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