1962 Profiles: Dick Christy and Mel West

DICK CHRISTY
Halfback
No. 45
North Carolina State
"The former North Carolina State record holder was the AFL's punt return leader last year, averaging 21.3 yards per return for 18 tries. Christy also ranked sixth in kickoff returns, averaging 24 yards on 16 returns. His longest was a 60-yarder.
The fleet back still holds eight North Carolina State and conference records, including rushing, scoring, most points in one game and longest field goal. The Titans acquired him in a trade with Oakland last year."

-1962 Fleer No. 58

"Dick Christy was the only newcomer to break into the 1961 Titans' starting offensive unit. In their search for a breakaway back, the Titans dealt end Dave Ross to Oakland in August 1961 for Christy. The trade made it a cross-country round trip for the peppery speed merchant, who earlier had been shipped to the coast by the Boston Patriots in a multi-player exchange. He was Boston's top offensive threat in 1960.

Dick is a terror in the open field and a good power runner, as well. The Chester, Pa., flash is also a fine receiver.

A standout rookie with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1958, he led the NFL in kickoff returns. Dick was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1959 and joined the Patriots for the third game of the 1960 season.

The husky ex-All-American came to the pros off a sparkling college career at North Carolina State, where he broke all of the school's scoring records."

-1962 New York Titans Official Program (The Polo Grounds)

MEL WEST
Halfback
No. 25
Missouri
"Time and patience are the qualities which will pay off in the case of Mel West, the Missouri mauler who was plucked from the Patriots before the 1961 campaign began.
Marvelous Mel managed 322 yards as a runner from left halfback, averaging 4.5 per carry, and gained an additional 146 serving as a receiver, respectable marks for a rookie.
One of the smallest in the loop at 5-9, his determination to succeed is fierce and he now has the confidence he thought he lost when Boston gave up on him."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

1962 Profiles: Don Maynard and Alan Goldstein

DON MAYNARD
Flanker
No. 13
Texas Western
"Hampered by injuries in 1961, Maynard had trouble reaching the expectations the Titans had for him that season. When he sustained his first injury, on October 22, he was one of the league's top receivers.
As a member of the New York Giants in 1958, Don was used primarily as a kick return man. It was not until he joined the Titans in 1960 that he got a chance to display his receiving ability. That year, Don caught 72 passes to rank second in the loop."

-1962 Fleer No. 59


ALAN GOLDSTEIN
Flanker
No. 81
North Carolina
"Although raised in Brooklyn, Alan traveled south to the University of North Carolina for his college education and to play football for the Tarheels. Thereafter, Alan served with the armed forces and played football in Europe. He was named to the All-European Service Team, and upon his return gained professional experience with the Los Angeles Rams.
Because of his background, Alan should prove a real help at end for the Oakland Raiders."

-1960 Fleer No. 108

"Alan Goldstein never gave up after failing to make it as a Ram in 1958. An offensive genius at end in college, he was among the country's better pass receivers. He played in military service in '59 and was a regular Raider after his initial practice.

Now 25, Brooklyn-born Alan looks to improve on his '60 mark of 27 passes caught and 354 yards gained."

-1961 Pro Football Handbook

"The long path to Oakland began for Alan when he was a high school star in Brooklyn. He played his varsity football at North Carolina, then went into military service, where he made the European All-Star team.
Alan proved a top receiver for the Raiders in 1960, snaring 27 tosses for 354 yards. Oakland fans expect an even brighter year from him in 1961."

-1961 Fleer No. 195

1962 Titan Linebacker Profiles

HUBERT BOBO
Middle Linebacker
No. 57
Ohio State
Hubert is a steady linebacker with a willingness to hit. Stabilizing the Titan defense again in his second year while playing all 14 games, he made four interceptions for 57 yards returned, including a return of 26 yards.
As a collegian, Hubert starred as a sophomore fullback on an Ohio State team that played in the Rose Bowl.


LARRY GRANTHAM
Linebacker
No. 60
Mississippi
"If a linebacker who's less than 200 pounds is a rarity than Larry Grantham must be a phenom. No ordinary toiler is this 25-year-old Crystal Springs, Mississippi head-cracker, who comes in at 195 and hits with the authenticity of a 220-pounder. An All-League choice for three years, he's considered the best tackler at his post and is seldom guilty of allowing a runner or pass-receiver to escape his grasp.
Slated for end duties as a '60 rookie, he was never permitted to display his offensive wares once the coaches noticed his sharpness on defense."

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963

"Larry's listed as a linebacker but weighs 30 pounds less than the norm for the job. Since he's too valuable to keep out of the lineup, New York compensates for his lack of size by flopping him over to play always on the side of the split end. Larry has the reflexes to become an extra peg in the pass defense, and the fiery will to stop huge fullbacks in their tracks on runs.
Last season he was All-AFL."

-1963 Fleer No. 20


ED COOKE
Linebacker
No. 82
Maryland
"Ed Cooke feared it was all over as a pro when the Colts released him at the start of the 1960 season. But the 26-year-old Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) hounder of passers was certain he could find a job at defensive end or tackle, and his confidence has gained him permanence as a Titan. Ed's quite valuable in a number of positions and it's possible that he'll hold forth at the left linebacking slot."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

1962 Profiles: Art Powell and Perry Richards

ART POWELL

Split End
No. 84
San Jose State
"Nifty swifty [sic] and so difficult to cover in the open is Art Powell, the spectacular pass catcher who was No. 3 among all receivers in 1961. The 25-year-old ex-Eagle latched on to 71 passes for 881 yards and seldom could he remember when he didn't have to out-hustle two defenders for the right to the ball. No team in the circuit plays him one-on-one, a tribute to his speed and good hands."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"Powell is a quarterback's delight. His size makes him easy to spot downfield, and his speed- he's run the 100 in 9.7- and great set of moves have opposing defenders running in circles. What's more, his hands are so big that they look ready-made for catching footballs.
Only Denver's Lionel Taylor and Houston's Charlie Hennigan caught more than his 71 receptions, good for 881 yards. His best day was October 22 when he hauled in 12 Titan passes just one short of the league record."

-1962 Fleer No. 60

PERRY RICHARDS

End

No. 80

Detroit

"Playing with the Detroit Lions and the St. Louis Cardinals, Perry has shown flashes of fine talent as an offensive end. When Detroit rocketed to the championship in '57, he gave them valuable assistance as a rookie receiver.

He's got good size and sure hands, and now after four years of playing pro he should be able to lend a valuable lift to a brand new organization."

-1961 Fleer No. 130

1962 Titans Defensive Line Profiles

GEORGE STRUGAR

Defensive Tackle

No. 73

Washington

"For a big man, George is a real speed demon. In college he was a star in basketball as well as a football star. George made the West Coast All-Defensive squad. He can play offense and defense."

-1959 Topps No. 121

"George is a former University of Washington All-Coaster. His size- ideal for a pro tackle- and agility should make him a top performer for many seasons. 'Giant George' is tough on defense."

-1959 Bell Brand No. 28

"George is a strong link in the Ram defensive line. All-Coast at Washington in 1956, he came to the Rams in 1957 determined to make his number well known to opposing quarterbacks. His ability to cause trouble in opposing backfields is remarkable."

-1960 Bell Brand No. 22

SID YOUNGELMAN
Defensive Tackle
No. 76
Alabama
"Still scrambling with the enthusiasm of a rookie is ponderous Sid Youngelman, 30, who found a new career with the Titans. Considered a relief man after service with the 49ers, Eagles and Browns, his experience went a long way toward making him one of the AFL's most destructive defenders at tackle and end. The Brooklyn-born battler makes the middle of the New York wall a formidable barrier."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook


TOM SAIDOCK
Defensive Tackle
No. 75
Michigan State
"Rangy, rugged Tom plays football with exceptional savor and savvy.
This towering tackle had an interesting career with the Spartans. He played on their 1951 and 1952 teams, then put in three years in service before finishing his varsity term. Following his graduation from Michigan State in 1957, Saidock spent two years with the Eagles.
Off-season, he is a salesman. He is married and the father of a seven-year-old son."

-1962 Fleer No. 66


NICK MUMLEY
Defensive End
No. 74
Purdue
"Obtained from the Dallas Texans shortly before the start of the 1960 season, Nick stepped right into the defensive line and has been a defensive stalwart since.
The versatile Wheeling, West Virginia native is capable of playing anywhere up front. Nick has the speed, power and desire to keep any opposition from yardage on his flank.
The rugged Purdue graduate played the 1959 College All-Star Game. Nick has since shown he is a bonafide pro."

-1962 Fleer No. 65

"Nick Mumley, 6 feet 4 and 255 pounds, will man the left flank of the Titans' defensive rush line. The big Purdue lineman earned varsity accolades with the Boilermakers in 1958, played with the College All-Stars in 1959 and had a trial with the Eagles that season. As so often happens with varsity heroes invited to play on the All-Star squad, the practice time he missed cost him a real shot with Philadelphia.

With the Titans last year, his third time around, he convincingly displayed his pro qualifications. He's a powerful smasher and has niftiness and speed as he showed last season."

-1962 New York Titans Official Program (The Polo Grounds)

LAVERNE TORCZON
Defensive End
No. 87
Nebraska
1960
Team captain at Nebraska, LaVerne was All-Big Eight two years and an All-American and the Cornhuskers' MVP as a senior. After being drafted by Cleveland, he was drafted by Uncle Sam and released by the Browns after his military service.
A leader by example, LaVerne inspires his teammates with his devastation of opposing blockers.

"Captain of the Bills, Torczon was All-Big Seven- with All-American mention- at the University of Nebraska. He played center, guard and tackle for the Cornhuskers. Torczon captained the team in 1956 and was selected as the team's most valuable player.

He signed a National League contract with Cleveland but entered military service before reporting."

-1960 Buffalo Bills Official Program

"Few will argue about calling LaVerne Torczon, the Platte Center (Nebraska) bone-crusher, one of the AFL's superior defensive ends. Now 25, he lost his NFL shot with the Browns when called into service after gaining an All-America berth in '56. A unanimous All-AFL end selection, his crashing style dissolved many blocks.
The Bills' captain, his spirit generates throughout the squad."

-1961 Pro Football Handbook

"The ends playing alongside these behemoths at defensive tackle are generally more modest in scale. They're like LaVerne Torczon, the captain and field leader of the Bills, a mere snip of a 240-pounder who was all-league last season. He's with the Bills because general manager Dick Gallagher remembered him from a trial with the Cleveland Browns (where Gallagher was a coach) four years ago. Torczon was a 210-pounder then and a linebacker. He had played center, guard and tackle for Nebraska, although he never played organized football until he went to college. The 25-year-old school teacher from Platte Center, Nebraska didn't make the Browns, but they admit they could use him at defensive end right now."

-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1961 Pro Football

"Opposing backs avoided this defensive bulwark's end as much as possible. Torczon is adept at spilling interference.
He was chosen on the AFL's first All-Star team."

-1961 Topps No. 157

"The Browns are still unhappy about losing LaVerne Torczon to the service. Drafted by Cleveland in 1956, he first got in his military duty and then decided to become a Bill in 1960.
One of the finest crashing ends, his destructive style has gained him two-time All-Pro recognition. Born in Columbus, Nebraska, LaVerne still has a sufficient number of seasons remaining to continue his harassment of passers."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"LaVerne Torczon is captain and defensive end of the Buffalo Bills, a leader who inspires by example, one of the league's most dependable performers the last two years."

-Murray Olderman, All-Pro 1962 Football

"This All-Leaguer from Nebraska is one of the greatest defensemen in football. He is tremendously versatile, playing equally as well at guard or defensive end.
The Bills' captain was a unanimous selection at end in 1960 and as a linebacker in 1961. He made the All-Big Seven two years and was selected as Nebraska's most valuable player in his senior year. He lost his NFL shot with the Browns when he was called into service in 1957 and was signed by Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Big Four in 1959."

-1962 Fleer No. 21

1962 Profile: Thurlow Cooper

Tight End
No. 88
Maine
In the Titans' season opener at Braves Field in Boston, Thurlow caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Al Dorow for a 14-7 second-quarter lead in an eventual 21-20 New York victory. In the Polo Grounds rematch against the Patriots three weeks later, he caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Dorow to give New York the lead in an eventual 37-30 win, lifting the Titans to a 3-1 record and the lead in the AFL East.
After winning many honors as a collegian at the University of Maine, Thurlow has proven reliable as both a blocker and a receiver for the feared Titan offense.

1962 Titan Offensive Line Profiles

MIKE HUDOCK
Center
No. 52
Miami
"Rugged Mike, who hails from Tunkhannock in the anthracite-laden hills of Pennsylvania, is an experienced pivotman, having played three years at the University of Miami (Fla.), two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and two with the Titans.
Big Mike is a reliable passer [sic], blocks with shattering impact and has exceptional mobility. Fast, he's usually out in front of the Titan ball carriers, who value his crisp, decisive blocking."

-1962 Fleer No. 61



BOB MISCHAK
Guard
No. 67
Army
"Again Bob Mischak held on to his laurels as a most outstanding guard. He has twice gained All-AFL honors and his blocking remains as destructive as ever.
Drafted by the Browns, he ended up with the Giants in 1958 only to quit in '59 as a result of salary differences.
The 29-year-old out of Union, New Jersey played for Army and is one of the few West Pointers who turned to the pro ranks."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

SID FOURNET 

Guard

No. 62

LSU

TEXAN OF THE WEEK

"The Dallas Texans rolled up 270 yards last week against Houston, the highest rushing figure in American Football League history, and the man leading the way much of the afternoon was former LSU All-American Sid Fournet. A versatile operative who can play any of several positions well, Fournet is considered one of the AFL's finest guards.

For his performance last week against Houston, Fournet will receive a $50 Stetson Hat, compliments of Roland Ellis. The award is given to the outstanding Texan in each home game."

-1960 Dallas Texans official program

JOHN MCMULLAN
Guard
No. 68
Notre Dame
"One of the few original Titans to appear at his position for the third straight season will be John McMullan, the starting right guard who, with Bob Mischak, gives the interior line that necessary blocking spark. This 27-year-old Bergenfield (New Jersey) bull is most difficult to defense due to his ability to come back with that second blocking effort.
He's also done time with the Giants and Eagles."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook


GENE COCKRELL
Offensive Tackle
No. 70
Hardin-Simmons
Coach Bulldog Turner, who certainly knows a good offensive lineman when he sees one, knows how much Gene fortifies the Titan offensive line. He has proven himself in every game played by New York in the AFL's first two seasons.
Along with his collegiate football career, Gene was also a member of the Hardin-Simmons rodeo team.

ALEX KROLL

Offensive Tackle

No. 55

Rutgers

"An excellent blocker who calls decisive signals, Alex has tremendous hustle and spirit. The team's captain majors in English and has a special academic scholarship."

-1961 Nu-Cards No. 123

JACK KLOTZ
Offensive Tackle
No. 78
Pennsylvania Military College
Jack played every game for the Titans in both 1960 and 1961 and has shown the adaptability to protect his team's passers from the ever-changing tactics of opposing defenses. A veteran of the Canadian Football League, his experience has also been helpful to Titan running backs.