AL BEMILLER
Center
No. 50
Syracuse
"Al won a regular job with the Bills in his rookie season. A durable center, Al is a top-notch blocker who excels on pass protection.
With Syracuse, the All-East collegian was voted 'the college center with the best potential.' Al was formerly his prep school's wrestling champion.
The center has put on 15 pounds since his rookie campaign in 1961."
-1964 Topps No. 25
WALT CUDZIK
Center
No. 53
Purdue
"The top AFL center in 1960 was Walt Cudzik, the 28-year-old Chicago charger who got off his mark more than any of the circuit's other snappers. Battle-wise Walt gave an offensive zing to the Patriots' ground game, breaking through defensive barriers with businesslike dispatch. He was the natural leader of an interior line that found ground yardage difficult to come by."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"A first-team all-league selection last year, Walt showed it's possible to come back. An All-Big Ten Center and All-American nominee in 1954, he played with the Washington Redskins and started the 1955 season with the Giants before leaving to coach a high school team in Chicago. Walt was an assistant coach at Purdue in 1959 before making his successful comeback with the Boston team last season."
-1961 Fleer No. 182
"Walter left his job as assistant coach at Purdue to make a successful pro comeback last year. A rugged blocker, he played with very little relief."
-1961 Topps No. 179
"The former Big Ten center and All-America nominee continued his fine comeback last year when he was named alternate center on the All-AFL team. The year before he made the first all-league team.
A Chicago native, Walt began his pro career with the Washington Redskins. He started the 1955 season with the New York Giants but left to coach a high school in Chicago. The Patriots induced Walt to come back and all parties concerned are glad he did."
-1962 Fleer No. 7
BILLY SHAW
Guard
No. 66
Georgia Tech
"Another All-AFL selection, guard Billy Shaw is in only his fourth pro season. Considered one of the best players in football at pulling out of the line to lead a running play, he's a bodyguard for Gilchrist on many a play.
Out of Georgia Tech, he's big (at 6-3, 250) but fast and many AFL observers claim he's the equal of Jerry Kramer of the Packers, considered to be the NFL's best guard. He figures to be an anchorman of the Bills' offense for the next decade."
-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964
"King of all the AFL guards is Billy Shaw, the Natchez nugget who is the most pulverizing of pullers coming out of the line. Opposing tackles and ends are aware of his quick and explosive blocking techniques and admit that he doesn't stop after making just one block.
The Bill captain was one of the most feared at Georgia Tech as an all-time Engineer on defense and offense. A second All-AFL choice in '62, he was a unanimous selection last season, one in which he was considered to be approaching the vast potential his coaches claim he has in abundance."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1964
"Billy will be a welcome addition to the Buffalo Bills' offensive unit in 1964. During his playing days in college, he demonstrated his effectiveness by continually harassing opposing quarterbacks.
Fast and highly mobile, Billy has the agility to make him one of the real greats in the American Football League. This big guard is also a top blocker."
-1964 Topps No. 38
KEN RICE
Guard
No. 75
Auburn
"Following his brilliant collegiate career with Auburn, Ken Rice was the Buffalo Bills' No. 1 draft pick. In his rookie season in the American Football League, the defensive end won quite a reputation for himself with his strong, aggressive play. A knee injury hampered Ken during the 1962 campaign.
Because of Ken's exceptional speed, coaches may shift this dynamo to guard."
-1964 Topps No. 34
STEW BARBER
Offensive Tackle
No. 77
Penn State
"Now in his third AFL season, offensive tackle Stew Barber is recognized as one of the premier players at his position in pro football. He was selected All-AFL by both wire-service polls last season, a remarkable honor for a second-year man.
Big and fast, he provides excellent pass blocking protection for Bill quarterbacks. He's also a terror at clearing the way for Cookie Gilchrist and the other Bill runners.
Out of Penn State, he looms as a star for years and years to come."
-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964
"The most improved lineman of 1963 was the 248-pound captain, Stew Barber, who worked himself into an All-AFL berth with an exceptional performance at offensive tackle. Considered a better blocker on passes than runs, he was a linebacker in '61, moving to offense in '62.
Born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, he was a No. 4 draft pick as a 228-pound linebacker. During this fall's pre-season training drills he'll be asked to shoulder more pull-out blocking assignments in order to give the club more running speed to the outside.
An opposing tackle who spent a long afternoon tying to get by Stew said: 'I've never been knocked out of the play by so many different types of blocks. That man must have a warehouse full of 'em.'"
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1964
"Stew was drafted 4th in the American Football League draft, back in 1961. Though barely 24 years old, he is starting his fourth season with the Buffalo Bills. Multi-talented, Stew shifted to offensive tackle in 1962 and became an important cog in the Bills' offensive line that year.
Experts predict that Stew will have a long and successful career in the American Football League."
-1964 Topps No. 23
DAVE BEHRMAN
Offensive Tackle
No. 51
Michigan State
"Dave joined the Bills last season after rolling up a fantastic record as an All-American for Michigan State. The youngster was Buffalo's number one draft pick and he made all their fans happy when he signed with the Bills.
At Michigan State, Dave starred as a center and a tackle. In fact, the college star was the biggest lineman ever to play for the Michigan State Spartans."
-1964 Topps No. 24
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