JOHN SCHMITT
Center
No. 52
Hofstra
Starting all 14 games for the third straight season, John's deadly precision in picking off blitzing pass-rushers and ability to pry open the middle of a defensive line upon snapping to Namath was invaluable in the Jets' thrilling run to Super Bowl glory. Along with the appreciation of knowledgeable Jet fans, John received acclaim as a second-team All-Pro by both UPI and the AP.
DAVE HERMAN
Guard
No. 67
Michigan State
"The biggest helmet on the Jets belongs to Dave Herman. He must own the biggest heart, too, for Dave, a rising offensive guard, was willing last season to move over to tackle for the Super Bowl game, where he would be playing opposite massive Bubba Smith. For a guy of Dave's size - he's 6-1, 255 - it was asking a lot, but then this a guy whose worth you don't measure in numbers. Dave did a superb job on Smith, though he would prefer not being asked to do it again.
A future draft choice of both the Jets and the Giants, he spent most of his 1964 rookie year on special teams, but the following year took over as a regular. He played his college football at Michigan State, and was a senior the year Bubba Smith broke in at the same school."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969
RANDY RASMUSSEN
Guard
No. 66
Nebraska-Kearney
Whether in tandem with Dave Herman during the regular season or with Bob Talamini during the Jets' historic postseason when Herman was pressed into duty at offensive tackle, Randy met the most well-known requirement for any New York offensive lineman- the ability to always provide pass protection for Joe Namath. Yet the Kearney Stater proved just as helpful to the ball-carrying heroics of Snell and Boozer.
BOB TALAMINI
Guard
No. 61
Kentucky
"Acquired from the Houston Oilers, Bob has been influential in molding the New York Jets' fine offensive line. He's a fine pass protector and excellent at leading the way on end sweeps. Bob is a tough, hard-driving pro and has played in six American Football League All-Star games."
-1969 Topps No. 162
PETE PERREAULT
Guard
No. 64
Boston University
"This big guard signed his first pro contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1962. The following year he was playing with the New York Jets and had his best season in 1964 when he appeared in 14 ball games.
Pete has suffered numerous injuries and when he is healthy he figures to perform very well."
-1969 Topps No. 181
WINSTON HILL
Offensive Tackle
No. 75
Texas Southern
Winston has been a virtually impenetrable pass blocking stalwart for the Jets since his rookie season. Though an AFL All-Star in 1964, '67 and '68, his greatest glory came in historic Super Bowl III. Joe Namath's masterful deployment of the Jet running backs was helped immeasurable by Winston spending the entire game overpowering Colt defensive end Ordell Braase. This was an offensive lineman's performance that was admired by knowledgeable football fans everywhere.
DAVE FOLEY
Offensive Tackle
1st Round
Ohio State
Dave comes to New York as the offensive tackle needed to continue the success of the explosive Jet offense. This 6-5, 255-pound first-rounder clearly has the size and strength needed to assure adequate protection for Namath's passing. This consensus Ohio State All-American also proved his run-blocking prowess as part of the Buckeye squad that won the Rose Bowl.
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Friday, October 17, 2014
1969 Profiles: Jim Turner and Steve O'Neal
JIM TURNER
Place Kicker-Quarterback
No. 11
Utah State
"Whenever he runs onto the field to try a field goal, Jim Turner gets an earful from Babe Parilli, the man who holds the ball for him.
'Babe will tell me that he can kick better than I can and that he certainly wouldn't miss this easy one,' Turner says. But in a crucial game against the Bills last season, with the Jets trailing 21-19 with three minutes left, Parilli was silent and so was the rest of the huddle. Turner knew how important this 35-yarder was, that he'd have to boot it into a stiff crosswind in the rain, and before a howling crowd of 61,000 at Shea Stadium. But when the ball was spotted by Parilli, Turner booted it true through the uprights and the Jets won the game.
That was one of six field goals he booted that day, tying an AFL record. He added 28 more of them, plus 34 extra points, to win the league's scoring title last year with 145 points. It was his first scoring title, though Jim has led the Jets in scoring all four years he has been with the club. He joined the Jets as a free agent in 1964 out of Utah State.
Jim has another duty on the club which doesn't keep him very busy: he's a backup quarterback behind Joe Namath."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969
"For the fifth consecutive year, Jim led the New York Jets in scoring. Not only is he an accurate kicker but he can split the uprights from as far as 50 yards out. Jim led the AFL in scoring (145) in 1968. Additionally, he can play at quarterback or as a running back in an emergency."
-1969 Topps No. 29
STEVE O'NEAL
Punter
13th Round
Texas A & M
Steve arrives in New York from Texas A & M to replace Curley Johnson as the Jet punter. Along with New York scouts, head coach Weeb Ewbank has already expressed optimism about this young man's long distance booting.
Place Kicker-Quarterback
No. 11
Utah State
"Whenever he runs onto the field to try a field goal, Jim Turner gets an earful from Babe Parilli, the man who holds the ball for him.
'Babe will tell me that he can kick better than I can and that he certainly wouldn't miss this easy one,' Turner says. But in a crucial game against the Bills last season, with the Jets trailing 21-19 with three minutes left, Parilli was silent and so was the rest of the huddle. Turner knew how important this 35-yarder was, that he'd have to boot it into a stiff crosswind in the rain, and before a howling crowd of 61,000 at Shea Stadium. But when the ball was spotted by Parilli, Turner booted it true through the uprights and the Jets won the game.
That was one of six field goals he booted that day, tying an AFL record. He added 28 more of them, plus 34 extra points, to win the league's scoring title last year with 145 points. It was his first scoring title, though Jim has led the Jets in scoring all four years he has been with the club. He joined the Jets as a free agent in 1964 out of Utah State.
Jim has another duty on the club which doesn't keep him very busy: he's a backup quarterback behind Joe Namath."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969
"For the fifth consecutive year, Jim led the New York Jets in scoring. Not only is he an accurate kicker but he can split the uprights from as far as 50 yards out. Jim led the AFL in scoring (145) in 1968. Additionally, he can play at quarterback or as a running back in an emergency."
-1969 Topps No. 29
STEVE O'NEAL
Punter
13th Round
Texas A & M
Steve arrives in New York from Texas A & M to replace Curley Johnson as the Jet punter. Along with New York scouts, head coach Weeb Ewbank has already expressed optimism about this young man's long distance booting.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
1969 Profile: George Sauer
Split End
No. 83
Texas
"In contrast to his wing-mate Don Maynard, George Sauer is a classic receiver. He has the right physique at 6-2 and 195 pounds, the dazzling array of moves, and the supple hands. Perhaps the one thing he lacks is great straightaway speed, but he's fast enough, and there have been other top-caliber receivers, like Raymond Berry, who didn't run that fast.
George also comes up with the good figures every season, as he did last year when he finished a close second behind Lance Alworth for the league's receiving title. He caught 66 passes for 1,141 yards and three touchdowns. Actually, it was turnabout time in '68, for Sauer edged Alworth for the same title in 1967 when he caught 75 passes for 1,189 yards.
Now in his fifth AFL year, he came to the Jets as their future draft pick in 1965 after an outstanding career at Texas."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969
"In 1966, George's teammates voted him the club's most valuable player. In '67, he set a Jets club record, and led the American Football League, when he hauled down 75 passes.
He is powerfully built, sure-handed and makes moves like a cat."
-1969 Topps No. 231
No. 83
Texas
"In contrast to his wing-mate Don Maynard, George Sauer is a classic receiver. He has the right physique at 6-2 and 195 pounds, the dazzling array of moves, and the supple hands. Perhaps the one thing he lacks is great straightaway speed, but he's fast enough, and there have been other top-caliber receivers, like Raymond Berry, who didn't run that fast.
George also comes up with the good figures every season, as he did last year when he finished a close second behind Lance Alworth for the league's receiving title. He caught 66 passes for 1,141 yards and three touchdowns. Actually, it was turnabout time in '68, for Sauer edged Alworth for the same title in 1967 when he caught 75 passes for 1,189 yards.
Now in his fifth AFL year, he came to the Jets as their future draft pick in 1965 after an outstanding career at Texas."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969
"In 1966, George's teammates voted him the club's most valuable player. In '67, he set a Jets club record, and led the American Football League, when he hauled down 75 passes.
He is powerfully built, sure-handed and makes moves like a cat."
-1969 Topps No. 231
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
1969 Jets Linebacker Profiles
AL ATKINSON
Middle Linebacker
No. 62
Villanova
In 1968 Al led the now feared Jet defense with 144 tackles. An AFL All-Star last season, he also registered two interceptions, including one returned 22 yards.
Al was drafted in 1965 as an offensive guard by the Buffalo Bills, but it was with the Jets that he quickly established himself that year- Al made five unassisted tackles on kickoffs in one game against Denver.
LARRY GRANTHAM
Linebacker
No. 60
Mississippi
Larry was a first team All-Pro from 1960-64, including the lean years of the Titans. Still going strong as an AP second team All-Pro in 1968, he was still around to savor the Jet Super Bowl victory.
In his college days on offense at Ole Miss, Larry led the SEC with five receiving touchdowns in 1958 and was in the conference's top ten in receiving yards in '58 and '59.
RALPH BAKER
Linebacker
No. 51
Penn State
Ralph has been a hard working stalwart of the New York linebacking corps since his arrival from Penn State in 1964. No one hits the opposition harder, whether against the run or the pass. Early in the third quarter of Super Bowl III, Ralph recovered a Tom Matte fumble, leading to a 32-yard Jim Turner field goal giving the Jets a 10-0 lead over the Colts.
JIM CARROLL
Linebacker
No. 55
Notre Dame
1966
Playing every game last year, the rookie out of Notre Dame showed great promise as one of the youngsters in the revamped Giant linebacking corps. Jim moves to the middle linebacking spot this coming season. Giant coaches love his hard-hitting aggressiveness.
Middle Linebacker
No. 62
Villanova
In 1968 Al led the now feared Jet defense with 144 tackles. An AFL All-Star last season, he also registered two interceptions, including one returned 22 yards.
Al was drafted in 1965 as an offensive guard by the Buffalo Bills, but it was with the Jets that he quickly established himself that year- Al made five unassisted tackles on kickoffs in one game against Denver.
LARRY GRANTHAM
Linebacker
No. 60
Mississippi
Larry was a first team All-Pro from 1960-64, including the lean years of the Titans. Still going strong as an AP second team All-Pro in 1968, he was still around to savor the Jet Super Bowl victory.
In his college days on offense at Ole Miss, Larry led the SEC with five receiving touchdowns in 1958 and was in the conference's top ten in receiving yards in '58 and '59.
RALPH BAKER
Linebacker
No. 51
Penn State
Ralph has been a hard working stalwart of the New York linebacking corps since his arrival from Penn State in 1964. No one hits the opposition harder, whether against the run or the pass. Early in the third quarter of Super Bowl III, Ralph recovered a Tom Matte fumble, leading to a 32-yard Jim Turner field goal giving the Jets a 10-0 lead over the Colts.
JIM CARROLL
Linebacker
No. 55
Notre Dame
1966
Playing every game last year, the rookie out of Notre Dame showed great promise as one of the youngsters in the revamped Giant linebacking corps. Jim moves to the middle linebacking spot this coming season. Giant coaches love his hard-hitting aggressiveness.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
1969 Profile: Matt Snell
Fullback
No. 41
Ohio State
"The AFL championship game and the Super Bowl served as a national showcase of the kind of work Matt Snell had been doing all season long in 1968. So completely had he integrated himself into the Jet pattern that Matt's work went largely overlooked in precincts outside of New York.
But Matt's always been that type of player - a team man who blocked like blazes for Joe Namath and would carry the ball through a brick wall when called upon. The only trouble was that Matt was plagued with knee problems during the 1967 season and was slowed down. But off-season surgery restored the knee and Matt ran with his old vigor week after week last year, winding up sixth in the rushing charts with 747 yards on 179 carries for a 4.2 average and six touchdowns.
It was Matt's best season since his Rookie of the Year performance in 1964, when he gained 948 yards."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969
"Battling back from knee surgery, Matt played one of the greatest games of his career against the Colts in the 1968 Super Bowl. He scored the first touchdown in the game to give New York a 7-0 lead. The speedy back repeatedly ran around and through the Baltimore defense."
-1969 Topps No. 193
No. 41
Ohio State
"The AFL championship game and the Super Bowl served as a national showcase of the kind of work Matt Snell had been doing all season long in 1968. So completely had he integrated himself into the Jet pattern that Matt's work went largely overlooked in precincts outside of New York.
But Matt's always been that type of player - a team man who blocked like blazes for Joe Namath and would carry the ball through a brick wall when called upon. The only trouble was that Matt was plagued with knee problems during the 1967 season and was slowed down. But off-season surgery restored the knee and Matt ran with his old vigor week after week last year, winding up sixth in the rushing charts with 747 yards on 179 carries for a 4.2 average and six touchdowns.
It was Matt's best season since his Rookie of the Year performance in 1964, when he gained 948 yards."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969
"Battling back from knee surgery, Matt played one of the greatest games of his career against the Colts in the 1968 Super Bowl. He scored the first touchdown in the game to give New York a 7-0 lead. The speedy back repeatedly ran around and through the Baltimore defense."
-1969 Topps No. 193
Monday, October 13, 2014
1969 Jets Defensive Line Profiles
JOHN ELLIOTT
Defensive Tackle
No. 80
Texas
In New York's championship season of 1968, their defensive line proved as punishing as their renowned linebacking corps. One reason was the emergence of John Elliott as an AFL All-Star and both an AP and UPI second team All-Pro. John proved extremely tough against running plays.
PAUL ROCHESTER
Defensive Tackle
No. 72
Michigan State
Paul's veteran presence spearheaded a line charge that harassed opposing quarterbacks and often shut down high powered ground attacks. An AFL All-Star for the Dallas Texans in 1961, his arrival in New York was a major step in the building of the defense of a playoff team.
An All-American who played in the 1957 Rose Bowl, Paul considers the Dallas Texans' double-overtime win in 1962 his greatest thrill.
GERRY PHILBIN
Defensive End
No. 81
Buffalo
"The number 81 on Gerry Philbin's jersey is one of the more familiar sights seen in enemy backfields. That's because Gerry is one of the most accomplished pass rushers in the league.
Besides being tough and aggressive, he's a studious type who is constantly working at improving his technique. He can feint to the inside, then circle around the other way and still get in on the quarterback fast enough to make the tackle.
An All-AFL choice last season, Gerry joined the Jets in 1964 after playing his college football at the University of Buffalo."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969
"One of the best defensive ends in the league, Gerry is the anchoring force of the Jets' rough and tough front four. He has good range, speed and is an aggressive and hard hitting player. A top pass rusher, Gerry was voted the team's top lineman for the last three years."
-1969 Topps No. 262
VERLON BIGGS
Defensive End
No. 86
Jackson State
Verlon's perennial intimidation of opposing quarterbacks finally paid off with a Jet Super Bowl victory last year. An All-Star for the third year in a row, he made the UPI All-AFL team in 1966 and was one of five Jets to start the 1967 AFL All-Star Game.
Defensive Tackle
No. 80
Texas
In New York's championship season of 1968, their defensive line proved as punishing as their renowned linebacking corps. One reason was the emergence of John Elliott as an AFL All-Star and both an AP and UPI second team All-Pro. John proved extremely tough against running plays.
PAUL ROCHESTER
Defensive Tackle
No. 72
Michigan State
Paul's veteran presence spearheaded a line charge that harassed opposing quarterbacks and often shut down high powered ground attacks. An AFL All-Star for the Dallas Texans in 1961, his arrival in New York was a major step in the building of the defense of a playoff team.
An All-American who played in the 1957 Rose Bowl, Paul considers the Dallas Texans' double-overtime win in 1962 his greatest thrill.
GERRY PHILBIN
Defensive End
No. 81
Buffalo
"The number 81 on Gerry Philbin's jersey is one of the more familiar sights seen in enemy backfields. That's because Gerry is one of the most accomplished pass rushers in the league.
Besides being tough and aggressive, he's a studious type who is constantly working at improving his technique. He can feint to the inside, then circle around the other way and still get in on the quarterback fast enough to make the tackle.
An All-AFL choice last season, Gerry joined the Jets in 1964 after playing his college football at the University of Buffalo."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969
"One of the best defensive ends in the league, Gerry is the anchoring force of the Jets' rough and tough front four. He has good range, speed and is an aggressive and hard hitting player. A top pass rusher, Gerry was voted the team's top lineman for the last three years."
-1969 Topps No. 262
VERLON BIGGS
Defensive End
No. 86
Jackson State
Verlon's perennial intimidation of opposing quarterbacks finally paid off with a Jet Super Bowl victory last year. An All-Star for the third year in a row, he made the UPI All-AFL team in 1966 and was one of five Jets to start the 1967 AFL All-Star Game.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
1969 Profile: Don Maynard
Flanker
No. 13
Texas Western
"Known as a pattern-breaker throughout his pro career, Don Maynard turned record-breaker last year. The bony 6-1, 179-pound flanker with the flapping jersey established a new mark for yardage on receptions with a lifetime total of 9,435, wiping out Raymond Berry's former high of 9,275.
Maynard did it in his eleventh season as a pro (two were spent with the New York Giants) by catching 57 passes for 1,297 yards, a 22.8 average, and 10 touchdowns; he also finished fifth in the league in receptions. He had his biggest game of the year against Oakland when he caught 10 passes for 228 yards, another AFL record. In 1967, Don finished second among receivers with 71 catches for 1,434 yards.
His success is attributed more to his ability to find an opening than to his habit of breaking patterns."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969
"In 1967, Don was voted the club's Most Valuable Player as he led the American Football League in yards gained (1,434) and in average gain per catch (20.2). Last year, he led the AFL with a 22.8 average gain per reception.
He has speed to spare and can catch anything within reach."
-1969 Topps No. 60
No. 13
Texas Western
"Known as a pattern-breaker throughout his pro career, Don Maynard turned record-breaker last year. The bony 6-1, 179-pound flanker with the flapping jersey established a new mark for yardage on receptions with a lifetime total of 9,435, wiping out Raymond Berry's former high of 9,275.
Maynard did it in his eleventh season as a pro (two were spent with the New York Giants) by catching 57 passes for 1,297 yards, a 22.8 average, and 10 touchdowns; he also finished fifth in the league in receptions. He had his biggest game of the year against Oakland when he caught 10 passes for 228 yards, another AFL record. In 1967, Don finished second among receivers with 71 catches for 1,434 yards.
His success is attributed more to his ability to find an opening than to his habit of breaking patterns."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969
"In 1967, Don was voted the club's Most Valuable Player as he led the American Football League in yards gained (1,434) and in average gain per catch (20.2). Last year, he led the AFL with a 22.8 average gain per reception.
He has speed to spare and can catch anything within reach."
-1969 Topps No. 60
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