1979 Profile: Mark Gastineau

Defensive End

2nd Round

East Central Oklahoma

Gastineau gained the attention of pro scouts when he was named the outstanding defensive lineman for the North in the Senior Bowl, the same honor won by his new defensive linemate Marty Lyons for the South. He had 27 quarterback sacks in two seasons for East Central, and as a senior made 107 tackles (26 solo). He has the size (6-5,253) to be a defensive tackle and the speed and quickness (4.7 in the 40) to be a defensive end.

1979 Profile: Marty Lyons

Defensive End

1st Round

Alabama

The Jets have continued the rebuilding of their defense with this consensus All-American and unanimous All-SEC, who was named most valuable defensive lineman for the South in the Senior Bowl. 'Marty was our best player,' says Bear Bryant.

In 1978 Lyons led the Tide with 119 tackles, including 15 QB sacks, caused four fumbles, recovered a fumble and broke up a pass. In 1977, after replacing Bob Baumhower, now with the Dolphins, he had 59 tackles (34 solo), five quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries. Lyons made 11 tackles in the Crimson Tide's victory over Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.

1979 Profile: John Hennessey

Linebacker

No. 63

Michigan

Last year Hennessey was moved from defensive end to inside linebacker when the Jets switched to a 3-4 defense and started every game. As a rookie in 1977, he played every game, starting twice at defensive end, but was used mostly on special teams.

A three-year letterman at Michigan, Hennessey was a starter at defensive tackle as a senior when the Wolverines won the Big Ten title and played in the Rose Bowl. As a junior he played in the Orange Bowl.

1979 Profile: Mark Merrill

Linebacker

No. 58

Minnesota

Merrill played all 16 games as a rookie in 1978, starting the last four at inside linebacker. A three-year starter at defensive end in college, he was an honorable mention Sporting News All-American and a second-team AP All-Big Ten as a senior. 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.

1979 Profile: Dan Alexander

Guard

No. 60

LSU

Dan started every game at guard last year as the Jets set a team rushing record. He played in all 14 games as a rookie in 1977, starting eight.

Drafted as a defensive tackle, Dan started on the LSU defensive line for two years as a linemate of A.J. Duhe, now with the Dolphins, and had 10 quarterback sacks as a senior.

He spends the off-seasons working as a jailer in a sheriff's office in Baton Rouge.

R.I.P. Gerry Philbin

1979 Profile: Rich Szaro

Place Kicker

No. 10

Harvard

"Rich booted two field goals in first NFL game in 1975, one of which came on the final play, as the Saints beat the Packers, 20-19. Ever-improving with his accuracy, he provided the Saints with consistently effective place-kicking last season. A solid athlete, he's a tough tackler as a safetyman in kickoff situations. Rich had trials with the Raiders and Eagles.

He excelled at both soccer and football at Harvard where he was a hard running halfback."

-1977 Topps No. 182

"Rich spent much of 1978 on the injury list but hopes to be back in top form this season. He hit on 18 of 23 field goals during the 1976 campaign.

Rich excelled in soccer at Harvard."

-1979 Topps No. 293

1979 Profile: Toni Linhart

Place Kicker

No. 2

Austria Technical

"The Colts leading scorer in 1974, Toni was perfect on his point-after-touchdowns, hitting on all 22 conversion attempts.

A native of Austria, Toni learned soccer-style kicking in Europe. He was signed as a free agent by the Saints in 1972."

-1975 Topps No. 439

"The Colts' leading scorer the past two seasons, Toni was signed in Europe following a tryout. A former professional soccer player, he hit on all eight field goals inside 39 yards in 1974."

-1976 Topps No. 209

"Linhart led all of football in scoring last season as he was the only man to go over 100 points. He kicked a 31-yard field goal in overtime, enabling the Colts to defeat the Dolphins for the AFC East title in 1975. Toni kicked a 29-yard field goal to defeat the Broncos in a 1975 preseason game.

He attended Austria Tech where he participated in soccer and skiing."

-1977 Topps No. 190

"The AFC's second leading scorer in 1977, Toni led all of pro football in 1976 with 109 points. In the process he established a new Colt mark, breaking the record of 107 points set by Lou Michaels in 1967.

Toni works as an architect during the off-season."

-1978 Topps No. 355

"The Colts' leading scorer once again in 1978, Toni had a clutch field goal in overtime to give the club the 1975 AFC East title over the Dolphins.

Toni made the 1960 Austrian Olympic downhill skiing team."

-1979 Topps No. 280

R.I.P. Derrick Gaffney

1979 Profile: Ed Taylor

Cornerback

No. 38

Memphis State

"A steady performer and hard hitter for the Jets, Ed has also seen duty as a kickoff returner. He had eight interceptions in his Memphis State career.

Ed's brother Cliff was a running back with the Packers."

-1979 Topps No. 442

1979 Profile: Shafer Suggs

Safety

No. 23

Ball State

"Shafer has good size and range and is one of the Jets' hardest hitters. He's found a home at strong safety after starting nine games at cornerback as a rookie in 1976. Shafer has outstanding speed and jumping ability."

-1979 Topps No. 307

R.I.P. Alex Kroll

1979 Profile: Abdul Salaam

Defensive Tackle

No. 74

Kent State

"Abdul is great for the morale of the Jets, being as vocal and as enthusiastic as he is. He is very physical, quick and active. He's a hustler with great pursuit and is especially tough against the running game.

As Larry Faulk he was a four-year letterman at Kent State and was a first-team All-Mid American Conference selection for three straight seasons.

Abdul works in construction in the off-season."

-1979 Topps No. 462

1979 Profile: Randy Rasmussen

Guard

No. 66

Kearney State

"In 1978 Randy once again graded highest among Jets' offensive linemen. He makes very few mental errors and has always been a consistent performer for the club. Randy is a good leader, his age and experience giving the Jets' young line superb stability. An outstanding blocker, he was the first offensive lineman ever selected as Jets MVP.

Randy is in great demand as an off-season banquet speaker."

-1979 Topps No. 247