1979 Profile: Shafer Suggs

Safety

No. 23

Ball State

"Shafer has good size and range and is one of the Jets' hardest hitters. He's found a home at strong safety after starting nine games at cornerback as a rookie in 1976. Shafer has outstanding speed and jumping ability."

-1979 Topps No. 307

R.I.P. Alex Kroll

1979 Profile: Abdul Salaam

Defensive Tackle

No. 74

Kent State

"Abdul is great for the morale of the Jets, being as vocal and as enthusiastic as he is. He is very physical, quick and active. He's a hustler with great pursuit and is especially tough against the running game.

As Larry Faulk he was a four-year letterman at Kent State and was a first-team All-Mid American Conference selection for three straight seasons.

Abdul works in construction in the off-season."

-1979 Topps No. 462

1979 Profile: Randy Rasmussen

Guard

No. 66

Kearney State

"In 1978 Randy once again graded highest among Jets' offensive linemen. He makes very few mental errors and has always been a consistent performer for the club. Randy is a good leader, his age and experience giving the Jets' young line superb stability. An outstanding blocker, he was the first offensive lineman ever selected as Jets MVP.

Randy is in great demand as an off-season banquet speaker."

-1979 Topps No. 247

1979 Profile: Chuck Ramsey

Punter

No. 15

Wake Forest

"Chuck has come through with clutch pressure punts during his two campaigns with the Jets. The AFC's fifth leading punter in 1978, he gets fine distance and is improving on accuracy.

Chuck works as a tennis pro in the off-season."

-1979 Topps No. 402

1979 Profile: Lawrence Pillers

Defensive End

No. 76

Alcorn State

"Lawrence is equipped with outstanding speed for a man his size and he's the kind of player who will become a team leader. He was an all-conference selection three times at Alcorn State and had 12 blocked punts.

A broken hand in 1977 hampered his pass rush, but he graded extremely high and has improved vastly each season.

-1979 Topps No. 287

1979 Profile: Burgess Owens

Free Safety

No. 22

Miami

"An intelligent team leader with great speed and good range on pass coverage, Burgess is particularly effective at stopping opponents' running game.

Burgess owns a 400-acre farm with his father."

-1979 Topps No. 482