1977 Profile: Bob Martin

Linebacker
No. 59
Nebraska
"In a year when the Jets were desperate for pleasant surprises, this rookie provided one. The regular at right linebacker, Martin was second on the team in tackles. Smallish for a linebacker, the Jets hope he isn't finished growing. He has excellent speed and is an aggressive defender, a sure tackler but not the bone-cruncher type.
Born in David City, Nebraska, Martin was a defensive lineman at the University of Nebraska. He was a sixth-round draft choice who had a fine rookie year considering the handicap of learning a new position. Martin is a quiet guy who should become a solid but unspectacular player."

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

"Martin was another of the pleasant surprises of the 1976 season. He lacks size at 6-1, 217 but Walt Michaels says, 'Bob is a good prospect. He's intelligent, a sure tackler. He hustles and chases all the time and is a good special teams player.' Michaels adds 'You don't notice him during the game because he doesn't bury people when he hits them, but you count up the tackles after the game and you realize what he's done.'
He won the right linebacking spot in the preseason and held it all year. He started 13 of 14 games, missing only the second Miami game with a hip pointer. Martin wound up second to fellow rookie Greg Buttle on the club tackling chart with 94 solos and 66 assists. He had two interceptions, off Jim Plunkett and Bert Jones.
Bob was drafted because of his intensity, intelligence and character. He was named first-team by Football News All-America, second-team by AP and UPI and All-Big East by AP and UPI. He played in the Japan, Cotton, Sugar and Fiesta Bowls. Bob was a four-year starter with 137 solo tackles and 160 assists along with 33 career sacks. He was Nebraska's defensive captain.
Quiet and soft-spoken, Bob majored in business. He was named Nebraska's Prep Athlete of the Year in 1972. His birthplace and hometown is David City, Nebraska."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide