1972 Buffalo Bills Kicker Profiles

JOHN LEYPOLDT

Place Kicker

No. 3

Last year John was given a training camp tryout by the Bills and was signed as a free agent. He was put on waivers before the start of the season, then was activated for the last eight games of the season.

In Week 11, with Buffalo 0-10, John's two field goals, for 48 and 41 yards, and his two extra points were the difference in the team's 27-20 win over the Patriots, the Bills' only win of 1971.

Before joining the Bills, John served 18 months in the Army, played semi-pro football with the Virginia Sailors and worked for the Maryland Gas Company.

MIKE CLARK

Place Kicker

No. 7

Texas A&M

"Obtained from Philadelphia two years ago, Mike has led the Steelers in scoring both years. Last season he kicked 19 extra points and 11 of 19 field attempts for 54 points. Steeler fans are looking for more from Mike in '66."

-1966 Philadelphia No. 148

"Mike came to the Steelers to replace the traded Lou Michaels. He has led the Steelers in scoring the past two years.

Last year he was fifth in the league with 97 points on 34 extra points and an excellent 21 field goals out of 32 attempts."

-1967 Philadelphia No. 149

"The top scoring kicker in the NFL in 1968, Mike topped the circuit with 54 extra points in 54 attempts. Only the Browns' Leroy Kelly scored more points than Mike did last season.

Originally signed as a free agent by the Eagles, the kicker was obtained by the Cowboys from Pittsburgh."

-1969 Topps No. 188

"Mike had never tried to kick a field goal until he went to Texas A&M. He tried it on the freshman team, and after only one game won himself the starting job. Mike's field goals have won many games for the Cowboys.

His hobby is flying."

-1972 Topps No. 27

SPIKE JONES

Punter

No. 11

Georgia

Spike joined the Bills for the second game of the 1971 season and for the year registered a 41.2 punting average. His longest punt was 62 yards.

The Oiler's 4th round draft choice in 1970, he tied a club record with 84 punts for an average of 42.4. He was waived when Dan Pastorini became Houston's punter.

Spike was named All-Southeast Conference in 1968 and 1969. In '69 he was the leading punter in the nation with a 43.5 average on 71 punts. He holds the record for the longest punt in Georgia history, 87 yards.