1977 Rookie Profile: Perry Griggs

Wide Receiver-Kick Returner
3rd Round
Troy State
"A fast, potential game-breaker like second-round pick Wesley Walker, Griggs runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 and has done 9.7 in the 100. Scouts like his good hands, quick feet and excellent pass patterns.
Griggs gained over two miles in career all-purpose running. His career stats include 110 receptions, 1,975 yards, a 17.9 average and 10 touchdowns; 59 kickoff returns, 1,375 yards, a 23.1 average and a touchdown; 34 punt returns, 470 yards, a 13.8 average and three touchdowns, all in his sophomore year.
He was named a Coaches' first-team All-American (college division) last year. He made the All-NAIA District 27 first team for four years and All-Gulf South Conference three times, including conference player of the year as a sophomore when he led the NAIA with a 28.0-yard punt return average. As a sophomore, Perry set a conference record with 196 yards receiving in one game. He was chosen as the Alabama college player of the year in 1974 by the Birmingham Post Herald.
A physical education major, he came to Troy State as a walk-on and was a team captain in 1976. The late Jets scout Jess Thompson was one of the first to notice Griggs' ability in a 1973 Troy State spring game. He graduated from Lanett High School in Alabama, his birthplace is Lafayette, Ala., and his hometown is Lanett, Ala."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

"Perry Griggs' early career at Troy State was like a series of smashing Broadway debuts. His first pass reception was a 69-yard touchdown. His initial punt return was an 86-yard score. (He followed with an 88-yard touchdown return, a conference record, and then an 81-yarder that was called back by a penalty- all in the same game). And his first kickoff return? Naturally ... a 95-yard touchdown!"

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Rookie Profile: Gary Gregory

Guard
5th Round
Baylor
"'Gary gives us a two-way shot to fill a position in our offensive line,' says head coach Walt Michaels. 'He can make the long snap, which can be very useful to us.' A three-year starting tackle, the Jets will try him at guard. Scouts say he has good balance and moves quickly off the ball.
Gary was first-team All-Southwest Conference in 1976. He played in the Blue-Gray and East-West Games as well as the 1975 Cotton Bowl. He also pitched for the Baylor baseball team. Gary was the pick obtained in the 1976 trade of Godwin Turk to Denver.
He majored in business management. He played football at Kermit High in his hometown of Kermit, Texas. His birthplace is San Angelo, Texas."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Rookie Profile: Phil Gargis

Running Back-Safety
12th Round
Auburn
"A three-year starting quarterback at Auburn, Phil was drafted as a running back/safety by the Jets. He played halfback in the Blue-Gray Game and impressed scouts with his quickness, blocking and hustle- he runs the 40 in 4.6.
An Auburn captain as a senior, Gargis finished second on the all-time career total offense list behind former Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan with 3,918 yards and was only the second player at Auburn to surpass 1,000 yards in total offense for three straight years. He became the only player in school history to rush for four touchdowns in one game when he gained 129 yards on 14 carries against Georgia last fall, including an 82-yard touchdown run that won the game.
Gargis guided the Tigers to a 10-2 season as a sophomore and was MVP in the Gator Bowl win over Texas. He led the team in rushing as a junior (658 yards, 162 carries, 4.1 average) and rushed for 534 yards and nine touchdowns last season. His career stats: 1,879 yards on 455 carries (4.1 average) and 17 touchdowns, 152 of 341 passes completed for 2,036 yards and 14 touchdowns.
He majored in marketing. In high school, he led Colbert County High to the Alabama state championship. Phil's  birthplace is Sheffield, Alabama, his hometown is Leighton, AL, and his name is pronounced GAR-giss."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Joe Gallagher

JOE GALLAGHER
Guard
Free Agent
Tennessee
"A free agent, Joe started at guard for two years after switching from linebacker and defensive tackle. He was a teammate of Dave Brady, also a Jet free agent.
Scouts like his speed. He played in the Liberty and Gator Bowls and in the Blue-Gray Game. He majored in public health.
His brother Frank played for the Lions, Falcons and Vikings. Joe was an all-state standout at St. James High in his birthplace and hometown- Chester, Pennsylvania."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Free Agent Profile: Jerry Finis

Guard
Free Agent
Illinois
"The youngest Jet rookie, Jerry was signed as a free agent. He impressed coaches in rookie camp with his initial quickness off the ball.
Jerry was a three-year letterman who started in the defensive line but switched to offense, where he played guard and tackle. He was second-team and all-academic Big Ten and played in the North-South and Blue-Grey Games. A marketing major, Jerry captained the Illinois track team and won the Big Ten discus title as a junior.
Born in Chicago, he was a football and track standout at Fremd High in his hometown of Palatine, Illinois. His name is pronounced FIN-is."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

1977 Rookie Profile: Scott Dierking

4th Round
Purdue
"Dierking is the first running back selected by the Jets. 'He's a Mike Adamle-type,' says head coach Walt Michaels. 'He can run inside and can get outside when called upon. His forte is that he hits the line quickly and keeps his feet moving for extra yardage. He's a real hustler who can play on special teams.' Dierking runs the 40 in 4.6.
The second leading career rusher at Purdue behind Otis Armstrong (Denver Broncos star), he gained 2,863 yards on 578 carries (5.0 average). Dierking gained 1,000 yards last fall, only the third Purdue player to do so, and is the only runner besides Armstrong to lead the Boilermakers in rushing three straight years. He gained 779 yards as a sophomore and 914 yards as a junior and had 25 career touchdowns. Scott was a second-team All-American (Football News and AP), first-team All-Big Ten, team MVP and team captain last fall.
He played in the East-West Game and the Hula and Japan Bowls. In 1976, Scott led Purdue to an upset win over first-ranked Michigan with 162 yards on 38 carries. He rushed for 211 yards against Miami of Ohio.
Scott majored in economics. In high school, he was an All-American at West Chicago High where he gained 2,725 yards and scored 42 touchdowns and was the state wrestling champ as a senior. Scott's birthplace is Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois and his hometown is West Chicago, Illinois. His name is pronounced DIR-king."

-1977 New York Jets Media Guide

"I grew up in the Chicago area and loved to watch Mike Adamle (ex-Jet now playing for the Bears). I used to pattern myself after him. But after a while, you kind of outgrow that and find you're not that person. You just run the way your body lets you run."

-Scott Dierking

R.I.P. Barry Bennett