year starter for Indiana, Barzilaukas led the team in tackles as a junior. He played in the East-West Game and the Senior Bowl and played every down in his senior year despite a broken foot.
He majored in physical education in college. His uncle Fritz played for the Giants in the early '50s and is now employed at Yale. Carl is nicknamed 'Barzo' and 'Brontosaurus' and owns a lounge called 'Barzo's Blitz' in Bloomington, Indiana. His hometown is Waterbury, Connecticut."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Jerome Barkum

Wide Receiver
No. 83
Jackson State
"He was the team's second best pass catcher, depending on his speed to run by the defense. 'But,' says a coach, 'zone defenses keep the Barkum speedsters in front of them by sagging. Barkum must run patterns with more discipline to catch the ball in front of the zone."

-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1976

"One of pro football's premier wide receivers, Barkum is big, fast and agile. He slipped statistically in 1975 after leading the Jets in receiving in 1973 and 1974.
Jerome caught 36 passes for 549 yards, a 15.9 average, and five touchdowns. He enjoyed his best yardage game against San Diego, catching six for 88 yards. Jerome caught two touchdowns against New England and two against Baltimore, including a 42-yard bomb.
In 1974 he hauled down 41 passes for 524 yards and three touchdowns from his left wide receiver position. His total ranked him seventh in the AFC and fifth among pure wide receivers. Barkum has already made one Pro Bowl appearance (1973). He is known as one of pro football's strongest wide receivers and is a fine blocker. Jerome can also double as a tight end.
Jerome has had some great games against the Colts; in eight contests, he has caught 21 passes for 402 yards, a 19.1 average, and four touchdowns. In his Pro Bowl year, he led the AFC in average yards per catch with 18.4. Jerome had his finest pro day that year with eight catches for 83 yards against Cincinnati. He already has 16 career touchdowns.
He started 45 consecutive regular season games before missing the Minnesota game in 1975 with a charley horse but has started every subsequent game. A No. 1 draft choice in 1972, Jerome spent his rookie season as a backup on both sides after missing valuable training camp [time] by reporting late.
Jerome caught 128 passes for 2,130 yards and 27 touchdowns in his four-year college career, notching 10 touchdown receptions as a senior. He was a teammate of Jets tight end Richard Caster and played in the Senior Bowl and the East-West Game. Barkum was an AP Little All-America and All-SWAC for two years, and a Pittsburgh Courier All-America.
Nicknamed 'Gee,' he's the cousin of Lem Barney of the Detroit Lions. His brother Melvin was a quarterback and running back at Mississippi State and tried out for Tampa Bay in 1976. Jerome holds the high school record of 30 rebounds in a basketball game. He enjoys music, swimming and fishing. His hometown is Gulfport, Mississippi."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Jim Bailey

Defensive Tackle
No. 76
Kansas
"Bailey was acquired from Baltimore on the eve of the 1975 draft in exchange for the Jets' fourth pick. A durable player with good strength, he started the first two games of '75 at right tackle. Jim was a reserve lineman until the final three games, then started at right end for the injured Richard Neal.
He has played in 70 consecutive games in the NFL, and started every game in 1972 and 1973 for Baltimore and seven games in 1974. Jim was drafted second by the Colts in 1970 but knee problems sidelined him as a rookie. The problems returned in early 1971 before he earned before a starting role at mid-season.
In college, Jim did not become a regular until his senior season at Kansas, when he led the Jayhawks in tackles. He was a three-sport high school standout in football, track and wrestling. His hometown is Lawrence, Kansas."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Darrell Austin

Guard
No. 67
South Carolina
"Austin came to the Jets in 1975 on waivers. He was originally drafted in the 16th round by Denver in 1974 and had to clear waivers to return there in '75 when the Jets picked him up.
Noted for his strength, the coaches like his ability to block for the running game. Darrell played in all preseason games in 1975 and 12 of 14 regular season games. He missed the Pittsburgh game with a hip injury and did not dress for the Dallas game. He's listed at right guard on the 1976 depth chart behind Garry Puetz, who may be moved to center.
Darrell started every game for three years at South Carolina. He played offensive tackle as a sophomore, defensive tackle as a junior and OT as a senior and played in the East-West Shrine Game after the 1973 season. Austin was named most valuable lineman as a senior.
He holds a B.S. in physical education. He's nicknamed 'Colonel' because of his likeness to television figure Steve Austin in the series 'The Six Million Dollar Man.' Darrell's father is a deputy sheriff. His hometown is Union, South Carolina."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Al Atkinson

Middle Linebacker
No. 62
Villanova
"The veteran of the Jets defense, Atkinson's injuries have hampered the last few years of his career. He missed the entire 1975 season on the injured reserve list with knee problems, and a severed muscle pull sidelined him in 1973. In 1974, he backed up starting middle linebacker Jamie Rivers.
Al started for eight seasons before assuming a backup role and teaching young players the NFL ropes. He came to the Jets for the $100 waiver price after originally being drafted by Buffalo in the third round in 1965. He earned a starting role in 1965. In the Jets' Super Bowl win, Al played the entire second half with a separated shoulder without telling anyone.
A three-year starter at Villanova, Al earned All-America and All-East honors. He played in the Liberty Bowl against Oregon State, and was voted the outstanding defensive lineman (tackle) in the Senior Bowl. He also played in the Coaches All-America game.
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."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Bill Hampton

Equipment Manager
"Hampton is in charge of all Jets equipment as well as running the clubhouse operation year-round.
He started out as a stickboy for the New York Rangers of the NHL in 1945 and remained with that organization until 1964 when he joined the Jets. He interrupted his Ranger tenure with for a two-year Army tour of duty from 1951-52. Bill moved up to assistant trainer and equipment man for the Rangers in tandem with Frank Price.
Bill makes his home in Brightwaters, New York."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Jeff Snedeker

Trainer
"An original Jet, Snedeker has served as head trainer for the club for 13 years. His distinguished career includes supervising the rehabilitation of injuries, notably those to quarterback Joe Namath, and handling the daily medical chores.
Snedeker graduated from Cortland State with a degree in physical education and received a Master's degree from Indiana University in health education with a major in athletic training. He started his career as a trainer in a student program at Cortland State and continued as a student trainer and graduate assistant at Indiana. Jeff was an assistant trainer at the University of Washington from 1960-63 before joining the AFL Jets.
He works as a research associate for the Institute for Sports Medicine during the off-season.
Jeff was born in Yonkers, New York."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Jim Royer

Talent Scout and Assistant Coach
"A member of the Jets Galaxy scouting combine, but attached to the Jets operation, Royer has been in coaching or scouting since 1958 when he started as a Marine football team head coach on Okinawa. From 1959 through 1961, he coached the offensive line for the U.S. Naval Academy junior varsity. He went to [the University of] Buffalo as offensive line coach (1961-62) and then spent time at Tulane before returning to the Naval Academy as assistant offensive line coach (1965-66). Jim worked one year as offensive line coach at the University of Pittsburgh before joining the Atlantic Coast League as defensive coordinator of the Richmond Roadrunners (1969).
He came to the NFL in 1971 as offensive line coach with the New Orleans Saints. In 1973 he became a scout for the Redskins and joined Galaxy in 1974.
Jim was born in Baltimore, Maryland."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Carroll Huntress

Talent Scout
"Huntress now serves exclusively as a Jets scout after two years in the Galaxy combine. He has a high school and collegiate coaching record extending back to 1949.
He began at Mechanic Falls High in Maine and after two seasons moved to Portland (ME) High. He remained as head football coach until 1960 before joining the University of Maryland staff, first as freshman coach and then offensive ends coach for five years. Carroll became head coach at Bucknell in 1965, serving for four years. He most recently served for four years an assistant coach at Kentucky before entering the pro ranks as a scout.
Carroll was born in Saco, Maine."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Pete Marasco

Scouting Coordinator
"Marasco begins his second year of coordinating the Jets talent scout department. He joined the club in May of 1975 after serving as Director of Player Personnel for the Montreal Alouettes in 1974 when that team won the Grey Cup. He's the brother of Carl Marasco of the Chicago Bears.
He gained notoriety in pro football when he and his brother began the 'Marasco Ratings' of collegiate football talent. They began the ratings in 1960 and had them regularly published beginning in 1968.
Born in New York City, Pete is a graduate of Florida Southern and New York Law School, from which he received an LLD. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, though not a practicing attorney. He worked for four years in White Plains as an agent for a title insurance company.
Pete's duties include overseeing the Jets scouting department along with Mike Holovak and helping with waiver work on the pro level."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Mike Holovak

MIKE HOLOVAK (Director of Scouting)
"Holovak begins his second season as director of scouting after assuming his duties following the 1975 draft. He had coached the Jets offensive backs prior to his scouting duties. Mike came to the Jets as a coach after serving as a Jets Galaxy combine scout in 1972.
He was head coach of the Boston Patriots from 1961 through 1968, earning the AFL Coach of the Year award in 1966. Under his leadership, the Patriots won the AFL Eastern Division title in 1963. He served offensive coach of the 49ers in 1969, joined Oakland as a talent scout in 1970 and was Raiders receiver coach in 1971.
Mike was an All-America fullback at Boston College in 1939-42. Following Naval duty he played for the Los Angeles Rams in 1946 and with the Chicago Bears in 1947-48.
He returned to Boston College in 1949 and became head coach in 1951. He guided the Eagles to a 49-23-3 record before joining he Patriots as Director of Player Personnel in 1959.
Mike was born in Lansford, Pennsylvania."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide

1976 Profile: Jerry Kirk

Offensive Backs Coach
"The only Jets coach with no previous professional experience, Jerry was a member of Lou Holtz' staff at North Carolina State as defensive end coach. As Ferrum Junior College coach, the school ranked No. 1 in 1968 and finished the 1971 season with a 9-0-1 record.
Jerry began his coaching career at Clark High School in Winchester, Kentucky in 1964 and 1965 before joining the staff at Lees-McRae Junior College as assistant coach in 1966 and 1967. He then coached at Ferrum JC before moving to N.C. State in 1972.
A former all-state prep player in Kentucky, Jerry was all-conference (OVC) at East Tennessee State in 1961-62. He was born in Benham, Kentucky."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide