Punter
No. 8
Alabama
"Gantt was the Jets punter but also saw limited duty as a kickoff and placekick specialist when Bobby Howfield was injured. He compiled a 35.9-yard average on punts, many of them being out of bounds, and 'situation' type of kicks which were not aimed for deep yardage. His longest punt was a 59-yarder against San Diego.
Greg handled kicking duties against Los Angeles and was 1-for-2 on extra points. He had his best day of the year in the upset of Miami, averaging 45.7 on seven punts. Drafted 8th in 1974, Greg had a rocky training camp as a pulled hamstring idled him for three weeks but he recovered to make the final 47.
Greg set a Cotton Bowl record with a 50-yard field goal and played in bowl games all three years. He enjoys playing pool. His hometown is Birmingham, Alabama."
-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Thursday, August 13, 2015
1975 Profile: Pat Leahy
Place Kicker
No. 5
St. Louis
"The storybook tale of the 1974 Jets was certainly Pat Leahy's arrival as the full-time place kicker. Signed by the Jets two days before the mid-season game against the Giants, Leahy replaced the injured Bobby Howfield as the Jets kicker and responded in high style. He finished as the team's third-leading scorer with 6-for-11 on field goals and 18-for-19 on PAT's for 36 points.
Pat was one of the heroes of the tingling overtime victory over the Giants as he kicked field goals of 34 and 22 yards and added two extra points. He had a chance to win the game in regulation but his 19-yard field goal try was knocked down to force the overtime. His long boot of the year was 45 yards against San Diego, also the longest for the Jets since a 50-yarder by Jim Turner in 1969.
He had no football experience prior to attending the Cardinal's training camp in 1974. He was signed as a free agent in November 1974.
Pat has a degree in marketing and is a salesman for Schulte Hardware & Supply Company. He enjoys playing the guitar. His hometown is St. Louis, Missouri."
-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook
No. 5
St. Louis
"The storybook tale of the 1974 Jets was certainly Pat Leahy's arrival as the full-time place kicker. Signed by the Jets two days before the mid-season game against the Giants, Leahy replaced the injured Bobby Howfield as the Jets kicker and responded in high style. He finished as the team's third-leading scorer with 6-for-11 on field goals and 18-for-19 on PAT's for 36 points.
Pat was one of the heroes of the tingling overtime victory over the Giants as he kicked field goals of 34 and 22 yards and added two extra points. He had a chance to win the game in regulation but his 19-yard field goal try was knocked down to force the overtime. His long boot of the year was 45 yards against San Diego, also the longest for the Jets since a 50-yarder by Jim Turner in 1969.
He had no football experience prior to attending the Cardinal's training camp in 1974. He was signed as a free agent in November 1974.
Pat has a degree in marketing and is a salesman for Schulte Hardware & Supply Company. He enjoys playing the guitar. His hometown is St. Louis, Missouri."
-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
1975 Profile: Bobby Howfield
Place Kicker
No. 3
"Howfield was able to kick in only seven games last year due to an injured right knee. The injury happened in a practice session prior to the Los Angeles game at Shea. He sat out that game and then came back to kick against Houston the next week; in fact, his 35-yard field goal against the Oilers nearly provided the Jets with a victory. Following the game Howfield was inactive and went on the reserve list on November 14 for the rest of the year.
He has been a strong kicker for the Jets, booting home 67% of his tries since coming to the club. Bobby was 6-for-7 on field goals last year before the injury hit, the second best percentage in the AFC for the second straight year. In 1973, he was responsible for the winning points in two games: he kicked three field goals at New England for a 9-7 victory and several weeks later he posted an 18-yarder against Baltimore for a 20-17 win.
Bobby has helped the Jets upgrade their kickoffs, booming most of his attempts into the end zone. He led the AFC in scoring in 1972 with 121 points. The best afternoon of his career came in '72 when he kicked six field goals to lift the Jets to an 18-17 victory over New Orleans. The final kick came as time expired. He termed it 'my biggest thrill since coming to the United States.'
Howfield was the first soccer style kicker the Jets had. He came to the U.S. with the Chiefs after a kicking clinic found him in England. He was cut by the Chiefs and went to Denver in 1968. Bobby came to the Jets in a trade with Denver for Jim Turner in January 1971.
Bobby has worked in the insurance department of a Denver bank during the off-season. He became a U.S. citizen in May 1974. His hometown is Bushey, England."
-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook
No. 3
"Howfield was able to kick in only seven games last year due to an injured right knee. The injury happened in a practice session prior to the Los Angeles game at Shea. He sat out that game and then came back to kick against Houston the next week; in fact, his 35-yard field goal against the Oilers nearly provided the Jets with a victory. Following the game Howfield was inactive and went on the reserve list on November 14 for the rest of the year.
He has been a strong kicker for the Jets, booting home 67% of his tries since coming to the club. Bobby was 6-for-7 on field goals last year before the injury hit, the second best percentage in the AFC for the second straight year. In 1973, he was responsible for the winning points in two games: he kicked three field goals at New England for a 9-7 victory and several weeks later he posted an 18-yarder against Baltimore for a 20-17 win.
Bobby has helped the Jets upgrade their kickoffs, booming most of his attempts into the end zone. He led the AFC in scoring in 1972 with 121 points. The best afternoon of his career came in '72 when he kicked six field goals to lift the Jets to an 18-17 victory over New Orleans. The final kick came as time expired. He termed it 'my biggest thrill since coming to the United States.'
Howfield was the first soccer style kicker the Jets had. He came to the U.S. with the Chiefs after a kicking clinic found him in England. He was cut by the Chiefs and went to Denver in 1968. Bobby came to the Jets in a trade with Denver for Jim Turner in January 1971.
Bobby has worked in the insurance department of a Denver bank during the off-season. He became a U.S. citizen in May 1974. His hometown is Bushey, England."
-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook
Monday, August 10, 2015
1975 Profile: Bob Proutt
Safety
No. 25
Knox
"Traded to the Jets for a sixth round pick in 1975, Prout started his pro career after signing as a free agent with Oakland in 1973 and was with the Raiders until the final cut. He went to Dallas in 1974 and played in five preseason games before being cut once again.
He went back to Oakland and was activated for the final two games of the year and the playoffs. Bob did not play in the postseason but was used as a special teamer in the last two weeks of the year.
Bob worked during the off-season cutting trees for Wood Chips, Inc. in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. He majored in anthropology and sociology. His hometown is Chicago, Illinois."
-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook
No. 25
Knox
"Traded to the Jets for a sixth round pick in 1975, Prout started his pro career after signing as a free agent with Oakland in 1973 and was with the Raiders until the final cut. He went to Dallas in 1974 and played in five preseason games before being cut once again.
He went back to Oakland and was activated for the final two games of the year and the playoffs. Bob did not play in the postseason but was used as a special teamer in the last two weeks of the year.
Bob worked during the off-season cutting trees for Wood Chips, Inc. in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. He majored in anthropology and sociology. His hometown is Chicago, Illinois."
-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook
Thursday, August 6, 2015
1975 Profile: Rich Sowells
Cornerback
No. 46
Alcorn A & M
"This swift cornerback finally earned a regular starting role in 1974 after being a backup for three years. Sowells started 13 of the 14 games, but played in the others despite bruised ribs and ankle problems. He had two interceptions, one of them a fine one-handed grab against Kansas City; his other theft came at New England in the end zone and snuffed out a fourth quarter threat.
Rich started the first three games of 1973 but hurt his shoulder at Miami and did not start thereafter. He had a great afternoon at Baltimore that year, tying the Jet record for interceptions in a game- he swiped three Colts passes, returning one 30 yards for a touchdown in a 34-10 victory.
Originally a 12th round pick in 1971, Rich's hometown is Huntsville, Texas."
-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook
No. 46
Alcorn A & M
"This swift cornerback finally earned a regular starting role in 1974 after being a backup for three years. Sowells started 13 of the 14 games, but played in the others despite bruised ribs and ankle problems. He had two interceptions, one of them a fine one-handed grab against Kansas City; his other theft came at New England in the end zone and snuffed out a fourth quarter threat.
Rich started the first three games of 1973 but hurt his shoulder at Miami and did not start thereafter. He had a great afternoon at Baltimore that year, tying the Jet record for interceptions in a game- he swiped three Colts passes, returning one 30 yards for a touchdown in a 34-10 victory.
Originally a 12th round pick in 1971, Rich's hometown is Huntsville, Texas."
-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
1975 Profile: Roscoe Word
Cornerback-Punt Returner
No. 47
Jackson State
"He burst onto the scene last year as one of the most capable and popular players on the squad. Word was originally chosen in the draft as a kick return specialist, but quickly proved his mettle as a cornerback and made the NFL All-Rookie team.
Word became the starter at right cornerback after three and a half games and held the job the rest of the way. He ended up with two interceptions for 19 yards, both thefts coming at crucial times. His last minute grab at New England saved that game for the Jets and a week later he followed up those heroics with an instant replay to thwart the final Miami drive as the Jets won both contests. Roscoe has the good brash attitude needed to play in the defensive backfield.
Roscoe was the Jets leading punt returner as well, with 38 returns for 301 yards (7.9 average). The total of 38 is a Jet record and the 301 yards is second best in Jet annals. Drafted in the third round in 1974, Roscoe has fine speed (4.55) and loves to hit.
His wife is the sister of Don 'Slick' Watts of the Seattle Supersonics. Roscoe's hometown is Pine Bluff, Arkansas."
-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook
No. 47
Jackson State
"He burst onto the scene last year as one of the most capable and popular players on the squad. Word was originally chosen in the draft as a kick return specialist, but quickly proved his mettle as a cornerback and made the NFL All-Rookie team.
Word became the starter at right cornerback after three and a half games and held the job the rest of the way. He ended up with two interceptions for 19 yards, both thefts coming at crucial times. His last minute grab at New England saved that game for the Jets and a week later he followed up those heroics with an instant replay to thwart the final Miami drive as the Jets won both contests. Roscoe has the good brash attitude needed to play in the defensive backfield.
Roscoe was the Jets leading punt returner as well, with 38 returns for 301 yards (7.9 average). The total of 38 is a Jet record and the 301 yards is second best in Jet annals. Drafted in the third round in 1974, Roscoe has fine speed (4.55) and loves to hit.
His wife is the sister of Don 'Slick' Watts of the Seattle Supersonics. Roscoe's hometown is Pine Bluff, Arkansas."
-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook
Monday, August 3, 2015
1975 Profile: Phil Wise
Free Safety
No. 27
Nebraska-Omaha
"Wise started the final six games of the year at free safety and did an outstanding job there. He also did some work at strong safety during the San Diego game when Burgess Owens was slightly injured. Wise caused a fumble during that game when he put a jarring tackle on Bo Matthews- Jamie Rivers made the recovery. He also had a sack of Joe Ferguson on a safety blitz.
Phil is one of the best all-around athletes on the team, but has been bothered with a series of groin pulls which have cost him 11 full games; he missed six games in 1973 with a pull suffered in the preseason. Phil had an 80-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Baltimore at Shea in '73 when he scooped up a loose ball that Owens had knocked out of Ray Chester's hands.
Drafted 6th in 1971, Wise majored in criminal justice. He specialized in probation and parole problems. His hometown is Omaha, Nebraska."
-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook
No. 27
Nebraska-Omaha
"Wise started the final six games of the year at free safety and did an outstanding job there. He also did some work at strong safety during the San Diego game when Burgess Owens was slightly injured. Wise caused a fumble during that game when he put a jarring tackle on Bo Matthews- Jamie Rivers made the recovery. He also had a sack of Joe Ferguson on a safety blitz.
Phil is one of the best all-around athletes on the team, but has been bothered with a series of groin pulls which have cost him 11 full games; he missed six games in 1973 with a pull suffered in the preseason. Phil had an 80-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Baltimore at Shea in '73 when he scooped up a loose ball that Owens had knocked out of Ray Chester's hands.
Drafted 6th in 1971, Wise majored in criminal justice. He specialized in probation and parole problems. His hometown is Omaha, Nebraska."
-The New York Jets Official 1975 Yearbook
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