1978 Profile: Randy Rasmussen

Guard

No. 66

Kearney State

"The old Jets. Joe Willie, Super Bowl III, Orange Bowl, Colts, the guarantee. Rasmussen survives. 12th season, still the left guard. Namath, Snell, Maynard, Sauer- all gone.

Rasmussen is probably the best pulling guard the Jets have ever had. He's a consistent player.

Born in St. Paul, Nebraska, he had an unlikely beginning. He was drafted 12th by the Jets in 1967 out of Kearney State in Nebraska. Rasmussen was All-NAIA for two years, a shot-putter in track who majored in mathematics. He started as a Jet rookie and has another three or four years left.

Rasmussen is in demand as an off-season banquet speaker. 'He's a better football player than a lot of guys who made All-Pro,' says Jim Ringo, the former Buffalo coach."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"One of the most consistent offensive linemen in Jets history, Randy is rated as perhaps the best pulling guard the club has ever had. Known for his one-on-one blocking technique, he rarely has a bad game.

Randy has played in 108 consecutive games for the Jets heading into 1978, all as a starter. An All-NAIA choice for two years at Kearney State, he played offensive tackle in college and was a three-time all-conference performer. Randy majored in mathematics in college."

-1978 Topps No. 307

1978 Profile: Carl Barzilauskas

Defensive Tackle

No. 77

Indiana

"A hit or a miss? After four seasons, Barzo has not become the destructible force that the Jets anticipated when the Jets drafted him No. 1 in 1974. Everyone keeps waiting.

Goodness knows, the physical qualifications are there. He's big and strong enough to wipe out one side of the line by himself. Barzo's good against the rush, but not quick or agile enough to be a strong pass rusher.

Born in Waterbury, Conn., he was too big for a crib right away. His first diaper was a bed sheet. King-sized.

A three-year starter at Indiana, he played every down as a senior despite a broken bone in his foot. His uncle Fritz played with the New York  Giants and is now Yale's intramural director."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

R.I.P. Jim Richards

1978 Profile: Pat Leahy

Place Kicker

No. 5

St. Louis

"Spirit of St. Louis. St. Louis University, that is. Leahy helped the Billikens win three NCAA soccer championships before getting a tryout with the football Cardinals. But the Cards had Jim Baaken, so Leahy joined the Jets as a free agent in mid-1974 after Bobby Howfield was injured.

He has been about a 60 percent kicker ever since. He misses at least three PATs a season. His longest kick has been 47 yards (three times). Two missed field goals against the Raiders cost the Jets a victory last fall. But Leahy has a steady record of coming through.

Born in St. Louis, he has a bachelor's degree in marketing and business administration. He works in the paint and remodeling business in the off-season."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"Pat has proven to be one the NFL's most accurate field goal kickers. He joined the Jets in 1974 and immediately helped the club defeat the Giants in an overtime game which started a six-game winning streak. Pat has a strong toe.

He works for a painting and remodeling company in the off-season."

-1978 Topps No. 482

1978 Profile: Marvin Powell

Offensive Tackle

No. 79

USC

"From what everyone says, or intimates, Marvin Powell may be the next great offensive tackle. 'He was the best athlete in the whole draft,' said Oakland's Al Davis after the Jets took him fourth in the 1977 college talent pool.

Powell had his rookie season ruined by injury, but the best is yet to come. 'We can build around him,' says Jets coach Walt Michaels. 'He gives us a double dimension as a great blocker for both passing and rushing.' Most pro experts believe Powell will be another Art Shell.

Born at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, his father was a career military officer. Powell was switched from tight end to tackle at  USC. His idol is Muhammed Ali."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"Considered to be one of the best all-around athletes in the 1977 NFL draft, Marvin is an overpowering blocker with quickness, intelligence and durability. Inserted into the Jets' starting offensive line last season, he provided the club with a double dimension as a great blocker for both the pass and run.

Marvin was one of four sophomores to start for the 1974 USC National Championship team. He played in three Rose Bowl games during his phenomenal career at USC.

Marvin's nickname is 'Boomer.' "

-1978 Topps No. 141

1978 Profile: Rich Caster

Wide Receiver

No. 88

Jackson State

"Musical receivers on the Jets. Caster moved from tight end to wide receiver and Jerome Barkum from wide receiver to tight end. Caster had his lowest production last year because of injuries, just 10 receptions. But he averaged 20 yards a catch, just above his career average of 18.0.

Born in Mobile, Alabama, he went to Jackson State where he caught 28 touchdown passes and was drafted No. 1 by the Jets in 1970. He is a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

The best deep threat in pro football at tight end, Caster now will drive cornerbacks dizzy, not strong safeties. But man-on-man or zone, he knows how to get open.

Caster gives time to numerous causes."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"One of the premier receivers in pro football, Richard is an outstanding deep threat against the zone. He has steadily improved his blocking ability with the Jets. He has a great pair of hands.

Richard makes many personal appearances on behalf of the Jets."

-1978 Topps No. 21

1978 Profile: Jerome Barkum

Tight End

No. 83

Jackson State

Ol' Debbil injury's got him. Barkum has been bothered the last two years by pains and sprains. He was given a new outlook on a successful NFL career by switching to tight end last year. He stayed healthy long enough to catch 26 passes (17.3 yards per reception) for six touchdowns. Barkum remains one of the game's finest deep threats, with many good years ahead.

Born in Gulfport, Mississippi, he set a high school single-game rebounding record of 30 in Gulfport, where he still lives. A teammate of Rich Caster at Jackson State, Barkum was a No. 1 draft pick in 1972. His career average per catch is 16.0.

He's light for a tight end; his blocking won't remind anyone of Dave Casper. So figure on Todd to keep the ball in the air."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"Always considered among pro football's premier receivers, Jerome has excellent size and strength. His most catches in a game were the eight he snared against the Bengals in 1983. He has also become a fine blocker for the Jets.

Jerome is a cousin of the Lions' Lem Barney."

-1978 Topps No. 442