ED RUTKOWSKI
Kick Returner-Halfback
No. 40
Notre Dame
"If the Bills fail to find a runner to complement Cookie Gilchrist, look for Ed Rutkowski to help out again in an offensive role.
Born in Kingston, Pennsylvania, he was an unwanted rookie in 1963 until the Bills took him on as a free agent with the idea that a club can never have too many defensive backs. Before long, however, he went to the offense as a runner and receiver when Roger Kochman was injured, and sparkled in a position he hadn't played since high school.
Ed gained 408 yards as a rusher and a receiver; his eventual 1964 position will be determined after the club shapes up in exhibition play."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1964
"Ed surprised and embarrassed a lot of the so-called 'experts' during an exciting rookie campaign last year. Overlooked in the regular draft, Ed was signed as a free agent by the Bills. The former Notre Dame defensive star has the size and speed which is necessary for a top defensive back.
In college, Ed competed in track and was an outstanding wrestler."
-1964 Topps No. 35
BILL GROMAN
Flanker
No. 89
Heidelberg
"Bill Groman is statistical proof that practice can make one almost perfect. Working overtime in drills, this 25-year-old end became proficient enough to gain more yards with caught passes than any other. He pulled in 72 forwards for 1,473 yards, a top average of 20.5 per catch. He was also on the receiving end of the longest touchdown pass reception of the year (92 yards), performances adequate enough to earn all-star recognition at offensive end."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"A halfback, sprinter, broad jumper and all-around track man at Heidelberg, Bill, who had an outstanding year at end, may be used in addition at halfback in 1961.
He was chosen All-AFL last year with 72 passes caught, 1,473 yards gained and 12 touchdowns. Only Denver's Lionel Taylor caught more passes, 92, but Groman with fewer passes gained 238 more yards. His 20.5 average per catch is considered fantastic for pro ball."
-1961 Fleer No. 172
"Groman ran some of the trickiest pass patterns in the AFL last season. He caught 72 passes for 12 touchdowns and a league high of 1,473 yards."
-1961 Topps No. 142
"The touchdown-getter of 1961 was Bill Groman, 26, the all-league offensive end of 1960. He nailed 50 passes, 17 of which were taken in for touchdowns. His average of 23.5 yards per pass received was another league high, all of this done despite his absence from two full games.
His tremendous speed and magic fingers make him a spectacular pass-grabber."
-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook
"Groman made the AFL All-Star team for the second straight year in 1961. He tied an all-time pro mark by snaring 17 touchdown passes. He caught a season total of 50 aerials for 1,175 yards and the remarkable average of 23.5 yards per catch. Bill's receptions tied him for sixth in that department, but his 1,175 yards was the third highest total in the loop.
Groman was sixth in scoring, with 108 points. That's the highest total of points, scored solely on touchdowns, since 1947."
-1962 Fleer No. 49
"All the Oiler brass expect Bill Groman of Tifford, Ohio to recover the dashing style he exhibited as a split end in 1961 when he brought down 17 touchdown passes. A knee operation early in '62 made for a disappointing campaign when he caught only 21 forwards for three scores.
Groman was a tremendous running halfback in college and used his sprinter's speed to befuddle defensive secondaries. If physically sound, he gives the club- along with Hennigan- the best pass-catching duo in the circuit."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963
"Making a comeback with the Broncos, flankerback Bill Groman is searching for the form that made him one of the AFL's most dangerous pass catchers with the Oilers during their 1960-61 championship seasons. He was slowed by a knee injury in 1962.
As a rookie out of small Heidelberg College, he grabbed 72 passes for 1,472 yards in 1960. The next season he caught 50 for 1,175 yards and an AFL record of 17 touchdown passes while compiling a remarkable 23.5 average gain. A dash man in college, he hopes to regain his speed."
-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964
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