Thursday, August 28, 2014

1966 Bills Linebacker Profiles

HARRY JACOBS
Middle Linebacker
No. 64
Bradley
Harry's work at middle linebacker in 1965 once again made Buffalo's defense the most feared the AFL. Along with his hard-hitting play throughout the regular season, Harry returned an intercepted pass 12 yards in the AFL Championship Game. He also played in the AFL All-Star Game.
The defensive signal-caller of the Bill defense, Harry was Bradley's Athlete of the Year for 1958-59.


MIKE STRATTON
Linebacker
No. 58
Tennessee
"He does not have the reputation of a Huff, a Nitschke, a Butkus, or of a Bobby Bell, but Buffalo's star corner linebacker, Mike Stratton, is now in their class.
He's developed rapidly since 1962 when he reported out of Tennessee as a 210-pound rookie. Now Mike weighs 240 pounds and hits accordingly. He is best remembered for demolishing San Diego's Keith Lincoln with a thunderously clean tackle in the 1964 AFL title game. Stratton is fast and a good pass defender. Babe Parilli of Boston once said that Stratton so big, strong and quick that 'it's a crime against quarterbacks to allow him to blitz.'"

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966

"Mike is like a guided missile. Once he sets his sights on a ball carrier, he rarely if ever misses him. Mike is one of the hardest players and is regarded as the best pass rusher in the American Football League.
Mike was originally an offensive end."

-1966 Topps No. 30


JOHN TRACEY
Linebacker
No. 51
Texas A & M
Appearing in all 14 games and making an interception, John was named Associated Press second-team All-AFL and appeared in the AFL All-Star Game. He is truly a stalwart of Buffalo's dominating defense.
An end at Texas Tech in his college days, John led the Southwest Conference in receptions (37), receiving yards (466) and was third in yards per reception (12.6) in his senior year.

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