1979 Profile: Wesley Walker

Wide Receiver

No. 85

California

"The Jets' Wesley Walker caught eight touchdown passes in 1978. Not so amazing, unless you consider his shortest touchdown catch was 33 yards. Overall, his average touchdown reception was 52 yards. Impressed yet? Now consider that of the AFC's top ten receivers, excluding Walker, only four caught at least one pass of 52 or more yards all year. And there were three starting AFC quarterbacks who didn't complete a pass of 52 yards or more all season: Ken Stabler, Mike Livingston and Craig Morton.

Walker, after being named the Jets' 1978 MVP: 'I can't ask for anything more. I almost feel like crying. It's unbelievable what's happened to me, a real turnabout from last year when I was dropping the ball, but I never doubted my abilities and I'm thankful for the confidence of the coaches.' "

-from Notes, Quotes & Comments, Football Digest, April 1979

"The Seattle Slew of pass catchers. Walker was All-Pro last year after a superb season- 48 catches for a league high 1,169 yards and an amazing 24.4 per catch average- and eight touchdown catches, too. And he's legally blind in one eye!

In two years in the NFL, Walker has given defensive backs, especially those in the AFC East, nervous disorders. He broke in as a rookie starter and caught an 87-yard touchdown bomb against Oakland. He 'fell off' to just a 77-yard best in '78.

Born May 26, 1955, in San Bernadino, California, Walker lettered in both football and track at California where he set an NCAA career record for average yards per catch (25.7). He can outrun them on any level."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

"Wesley's speed is equal to that of anyone in the NFL. He has quick moves, good football intelligence and great desire to excel.

The Jets' leading receiver in 1978, he led the entire NFL with 1,169 yards and played in the Pro Bowl. He was an outstanding sprinter at California."

-1979 Topps No. 141

1979 Profile: Matt Robinson

Quarterback

No. 17

Georgia

"Where did he come from? When Richard Todd went down last year, there was despair in Gotham. But Robby was ready. He completed just 46 percent of his passes, but for 2,002 yards and 13 touchdowns, including several game-busters to Wesley Walker.

Robinson gives the Jets two good young quarterbacks for the future, although he might tire of being No. 2 after a while. He was born June 8, 1955, in Farmington, Michigan. Drafted ninth in '77 out of Georgia, his passing talents were lost in the Veer Offense. In fact, after leading the conference in passing as a sophomore, he played little as a junior and was a backup as a sophomore. Sounds like the Bart Starr story, but let's not rush things."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

"Matt has displayed outstanding leadership qualities with the Jets. He has a strong arm, a quick release and can scramble with the best of them.

Matt was known for passing at Georgia, averaging 21.9 yards per completion. He played in the Tangerine Bowl as a sophomore."

-1979 Topps No. 267