R.I.P. Ernie Zampese

1978 Profile: Darrell Austin

Guard

No. 67

South Carolina

"Darrell fits the traditional coaches' description of 'hard-nosed.' He is a strong, straight-ahead blocker. He's good on running blocks and he's developing into an outstanding pass protector.

Darrell started 11 games for the Jets in 1976, seven at right guard and four at center.

He started every game for three years at South Carolina. Darrell played offensive tackle as a sophomore, defensive tackle as a junior and offensive tackle during his senior season.

Darrell's father is a deputy sheriff."

-1978 Topps No. 61

1978 Profile: Greg Buttle

Linebacker

No. 51

Penn State

"The Jets defense needs help, and it's players like Greg Buttle who can make it better. He's in his third year in the NFL and it has been all uphill since his rookie year.

'When he hits you, he buries you,' says Coach Walt Michaels. Buttle has good reactions and good range.

Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, he was an All-American for the Nittany Lions and played in the last College All-Star Game. Last year he returned an interception 44 yards for a touchdown.

Buttle is an articulate after-dinner speaker."

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

"A hard hitter with quick reactions to the ball, Greg made every all-rookie team in 1976. He led the club in tackles with 98 solos and 85 assists and returned a fumble 23 yards for a touchdown against the Patriots. Chosen by New York writers as Jets' Rookie of the Year, he was an All-American at Penn State.

Greg enjoys playing paddle ball in his leisure time."

-1978 Topps No. 382

R.I.P. Bob Talamini

1978 Profile: Burgess Owens

Free Safety

No. 22

Miami

"Home, sweet home. Free safety is where Burgess Owens resides now, and he likes the living conditions. Cornerback and strong safety were like Holiday Inns as far as Owens was concerned until he found the comforts of free safety ... like a home.

Owens was a No. 1 draft pick in 1973, who will remain etched in Jets' trivia forever as the man who caught O.J. Simpson from behind to save a touchdown. He intercepted three passes last year to lead the Jets, who had only 11 as a team, low in the AFC. Owens has 10 career pass thefts.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, he was an All-America cornerback at Miami (Fla.). Owens majored in biology. His father is a professor of agronomy at Florida A&M."

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

"Burgess found a home at free safety with the Jets after spending three campaigns on the strong side. He was the Jets' Rookie of the Year and a member of the NFL All-Rookie Team for 1973.

Burgess had 160 career tackles at Miami (Florida). He majored in biology."

-1978 Topps No. 121

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)