-1960 Pro Football Handbook
"An old-pro look makes Buffalo's re-entry into professional football promising: the Bills are one-two as a preseason favorite in the AFL. The Bills, carrying pro football back to a town that was a solid entry in the old All-America Conference, have the most professional look in the AFL. Owner Ralph Wilson has owned stock in the Lions. General manager Dick Gallagher was a valued assistant to Paul Brown for many years. Head coach Buster Ramsey built that terrific defense during Detroit's championship years.
And the Bills, more than any other club, thoroughly canvassed the country for men with pro experience and dredged up some good ones. Gallagher persuaded Tommy O'Connell, who piloted Cleveland to an Eastern Division title in 1957, to forget about coaching at Drake and become a quarterback again. He's only 29. Maurice Bassett, Cleveland's regular fullback before Jimmy Brown, is also in the fold.
It's too bad they can't use one of Ramsey's assistants actively, for Jack Butler was the outstanding defensive back in pro ball for several years at Pittsburgh until bad ankles persuaded him to become a strategist this season. There'll be other secondary veterans with experience, though- Bill Kinard of Green Bay and Bill Atkins of San Francisco. Old pros appear at offensive end, too, in Tom Rychlec of the Lions and Dick Brubaker of the Cardinals. Dan McGrew, a center, and LaVerne Torczon, a linebacker, have played in the NFL.
The Bills didn't neglect young blood, either. In the draft they nabbed Richie Lucas, Penn State's All-American quarterback, a fine talent any place in the backfield, offense or defense. Harold Olson carries 250 pounds at tackle and was the equal of the more publicized Lou Cordileone at Clemson. Bob Pepe was a fine end at North Carolina State, and check a kid named Elbert Dubenion of Bluffton College who was caught in a contract squeeze between Canada and Cleveland last year that kept him out of pro ball. He's a halfback who has scampered the 100 in 9.5.
The Bills have already earned enough respect to be ranked with Houston as a preseason favorite in a new circuit where assessment is difficult."
-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1960 Pro Football
"Up in Buffalo they will tell you in rapid-fire order that the resurrected Buffalo Bills have the biggest coach, the finest rookie, the fastest halfback and the best team in the American Football League.
There is no argument on the first count. Buster Ramsey weighs in at 260 pounds and the outspoken Bills' pilot should be one of the really colorful characters in a league striving desperately for just that quality.
As for the rest:
Richie Lucas of Penn State is the prize rookie and the Buffalo boosters may be right again. He can make this squad at any one of three positions- quarterback, halfback and defensive halfback. There seems to be some question as to his passing accuracy but he does a workmanlike job and when he runs the option they'd better keep out of his way.
The Bills undoubtedly had to bid high to land Lucas. He was the NFL Redskins' top draft selection this season, and All-Americans come high on the open market. But the feeling in the Buffalo front office is that this quiet, almost shy young man, who is a master of the rollout pass option, can develop into one of the top drawing cards in the league.
As an added argument, the 6-1, 183-pounder was one of the country's top collegiate pass defenders last year. He is a vicious tackler in the secondary and could handle the team's punting in a pinch.
Elbert Dubenion is the speedster out of Bluffton College, and certainly his 9.5 time in the 100 supports that contention. But Buffalo fans had better wait awhile. Last fall Dunebion hurt his knee and it cost him a shot with the Browns. When he checked into summer camp, he hadn't played a game in over a year. He can run- but he'll have to prove it.
Now for that 'best team' tag. The Bills rate as a top contender for division honors. Ramsey has chosen his talent cautiously and well. He coaxed quarterback Tommy O'Connell out of the head coaching job at Drake and back into pro football. O'Connell, who passed the Browns to a divisional title in 1957, is the quarterback of record. His availability opens the way for Lucas as a passing halfback if Ramsey wants to get more artillery into the attack.
He also has a 205-pound fullback named Merlin Priddy, who is billed by the Buffalo publicity machine as 'the greatest second-string fullback in the history of college football.' That may be overstating the case, but it is true that Priddy had little chance to show to advantage as an understudy for All-American Jack Spikes at TCU. Once out of Spikes' shadow last year in the Cotton Bowl, however, he wound up with the award for most valuable player.
Rounding out the class of backfield talent that checked into summer camp was Maurice Bassett, the ex-Browns fullback trying for a comeback. The 220-pounder lists his age as 29 (which may be a cautious accounting) and his return to form is by no means certain. A sound Bassett could really add to an already talent-rich backfield situation.
The end corps has good experience. Two NFL vets, Dick Brubaker (Cards) and Tom Rychlec (Lions) are the top hands, with a talented pass-catching rookie from North Carolina State named Bob Pepe as a challenge to the seasoned duo.
The same is true of the defensive secondary where NFL recruits Billy Kinnard (brother of Mississippi All-American Bruiser) and Billy Atkins are sure starters. Atkins will also handle the punting and place-kicking. He averaged 41 yards a boot with the 49ers so there seems to be little difficulty ahead there.
Ramsey's chief headache is centered about the interior line. Key rookies up front include 'Dangerous' Dan McGrew (Purdue center- 238 pounds), Jerry Ward (Dayton guard- 238 pounds) and Bob Sedlock (Georgia tackle- 295 pounds). There is also a 240-pounder from Nebraska named LaVerne Torczon, who is listed as an end but will probably wind up with an assignment in the interior line.
The rest of the line picture is gloomy. But Ramsey is peculiarly suited for his task. He compiled a brilliant reputation as a defensive coach with the NFL Lions. His proteges include Jack Christiansen, Joe Schmidt and Yale Lary.
They have been waiting 11 years for pro football to return to Buffalo and if the defense jells, the Bills could be a winner the first time out. Certainly, this club will have drawing power.
'Lucas will make this league,' enthuses Bills' publicity man Chuck Burr. 'He'll be the most colorful player in it.' He may be right."
-Jerry Izenberg, 1960 Dell Sports Magazine Pro Football
1960 BUFFALO BILLS PRESEASON ROSTER
Birtho Arnold (T) Ohio State
Bill Atkins (DB) Auburn
Maurice Bassett (FB) Langston
Ed Bowers (DB) Syracuse
Bob Brodhead (QB) Duke
Dick Brubaker (E) Ohio State
Gary Cobb (G) Miami (Ohio)
Ed Coffin (HB-FB) Syracuse
John Conger (T) Appalachian State
Albert Lee Crow (T) William & Mary
Ray Davis (FB) Detroit
Elbert Dubenion (HB) Bluffton
Dick Evans (E) VMI
Willie Evans (HB) Buffalo
Frank Finney (QB) Brown
Bob Finkowski (HB) Iowa
Russ Goings (G) Xavier
Joe Guido (HB) Youngstown
Darrell Harper (HB) Michigan
Billy Kinard (DB) Mississippi
Gerald King (LB-G) Kent State
Tony Latell (E) Dayton
Richie Lucas (QB) Penn State
Archie Matsos (G-LB) Michigan State
Dan McGrew (C) Purdue
Chuck McMurtry (T) Whittier
Ed Miller (G-LB) East Kentucky State
Ron Miller (E) Vanderbilt
Ray Moss (LB) Tennessee
Mike Muehlbauer (G) Notre Dame
Chuck Muelhaupt (G) Iowa State
Dave Nichting (E) John Carroll
Tommy O'Connell (QB) Illinois
Harold Olson (T) Clemson
Pete Opolka (FB) Buffalo
Vince Palyan (FB-LB) Dayton
Jim Payne (G) Clemson
Bob Pepe (E) North Carolina State
Merlin Priddy (FB) Texas Christian
Dennis Remmert (LB) Iowa State Teachers
Charles Rutkowski (T-DE) Ripon College
Tom Rychlec (E) American International
Charles Santos (FB)
Joe Schaffer (T-G) Tennessee
Tom Schulte (E) East Kentucky State
Bob Sedlock (T) Georgia
Jim Sellars (LB) Cortland State
Art Smith (FB-HB) Cortland State
Jim Sorey (T) Texas Southern
Phil Svetich (FB) Drake
George Tardiff (T-G) St. Benedict's (Kentucky)
LaVerne Torczon (E) Nebraska
Joe Trivisonno (FB) Ohio State
Jerry Ward (G) Dayton
Bob Williams (G) South Carolina State
Frank Wyde (T) Cornell
William Zavaldi (LB) Western Illinois
-1960 Pro Football Handbook
1960 BUFFALO BILLS PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
Offense
QB- Tommy O'Connell (Illinois) 14, Bob Brodhead (Duke) 17, Johnny Green (Tennessee-Chattanooga) 18
HB- Richie Lucas (Penn State) 11, Joe Kulbacki (Purdue) 43, Darrell Harper (Michigan) 41, Willie Evans (Buffalo) 28
FB- Wray Carlton (Duke) 30, Maurice Bassett (Langston) 38, Merlin Priddy (TCU) 32, Carl Smith (Tennessee) 35
SE- Dick Brubaker (Ohio State) 88, Dan Chamberlain (Sacramento State) 84, Bob Pepe (North Carolina State) 82
T- Harold Olson (Clemson) 74, Gene Grabosky (Syracuse) 78
G- Phil Blazer (North Carolina) 60, Jerry Ward (Purdue) 61
C- Dan McGrew (Purdue) 52
G- Chuck Muelhaupt (Iowa State) 70, Gary Cobb (Miami-Ohio) 66
T- Bob Sedlock (Georgia) 75, Don Chelf (Iowa) 77
TE- Tom Rychlec (American International) 81, Monte Crockett (New Mexico Highlands) 80
FL- Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44, Tony Latell (Dayton) 86
Defense
DE- Mack Yoho (Miami-Ohio) 71, Charlie Rutkowski (Ripon College) 85
DT- Chuck McMurtry (Whittier) 73, Jack Scott (Ohio State) 76
DT- Jim Sorey (Texas Southern) 79
DE- LaVerne Torczon (Nebraska) 87
LB- Jack Laraway (Purdue) 57, Dennis Remmert (Iowa State Teachers College) 53
MLB- Archie Matsos (Michigan State) 56, Sam Sanders (Buffalo) 51, Bernard Buzyniski (Holy Cross) 55
LB- Joe Schaffer (Tennessee) 67, Ray Moss (Tennessee) 58
HB- Billy Atkins (Auburn) 20, Richie Lucas (Penn State) 11
S- Jim Wagstaff (Idaho State) 22, Ed Bowers (Syracuse) 21
S- Richie McCabe (Pittsburgh) 45
HB- Billy Kinard (Mississippi) 24, Jack Johnson (Miami) 42
K- Billy Atkins (Auburn) 20
P- Billy Atkins (Auburn) 20
KR- Joe Kulbacki (Purdue) 43
PR- Joe Kulbacki (Purdue) 43
1960 Buffalo Bills Fleer Cards
Billy Atkins
Gary Cobb
Elbert Dubenion
Willie Evans
Gene Grabosky
Billy Kinard
Richie Lucas
Dan McGrew
Ray Moss
Tommy O'Connell
Buster Ramsey
Tom Rychlec
Sam Sanders
Joe Schaffer
1960 Bills team issue, alphabetical
Owner - Ralph Wilson
General Manager - Dick Gallagher
Head Coach - Buster Ramsey
Coach - Bob Dove
Coach - Harvey Johnson
Coach - Floyd Reid
Billy Atkins
Bob Barrett
Phil Blazer
Bob Brodhead
Dick Brubaker
Bernie Buzyniski
Wray Carlton
Don Chelf
Monte Crockett
Elbert Dubenion
Fred Ford
Darrell Harper
Jack Johnson
Billy Kinard
Joe Kulbacki
Jack Laraway
Richie Lucas
Archie Matsos
Richie McCabe
Dan McGrew
Chuck McMurtry
Ed Meyer
Ed Muelhaupt
Tommy O'Connell
Harold Olson
Tom Rychlec
Joe Schaffer
Jack Scott
Bob Sedlock
Carl Smith
Jim Sorey
Laverne Torczon
Jim Wagstaff
Mack Yoho
1960 Bills team issue, by position
Owner - Ralph Wilson
General Manager - Dick Gallagher
Head Coach - Buster Ramsey
Coach - Bob Dove
Coach - Harvey Johnson
Coach - Floyd Reid
QB Tommy O'Connell
QB Bob Brodhead
HB Richie Lucas
HB Fred Ford
FB Wray Carlton
FB Carl Smith
FL Elbert Dubenion
E Monte Crockett
E Tom Rychlec
E Bob Barrett
C Dan McGrew
G Phil Blazer
G Don Chelf
G Ed Muelhaupt
T Harold Olson
T Ed Meyer
T Bob Sedlock
DT Chuck McMurtry
DT Jim Sorey
DT Jack Scott
DE Laverne Torczon
DE Mack Yoho
DE Dick Brubaker
MLB Archie Matsos
LB Jack Laraway
LB Joe Schaffer
LB Bernie Buzyniski
DHB Richie McCabe
DHB Billy Kinard
DHB Jack Johnson
S Jim Wagstaff
S Billy Atkins (K-P)
K Darrell Harper (HB)
KR Joe Kulbacki (HB)
1960 Buffalo Bills Profile Summary
Head Coach - Buster Ramsey
QB - Tommy O'Connell (Illinois) 14
QB - Johnny Green (Tennessee-Chattanooga) 18
DT- Chuck McMurtry (Whittier) 73
DT- Jim Sorey (Texas Southern) 79
HB - Richie Lucas (Penn State) 11
HB - Joe Kublacki (Purdue) 43
HB - Wilmer Fowler (Northwestern) 23
HB - Willie Evans (Buffalo) 28
HB - Ted Wegert 33
FB - Wray Carlton (Duke) 30
FB - Carl Smith (Tennessee) 35
FB- Maurice Bassett (Langston) 38
FB - Hal Lewis (Houston) 27
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44
SE - Dan Chamberlain (Sacramento State) 84
SE - Dick Brubaker (Ohio State) 88
TE- Tom Rychlec (American International) 81
TE - Monte Crockett (New Mexico Highlands) 80
C - Dan McGrew (Purdue) 52
G - Phil Blazer (North Carolina) 60
G- Chuck Muelhaupt (Iowa State) 70
G - Gary Cobb (Miami-Ohio) 66
T- Harold Olson (Clemson) 74
T - Don Chelf (Iowa) 77
T - Gene Grabosky (Syracuse) 78
T - Bob Sedlock (Georgia) 75
DT- Jim Sorey (Texas Southern) 79
DT - Gene Grabosky (Syracuse) 78
DT - Jack Scott (Ohio State) 76
DT - Eddie Meyer (West Texas State) 62
DE- LaVerne Torczon (Nebraska) 87DE- Mack Yoho (Miami-Ohio) 71
MLB - Archie Matsos (Michigan State) 56
MLB - Sam Sanders (Buffalo) 51
LB- Joe Schaffer (Tennessee) 67
LB - Jack Laraway (Purdue) 57
LB - Bernie Buzyniski (Holy Cross) 55
LB - Ray Moss (Tennessee) 58
DHB- Billy Atkins (Auburn) 20DHB - Billy Kinard (Mississippi) 24
DHB - Jack Johnson (Miami) 42
S- Richie McCabe (Pittsburgh) 45
S- Jim Wagstaff (Idaho State) 22
K- Billy Atkins (Auburn) 20
P- Billy Atkins (Auburn) 20
S- Richie McCabe (Pittsburgh) 45
S- Jim Wagstaff (Idaho State) 22
K- Billy Atkins (Auburn) 20
P- Billy Atkins (Auburn) 20
November 27, 1960 Buffalo Bills Probable Starting Lineups
Offense
LE Monte Crockett 80
LT Harold Olson 74
LG Phil Blazer 60
C Dan McGrew 52
RG Ed Meulhaupt 70
RT Don Chelf 77
RE Tom Rychlec 81
QB Tom O'Connell 14
LH Richie Lucas 11
RH Elbert Dubenion 44
FB Wray Carlton 30
Defense
LE Mack Yoho 71
LT Chuck McMurtry 73
RT Jim Sorey 79
RE LaVerne Torczon 80
LLB Joe Hergert 54
MLB Archie Matsos 56
RLB Joe Schaffer 67
LC Richie McCabe 45
LS Jim Wagstaff 22
RC Billy Kinard 24
RS Billy Atkins 20
-1960 Denver Broncos Official Program (Bears Stadium)
November 27, 1960 Buffalo Bills Roster
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
18 John Green (Chattanooga)
14 Tom O'Connell (Illinois)
Halfbacks
44 Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton)
23 Wilmer Fowler (Northwestern)
43 Joe Kulbacki (Purdue)
11 Richie Lucas (Penn State)
Fullbacks
30 Wray Carlton (Duke)
35 Carl Smith (Tennessee)
Ends
84 Dan Chamberlain (Sacramento State)
80 Monte Crockett (New Mexico Highlands)
81 Tom Rychlec (American International)
Tackles
77 Don Chelf (Iowa)
75 Tony Discenzo (Michigan State)
74 Harold Olson (Clemson)
Guards
60 Phil Blazer (North Carolina)
70 Ed Muelhaupt (Iowa State)
Centers
52 Dan McGrew (Purdue)
DEFENSE
Ends
87 LaVerne Torczon (Nebraska)
71 Mack Yoho (Miami-Ohio)
Tackles
73 Chuck McMurtry (Whittier)
76 John Scott (Ohio State)
79 Jim Sorey (Texas Southern)
Linebackers
55 Bernard Buzyniski (Holy Cross)
54 Joe Hergert (Florida)
57 Jack Laraway (Purdue)
56 Archie Matsos (Michigan State)
67 Joe Schaffer (Tennessee)
Backs
20 Bill Atkins (Auburn)
42 Jack Johnson (Miami-Florida)
24 Billy Kinard (Mississippi)
45 Richie McCabe (Pittsburgh)
22 Jim Wagstaff (Idaho State)
-1960 Denver Broncos Official Program (Bears Stadium)
December 4, 1960 Buffalo Bills Depth Chart
Offense
Flanker: Elbert Dubenion 44
Fullback: Wray Carlton 30, Carl Smith 35
Left Halfback: Richie Lucas 11, Joe Kulbacki 43, Wilmer Fowler 23
Quarterback: Tom O'Connell 14, John Green 18
Right End: Tom Rychlec 81, Alan Hoisington 88
Right Tackle: Mack Yoho 71, Tony Discenzo 75
Right Guard: Don Chelf 77, Ed Meulhaupt 70
Center: Dan McGrew 52, Phil Blazer 60
Left Guard: Phil Blazer 60, Ed Meulhaupt 70
Left Tackle: Harold Olson 74
Left End: Monte Crockett 80, Dan Chamberlain 84
Defense
Left End: Mack Yoho 71
Left Tackle: Chuck McMurtry 73, John Scott 76
Middle Linebacker: Archie Matsos 56
Right Tackle: Jim Sorey 79, John Scott 76
Rignt End: LaVerne Torczon 80
Left Linebacker: Jack Laraway 57, Joe Hergert 54
Left Halfback: Richie McCabe 45, Jim Wagstaff 22
Left Safety: Jim Wagstaff 22, Richie McCabe 45
Right Safety: Billy Atkins 20, Jack Johnson 42, Billy Kinard 24
Right Halfback: Billy Kinard 24, Billy Atkins 20
Right Linebacker: Bernie Buzyniski 55, Joe Schaffer 67
-1960 Buffalo Bills Official Program (War Memorial Stadium)
December 4, 1960 Buffalo Bills' Roster
Quarterbacks
14 Tom O'Connell (Illinois)
18 John Green (Chattanooga)
Halfbacks
11 Richie Lucas (Penn State)
20 Bill Atkins (Auburn)
22 Jim Wagstaff (Idaho State)
23 Wilmer Fowler (Northwestern)
24 Billy Kinard (Mississippi)
42 Jack Johnson (Miami-Florida)
43 Joe Kulbacki (Purdue)
44 Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton)
45 Richie McCabe (Pittsburgh)
Fullbacks
30 Wray Carlton (Duke)
35 Carl Smith (Tennessee)
Centers
52 Dan McGrew (Purdue)
Linebackers
54 Joe Hergert (Florida)
55 Bernard Buzyniski (Holy Cross)
56 Archie Matsos (Michigan State)
57 Jack Laraway (Purdue)
67 Joe Schaffer (Tennessee)
Guards
60 Phil Blazer (North Carolina)
70 Ed Muelhaupt (Iowa State)
77 Don Chelf (Iowa)
Tackles
73 Chuck McMurtry (Whittier)
74 Harold Olson (Clemson)
75 Tony Discenzo (Michigan State)
76 John Scott (Ohio State)
79 Jim Sorey (Texas Southern)
Ends
71 Mack Yoho (Miami-Ohio)
80 Monte Crockett (New Mexico Highlands)
81 Tom Rychlec (American International)
84 Dan Chamberlain (Sacramento State), Captain
87 LaVerne Torczon (Nebraska)
88 Alan Hoisington (Pasadena CC)
-1960 Buffalo Bills Official Program (War Memorial Stadium)
December 18, 1960 Buffalo Bills Probable Offensive Starters
80 Monte Crockett LE
74 Harold Olson LT
60 Phil Blazer LG
52 Dan McGrew C
70 Ed Meulhaupt RG
77 Don Chelf RT
81 Tom Rychlec RE
11 Richie Lucas QB
23 Wilmer Fowler HB
44 Elbert Dubenion HB
30 Wray Carlton FB
-1960 Dallas Texans Official Program (Cotton Bowl)
December 18, 1960 Buffalo Bills Squad
11 Lucas HB
14 O'Connell QB
18 Green QB
20 Atkins HB
22 Wagstaff HB
23 Fowler HB
24 Kinard HB
30 Carlton FB
35 Smith HB
42 Johnson HB
43 Kulbacki FB
44 Dubenion HB
45 McCabe HB
52 McGrew C
54 Hergert LB
55 Buzyniski LB
56 Matsos LB
57 Laraway LB
60 Blazer G
67 Schaffer G
70 Muelhaupt T
71 Yoho E
73 McMurtry T
74 Olson T
76 Scott T
77 Chelf T
78 Grabosky T
79 Sorey T
80 Crockett E
81 Rychlec E
84 Chamberlain E
87 Torczon E
88 Hoisington E
-1960 Dallas Texans Official Program (Cotton Bowl)
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