1962 Bills Safety Profiles

CARL TASEFF 

Safety

No. 23

John Carroll

"A Little All-America selection in college, he plays halfback on defense and either fullback or halfback on offense. When Zollie Toth was injured last season, Taseff took over at fullback and did such a good job that he remained an offensive back the rest of the season.

A 'control' runner, he picks his holes well and has a nifty change of pace which allows him to set up would-be tacklers for blocks and fakes."

-1955 Bowman No. 103

"Carl was the league leader in 1956 with the most punt returns and most yardage via the runback route. In one game, he settled under a punt on his own 10-yard line and bolted 90 yards for a score.

Carl scored 22 touchdowns as a college senior. He gained 3,045 rushing yards in his varsity career."

-1957 Topps No. 77

"Rebounding from a badly broken nose that idled him through the last eight games of 1957, Carl sparkled throughout 1958, starting every contest and intercepting seven passes.

He's been a busy guy since coming to Baltimore, returning 102 punts for 768 yards and hauling 28 kickoffs back for a total of 730 yards. As a rusher, Taseff has averaged 4.9 yards per trip. Three times he has exceeded 90 yards on scoring excursions, once with a punt and twice with missed field goals.

The Cleveland Browns drafted him on the 22nd round in 1951. Carl lives in Parma, Ohio."

-1959 Baltimore Colts Official Program

"Taseff quietly begins his ninth pro year. He started as a Brown in 1951, became a Colt in '53 and, except for '57 when a broken nose knocked him out of action, has been quite active as a defensive halfback and punt returner. In '59 he was No. 10 in the league in returns, carting 15 for 104 yards; he also picked off two enemy tosses. Shifty and difficult to contain once under way, Taseff has also been an offensive back.

He was a Little All-American at John Carroll University and lives in Parma, Ohio."

-1960 Pro Football Handbook  

"This fall may find Carl on the attack for the first time since he smashed for 284 yards as a fullback in 1954. Since then he's been a highly effective defensive halfback- tackling hard and intercepting 17 passes and returning them 183 yards.

He's also a dependable scatback on punts and kickoffs, having accumulated 762 yards on 101 punds and 674 yards via 28 kickoffs. Minus blinding speed, Carl picks his way carefully and has runbacks of 96 and 99 yards to his credit.

Drafted 22nd by Cleveland in 1951, he spent 1952 in the Army before coming to Baltimore. His hometown in Parma, Ohio."

-1960 Baltimore Colts Official Program

"Twice selected an All-Pro defensive back. Taseff had an eight-year hitch with the Baltimore Colts. Also rated one of pro football's best kickoff and punt return men, he's gained over 1,000 yards on kickoff returns.

Taseff is smart and always thinking on the field. He stays in top physical condition all year, accounting for his ability to continue into his 10th season without a noticeable loss of speed or agility."

-1962 Buffalo Bills Official Program, War Memorial Stadium

CARL CHARON 

Safety

No. 43

Michigan State

"Another promising rookie from Michigan State. He's considered an outstanding defensive halfback prospect despite the fact Charon concentrated on defense only during his senior college season. He was an outstanding running back during his sophomore and junior years. A three-sport star at Michigan State, Charon is fast and extremely strong. His lack of height does not seem to be a deterrent."

-1962 Buffalo Bills Official Program (War Memorial Stadium)

RAY ABRUZZESE 

Safety

No. 46

Alabama

"Tough and talented defensive halfback for 1961 national champion University of Alabama. He intercepted four passes for the Crimson Tide in '61 and made 56 individual tackles. 

Shifted to offense by Bills' coach Lou Saban, he has the speed and power to do a big job despite the competition and a lack of experience. Used as a wild card substitute, he's also considered an excellent punt return man."

-1962 Buffalo Bills Official Program, War Memorial Stadium

BILLY ATKINS
Safety-Kicker
No. 20
Auburn
"The man who gets the biggest 'boot' out of the game is Billy Atkins, the Millport (Alabama) mechanic who established AFL records in 1961 with 84 punts and a 45 per punt average. He led pass interceptors (10) last year and dashed for 87 yards on two running attempts from a fake kick formation.
Billy was an All-Pro selection as a safetyman."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"Billy Atkins of the Buffalo Bills led the AFL in two departments in 1961- interceptions, with 11, and punting, with a 45-yard average. The former Forty-Niner and Auburn star had his greatest season in pro ball."

-Murray Olderman, All-Pro 1962 Football

"An All-Southeastern Conference halfback in college, this Birmingham, Alabama speedster switched to defense in the pros and he was rewarded last year by making the second All-Pro team in the AFL. A brilliant kicker, Bill led all the Bills' punters in 1961 with a 45.0 yard average for 84 kicks.
A star in the East-West and College All-Star contests after graduating in 1957, Atkins joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1958. Two years later he joined the Bills."

-1962 Fleer No. 18

WAYNE CROW
Safety-Offensive Halfback-Punter
No. 22
California

"Wayne made his college reputation at California as an offensive star, both at quarterback and at halfback. He was voted the Bears' top offensive player in the 1959 Rose Bowl. When he graduated he was voted Cal's outstanding athlete for his football and track contributions.

Upon joining the Raiders he showed his all-around skill by fitting in neatly on defense."

-1961 Fleer No. 198

"An indispensable all-service man to Oakland, Wayne has seen duty on the Raiders' offensive, defensive and kicking teams. A halfback and quarterback at California, Wayne was used primarily as a defensive back in 1960. In 1961, Oakland was ailing for an offensive halfback. Since he played that position in college, Wayne was called on to perform. He did his job well, piling up 490 yards on 119 carries for a 4.1 average. This ranked him eighth among AFL runners.

Crow is also the Raiders' punter. In 1961, he averaged 41.5 on 63 punts."

-1962 Fleer No. 73

"A wrenched knee slowed up halfback-punter Wayne Crow in 1961, but not sufficiently to keep him from leading the club in running (490 yards on 119 carries), gaining 196 yards on 23 receptions and closing out as the league's No. 3 punter with a 41.5 average- all after being transferred from the defensive platoon.

The 24-year-old from Corcoran, Calif., came to the club in '60 and was outstanding as a rookie safety intercepting four passes. One of the few genuine two-way threats in the loop, his '62 future is still to be determined now that Bo Roberson has been acquired from San Diego."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook 

"Obtained from Oakland in early July in a trade for M.C. Reynolds and Chuck McMurtry. The Raiders leading rusher in 1961, Crow averaged 4.1 yards on 119 carries, ranking eighth in the league. He caught 23 passes.

Crow also averaged 41.5 yards  per punt to rank second only to the Bills' Billy Atkins. He can also play defense."

-1962 Buffalo Bills Official Program, War Memorial Stadium

Wayne was used by Oakland mostly as a defensive back as a rookie in 1960 and on offense as a halfback last year, serving as the Raiders' punter both seasons. His 72-yard punt in 1960 was the AFL's longest that season, and in 1961 he averaged 41.5 yards on 63 punts, his longest 77 yards. Wayne's 490 yards rushing in '61 placed him eighth in the AFL.
In his college career at California, Wayne was both a quarterback and a halfback.