TEAM DIRECTORY
Chairman of the Board: Leon Hess
President: Jim Kensil
Pro Personnel Coordinator: Jim Royer
Business Manager/Traveling Secretary: John Free
Director Player Personnel: Mike Hickey
Director of Public Relations: Frank Ramos
Head Coach: Walt Michaels
Home Field: Shea Stadium (60,000)
-The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)
"The rebuilding process is even more painful in New York than in Buffalo. The Jets passed up Terry Miller in the draft to select their second blue-chip offensive lineman in two years.
Last year it was Marvin Powell, the Southern California tackle. This year it was Chris Ward, the huge Ohio State tackle.
Some day that's going to pay for coach Walt Michaels, but this year isn't it. The Jets are going to suffer for a while. They don't have the runners to take advantage of the blocking offered by Powell and Ward.
The Jets will throw again, with young Richard Todd, improving as a pro quarterback, dealing to wide receivers Wes Walker and Rich Caster and tight end Jerome Barkum.
Michaels has made a significant switch to the Oklahoma defense, playing young Joe Klecko at nose guard. He drafted a top linebacker, Minnesota's Mark Merrill, to go with the young group heaed by young star Greg Buttle.
Defensively, the greatest needs are corners to go with the skilled safeties, Burgess Owens and Shafer Suggs.
Predicition - Fifth"
-Larry Felser, Football Digest (September 1978)
CAPSULE ANALYSIS
Strength: Receiving, Offensive tackles
Greatest Need: Pass rush, outstanding runner.
Outlook: Also ran.
-Football Digest (September 1978)
OFFENSE
"The National Football League grew in popularity by putting the ball in the air. None of this three yards up the middle between Woody's wide-bottomed tackles. The NFL's plan worked. Fan support swung to pro football, which immediately started running through its own wide-bottomed tackles. Well, most of the NFL anyway.
The New York Jets still pass the football as the NFL advertised years ago. But not for publicity reasons. The Jets throw in order to survive. They have to with a group of running backs who, statistically, are the third worst in the league. And until coach Walt Michaels can find some backs who are decent, his quarterback, Richard Todd, will be throwing forever. Clark Gaines rushed for 595 yards (3.8), and may do better this year now that Marvin Powell is back at tackle.
Not that the Jets are lacking in this department. Far from it. Todd has a dynamite arm, strong and accurate. And his receivers are something else. Few teams in football have three men like Richard Caster, Jerome Barkum and Wesley Walker. The latter, a rookie a year ago, is legally blind in one eye. But he still led the NFL in average yards per catch (21.1)."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)
DEFENSE
"OK, let's cut out the joking. You did say defense, right? Well, what makes you think the New York Jets know how to play defense? Yeh, they did at one time, but Verlon Biggs, Gerry Philbin, Larry Grantham and Johnny Sample no longer wear Jet uniforms. It has nothing to do with the uniforms being the ugliest in football, which they are. The Jets grew old sometime after stunning Baltimore in Super Bowl III. That's all.
What's left are some guys who are younger, but play like senior citizens. I mean, when your pass defense is the worst in pro football and your pass rush the fifth worst, what can you expect? Joe Namath guaranteed a Super Bowl. Richard Todd wouldn't dare guarantee three wins- including the pre-season.
Carl Barzilauskas, big man, long name, but what has he done? Shafer Suggs? Ed Taylor? Phil Wise? Burgess Owens? A secondary or an invitation to score touchdowns through the air? Youth apparently will be served in New York as the Jets begin playing the likes of Tank Marshall and John Hennessey on defense, and hope that they can grow up before Todd grows too old."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)
KICKING GAME
"Pat Leahy survived the howling winds of Shea Stadium- Candlestick Park East- to connect on 15 of 25 field goals. Punter Chuck Ramsey was more affected, averaging 37.1 with only eight punts inside the opponents' 20. Bruce Harper is a good return man on kickoffs and punts."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)
THE ROOKIES
"For the second straight year, the Jets made an offensive lineman, Chris Ward of Ohio State, their first choice. Mark Merrill of Minnesota and running back Dodie Donnell of Nebraska also have a chance of helping the club right away."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)
OUTLOOK
"Might be able to get some tickets to 'Annie' by fall. If you can crowd into P.J. Clarke's, you just might see a celebrity or two. Jogging in Central Park is safest on the weekends. Football? Pro football? The Giants are in Joisey. The Jets? Don't make fun of the handicapped children."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)
"Despite assurances that the club's potential is developing slowly but surely, the fact remains the Jets still have a long way to go. It requires only a quick glance at American Conference team statistics for the past two years to reach certain conclusions about the Jets and how they stack up, comparatively speaking, with the other 13 AFC clubs.
The close of 1976 found the Jets ranking 13th in AFC team total offense and 12th in total defense. A year later, at season's end, they had dropped one notch to rank 14th in total offense and, again, 12th in total defense. The 1977 rankings also show them last in AFC team rushing offense (115.6 average yards per game) and passing defense (allowing 171.6 yards a contest).
If these unimpressive figures seem repetitive, consider still another treadmill-like statistic: By some strange quirk of the law of averages, the Jets have finished with 3-11 won-lost records for the past three seasons in a row! Obviously, there is a struggle in progress to get off the launching pad.
On the other hand, head coach Walt Michaels definitely believes his club is on the way, no matter what these figures seem to indicate, and that the Jets are much more competitive than they were a few years ago. 'Realistically,' he concedes, 'you don't cover up a 3-11 record, but in their hearts, the players feel they're better than that and I agree. I believe we came a lot farther than our record indicates. Biggest thing was the hitting- we had a lot of solid, hard hitting. And we didn't have any quitters out there.'
As erstwhile New Orleans coach Hank Stram had said, 'close only counts in horseshoes.' Still, the Jets did lose some heart-breaking close ones last season such as- to the Raiders 28-27; to Pittsburgh 23-20, and to Miami twice, 21-17 and 14-10. Too, it must be remembered that a youth movement is in full swing with Walt Michaels' squad. During the season just past, the Jets were the youngest team in the AFC. Their average player is 24 1/2 years of age with about three years of NFL experience. Only Tampa Bay's players were younger and more inexperienced in the entire NFL.
As they go into the new season, the basic building block for a true return to winning ways is the quarterback and much depends upon how well Richard Todd measures up to the task. As Todd goes, the Jets will go- there's little doubt about that, unless backup Matt Robinson or rookies Steve Mathieson and Pat Ryan suddenly become the answer to a coach's dreams. If Todd is sufficiently recovered from a knee injury that slowed him considerably last season after a fast start, then he'll have a chance to silence his critics. He has the targets- Caster, Walker, Barkum, Gaines, et al- and only needs an offensive line that will keep him on his feet. Also, a little more selectivity in directing passes into proper hands, thereby cutting down on those numerous interceptions (17) that kept Michaels on an edge last season. A great deal of hope for improvement in the offensive line hinges on the play of Chris Ward, Ohio State's All-America tackle and the Jets' first choice in the '78 college draft. He was the only offensive lineman picked by the Jets so he will have to be sufficient for any rebuilding task that may lie ahead.
Perhaps the Jets displayed their best progress in special teams play. Rookie Bruce Harper finished third in the NFL in all-purpose yardage, right behind Walter Payton and Terry Metcalf. Placekicker Pat Leahy slumped in mid-season, then connected on seven of his last eight field goals. His strong kickoffs enabled the Jets to finish sixth in AFC kickoff coverage, a little noticed but important aspect of the defense.
Even if the future stretched out ahead is full of great expectations for a vastly improved club, there's the matter of the 1978 schedule. It's rated the toughest any one club will have to contend with during the upcoming campaign. It provides the Jets with such opposition as Miami (twice), Washington, Pittsburgh, Baltimore (twice), New England (twice), Denver and finally, the Dallas Cowboys who come to New York's Shea Stadium for the season's finale on December 17.
Merry Christmas! New York Jets ... "
-Herbert M. Furlow, The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1978
OFFENSE
"Quarterbacks: Richard Todd had an up-and-down season, and this may be the year of decision for him. He was definitely moving up in know-how and form until knee troubles began, after which he never really picked up again. Interceptions, 17 of them, helped keep his game bogged down, even though he achieved the obligatory 50.2 completion average.
Matt Robinson played, too, and showed a good arm, but only a 37% completion on 54 throws, eight of which landed in the wrong arms. Steve Mathieson will be joined by another rookie quarterback, Pat Ryan of Tennessee, drafted in round 11.
Running Backs: Clark Gaines does a good job of carrying the Jet rushing offense but he can't do it all. Scott Dierking played in all 14 games last season and clocked a 4.0-yard average on 79 carries (was he trying to give the coaches a hint?).
Kick-returner Bruce Harper showed ability, too, the former Kutztown State flash averaging 4.5 yards on 44 carries while catching 21 passes. Louie Giamonna was on the injury list all season.
The Jets have plenty of young running backs ready to show their talents, if any. And two more running backs were chosen in the recent draft- Dodie Donnell (Nebraska) in round 4 and James Early (Michigan State) in round 7.
Receivers: Plenty of speed here, with always the threat of a deep pass. Wesley Walker had 35 for 740 yards in '77 (Gaines had 55 for 469), and he might have had more if he'd remembered to catch the ball, then run with it. When he's not running pass patterns, Walker blocks with the best. Mickey Shuler, picked in the 3rd round, has good blocking and deep reception speed credentials.
Interior Linemen: This unit's performance is spotty at best. Randy Rasmussen is the shining light. Marvin Powell lived up to his pre-draft ratings until knee problems set in. Gary Puetz, Joe Fields and Darrell Austin gave a good account of themselves, but they had to- most of the reserves were injured.
First-round draftee Chris Ward, considered by the Jets as the best college offensive lineman available, is expected to give the offense that needed extra punch. He'll pair with Powell on the other side- assuming Powell's knee is O.K. A lot of shuffling due here.
Kickers: Pat Leahy did a good job, if not perfect. Three PATs were missed but he connected on 13 of 16 field goal attempts from the 20-40 range (two field goals beyond the 40) to show consistency. Chuck Ramsey's stop-gap punting was just that.
Punter Alan Williams was drafted in the 12th round. Will he prove a better bargain than that?"
-Herbert M. Furlow, The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1978
DEFENSE
"Front Linemen: The front three starters (Joe Klecko, Lawrence Pillers, Abdul Salaam) have been in pro football only one or two years, but they are impressive. Salaam shows he knows how to slam 'em, too. Klecko is the prototype of the big, tough, don't-mess-with-me type of kid who makes ball-carrying a hazard.
The depth here is adequate, even though it's inexperienced.
Linebackers: Little to complain about here. Greg Buttle, in his second year, made life miserable for both runners and pass receivers, living up to his Penn State linebacking heritage. Larry Keller and John Ebersole are always in there, too, rolling with the play. Bob Martin started five games, then was out with injury. His return should bolster an already fine unit.
Randy Sidler is another Penn State linebacking graduate, drafted in the 5th round. Mark Merrill, out of Minnesota, was chosen in the 2nd round.
Cornerbacks: This unit needs shoring up. The opposition completed 57% of its passes in 1977. Ed Taylor is perhaps the best qualifier here.
Michaels picked up five defensive backs in the recent draft. Anthony Terry was picked up on waivers from San Francisco.
Safeties: Like the cornerbacks, the safeties need looking into. Burgess Owens is probably the best of these, Ken Schroy can play corner if need be, Shafer Suggs is injury prone, Willie Jenkins is yet to be heard from and Artimus Parker is a fair reserve."
-Herbert M. Furlow, The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1978
"The extremely young and inexperienced Jets have posted three consecutive 3-11 records but continue to impress rival coaches with their spirited play under head coach Walt Michaels, a tough and demanding whip-cracker who's entering into his second year at the helm. Another back-breaking schedule is expected to block any jump in the AFC East standings, but the high level of competition should accelerate the development of this aggressive ballclub.
OFFENSE: Richard Todd, one of the better young quarterbacks in the NFL, is a dual threat due to his fine running ability. In his first season of regular play, Todd completed 50.2% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and 1,863 yards. Soph Matt Robinson has shown potential in spot relief. The Jets don't have to take a back seat to any team when it comes to quality receivers. Soph Wes Walker ranks with the fastest men in the NFL and led all receivers with his 21.1 yards per catch (35 catches) average while fellow flanker Rich Caster is a standout blocker and proven touchdown threat. Shelton Diggs and rookie Derrick Gafney of Florida will be key outside reserves. Surehanded Jerome Barkum led the team with six touchdowns on 26 receptions from his tight end position where strong Mickey Shuler of Penn State figures to see plenty of action.
Dependable Clark Gaines pounded out 595 yards rushing and ranked No. 3 in the AFC with 55 receptions to lead the attack. If key draft picks Dodie Donnell of Nebraska or James Earley of Michigan State can cut it at fullback, Gaines will shift to halfback. If not, the nod will likely go to soph Scott Dierking, with Charlie White, Kevin Long, and Louie Giammona his alternates.
Powerful All-American Chris Ward (6-4, 280) of Ohio State joins standout soph Marvin Powell (6-5, 270) to give the Jets a formidable pair of young tackles. Veteran Randy Rasmussen figures to pair with Garry Puetz at the guards while Joe Fields again handles the center slot. Soph Dan Alexander, Darrell Austin, and Gary Gregory are capable reserves.
Explosive broken-field runner Bruce Harper is a premier kick return specialist who led the NFL with 1,035 yards on 42 kickoff runbacks as well as setting a club record with 425 yards returning punts. Pat Leahy will again do the placekicking despite a somewhat erratic 15 for 25 field goal conversion showing last year. Rookies Mike Mock of Texas Tech and Alan Williams of Florida will try to beat incumbent punter Chuck Ramsey (37.1).
DEFENSE: Michaels is likely to switch to a 3-4 defense, placing aggressive Joe Klecko at middle guard and flanking him with Lawrence Pillers and Abdul Salaam, two quick-moving rushers.
John Hennessey, Tank Marshall, Grey Murphy and super-quick Gregg Robinson (6-6, 260) of Dartmouth try to push into the picture.
The 3-4 move depends on the development of interior linebackers Mark Merrill (6-3, 235) of Minnesota and Randy Sidler (6-3, 230) of Penn State who will compete with holdovers John Ebersole and Mike Hennigan. Clever Bob Martin plays the weakside slot, backed by Larry Kellar, while the leader of the young defense and top tackler Greg Buttle plays vicious football on the strong side.
Michaels drafted a host of potential cornerbacks in an effort to shore up the most glaring weakness in his defensive platoon. Bobby Jackson, the 4.5 speedster from Florida State, and Levi Armstrong, a 4.6 mover from UCLA, head the group. They'll be competing with Ed Taylor, Maurice Tyler, and Bill Hardee. Last year's team MVP Burgess Owens and punishing hitter Shafer Suggs provide solid safety play and are backed by Ken Schroy and Artimus Parker.
PFI OUTLOOK: The Jets will try to play the role of giant-killers this season as they take on one NFL powerhouse after another. They are the least experienced team in the league and therefore mistake-prone but they deliver an exciting brand of football and should spring some eyebrow-raising upsets during the 1978 campaign."
-Pro Football Illustrated 1978, published by Complete Sports, Inc.
"Richard Todd was impressive as a passer before his knee injury. The backfield has good depth but lacks a breakaway runner. No. 1 pick Chris Ward should start at guard or tackle. The Jets have a fine receiving corps.
Their defense is coming together. They are shakiest at cornerback."
-Jimmy the Greek, Jimmy the Greek's 1978 Football Handbook
1978 Fleer Action: Jets Take-Off
"'I'm coming through,' yells the New York Jets' running back as his line opens, the big hole every back dreams of. From there, instinct guides the good NFL running back in his search for the goal line. The Jets hope to take off in the AFC next season."
-1978 Fleer No. 37
1978 Fleer Action: Jets Ambush!
"The Jets' defense surrounds a Redskin, who has nowhere to go in a field colored by green jerseys. 'Get the man with the ball' is the name of the game in the NFL, and the New York Jets provide a lesson in the basics of desire, determination, and defense."
-1978 Fleer No. 38
1978 NEW YORK JETS ROSTERS
1978 Jets Preseason Roster
Head Coach - Walt Michaels
Assistant Coaches: John Idzik, John Mazur, Bob Ledbetter, Dan Sekanovich, Bob Fry, Dan Henning, Joe Gardi
60 Dan Alexander (G) LSU
67 Darrell Austin (G-C) South Carolina
83 Jerome Barkum (TE) Jackson State
77 Carl Barzilauskas (DT) Indiana
71 Jeff Bleamer (T) Penn State
72 Al Burton (DE-DT) Bethune-Cookman
Gerald Butler (WR) Nicholls State
51 Greg Buttle (LB) Penn State
88 Rich Caster (WR) Jackson State
Don Coleman (LB) Michigan
25 Scott Dierking (RB) Purdue
80 Shelton Diggs (WR) USC
10 Marty Domres (QB) Columbia
55 John Ebersole (LB) Penn State
65 Joe Fields (C-G) Widener
21 Clark Gaines (RB) Wake Forest
45 Louie Giammona (RB-KR) Utah State
37 Billy Hardee (CB) Virginia Tech
42 Bruce Harper (RB-KR) Kutztown State
63 John Hennessey (DE) Michigan
52 Mike Hennigan (LB) Tennessee Tech
56 Larry Keller (LB) Houston
73 Joe Klecko (DT) Temple
82 David Knight (WR) William & Mary
5 Pat Leahy (K) St. Louis
33 Kevin Long (RB) South Carolina
27 Ron Mabra (CB) Howard
68 Tank Marshall (DT) Texas A&M
59 Bob Martin (LB) Nebraska
44 Tom Newton (RB) California
22 Burgess Owens (S) Miami
53 Al Palewicz (LB) Miami
24 Artimus Parker (S) USC
76 Lawrence Pillers (DE) Alcorn State
Darnell Powell (RB) Tennessee-Chattanooga
79 Marvin Powell (T) USC
78 Garry Puetz (T) Valparaiso
86 Bob Raba (TE) Maryland
15 Chuck Ramsey (P) Wake Forest
66 Randy Rasmussen (G) Kearney State
17 Matt Robinson (QB) Georgia
61 John Roman (T-G) Idaho State
74 Abdul Salaam (DT) Kent State
48 Ken Schroy (S-CB) Maryland
23 Shafer Suggs (S) Ball State
38 Ed Taylor (CB) Memphis State
14 Richard Todd (QB) Alabama
39 Maurice Tyler (CB) Morgan State
85 Wesley Walker (WR) California
30 Charlie White (RB) Bethune-Cookman
Top Five Draft Choices
1 Chris Ward (T) Ohio State
2 Mark Merrill (LB) Minnesota
3 Mickey Shuler (TE) Penn State
4 Dodie Donnell (RB) Nebraska
5 Randy Sidler (LB) Penn State
-1978 Complete Handbook of Pro Football
1978 New York Jets Preseason Roster, By Position
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Steve Mathieson (Florida State)
Matt Robinson (Georgia)
Richard Todd (Alabama)
Running Backs
Scott Dierking (Purdue)
Dodie Donnell (Nebraska)
Clark Gaines (Wake Forest)
Louie Giammona (Utah State)
Bruce Harper (Kutztown State)
Kevin Long (South Carolina)
Robert Morgan (Florida)
Tom Newton (California)
Darnell Powell (Chattanooga)
Charlie White (Bethune-Cookman)
Receivers
Jerome Barkum (W) (Jackson State)
Gerald Butler (W) (Nicholls State)
Rich Caster (W) (Jackson State)
Shelton Diggs (W) (USC)
Brian Nemeth (T) (South Carolina)
Bob Raba (T) (Maryland)
Mickey Shuler (T) (Penn State)
Wesley Walker (W) (California)
(W)-Wide Receiver (T)-Tight End
Interior Linemen
Dan Alexander (G) (LSU)
Darrell Austin (G-C) (South Carolina)
Jeff Bleamer (T) (Penn State)
Joe Fields (C-G) (Widener)
Gary Gregory (C-G) (Baylor)
Ken Helms (C-T) (Georgia)
Mike Hughes (T) (Baylor)
Ron Kecman (C) (Maryland)
Marvin Powell (T) (USC)
Garry Puetz (T) (Valparaiso)
Randy Rasmussen (G) (Kearney State)
John Roman (G-T) (Idaho State)
John Rosette (T) (Oregon)
Chris Ward (T) (Ohio State)
(T)-Tackle (G)-Guard (C)- Center
Kickers
Pat Leahy (PK) (St. Louis)
Chuck Ramsey (P) (Wake Forest)
(PK)-Place Kicker (P)-Punter
DEFENSE
Front Linemen
Al Burton (E) (Bethune-Cookman)
John Hennessey (E) (Michigan)
Roosevelt Kelly (E) (Eastern Kentucky)
Joe Klecko (T) (Temple)
Tank Marshall (T) (Texas A&M)
Greg Murphy (E-T) (Penn State)
Lawrence Pillers (E) (Alcorn State)
Abdul Salaam (T) (Kent State)
(E)-End (T)-Tackle
Linebackers
Greg Buttle (O) (Penn State)
Don Coleman (O) (Michigan)
John Ebersole (M) (Penn State)
Mike Hennigan (M) (Tennessee Tech)
Larry Keller (O) (Houston)
Bob Martin (O) (Nebraska)
Mark Merrill (M) (Minnesota)
Al Palewicz (O) (Miami, Fla.)
Randy Sidler (O) (Penn State)
(O)-Outside Linebacker (M)-Middle Linebacker)
Cornerbacks
Billy Hardee (Virginia Tech)
Mike Harris (Grambling)
Ron Mabra (Howard)
Ed Taylor (Memphis State)
Anthony Terry (California-Davis)
Maurice Tyler (Morgan State)
Safeties
Willie Jenkins (Miami, Fla.)
Burgess Owens (Miami, Fla.)
Artimus Parker (USC)
Ken Schroy (Maryland)
Shafer Suggs (Ball State)
-The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1978, published by Pocket Books, to complete
1978 New York Jets Basic Roster
OFFENSE
WR Rich Caster
WR David Knight
WR Wesley Walker
TE Jerome Barkum
TE Bob Raba
T Jeff Bleamer
T Marvin Powell
T Garry Puetz
G Dan Alexander
G Randy Rasmussen
C Joe Fields
QB Matt Robinson
QB Richard Todd
RB Scott Dierking
RB Clark Gaines
RB Kevin Long
K Pat Leahy
DEFENSE
E John Hennessey
E Lawrence Pillers
T Carl Barzilauskas
T Joe Klecko
T Abdul Salaam
LB Greg Buttle
LB John Ebersole
LB Mike Hennigan
LB Larry Keller
CB Billy Hardee
CB Ed Taylor
S Burgess Owens
S Ken Schroy
S Shafer Suggs
P Chuck Ramsey
-Jimmy the Greek's 1978 Football Handbook
1978 Jets Veteran Roster
Head Coach - Walt Michaels
60 Dan Alexander (G) LSU
67 Darrell Austin (G-C) South Carolina
83 Jerome Barkum (TE) Jackson State
77 Carl Barzilauskas (DT) Indiana
71 Jeff Bleamer (T) Penn State
72 Al Burton (DE-DT) Bethune-Cookman
Gerald Butler (WR) Nicholls State
51 Greg Buttle (LB) Penn State
88 Rich Caster (WR) Jackson State
Don Coleman (LB) Michigan
25 Scott Dierking (RB) Purdue
80 Shelton Diggs (WR) USC
10 Marty Domres (qB) Columbia
55 John Ebersole (LB) Penn State
65 Joe Fields (C-G) Widener
21 Clark Gaines (RB) Wake Forest
45 Louie Giammona (RB-KR) Utah State
37 Billy Hardee (CB) Virginia Tech
42 Bruce Harper (RB-KR) Kutztown State
63 John Hennessey (DE) Michigan
52 Mike Hennigan (LB) Tennessee Tech
56 Larry Keller (LB) Houston
73 Joe Klecko (DT) Temple
82 David Knight (WR) William & Mary
5 Pat Leahy (K) St. Louis
33 Kevin Long (RB) South Carolina
27 Ron Mabra (CB) Howard
68 Tank Marshall (DT) Texas A&M
59 Bob Martin (LB) Nebraska
44 Tom Newton (RB) California
22 Burgess Owens (S) Miami
53 Al Palewicz (LB) Miami
24 Artimus Parker (S) USC
76 Lawrence Pillers (DE) Alcorn State
Darnell Powell (RB) Tennessee-Chattanooga
79 Marvin Powell (T) USC
78 Garry Puetz (T) Valparaiso
86 Bob Raba (TE) Maryland
15 Chuck Ramsey (P) Wake Forest
66 Randy Rasmussen (G) Kearney State
17 Matt Robinson (QB) Georgia
61 John Roman (T-G) Idaho State
74 Abdul Salaam (DT) Kent State
48 Ken Schroy (S-CB) Maryland
23 Shafer Suggs (S) Ball State
38 Ed Taylor (CB) Memphis State
14 Richard Todd (QB) Alabama
39 Maurice Tyler (CB) Morgan State
85 Wesley Walker (WR) California
30 Charlie White (RB) Bethune-Cookman
-Football Digest (September 1978)
1978 Jets Draft Choices
1 Chris Ward (T) Ohio State
2 Mark Merrill (LB) Minnesota
3 Mickey Shuler (TE) Penn State
4 Dodie Donnell (RB) Nebraska
5 Randy Sidler (LB) Penn State
6 Bobby Jackson (DB) Florida State (from Buffalo)
6 Gregg Robinson (DT) Dartmouth
7 Levi Armstrong (DB) UCLA (from New Orleans)
7 James Earley (RB) Michigan State
8 Derrick Gaffney (WR) Florida
8 Mike Mock (P-LB) Texas Tech (from Philadelphia)
8 Roy Eppes (DB) Clemson (from Minnesota)
9 Reggie Grant (DB) Oregon (from Buffalo)
9 Neil Hutton (DB) Penn State
10 Louis Richardson (DE) Penn State
11 Pat Ryan (QB) Tennessee
12 Alan Williams (P) Florida
-Football Digest (September 1978)
1978 New York Jets Revised Team Roster
4 Pat Ryan (QB) Tennessee
5 Pat Leahy (K) St. Louis
14 Richard Todd (QB) Alabama
15 Chuck Ramsey (P) Wake Forest
17 Matt Robinson (QB) Georgia
20 Darnell Powell (RB) Georgia
21 Clark Gaines (RB) Wake Forest
22 Burgess Owens (FS) Miami
23 Shafer Suggs (SS) Ball State
25 Scott Dierking (RB) Purdue
33 Kevin Long (RB) South Carolina
34 Larry Riley (CB-S) Salem (WV)
37 Tim Moresco (S) Syracuse
38 Ed Taylor (CB) Memphis State
40 Bobby Jackson (DB) Florida State
42 Bruce Harper (RB-KR) Kutztown State
44 Tom Newton (FB) California
48 Ken Schroy (S) Maryland
49 Reggie Grant (CB) Oregon
50 Mike Mock (LB-P) Texas Tech
51 Greg Buttle (LB) Penn State
52 Mike Hennigan (LB) Tennessee Tech
56 Larry Keller (LB) Houston
58 Mark Merrill (LB) Minnesota
59 Bob Martin (LB) Nebraska
60 Dan Alexander (G) LSU
61 John Roman (T) Idaho State
63 John Hennessey (LB-DE) Michigan
64 Gregg Robinson (DE-DT) Dartmouth
65 Joe Fields (C-G) Widener
66 Randy Rasmussen (G) Kearney State
67 Darrell Austin (G-C) South Carolina
70 Stan Waldemore (G-T) Nebraska
72 Chris Ward (T) Ohio State
73 Joe Klecko (DE) Temple
74 Abdul Salaam (DT) Kent State
76 Lawrence Pillers (DE) Alcorn State
77 Joe Pellegrini (DT) Idaho
79 Marvin Powell (T) USC
81 Derrick Gaffney (WR) Florida
82 Mickey Shuler (TE) Penn State
83 Jerome Barkum (TE) Jackson State
85 Wesley Walker (WR) California
87 Bruce Stephens (WR-K) Columbia
89 Bobby Jones (WR)
-Football Digest (January 1979)
1978 NEW YORK JETS DEPTH CHARTS
1978 New York Jets Preseason Depth Chart
OFFENSE
QB Richard Todd, Matt Robinson, Steve Mathieson
RB Clark Gaines, Tom Newton, Louie Giamonna, Robert Morgan, Charlie White
RB Scott Dierking, Kevin Long, Darnell Powell, Bruce Harper, Dodie Donnell*
WR Wesley Walker, Bruce Harper
LT Chris Ward*, Gary Puetz, John Roman, John Rosette, Jeff Bleamer
LG Randy Rasmussen, John Roman, Gary Gregory
C Joe Fields, Darrell Austin, Ken Helms, Ron Kecman
RG Darrell Austin, Dan Alexander, Gary Gregory
RT Marvin Powell, Gary Puetz, Mike Hughes, Jeff Bleamer
TE Jerome Barkum, Bob Raba, Brian Nemeth, Mickey Shuler*
WR Rich Caster, Gerald Butler, Shelton Diggs
DEFENSE
LDE Lawrence Pillers, Al Burton, John Hennessey, Greg Murphy
LDT Joe Klecko, Tank Marshall
RDT Abdul Salaam, Joe Klecko, Tank Marshall
RDE John Hennessey, Roosevelt Kelly, Al Burton, Greg Murphy
LLB Greg Buttle, Mike Hennigan, Al Palewicz, Randy Sidler*
MLB John Ebersole, Mike Hennigan, Mark Merrill*
RLB Larry Keller, Bob Martin, Mike Hennigan, Al Palewicz, Don Coleman
LCB Billy Hardee, Maurice Tyler, Mike Harris, Ron Mabra
SS Shafer Suggs, Artimus Parker, Ken Schroy
FS Burgess Owens, Artimus Parker, Ken Schroy
RCB Ed Taylor, Billy Hardee, Anthony Terry, Maurice Tyler
*rookie
-The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1978, published by Pocket Books
OFFENSE
QB Richard Todd (Alabama) 14, Matt Robinson (Georgia) 17, Pat Ryan (Tennessee) 4
RB Scott Dierking (Purdue) 25, Bruce Harper (Kutztown State) 42, Darnell Powell (Georgia) 20
FB Kevin Long (South Carolina) 33, Clark Gaines (Wake Forest) 21, Tom Newton (California) 44
WR Derrick Gaffney (Florida)*, Bobby Jones*
T Chris Ward (Ohio State)*, Stan Waldemore (Nebraska)*
G Randy Rasmussen (Kearney State) 66, Darrell Austin (South Carolina) 67
C Joe Fields (Widener) 65
G Dan Alexander (LSU) 60
T Marvin Powell (USC) 79, John Roman (Idaho State) 61
TE Jerome Barkum (Jackson State) 83, Mickey Shuler (Penn State)*
WR Wesley Walker (California) 85, Bruce Stephens (Columbia)*
DEFENSE
DE Lawrence Pillers (Alcorn State) 76, Gregg Robinson (Dartmouth)*
NT Abdul Salaam (Kent State) 74, Joe Pelligrini (Idaho)*
DE Joe Klecko (Temple) 73
OLB Greg Buttle (Penn State) 51, Larry Keller (Houston) 56
ILB John Hennessey (Michigan) 63
ILB Mike Hennigan (Tennessee Tech) 52, Mike Mock (Texas Tech)*
OLB Bob Martin (Nebraska) 59, Mark Merrill (Minnesota)*
CB Bobby Jackson (Florida State) 40, Larry Riley (Salem (WV) ) 34
SS Shafer Suggs (Ball State) 23, Ken Schroy (Maryland) 48
FS Burgess Owens (Miami) 22, Tim Moresco (Syracuse) 37
CB Ed Taylor (Memphis State) 38, Reggie Grant (Oregon)*
K Pat Leahy (St. Louis) 5, Bruce Stephens (Columbia)*
P Chuck Ramsey (Wake Forest) 15, Mike Mock (Texas Tech)*
KR Bruce Harper (Kutztown State) 42, Bruce Stephens (Columbia)*
PR Bruce Harper (Kutztown State) 42, Bruce Stephens (Columbia)*
*rookie
1978 NEW YORK JETS TOPPS CARDS
Darrell Austin
Jerome Barkum
Greg Buttle
Rich Caster
Scott Dierking
John Ebersole
Joe Fields
Clark Gaines (1977 Jets Rushing Leader, 595 yards)
Bruce Harper
Larry Keller
Joe Klecko (1977 Jets Quarterback Sacks Leader, 8)
Pat Leahy
Burgess Owens (1977 Jets Interceptions Leader, 3)
Artimus Parker
Lawrence Pillers
Marvin Powell
Garry Puetz
Chuck Ramsey
Randy Rasmussen
Abdul Salaam
Ed Taylor
Richard Todd
Wesley Walker (1977 Jets Receiving Leader, 740 yards)
-1978 Topps No. 519
1978 New York Jets Profile Summary
Head Coach - Walt Michaels
QB Richard Todd (Alabama) 14
RB Clark Gaines (Wake Forest) 21
RB Scott Dierking (Purdue) 25
RB Bruce Harper (Kutztown State) 42
RB Darnell Powell (Chattanooga) 20
WR Wesley Walker (California) 85
WR Rich Caster (Jackson State) 88
TE Jerome Barkum (Jackson State) 83
C Joe Fields (Widener) 65
G Randy Rasmussen (Kearney State) 66
G Darrell Austin (South Carolina) 67
T Marvin Powell (USC) 79
T Chris Ward (Ohio State) 72
OL Garry Puetz (Valparaiso) 78
DT Abdul Salaam (Kent State) 74
DT Carl Barzilauskas (Indiana) 77
DE Joe Klecko (Temple) 73
DE Lawrence Pillers (Alcorn State) 76
MLB John Ebersole (Penn State) 55
LB Greg Buttle (Penn State) 51
LB Larry Keller (Houston) 56
LB Mark Merrill (Minnesota) 58
CB Ed Taylor (Memphis) 38
CB Bobby Jackson (Florida State) 40
SS Shafer Suggs (Ball State) 23
SS Artimus Parker (USC) 24
FS Burgess Owens (Miami) 22
K Pat Leahy (St. Louis) 5
P Chuck Ramsey (Wake Forest) 15
KR Bruce Harper (Kutztown State) 42
KR Bobby Jackson (Florida State) 40
PR Bruce Harper (Kutztown State) 42
PR Bobby Jackson (Florida State) 40
