1976 Profile: Richard Caster

Tight End
No. 88
Jackson State
"'The best pass-receiving tight end in pro football,' says Lou Holtz. But Holtz hints he would like to see better blocking from Caster. Right now he is tied for third as the Jets' all-time top receiver just behind Don Maynard and George Sauer."

-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1976

"Caster earned his third Pro Bowl selection in (two years in a row) with another consistent year in 1975. He topped all NFL tight ends in receiving yardage with 820 and led AFC tight ends with 47 catches and an average of 17.4. Seventh in the AFC in receiving, Caster was named to most all-AFC teams behind Denver's Riley Odoms. He caught the longest pass in Jets history, 91 yards from Namath against the Colts on October 26; he also holds the club record for longest scoring pass, 89 yards against Miami (October 7, 1974).
He started every game as a tight end in 1975 after missing the opening preseason game with a toe injury. Richard's biggest games in '75 included six catches for 103 yards on opening day at Buffalo and six for 110 in the home opener against New England.
Richard is viewed by most opponents as the most dangerous tight end in the game because of his size, quickness and speed. He has an uncanny ability to get deep from the line of scrimmage. Richard has been timed at 4.5, fastest among Jet receivers. He has the great size to elude any bumping maneuvers.
After only six seasons, Caster ranks third behind Don Maynard and George Sauer in most career yards receiving with 3,838 and ranks second in career touchdown passes with 34 (Maynard has 88). He has produced 100 or more yards receiving 10 times and has caught four or more passes in a game 22 times. Richard once caught nine passes against Cincinnati, his most in one game. His longest catches aside from the record grabs include an 80 yard TD pass, 79, 72, 60 and 57. Richard has caught 20 of his 34 career touchdown passes against AFC opponents.
Richard finished first among all tight ends in yardage in 1974 with 745 on 38 catches, a 19.6 average, topped only by wide receivers Isaac Curtis and Mel Gray. He caught seven touchdown passes in '74 to lead all tight ends and finish fourth in the NFL. Caster had two particularly outstanding games in '74 with three catches for 117 yards and a touchdown at Miami and seven catches for 137 yards against San Diego.
Caster began as a wide receiver, but switched to tight end in 1972 and did so well he earned a Pro Bowl appearance. [That year] he recorded one of the most dramatic games ever by a receiver, catching three touchdown passes against the Colts (10, 79 and 80 yards), all on first down, and was the only NFL receiver to go over 200 yards in a game in 1972 (six catches for 204 yards). Drafted No. 2 in 1970, Caster won the Heede Award in 1972 as the most improved and dedicated offensive player.
He was a wide receiver and tight end at Jackson State where he was a teammate of the Jets' Jerome Barkum. He caught 160 passes for 3,638 yards and 28 touchdowns. A Pittsburgh Courier second team All-America, Richard was a member of the College All-Star squad. He also lettered three times in track and field.
Caster played on the Alabama state championship grid team at Williamson High in Mobile, Alabama. He likes to swim and is a good tennis player. He spends a great deal of off-season time making personal appearances for the Jets and helping young people. Richard served as New York City Chairman of the March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon in April 1976. He makes his off-season home in Hempstead, New York. His hometown is Mobile, Alabama."

-1976 New York Jets Media Guide