R.I.P. Rich Caster

1978 Profile: Bobby Jackson

Cornerback

6th Round

Florida State

Bobby was a four-year letterman who holds Florida State's career interception record with 10, with a 12.7-yard return average. He led the team with five as a sophomore. Bobby also returned 30 punts for a 10.5-yard average during his career. In 1977 he was an honorable mention UPI All-American when the Seminoles won the Tangerine Bowl.

Bobby was selected with the draft choice obtained by the Jets from Buffalo for defensive end Billy Newsome.

1978 Profile: Shafer Suggs

Strong Safety

No. 23

Ball State

A second-round draft choice of the Jets in 1976, Shafer was named Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and was an AP second-team All-American. He was the first Ball State player in 17 years to earn four football letters. A standout in the East-West and Senior Bowl games who also played in the last College All-Star Game in Chicago, Suggs set the Ball State career interception record with 14, including eight in 1975.

1978 Profile: Mark Merrill

Linebacker

2nd Round

Minnesota

A three-year starter at defensive end in college, Merrill will be moved to linebacker. He was an honorable mention Sporting News All-American and a second-team AP All-Big Ten last year. He played in the East-West Shrine Game, the Hall of Fame Classic and the Challenge Bowl. As a senior, he had three interceptions and returned two blocked punts for touchdowns.

1978 Profile: Chris Ward

Offensive Tackle

1st Round

Ohio State

Chris was a consensus first-team All-American in 1976 and 1977, and All-Big Ten for three straight seasons. During the Heisman Trophy ceremonies, the Downtown Athletic Club named him Offensive Lineman of the Year. A four-year letterman and three-year starter, Ward played 1,049 minutes in 44 games, the most of any player in Buckeye history.

"The best offensive tackle coming out of college may be Chris Ward, Ohio State, 6-4, 275, who has surprising speed to go with his great size."

-Larry Bortstein, from Top Prospects for the '78 Draft, May-June 1978 Football Digest

"Tremendous strength and quickness. 'Chris was by far the best offensive lineman in the country last year,' says Jets coach Walt Michaels. Consensus first-team All-America in 1976 and 1977 and first-team All-Big Ten three straight seasons. Played 1,049 minutes in 44 games, the most of any player in Buckeye history.

Must work on pass blocking, something linemen don't do much of at Ohio State. 'Chris has the finest work habits of any player I've coached at Ohio State,' says Woody Hayes.

When teamed with Marvin Powell, should give the Jets the best young pair of offensive tackles in the NFL. Has everything you look for- strength, intelligence, balance, recovery, feet, explosiveness."

-Football Digest (September 1978)

"Rookie offensive tackle Chris Ward is making a name for himself in the NFL. The rookie left tackle has more than 'held his own' against opposing defensive ends. 'The trick is not to be obvious enough to get caught. I don't consider the tricks I'm learning to survive to be cheating, because this is a jungle-like atmosphere and you have to accept it as that.' "

-Football Digest, from Notes, Quotes and Comments  (January 1979)

1978 Profile: Darnell Powell

Running Back

No. 20

Chattanooga

"Powell rushed for over 1,500 yards in three years at Chattanooga. He led the team with 618 yards as a junior when he was also the top kick returner with 482 yards in 20 returns, including a 90-yarder for a touchdown. His total offense for three years neared 2,400 yards.

Darnell was the top running back taken by the Bills in the 1976 draft."

-Buffalo Bills 1976 Yearbook

1978 Profile: Ed Taylor

Cornerback

No. 38

Memphis

"Ed keeps improving each year and has developed into a dependable cornerback for the Jets. A good all-around back, he has exceptional football sense.

Ed was a three-year starter at Memphis State and played in the Blue-Grey and American Bowl games after his senior year.

Ed enjoys plants."

-1978 Topps No. 227