1977 Rookie Profile: Dom Antonini

Place Kicker
Free Agent
Glassboro State
"Antonini is a free agent from Glassboro (NJ) State. An outstanding long-distance place kicker, he booted 14 field goals of 45 yards or longer and six of 50 yards or better during his three-year career. His longest was 62 yards. Antonini also had field goals of 56, 55 and 54 yards. His career totals were 71-for-80 on PATs and 32-for-60 on field goals. He was all-conference three straight years.
A conventional two-step right-footed kicker, scouts like his leg strength, dedication and willingness to make tackles on kickoffs. Also an excellent catcher, Dom has been drafted by the Cincinnati Reds and Seattle Mariners. He hit .326 with nine homers as a junior.
Dom majored in health and physical education. He played only one year of football at Triton High School in Runnemede, New Jersey. His birthplace is Camden, NJ and his hometown is Bellmawr, NJ."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Rookie Profile: Dan Alexander

Guard- Defensive Tackle
8th Round
LSU
"A strong, tough defensive lineman who may also be tried at guard, scouts like his pass rush and lateral pursuit. Dan runs the 40 in 5.1.
He played on the LSU defensive line with AJ Duhe, the Dolphins' first-round draft pick. Dan broke into the starting lineup as a junior and responded with 81 tackles (55 solo) and five sacks. He had 97 tackles (74 solo) and 10 sacks last season and also recovered two fumbles. He played in the Hula and Japan Bowls.
Dan majored in law enforcement and would like to work for the FBI someday. Twice all-city at Houston Lamar High, he starred in the Texas High School All-Star Game. Dan's birthplace and hometown is Houston."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

R.I.P. Johnny Green

R.I.P. Reggie Cobb

1977 Rookie Profile: Wesley Walker

Wide Receiver
Second Round
California
"From California, he was picked No. 2 by the Jets. 'He'll be the new Cliff Branch,' one scout has predicted. But he may be too skinny at 6-0 and only 170 pounds."

-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1977

"Walker was rated the 10th best player in the country by Jets' scouts who like his ability to run with the ball after making the catch. 'He gives us the most speed we've had at wide receiver since Don Maynard,' says head coach Walt Michaels.
He holds the NCAA record for career reception average (25.7). He caught 86 passes for a school record 2,206 yards during his career at Berkeley and tied the Pac 8 record with 22 touchdown receptions.
Walker also set a conference record with 289 yards receiving against San Jose State that included touchdowns of 75, 57 and 48 yards. He caught the longest pass in Cal history (88 yards) against Georgia last year. Wesley injured his knee against USC last year and required surgery.
He has fully recovered as proven by his time of 10.4 seconds in the 100 meters for the Golden Bears' track team in the spring. He runs the 40 in 4.45 seconds and has done 100 in 10.1. He enjoyed an outstanding track career as a sprinter and as part of the relay team. Wesley was Cal's first four-year double-sport letterman since before World War II. He majored in economics.
Wesley was the Los Angeles 100 and 220-yard champion as well as a member of two Los Angeles championship football teams at Carson High. His birthplace and hometown is San Bernadino, California."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Rookie Profile: Marvin Powell

Offensive Tackle
1st Round
USC
"From USC, he was the Jets' No. 1 choice. 'He has everything to a top pro,' says a scout, 'size (6-5, 260), speed and intelligence.' "

-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1977

"In front of every successful back, there is an offensive lineman who makes his accomplishments possible. Ricky Bell's success was helped considerably by 6-5, 265-pound Marvin Powell.
'Powell was the best offensive lineman in America,' says USC coach John Robinson. 'He has a great future as a pro.'
Powell was a devastating blocker who anchored the line at strongside tackle. When Bell made his sweeps, it was Powell leading the way. During the season Powell lined up against Outland Trophy winner Ross Browner of Notre Dame and more than held his own. He's one of only ten players to have been named to the All-Pac 8 team three years.
'I really like the game of football,' says Powell. 'It's the Spartan type of life I like to lead. Football is a lot like the Army. I know, because I was brought up in a military atmosphere. I saw my father go off to war three times. He was a gung ho soldier and I'm a lot like him.
'If you are going off to war,' he continues, 'wouldn't you want to be as totally prepared as you could be? I love football and grew up to love hard work.'
'Powell has as much ability as the 1967 Outland Trophy winner (perennial All-Pro Ron Yary),' says former USC coach John McKay. 'His potential is unlimited. The only question is how good he wants to be. He is big, has awfully good speed and great intensity.' "

-Hank Lowenkron, Complete Sports 1977 Pro Football Special Preview

" 'The best athlete in the whole draft,' says Oakland's Al Davis of the Jets' number one choice (the fourth player picked in the first round).
'We can build around him,' says head coach Walt Michaels. 'He gives us a double dimension as a great blocker for both passing and rushing.'
'If you're here 10 years from now, he'll still be our right tackle' say Jets' scouts.
Powell was named first-team All-American by UPI, The Sporting News and Football News as a senior and coaches' first-teamAll-America as a junior. He was a three-time first-team All-Pac 8 and twice All-West Coast. One of four sophomores to start for USC's 1974 national championship team, Powell played in three Rose Bowls and a Liberty Bowl.
He's an overpowering blocker with quickness (5.1 in the 40), intelligence and durability. 'Marvin loves to play this game and I love to watch him,' says USC coach John Robinson. Former USC coach John McKay says, 'He's another Ron Yary. He's a devastating blocker. Sometimes you look at him and say, nobody can be that good.'
Nicknamed 'Boomer,' Powell majored in speech and political science. In high school, he was a football All-American and a standout in basketball and track at 71st High in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He switched from tight end to tackle as a freshman at USC.
Marvin is a very disciplined player who was brought up in a military atmosphere. His father was a career officer who fought in the Normandy invasion at the age of 15 and also in Korea and Vietnam. His brother Reggie is a forward on the Syracuse basketball team.
Marvin's birthplace is Fort Bragg and his hometown is Fayetteville."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

R.I.P. Lam Jones