1977 Free Agent Profile: Tom Newton

Fullback
Free Agent
California
"Signed as a free agent, Newton gained 1,108 yards on 253 carries (4.7 average) and 10 touchdowns in two years as a fullback and a tailback at California. He played in the same backfield as Chuck Muncie in 1975 and rushed for 544 yards. He led the North in rushing in the North-South Game.
Tom had a brilliant junior college career at San Jose City College where he gained 982 yards and scored 15 touchdowns as a sophomore, including 287 yards in one game. A physical education major, scouts label him as 'tough and durable with good hands but lacks speed and elusiveness.'
A three-sport star at Overfelt High in his hometown of San Jose, Tom's birthplace is Carmel, California."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Robert Moss

Defensive End
Free Agent (1976)
Jackson State
"Moss signed as a free agent with the Jets last year but was injured in the preseason and failed to make the club. He came to camp as a linebacker last summer but has added close to 15 pounds and will be tried at defensive end this season.
An aggressive, reckless player, Robert was second team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference in 1975 and was a three-year letterman. He majored in physical education and health and was nicknamed 'Crazy Horse.'
His birthplace and hometown is Miami, Florida, where he is involved in the Big Brother program."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: George Mills

Defensive End
Free Agent
Nebraska
"A free agent, George signed with Calgary of the Canadian Football League but left the team. He has added nearly 20 pounds since his senior year at Nebraska.
George was a two-year letterman as a defensive tackle for the Cornhuskers. He played on the Big Eight co-championship team in 1975. He played on three bowl teams: Cotton, Sugar and Fiesta.
George has a B.S. in education. He was a classmate of the Jets' standout linebacker Bob Martin. Nicknamed 'Chalk,' George's birthplace and hometown is Omaha, Nebraska."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Rookie Profile: Tank Marshall

Defensive End
3rd Round
Texas A & M
"The Jets chose Marshall after obtaining a third-round pick from San Francisco in exchange for veteran defensive tackle Ed Galigher. 'A player of first-round caliber,' says head coach Walt Michaels. 'We feel his best football is ahead of him.' Scouts like his quickness (5.0 in the 40) and aggressiveness.
Marshall earned four varsity letters and was named first-team All-Southwest Conference. He won the only football award given at Texas A & M, the Aggie Heart Award, for effort, determination and competitiveness. Tank earned AP honorable mention All-America last season when he made 61 tackles (39 solo) and four quarterback sacks.
He played in the Liberty Bowl as a junior. He played alongside Edgar Fields and Jimmy Dean, who were picked in the third and fourth rounds of the 1977 draft.
Tank was a physical education major. He was an all-state defensive end at F.D. Roosevelt High in Dallas, Texas, his birthplace and hometown."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Rookie Profile: Kevin Long

Running Back
7th Round
South Carolina
"A powerful running back, Long became the first 1,000-yard rusher in South Carolina history in 1975 when he gained 1,133 yards on 190 carries (6.0 average). He joined Clarence Williams (who later in 1975 topped the 1,000-yard mark) as the seventh tandem from the same school in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 yards in one season.
Kevin gained over 100 yards in five games that year, including his top effort of 160 against North Carolina State. He finished third all-time among Gamecocks rushing leaders with 2,372 yards. He was an honorable mention All-American, first-team All-South Independent and All-South Carolina in 1975 and played in the Tangerine Bowl as a junior. The Jets obtained the draft pick used for Long in the trade that sent Carl Garrett to Oakland.
An extremely durable runner who was never hurt, scouts like his quick feet, balance, strength and ability to break tackles. He runs the 40 in 4.65.
Kevin majored in health and physical education and has worked with retarded children. He was an offensive guard as a senior at Clinton High in his birthplace and hometown, Clinton, South Carolina."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Mark Law

Guard
Free Agent
Hillside
"Mark signed as a free agent with the Jets last summer but left camp voluntarily. A small-college All-American at Hillside College in Michigan, he was also an All-American in track (hammer) and wrestling.
Mark once wrestled and pinned a bear in an exhibition match. His birthplace and hometown is Roanoke, Indiana."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Lewis Lamar

Offensive Tackle
Free Agent
Bethune-Cookman
"Lewis is a free agent who played with Hamilton of the Canadian Football League for eight games before being waived. He also played briefly with the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League.
His birthplace and hometown is Atlanta, Georgia. Nicknamed 'Honey Hart,' Lewis works for the Atlanta Boys Club."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Tom Kowalczyk

Guard
Free Agent
Missouri
"Tom was a three-year letterman and two-year starter at guard. Scouts like his toughness and size [6-2, 250]. His team upset Southern California and Ohio State last season.
Tom majored in physical education and health and works at a Chrysler dealership in the off-season. He was a weight man on the track team at Southwest High in St. Louis, Mo., his birthplace and hometown. Nicknamed the 'Polish Prince,' his name is pronounced Co-WALL-sick."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Rookie Profile: Joe Klecko

Defensive Tackle
6th Round
Temple
" 'They tell me this kid's a street fighter and wants to play football really bad,' says head coach Walt Michaels. 'He played middle guard at Temple and should fit well in our odd-man line defense. He's very quick and played his best against the toughest opponents. I was very impressed when I saw him against Penn State.'
Joe is known for his outstanding pass rush. He was a two-time All-East selection and twice an AP honorable mention All-American. The key to the Owls' defense, for four years, he made 105 tackles (58 solo) last season. Joe runs the 40 in 5.0 and can dunk a basketball.
Joe passed up college for two years to drive a truck after graduating from St. James High in Chester, Pa., where he played football only as a senior. Chester is his birthplace and hometown. His nickname is 'Little Joe' and his name is pronounced CLECK-o."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

"I really identified with Rocky. It was my movie. I was in the aisles."

-Joe Klecko, two-time club heavyweight boxing champion at Temple in Philadelphia who once jumped into the ring with Joe Frazier

1977 Rookie Profile: Steve King

Offensive Tackle
5th Round (1976)
Michigan
"Steve was drafted 5th by the Jets last year but missed the entire season because of knee surgery. He had knee trouble at Michigan that required an operation.
He made second-team All-Big Ten as a junior. His strongest ratings from scouts came in balance, pulling, tenacity and quickness off the ball.
Steve has a B.A. in business. His birthplace is Hudson, New York and his hometown is Tiffin, Ohio."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Ron Kecman

Center
Free Agent
Maryland
"Kecman is a free agent who played center for the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League at the same time (1974-75) Jets' special teams coach Joe Gardi was an aide there. He had tryouts with the Eagles and Rams last year but failed to make the squad.
A three-year letterman at Maryland, Ron was captain as a senior. He has a B.S. in business administration. His birthplace is McKeesport, Pennsylvania, his hometown is West Mifflin, PA and his name is pronounced KECK-mun."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Danny Johnson

Offensive Tackle
Free Agent
Rice
"A free agent, Danny was the key blocker for Rice quarterback Tony Kramer, the nation's leading passer (3,317 yards), last fall. He was a four-year starter and played offensive and defensive tackle, tight end and guard during his career; the Jets may also give him a look on defense. He was second team All-Southwest Conference and played in the Blue-Gray Game.
Danny earned a degree in commerce. He enjoys motorcycle riding. He was a football and basketball captain at Cleveland High in his birthplace and hometown, Cleveland, Texas."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Rookie Profile: John Hennessey

Defensive End
10th Round
Michigan
"Hennessey is a tough defensive lineman with strong arms and the frame to carry much more weight. Scouts say he is an aggressive tackler with excellent pursuit.
He started at tackle for Michigan's Big Ten championship team that played in the Rose Bowl last season; the Jets will try him at defensive end. He played in the Orange Bowl as a junior.
John made 85 tackles (58 solo) last fall. He was voted the Wolverines' top defensive player in wins over Ohio State and Minnesota in 1976.
He majored in business administration. He has helped with March of Dimes projects and worked at the Ypsilanti State Mental Hospital. John was an all-city standout at Gordon Tech in Chicago, his birthplace and hometown."

-1977 New York Jets Media  Guide

R.I.P. George Atkinson III

1977 Free Agent Profile: Bruce Harper

Running Back-Kick Returner
Free Agent
Kutztown State
"A free agent, Harper was an honorable mention AP Little All-America last year when he was the first back in Kutztown (Pa.) State history to gain over 1,000 yards. He rushed for 1,132 yards in 10 games and gained 216 yards in one contest. Harper was twice All-Conference and rushed for 2,169 yards in three seasons. He was a teammate of Coach Walt Michaels' son, Walter Jr.
Scouts like his speed, elusiveness and instincts- he runs the 40 in 4.6. Bruce is a good return specialist.
Bruce majored in social welfare. He was a track and football standout at Dwight Morrow High in his hometown and birthplace, Englewood, New Jersey."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Rookie Profile: Bob Grupp

Safety-Punter
7th Round
Duke
"Grupp was twice named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference and was an AP honorable mention All-American last season even though he was hampered by a series of nagging injuries. A tri-captain in 1976, he enjoyed an excellent junior year when he was eighth in the nation in punting with a 43.1 average (the Duke record), led the ACC with four interceptions and set a Blue Devil record for highest single-game punting average (6-for-53.3 against Florida). A three-step punter who gets the ball off quickly and has good hang time, Grupp averaged 40.4 on 179 career punts.
He excelled as a defensive back and a punter and will get a look at both positions with the Jets. Bob doesn't have outstanding speed (4.7 in the 40) but is a fine all-around athlete with good agility and reactions. As an outfielder, he was MVP for the Duke baseball team in 1976.
Bob majored in economics. He graduated from Neshaminy High in his hometown of Langhorne, Pennsylvania. His birthplace is Philadelphia, Pa."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide