1977 Profile: Carl Barzilauskas

Defensive Tackle
No. 77
Indiana
"Becoming the subject of 'Whatever happened to' questions. Facing a pivotal year of his career, Barzilauskas was super as a rookie but not much in the two years since.
The Jets thought he was the best defensive lineman in the '74 draft and made him an early first round pick after his All-American years at Indiana. Some NFL insiders think if he'd gone to a team that wasn't so weak, he could be outstanding. Barzilauskas can't do it alone. At this point in his career, he has to be discouraged by the regular diet of double-teaming he has gotten. He had just one sack last year.
Quiet off the field, has temper flares on-field. Miami All-Pro center Jim Langer calls  Barzilauskas the 'strongest I've gone against.'
Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, he's nicknamed 'Brontosaurus"

-Rich Kucner, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition

"Coach Michaels is hoping and expecting this will be Barzo's year. The huge defensive tackle had an outstanding rookie year making all the NFL all-rookie teams and finishing second to Pittsburgh's Jack Lambert as the AP's Rookie Defensive Player of the Year. Barzilauskas hasn't matched that performance in the past two seasons.
'He's big and strong,' says Michaels. 'This should be his year. He played injured last season. He's strong against the rush but still has to work on pass rush techniques.'
Carl missed the Miami and San Francisco games with a rib injury suffered in the second game at Denver. He started 10 games at left tackle and played some at left end. He had 28 solo tackles and 34 assists, had one sack, knocked two passes, recovered two fumbles and blocked two PAT attempts.
Miami's All-Pro center Jim Langer called Barzo after his rookie year 'one of the strongest players I've ever faced.' Barzo was constantly double-teamed as a sophomore. He has great tenacity.
A three-year starter for Indiana, he played in the East-West Game and the Senior Bowl. He played every down in his senior year despite a broken foot.
Carl earned a B.S. in physical education. He enjoys woodcraft and landscaping and is president and owner of the J.C. & J.C. Inc., True Value Hardware store. His uncle Fritz played for the New York Football Giants is now intramural director employed at Yale. Carl makes his off-season home in Bloomington, Indiana. His birthplace and hometown is Waterbury, Connecticut and his name is pronounced BAR-zi-LAUS-kiss."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide