1978 Profile: Bruce Harper

Kick Returner-Running Back

No. 42

Kutztown State

"One of the Jets' outstanding crop of 1977 rookies, Bruce signed with the club as a free agent after being overlooked in the draft.

He was an Honorable Mention AP Little All-America in 1976 when he became the first back in Kutztown State history to gain over 1,000 yards. Bruce rushed for 1,132 yards in 10 games including 216 yards in one contest.

Bruce modeled the Jets' new jerseys at a press conference on February 27, 1978."

-1978 Topps No. 362

1978 Profile: Clark Gaines

Running Back

No. 21

Wake Forest

"A hard runner who breaks tackles, Clark is a good blocker, a fine receiver and an excellent specialty teams player. He made the Jets as a free agent in 1976 and became a starter in the seventh game of the campaign. He proceeded to record four 100-yard games and outrush all NFL rookie runners.

Clark worked in construction as a watchman to help earn his college degree."

-1978 Topps No. 81

1978 Profile: Joe Fields

Center

No. 65

Widener

"A 'sleeper' draft selection by the Jets in 1975, Joe played in all 14 games while starting the final 10 at center during his sophomore season of 1976. A teammate of Billy 'White Shoes' Johnson in college, Joe never missed a play at Widener despite shoulder and ankle injuries during his senior campaign of 1974.

Joe has good quickness along with a fine attitude. He's a superb blocker and an excellent long-snapper on punts and placements.

Joe's nickname is 'W.C.' "

-1978 Topps No. 161

R.I.P. Dave Herman

1978 Profile: John Ebersole

Middle Linebacker

No. 55

Penn State

"An intelligent player who is equally effective against the pass and the run, John is a tough performer who will play when hurt. He has been a Jets' regular for five years.

John owns his own beverage company."

-1978 Topps No. 41

R.I.P. Jim Sweeney

R.I.P. Marvin Powell

1978 Profile: Scott Dierking

Running Back

No. 25

Purdue

"The Jets' second-leading rusher in 1977, Scott is adept at running inside and getting to the outside when called upon. His forte is that he hits the line quickly and keeps his feet moving for extra yardage. Scott is a real hustler who can play on specialty teams.

He was an All-Big Ten choice and team MVP and co-captain at Purdue. Scott was Illinois state wrestling champion as a high school senior."

-1978 Topps No. 206

R.I.P. Ernie Zampese

1978 Profile: Darrell Austin

Guard

No. 67

South Carolina

"Darrell fits the traditional coaches' description of 'hard-nosed.' He is a strong, straight-ahead blocker. He's good on running blocks and he's developing into an outstanding pass protector.

Darrell started 11 games for the Jets in 1976, seven at right guard and four at center.

He started every game for three years at South Carolina. Darrell played offensive tackle as a sophomore, defensive tackle as a junior and offensive tackle during his senior season.

Darrell's father is a deputy sheriff."

-1978 Topps No. 61

1978 Profile: Greg Buttle

Linebacker

No. 51

Penn State

"The Jets defense needs help, and it's players like Greg Buttle who can make it better. He's in his third year in the NFL and it has been all uphill since his rookie year.

'When he hits you, he buries you,' says Coach Walt Michaels. Buttle has good reactions and good range.

Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, he was an All-American for the Nittany Lions and played in the last College All-Star Game. Last year he returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown.

Buttle is an articulate after-dinner speaker."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"A hard hitter with quick reactions to the ball, Greg made every all-rookie team in 1976. He led the club in tackles with 98 solos and 85 assists and returned a fumble 23 yards for a touchdown against the Patriots. Chosen by New York writers as Jets' Rookie of the Year, he was an All-American at Penn State.

Greg enjoys playing paddle ball in his leisure time."

-1978 Topps No. 382

R.I.P. Bob Talamini

1978 Profile: Burgess Owens

Free Safety

No. 22

Miami

"Home, sweet home. Free safety is where Burgess Owens resides now, and he likes the living conditions. Cornerback and strong safety were like Holiday Inns as far as Owens was concerned until he found the comforts of free safety ... like a home.

Owens was a No. 1 draft pick in 1973, who will remain etched in Jets' trivia forever as the man who caught O.J. Simpson from behind to save a touchdown. He intercepted three passes last year to lead the Jets, who had only 11 as a team, low in the AFC. Owens has 10 career pass thefts.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, he was an All-America cornerback at Miami (Fla.). Owens majored in biology. His father is a professor of agronomy at Florida A&M."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"Burgess found a home at free safety with the Jets after spending three campaigns on the strong side. He was the Jets' Rookie of the Year and a member of the NFL All-Rookie Team for 1973.

Burgess had 160 career tackles at Miami (Florida). He majored in biology."

-1978 Topps No. 121

1978 Profile: Randy Rasmussen

Guard

No. 66

Kearney State

"The old Jets. Joe Willie, Super Bowl III, Orange Bowl, Colts, the guarantee. Rasmussen survives. 12th season, still the left guard. Namath, Snell, Maynard, Sauer- all gone.

Rasmussen is probably the best pulling guard the Jets have ever had. He's a consistent player.

Born in St. Paul, Nebraska, he had an unlikely beginning. He was drafted 12th by the Jets in 1967 out of Kearney State in Nebraska. Rasmussen was All-NAIA for two years, a shot-putter in track who majored in mathematics. He started as a Jet rookie and has another three or four years left.

Rasmussen is in demand as an off-season banquet speaker. 'He's a better football player than a lot of guys who made All-Pro,' says Jim Ringo, the former Buffalo coach."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"One of the most consistent offensive linemen in Jets history, Randy is rated as perhaps the best pulling guard the club has ever had. Known for his one-on-one blocking technique, he rarely has a bad game.

Randy has played in 108 consecutive games for the Jets heading into 1978, all as a starter. An All-NAIA choice for two years at Kearney State, he played offensive tackle in college and was a three-time all-conference performer. Randy majored in mathematics in college."

-1978 Topps No. 307

1978 Profile: Carl Barzilauskas

Defensive Tackle

No. 77

Indiana

"A hit or a miss? After four seasons, Barzo has not become the destructible force that the Jets anticipated when the Jets drafted him No. 1 in 1974. Everyone keeps waiting.

Goodness knows, the physical qualifications are there. He's big and strong enough to wipe out one side of the line by himself. Barzo's good against the rush, but not quick or agile enough to be a strong pass rusher.

Born in Waterbury, Conn., he was too big for a crib right away. His first diaper was a bed sheet. King-sized.

A three-year starter at Indiana, he played every down as a senior despite a broken bone in his foot. His uncle Fritz played with the New York  Giants and is now Yale's intramural director."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

R.I.P. Jim Richards

1978 Profile: Pat Leahy

Place Kicker

No. 5

St. Louis

"Spirit of St. Louis. St. Louis University, that is. Leahy helped the Billikens win three NCAA soccer championships before getting a tryout with the football Cardinals. But the Cards had Jim Baaken, so Leahy joined the Jets as a free agent in mid-1974 after Bobby Howfield was injured.

He has been about a 60 percent kicker ever since. He misses at least three PATs a season. His longest kick has been 47 yards (three times). Two missed field goals against the Raiders cost the Jets a victory last fall. But Leahy has a steady record of coming through.

Born in St. Louis, he has a bachelor's degree in marketing and business administration. He works in the paint and remodeling business in the off-season."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"Pat has proven to be one the NFL's most accurate field goal kickers. He joined the Jets in 1974 and immediately helped the club defeat the Giants in an overtime game which started a six-game winning streak. Pat has a strong toe.

He works for a painting and remodeling company in the off-season."

-1978 Topps No. 482

1978 Profile: Marvin Powell

Offensive Tackle

No. 79

USC

"From what everyone says, or intimates, Marvin Powell may be the next great offensive tackle. 'He was the best athlete in the whole draft,' said Oakland's Al Davis after the Jets took him fourth in the 1977 college talent pool.

Powell had his rookie season ruined by injury, but the best is yet to come. 'We can build around him,' says Jets coach Walt Michaels. 'He gives us a double dimension as a great blocker for both passing and rushing.' Most pro experts believe Powell will be another Art Shell.

Born at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, his father was a career military officer. Powell was switched from tight end to tackle at  USC. His idol is Muhammed Ali."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"Considered to be one of the best all-around athletes in the 1977 NFL draft, Marvin is an overpowering blocker with quickness, intelligence and durability. Inserted into the Jets' starting offensive line last season, he provided the club with a double dimension as a great blocker for both the pass and run.

Marvin was one of four sophomores to start for the 1974 USC National Championship team. He played in three Rose Bowl games during his phenomenal career at USC.

Marvin's nickname is 'Boomer.' "

-1978 Topps No. 141

1978 Profile: Rich Caster

Wide Receiver

No. 88

Jackson State

"Musical receivers on the Jets. Caster moved from tight end to wide receiver and Jerome Barkum from wide receiver to tight end. Caster had his lowest production last year because of injuries, just 10 receptions. But he averaged 20 yards a catch, just above his career average of 18.0.

Born in Mobile, Alabama, he went to Jackson State where he caught 28 touchdown passes and was drafted No. 1 by the Jets in 1970. He is a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

The best deep threat in pro football at tight end, Caster now will drive cornerbacks dizzy, not strong safeties. But man-on-man or zone, he knows how to get open.

Caster gives time to numerous causes."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"One of the premier receivers in pro football, Richard is an outstanding deep threat against the zone. He has steadily improved his blocking ability with the Jets. He has a great pair of hands.

Richard makes many personal appearances on behalf of the Jets."

-1978 Topps No. 21

1978 Profile: Jerome Barkum

Tight End

No. 83

Jackson State

Ol' Debbil injury's got him. Barkum has been bothered the last two years by pains and sprains. He was given a new outlook on a successful NFL career by switching to tight end last year. He stayed healthy long enough to catch 26 passes (17.3 yards per reception) for six touchdowns. Barkum remains one of the game's finest deep threats, with many good years ahead.

Born in Gulfport, Mississippi, he set a high school single-game rebounding record of 30 in Gulfport, where he still lives. A teammate of Rich Caster at Jackson State, Barkum was a No. 1 draft pick in 1972. His career average per catch is 16.0.

He's light for a tight end; his blocking won't remind anyone of Dave Casper. So figure on Todd to keep the ball in the air."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"Always considered among pro football's premier receivers, Jerome has excellent size and strength. His most catches in a game were the eight he snared against the Bengals in 1983. He has also become a fine blocker for the Jets.

Jerome is a cousin of the Lions' Lem Barney."

-1978 Topps No. 442

1978 Profile: Wesley Walker

Wide Receiver

No. 85

California

"Does things in a big way. He led AFC receivers last year as a rookie with 21.1 yards per catch. Todd's 87-yard touchdown pass to Walker was the second longest in the conference.

Walker is a big-play performer. He set an NCAA record for average career receptions (25.7) at California, set a Pacific-8 record with 289 yards receiving in one game and set a Cal record with an 88-yard touchdown catch. A five-yard reception is out of the question for Walker.

Born in San Bernadino, California, he ran four years of track at Cal, timed once at 10.4 in the 100-meter dash. Walker was Cal's first four-year, double-sport letterman since before World War II. The Jets were able to draft him in the second round and have been grinning ever since."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"One of the finest rookies in pro football last season, Wesley was rewarded for his outstanding performance with selection on the NFL's All-Rookie Team. An exciting deep threat, his longest reception of the campaign went for 87 yards.

Wesley holds the NCAA mark with a 25.7 career average per reception. His 88-yard touchdown catch against Georgia in 1976 was the longest in California history."

-1978 Topps No. 327

R.I.P. Don Maynard

 The Greatest Wide Receiver of All Time

1978 Profile: Richard Todd

Quarterback

No. 14

Alabama

"'Just plain Richard.' Which is Todd's way of saying he isn't Joe Namath. Broadway Richard? No way. Todd doesn't even live in New York year-round, like Joe Willie. One thing they have in common, though, is the arm. The right arm. Namath had the power touch, and Todd has that same touch, although only time will prove whether it's comparable to Namath's.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, he was another in the long line of Alabama quarterbacks who've paraded past the Bear.

Todd doesn't have a defense- the Jets were 26th in the NFL- that will get him the ball in good field position. But he does have great receivers, and so always is a threat."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"Richard has great potential. He has a strong arm and adds another dimension to the Jets' offense with his ability to scramble. He can run out of trouble on the third and long situations and is doing a good job of learning the coverages. Richard has good poise and a great desire to succeed in pro football with added experience.

His biggest thrill was playing under Bear Bryant at Alabama."

-1978 Topps No. 267

R.I.P. Greg Robinson