1965 Buffalo Bills Outlook

"While nobody is saying that the Bills are about to start fading like the Buffalo nickel, they are going to rub against some stronger opposition being minted in the league this season. If they fail to repeat in '65, don't cash them in. Credit it to a stronger AFL foundation.
The same wrecking crew that powered the Bills to the Eastern Division crown and to the championship victory over the San Diego Chargers is back, practically man for man. Stew Barber, Billy Shaw, Walt Cudzik, Al Bemiller and Dick Hudson - from tackle to tackle - last year helped Buffalo ball-carriers carve out 1,945 yards through enemy lines, which was the most powerful rushing demonstration in the league.
The backfield, which had domestic problems as well as medical ones, is loaded for power - if not blinding speed - and the Bills are starting the season with both problems apparently solved. The domestic one was taken care of when they traded Cookie Gilchrist, the two-time ground-gaining champion, to the Denver Broncos in exchange for fullback Billy Joe. Billy is just as big as Cookie is, and is six years younger and much faster in the open field.
He will be spotted in Gilchrist's old running spot, and with that big, mobile line moving out in front of him, he is given an excellent chance of developing into a 1,000-yard man. If Joe makes it then beefy Wray Carlton will remain at halfback, which brings us to the hospital problem. Last year Carlton was out of action until the Bills' final three games, and then he came back strong. He's built more like a fullback - where he would play in the absence of a good one - and he is not a speedster; but according to quarterback Jack Kemp, he's 'as good a blocker as Cookie and a damned underestimated runner.'
Behind Carlton are good runners, too, in Bob Smith and Joe Auer, both with good freshman years behind them. Smith has great outside speed; Auer is more of a slasher. The aforementioned Kemp guides the attack with his great savvy and even greater arm. When things bog down, Daryle Lamonica comes in, and while he can't throw with Kemp, he provides a greater running threat. Coach Lou Saban has indicated that he intends to use them both the same way this season.
When Kemp goes to the air, he has as fine a flanker to throw to as there is in the business in Elbert Dubenion, and there are also excellent targets among split ends Glenn Bass and Bill Groman, and in tight end Ernie Warlick.
The defense, which was also the best in the league last year, is better up close. The front foursome of Ron McDole, Jim Dunaway, Tom Sestak and Tom Day surrendered an average of 68 rushing yards a game. Dud Meredith and Tom Keating are prime backup men. The linebacking, which was a cause of some concern before last season, shaped up magnificently with John Tracey, Harry Jacobs and the menacing Mike Stratton. This year they'll be supported by Marty Schottenheimer, a rookie from Pitt, Herb Paterra, from the taxi squad and by Paul McGuire, obtained on waivers from San Diego.
The Bills are most vulnerable in the deep backfield, where their operatives are relatively small. They were probably saved some embarrassments last year by the strong rushing up front. The cornermen are Butch Byrd and Charley Warner, and the safetymen are George Saimes and Gene Sykes. Anybody looking for a job with the Bills can start shopping here first."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965


"Now that the brutal Bills finally have won the AFL title, they can be counted on to hang to it with the tenacity of a tiger guarding its prey.
If coach Lou Saban has any real concern, it's over whether Billy Joe can perform in the grand style of Cookie Gilchrist, for whom he was traded.
Even if Billy - Rookie of the Year in 1963 - doesn't cut it, there are other possibilities. Wray Carlton, a 220-pound halfback who returned to action late in '64 after an injury, could go just as well as a fullback. In this case, Saban would have such halfbacks as sophomores Bob Smith, a speedster, and Joe Auer, a slasher, both over 200 pounds, as is Willie Ross, Cookie's understudy last season. Bob Currington, who taxied last year, could move ahead of everyone - he's got bulk, blazing speed and more moves than the other backs.
But it's the line that keeps the opposition in the real bind and gives the Bills the all-important ball control when the clock must be eaten. There's no tougher left side than that manned by tackle Stew Barber and Bill Shaw, all-league guard again in '64. Al Bemiller and Dick Hudson are about as effective on the other side. To back them up, the Bills signed their top two draft choices, Ohio State's Jim Davidson and Villanova's Al Atkinson. And Dave Behrman (6'5", 260), No. 1 draft choice of '62, is assured of some spot in this forward wall.
Monsters stalk the defensive line. Particularly terrifying are the defensive tackles, Tom Sestak (272), All-AFL the past three years, and Jim Dunaway (276). Tom Day and Ron McDole are dogged pass rushers and should improve with competition from Remi Prudhomme from LSU.
The linebacking, off in '63, came on strong last year under the revived play of John Tracey and Harry Jacobs, who improved his pass protection. And Mike Stratton made the all-league team.
Buffalo has had little use for the pass. Still, it has the strongest arm in football in Jack Kemp, who can always strike effectively when points are needed; they seldom are. His substitute, Daryle Lamonica, gives Saban a fourth running back.
If you must find a chink in this armor, it could be the age (33) of Ernie Warlick at tight end."

-Bill Wise, 1965 Official Pro Football Almanac


THE PROSPECTS
"The Buffalo Bills thundered to the best record in pro football last year - then gave up on 'thunder.' Or at least that part of it personified by rumbling, grumbling fullback Cookie Gilchrist. He was traded to Denver for Billy Joe, a back of Gilchristian proportions (6-2, 250). Joe was Rookie of the Year in '63 and is six years younger than Cookie. The latter fact might not interest most coaches, but Buffalo coach Lou Saban is more fortunate.
He has a host of hulking linemen, led by All-Star Stew Barber and Billy Shaw (offense) and Tom Sestak (defense); a pair of spectacular receivers in Elbert Dubenion (10 touchdowns) and Glenn Bass (7 touchdowns, including one of 94 yards); a consistent and powerful, if unorthodox, place-kicker in Pete Gogolak; and a pair of hot quarterbacks he uses like pitchers - Jackie Kemp (starting) and Daryle Lamonica (relief).
If there is a weakness, it is in the defensive secondary, but some claim this is a bad rap; the Bill defensive line is so strong (allowing an average of only 65 yards per game) that the secondary sees more action than most.
Toss in a good rookie crop, including the Bills' first two draft picks, and perhaps Buffalo can afford to lose a Cookie Gilchrist. Certainly, no other team in the AFL can."

-Tom Harmon, 1965 Pro Football Almanac (Tom Harmon's Sports Information Book)

THE STARS
"The above are enough big names for any club, but the list hardly scratches the Herd's hide.
Defensively, linebacker Mike Stratton and safety George Saimes were All-AFL picks last year, while cornerback Butch Byrd's rookie season indicated he will soon be in the same class.
On offense, the Bills' running game, a key factor in their ball control ability, will depend a great deal on Joe. However, the load will not be his alone. Late last season, Wray Carlton, a big halfback, came off the injured list to run and block with authority.
The key position, of course, is quarterback. Saban went with Kemp in the crucial final games of last season and Jackie came through with firm, consistent performances (267 attempts, 199 completions). At 29, he should be near his peak and one of the best in the game."

-Tom Harmon, 1965 Football Almanac (Tom Harmon's Sports Information Book)


"They find out the way the Cookie crumbled."

-Dick Kaplan, Pro Football Almanac 1965

The Champions Will Learn What a Difference a Fullback Makes, If His Name is Gilchrist
"The Bills traded one 250-pound fullback for another. Sounds like a fair exchange but it isn't. Billy Joe, acquired from the Broncos, isn't Cookie Gilchrist, exiled to Denver because he was too much trouble in Buffalo. Say what you will about Gilchrist's attitude, he is still the best running back in the AFL. Billy Joe is a good fullback. He was Rookie of the Year in 1963, he is six years younger than Cookie, and maybe a bit faster. Maybe he'll gain as much yardage with the Bills' huge offensive line scooping out holes for him. Maybe. But how about blocking? Gilchrist is also the finest blocking block in pro football.
All this Joe-Gilchrist talk has barbed relevance because Buffalo is basically a running team. The Bills passed only 369 times last year, low for the league. And Gilchrist, blocking and running, made this power game go. If Joe should prove to be just another guy, coach Lou Saban could switch 220-pound veteran Wray Carlton from halfback to fullback. Wray was hurt almost all last season. Most likely he will stay at halfback, keeping faster backs Willie Ross, Joe Auer and Bob Curington moored to the bench. At flanker, Elbert Dubenion broke the league record with 27 yards per pass reception last year.
The only problem at quarterback is that there are two of them. Jackie Kemp is the bomb-thrower while Daryle Lamonica is more of a running, rollout threat. Last year Saban stayed with Kemp in the important games- against Boston for the Eastern title, then against San Diego for the league championship.
The offensive line is well populated, took, except at tight end, where Saban broods that 33-year-old Ernie Warlick may be fraying. Glenn Bass is the split end. He caught 43 passes last year. Stew Barber and Billy Shaw are all-stars at left tackle and left guard. Center Walt Cudzik was good enough to shove Al Bemiller over to right guard- and Bemiller was good enough to make the adjustment in championship style. Dick Hudson returns to play right tackle. Young players complicate matters. Like 260-pound Dave Behrman, who sat out his rookie season with an exhibition game injury. Or top draft picks Jim Davidson of Ohio State, a tackle, and Al Atkinson, a Villanova guard. Saban may trade an interior lineman for a blocking end.
Buffalo has the most rugged defense in the league, particularly against rushing. Credit this to a thundering herd up front: Roland McDole, 280, and Tom Day, 262, at the ends; 270-pound All-Leaguer Tom Sestak and 276-pound Jim Dunaway at the tackles. We'll spare you the arithmetic; they average 272 pounds. Either Dunaway or Day could lose his job to Tom Keating. Tom was a starting tackle as a rookie in '64 before he broke his leg. He also plays end- as does LSU rookie Remi Prudhomme.
The deep secondary is as small as the front four are big. Only cornerback Butch Byrd has real size (211 pounds). Otherwise, it's 180-pounders Charley Warner and Booker Edgerson competing at left corner, with 5-10 All-AFLer George Saimes and 5-11 Gene Sykes at safety. Ray Abbruzzese and Hagood Clarke are the support troops. Rookie Floyd Hudlow of Arizona should stick, too.
The Buffalo linebackers, supposedly weak, weren't- at least not in '64. Middle linebacker Harry Jacobs covered better on passes; right linebacker Mike Stratton got All-AFL notice and left linebacker John Tracey had his best year, capped by the destruction of San Diego's Keith Lincoln in the championship game. The leading rookie is 225-pound Marty Schottenheimer of Pitt.
Paul Maguire will again do the punting and Pete Gogolak the placekicking. Maguire averaged 42.6 yards, third best in the league. Gogolak, with that sidewinding approach to the ball, made 19 of 28 field goal attempts as a rookie.
This is a sound Buffalo team. But without Cookie, it will not be better than last year- not even as good."

-Dick Kaplan, Pro Football Almanac 1965


"Buffalo's victory over San Diego in the AFL title game marked the first time the Bills lived up to their promise. It also provided a measure of revenge for coach Lou Saban, who had to beat Boston to get into the playoff. (The Patriots had given Lou the boot after one season as head man.)
The Bills had their problems, not the least of which was Cookie Gilchrist's 'trade me' attitude. The management took care of that by swinging a post-season deal with Denver for fullback Billy Joe. A third-year performer, Joe must now prove he's as fine a runner as he was in 1963 when he won Rookie of the Year honors.
Gilchrist, for all the trouble he generated, has to be missed in Buffalo. His rushing total of 981 yards was more than three times that of the next best Buffalo ground gainer. Saban's other problem lies in making a decision between quarterbacks Dayle Lamonica and Jackie Kemp. Kemp got the starting assignment in both the championship game and the preceding division-clinching victory over Boston. Lamonica, on the other hand, has the goods to develop into a top star. The other coaches in the league would love to be 'plagued' by such a decision."

-Harold Rosenthal, Sports All-Stars/1965 Pro Football


1965 Buffalo Bills Preseason Roster
46 Ray Abbruzzese (DB) Alabama
*  Al Atkinson (G) Villanova
43 Joe Auer (HB) Georgia Tech
Jim Baffico (C) Nebraska
77 Stew Barber (T) Penn State
27 Glenn Bass (E) East Carolina
Dave Behrman (T) Michigan State
50 Al Bemiller (C) Syracuse
42 Butch Byrd (DB) Boston University
30 Wray Carlton (HB) Duke
45 Hagood Clarke (DB) Florida
*  Paul Costa (E) Notre Dame
53 Walt Cudzik (C) Purdue
Bob Curington (HB) North Carolina
*  Jim Davidson (T) Ohio State
88 Tom Day (DE) North Carolina A & T
Oliver Dobbins (DB) Morgan State
44 Elbert Dubenion (HB) Bluffton
*  Bob Dugan (T) Mississippi State
78 Jim Dunaway (DT) Mississippi
24 Booker Edgerson (DB) Western Illinois
Charley Ferguson (E) Tennessee State
73 George Flint (G) Arizona State
3  Pete Gogolak (K) Cornell
*  Doug Goodwin (FB) Maryland State
81 Bill Groman (E) Heidelberg
Henry Hamilton (G) Virginia Union
*  Linwood Hart (DB) Virginia State
*  John Henry (DE) Boston University
*  Ray Hinze (T) Texas A & M
*  Floyd Hudlow (DB) Arizona
79 Dick Hudson (T) Memphis State
*  Chuck Hurston (DE) Auburn
64 Harry Jacobs (LB) Bradley
Billy Joe (FB) Villanova
74 Tom Keating (DT) Michigan
15 Jack Kemp (QB) Occidental
Malion Kent (QB) Auburn
12 Daryle Lamonica (QB) Notre Dame
55 Paul Maguire (LB) The Citadel
72 Ron McDole (DE) Nebraska
75 Dudley Meredith (DT) Lamar Tech
Joe Meyer (LB) St. Lawrence
*  Sullivan Mills (DB) Wichita State
*  Don Montgomery (E) North Carolina State
Norm Nicola (C) Notre Dame
Bill Nies (E) South Carolina
67 Joe O'Donnell (T) Michigan
Frank Orgel (E) Georgia
57 Herb Paterra (LB) Michigan State
*  Remi Prudhomme (DE) LSU
47 Willie Ross (FB) Nebraska
40 Ed Rutkowski (FL) Notre Dame
26 George Saimes (DB) Michigan State
*  Marty Schottenheimer (LB) Pittsburgh
70 Tom Sestak (DT) McNeese State
66 Billy Shaw (G) Georgia Tech
John Skopan (DB) Mississippi Southern
20 Bobby Smith (HB) North Texas State
58 Mike Stratton (LB) Tennessee
23 Gene Sykes (DB) LSU
51 John Tracey (LB) Texas A & M
Woody Ward (DE) Maryland State
84 Ernie Warlick (E) North Carolina Central
22 Charley Warner (DB) Prairie View

* rookie

-Pro Football 1965


1965 Buffalo Bills Preseason Depth Charts
OFFENSE
QB - Jack Kemp (Occidental) 15, Daryle Lamonica (Notre Dame) 12
HB - Wray Carlton (Duke) 30, Bobby Smith (North Texas State) 20, Joe Auer (Georgia Tech) 43
FB - Billy Joe (Villanova), Willie Ross (Nebraska) 47
SE - Glenn Bass (East Carolina) 27, Bill Groman (Heidelberg) 81, Charley Ferguson (Tennessee State)
T - Stew Barber (Penn State) 77, Bob Dugan (Mississippi State)*
G - Billy Shaw (Georgia Tech) 66, Al Atkinson (Villanova)*
C - Walt Cudzik (Purdue) 53, Dave Behrman (Michigan State)
G - Al Bemiller (Syracuse) 50, George Flint (Arizona State) 73
T - Dick Hudson (Memphis State) 79, Joe O'Donnell (Michigan) 67
TE - Ernie Warlick (North Carolina Central) 84, Frank Orgel (Georgia)
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44, Ed Rutkowski (Notre Dame) 40

DEFENSE
DE - Ron McDole (Nebraska) 72, Chuck Hurston (Auburn)*
DT - Jim Dunaway (Mississippi) 78, Tom Keating (Michigan) 74
DT - Tom Sestak (McNeese State) 70, Dudley Meredith (Lamar Tech) 75
DE - Tom Day (North Carolina A & T) 88, Remi Prudhomme (LSU)*
LB - John Tracey (Texas A & M) 51, Jim Moss (South Carolina)
MLB - Harry Jacobs (Bradley) 64, Marty Schottenheimer (Pittsburgh)*
LB - Mike Stratton (Tennessee) 58, Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
CB - Charley Warner (Prarie View) 22, Booker Edgerson (Western Illinois) 24
S - Gene Sykes (LSU) 23, Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45
S - George Saimes (Michigan State) 26, Ray Abbruzzese (Alabama) 46
CB - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42, Oliver Dobbins (Morgan State)

* rookie

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965

OFFENSE
QB - Jack Kemp (Occidental) 15, Daryle Lamonica (Notre Dame) 12
HB - Wray Carlton (Duke) 30,  Bobby Smith (North Texas State) 20, Joe Auer (Georgia Tech) 43
FB - Billy Joe (Villanova) 33, Donnie Stone (Arkansas) 32
SE - Glenn Bass (East Carolina) 85, Bill Groman (Heidelberg) 81, Charley Ferguson (Tennessee State) 80
T - Stew Barber (Penn State) 77, Jim Davidson (Ohio State)*
G - Billy Shaw (Georgia Tech) 66
C - Walt Cudzik (Purdue) 53, Dave Behrman (Michigan State) 60
G - Al Bemiller (Syracuse) 50, George Flint (Arizona State) 73
T - Dick Hudson (Memphis State) 79, Joe O'Donnell (Michigan) 67
TE - Ernie Warlick (North Carolina Central) 84
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44, Ed Rutkowski (Notre Dame) 40

DEFENSE
DE - Ron McDole (Nebraska) 72
DT - Jim Dunaway (Mississippi) 78, Tom Keating (Michigan) 74
DT - Tom Sestak (McNeese State) 70, Dudley Meredith (Lamar Tech) 75
DE - Tom Day (North Carolina A & T) 88, Remi Prudhomme (LSU)*
LB - John Tracey (Texas A & M) 51, Bill Laskey (Michigan)*
MLB - Harry Jacobs (Bradley) 64, Marty Schottenheimer (Pittsburgh)*
LB - Mike Stratton (Tennessee) 58, Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
CB - Booker Edgerson (Western Illinois) 24, Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
S - Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45, Gene Sykes (LSU) 23
S - George Saimes (Michigan State) 26, Floyd Hudlow (Arizona)*
CB - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42, Oliver Dobbins (Morgan State) 25

SPECIALISTS
K - Pete Gogolak (Cornell) 3
P - Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
KR - Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22, Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45
PR - Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45, Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42

* rookie


1965 Buffalo Bills Profile Summary
Owner - Ralph Wilson
Head Coach - Lou Saban

QB - Jack Kemp (Occidental) 15
QB - Daryle Lamonica (Notre Dame) 12
HB - Wray Carlton (Duke) 30
FB - Billy Joe (Villanova) 33
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44
FL - Bo Roberson (Cornell) 46
SE - Glenn Bass (East Carolina) 85
TE - Ernie Warlick (North Carolina Central) 84
C - Walt Cudzik (Purdue) 53
G - Billy Shaw (Georgia Tech) 66
G - Al Bemiller (Syracuse) 50
G - Al Atkinson (Villanova) 62
T - Stew Barber (Penn State) 77
T - Dick Hudson (Memphis State) 79
T - Jim Davidson (Ohio State) 69

DT - Tom Sestak (McNeese State) 70
DT - Jim Dunaway (Mississippi) 78
DT - Tom Keating (Michigan) 74
DT - Henry Schmidt (USC) 76
DE - Ron McDole (Nebraska) 72
DE - Tom Day (North Carolina A & T) 88
MLB - Harry Jacobs (Bradley) 64
LB - Mike Stratton (Tennessee) 58
LB - John Tracey (Texas A & M) 51
LB - Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
CB - Booker Edgerson (Western Illinois) 24
CB - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42
CB - Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
S - George Saimes (Michigan State) 26
S - Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45
S - Tom Janik (Texas A & I) 27

K - Pete Gogolak (Cornell) 3
P - Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
KR - Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
PR - Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22