1978 Profile: Bobby Jackson

Cornerback

6th Round

Florida State

Bobby was a four-year letterman who holds Florida State's career interception record with 10, with a 12.7-yard return average. He led the team with five as a sophomore. Bobby also returned 30 punts for a 10.5-yard average during his career. In 1977 he was an honorable mention UPI All-American when the Seminoles won the Tangerine Bowl.

Bobby was selected with the draft choice obtained by the Jets from Buffalo for defensive end Billy Newsome.

1978 Profile: Shafer Suggs

Strong Safety

No. 23

Ball State

A second-round draft choice of the Jets in 1976, Shafer was named Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and was an AP second-team All-American. He was the first Ball State player in 17 years to earn four football letters. A standout in the East-West and Senior Bowl games who also played in the last College All-Star Game in Chicago, Suggs set the Ball State career interception record with 14, including eight in 1975.

1978 Profile: Mark Merrill

Linebacker

2nd Round

Minnesota

A three-year starter at defensive end in college, Merrill will be moved to linebacker. He was an honorable mention Sporting News All-American and a second-team AP All-Big Ten last year. He played in the East-West Shrine Game, the Hall of Fame Classic and the Challenge Bowl. As a senior, he had three interceptions and returned two blocked punts for touchdowns.

1978 Profile: Chris Ward

Offensive Tackle

1st Round

Ohio State

Chris was a consensus first-team All-American in 1976 and 1977, and All-Big Ten for three straight seasons. During the Heisman Trophy ceremonies, the Downtown Athletic Club named him Offensive Lineman of the Year. A four-year letterman and three-year starter, Ward played 1,049 minutes in 44 games, the most of any player in Buckeye history.

"The best offensive tackle coming out of college may be Chris Ward, Ohio State, 6-4, 275, who has surprising speed to go with his great size."

-Larry Bortstein, from Top Prospects for the '78 Draft, May-June 1978 Football Digest

"Tremendous strength and quickness. 'Chris was by far the best offensive lineman in the country last year,' says Jets coach Walt Michaels. Consensus first-team All-America in 1976 and 1977 and first-team All-Big Ten three straight seasons. Played 1,049 minutes in 44 games, the most of any player in Buckeye history.

Must work on pass blocking, something linemen don't do much of at Ohio State. 'Chris has the finest work habits of any player I've coached at Ohio State,' says Woody Hayes.

When teamed with Marvin Powell, should give the Jets the best young pair of offensive tackles in the NFL. Has everything you look for- strength, intelligence, balance, recovery, feet, explosiveness."

-Football Digest (September 1978)

"Rookie offensive tackle Chris Ward is making a name for himself in the NFL. The rookie left tackle has more than 'held his own' against opposing defensive ends. 'The trick is not to be obvious enough to get caught. I don't consider the tricks I'm learning to survive to be cheating, because this is a jungle-like atmosphere and you have to accept it as that.' "

-Football Digest, from Notes, Quotes and Comments  (January 1979)

1978 Profile: Darnell Powell

Running Back

No. 20

Chattanooga

"Powell rushed for over 1,500 yards in three years at Chattanooga. He led the team with 618 yards as a junior when he was also the top kick returner with 482 yards in 20 returns, including a 90-yarder for a touchdown. His total offense for three years neared 2,400 yards.

Darnell was the top running back taken by the Bills in the 1976 draft."

-Buffalo Bills 1976 Yearbook

1978 Profile: Ed Taylor

Cornerback

No. 38

Memphis

"Ed keeps improving each year and has developed into a dependable cornerback for the Jets. A good all-around back, he has exceptional football sense.

Ed was a three-year starter at Memphis State and played in the Blue-Grey and American Bowl games after his senior year.

Ed enjoys plants."

-1978 Topps No. 227

1978 Profile: Abdul Salaam

Nose Tackle

No. 74

Kent State

"Formerly known as Larry Faulk, Abdul became a starter at right defensive tackle for the Jets last season. He had a good rookie season for the club in 1976 when he played in all 14 games, starting three at left tackle and right end in the defensive line. He had 24 solo tackles for the Jets in 1976.

Abdul has good potential. He pursues extremely well and he's quick. Abdul is a hard hitter.

He led Kent State's 'Carat Gold' defense while playing either linebacker or nose guard."

-1978 Topps No. 101

R.I.P. Jim Turner

1978 Profile: Chuck Ramsey

Punter

No. 15

Wake Forest

"Signed by the Jets as a free agent in 1977, Chuck took over the club's punting duties last season. He booted well with his longest of the season going 61 yards. He has a knack for booming punts high for improved coverage.

Chuck led the NCAA in punting average with a 44.8 mark at Wake Forest during the 1973 campaign."

-1978 Topps No. 186

1978 Profile: Garry Puetz

Offensive Tackle

No. 78

Valparaiso

"Garry has split his playing time between right guard and right tackle in his five seasons with the Jets and even filled in at center against the Buccaneers in 1976. He has proven to be a versatile and hardy performer, moving to the spot he's needed most.

Garry has played in 56 consecutive games with the Jets. As a 12th round draft selection in 1973, he surprised onlookers by opening rookie camp as the club's starting right guard.

Garry is an articulate and amusing speaker at banquets."

-1978 Topps No. 422

1978 Profile: Lawrence Pillers

Defensive End

No. 76

Alcorn State

"Originally drafted by the Jets with thoughts of being a linebacker prospect, Lawrence was one of the club's most pleasant surprises of his rookie season of 1976. He came into camp at a solid 250 lbs. and kept his speed. Lawrence can develop into a team leader because he loves to play the game.

A first-team AP Small College All-America at Alcorn State, he helped lead the team to the Black National Championship during the 1974 campaign. He has superb quickness.

Lawrence enjoys riding horses."

-1978 Topps No. 462

R.I.P. Dick Haley

1978 Profile: Artimus Parker

Strong Safety

No. 24

USC

"Acquired prior to the start of the 1977 season, Artimus enjoyed three fine campaigns with the Eagles. He can play both strong and free safety but is more natural at the latter position. Artimus had 20 interceptions during his college career at USC.

Artimus' nickname is 'Tee-Bone.' "

-1978 Topps No.402

1978 Profile: Joe Klecko

Defensive End

No. 73

Temple

"One of pro football's outstanding crop of rookies for 1977, Joe is headed for future stardom in the NFL. He played middle guard at Temple and fit in well with the Jets' odd-man line defense last season. Extremely quick and agile, Joe led the club with eight quarterback sacks during his initial campaign.

At Temple he played against the toughest opponents and fared well against Penn State. He is known for his outstanding pass rush.

Joe drives trucks in his spare time."

-1978 Topps No. 287

1978 Profile: Larry Keller

Linebacker

No. 56

Houston

"Larry is a big-play type of performer and an outstanding specialty teams player. He had the distinction of being awarded game balls in both of the Jets' victories over the Bills in 1976.

Larry played in the CFL and WFL in 1975 before entering the NFL. He played in the 1975 Hula Bowl."

-1978 Topps No. 247