Sunday, December 28, 2014

1973 Buffalo Bills Defensive Line Profiles

JERRY PATTON
Defensive Tackle
No. 77
Nebraska
Jerry was acquired on waivers from the Vikings during the 1972 preseason and became a starter for the Bills in the second game of the season. After three seasons as a defensive end at Nebraska, he played a year of semi-pro football before signing with Minnesota as a free agent.


MIIKE KADISH 
Defensive Tackle
No. 71
Notre Dame
"There's no question about this big fellow's ability. It's a surgical knee that pros worry about."

-Bob Billings, Football Digest, January 1972

"Should help the Dolpins right away as a starter or top flight reserve. Kadish was overshadowed as a collegian by teammate Walt Patulski but actually led the Irish in tackles last season with 97. The figure included eight sackings of quarterbacks for losses totaling 40 yards. He bothered quarterbacks further with six broken-up passes.
Kadish played for the North in the Senior Bowl. He is a first-round choice whom the Dolphins say rates with ex-Notre Damer Mike McCoy at this stage of his development. Don Shula says, 'He's what we needed- a big strong inside guy on defense.'
Born May 27, 1950, he is from Grand Rapids, Michigan."

-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1972 Edition)

"You have to go with a first-round choice of the Dolphins; they've been doing some great picking in recent years, like Otto Stowe last season. Don Shula must have said a few prayers after finding this kid still alive when they got to pick in the first round. He's the big guy they need for the middle of their defense. They have been depending too long on Nick Buonticonti at middle linebacker. Mike is the big strong boy who'll probably start for them in the opening game."

-Anonymous Scout, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1972 Edition)


JEFF WINANS
Defensive Tackle
2nd Round
USC
"Lost among the many stars on Southern Cal's powerful 1972 team. In fact, he didn't even letter in 1971. But Buffalo took him high in the second round of the draft. Winans was a junior college star, where he also scored 41 points in a basketball game. He threw the shot 61 feet in high school.
Winans was one wire service's second-team All-Pacific Coast a year ago but otherwise didn't get too many honors. He was second on the team with eight sacks."

-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition


WALT PATULSKI
Defensive End
No. 85
Notre Dame
"Patulski was the No. 1 choice in the entire football draft a year ago. He enhanced his image during his first season in the pros but he could have been more impressed with the way the pros play.
'The whole organization of pro football is cold,' he says. 'Everybody goes their own way. I've developed into a loner.' He did keep a few opposing quarterbacks company, though. But there, too, he has a slight problem. Like the day he had to think first before forcing himself to clobber Johnny Unitas, an old hero of his.
'I'm placid in a game. I don't loaf but I play too easy, too unemotional.' The Bills figure they are getting pretty good feedback from their $150,000-a-year star. He signed a three-year contract."

-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition

"One of pro football's finest rookies of the 1972 season, Walt was the Bills' and pro football's first draft selection.
Possessed with great strength and mobility, he was named All-America in six major polls in 1971, his senior year at Notre Dame. Walt received the Lombardi Award as the top college lineman and played in two bowl games."

-1973 Topps No. 293


AL COWLINGS
Defensive End
No. 82
USC
"Al stepped right in as a rookie for the Bills in 1970 and won a starting defensive end job. As one of Buffalo's best pass rushers, his speed and quickness, coupled with experience, give him All-Pro potential.
Al earned All-American recognition during his senior year at USC, where he was a teammate of boyhood friend and Bill teammate O.J. Simpson."

-1973 Topps No. 16


EARL EDWARDS 
Defensive End
No. 73
Wichita State
"Born in Tampa, Florida, Earl played tackle at Howard Blake High School. During his three years at Wichita State University, he won the Most Valuable Player award, was named Lineman of the Year and was All-Conference and honorable mention All-American.
Earl joined the Eskimos on August 15, 1967 in a trade with the Ottawa Roughriders. He's considered by head coach Neill Armstrong to have the highest potential in the C.F.L. He caught the attention of several N.F.L. teams this winter but signed with Edmonton.."

-1968 O-Pee-Chee No. 108


HALVOR HAGEN
Defensive End-Guard
No. 88
Weber State
"Secured by the Patriots from the Cowboys in a 1971 trade, Halvor moved into a starting guard spot and has been a big plus for the offensive line. He was Dallas' third draft choice in 1969 and played defense as a rookie, switching to offense in 1970.
Possessed with excellent speed, Halvor can back up at center."

-1973 Topps No. 58

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