R.I.P. Kevin Greene

R.I.P. George Nock

R.I.P. Paul Crane

R.I.P. Bill Mathis

R.I.P. Carl Garrett

R.I.P. Cecil Leonard

R.I.P. Paul Rochester

R.I.P. Bill Wood

R.I.P. Jack Klotz

R.I.P. Lee Grosscup

R.I.P. Ed Kovac

1977 New York Jets Preseason Depth Charts

OFFENSE
QB - RICHARD TODD 14, Steve Joachim 11, Matt Robinson*, Craig Nagel* 
RB - CLARK GAINES 21, Steve Davis 35, Louie Giamona 45, Charlie White*, Phil Gargis*, Lou Wilkins*, Darryl Carter*, Earl Taylor*, Tom Newton*, Bruce Harper* 
RB - ED MARINARO 49, Clark Gaines 21, Scott Dierking*, Kevin Long*, Irvin Stevenson* 
WR - JEROME BARKUM 83, Lou Piccone 89, Howard Satterwhite 80, Perry Griggs*, Ken Williams* 
LT - ROBERT WOODS 72, John Roman 61, Dave Conrad*, Dave Shukri*, Danny Johnson* 
LG - RANDY RASMUSSEN 66, Darrell Austin 67, Joe Gallagher*, Tom Kowalczyk* 
C  - DARRELL AUSTIN 67, Joe Fields 65, Gary Gregory*, Ron Kecman* 
RG - GARRY PUETZ 78, Darrell Austin 67, Gary Gregory*, Jerry Finis*, Dave Brady*, Mark Law* 
RT - Marvin Powell*, Al Krevis 71, Steve King*, Lewis Lamar* 
TE - RICHARD CASTER 88, Richard Osbrorne 86, Rick Pawlewicz*, Ron Thomas*, Bob Raba* 
WR - DAVID KNIGHT 82, Wesley Walker*, Don Buckey 91, Frank Russell* 

DEFENSE
LDE - LAWRENCE PILLERS 76, Billy Newsome 87, Clarence Sanders*, John Hennessy*, Robert Moss*
LDT - CARL BARZILAUSKAS 77, Billy Newsome 87
RDT - LARRY FAULK 74, Joe Klecko*, Dan Alexander*
RDE - RICHARD NEAL 81, Tank Marshall*, George Mills*, Greg Murphy*
LLB - GREG BUTTLE 51, Larry Keller 56, Ed Thompson*
MLB - JOHN EBERSOLE 55, Carl Russ 53, Larry Keller 56, Steve Poole 54, Ed Thompson*, Pat Staub*
RLB - BOB MARTIN 59, Larry Keller 56, Mike Hennigan 52, Don Coleman 57
LCB - SHAFER SUGGS 23, Rich Sowells 46, Dave Butterfield*
SS  - PHIL WISE 27, Shafer Suggs 23, Tommy Marvaso 47, Bob Grupp*
FS  - BURGESS OWENS 22, Tommy Marvaso 47, Ken Schroy*
RCB - ED TAYLOR 38, Leonard Dunlap 26, Dave Butterfield*, Steve Taylor*

SPECIALISTS
K - PAT LEAHY 5, Dom Antonini*
P - DUANE CARRELL 3, Richard Todd 14, Mike Burke 6, Bob Grupp*, Phil Waganheim*
PR/KR - LOU PICCONE 89, LOUIE GIAMONNA 45, Perry Griggs*, Wesley Walker*, Bruce Harper*, Earl Taylor*, Scott Dierking*, Dave Butterfield*
H - DUANE CARRELL 3, Don Buckey 91, Matt Robinson*
LS - JOE FIELDS 65, Gary Gregory*, Darrell Austin 67

1976 starters in CAPS
* rookie or first-year player

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide


OFFENSE
Quarterbacks 
Richard Todd (Alabama)
Steve Joachim (Temple) 

Running Backs 
Clark Gaines (Wake Forest)
Ed Marinaro (Cornell)
Steve Davis (Delaware State)
Louie Giammona (Utah State)
Bob Gresham (West Virginia)

Receivers 
Jerome Barkum (W) (Jackson State)
David Knight (W) (William & Mary)
Richard Caster (T) (Jackson State)
Richard Osborne (T) (Texas A & M)
Howard Satterwhite (W) (Sam Houston)
Lou Piccone (W) (West Liberty State)
Clint Haselrig (W) (Michigan)
(W)-Wide Receiver  (T)-Tight End

Interior Linemen 
Robert Woods (T) (Tennessee State)
Al Krevis (T) (Boston College)
Randy Rasmussen (G) (Kearney State)
Garry Puetz (G) (Valparaiso)
Joe Fields (C) (Widener)
Darrell Austin (G-C) (South Carolina)
John Roman (T-G) (Idaho State)
Winston Hill (T) (Texas Southern)
Steve King (T) (Michigan)*

(T)-Tackle  (G)-Guard  (C)- Center

Kickers
Pat Leahy (PK) (St. Louis)
Duane Carrell (P) (Florida State)
Mike Burke (P) (Miami)
(PK)-Place Kicker  (P)-Punter

DEFENSE
Front Linemen
Richard Neal (E) (Southern)
Lawrence Pillers (E) (Alcorn State)
Larry Faulk (T)  (Kent State)
Carl Barzilauskas (T) (Indiana)
Billy Newsome (E) (Grambling)
Mark Lomas (E) (Northern Arizona)
Dave Wasick (E) (San Jose State)*
(E)-End  (T)-Tackle

Linebackers 
Greg Buttle (O-M) (Penn State)
Bob Martin (O) (Nebraska)
John Ebersole (M) (Penn State)
Larry Keller (O) (Houston)
Steve Poole (M-O) (Tennessee)
Mike Hennigan (O) (Tennessee Tech)
Carl Russ (M) (Michigan)
Don Coleman (O) (Michigan)
(O)-Outside Linebacker  (M)-Middle Linebacker)

Cornerbacks 
Shafer Suggs (Ball State)
Ed Taylor (Memphis State)
Rich Sowells (Alcorn A & M)
Len Dunlap (North Texas State)

Safeties 
Phil Wise (S-W) (Nebraska-Omaha)
Burgess Owens (W) (Miami)
Tommy Marvaso (S-W) (Cincinnati)
(S) Strong Side (W) Weak Side or "Free" Safety

* Rookie

-Pro Football 1977, published by Ballantine Books


OFFENSE
QB - Richard Todd, Steve Joachim 
RB - Clark Gaines, Ed Marinaro, Irvin Stevenson
RB - Louie Giamonna, Steve Davis, Bob Gresham 
WR - Jerome Barkum, Lou Piccone, Howard Satterwhite, Wesley Walker*   
LT - Robert Woods, Winston Hill, John Roman 
LG - Randy Rasmussen, Darrell Austin 
C - Darrell Austin, Joe Fields, Dave Shukri*
RG - Garry Puetz, John Roman 
RT - Marvin Powell*, Winston Hill, Al Krevis, Steve King 
TE - Richard Caster, Richard Osborne, Rick Pawlewicz 
WR - David Knight, Lou Piccone, Don Buckey, Howard Satterwhite 

DEFENSE
LDE - Larry Pillers, Billy Newsome, Dave Wasick, Tank Marshall* 
LDT - Carl Barzilauskas, Larry Faulk 
RDT - Larry Faulk 
RDE - Richard Neal, Larry Pillers, Mark Lomas, Clarence Sanders 
LLB - Greg Buttle, Mike Hennigan, John Ebersole, Don Coleman 
MLB - John Ebersole, Steve Poole, Carl Russ 
RLB - Bob Martin, Larry Keller, John Ebersole, Don Coleman 
LCB- Shafer Suggs, Rich Sowells, Tommy Marvaso 
SS - Phil Wise, Tommy Marvaso, Shafer Suggs, Ken Schroy 
FS - Burgess Owens, Phil Wise, Tommy Marvaso, Ken Schroy   
RCB - Ed Taylor, Rich Sowells, Tommy Marvaso 

KICKERS
K - Pat Leahy 
P - Duane Carrell 

*rookie

-The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1977, published by Pocket Books

1977 Free Agent Profile: Ken Williams

Wide Receiver
Free Agent
Temple
"Ken was a three-year letterman at Temple. He was honorable mention All-East last season when he caught 35 passes for 580 yards (16.6 average) and six touchdowns. His career totals: 59 receptions, 892 yards, a 15.1 average and seven touchdowns.
Scouts say he has 'excellent size and jumping ability, deceptive speed and above average hands but needs work on blocking and toughness.' Ken majored in engineering and is one of four Temple players in Jets' camp.
A three-sport athlete at Clayton High in New Jersey, Ken's birthplace is Elmer, New Jersey and his hometown is Glassboro, New Jersey."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Lou Wilkins

Running Back
Free Agent
Mississippi Valley
"Wilkins gained 1,759 yards on 366 carries (4.8 average) in a four-year career with a primarily passing team. He also caught 32 passes for 465 yards (14.5 average). Scouts list size, strength, good hands and quick feet as his major assets. Wilkins also ran track at Mississippi Valley. He majored in industrial arts.
Nicknamed 'Cupcake,' Lou was a three-sport star at Coahoma County High in Clarksdale, Mississippi, his hometown. His cousin, Lucy Harris, was an All-America basketball player at Delta State and an Olympic star in Montreal. Lou's birthplace is Greenwood, Mississippi."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Rookie Profile: Charlie White

Running Back
7th Round
Bethune-Cookman
" 'He accelerates to and through people,' says Jets' assistant coach Dan Henning. A bruising runner who's hard to tackle, White runs the 40 in 4.5.
White was a running back at Bethune-Cookman (Daytona Beach, Fla.) for two years after transferring from Iowa Central Junior College, where he was a JC All-American. He gained 1,303 yards on 173 carries for an outstanding 7.4 average and 12 touchdowns in his two seasons at Bethune-Cookman. Charlie played in the first Black College All-Star Game last season. He majored in physical education. The Jets obtained the draft pick used on him last year in the trade of Richard Wood to Tampa Bay.
Nicknamed 'The Juice,' Charlie is a local product who graduated from Spring Valley High in his hometown, Spring Valley, New York. He was born in Suffern, New York."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Phil Waganheim

Punter
Waivers
Maryland
"Acquired on waivers from the Rams, Waganheim was drafted in the 10th round by Baltimore in 1975 and was cut. He signed as a free agent with Los Angeles but spent last year on the injured reserve list with a knee injury.
Waganheim never played football until his junior year at Maryland. He was a basketball player at Montgomery JC  (Rockville, Md.) for two seasons before transferring. In 1974, Phil was the fourth leading punter in the nation with a 42.2 average and a long of 65. He played in the Peach and Liberty Bowls. He has a degree in recreation and health.
He works with children in a recreation center. His birthplace is Washington, D.C., and his hometown is Silver Spring, Maryland. His name is pronounced WAG-on-hime."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Rookie Profile: Ed Thompson

Linebacker

8th Round

Ohio State

"A tough, aggressive hitter who 'unloads on people,' according to scouts who like his pass coverage and play on special teams, Thompson was defensive captain for Ohio State last fall. 'He isn't very big or fast, or real strong as linebackers go,' says Buckeye defensive coordinator George Hill, 'but when we need a big play, it's a good bet that Ed Thompson will come up with it. His greatest asset is his knack for always being around the football.'

Thompson was first team All-Big Ten as a junior when he made 126 tackles (59 solo) and six quarterback sacks. He was second team All-Big Ten last season with 149 stops (74 solo) and three interceptions (one for an 81-yard touchdown). Ed came to Ohio State as a quarterback. He majored in physical education. He played in two Rose Bowls and an Orange Bowl. The Jets obtained his draft pick used for Thompson in a 1975 trade sending John Ricca to Chicago.

His proper name is Kenneth but he prefers Ed. He was an All-Ohio football and basketball standout at Glenwood High in New Boston and earned 14 letters in four sports. His birthplace is Portsmouth, Ohio and his hometown is Waverly, Ohio."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Ron Thomas

Tight End
Free Agent
Louisville
"Ron played with the Kentucky Colonels in the ABA from 1972-76. He failed to make the Houston Rockets last season. He signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 1972 but left their early conditioning camp to concentrate on basketball. Ron has excellent speed and size.
He was an All-Missouri Conference basketball standout at Louisville. He was MVP in the Holiday Festival Tourney at Madison Square Garden as a senior and played on the Cardinal team that made the final four of the NCAA tournament. He suited up for one game of football but didn't play. Ron has a degree in history.
Ron was a football and basketball standout at Jefferson High in Louisville. He was recruited by Jet scout Carroll Huntress when he was an assistant at Kentucky. Ron has been active in basketball clinics to underprivileged children. His nicknames are 'Duck' and 'Plum.' Louisville is his birthplace and hometown."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Steve Taylor

Cornerback
Free Agent
Georgia
"Steve was drafted by Denver in the fourth round in 1975. He broke his arm in the final workout and spent the season on the injured reserve list. He was picked up by Seattle last year in the veteran allocation but was waived.
A three-year letterman at Georgia, Steve was All-Southeastern Conference as a senior when he had five interceptions. He played in the Coaches' All-America Game in Lubbock, Texas.
Steve is a physical education major who would like to coach at a small college someday. His birthplace is Portsmouth, Ohio and his hometown is Marietta, Georiga."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Earl Taylor

Running Back
Free Agent
Ball State
"Last year Earl became only the second player in Ball State history to go over 1,000 yards with 1,017 on 203 carries (5.0 average). In the final game, he set a school record with 260 yards on the ground to lead the Cardinals to a 52-3 romp over Eastern Michigan that clinched the 1976 Mid-American Conference title.
Earl also led the squad in rushing as a junior with 901 yards (5.1 average) despite missing several games with injuries. He threw three halfback passes and completed them all, one an 80-yard touchdown against Miami (O.). That year he was a teammate of Jets cornerback Shafer Suggs.
Taylor lettered as a defensive back at Miami (O.) as a freshman and then transferred after sitting out a season. He majored in physical education and health.
Scouts call him 'a smooth, fluid runner with good quickness but lacks size and strength.' Jet scout Carroll Huntress compares his build to Jazz Jackson, a former Jet.
Nicknamed 'Wienie,' Taylor was runner-up to Archie Griffin in the Ohio AAA back of the year voting as a senior at North High in his birthplace and hometown, Youngstown, Ohio."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Irvin Stevenson

Running Back
Free Agent (1976)
Southwestern
"Irvin signed as a free agent with the Jets last year but was on the injured reserve list for the entire season. He played one year of semipro with the Cumberland Colts.
In college, he played his freshman year at Delaware State and finished his career at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas. Stevenson was twice all-conference in football and track and was also a standout in basketball. He majored in marine biology and math.
Irvin went to Cape Henlopen High in Lewes, Delaware where he was part of a mile relay team that set a record at the Penn Relays. He coaches youth football and basketball teams. His birthplace and hometown is Ellendale, Delaware."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Pat Staub

Middle Linebacker
Free Agent
Temple
"A free agent, Staub played guard for four years at Temple but will be tried at linebacker by the Jets. He was selected All-East three times and was Football News honorable mention All-America as a senior. Scouts like his quickness and aggressiveness. One of four players from Temple in Jets' training camp, Pat majored in health and physical education.
Pat earned nine letters in three sports at Delone Catholic High. His birthplace and hometown is Hanover, Pa. His name is pronounced STOB."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Dave Shukri

Offensive Tackle
Free Agent
Penn State
"A free agent, Shukri matured rapidly last fall as a starting guard in the final half of the regular season and in the Gator Bowl. He saw limited action as a sophomore when he played offensive tackle and as a junior when he was a center. Scouts like his size, strength and balance. He majored in education.
Dave was represented by his high school teacher in contract negotiations with the Jets. Along with football, he competed in wrestling at Lindenhurst High on Long Island. His birthplace is Queens and his hometown is Lindenhurst. His name is pronounced SHOE-kree."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Ken Schroy

Free Safety
Free Agent (1976)
Maryland
"Schroy signed as a free agent with the Jets last year but missed the entire season with a fractured ankle. He was drafted 10th by Philadelphia but was cut as injuries hampered his progress. He has excellent speed and size.
A three-year starter in college, Ken intercepted 10 passes for 165 yards in his career. He also ran back punts and kickoffs and averaged 38.3 yards punting as a sophomore. Schroy played in the Peach and Liberty Bowls and on Maryland's 1974 ACC title team. He has a degree in recreation.
Ken scored 27 touchdowns and gained 2,399 yards as a prep running back at Quakertown (Pa.) High. His birthplace is Valley Forge, Pa."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Waiver Acquisition Profile: Clarence Sanders

Defensive End
Waiver Acquisition (1976)
Cincinnati
"Sanders was drafted 17th by San Diego in 1976 and picked up by the Jets on waivers. He would have been New York's 17th round choice, but the Chargers drafted ahead of the Jets. Clarence suffered an ankle injury in the preseason and was placed on the 'physically unable to perform list' for the year. He's gained almost 20 pounds since last summer and will be tried at defensive end instead of linebacker this season.
Before his senior year, Sanders was a preseason All-America but missed half the season with a knee injury, although he played in the Senior Bowl. He led the teams in tackles as both a sophomore and junior.
Clarence was a business education major and his nickname is 'Mad Man.' His birthplace and hometown is Montgomery, Alabama."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Frank Russell

Wide Receiver
Free Agent
Maryland
"A free agent, Russell was drafted in the 17th round by the Colts in 1975 but failed to make the team. He played for Portland of the World Football League that year.
Russell broke Gary Collins' career records at Maryland with 100 receptions and 1,346 yards. He won the Terps' Unsung Hero award as a senior. Frank played in the 1973 Peach Bowl and in the 1974 Liberty Bowl when Maryland won the ACC title.
From Wantagh, New York, Frank has a degree in recreation. His birthplace is Astoria, New York."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Craig Nagel

Quarterback
Free Agent
Purdue
"A free agent, Craig was drafted in the ninth round by Cleveland last year, played briefly in two preseason games and was waived in the final cut. He's one of several signal-callers vying for the backup spot behind Richard Todd.
Nagel was a part-time starter at Purdue. Known for his strong passing, he was hampered during his career by a broken leg and a shoulder separation. He threw for 517 yards (38 of 87) as a senior, including 149 yards and a touchdown against Southern California.
Craig earned nine letters in three sports at Fairfield (Ohio) High. His birthplace is Cincinnati, his hometown is Fairfield and his name is pronounced NAY-gull."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Greg Murphy

Defensive End
Free Agent
Penn State
"Murphy is a free agent. He was drafted 12th by the Steelers in 1975 but failed to make the club. He was also cut by the Patriots last year.
A two-year starter at defensive end and defensive tackle, Murphy has good strength and quickness. He was UPI second team All-America and AP third team in 1974, and AP and UPI first team All-East twice. He played in the Sugar, Orange and Cotton Bowls. He has a degree in psychology.
Greg is a local product, All-America at Tilden High in Brooklyn, his birthplace and hometown."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Rookie Profile: Matt Robinson

Quarterback
9th Round
Georgia
"Noted for his passing at Georgia, where he split quarterbacking duties with Ray Goff in the Bulldogs' Veer offense, 'Matt has good aim and poise and is a good scrambler. He really puts 'zing' on the ball,' say scouts who are impressed with his accuracy on long passes, quick release, and soft touch.
Robinson led the Southeastern Conference in passing as a sophomore with 1,317 yards (60-for-121 on passes) and eight touchdowns. He set a Georgia record for average gain per completion (21.9) and also ran for 265 yards. He played less as a junior but came on strong last season for Georgia's Sugar Bowl team- he completed 36 of 81 passes for 609 yards and seven touchdowns. Robinson's career totals: 125-for-274 for 2,295 yards and 20 touchdowns. He played in the Tangerine Bowl as a sophomore and the Cotton Bowl as a junior. Also a holder, he majored in business administration.
Matt was a football and baseball captain at North Springs High in Atlanta, Georgia where he earned ten varsity letters in four sports. His birthplace is Farmington, Michigan and his hometown is Atlanta."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Bob Raba

Tight End
Free Agent
Maryland
"A free agent, Bob lettered as a tight end on four bowl teams- he appeared in the Peach, Liberty, Gator and Cotton Bowls. He was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference all-academic team and was also selected the Terps' Unsung Hero. A tough competitor, Raba played his junior year with a broken hand. Last fall, he caught 11 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns. He majored in business administration.
Bob was a three-sport standout at Walt Whitman High. His birthplace is Washington, D.C., his hometown is Bethesda, Maryland, and his name is pronounced RAY-ba."

-1977 New York Jets Media  Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Rick Pawlewicz

Tight End
Free Agent
William & Mary
"Drafted 12th by the Eagles in 1975, Rick missed most of the preseason with a leg injury and was waived. He signed with the Jets as a free agent last year, was injured before the first preseason game and missed the entire campaign before knee surgery.
Pawlewicz ranked sixth in the nation in kickoff returns as a senior with a 28.4 average. He returned a kickoff 102 yards against Virginia. A team captain, Pawlewicz was named first team All-East, first team All-Southern Conference twice and third team AP All-America. He played in the Blue-Gray Game and the American Bowl.
He holds a B.A. in psychology and is studying for a Master's in business administration at Hofstra during the off-season. Rick's birthplace is St. Paul, Minnesota and his hometown is Hanover, New Jersey. His name is pronounced PAUL-a-witz."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide