1968 Bills Offensive Line Profiles

AL BEMILLER
Center
No. 50
Syracuse
Al started 13 of the 14 games he played last season after starting all 14 every year beginning with his rookie campaign in 1961. He's quick to pivot after snapping the ball. Al enjoys hand-to-hand combat with the defender waiting for him across the line of scrimmage.


BILLY SHAW
Guard
No. 66
Georgia Tech
Billy challenges himself every day- in practice, in the film room and on the day of a game. He's a great blocker for both passing and rushing.
An AFL All-Star for the sixth straight year in 1967, Billy was first-team All-AFL from 1962-1966.


JOE O'DONNELL
Guard
No. 67
Michigan
Last season Joe once again proved himself a determined blocker and a rugged competitor who gives all-out effort until the whistle blows.
Joe attended Michigan on an academic scholarship and made the Big Ten academic team in both 1963 and '64. He played fullback, guard and tackle in his three varsity seasons and was captain of the 1964 team.


STEW BARBER
Offensive Tackle
No. 78
Penn State
"Now in his eighth year with the Bills, Stew has been the club's starting left tackle since 1962. Previously, he spent his rookie year as an outside linebacker. Stew signed with the Bills after considering going with the Dallas Cowboys."

-1968 Topps No. 44


DICK HUDSON
Offensive Tackle
No. 79
Memphis State
"Described as a man with educated hands, Dick Hudson provides Bills' quarterbacks with sound protection from his slot at right tackle. A beefy individual standing 6-4 and weighing 262 pounds, he makes it impossible for pass rushers to use their hands on him because his own hands are constantly in motion.
Dick originally was drafted by the Chargers when he came out of Memphis State in 1962, but was acquired a year later by the Bills in a trade involving Tobin Rote."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

1968 Bills Linebacker Profiles

HARRY JACOBS
Middle Linebacker
No. 64
Bradley
Harry is the signal-caller for the Buffalo defense and one of the most punishing tacklers in the pros. A defensive stalwart since coming to the Bills from the Patriots in 1963, he made two interceptions in 1964 and two more in 1966.
As a collegian, Harry was Bradley's Athlete of the Year and played in the College All-Star Game.


MIKE STRATTON
Linebacker
No. 58
Tennessee
"It was of no solace to opposition teams last year that Mike Stratton was not playing at full strength. He was just as mean as ever, and few offenses took advantage of him.
Rated second only to Bobby Bell as a corner linebacker, Mike has the speed to run with any halfback in the league, which makes him especially tough on pass defense. His coach, Joe Collier, says he's the best blitzer in the league; and it's a fact that when he nails you with a tackle, you know you've been hit.
Now in his seventh AFL season, Mike came to the Bills as a 13th round draft choice after getting out of Tennessee in 1962."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968


PAUL GUIDRY
Linebacker
No. 59
McNeese State
This headhunting youngster has proven himself more than worthy of joining Mike Statton and Harry Jacobs in Buffalo's feared linebacking corps. His search and destroy spirit of play puts extra pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

1968 Profiles: Mike Mercer and Paul Maguire

MIKE MERCER
Place Kicker
No. 7
Arizona State
"In 1966, Mike had pro football's best field goal record, making 21 of 30 attempts. While with Oakland he kicked 116 consecutive extra points.
Mike's dad played for the Giants and Eagles."

-1968 Topps No. 123


PAUL MAGUIRE
Punter-Linebacker
No. 55
The Citadel
Named Sporting News second-team All-AFL last year, Paul was second in the league with 77 punts, third with 3,320 punting yards and third with 43.1 yards per punt. His long punt of 64 yards was third-best in the AFL.
Paul came to Buffalo from San Diego in 1964 and was All-Pro in 1965.

1968 Profile: Paul Costa

Tight End
No. 82
Notre Dame
"He may not yet be in Mike Ditka's class as a tight end, but Paul Costa is progressing toward that level of play. Regarded as probably the strongest man on the squad, the 6-4, 256-pounder has immense chest development and powerful though supple hands. And despite his size, he can run 50 yards in 5.6 seconds.
Paul displayed his better points last year - his third as a pro - when he caught 39 passes for 726 yards and two touchdowns; he caught one scoring pass on a 63-yard play, and he averaged 18.6 yards per catch.
Paul played his college football at Notre Dame and came to the Bills when they traded with Kansas City for the rights to him."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

"Paul finished second on the Bills in receptions in 1967. Originally the property of the Chiefs, he scored a touchdown in his second pro game.
Paul's trademark is his over-the-head catches."

-1968 Topps No. 175

1968 Bills Defensive Line Profiles

JIM DUNAWAY
Defensive Tackle
No. 78
Mississippi
Jim was an AFL All-Star for the third straight year in 1967 following his selection to the All-AFL first team in 1966. He's played every game since his rookie season of 1963.
As a senior at Ole Miss, Jim was a consensus All-American. He was All-SEC in 1961 and 1962 and played in Coaches All-America and College All-Star Games.


TOM SESTAK
Defensive Tackle
No. 70
McNeese State
First team All-AFL from 1963-1965, Tom still nails his opposition with hard, sure tackles. Known for his consistent, solid effort and outstanding character, he's totally dedicated to keeping opposing offenses off the scoreboard.


RON MCDOLE
Defensive End
No. 72
Nebraska
"The Bills' vaunted defense bogged down a bit last year, but there was nothing wrong with the work of big Ron McDole. The deceptively quick 6-2 1/2", 278-pound end hounded quarterbacks and manhandled enemy tackles to lead the Buffalo charge. It was the second good year in a row for McDole, who seems to be settling into a consistent pattern now.
He was troubled earlier in his career by migraine headaches, which may account for his nomadic life as a pro. After graduating from Nebraska, he played briefly as an offensive tackle for the St. Louis Cardinals, then moved into the AFL as a defensive end with the Oilers. He was cut, and that's when the Bills picked him up."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968


TOM DAY
Defensive End
No. 89
North Carolina A & T
"Before joining the San Diego Chargers last year, Tom played with the Buffalo Bills. There, the big ballplayer served as a defensive end and an offensive guard."

-1967 Topps No. 117

1968 Profile: Keith Lincoln

Halfback
No. 20
Washington State
"In his early years with the San Diego Chargers, Keith Lincoln was the league's elite running back, a two-time All-AFL selection. Then injuries marred his effectiveness for a couple of seasons, and he was finally traded to the Bills in 1967.
But the new environment and improved health enabled him to climb right back up among the top rushers, as he finished with 601 yards on 159 carries for a 3.8 average and four touchdowns. The solidly built 6-1, 215-pounder also caught 41 passes for 558 yards and five more TD's - one of them coming on a 60-yard play.
This is a guy who knows where the goal line is, which explains why he's in the top ten of all-time AFL rushers."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

"One of the superstars of football, Keith averaged 6.4 yards per carry in 1963- a mark that still stands! He was acquired from San Diego.
Keith played for Washington State in the Hula Bowl."

-1968 Topps No. 19

1968 Profiles: Jack Kemp and Tom Flores

JACK KEMP
Quarterback
No. 15
Occidental
"Quick, now - what college did Jack Kemp attend? Chances are you didn't know it was Occidental. The reason for asking is more than academic. People don't pay much attention to Kemp. Good, bad year, he seems to get written off too quickly.
Despite the fact that he's appeared in more AFL championship games than any other quarterback (five), he had to scramble plenty to save his job last year after Tom Flores was obtained from Oakland. He retained his first-string status most of the way, though he had a subpar year due to injuries in his offensive line and a jammed thumb of his own. Jack completed 161 of 369 attempts for 2,503 yards, a 43.6 percentage and 14 touchdowns; his 26 interceptions were second highest in the league to Joe Namath.
In seven AFL seasons, two with the Chargers, he's passed for more than 19,000 yards and completed 1,264 passes. In 1965 he was unanimously named the AFL's Most Valuable Player."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

"Jack began his pro career back in 1957 with the Steelers, joining the Chargers in 1960. He came to the Bills in 1962.
Jack's hobby is skiing."

-1968 Topps No. 149


TOM FLORES
Quarterback
No. 16
Pacific
"As a contrast to the scrambling style of Jack Kemp, Tom Flores is a more conventional drop-back type of passer. But in seven pro seasons, he has yet to develop any consistency, partly because he was held back by injuries, partly because he was always somebody's relief man.
Owner of an outstanding arm that helped him compile 11,635 yards in six years with the Raiders, Tom seemed to be coming into his own in 1966. He finished third among AFL passers with 151 completions in 306 attempts for 2,638 yards, a 49.4 percentage, and 24 touchdown throws. But with the acquisition of Daryle Lamonica from Buffalo, he went in the trade to the Bills.
Tom won the starting job in training camp, then was hurt and his play began to fall off. So once again, he watched the season mostly from the sidelines, hoping next year would be different."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

1968 Profile: Joe Collier

Head Coach
"The customary boyhood fantasies held no fascination for Joe Collier. That is, he didn't dream of running away and joining the circus, or becoming the first explorer in space. Joe's early ambition was to be a football coach, and as often happens in the storybooks, he got what he wished for.
The thought first occurred to him when he was playing football for Rock Island High back home in Illinois. It stayed with him though four years at Northwestern, where he captained the Wildcats in 1953 and was an All-Big Ten end. He was even good enough to play in a couple of postseason games, such as the Senior Bowl and the East-West Shrine Game. But when the New York Giants drafted him and held out the offer of a pro career, Joe turned it down. The old dream had become an obsession by now, and he pursued a career in coaching.
He became an assistant at Western Illinois, where a man named Lou Saban turned up as head coach. When the AFL was formed in 1960, Saban went to Boston and Collier accompanied him, joining the coaching staff as an assistant. After Saban moved to Buffalo, Joe joined him as defensive coach. It was Joe who built those rock-hard Buffalo defenses which enabled the Bills to win back-to-back AFL championships in 1964 and '65.
In 1966, Collier succeeded Saban - a move hailed by the Bills' players themselves - and he won an Eastern Division crown. Last year, the Bills plummeted to a 4-10 record, but Collier kept his cool composure.
A low-key type, anyway, he says, 'I have confidence in our players and they know I won't panic if things go wrong, so I don't see much point in being emotional. Besides, it's just not me.'"

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

1968 Buffalo Bills Outlook

"Things are looking up for the Bills this year - from two viewpoints. For one thing, they will still be looking up at the leaders for another hungry season. But for another, their perspective will be a happier one because they have become a sounder club which should be making its move very soon.
Certainly there is strength at quarterback whether Jack Kemp or Tom Flores gets the starting nod. Injuries hit both of them last year, though luckily, not at the same time. If they appear to be at equal strength this time, coach Joe Collier may go with the younger Flores, who is a more conventional pocket passer; but Tom is not nearly as agile as Kemp is, and the final decision may well rest with the offensive line.
Buffalo's air game did not show to advantage in 1967, and this was widely due to injuries to the wide receivers. Interestingly enough, this could be the club's best offensive department in '68; at least there's plenty around for a change. The fabled Art Powell is back from knee surgery he had to undergo after the sixth game of the year, and he should start driving defenses dizzy again. Elbert Dubenion, another pass catcher with a reputation, had a sub-par year in '67 but he's still as fast as ever. And Paul Costa, who is a fine receiver but who must improve his blocking, is back at tight end. But keep your eyes on Haven Moses, a 6-2 1/2, 195-pound speedster from San Diego State. The Bills' prize No. 1 pick in last season's college draft, he's rated a sure bet to succeed eventually at flanker. The experienced receivers include Bobby Crockett and Jerry Seither, both of whom were hurt last year, and Monte Ledbetter at flanker. Charley Ferguson, who missed the entire '67 campaign with an ankle problem, is the reserve at tight end. Richard Trapp, a third round selection from Florida, is another candidate for wide receiver.
The Bills finished next to the bottom in rushing last year, but then they only had a one-man running attack. He was Keith Lincoln, the man with the classic form. If fullback Wray Carlton avoids the rash of injuries which plagued him last year, the Bills will have their one-two punch again. And Collier may even find himself endowed with rare backfield depth in 1968. Aside from the returning Jack Spikes and Charley Bivins, a couple of well-traveled war horses, the Bills are swarming with recruits with good college grades. The best of these are No. 5 draft choice Max Anderson, a 5-8, 180-pound speedback from Arizona State, and fullback Ben Gregory, a six-foot, 225-pounder from Nebraska who also came in the fifth round. Rated slightly behind them are No. 9 choice Gary McDermott, a 6-1, 212-pounder from Tulsa, and 11th round pick Richard Plagge, a 6-2, 212-pounder from Auburn.
If the Bills' line has fully recuperated from injuries that laid low several operatives last year, it could be sock-to-it-'em time again. Stew Barber, who had one his best years in 1967, and Dick Hudson, who didn't because he wrecked a knee, are being counted on at the tackles. Billy Shaw, who missed six games with a knee problem, and the improving Joe O'Donnell are back at guard, and Al Bemiller, who must be an iron man after getting through last season without an injury, is the center. A healthy contingent of veterans and rookies will compete for the extra jobs. Dick Cunningham, who can play anywhere in the interior line, and tackle Wayne DeSutter are the holdovers; the newcomers include tackle Mike McBath (Penn State) and guards Edgar Chandler (Georgia) and Bob Kalsu (Oklahoma).
Although the Buffalo defense gave up more touchdowns on the ground than is customary for this unit (11), it posted the best pass defense marks in the league. The main problem in the front four is at right end, where Howard Kindig, the former San Diego Charger, and rookie Bob Tatarek, the No. 2 pick from Miami, will be tested for the starting job. The rest of the unit returns intact, with Jim Dunaway and Tom Sestak at the tackles and Ron McDole at left end. The reserves are Dudley Meredith, an experienced brawler who can play either end of tackle, and rookies John Gilmore (Peru), Chuck DeVleigher (Memphis State) and George Hines (Kentucky State).
The possible retirement of John Tracey may break up that old gang of Buffalo linebackers, but this unit will still serve as the enforcers on defense. Tracey backs up the left side, but even if he returns he is liable to lose his job to Paul Guidry, a 6-2, 238-pounder who has rapidly been coming into his own. Harry Jacobs is perhaps the quickest and smartest operator playing middle linebacker these days, and Mike Stratton on the right is certainly the meanest. The extras are Jim LeMoine, who moves over from the offense, Paul McGuire and rookie John Frantz (California).
The deep backs waltzed off with 19 enemy passes last year and broke up uncounted other passing plays. In cornerbacks Booker Edgerson and Butch Byrd, and safeties Tom Janik and George Saimes, you have the backbone of the Bills' defense. The subs, except for veteran safetyman Hagood Clarke, are young. They are rookies Jerome Lawson (Utah) and Pete Richardson (Dayton) at the corners and taxi-squaders Tommy Luke, Howard Finley and John Pitts at the safeties."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

IN BRIEF
Probable 1968 Finish: 3rd
Strengths:  a rock-ribbed defense paced by McDole up front and a bolstered quick-reacting secondary.
Biggest Needs: establishing a consistent attack particularly on the ground, and plugging a hole at defensive end.
1967 finish:  tied for 4th (4-10)

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

"The Buffalo Bills write off their disastrous 1967 season as a gag. Coach Joe Collier sent a mid-winter bulletin to all his players in which he noted that quarterback Jack Kemp had been sent to Vietnam to entertain the troops. 'During his tour,' Collins wrote, 'Kemp was captured by the Viet Cong. However, they looked at his statistics and released him.'
None of the Bills would have fared much better. As a team, they won only four games after reigning for three years as champions of the Eastern Division. Why the collapse? Collier prefers to believe injuries were a main factor. Billy Shaw and Art Powell, probably the two outstanding talents on the team, each missed half a season. Powell's absence, after six games, was particularly destructive because the Bills weren't loaded with good receivers and Elbert Dubenion, their long-time flanker, showed creaky symptoms of age. Some of the guys just had plain bad years. Bobby Burnett, the 1966 rookie of the year as a running back, came in as an unhappy late signee and went out as a member of the Cincinnati team in the expansion draft. Tom Sestak, who used to be the best defensive lineman in the league, could have trouble justifying a spot in the lineup.
The best thing that happened to the Bills last year was the comeback of Keith Lincoln, the versatile back acquired from San Diego. Keith led the club in rushing, receiving and scoring touchdowns, besides blocking superbly. At 29, he should still have a lot of good football left."

-1968 True's Football Yearbook


1968 BUFFALO BILLS PRESEASON ROSTER
*Max Anderson (HB) Arizona State
77 Stew Barber (T) Penn State
50 Al Bemiller (C) Syracuse
35 Charlie Bivins (HB) Morris Brown
42 Butch Byrd (DB) Boston University
30 Wray Carlton (FB) Duke
*Edgar Chandler (G) Georgia
45 Hagood Clarke (DB) Florida
82 Paul Costa (E) Notre Dame
83 Bobby Crockett (E) Arkansas
62 Dick Cunningham (T) Arkansas
71 Wayne DeSutter (T) Western Illinois
*Chuck DeVeigher (DT) Memphis State
44 Elbert Dubenion (FL) Bluffton
78 Jim Dunaway (DT) Mississippi
24 Booker Edgerson (DB) Western Illinois
80 Charley Ferguson (E) Tennessee State
*25 Howard Finley (DB) Tennessee A & I
16 Tom Flores (QB) Pacific
John Franz (LB) California
John Gilmore (DT) Peru (Nebraska)
Gordon Gotts (QB) MSU
*Ben Gregory (FB) Nebraska
59 Paul Guidry (LB) McNeese State
*George Hines (DE) Kentucky State
79 Dick Hudson (T) Memphis State
64 Harry Jacobs (LB) Bradley
27 Tom Janik (DB) Texas A & I
*Bob Kalsu (G) Oklahoma
15 Jack Kemp (QB) Occidental
73 Howard Kindig (DE) Los Angeles State
46 Tony King (FL) Findlay
*Jerome Lawson (DB) Utah
43 Monte Ledbetter (FL) Northwest Louisiana State
60 Jim LeMoine (LB) Utah State
20 Keith Lincoln (HB) Washington State
* Tommy Luke (DB) Mississippi
55 Paul Maguire (LB) The Citadel
87 Billy Masters (E) LSU
Mike McBath (DT) Penn State
Gary McDermott (RB) Tulsa
72 Ron McDole (DE) Nebraska
7   Mike Mercer (K) Arizona State
75 Dudley Meredith (DT) Lamar Tech
*Haven Moses (FL) San Diego State
67 Joe O'Donnell (G) Michigan
48 John Pitts (DB) Arizona State
Richard Plagge (RB) Auburn
84  Art Powell (E) San Jose State
*Pete Richardson (DB) Dayton
3   Benny Russell (QB) Louisville
40 Ed Rutkowski (FL) Notre Dame
26 George Saimes (DB) Michigan State
56 Marty Schottenheimer (LB) Pittsburgh
85 Jerry Seither (E) Kent State
70 Tom Sestak (DT) McNeese State
66 Billy Shaw (G) Georgia Tech
32 Jack Spikes (FB) Texas Christian
58 Mike Stratton (LB) Tennessee
*Bob Tatarek (DE) Miami
51 John Tracey (LB) Texas A & M
Richard Trapp (E) Florida
88 Bill Wilkerson (DE) Texas Western

* rookie

-Pro Football 1968


1968 BUFFALO BILLS PRESEASON DEPTH CHARTS
OFFENSE
QB - Jack Kemp (Occidental) 15, Tom Flores (Pacific) 16
HB - Keith Lincoln (Washington State) 20, Max Anderson (Arizona State)*
FB - Wray Carlton (Duke) 30, Ben Gregory (Nebraska)* 
SE - Art Powell (San Jose) 84, Bobby Crockett (Arkansas) 83
T - Stew Barber (Penn State) 77, Wayne DeSutter (Western Illinois) 71
G - Billy Shaw (Georgia Tech) 66, Edgar Chandler (Georgia)*
C - Al Bemiller (Syracuse) 50
G - Joe O'Donnell (Michigan) 67, Bob Kalsu (Oklahoma)*
T - Dick Hudson (Memphis State) 79, Dick Cunningham (Arkansas) 62
TE - Paul Costa (Notre Dame) 82, Charley Ferguson (Tennessee State) 80
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44, Haven Moses (San Diego State)*

DEFENSE
DE - Ron McDole (Nebraska) 72, George Hines (Kentucky State)*
DT - Jim Dunaway (Mississippi) 78, Chuck DeVeigher (Memphis State)*
DT - Tom Sestak (McNeese State) 70, Dudley Meredith (Lamar Tech) 75
DE - Howard Kindig (Los Angeles State) 73, Bob Tatarek (Miami)*
LB - Paul Guidry (McNeese State) 59, John Tracey (Texas A & M) 51
MLB - Harry Jacobs (Bradley) 64, Marty Schottenheimer (Pittsburgh) 56   
LB - Mike Stratton (Tennessee) 58, Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
CB - Booker Edgerson (Western Illinois) 24, Pete Richardson (Dayton)*
S - Tom Janik (Texas A & I) 27, Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45
S - George Saimes (Michigan State) 26, Tommy Luke (Mississippi)*, Howard Finley (Tennessee A & I) 25*
CB - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42, Jerome Lawson (Utah)*

* rookie

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

OFFENSE
QB - Jack Kemp (Occidental) 15, Tom Flores (Pacific) 16, Ed Rutkowski (Notre Dame) 40
HB - Keith Lincoln (Washington State) 20, Max Anderson (Arizona State)*, Bob Cappadonna (Northeastern) 36
FB - Ben Gregory (Nebraska)*, Gary McDermott (Tulsa)*,
SE - Art Powell (San Jose) 84, Richard Trapp (Florida)*, Bobby Crockett (Arkansas) 83
T - Stew Barber (Penn State) 77, Mike McBath (Penn State)*
G - Billy Shaw (Georgia Tech) 66, George Flint (Arizona State) 63
C - Al Bemiller (Syracuse) 50, John Frantz (California)*
G - Joe O'Donnell (Michigan) 67, Bob Kalsu (Oklahoma) *
T - Dick Cunningham (Arkansas) 62, Dick Hudson (Memphis State) 79
TE - Paul Costa (Notre Dame) 82, Billy Masters (LSU) 87, Charley Ferguson (Tennessee State) 80
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44, Haven Moses (San Diego State)*, Monte Ledbetter (Northwest State-Louisiana) 43

DEFENSE
DE - Ron McDole (Nebraska) 72, Mike McBath (Penn State)*
DT - Jim Dunaway (Mississippi) 78, Dudley Meredith (Lamar Tech) 75
DT - Tom Sestak (McNeese State) 70, Bob Tatarek (Miami)*
DE - Tom Day (North Carolina A & T) 89, Howard Kindig (Los Angeles State) 73
LB - Paul Guidry (McNeese State) 59, Edgar Chandler (Georgia)*
MLB - Harry Jacobs (Bradley) 64, Marty Schottenheimer (Pittsburgh) 57   
LB - Mike Stratton (Tennessee) 58, Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
CB - Booker Edgerson (Western Illinois) 24, Jerry Lawson (Utah)*
S - Tom Janik (Texas A & I) 27,  John Pitts (Arizona State) 48
S - George Saimes (Michigan State) 26, Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45
CB - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42, Pete Richardson (Dayton)*

SPECIALISTS
K - Mike Mercer (Arizona State) 7
P - Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
KR - Max Anderson (Arizona State)*
PR - Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45,

* rookie 


1968 Buffalo Bills Profile Summary
Head Coach - Joe Collier

QB - Jack Kemp (Occidental) 15
QB - Tom Flores (Pacific) 16
HB - Keith Lincoln (Washington State) 20
FB - Wray Carlton (Duke) 30
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44
SE - Art Powell (San Jose) 84
TE - Paul Costa (Notre Dame) 82
C - Al Bemiller (Syracuse) 50
G - Billy Shaw (Georgia Tech) 66
G - Joe O'Donnell (Michigan) 67
T - Stew Barber (Penn State) 77
T - Dick Hudson (Memphis State) 79

DT - Jim Dunaway (Mississippi) 78
DT - Tom Sestak (McNeese State) 70
DE - Ron McDole (Nebraska) 72
DE - Tom Day (North Carolina A & T) 89
MLB - Harry Jacobs (Bradley) 64
LB - Mike Stratton (Tennessee) 58
LB - Paul Guidry (McNeese State) 59
LB - Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
CB - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42
CB - Charley Mitchell (Washington) 46
S - George Saimes (Michigan State) 26
S - Tom Janik (Texas A & I) 27

K - Mike Mercer (Arizona State) 7
P - Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
KR - Charley Mitchell (Washington) 46
PR - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42
PR - Charley Mitchell (Washington) 46

1967 Profile: Keith Lincoln

Halfback
No. 20
Washington State
"Keith Lincoln left the defensive unit in 1962 after injuries caused huge holes in the offensive group. He did his job well enough to earn a No. 7 rating in rushing and was the club's leader in gaining yardage, carrying 117 times for an average of 4.8. Used to retrieve kickoffs and punts, he checked in with the longest kickoff return of the year, a 103-yarder against New York.
Born in Reading, Michigan, he's 24 and decided to go to the Chargers after being drafted by the Bears. Lincoln holds all-time ground-gaining honors at Washington State."

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963

"Keith can do everything well on a football field: run, pass, receive, defend.
He started out in 1961 as a defensive back. An injury to Paul Lowe forced the Chargers to shift Keith to offense in '62 and he led the team in rushing with 574 yards on 117 carries. He's also a prime threat on the option pass- he completed two last Fall for two touchdowns. He caught 16 passes and led the club in punt and kickoff returns."

-1963 Fleer No. 70

"Keith Lincoln, who had the highest per-game rush average (6.4) in all of 1963, is one of the few dashers who's 'not whistled dead until dirt is shoveled on him,' tribute to his furious desire to keep moving for still more yardage. He was the No. 4 carrier (826 yards on 128 attempts), third in returning kickoffs and set a playoff-game mark for yards gained as a rusher-receiver-passer.
In three seasons he's played three positions. Lincoln started at safety as a 1961 rookie; moved to offensive halfback in '62 (replacing injured Paul Lowe) and switched to fullback last semester.
Born in Reading, Michigan, he's Washington State's all-time rushing leader."

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1964

"Touted as one of the best running back in all of pro football, Keith Lincoln starts his fourth season with the Chargers. He rushed for 826 yards on 128 carries last season, a league-leading 6.4 average gain. He also caught 24 passes for 325 yards. In his spare time he ran back 17 kickoffs for a 25.8 average. A versatile runner, Lincoln can play fullback or halfback; last year he was a unanimous All-AFL fullback.
Only 25, he was an All-America at Washington State, where he holds rushing records."

-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964

"Keith, one of pro football's most versatile players, can handle any of a number of jobs for the Chargers. A hard-running fullback, he can be used effectively as a halfback, end, defensive halfback and even a quarterback if the situation comes up.
With good hands and good speed, Keith led the Chargers and finished third in the AFL in kickoff returns last year. An injury hampered him in 1963."

-1964 Topps No. 164

"How valuable is Keith Lincoln? Until he was knocked out of last year's AFL championship game with a broken rib, the Chargers were in the ball game. As a Buffalo assistant said afterwards, 'We saw Lincoln down, and we knew we had them.'
During the regular season, when he shifted from halfback to fullback, Keith was the sixth leading ground-gainer with 632 yards on 155 carries. As a halfback in '63, he gained 826 yards to rank fourth, but his 8.5 average was the best anywhere.
According to coach Gillman, he can do anything. He is especially tough to stop, even after he's been brought down."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965

"One of the top fullbacks in pro football, Keith finished sixth in the AFL in rushing in 1964. Keith was voted the Chargers' Most Valuable Player in 1962.
No. 22 is especially valuable to Coach Sid Gillman because of his ability to be used effectively as a halfback, end, defensive back and even as a quarterback if the situation should call for it."

-1965 Topps No. 165

"Keith Lincoln is a pro's pro, a super back on whom the outcome of a game can turn. Since his sophomore campaign of 1962, he's been among the league's top rushers, and in 1963, when he ranked fourth, he gained 826 yards on 128 carries for a phenomenal 6.5 average. He also catches between 20 and 30 passes a season. In 1965, he was hurt early and wound up gaining only 302 yards on 74 carries, for a 4.07 average and three touchdowns; as a pass-catcher, he caught 23 aerials for 376 yards and four touchdowns.
Keith is highly competitive and is a hard runner who's good at eluding tacklers. But at 6-1 and 212 pounds, he really isn't big enough to play fullback, and he tries to run over people.
He played collegiate ball at Washington State, where he was an  All-America."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966

"Injuries sidelined Keith for a good part of the season last year, but the powerful fullback still finished second on the Chargers in rushing. He was fourth in AFL rushing with a 4.07 average run per carry.
In 1962, Keith was voted the most valuable member of the San Diego Chargers."

-1966 Topps No. 127

"Although he was beginning to feel superfluous in San Diego, Keith Lincoln was a little shook up when he got news of his trade to Buffalo. He didn't like feeling unwanted, but the open-arms reception he received in Buffalo quickly reassured him.
One of the league's super-backs since 1962, he has the great versatility to play either halfback or fullback, is a strong, tough blocker, can catch passes and can run strong enough to break tackles. He was held to 58 carries for 214 yards and one touchdown last year, but this is a runner who pounded out more than 800 yards in 1963.
Pulled hamstring muscles have cut into his effectiveness the last couple of seasons, but the 6-1, 212-pounder expects to be running at full speed again in 1967."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

"A real coup for Buffalo was the acquisition of All-AFL fullback Keith Lincoln. The Bills did have to give up a regular, and a good one, in defensive end Tom Day. But they were able to do so comfortably because they have a young bull, Remi Prudhomme, ready to move in.
With Bobby Burnett and Wray Carlton already in the backfield (Burnett and Carlton ran fourth and fifth in the league in rushing in '66, gaining 1,462 yards between them) the Bills now have tremendous strength in that department. Lincoln, 29, is a versatile gentleman who can play either fullback or halfback and is as good a pass receiver as any running back in the league."

-Pro Football Almanac 1967

"The Bills obtained the veteran halfback from the San Diego Chargers. Keith is an aggressive and hard-driving runner. Buffalo feels a healthy Keith Lincoln will ensure a title."

-1967 Topps No. 15

1967 Profiles: Elbert Dubenion and Ed Rutkowski

ELBERT DUBENION
Flanker
No. 44
Bluffton
"The magic returned to the golden wheels of Elbert Dubenion last year, after being slowed down by serious leg surgery. The 5-11, 190-pound flanker raked in 50 passes for 747 yards and two touchdowns to rank eighth in the league among receivers.
It was a remarkable comeback, both physically and mentally, for Duby. It was at first feared he would need more time to recover from the operation which sidelined him for most of 1965, and he also had to convince himself he could do it. But all fears were shelved as soon as he outdistanced his first defender early last season.
An original Bill, he twice topped 1,000 yards and is Buffalo's all-time receiving leader with 271 catches for 5,040 yards.
His best move is still the streak pattern."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

"The high-flying flanker is Buffalo's all-time receiving leader and touchdown maker. After a serious leg operation in 1965, Elbert bounced back to lead the club in pass receptions last season."

-1967 Topps No. 20

"Who led the Bills in pass receptions from 1960 through 1966? Elbert Dubenion."

-1967 Topps No. 19


ED RUTKOWSKI
Flanker-Kick Returner
No. 40
Notre Dame
"Who had the longest punt return for the Bills in 1966? Ed Rutkowski."

-1967 Topps No. 27

1967 Profiles: Mike Mercer and Paul Maguire

MIKE MERCER
Place Kicker
No. 7
Arizona State
"The Vikings' most active 'foot' is Mike Mercer, the punting-placement man out of Algona, Ia., whose father was a pro pioneer with Frankfort and the Giants. He clicked for 36 of 37 placements in 1961 and nine field goals.
Mercer saw service at four colleges- Minnesota, Florida State, Hardin-Simmons and Arizona State. He has a business administration degree."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"Mike was drafted by the Vikings and quickly developed into a top N.F.L. kicker."

-1962 Topps No. 97

"Mike had a fine rookie year in 1963. He ranked fifth in the American Football League in punting and also kicked eight field goals. He had a perfect record in kicking extra points as he succeeded in each of his 47 attempts. In Mike's very first game with the Oakland Raiders, he kicked five field goals in five attempts.
He played in the All-America Bowl in Tucson, Arizona."

-1964 Topps No. 145

"Mike joined the Oakland Raiders as a free agent in 1963. He has turned out to be a fine pick-up for Oakland. Mike led the Raiders in scoring in 1964 with 79 points. He has never missed an extra point attempt in his two seasons.
Mike also handles the team's punting. He is one of only four professionals who combine place kicking with punting."

-1965 Topps No. 143

"Under a unique lend-lease agreement, Mike Mercer was traded from Buffalo to Kansas City. It happened right after a Buffalo-Kansas City game, after Booth Lusteg had kicked three field goals for the Bills. Mercer was then on the Buffalo taxi squad and Hank Stram came, hat in hand, begging for Mercer. The Bills said okay, providing they could have the option of getting Mike back after the season. They exercised that option in record time once they read Mike's 1967 statistics- 21 field goals in 30 tries, the best record in all of pro football. Lusteg kicked 19 of 38, so there should be a swinging battle between the two in the Bills' camp this summer."

-Pro Football Almanac 1967


PAUL MAGUIRE
Punter-Linebacker
No. 55
The Citadel
Paul once again pinned opposing offenses deep in their own territory last year. His 69 punts (2nd in the AFL, with none blocked) for 2,841 yards (3rd) were good for an average of 41.2 yards (7th), and his longest punt of 61 yards was the AFL's seventh longest of 1966.
His 82-yard punt in 1961 while with the Chargers is still the AFL record. All-Pro in 1962 and 1965, Paul has been booting them for Buffalo since 1964.

1967 Profile: Wray Carlton

Fullback
No. 30
Duke
"Back at his more natural position of fullback last year, Wray Carlton fit like a peg in its correct hole. He merely had the best season of his career. He finished fifth among rushers with 696 yards on 156 carries for a 4.4 average and six touchdowns.
During much of his seven years in the league, he has been forced to move over to halfback out of deference to Cookie Gilchrist and Billy Joe. But they are no longer in Buffalo. Wray's strength is running to the inside - he has no speed to the outside. He's a fine cutter and a hard runner, and he gives the quarterback good blocking.
A 6-1, 230-pounder, he played his college ball at Duke and originally was signed by the Patriots. He came to the Bills before the start of the 1960 season."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

"The muscularly built veteran back is one of the best fullbacks in football. Besides being a hard-driving runner and a good pass receiver, Wray is one of the best blockers."

-1967 Topps No. 19

"Which Buffalo back holds the longest run mark? Wray Carlton- 80 yards."

-1967 Topps No. 20

1967 Profiles: Art Powell and Paul Costa

ART POWELL
Split End
No. 84
San Jose State
"Won praise as an outstanding 1959 rookie. Powell played only one college season before going to the Canadian League. A defensive halfback who worked overtime as a returner of punts and kickoffs, he was the NFL's second best in the latter department, moving 379 yards on 14 chances. His speed and agility make him an ideal pass defender.
Powell lives in San Diego. His brother Charley was a 49er tackle."

-1960 Pro Football Handbook

"The surprise of '60 was why the Eagles permitted end Art Powell to get away. He was among the standout NFL rookies in '59, excelling in punt and kickoff returns. Voted an AFL All-Star for his feat in leading the loop in catching touchdown passes (14) and taking down 72 passes for 1,265 yards. He also gained 63 yards with two kickoff returns.
Only 24, this San Jose (California) sparkler figures to remain among the high echelon offensive stars."

-1961 Pro Football Handbook

"'Art Powell,' said Sammy Baugh, the finest passer in football history, 'is the best receiver I've ever seen.'
Powell was a defensive back before he joined the Titans.
The end with the most natural class in the league is Powell. For a guy of 24, he's had a rather stormy career. His older brother is a former heavyweight fighter and defensive end who plays with the Oakland Raiders. Like Charlie, Art was a brilliant high school athlete in San Diego; he went on to San Jose State, scored 47 points in one basketball game and then led the nation in receiving as a sophomore end with 40 catches, five for touchdowns. All-American honors loomed, but Art jumped school and went up to Canada for a couple of seasons. When his college class was graduated, the Eagles drafted Art, who switched over to defense and made the grade as a regular in the secondary. The pros are looking for his kind, a 6-3 212-pounder who can run with everybody. As a rookie he led the NFL in kickoff returns, taking one ball back 95 yards against the Giants, missing a touchdown when he stepped into a hole and fell down. He returned a punt 58 yards for a score.
It looked like a long career in the NFL for him as 1960 began, but the Eagles weren't enchanted with his behavior. They cut him loose, and not a team in the league picked him up; no one wanted to risk his temperament. The Titans weren't so queasy. First, they put him at offensive end, which Art wanted. Then they left him alone, and he revealed tremendous talent. Until he joined the team just before the season, the lone receiver was Don Maynard, the slim kid from Texas Western who had been discarded by the Giants. With both of them in the lineup, defenses went nuts; they gathered in 141 passes to be the most effective unit in pro football, and Powell scored 14 touchdowns to lead the league. If Art never caught a pass, he'd still be the most valuable guy in the Titans lineup, for every team is forced to double up its coverage on him. Acting as a decoy, he frees Maynard and the backs for receptions."

-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1961 Pro Football

"When it comes to leaving his feet and beating a defender to a pass, powerful Powell is in a class by himself. His 14 touchdowns were tops in the league."

-1961 Topps No. 151

"Nifty swifty [sic] and so difficult to cover in the open is Art Powell, the spectacular pass catcher who was No. 3 among all receivers in 1961. The 25-year-old ex-Eagle latched on to 71 passes for 881 yards and seldom could he remember when he didn't have to out-hustle two defenders for the right to the ball. No team in the circuit plays him one-on-one, a tribute to his speed and good hands."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"Powell is a quarterback's delight. His size makes him easy to spot downfield, and his speed- he's run the 100 in 9.7- and great set of moves have opposing defenders running in circles. What's more, his hands are so big that they look ready-made for catching footballs.
Only Denver's Lionel Taylor and Houston's Charlie Hennigan caught more than his 71 receptions, good for 881 yards. His best day was October 22 when he hauled in 12 Titan passes just one short of the league record."

-1962 Fleer No. 60

"From New York comes Art Powell, the flashy and speedy end who was first in yards gained as a receiver (1,130) and No. 2 in snaring aerials.
Spectacular in action, he's 26 and out of Hamilton, Ontario, where he played in the Canadian circuit before sparkling in the NFL with the Eagles. Constantly double-teamed, he has the knowledge and agility to shift direction with amazing speeds and changes of pace."

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963

"With the Titans for three years, Art was a brilliant pass receiver who caught a total of 204 passes. He led the AFL in touchdown passes in 1960 with 14, and in the last two campaigns has ranked second in total receptions. This despite the fact that teams usually double and triple-teamed him.
Art first showed his talent by leading the nation's college receivers as a sophomore. He played a couple of years in Canada and was a regular safety for the Philadelphia Eagles before coming to the AFL."

-1963 Fleer No. 59

"Offensive end Art Powell of the Oakland Raiders was one of the big reasons his team climbed into second place in the AFL's Western Division after suffering a disastrous 1-13 season in 1962. Powell joined the Raiders last year after playing out his option with the New York Titans and proceeded to lead the league's pass receivers in total yardage (1,304) and touchdowns (16).
Says the 27-year-old wide end: 'I feel I should score two touchdowns a game.' Powell bettered that when Oakland met the league-leading San Diego Chargers last December. Behind 27-10 in the fourth quarter, the Raiders scored 31 points, pulling the game out of the fire, 41-27. Powell grabbed three touchdown tosses that afternoon, the third being a 40-yarder from quarterback Cotton Davidson that put the Raiders out ahead.
Born in Dallas on February 25, 1937, Powell moved to San Diego as a child and later became an outstanding local high school athlete in football and basketball. After a year at San Diego Junior College, Powell transferred to San Jose State where he was the top college receiver in the county in 1956. But he left school the next year to play pro football with Toronto of the Canadian League. In 1959 he joined the Philadelphia Eagles and was a topnotch safety man on defense.
But Art wanted to play on offense, so he joined the Titans in 1960 after becoming a free agent. In his three seasons at New York, the 6'3", 210-pound end established himself as one of the best in the league, catching a total of 204 passes. In 1960 he topped the AFL in touchdown passes caught (14) and in 1962 he led in reception yardage (1,130).
Harried opponents often double-team Powell, but this doesn't seem to bother him. 'They usually have the safety helping out against me, but that's okay, because it means they have to weaken themselves elsewhere,' he observes."

-Bill Wise, 1964 Official Pro Football Almanac

"Art Powell found the switch from East to West an easy one to make, moving from New York to Oakland where he was first at yards gained with pass receptions (1,304), No. 2 as an overall receiver and All-AFL at split end.
Entering the pro ranks after just one year of college ball, he was a rookie flash with the Eagles in between Canadian League campaigns. Switching to the AFL in 1960, he led the loop in touchdown receptions (14) and soon taught the opposition that it was necessary to have two defenders assigned to him. Now 27, he must be acknowledged among the top two performers at his position."

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1964

"Recognized as one of pro football's finest pass-catchers, Art Powell hopes to repeat as split end on the All-AFL team. He led the league in pass reception yardage with 1,304 and touchdowns caught with 16. He joined the Raiders last season after playing out his option with the Jets (then Titans).
Now in his sixth pro season, he was a star at San Jose State before joining the NFL Eagles in 1959 and moving to the Titans in 1960. He caught the winning pass for the Western AFL squad in the final minute of last season's All-Star Game."

-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964

"Last year was Art's first season with the Raiders, as Oakland acquired the end from the New York Jets. He led the American Football League with 1,304 yards and he crossed the goal line with 16 touchdowns. Second in the AFL with 73 receptions, Art set club scoring records for the Raiders. In the All-Star Game, he caught the winning touchdown pass in the final minute of play."

-1964 Topps No. 150

"The well-traveled Art Powell has won pass-catching laurels wherever he has gone, but if anything, he's been at his best since joining Oakland.
Last season, he set new club records in receptions (76) and yardage (1,361) to top the 73 for 1,304 he established in 1963. His 1964 figures tied him with Lionel Taylor for second place among league pass-catchers.
Art, who has a great pair of hands to go with his size, speed and strength, formerly played for the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Toronto Argos (Canadian League) and the New York Jets (AFL). He's now in his ninth pro year."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965

"Art ranks among the greatest receivers in football. He is the complete and ideal end. Art has the size, speed, courage and the hands to do the job right.
He joined the Raiders in 1963 and promptly set a club record for receptions. Last year, Art broke his own record. Watch the big end try to establish another club record this year.
Art caught the winning touchdown pass in the 1963 All-Star Game."

-1965 Topps No. 146

"Art Powell handles a football the way Picasso handles a brush. Art's art is catching passes, and in his six years in the AFL he has gained 6,643 yards that way- more than anyone else in the league. In four different years he has bettered 1,000 yards. Last season, Art caught 52 aerials for an even 800 yards and an average of 15.4, plus 12 touchdowns.
He is 6-2 and 212 pounds. He catches a lot of his passes on a quick-out move he has mastered, which is a slanting pattern, and with his great hands he doesn't drop many.
Actually, Art's pro career predates 1960. Before the AFL was originated, he played for the Toronto Argos in Canada and the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL. His first AFL club was the New York Titans."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966

"A regular on the All-Star teams, Art's biggest thrill was catching the winning touchdown pass fo the West in the 1963 All-Star contest.
The big end led the Raiders in pass receptions in '65 and was third in the league in touchdowns. Art holds the Raiders' record for catches in a season with 76."

-1966 Topps No. 116

"It is a third-down-and-short-yardage condition, and as Art Powell positions himself out wide, the danger signals crackle in the defensive secondary like a crazy morse code. For Powell is practically impossible to cover in such situations, and in all likelihood he will make his famous look-in over the middle for the pass that will bail his team out. This is the reputation Art brings with him to Buffalo.
In seven professional seasons, he has become a virtuoso of the pass-catching game, a man who has five times gone over the 1,000-yard mark. His lifetime total of 7,669 yards far outstrips any other receiver in the league.
Last year, the 6-2, 212-pounder caught 53 passes for 1,026 yards for a 19.4 percentage and 11 touchdowns, to finish in sixth place.
From 30 yards in, he's murder."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

"The restless Art Powell is happy to be gone from Oakland, and Buffalo is happy to have him.
Looking at last year's Super Bowl game, featuring wide receivers on both Green Bay and Kansas City who were built like tight ends, Buffalo executives concluded they must have at least one like that. The Bills like to throw in the middle but they were hampered last year by the lack of strength of pass receivers Elbert Dubenion and Glenn Bass. Arthur Powell is a big, strong outside receiver who finished sixth in the league last year in catches with 51 for 1,053 yards and 11 touchdowns. The only reason he didn't catch more, Powell said, was because he wasn't thrown to enough."

-Pro Football Almanac 1967

"One of professional football's great receivers, Art was obtained by the Bills after the 1966 campaign.
In the 1963 All-Star game, Art caught the winning touchdown pass to give the western All-Stars the victory."

-1967 Topps No. 17

"Who holds the Raider scoring record for one game? Art Powell- 24 points."

-1967 Topps No. 103

"Who holds the Oakland record for most receptions in one season? Art Powell, 76."

-1967 Topps No. 104

'Who scored the most touchdowns for Oakland in 1966? Art Powell, 11."

-1967 Topps No. 116


PAUL COSTA
Tight End
No. 82
Notre Dame
Paul has fortified the tight end position for Buffalo. Last year he caught 27 passes for 400 yards and a 14.8 average and was an AFL All-Star for the second consecutive year. On November 20 against the Oilers at Rice Stadium, Paul caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Daryle Lamonica in the first quarter and a three-yard pass from Jack Kemp in the fourth quarter.
An impressive combination of strength, speed and size, Paul played tackle, halfback, offensive end and defensive end at Notre Dame.

1967 Bills Defensive Line Profiles

TOM SESTAK
Defensive Tackle
No. 70
McNeese State
"The powerfully built tackle has been an All-Pro selection since 1963. Tom has been described as the perfect man for his position because of his size, speed and ability."

-1967 Topps No. 27


JIM DUNAWAY
Defensive Tackle
No. 78
Mississippi
"During last year's All-Star Game, an offensive lineman sent this message to Jim Dunaway through a neutral: 'Tell that big farmer this is only an All-Star Game. He's been beating on my head all day.' That's the tipoff on this 6'4", 297-pound hulk of a man who plays defensive left tackle for the Bills. He doesn't know when or how to take it easy.
Now in his fifth AFL year, he has played with marked improvement each season, and now is one of the most feared pass rushers in the league.
Jim was a unanimous All-America at Mississippi and was drafted No. 2 by the Bills, as well as first by the Minnesota Vikings."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

"Strong and extremely mobile, Jim is recognized as one of the best pass rushers in professional football. Teamed with tackle Tom Sestak, they are the toughest duo of linemen to run against in the American Football League. Look for his bone-crushing tackles in '67."

-1967 Topps No. 21


RON MCDOLE
Defensive End
No. 72
Nebraska
"Moving like a human torpedo, Ron McDole probably makes more opposite-side-of-the-field tackles than any other defensive end in the business. Though his weight varies anywhere from 249 to 300 pounds, it does not seem to affect his mobility or his animal quickness.
Ron, who played his college ball at Nebraska, originally broke into pro ball with the St. Louis Cardinals as an offensive tackle. He later moved into the AFL with the Houston Oilers, and ultimately was picked up by the Bills as a free agent."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

"A top-notch defensive end, Ron is often seen on the opposite side of the field making game-saving tackles on fleet-footed backs who appear ready to bust out for a long gain."

-1967 Topps No. 25


HOWARD KINDIG
Defensive End
No. 73
Los Angeles State
"Howard figures heavily in Coach Sid Gilman's plans for 1967. The big defensive end was just used in reserve as a rookie.
He was Little All-America, All-Coast and All-CCAA at Los Angeles State."

-1967 Topps No. 127


TOM RHOADS
Defensive End
3rd Round
Notre Dame
"Rhoads was a third-round pick of the Buffalo Bills. If he puts on a little weight (he's expected to report at 240 or so), he could find himself in the Bills' starting lineup in 1967 because Buffalo traded regular defensive end Tom Day to San Diego.
An excellent student at Notre Dame, Tom shows a lot of determination."

-Pro Football Almanac 1967

1967 Bills Defensive Back Profiles

BUTCH BYRD
Cornerback
No. 42
Boston University
Last September in Buffalo against Miami, Butch returned an intercepted pass 60 yards for a touchdown (the 5th longest interception return in the AFL in '66) in the first quarter. Later that quarter, he returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown (the 4th longest punt return of '66), with his two scores increasing Buffalo's lead from 7-0 to 21-0, thus blazing a trail for what would be a 58-24 Bills rout of the Dolphins.
Over the course of the '66 season, Butch returned 23 punts (2nd in the AFL) for 186 yards (4th) and an 8.1 average (4th) and made six interceptions (6th) for 110 yards (8th). He was an AFL All-Star for the second straight year and was named All-AFL by the AFL players, AP and UPI.


TOM JANIK
Cornerback
No. 27
Texas A & I
"Which player led the Bills in pass interceptions in 1966? Tom Janik."

-1967 Topps No. 17

"Which player led the league in 1966 in returning interceptions for touchdowns? Tom Janik"

-1967 Topps No. 25

Tom's third quarter 34-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Oilers at Rice Stadium gave the Bills a 28-13 lead in an eventual 42-20 Buffalo win. In the regular season finale in Buffalo against Denver, he made two interceptions for 47 yards returned, including one returned 25 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter in a 38-21 Bills win.
Tom's 1966 total of eight interceptions, including three games of two interceptions, was third in the AFL, as was his 136 yards on interception returns.


GEORGE SAIMES
Safety
No. 26
Michigan State
"Thinking-man's football player George Saimes is a composite of many splendid little gifts sportswriters like to call intangibles. As an individual, he's concerned with what goes in the world outside the football stadium.
As a football player, he was barely big enough to play fullback at Michigan State, where he was a unanimous All-America. In the pros, he was converted into a safetyman and has become one of the league's best - again despite his size. Last year, his fourth in the league, he was voted to the All-AFL team, even though he didn't make one interception. At 5-11 and 186 pounds, he's not so small his fellow players can't see all the good plays he makes."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

"With cat-like quickness, George seems to be around the ball on every play. Although slightly built as football players go, George is a strong tackler for his size."

-1967 Topps No. 26


HAGOOD CLARKE
Safety
No. 45
Florida
Against the Raiders in Buffalo last September, Hagood returned a fourth-quarter interception 66 yards for a touchdown for the final score in a 27-20 Bills win. It was the third longest interception return in the AFL last year. In the November rematch in Oakland, he made two more interceptions for 48 yards returned.
Hagood's season total of five interceptions was 10th in the league and his 118 yards on returns was sixth. He was named AP second-team All-AFL.


CHARLEY WARNER
Kick Returner-Defensive Back-Flanker
No. 22
Prairie View
"Who holds the longest return run on record for the Bills? Charley Warner- 102 yards."

-1967 Topps No. 23

1967 Profile: Bobby Burnett

Halfback
No. 21
Arkansas
"You never know when a player is ready to burst into stardom. With rookie Bobby Burnett last year, the Bills' staff felt he was a year or so away. He'd never done any blocking in college, or any outside running.
But this is a kid who comes from a disciplined football background. His father was the coach of his high school team, and Carl Broyles cured him of fumbleitis when he was a sophomore at Arkansas.
So he put it all together last year and was the AFL's surprise Rookie of the Year, gaining 766 yards on 187 carries for a 4.1 average and four touchdowns, and finishing fourth in the league in rushing.
A 6-2, 197-pounder, he runs with a high knee action that is designed to break tackles."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

"Who was the leading rusher for Buffalo in 1966? Bobby Burnett."

-1967 Topps No. 15

1967 Bills Offensive Line Profiles

AL BEMILLER
Center
No. 50
Syracuse
Al was back at center last year after two seasons at guard. At either position, he's always been a lineman Bills quarterbacks can depend on for pass protection. Al hasn't missed a game since arriving in Buffalo as a rookie in 1961 after making All-East at Syracuse.


BILLY SHAW
Guard
No. 66
Georgia Tech
"Some people think the best one-on-one show in pro football occurs during the mid-week practice sessions of the Bills, when Billy Shaw knocks heads with defensive tackle Tom Sestak. But it's not so. Billy is only warming up for Sunday's game when, week after week, he goes about proving he's the best guard in the league.
The highest vote-getter in the annual All-AFL ratings, he is the complete guard who is equally proficient as a pass blocker and as an interference-runner. The Bills staff says there is no department in which he has a weakness.
A 6-2, 258-pounder from Georgia Tech, he joined the Bills in 1961, which is about as long as he has been an All-League star."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

"Don't listen to those spoilsports who say that Billy Shaw gets away with murder with his holding tactics. Shaw is just an exceptional blocking guard, that's all, and the six-foot, 250-pound seven-year veteran was one big reason for Buffalo's revived running game in 1966."

-Pro Football Almanac 1967

"One of the most praised guards in pro football, Billy has been an All-Pro selection since 1962.
Billy is an outstanding pass protector and is also the best pulling guard on the Buffalo line. There are few players who can match his aggressive play and competitive spirit."

-1967 Topps No. 28


JOE O'DONNELL
Guard
No. 67
Michigan
Although Joe is perhaps known as Buffalo's 'other guard,' Buffalo quarterbacks have been thankful to have this rugged competitor in tandem with Billy Shaw.
Joe attended Michigan on an academic scholarship, was captain of the 1964 team and twice made the Big 10 academic team.


STEW BARBER
Offensive Tackle
No. 77
Penn State
"One of the stalwarts of the fabulous Buffalo line is Stew Barber. He was originally a linebacker but was converted to the offensive line in 1962. He quickly picked up the knack of pass protection and is also one of the best on long-gaining sweeps."

-1967 Topps No. 18


DICK HUDSON
Offensive Tackle
No. 79
Memphis State
"Meet one of pro football's most determined players. Dick came back after serious surgery in 1963 to battle his way back to the top.
He is rated the best pass blocker on the awesome Buffalo line. Watch Dick send those red-dogging safety men back to where they came from."

-1967 Topps No. 22

1967 Bills Linebacker Profiles

HARRY JACOBS
Middle Linebacker
No. 64
Bradley
"A real student of the game, Harry is the defensive signal-caller for the Buffalo Bills. He is a member of the rock-em, sock-em school of football and is one of the hardest hitters in professional football."

-1967 Topps No. 23


MIKE STRATTON
Linebacker
No. 58
Tennessee
"Put a football suit on Mike Stratton and you transform him from a quiet, unobtrusive fellow into a violent play wrecker. The Bills' right linebacker plays with such fury that he has been credited with several clean knockouts during his five years in the league. It was Mike who knocked Keith Lincoln (now a teammate) out of the 1964 title game with his savage tackle, and it was Mike who last year flattened KC quarterback Pete Beathard with a head-on tackle.
Big and rough, he grew to his present 240 pounds after joining the Bills in 1962 weighing only 210. In addition to his good size, Mike is probably one of the fastest linebackers in either league. He started out as an offensive end."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

"The hard-hitting linebacker has been an All-Pro selection for the past three seasons. Unlike most linebackers, Mike is extremely strong on running plays."

-1967 Topps No. 29


JOHN TRACEY
Linebacker
No. 51
Texas A & M
John once again joined with Jacobs and Stratton to give the Bills one of the most feared linebacking corps in the American Football League. He played every game and was an AFL All-Star selection for the second consecutive year. He was AP second-team All-AFL in 1965.
An offensive end at Texas Tech, John led the Southwest Conference in receptions (37) and receiving yardage (466) and was third in yards per reception (12.6) as a senior.

1967 Profiles: Jack Kemp and Tom Flores

JACK KEMP
Quarterback
No. 15
Occidental
"There are quarterbacks in the league who are flashier than Jack Kemp, throw the ball for better completion percentages, and are superior playcallers. But the one thing Jack has over all of them is his ability to win - which is something he has been doing for the Bills for the last three years. And before that, he directed the Chargers to two titles in a row, placing him in five championship games in seven years.
Possessed with perhaps the strongest throwing arm in football, Jack was hampered last year by what turned out to be a torn muscle in his right elbow. Still, he completed 168 passes out of 389 attempts for 2,451 yards and 11 touchdowns and a .427 percentage. His playcalling improved, too.
In 1965, he was the AFL's Most Valuable Player."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

"The longball-throwing veteran was the American Football League's Player of the Year in 1965. A crafty general, Jack is a strong running threat."

-1967 Topps No. 24

"Who was the leading passer for the Bills in 1966? Jackie Kemp."

-1967 Topps No. 16

"Who completed Buffalo's longest pass play? Jackie Kemp to Glenn Bass- 94 yards."

-1967 Topps No. 22


TOM FLORES
Quarterback
No. 16
Pacific
"Bearing the passing load will be Tom Flores, the 26-year-old quarterback out of Fresno, California. Tom completed a league high of 54 per cent of his forwards in 1960 and turned in 12 touchdowns.
Accurate and quick at picking his target, he was among the country's total offense leaders as a collegian."

-1961 Pro Football Handbook

"Co-captain of the Raiders, Tom is fulfilling the brilliant promise he showed at the College of the Pacific. Although he played only two years in college, he was fourth nationally in total offense in 1956 and sixth in 1957. Tom ranks third in the all-time Pacific passing records with 2,099 yards and a 50.2 completion record.
He is surely one of the brightest new stars of professional football."

-1961 Fleer No. 188

"Starting the 1960 season as a sub, he rallied the Raiders from doormats to respectable contenders. Flores' 54% pass completion mark was tops in the AFL."

-1961 Topps No. 186

"Not one voice has ever been raised against the ability of Tom Flores, the fine passer who finished just below George Blanda in the 1961 tables. The [Fresno native] fired 190 completions in 366 attempts, gaining 2,176 yards. This 25-year-old overcame a serious shoulder injury to make the grade and was No. 1 in percentage completed as a 1960 rookie.
Flores has the uncanny skill of making use of his pass-blockers."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"Oakland picked Tom up strictly as a gamble, as he was forced to quit Canadian football because of a chronic bad shoulder. However, Flores fooled the medics when he completed 54% of his passes in 1960 to rank first in that department, and 52% in 1961, second only to Babe Parilli of Boston. One-hundred-ninety of Flores' passes were caught in 1961, out of 366 attempts, for 2,158 yards. Only 5% of his aerials were intercepted, third lowest in the AFL.
Tom heaved 15 touchdown passes last season, as compared to 12 the year before. He was rated the second best quarterback in the American Football League."

-1962 Fleer No. 68

"Illness prevented Tom Flores from again acquiring the role of quarterback in 1962, and he was forced to the sidelines for the complete season. He's had an unusual run of bad luck since coming into the league and was forced to overcome a serious shoulder injury before being able to earn a job as a 1960 rookie.
Flores was the most accurate of passers as a yearling, leading the circuit in percentage completed. Out of Fresno, California, this 26-year-old fireball was the No. 2 passer in '61, topped only by George Blanda.
Flores says he learned more by watching games as a spectator last season and insists he'll be able to apply this education in 1963."

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963

"Tom Flores wasn't expected to lend too much to the Raider offense. After all, the slinger from Fresno had missed all of 1962 with a weakening lung infection and there was some question about his strength and desire. However, the 26-year-old rebounded so well last year that he closed as the No. 2 AFL passer, completing 113 of 247 forwards for 2,101 yards and setting the league mark for yards gained per completion (18.6). Flores was the best of all as a 1960 rookie when he was the most accurate with a 54 per cent passing figure."

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1964

"No longer a question-mark, Tom Flores looms as the regular quarterback for the Raiders this season. His average of 18.59 yards per completion set an AFL record last year as he hit 113 of 247 passes for 20 touchdowns and 2,101 yards, ranking second to Tobin Rote of the Chargers. Sidelined by a lung infection in 1962, Flores bounced back with a great season while alternating with Cotton Davidson. This season, though, he's slated to be the regular.
Out of the University of the Pacific, he's an AFL pureblood."

-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964

"An all-around athlete, Tom was a quarterback in football, a guard in basketball and a pitcher in baseball for his California high school. During his first A.F.L. season, he led the league's quarterbacks with a 54% completion record.
Last year, Tom set a club record when he threw 20 touchdown passes. He threw a 93-yard touchdown bomb to set an Oakland mark."

-1964 Topps No. 139

"Renewed strength and confidence helped Tom Flores to wind up the 1964 campaign impressively. His winning touchdown toss in the final four seconds of the Buffalo game gave the Raiders a 16-13 victory, and he also fired three touchdowns in their 21-20 win over the Chargers. Overall, Tom completed 98 passes for 1,391 yards and seven touchdowns last year, sharing the quarterbacking duties with Cotton Davidson. A lung infection kept him out for the entire 1962 season.
Tom's cool under pressure and can throw the long bomb."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965

"Tom is exceptionally cool under fire and is an outstanding long thrower. His best season was in 1963 when he finished second in the quarterback standings. He owns the club record for the longest touchdowns pass ... 93 yards.
Tom was told to forget about football for good after undergoing a shoulder operation in 1959. He battled his way back and now is considered to be one of the finest throwers in the AFL."

-1965 Topps No. 139

"Tom has a rifle arm and one of the lowest pass interception records [sic]. Last season, he was third in the league in pass completions.
The veteran signal caller was obtained from the Oakland Raiders."

-1967 Topps No. 16

1967 Profile: Joe Collier

Head Coach
"Attuned to a coaching philosophy subscribed to only by winners, Joe Collier says, 'Sit and wait for the teams in this league to catch you and they'll trample you to death.' Having inherited the Eastern powerhouse Bills last season and having led them to another division title, Collier has not been one to sit on his success. Instead, he has gone out during the off-season and instituted trades to bolster sagging positions. The acquisition of such established operatives as Keith Lincoln, Art Powell, Mike Mercer and Tom Flores reflects the thinking of a man who intends staying right where he started - on top.
Collier was an assistant under Lou Saban for four years, the man who blueprinted the defenses that in the last three seasons held the opposition to just 15 touchdowns on the ground. He was the popular choice to succeed Saban when Saban elected to depart Buffalo.
'I can't remember when I didn't plan on a coaching career,' says Collier. As best as he can recall, it started back when he attended Rock Island High School in Illinois. He later was a star end at Northwestern and was drafted by the New York Giants. But he preferred to enter coaching instead, and in 1960 joined the Patriots as an assistant. Two years later, he joined the Bills."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

1967 Buffalo Bills Outlook

"Last year, people were writing obits to the Bills. This year, the same people are singing their praises and openly predicting a fourth consecutive Eastern Division title - and maybe more.
How can they miss? Of course, questions like this preceded such disastrous flops as the Edsel and the Titanic, but the Bills have something going for them the others didn't - they are proven winners. More than that, the 1967 model is a vast improvement over the 1966 team. Off-season trades have improved their passing and running attacks, and they added points when they acquired place kicker Mike Mercer from Kansas City.
One of Buffalo's many constants is its quarterback, Jack Kemp. He may not rank as the best in the league, but he keeps on winning. That's enough. Jack tore a muscle in his right elbow last season, but he spent the summer throwing the ball in California and reported that the arm felt fine. Tom Flores, acquired in the big trade with Oakland, switches places with the departed Daryle Lamonica as the No. 2 man. His edge over Lamonica is that he's a better passer, and was good enough to guide the Raiders to a winning record.
The 1966 Bills completed 15 touchdown passes; only Denver with 12 had fewer. To end this drought the Bills acquired All-Pro split end Art Powell, who was the key man in the deal with Oakland. Powell will give the passing game some much needed legs, as well as allow Bobby Crockett to develop at his own pace. Crockett caught 31 passes for 533 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie last year. On the other side of the field, flanker Elbert Dubenion should be twice as effective with another old pro in the lineup, and Paul Costa, who caught 27 passes for 400 yards last year, is solid at tight end. The holdovers at end are Ed Rutkowski, Charley Warner and Charley Ferguson; the new men are John Pitts, the Bills No. 1 draft choice from Arizona State, and Jerry Seither, the No. 9 pick from Kent State.
A year ago, the Bills were operating with unknown factors in the backfield; not anymore. Bobby Burnett came so fast at halfback that he was voted the league's Rookie of the Year, and fullback Wray Carlton enjoyed his finest season. Now the Bills have added Keith Lincoln, the ex-San Diego great, to their backfield as swing man; Keith can be used at either halfback or fullback and give the ground game extra drive. Then there's Allen Smith, who looked promising at halfback as a rookie, and veteran fullback Jack Spikes to round things out. This year's batch of recruits includes Randy Wheeler (Georgia), Vern Moore (Central State) and Allen's brother Grover Smith (Ft. Valley State).
Up front, the momentum for the attack is provided by the best offensive line in the East. Stew Barber and Dick Hudson are the tackles, Billy Shaw and Joe O'Donnell are the guards and Al Bemiller is the center. The Bills seem to have more depth here than they did last year. Wayne Desutter and rookies George Gaiser (SMU) and Jim LeMoine (Utah State) are the extra tackles, ex-taxi squader Charley Turner and rookie Gary Bugenhagen (Syracuse) are the new guards, and Bob Schmidt is the backup center if he doesn't retire. Otherwise, Jim Baffico, who has been up before, will move in. If young Gaiser makes it at tackle, the Bills will shift DeSutter to defense.
There wasn't a tougher defense to run against last than Buffalo's front four. It should be the same story this season, even though the Bills lost end Tom Day to San Diego in the trade for Lincoln. Ron McDole will be back at the other end, and Tom Sestak and Jim Dunaway will return at tackle. Often in the past, this was the threesome that did the rushing, leaving Day back to work with the linebackers. To fill the other end, the Bills have Remi Prudhomme, a 6-4, 245-pound strongman who worked as a guard in his rookie season. The Bills are seeking depth on this line and have as candidates Don Thiesen and Ernie Lashutka, who are being brought up from the taxi squad, and rookies Malcolm Williams (Parsons College), Ernie Ames (Kent State) and Bob Bonner (Southern U.).
The quality and ferocity of the pass rush allows the Bills' topflight corps of linebackers to lay back and protect against the pass. Mike Stratton, Harry Jacobs and John Tracey form one of the ablest units around. If they need help, there are experienced reserves like Paul McGuire, Marty Schottenheimer and Paul Guidry.
Behind them is the brilliant secondary composed of Tommy Janik and George Byrd at the corners and Hagood Clarke and George Saimes at the safeties. But nobody's job is safe. There's bound to be a tough battle waged at left corner by second-year man Charley King, who is rated as speedier than Janik; and Booker Edgerson, recovered from knee surgery, will try to win back the other job at right corner. The other job-seekers are Charley King's brother, Tony, who taxied last year, and rookies Tommy Croft (Louisiana Tech), Grant Martinson (Utah State), Tommy Luke (Mississippi) and Mike Irwin (Penn State)."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

IN BRIEF
Probable 1967 Finish: 1st
Strengths:  an improved offense, aided by the additions of Keith Lincoln and Art Powell, and the best overall defense in the league.
Biggest Needs: depth in the defensive line and another running back.
1966 finish:  1st

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967


ADD POWELL, MERCER AND LINCOLN TO THE BILLS AND WHAT DO YOU GET? A VERY CLOSE GAME IN THIS SEASON'S SUPER BOWL.
"The rich get richer; they really do. The Bills, who have won three consecutive Eastern Division titles, should be the most improved team in the AFL- mainly because of three off-season trades. From the league champion Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo re-acquired Mike Mercer, the most accurate field goal man in pro football last year(21 out of 30), who had been loaned to Kansas City for the '66 season. From the San Diego Chargers, the Bills got Keith Lincoln, an outstanding runner who can play either halfback or fullback. And from the Oakland Raiders, Buffalo got All-AFL split end Art Powell and quarterback Tom Flores. The personnel price paid for these four players was not exorbitant: defensive end Tom Day to San Diego, quarterback Daryle Lamonica and split end Glenn Bass to Oakland. Buffalo also gave up draft picks but, on the pre-season balance at least, coach Joe Collier seems to have gotten the best of it.
Basically, Collier traded in order to 'turn on' his offense. Consider the offensive backfield, for example. Last year Buffalo had only two good set backs- 225-fullback Wray  Carlton and 197-pound rookie halfback Bobby Burnett, and Burnett had little background as a blocker or outside runner. But by season's end, Bobby was the AFL's Rookie-of-the-Year- and its fourth-ranking rusher, with 766 yards gained on 187 carries. Good as he is, however, Burnett may find himself displaced by Lincoln, who is bigger (at 215 pounds), just as fast and more experienced (seven years as a pro). It's a delicious problem for Collier, who also will pick from among veteran Jack Spikes and young backs Allen and Grover Smith (they're brothers), Vern Moore, Randy Wheeler, Bill Bailey and Doug Goodwin.
Despite that division championship, quarterback Jack Kemp did not have a good '66 season, unless you consider a .427 completion average good- which Kemp doesn't. Now, however, Jack has even better receivers to shoot at: Powell, flanker Elbert Dubenion and tight end Paul Costa, all of whom can go long. Powell, with those great hands and moves, will probably push last year's rookie spread end, Bobby Crockett, onto the bench. Charley Warner has been moved from defensive cornerback to play behind Dubenion at flanker, and the Bills think they have a top prospect in John Pitts, a 6-5, 212-pound pass-catcher from Arizona State.
Buffalo has only one weakness in its defensive line- at right end, where Tom Day played. Day was a terrifying pass rusher who'd just as soon garrot a quarterback as look at him (ask Joe Namath). Remi Prudhomme, a 259-pounder in his second pro season, will replace Day- unless a trade is swung. Over on the other end, the Bills are well satisfied with 278-pound Ron McDole, while the defensive tackles, 270-pound Tom Sestak and 297-pound Jim Dunaway, are as good as any tandem in the game.
Buffalo's linebackers know each other as well as they know their wives; it's eight-year pro Harry  Jacobs in the middle, with Mike Stratton (six pro years) at outside right and John Tracey (nine years) at outside left. But the Bills would not be shocked if Marty Schottenheimer, in his third season, came on to take Jacobs' job. The secondary is set, with All-League Butch Byrd and Tom Janik at the corners, and All-League George Saimes and Hagood Clarke at safety.
The Bills have their complete interior line back on offense: tackles Dick Hudson and Stew Barber, guards Billy Shaw and Joe O'Donnell, and center Al Bemiller. Coach Collier calls the 262-pound Hudson 'a match for any man he plays opposite,' while Shaw, 258-pounds, is perhaps the best blocking guard in the league. Rookie Dick Cunningham of Arkansas, 220 pounds, will be worked at guard, behind O'Donnell, while 240-pound Gary Bugenhagen of Syracuse will be tried at both guard and tackle. Veteran Bob Schmidt will support Bemiller at center, although Schmidt, a nine-year pro, has been talking about retirement.
Mercer and last year's placekicker, Booth Lusteg, are both available- but only one will stick. Bet on Mercer, since he also can punt- and since Lusteg disturbed the Bills by blowing some key field goals last season. In general, this is a highly experienced team. There are some good new faces- offensive lineman Jim LeMoine of Utah State and defensive end Tom Rhoads of Notre Dame, to mention just two- but it will be tough for a rookie to crack the Buffalo lineup. The Bills backed into their division title when New York beat Boston for them. This year, though, there will be no backing and filling. The Buffalo Bills will win it, easily."

-Dick Kaplan, Pro Football Almanac 1967


1967 BUFFALO BILLS PRESEASON ROSTER
*  Ernie Ames (DT) Kent State
*  Bill Bailey (FB) Cincinnati
77 Stew Barber (T) Penn State
50 Al Bemiller (C) Syracuse
*  Robert Bonner (DT) Southern
*  Gary Bugenhagen (G) Syracuse
21 Bob Burnett (HB) Arkansas
42 Butch Byrd (DB) Boston University
30 Wray Carlton (FB) Duke
*  George Carter (SE) St. Bonaventure
45 Hagood Clarke (DB) Florida
82 Paul Costa (E) Notre Dame
83 Bobby Crockett (E) Arkansas
*  Tom Croft (RS) Louisiana Tech
*  Dick Cunningham (G) Arkansas
71 Wayne DeSutter (T) Western Illinois
44 Elbert Dubenion (FL) Bluffton
78 Jim Dunaway (DT) Mississippi
24 Booker Edgerson (DB) Western Illinois
80 Charley Ferguson (E) Tennessee State
*  Howard Finley (LC)[sic] Tennessee A & I
Tom Flores (QB) Pacific
George Gaiser (T) SMU
35 Doug Goodwin (FB) Maryland State
59 Paul Guidry (LB) McNeese State
79 Dick Hudson (T) Memphis State
*  Mike Irwin (LS) Penn State
64 Harry Jacobs (LB) Bradley
27 Tom Janik (DB) Texas A & I
15 Jack Kemp (QB) Occidental
47 Charley King (DB) Purdue
*  Tony King (LS) Findlay
*  Greg Lashutka (DE) Ohio State
*  Jim LeMoine (T) Utah State
Keith Lincoln (HB) Washington State
*  Tommy Luke (LS) Mississippi
5  Booth Lusteg (K) Connecticut
55 Paul Maguire (LB) The Citadel
*  Grant Martinson (RS) Utah State
72 Ron McDole (DE) Nebraska
Mike Mercer (K) Arizona State
75 Dudley Meredith (DT) Lamar Tech
Vern Moore (HB) Central State
67 Joe O'Donnell (G) Michigan
*  John Pitts (FL) Arizona State
Art Powell (SE) San Jose State
65 Remi Prudhomme (DE) LSU
*  Tom Rhoads (LB) Notre Dame
40 Ed Rutkowski (E) Notre Dame
26 George Saimes (DB) Michigan State
57 Henry Schmidt (C) USC
56 Marty Schottenheimer (LB) Pittsburgh
*  Jerry Seither (TE) Kent State
70 Tom Sestak (DT) McNeese State
66 Billy Shaw (G) Georgia Tech
34 Allen Smith (HB) Fort Valley State
*  Grover Smith (HB) Fort Valley State
32 Jack Spikes (FB) Texas Christian
58 Mike Stratton (LB) Tennessee
*  Don Thiessen (DE) Reedley JC
*  Paul Tomich (T) Drake
51 John Tracey (LB) Texas A & M
*  Charlie Turner (G) Ohio
22 Charley Warner (DB) Prairie View
*  Randy Wheeler (HB) Georgia
*  Bill Wilkerson (DE) Texas Western
*  Malcolm Williams (DE) Parson

* rookie

-Pro Football 1967


1967 BUFFALO BILLS PRESEASON DEPTH CHARTS
OFFENSE
QB - Jack Kemp (Occidental) 15, Tom Flores (Pacific)
HB - Bobby Burnett (Arkansas) 21, Allen Smith (Fort Valley State) 34
FB - Wray Carlton (Duke) 30, Keith Lincoln (Washington State), Jack Spikes (Texas Christian) 32 
SE - Bobby Crockett (Arkansas) 83, Art Powell (San Jose)
T - Stew Barber (Penn State) 77, Jim LeMoine (Utah State)*
G - Billy Shaw (Georgia Tech) 66, Charlie Turner (Ohio)*
C - Al Bemiller (Syracuse) 50
G - Joe O'Donnell (Michigan) 67, Dick Cunningham (Arkansas)*
T - Dick Hudson (Memphis State) 79, Wayne DeSutter (Western Illinois) 71
TE - Paul Costa (Notre Dame) 82, Charley Ferguson (Tennessee State) 80
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44, Charley Warner (Prarie View) 22, John Pitts (Arizona State)*

DEFENSE
DE - Ron McDole (Nebraska) 72, Greg Lashutka (Ohio State)*
DT - Jim Dunaway (Mississippi) 78, Dudley Meredith (Lamar Tech) 75
DT - Tom Sestak (McNeese State) 70, Ernie Ames  (Kent State)*
DE - Remi Prudhomme (LSU) 65, Dan Thiessen (Reedley JC)*
LB - John Tracey (Texas A & M) 51, Paul Guidry (McNeese State) 59
MLB - Harry Jacobs (Bradley) 64, Marty Schottenheimer (Pittsburgh) 56 
LB - Mike Stratton (Tennessee) 58, Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
CB - Tom Janik (Texas A & I) 27, Charley King (Purdue) 47
S - Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45, Tony King (Findlay)*
S - George Saimes (Michigan State) 26, Tom Croft (Louisiana Tech)*
CB - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42, Booker Edgerson (Western Illinois) 24

* rookie

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

OFFENSE
QB - Jack Kemp (Occidental) 15, Tom Flores (Pacific) 16, Ed Rutkowski (Notre Dame) 40
HB - Bobby Burnett (Arkansas) 21, Keith Lincoln (Washington State) 20, Allen Smith (Fort Valley State) 34
FB - Wray Carlton (Duke) 30, Jack Spikes (Texas Christian) 32     
SE - Art Powell (San Jose) 84, Billy Masters (LSU) 87, Bobby Crockett (Arkansas) 83
T - Stew Barber (Penn State) 77, Dick Cunningham (Arkansas) 62
G - Billy Shaw (Georgia Tech) 66, Jim LeMoine (Utah State)*   
C - Al Bemiller (Syracuse) 50, Bob Schmidt (Minnesota) 57
G - Joe O'Donnell (Michigan) 67, Gary Bugenhagen  (Syracuse)*
T - Dick Hudson (Memphis State) 79, Wayne DeSutter (Western Illinois) 71
TE - Paul Costa (Notre Dame) 82, Charley Ferguson (Tennessee State) 80
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44, Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22, John Pitts (Arizona State)*

DEFENSE
DE - Ron McDole (Nebraska) 72, Greg Lashutka (Ohio State)*
DT - Jim Dunaway (Mississippi) 78, Dudley Meredith (Lamar Tech) 75
DT - Tom Sestak (McNeese State) 70
DE - Remi Prudhomme (LSU) 65, Tom Rhoads (Notre Dame)*
LB - John Tracey (Texas A & M) 51, Paul Guidry (McNeese State) 59
MLB - Harry Jacobs (Bradley) 64, Marty Schottenheimer (Pittsburgh) 56 
LB - Mike Stratton (Tennessee) 58, Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
CB - Tom Janik (Texas A & I) 27, Charlie King (Purdue) 47
S - Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45, John Pitts (Arizona State)*
S - George Saimes (Michigan State) 26, Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
CB - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42, Booker Edgerson (Western Illinois) 24

SPECIALISTS
K - Mike Mercer (Arizona State) 7, Booth Lusteg (Connecticut) 5
P - Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
KR - Charlie King (Purdue) 47, Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
PR - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42

* rookie


1967 Buffalo Bills Profile Summary
Head Coach - Joe Collier

QB - Jack Kemp (Occidental) 15
QB - Tom Flores (Pacific) 16
HB - Bobby Burnett (Arkansas) 21
HB - Keith Lincoln (Washington State) 20
FB - Wray Carlton (Duke) 30
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44
FL - Ed Rutkowski (Notre Dame) 40
FL - Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
SE - Art Powell (San Jose) 84
TE - Paul Costa (Notre Dame) 82
C - Al Bemiller (Syracuse) 50
G - Billy Shaw (Georgia Tech) 66
G - Joe O'Donnell (Michigan) 67
T - Stew Barber (Penn State) 77
T - Dick Hudson (Memphis State) 79

DT - Tom Sestak (McNeese State) 70
DT - Jim Dunaway (Mississippi) 78
DE - Ron McDole (Nebraska) 72
DE - Howard Kindig (Los Angeles State) 73
DE - Tom Rhoads (Notre Dame) 86
MLB - Harry Jacobs (Bradley) 64
LB - Mike Stratton (Tennessee) 58
LB - John Tracey (Texas A & M) 51
LB - Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
CB - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42
CB - Tom Janik (Texas A & I) 27
CB - Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
S - George Saimes (Michigan State) 26
S - Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45

K - Mike Mercer (Arizona State) 7
P -  Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
KR - Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
KR - Ed Rutkowski (Notre Dame) 40
PR - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42

1966 Bills Offensive Line Profiles

DAVE BEHRMAN
Center
No. 60
Michigan State
"Quarterbacks like to work over big Dave because he snaps an easy ball to handle and then quickly positions himself to afford the signal-caller blocking protection. His coach is most impressed by his agility. Defensive linemen fear working opposite big Dave."

-1966 Topps No. 18


BILLY SHAW
Guard
No. 66
Georgia Tech
"If Billy Shaw thinks Tom Sestak is tough, then listen to what Houston Antwine, the wagon-lifting defensive tackle of the Boston Patriots, thinks about Shaw: 'I wouldn't want to be around if he gets much better.' Right now, Captain Billy is considered the outstanding offensive guard in his league. He's got size, 6-2, 250, but more important, he's got the speed to pull out ahead of the ball carrier on running plays, and the desire to tangle with the enormous defensive tackles he must keep off the quarterback's neck.
Shaw is beginning his sixth year with the Bills and has been an All-AFL two seasons in a row. He was an All-America at Georgia Tech."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966

"The big guard is a coach's dream. Billy has great speed and agility. Big No. 66 can often be seen in front of a running back cutting down would-be tacklers. He is the offensive team captain.
Billy played in the 1961 Coaches' All-American Game."

-1966 Topps No. 29


AL BEMILLER
Guard
No. 50
Syracuse
"Al Bemiller is the swing man of the Buffalo offensive line this year. A congenital back injury may compel regular center Dave Behrman to quit the game. If so, the 6-3, 260-pound Bemiller will take his place. The switch will be no sweat for him. Al was a center on those famous Syracuse powerhouses of the late 1950's. The last couple of seasons, he has been playing right guard in order to make room for Behrman.
He's an outstanding blocker who gives the passer good protection, and is especially skilled at the finesse or 'influence' block, which takes more guile than beef."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966

"Highly touted as a rookie in 1961, Al has more than lived up to expectations. Exceptionally quick, Al often leads the way for sweeping backs by cutting down would-be tacklers. He is a perfectionist.
Al was an All-East selection at Syracuse."

-1966 Topps No. 19


STEW BARBER
Offensive Tackle
No. 77
Penn State
"Pro football coaches can be as indecisive as anyone else on occasion. For example, in 1961, when Stew Barber was a rookie out of Penn State, he played linebacker at 228 pounds. When he reported at a new tonnage in 1962, however, it was for a new job. The coaching staff had decided to make him an offensive tackle. So Stew stuffed himself and got up to his present 251 pounds - which is still not overweight for a tackle.
But he manages, even he's a champion worrier about his job. Still, you'll find his name on most All-AFL teams."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966

"The Bills were severely jolted last year when their All-Star tackle was injured. However, Stew's knee is completely healed and he is ready to resume his duties in 1966.
Originally a linebacker, Stew was the Bills' No. 4 draft choice in 1961."

-1966 Topps No. 16


DICK HUDSON
Offensive Tackle
No. 79
Memphis State
"A good tackle is one that gets the jump on the opposition. Dick is extremely quick, and many times during the season has opened holes in the enemy line to allow Buffalo backs to pop through for long gains.
Dick was obtained from San Diego."

-1966 Topps No. 25

1966 Profile: Paul Costa

Tight End
No. 82
Notre Dame
"If Paul Costa occasionally makes mistakes at tight end, don't shower him with your game program. Paul was an end in high school, but at Notre Dame he was knocked around from halfback to fullback to tackle. Last year, his first in pro ball, he all but pushed veteran Ernie Warlick out of a job.
Paul is a superb physical specimen at 6-5 and 256 pounds. You would think that would make him a slowpoke, but get this: he has run 50 yards in 5.6 seconds, then turned around and run another 50 in the identical time.
He's coming fast."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966