1977 Profile: Richard Caster

Tight End
No. 88
Jackson State
"He caught 31 passes last season, second [on the club] only to Clark Gaines- but down from his total of 47 the season before. With Jerome Barkum out for 10 weeks, Caster was double-teamed by opposing defenses.
He is No. 3 on the all-time list of Jet receivers [for both catches and yardage] behind Don Maynard and George Sauer."

-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1977

"Shea Stadium boo-birds would feel lost without him. The fastest tight end in the league, Caster makes spectacular catches. He still drops too many easy ones when all alone- if anyone knows why, contact Walt Michaels.
A poor blocker, Caster played tight end and wide receiver last year. Double-teamed wherever he goes, he had the lowest number of catches (31) in five years last season when the Jets played shuffling quarterbacks.
The most dangerous touchdown threat among tight ends in the league, Caster has 35 touchdowns over the last seven years. He does 40 yards in 4.5 and knows where the sweet spots in the zone are.
Born in Mobile, Alabama, he was a college teammate of Jerome Barkum at Jackson State. Caster played out his option but was re-signed by the Jets last spring.
He's a good tennis player."

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


"The premier receiving tight end in pro football, Caster is an outstanding deep threat against the zone. He has steadily improved his blocking, yet fell off statistically last year when the Jets' passing game slackened; the opposition double-teamed him constantly with the threat of injured Jerome Barkum removed. Richard had 31 catches for 391 yards, a 12.6 average and only one touchdown, but tied for the third longest run in Jet history with a 60-yard end around against Washington.
Capable of being used as a wide receiver, Caster began his career as a wide receiver but switched to tight end in 1972 and did so well he earned a Pro Bowl selection. He also earned Pro Bowl honors after the 1974 and 1975 seasons. He played wide receiver in a one-game experiment at New England last year.
Richard led all AFC receivers in yardage (833) and touchdown catches (10) in 1972 and topped all NFL tight ends in yardage in 1974 and 1975. In 1974, he had 38 catches for 745 yards, a 19.6 average (third best in the NFL) and seven touchdowns. The following year he had 47 receptions for 820 yards, a 17.4 average and four touchdowns.
His career stats show 235 receptions for 4,229 yards, an 18.0 average and 35 touchdowns. His receptions rank him 10th among active AFC players. In Jets annals, Caster stands third in career catches and yardage behind Don Maynard and George Sauer and has a chance of passing Sauer (4,965) in yardage this year. He holds the club record for longest gain on a passing play with a 91-yarder from Namath against Baltimore in 1975.
His best day was in the 1972 game against Baltimore when he caught touchdown passes of 80, 79 and 10 yards and had 204 yards on only six catches, becoming the only NFL receiver to surpass 200 yards in a game that season. He has had 10 career 100-yard or more games.
Richard was a wide receiver and tight end at Jackson State where he was a teammate of Jerome Barkum. He caught 160 passes for 3,638 yards and 28 touchdowns. A Pittsburgh Courier second-team All-American, Richard was a member of the College All-Star squad.
Involved in the community, Richard has served as chairman of the March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon in New York City and received the Gordon's Good Guy award for his efforts.
Rich enjoys playing tennis and basketball. He makes his off-season home in Hempstead, New York and makes many personal appearances on behalf of the Jets. His birthplace and hometown is Mobile, Alabama."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide