Cornerback
No. 26
North Texas State
"A free agent signed by the Jets, Leonard was drafted in the first round by Baltimore in 1971. He played one season with the Colts, highlighted by a 57-yard punt return, and was traded the following year to San Diego for a draft choice. He intercepted five passes for the Chargers in 1972 and also averaged 22.6 yards on 12 kickoff returns and 9.4 yards on 19 punt returns.
Dunlap played two more years with the Chargers before being acquired by the Giants, who traded him to Detroit in 1975 for a draft choice. He missed the entire 1976 season with a knee injury and has suffered several injuries during his career which have hampered his progress.
He starred at Kilgore College in Texas before transferring to North Texas State, where he was the MVP of the Missouri Valley Conference. Leonard played in the North-South Game, the Senior Bowl and College All-Star Game.
Leonard has a degree in physical education. His birthplace is Monroe, Louisiana and his hometown is Houston, Texas."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
Friday, November 3, 2017
Friday, October 27, 2017
1977 Profile: Steve Davis
Running Back
No. 35
Delaware State
"Davis enjoyed his best season rushing as a pro last year. He gained 418 yards on 94 carries (4.4 average), with three touchdowns and was second to Clark Gaines among club leaders. Davis already ranks eighth on the Jets' all-time rushing list with 708 yards.
He gained a career high 76 yards on 16 carries in a win over Tampa Bay last year. He missed two games with a knee injury and had fumble trouble, losing six.
The Jets third-leading rusher in 1975 with 290 yards, Steve also was the Jets' second-leading kick returner with 20 for 483 (24.2 average). He did not return any kickoffs last season.
Davis was acquired from the Steelers in [August] 1975 in exchange for a 1977 third round draft pick. He led the Steelers in kickoff returns for three consecutive seasons, ranking fifth in the AFC in 1973 (26.9 average). He was drafted third by the Steelers in 1971 but missed his entire rookie season with a viral infection.
He was the first player ever drafted from Delaware State. He was the 13th leading collegiate rusher in 1970 with 980 yards. He gained 261 yards and led the CIAA in rushing as a senior.
Davis majored in physical education. His hometown is Lexington, Virginia."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
No. 35
Delaware State
"Davis enjoyed his best season rushing as a pro last year. He gained 418 yards on 94 carries (4.4 average), with three touchdowns and was second to Clark Gaines among club leaders. Davis already ranks eighth on the Jets' all-time rushing list with 708 yards.
He gained a career high 76 yards on 16 carries in a win over Tampa Bay last year. He missed two games with a knee injury and had fumble trouble, losing six.
The Jets third-leading rusher in 1975 with 290 yards, Steve also was the Jets' second-leading kick returner with 20 for 483 (24.2 average). He did not return any kickoffs last season.
Davis was acquired from the Steelers in [August] 1975 in exchange for a 1977 third round draft pick. He led the Steelers in kickoff returns for three consecutive seasons, ranking fifth in the AFC in 1973 (26.9 average). He was drafted third by the Steelers in 1971 but missed his entire rookie season with a viral infection.
He was the first player ever drafted from Delaware State. He was the 13th leading collegiate rusher in 1970 with 980 yards. He gained 261 yards and led the CIAA in rushing as a senior.
Davis majored in physical education. His hometown is Lexington, Virginia."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
Saturday, October 21, 2017
1977 Profile: Don Coleman
Linebacker
No. 57
Michigan
"Coleman signed as a free agent with the Jets last season after two years with the Saints, who drafted him in the 16th round in 1974. He missed the entire 1976 campaign after suffering a knee injury in the Houston preseason game that required surgery.
He played 13 games at outside linebacker for the Saints in 1975 and made 33 tackles. He appeared mostly on special teams as a rookie. Coleman played for the Saints at the same time that new Jet offensive backfield coach Bob Ledbetter was an assistant there.
Coleman was second team All-Big 10 as a senior. He was a three-year starter after switching from running back.
He has a B.A. in communications and would like to operate his own ad-production company someday. He's studying for a Master's degree in business administration at Hofstra.
Don was a four-sport star at St. John's High Toledo, his birthplace and hometown, where he was an all-state running back."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
No. 57
Michigan
"Coleman signed as a free agent with the Jets last season after two years with the Saints, who drafted him in the 16th round in 1974. He missed the entire 1976 campaign after suffering a knee injury in the Houston preseason game that required surgery.
He played 13 games at outside linebacker for the Saints in 1975 and made 33 tackles. He appeared mostly on special teams as a rookie. Coleman played for the Saints at the same time that new Jet offensive backfield coach Bob Ledbetter was an assistant there.
Coleman was second team All-Big 10 as a senior. He was a three-year starter after switching from running back.
He has a B.A. in communications and would like to operate his own ad-production company someday. He's studying for a Master's degree in business administration at Hofstra.
Don was a four-sport star at St. John's High Toledo, his birthplace and hometown, where he was an all-state running back."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
Friday, October 13, 2017
1977 Profile: Richard Caster
Tight End
No. 88
Jackson State
"He caught 31 passes last season, second [on the club] only to Clark Gaines- but down from his total of 47 the season before. With Jerome Barkum out for 10 weeks, Caster was double-teamed by opposing defenses.
He is No. 3 on the all-time list of Jet receivers [for both catches and yardage] behind Don Maynard and George Sauer."
-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1977
"Shea Stadium boo-birds would feel lost without him. The fastest tight end in the league, Caster makes spectacular catches. He still drops too many easy ones when all alone- if anyone knows why, contact Walt Michaels.
A poor blocker, Caster played tight end and wide receiver last year. Double-teamed wherever he goes, he had the lowest number of catches (31) in five years last season when the Jets played shuffling quarterbacks.
The most dangerous touchdown threat among tight ends in the league, Caster has 35 touchdowns over the last seven years. He does 40 yards in 4.5 and knows where the sweet spots in the zone are.
Born in Mobile, Alabama, he was a college teammate of Jerome Barkum at Jackson State. Caster played out his option but was re-signed by the Jets last spring.
He's a good tennis player."
-Rich Kucner, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
"The premier receiving tight end in pro football, Caster is an outstanding deep threat against the zone. He has steadily improved his blocking, yet fell off statistically last year when the Jets' passing game slackened; the opposition double-teamed him constantly with the threat of injured Jerome Barkum removed. Richard had 31 catches for 391 yards, a 12.6 average and only one touchdown, but tied for the third longest run in Jet history with a 60-yard end around against Washington.
Capable of being used as a wide receiver, Caster began his career as a wide receiver but switched to tight end in 1972 and did so well he earned a Pro Bowl selection. He also earned Pro Bowl honors after the 1974 and 1975 seasons. He played wide receiver in a one-game experiment at New England last year.
Richard led all AFC receivers in yardage (833) and touchdown catches (10) in 1972 and topped all NFL tight ends in yardage in 1974 and 1975. In 1974, he had 38 catches for 745 yards, a 19.6 average (third best in the NFL) and seven touchdowns. The following year he had 47 receptions for 820 yards, a 17.4 average and four touchdowns.
His career stats show 235 receptions for 4,229 yards, an 18.0 average and 35 touchdowns. His receptions rank him 10th among active AFC players. In Jets annals, Caster stands third in career catches and yardage behind Don Maynard and George Sauer and has a chance of passing Sauer (4,965) in yardage this year. He holds the club record for longest gain on a passing play with a 91-yarder from Namath against Baltimore in 1975.
His best day was in the 1972 game against Baltimore when he caught touchdown passes of 80, 79 and 10 yards and had 204 yards on only six catches, becoming the only NFL receiver to surpass 200 yards in a game that season. He has had 10 career 100-yard or more games.
Richard was a wide receiver and tight end at Jackson State where he was a teammate of Jerome Barkum. He caught 160 passes for 3,638 yards and 28 touchdowns. A Pittsburgh Courier second-team All-American, Richard was a member of the College All-Star squad.
Involved in the community, Richard has served as chairman of the March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon in New York City and received the Gordon's Good Guy award for his efforts.
Rich enjoys playing tennis and basketball. He makes his off-season home in Hempstead, New York and makes many personal appearances on behalf of the Jets. His birthplace and hometown is Mobile, Alabama."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
No. 88
Jackson State
"He caught 31 passes last season, second [on the club] only to Clark Gaines- but down from his total of 47 the season before. With Jerome Barkum out for 10 weeks, Caster was double-teamed by opposing defenses.
He is No. 3 on the all-time list of Jet receivers [for both catches and yardage] behind Don Maynard and George Sauer."
-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1977
"Shea Stadium boo-birds would feel lost without him. The fastest tight end in the league, Caster makes spectacular catches. He still drops too many easy ones when all alone- if anyone knows why, contact Walt Michaels.
A poor blocker, Caster played tight end and wide receiver last year. Double-teamed wherever he goes, he had the lowest number of catches (31) in five years last season when the Jets played shuffling quarterbacks.
The most dangerous touchdown threat among tight ends in the league, Caster has 35 touchdowns over the last seven years. He does 40 yards in 4.5 and knows where the sweet spots in the zone are.
Born in Mobile, Alabama, he was a college teammate of Jerome Barkum at Jackson State. Caster played out his option but was re-signed by the Jets last spring.
He's a good tennis player."
-Rich Kucner, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
"The premier receiving tight end in pro football, Caster is an outstanding deep threat against the zone. He has steadily improved his blocking, yet fell off statistically last year when the Jets' passing game slackened; the opposition double-teamed him constantly with the threat of injured Jerome Barkum removed. Richard had 31 catches for 391 yards, a 12.6 average and only one touchdown, but tied for the third longest run in Jet history with a 60-yard end around against Washington.
Capable of being used as a wide receiver, Caster began his career as a wide receiver but switched to tight end in 1972 and did so well he earned a Pro Bowl selection. He also earned Pro Bowl honors after the 1974 and 1975 seasons. He played wide receiver in a one-game experiment at New England last year.
Richard led all AFC receivers in yardage (833) and touchdown catches (10) in 1972 and topped all NFL tight ends in yardage in 1974 and 1975. In 1974, he had 38 catches for 745 yards, a 19.6 average (third best in the NFL) and seven touchdowns. The following year he had 47 receptions for 820 yards, a 17.4 average and four touchdowns.
His career stats show 235 receptions for 4,229 yards, an 18.0 average and 35 touchdowns. His receptions rank him 10th among active AFC players. In Jets annals, Caster stands third in career catches and yardage behind Don Maynard and George Sauer and has a chance of passing Sauer (4,965) in yardage this year. He holds the club record for longest gain on a passing play with a 91-yarder from Namath against Baltimore in 1975.
His best day was in the 1972 game against Baltimore when he caught touchdown passes of 80, 79 and 10 yards and had 204 yards on only six catches, becoming the only NFL receiver to surpass 200 yards in a game that season. He has had 10 career 100-yard or more games.
Richard was a wide receiver and tight end at Jackson State where he was a teammate of Jerome Barkum. He caught 160 passes for 3,638 yards and 28 touchdowns. A Pittsburgh Courier second-team All-American, Richard was a member of the College All-Star squad.
Involved in the community, Richard has served as chairman of the March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon in New York City and received the Gordon's Good Guy award for his efforts.
Rich enjoys playing tennis and basketball. He makes his off-season home in Hempstead, New York and makes many personal appearances on behalf of the Jets. His birthplace and hometown is Mobile, Alabama."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
Monday, October 2, 2017
1977 Profile: Duane Carrell
Punter
No. 3
Florida State
"Last year Duane signed with the Jets as a free agent on September 1. He'd had a tryout with the club but wasn't signed at the time. He set a Jets record for most punts in a season with 81, averaging 39.7 yards. Duane's longest career punt was 72 yards at San Francisco last fall, the third best in Jets history. His individual average placed him sixth in the AFC and 11th in the AFL. He took over as the holder in the fifth game.
Carrell started in pro ball in 1974 with the Jacksonville Sharks of the World Football League. He joined the Dallas Cowboys when the Sharks folded and averaged 39.8 on 40 punts in the last half of the 1974 season. He completed a 37-yard touchdown pass against the Redskins that year. Carrell was waived by the Cowboys in 1975 but signed with Los Angeles and averaged 39.4 on 73 punts for the Rams that year.
Duane must work to get more hang time into his punts. His distance is adequate.
A three-year letterman as a punter and place kicker at Florida State, Duane played in the 1971 Fiesta Bowl. He holds a B.S. in management.
Duane is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He's a salesman for Ward Hughes Co. His birthplace and hometown is Washington, D.C. and his name is pronounced CAR-ol."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
No. 3
Florida State
"Last year Duane signed with the Jets as a free agent on September 1. He'd had a tryout with the club but wasn't signed at the time. He set a Jets record for most punts in a season with 81, averaging 39.7 yards. Duane's longest career punt was 72 yards at San Francisco last fall, the third best in Jets history. His individual average placed him sixth in the AFC and 11th in the AFL. He took over as the holder in the fifth game.
Carrell started in pro ball in 1974 with the Jacksonville Sharks of the World Football League. He joined the Dallas Cowboys when the Sharks folded and averaged 39.8 on 40 punts in the last half of the 1974 season. He completed a 37-yard touchdown pass against the Redskins that year. Carrell was waived by the Cowboys in 1975 but signed with Los Angeles and averaged 39.4 on 73 punts for the Rams that year.
Duane must work to get more hang time into his punts. His distance is adequate.
A three-year letterman as a punter and place kicker at Florida State, Duane played in the 1971 Fiesta Bowl. He holds a B.S. in management.
Duane is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He's a salesman for Ward Hughes Co. His birthplace and hometown is Washington, D.C. and his name is pronounced CAR-ol."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
1977 Profile: Greg Buttle
Linebacker
No. 51
Penn State
"If the Jets regain respectability in his lifetime, he'll be All-Pro. The NFL draft wizards who left him unclaimed need a sobriety test.
A vicious hitter, Buttle made all the All-America teams at Penn State. He took over as left linebacker in his rookie year with New York and led the team with 98 tackles and 85 assists. He was the best rookie linebacker in the NFL.
Buttle takes losses extremely hard. He has the perfect attitude: 'The pay me to practice. I'll play for nothing.' He must curb his tendency to free-lance.
Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Buttle is outgoing and quotable. He should become a huge favorite in New York.
-Rich Kucner, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
"Buttle made every NFL all-rookie team last year. He led the club in tackles with 98 solos and 85 assists. He returned a fumble 23 yards for a touchdown against New England. He had an interception against the Patriots and one against the 49ers in the end zone. Buttle was chosen by the New York writers as the Jets' Rookie of the Year.
'When he hits you, he buries you,' says Walt Michaels. A hard hitter with quick reactions, Greg has been called 'free lance' by Michaels for his sometimes reckless play but has been tabbed by Michaels as a future All-Pro.
He was a consensus All-America choice, named first team by AP, UPI, NEA, Football Writers, Walter Camp, Sporting News and Football News. Greg played in the Japan, Sugar, Cotton, Orange and Hula Bowls and played in the last College All-Star Game, against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His college stats include 341 tackles (178 solo).
Greg majored in arts and sciences, he enjoys paddleball, and his ambition is 'to be the best at whatever.' His father is an FBI agent. Greg is articulate and is a good representative of the club on speaking engagements. He makes his home year-round in Lido Beach on Long Island, his birthplace is Atlantic City, New Jersey and his hometown is Linwood, New Jersey."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
"They don't pay me to play on Sundays. They pay me to practice. I'd play on Sundays for nothing."
-Greg Buttle (1977 New York Jets Media Guide)
No. 51
Penn State
"If the Jets regain respectability in his lifetime, he'll be All-Pro. The NFL draft wizards who left him unclaimed need a sobriety test.
A vicious hitter, Buttle made all the All-America teams at Penn State. He took over as left linebacker in his rookie year with New York and led the team with 98 tackles and 85 assists. He was the best rookie linebacker in the NFL.
Buttle takes losses extremely hard. He has the perfect attitude: 'The pay me to practice. I'll play for nothing.' He must curb his tendency to free-lance.
Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Buttle is outgoing and quotable. He should become a huge favorite in New York.
-Rich Kucner, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
"Buttle made every NFL all-rookie team last year. He led the club in tackles with 98 solos and 85 assists. He returned a fumble 23 yards for a touchdown against New England. He had an interception against the Patriots and one against the 49ers in the end zone. Buttle was chosen by the New York writers as the Jets' Rookie of the Year.
'When he hits you, he buries you,' says Walt Michaels. A hard hitter with quick reactions, Greg has been called 'free lance' by Michaels for his sometimes reckless play but has been tabbed by Michaels as a future All-Pro.
He was a consensus All-America choice, named first team by AP, UPI, NEA, Football Writers, Walter Camp, Sporting News and Football News. Greg played in the Japan, Sugar, Cotton, Orange and Hula Bowls and played in the last College All-Star Game, against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His college stats include 341 tackles (178 solo).
Greg majored in arts and sciences, he enjoys paddleball, and his ambition is 'to be the best at whatever.' His father is an FBI agent. Greg is articulate and is a good representative of the club on speaking engagements. He makes his home year-round in Lido Beach on Long Island, his birthplace is Atlantic City, New Jersey and his hometown is Linwood, New Jersey."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
"They don't pay me to play on Sundays. They pay me to practice. I'd play on Sundays for nothing."
-Greg Buttle (1977 New York Jets Media Guide)
Sunday, September 10, 2017
1977 Profile: Mike Burke
Punter
No. 6
Miami
"A free agent, Burke is a veteran of one season with Los Angeles (1974), plus three preseasons with the Dolphins (1973), Rams (1975) and Raiders (1976). He signed as a free agent with Miami in 1973 but was released and also was cut by the Rams in the 1974 preseason.
Mike punted five times for the Southern California Sun of the World Football League in 1974. He was working for a meat-packing plant when the Rams activated him midway through the '74 season. He played the final eight games (37.0 average in 46 kicks) plus two playoff contests. A coffin corner specialist, Mike had five punts go inside the 11-yard line in one game against Minnesota. He can also place kick.
He attended Oregon State from 1968-70 and spent a year at Chabot JC in Hayward, CA before transferring for his final two years to Miami, where he was a teammate of Jet safety Burgess Owens and Chuck Foreman. Burke swam at Miami, setting a school record in the 100-yard breaststroke, and also competed in weightlifting. He punted six times for a 50.6 average, kicked two 35-yard field goals and made six straight points after touchdown in one game against Houston.
Mike has a degree in physical education and recreation. He was a quarterback at Amador High in his hometown of Pleasanton, California. His birthplace is Sacramento, CA."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
No. 6
Miami
"A free agent, Burke is a veteran of one season with Los Angeles (1974), plus three preseasons with the Dolphins (1973), Rams (1975) and Raiders (1976). He signed as a free agent with Miami in 1973 but was released and also was cut by the Rams in the 1974 preseason.
Mike punted five times for the Southern California Sun of the World Football League in 1974. He was working for a meat-packing plant when the Rams activated him midway through the '74 season. He played the final eight games (37.0 average in 46 kicks) plus two playoff contests. A coffin corner specialist, Mike had five punts go inside the 11-yard line in one game against Minnesota. He can also place kick.
He attended Oregon State from 1968-70 and spent a year at Chabot JC in Hayward, CA before transferring for his final two years to Miami, where he was a teammate of Jet safety Burgess Owens and Chuck Foreman. Burke swam at Miami, setting a school record in the 100-yard breaststroke, and also competed in weightlifting. He punted six times for a 50.6 average, kicked two 35-yard field goals and made six straight points after touchdown in one game against Houston.
Mike has a degree in physical education and recreation. He was a quarterback at Amador High in his hometown of Pleasanton, California. His birthplace is Sacramento, CA."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
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