Cornerback
No. 46
Alcorn A & M
"Rich started 13 of 14 games in 1975, 12 as a left cornerback and one as a right corner. He intercepted the Dolphins' Bob Griese in the Miami appearance at Shea, but was benched in the Orange Bowl game against the Dolphins. Rich played out his option but signed a 1976 contract.
A very swift cornerback with range and knowledge of offenses, Rich boasts six years of secondary experience. He earned a regular spot in 1974 after backing up for three years. He started 13 of 14 games in '74, playing despite bruised ribs and ankle problems, and had two interceptions.
Rich started the first three games of 1973 but a shoulder injury curtailed his play. He had a great afternoon against the Colts that year, tying the Jet record for interceptions in a game (3), returning one 30 yards for a touchdown in a 34-10 victory. Recurring shoulder problems in 1972 allowed him to start only five games after he started six games as a rookie in 1971. Rich was drafted 12th in 1971.
Twice chosen the outstanding defensive back [of the week] in the SWAC as a senior, Rich intercepted five passes. He played in the Orange Blossom Classic and his biggest athletic thrill was a 72-yard
interception return as a senior. Rich majored in business administration.
Rich is nicknamed 'Petey.' His hometown is Huntsville, Texas."
-1976 New York Jets Media Guide
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Friday, February 19, 2016
1976 Profile: Eldridge Small
Wide Receiver
No. 94
Texas A & I
"Signed as a free agent, Eldridge was drafted No. 1 by the Giants in 1972. He has played both wide receiver and defensive back. His career stats in 34 games include an interception, 14 kickoff returns for 353 yards, a 25.2 average, and a touchdown. Eldridge ran 77 yards for a touchdown with a lateral on a kick return in 1973 against Washington. He suffered a broken leg in 1974.
In college, Eldridge was a three-year starter as a wide receiver and occasionally doubled as a defensive back. He caught 167 passes for 2,547 yards and 20 touchdowns, and also ran back punts and kickoffs. He had five career interceptions as a defensive back. Eldridge was named an AP Little All-America and a Kodak Coaches' All-America, and played on the South squad in the Senior Bowl.
Eldridge is attending graduate school. His hometown is Houston, Texas."
-1976 New York Jets Media Guide
No. 94
Texas A & I
"Signed as a free agent, Eldridge was drafted No. 1 by the Giants in 1972. He has played both wide receiver and defensive back. His career stats in 34 games include an interception, 14 kickoff returns for 353 yards, a 25.2 average, and a touchdown. Eldridge ran 77 yards for a touchdown with a lateral on a kick return in 1973 against Washington. He suffered a broken leg in 1974.
In college, Eldridge was a three-year starter as a wide receiver and occasionally doubled as a defensive back. He caught 167 passes for 2,547 yards and 20 touchdowns, and also ran back punts and kickoffs. He had five career interceptions as a defensive back. Eldridge was named an AP Little All-America and a Kodak Coaches' All-America, and played on the South squad in the Senior Bowl.
Eldridge is attending graduate school. His hometown is Houston, Texas."
-1976 New York Jets Media Guide
Sunday, February 14, 2016
1976 Profile: Jamie Rivers
Middle Linebacker
No. 54
Bowling Green
"The Jets old pro at linebacker, Rivers was hobbled by injuries in 1975, spending the last five games on the injured reserve list. He suffered a toe injury in a preseason game with Atlanta but managed to answer the starting whistle in the middle against Buffalo. Rivers played one more game before leg injuries sidelined him, came back to play against Miami, started against the Colts and played against the Bills before an ankle injury shelved him. The captain of the defense, he shared the middle with John Ebersole and Steve Reese.
Jamie came to the Jets [from the Cardinals] in 1974 in a trade with Roger Bernhardt for the rights to running back Clifford McClain. He won the middle linebacker post in training camp but suffered neck, back and charley horse injuries. He still managed to start and play in 13 games and missed only the season's finale with a bruised scapula. Jamie had a memorable afternoon against San Diego that year when he had 12 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception.
Drafted No. 5 by St. Louis in 1967, Jamie was the Cards' rookie of the year in 1968 when he earned a starting job. He was [Cardinals] MVP in 1971 but a knee injury shortened his 1972 season. He bounced back in 1973 to play 10 games.
Jamie played defensive end in college. His boyhood idol was Jim Brown. He makes his home in St. Louis and his hometown is Youngstown, Ohio."
-1976 New York Jets Media Guide
No. 54
Bowling Green
"The Jets old pro at linebacker, Rivers was hobbled by injuries in 1975, spending the last five games on the injured reserve list. He suffered a toe injury in a preseason game with Atlanta but managed to answer the starting whistle in the middle against Buffalo. Rivers played one more game before leg injuries sidelined him, came back to play against Miami, started against the Colts and played against the Bills before an ankle injury shelved him. The captain of the defense, he shared the middle with John Ebersole and Steve Reese.
Jamie came to the Jets [from the Cardinals] in 1974 in a trade with Roger Bernhardt for the rights to running back Clifford McClain. He won the middle linebacker post in training camp but suffered neck, back and charley horse injuries. He still managed to start and play in 13 games and missed only the season's finale with a bruised scapula. Jamie had a memorable afternoon against San Diego that year when he had 12 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception.
Drafted No. 5 by St. Louis in 1967, Jamie was the Cards' rookie of the year in 1968 when he earned a starting job. He was [Cardinals] MVP in 1971 but a knee injury shortened his 1972 season. He bounced back in 1973 to play 10 games.
Jamie played defensive end in college. His boyhood idol was Jim Brown. He makes his home in St. Louis and his hometown is Youngstown, Ohio."
-1976 New York Jets Media Guide
Sunday, February 7, 2016
1976 Profile: Randy Rasmussen
Guard
No. 66
Kearney State
"'Randy is the best guard I've seen on film from all of last year. It's a shame he wasn't All-Pro, he deserved it,' new head coach Lou Holtz says. Rasmussen turned in another strong, consistent season as a starter in every preseason and regular season game at left guard. He suffered a rib injury in the first regular season game but was not slowed. Randy was the top grading lineman in 1975 on the run and the pass.
Every day is game day for Randy. Along with Winston Hill, he leads the offensive front. He has started at left guard for nine consecutive seasons and has played in 80 consecutive games heading into the 1976 season, all as a starter.
Randy is one of the major reasons why the Jets offensive line allowed only 19 sacks in 1974. Known for his one-on-one techniques, he has helped youthful Robert Woods improve and solidify the left side of the line. Randy is rated as perhaps the best pulling guard the Jets have ever had. Drafted 12th in 1967, he started as a rookie.
In college, Randy was All-NAIA for two years and was three times all-conference. He played offensive tackle and also threw shot put for the track team. He holds a B.A. in education with a mathematics major and a physical education minor.
Randy grew up on a farm. He likes to hunt and play golf and is in great demand as an off-season banquet speaker. Randy makes his home in Elmsford, New York and his hometown is Elba, Nebraska."
-1976 New York Jets Media Guide
No. 66
Kearney State
"'Randy is the best guard I've seen on film from all of last year. It's a shame he wasn't All-Pro, he deserved it,' new head coach Lou Holtz says. Rasmussen turned in another strong, consistent season as a starter in every preseason and regular season game at left guard. He suffered a rib injury in the first regular season game but was not slowed. Randy was the top grading lineman in 1975 on the run and the pass.
Every day is game day for Randy. Along with Winston Hill, he leads the offensive front. He has started at left guard for nine consecutive seasons and has played in 80 consecutive games heading into the 1976 season, all as a starter.
Randy is one of the major reasons why the Jets offensive line allowed only 19 sacks in 1974. Known for his one-on-one techniques, he has helped youthful Robert Woods improve and solidify the left side of the line. Randy is rated as perhaps the best pulling guard the Jets have ever had. Drafted 12th in 1967, he started as a rookie.
In college, Randy was All-NAIA for two years and was three times all-conference. He played offensive tackle and also threw shot put for the track team. He holds a B.A. in education with a mathematics major and a physical education minor.
Randy grew up on a farm. He likes to hunt and play golf and is in great demand as an off-season banquet speaker. Randy makes his home in Elmsford, New York and his hometown is Elba, Nebraska."
-1976 New York Jets Media Guide
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