Linebacker
No. 58
USC
"A gifted young linebacker, Wood saw sporadic action as a starter in 1975. A lanky type player whose speed, size and range are his assets, he's rated by coaches as having the equipment to be a good outside linebacker, but lacks playing experience. Drafted No. 3 in '75, Richard battled injury problems in his rookie year.
He started five games at right linebacker, beginning with Miami's appearance at Shea. His ribs slowed his progress against Baltimore, and later in the season rib problems slowed his St. Louis game performance.
Wood was the first three-time All-American in Trojan history. He led USC in tackles as a sophomore and a junior with 129 and 117 stops, respectively, and finished third as a senior with 89. Co-captain as a senior, he notched seven career interceptions, five of them as a sophomore, and played in the Senior Bowl in 1975. Richard has 4.8 speed.
His brother Jake Wood played with the Detroit Tigers. Richard is nicknamed 'Batman' after the way he constantly waves his arms. He majored in urban studies.
Richard attended Thomas Jefferson High School in his hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey."
-1976 New York Jets Media Guide
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
1976 Profile: Phil Wise
Free Safety
No. 27
Nebraska-Omaha
"An excellent athlete with speed, range and intelligence who makes things happen on the field, Phil picked up in 1975 where he left off in 1974, starting the first three games at free safety. He intercepted a pass against Kansas City and returned it 14 yards, and also intercepted a New England aerial.
A groin injury against the Vikings sidelined him. Phil came back as a starter against Miami only to miss the Buffalo and Baltimore games with a recurrence of the groin injury. He came back briefly in the second Miami game before the injury put him out for the season.
He [could be] one of the best athletes on the team if the injury jinx could be avoided; groin injuries have cost him a total of 19 games in his career. Coaches say he is 'tactically inclined and capable of controlling the secondary.'
Wise started the final six games of 1974 at free safety. He missed six games in 1973 with a groin pull suffered in the preseason, yet had an 80-yard fumble return against Baltimore. In 1971, he blocked a punt against the 49ers set up a touchdown and recovered a Patriot fumble to set up the winning touchdown.
Drafted sixth in 1971, Phil led Nebraska-Omaha in rushing, scoring and kickoff returns as a senior, gaining 983 yards as a runner. His career rushing totals were 2,129 yards on 447 carries for 21 touchdowns. He was a cornerback as a sophomore, then a running back.
Wise majored in criminal justice and specialized in probation and parole problems. He's a part-time player on the Jets' off-season basketball team. His hometown is Omaha, Nebraska."
-1976 New York Jets Media Guide
No. 27
Nebraska-Omaha
"An excellent athlete with speed, range and intelligence who makes things happen on the field, Phil picked up in 1975 where he left off in 1974, starting the first three games at free safety. He intercepted a pass against Kansas City and returned it 14 yards, and also intercepted a New England aerial.
A groin injury against the Vikings sidelined him. Phil came back as a starter against Miami only to miss the Buffalo and Baltimore games with a recurrence of the groin injury. He came back briefly in the second Miami game before the injury put him out for the season.
He [could be] one of the best athletes on the team if the injury jinx could be avoided; groin injuries have cost him a total of 19 games in his career. Coaches say he is 'tactically inclined and capable of controlling the secondary.'
Wise started the final six games of 1974 at free safety. He missed six games in 1973 with a groin pull suffered in the preseason, yet had an 80-yard fumble return against Baltimore. In 1971, he blocked a punt against the 49ers set up a touchdown and recovered a Patriot fumble to set up the winning touchdown.
Drafted sixth in 1971, Phil led Nebraska-Omaha in rushing, scoring and kickoff returns as a senior, gaining 983 yards as a runner. His career rushing totals were 2,129 yards on 447 carries for 21 touchdowns. He was a cornerback as a sophomore, then a running back.
Wise majored in criminal justice and specialized in probation and parole problems. He's a part-time player on the Jets' off-season basketball team. His hometown is Omaha, Nebraska."
-1976 New York Jets Media Guide
Saturday, March 12, 2016
1976 Profile: Godwin Turk
Middle Linebacker
No. 56
Southern
"Turk blossomed as one of the Jet linebackers for the future in his second year, starting all 14 regular season games at left linebacker. An aggressive, physical player with great range and good feet, he has the ability to 'string out' running plays and he plays off the block well. The coaches like his potential after only one year of practical experience- Turk was the hardest hitter in 1975. He covers the pass well and may be tried in the middle because of his size and impressive speed.
He broke a bone in his hand in a preseason game against Atlanta, but was not slowed. Turk made a series of plays in several games to set up the Jet offense: he blocked a punt against the Redskins to set up the winning touchdown; he picked up an interception and a fumble recovery in his home appearance against New England; he blocked a punt to set up a touchdown at Minnesota and intercepted a pass against Buffalo to set up a field goal.
He was named captain under interim coach Ken Shipp. Turk had been the most impressive rookie in training camp in 1974 before shoulder separation shelved him in the preseason. He had surgery that August to repair the ligament damage to the shoulder. Turk was the No. 3 draft choice in 1974.
Turk was All-SWAC for three seasons and played in the Senior Bowl, where Jet scouts were impressed by his performance. He was named to the Black All-America squad. He transferred from California after one year and broke Isiah Robertson's record at Southern with 123 unassisted tackles as a sophomore. Turk's career tackles included 239 solo and 93 assists, along with four interceptions.
He majored in physical education and works as a teacher in the off-season. His brother played for Lamar Tech. His hometown is Houston, Texas."
-1976 New York Jets Media Guide
No. 56
Southern
"Turk blossomed as one of the Jet linebackers for the future in his second year, starting all 14 regular season games at left linebacker. An aggressive, physical player with great range and good feet, he has the ability to 'string out' running plays and he plays off the block well. The coaches like his potential after only one year of practical experience- Turk was the hardest hitter in 1975. He covers the pass well and may be tried in the middle because of his size and impressive speed.
He broke a bone in his hand in a preseason game against Atlanta, but was not slowed. Turk made a series of plays in several games to set up the Jet offense: he blocked a punt against the Redskins to set up the winning touchdown; he picked up an interception and a fumble recovery in his home appearance against New England; he blocked a punt to set up a touchdown at Minnesota and intercepted a pass against Buffalo to set up a field goal.
He was named captain under interim coach Ken Shipp. Turk had been the most impressive rookie in training camp in 1974 before shoulder separation shelved him in the preseason. He had surgery that August to repair the ligament damage to the shoulder. Turk was the No. 3 draft choice in 1974.
Turk was All-SWAC for three seasons and played in the Senior Bowl, where Jet scouts were impressed by his performance. He was named to the Black All-America squad. He transferred from California after one year and broke Isiah Robertson's record at Southern with 123 unassisted tackles as a sophomore. Turk's career tackles included 239 solo and 93 assists, along with four interceptions.
He majored in physical education and works as a teacher in the off-season. His brother played for Lamar Tech. His hometown is Houston, Texas."
-1976 New York Jets Media Guide
Saturday, March 5, 2016
1976 Profile: Ed Taylor
Safety
No. 38
Memphis State
"The most pleasant defensive secondary surprise for the Jets in 1975, Ed earned a spot as a starter at safety after dependable performances in every regular season game. He started five games as a strong safety, three games as a free safety and one as a right cornerback.
Ed recovered a blocked punt against Minnesota. He also ran back seven kickoffs for 151 yards, an average of 21.6. His longest return was for 36 yards.
Drafted No. 9 in 1975, the coaching staff enthused about his versatility. Ed started at strong safety after only three days of practice there and earned the top grades of the secondary players.
His speed is a real asset. He's a very fluid player with the desire to take on bigger backs and make the tackle. Ed's potential in the Jets backfield is limitless.
Ed was a three-year starter at Memphis State and saw action in the Blue-Gray Game and the American Bowl. He had 85 tackles, 34 assists and 20 deflected passes in his career. He had eight interceptions for 79 yards, a 9.9 average, and also had three fumble recoveries and two blocked punts. Ed rushed for 170 yards as a freshman running back.
He majored in secondary education. He competed in track for three years, was a member of the NCAA champion 440 relay team, and set a Memphis State 440 record with a 47.2 clocking. His brother Cliff is a running back for the Green Bay Packers.
Ed was student government president in high school. His hometown is Memphis, Tennessee."
-1976 New York Jets Media Guide
No. 38
Memphis State
"The most pleasant defensive secondary surprise for the Jets in 1975, Ed earned a spot as a starter at safety after dependable performances in every regular season game. He started five games as a strong safety, three games as a free safety and one as a right cornerback.
Ed recovered a blocked punt against Minnesota. He also ran back seven kickoffs for 151 yards, an average of 21.6. His longest return was for 36 yards.
Drafted No. 9 in 1975, the coaching staff enthused about his versatility. Ed started at strong safety after only three days of practice there and earned the top grades of the secondary players.
His speed is a real asset. He's a very fluid player with the desire to take on bigger backs and make the tackle. Ed's potential in the Jets backfield is limitless.
Ed was a three-year starter at Memphis State and saw action in the Blue-Gray Game and the American Bowl. He had 85 tackles, 34 assists and 20 deflected passes in his career. He had eight interceptions for 79 yards, a 9.9 average, and also had three fumble recoveries and two blocked punts. Ed rushed for 170 yards as a freshman running back.
He majored in secondary education. He competed in track for three years, was a member of the NCAA champion 440 relay team, and set a Memphis State 440 record with a 47.2 clocking. His brother Cliff is a running back for the Green Bay Packers.
Ed was student government president in high school. His hometown is Memphis, Tennessee."
-1976 New York Jets Media Guide
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
1976 Profile: Steve Tannen
Free Safety
No. 21
Florida
"A gifted athlete but continually hobbled by injuries. Tannen missed the entire 1975 season with a dislocated left shoulder suffered while causing a fumble in a preseason game against St. Louis. He had missed the first preseason game with a dislocation of the same shoulder in practice.
Tannen had earned a starting spot at free safety for eight games in 1974, gaining two interceptions. He has great versatility, having played every defensive backfield position in his pro career, and started for three years at left corner.
A tenacious type of player with good size and desire, Steve is a good special teams player with a knack for blocking punts. He blocked a Colts' punt in 1974 and teammate Burgess Owens recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown. Steve has also blocked two field goals and two other punts, scoring with a blocked punt against Buffalo in 1970, his rookie season. He led the team in interceptions in 1972 with seven, second in the AFC.
A No. 1 draft choice in 1970, Steve has missed 23 of 84 regular season games with injuries.
Steve was an All-America cornerback for the Gators and played in the Senior and All-America Bowls and in the College All-Star Game. He blocked seven punts or kicks in high school, seven in college and has also helped return kicks.
He received the outstanding athlete award at the Florida Relays and is the Florida record holder in the 60-yard high hurdles. He has had poetry published in magazines. Steve has taken acting lessons and had a small part in a TV film entitled 'Strike Force.' His hometown is Miami, Florida."
-New York Jets 1976 Media Guide
No. 21
Florida
"A gifted athlete but continually hobbled by injuries. Tannen missed the entire 1975 season with a dislocated left shoulder suffered while causing a fumble in a preseason game against St. Louis. He had missed the first preseason game with a dislocation of the same shoulder in practice.
Tannen had earned a starting spot at free safety for eight games in 1974, gaining two interceptions. He has great versatility, having played every defensive backfield position in his pro career, and started for three years at left corner.
A tenacious type of player with good size and desire, Steve is a good special teams player with a knack for blocking punts. He blocked a Colts' punt in 1974 and teammate Burgess Owens recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown. Steve has also blocked two field goals and two other punts, scoring with a blocked punt against Buffalo in 1970, his rookie season. He led the team in interceptions in 1972 with seven, second in the AFC.
A No. 1 draft choice in 1970, Steve has missed 23 of 84 regular season games with injuries.
Steve was an All-America cornerback for the Gators and played in the Senior and All-America Bowls and in the College All-Star Game. He blocked seven punts or kicks in high school, seven in college and has also helped return kicks.
He received the outstanding athlete award at the Florida Relays and is the Florida record holder in the 60-yard high hurdles. He has had poetry published in magazines. Steve has taken acting lessons and had a small part in a TV film entitled 'Strike Force.' His hometown is Miami, Florida."
-New York Jets 1976 Media Guide
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