Tuesday, December 3, 2019
1977 Free Agent Profile: Bruce Harper
Running Back-Kick Returner
Free Agent
Kutztown State
"A free agent, Harper was an honorable mention AP Little All-America last year when he was the first back in Kutztown (Pa.) State history to gain over 1,000 yards. He rushed for 1,132 yards in 10 games and gained 216 yards in one contest. Harper was twice All-Conference and rushed for 2,169 yards in three seasons. He was a teammate of Coach Walt Michaels' son, Walter Jr.
Scouts like his speed, elusiveness and instincts- he runs the 40 in 4.6. Bruce is a good return specialist.
Bruce majored in social welfare. He was a track and football standout at Dwight Morrow High in his hometown and birthplace, Englewood, New Jersey."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
Free Agent
Kutztown State
"A free agent, Harper was an honorable mention AP Little All-America last year when he was the first back in Kutztown (Pa.) State history to gain over 1,000 yards. He rushed for 1,132 yards in 10 games and gained 216 yards in one contest. Harper was twice All-Conference and rushed for 2,169 yards in three seasons. He was a teammate of Coach Walt Michaels' son, Walter Jr.
Scouts like his speed, elusiveness and instincts- he runs the 40 in 4.6. Bruce is a good return specialist.
Bruce majored in social welfare. He was a track and football standout at Dwight Morrow High in his hometown and birthplace, Englewood, New Jersey."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
Sunday, December 1, 2019
1977 Rookie Profile: Bob Grupp
Safety-Punter
7th Round
Duke
"Grupp was twice named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference and was an AP honorable mention All-American last season even though he was hampered by a series of nagging injuries. A tri-captain in 1976, he enjoyed an excellent junior year when he was eighth in the nation in punting with a 43.1 average (the Duke record), led the ACC with four interceptions and set a Blue Devil record for highest single-game punting average (6-for-53.3 against Florida). A three-step punter who gets the ball off quickly and has good hang time, Grupp averaged 40.4 on 179 career punts.
He excelled as a defensive back and a punter and will get a look at both positions with the Jets. Bob doesn't have outstanding speed (4.7 in the 40) but is a fine all-around athlete with good agility and reactions. As an outfielder, he was MVP for the Duke baseball team in 1976.
Bob majored in economics. He graduated from Neshaminy High in his hometown of Langhorne, Pennsylvania. His birthplace is Philadelphia, Pa."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
7th Round
Duke
"Grupp was twice named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference and was an AP honorable mention All-American last season even though he was hampered by a series of nagging injuries. A tri-captain in 1976, he enjoyed an excellent junior year when he was eighth in the nation in punting with a 43.1 average (the Duke record), led the ACC with four interceptions and set a Blue Devil record for highest single-game punting average (6-for-53.3 against Florida). A three-step punter who gets the ball off quickly and has good hang time, Grupp averaged 40.4 on 179 career punts.
He excelled as a defensive back and a punter and will get a look at both positions with the Jets. Bob doesn't have outstanding speed (4.7 in the 40) but is a fine all-around athlete with good agility and reactions. As an outfielder, he was MVP for the Duke baseball team in 1976.
Bob majored in economics. He graduated from Neshaminy High in his hometown of Langhorne, Pennsylvania. His birthplace is Philadelphia, Pa."
-1977 New York Jets Media Guide
Sunday, November 24, 2019
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
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
Sunday, November 10, 2019
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
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
Monday, October 28, 2019
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
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
Sunday, October 20, 2019
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
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
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