THE ELECTRIC COMPANY: BUFFALO'S BIG BLOCKERS
Rushing Records Fell Like Opposing Defenders Before These Offensive Linemen Who Are Proud, Young And Face A Bright Future Together
"They call them 'The Electricity Company.' They are the Buffalo Bills' offensive line.
Why 'The Electric Company?' Because they turn loose the Juice, O.J. Simpson.
Two years ago Simpson was applauded when he made it back to the line of scrimmage safely. In those days the Bills got their offensive linemen from the NFL waiver list. They were some of the most forgettable names in football.
But after O.J. and the Bills suffered through a 1-13 season in 1971, owner Ralph Wilson decided he had to make the Bills respectable. His move was to hire Lou Saban as his coach again.
Saban had coached the Bills before from 1962-65. He never had a losing season in Buffalo. in 1964 and '65 his teams won American Football League championships. After shutting out San Diego, 23-0, in the '65 title game, he resigned to become head coach at the University of Maryland. After he left the Bills went downhill at a record pace.
Wilson was accused of trying to recapture the past when he re-hired Saban, but Saban demonstrated that while his methods were updated, the formula for success was the same.
The formula was to surround himself- and Simpson- with big, skilled linemen who were top blockers.
In the '60s Saban coached the man who became the best guard in the AFL, Billy Shaw. He had Al Bemiller, the center from Syracuse's national champion Sizable Seven. He had a Michigan champion, Joe O'Donnell, at the other guard. They provided holes for the legendary fullback, Cookie Gilchrist.
Upon his return, Saban decided the formula would work even better with O.J. Simpson around. In his first draft, in 1972, he had the leadoff pick in the NFL as a result of that 1-13 record. He used it to take star defensive end Walt Patulski of Notre Dame. Then he went looking for a top offensive lineman.
He got lucky. When the Bills' pick came up in the second round, Michigan's All-American Reggie McKenzie was still around. Saban couldn't understand why, but he was thankful. The Bills grabbed him quickly. McKenzie was a starter on opening day.
In the '73 draft the Bills had two first-round picks and Saban used both to select offensive linemen. The first was Paul Seymour, the big tackle from Michigan. He also had Miami's No. 1 selection, compensation for the signing of Marlin Briscoe. The other first-round pick was used to take Joe DeLamielleure, Michigan State's All-American guard.
Saban had coached the North squad in the Senior Bowl three weeks before the college draft. One of the players who impressed him the most was Joe DeLamielleure. 'If we can get him,' the coach confided after the game, 'we're going to take him. ' So the Bills had built another block in their foundation.
Saban had inherited his center, Bruce Jarvis, and 6-8 starting tackle Donnie Green from the previous administration. He had picked up tackle Dave Foley, a one-time No. 1 draft choice of the New York Jets, on waivers the season before.
Having acquired his building blocks, Saban then used his training camp and exhibition games for an audition. He watched veteran guard Irv Goode for a month and decided he would be better off with DeLamielleure and Goode was traded to Miami for help in the defensive line.
The incumbent tight end, Jan White, quit after three weeks of camp, which created a crisis. Saban's solution was to move Seymour, who had played the position during his junior year at Michigan, to the critical spot.
At 6-5 and 248 pounds, Seymour did not give a very good impersonation of Jackie Smith or Charlie Sanders as a pass-receiving tight end, but he gave the Bills what Saban was looking for, someone to cave in linebackers and defensive ends for Simpson.
The Bills lost all six exhibition games. Saban experimented. But one week before the season opened in New England he had the line he was looking for: 6-7 Jarvis at center, 6-4 McKenzie at left guard, 6-3 DeLamielleure at right guard, 6-5 Foley at left tackle, 6-8 Green at right tackle and 6-5 Seymour at tight end.
'You stay on your feet,' offensive line coach Jim Ringo told O.J., 'and we'll get you 1,800 yards.'
'We'll get you 2,000,' corrected McKenzie, the unquenchable optimist.
'I was visiting with him last summer,' says McKenzie, 'and he said 'Wouldn't it be nice to get 1,700 yards?' I told him, 'Let's get two grand instead and really set the world on fire.'
DeLamielleure echoes those sentiments. 'We really wanted to get the record for him. He's such a great guy. He's a star, yet he's one of us.'
The promises were kept.
The New England Patriots will attest to it. They were enjoying a 6-0 lead when McKenzie pulled out of the line and headed to his right, Simpson at his hip. At the Bills' 20 Reggie buried a cornerback, O.J. broke a tackle and went 80 yards for a touchdown.
It was the beginning of the biggest day a runner ever had in the history of the National Football League. When he finished, Simpson had a record 250 yards rushing in just one outing.
'We just caught blocks all day,' admitted Chuck Fairbanks, the Patriots' rookie coach. 'They blew us off the line of scrimmage.
'There was a terrific fight out there on the field, but we weren't in it.'
The Buffalo Bills' line took the fight to the Jets, the Eagles and the Colts. All of a sudden, the young team, 0-6 in the preseason, was 3 and 1 and counting. No Buffalo team had experienced the exhilaration of a winning season since 1966.
The surprising part is that the enemy, a third of the way into the season, KNEW the Bills would run the ball most of the time. Saban elected to go the entire season with a rookie quarterback, Joe Ferguson. Ferguson had experienced a rocky senior year at the University of Arkansas after winning the most valuable player award in the Southwestern Conference as a junior.
Saban wanted to restore Ferguson's confidence. One sure way to do it, he reasoned, was to keep him from throwing interceptions. The Bills ran on first down almost all the time. In fact, even in obvious passing situations, the call was run. Opposing teams came to expect O.J. coming on third and 8 or third and 9.
What's more, the Bills were making a lot of those plays work.
'We know it's a them-or-us situation,' admits McKenzie. 'But that gave us more confidence than ever because we were getting that yardage, those first downs.'
That confidence erupted in the Bills' first Monday night appearance. The Kansas City Chiefs defense walked off the field in disbelief.
It was a rare sight. Not only had they been beaten, 23 to 14, they had been subdued physically.
However, the lack of variety in the offense caught up with the Bills. There were three consecutive defeats by New Orleans, Cincinnati and Miami. Saban then allowed Fergy to open up and the offensive line responded by giving him the protection he needed.
The Bills' losing streak was cracked with authority by a winning streak of four in a row to close the season.
The threat of the pass created an elasticity in enemy defenses which gave the Bills an even greater opportunity to spring O.J. and his new running mate, Jim Braxton.
Baltimore lost 24 to 17.
Atlanta fell, 17 to 6. Then O.J. and his forwards brutalized New England in the snow, giving him 219 yards and putting him only 61 away from Jim Brown's single-season record.
In the final game, against the Jets, the Bills went right to the heart of the matter, giving Simpson the ball on every other play in the first quarter while his blockers attacked the Jet defense. The record came on a simple off-tackle play, with DeLamielleure and McKenzie clearing a path for the Juice.
When he finished the day he had accomplished the near-impossible, a 2,003-yard season.
The media surrounded him after the game, but he wouldn't meet them alone. He brought his bodyguards with him.
'These are the cats who did the job all season long,' O.J. explained.
'We're the youngest team in pro football,' O.J. says. 'We average only 24.3 years. This is going to be a good team for a long time. Our goal is the Super Bowl and we're going to make it.
'Lou Saban salvaged my career. He told me he would give me the football and he told me he would get me an offensive line. And he kept his word. I've played with horrible offensive lines. It's been proven that a back is only as good as his line.' "
-Larry Felser, Football Digest (March 1974)
Until last season, Buffalo's offense consisted almost exclusively of O.J. Simpson's running. The quarterback was a rookie, Joe Ferguson; the fullback, Larry Watkins, was essentially a blocking back; the tight end was a tackle, Paul Seymour, used for his blocking ability; and the wide receivers were 75 percent crack-back blockers, 25 percent pass catchers.
But as the Bills closed with four consecutive victories, Coach Lou Saban took the handcuffs off Ferguson and allowed him to throw more, and Watkins, an effective journeyman, was replaced by Jim Braxton, whose back injuries kept him drydocked for months. Braxton performed like a latent superstar.
So this is what the Bills have going for them as they zero in on a playoff spot- or even something more ambitious, namely the catching of the Dolphins:
1. Ferguson has a year's experience and has convinced people he possesses a major league arm.
2. Braxton will be paired with O.J. from the beginning.
3. The No. 1 draftee is tight end Reuben Gant from Oklahoma State. If he produces as the Bills hope he will, Seymour can be returned to the interior of the line.
4. The young offensive line which helped Simpson rocket for 2,003 yards and was a vital factor in the Bills' setting an NFL record for yards gained by a team, 3,088, should be even better with a year's experience and Seymour playing his natural position.
5. The Bills already possess two of the better wide receivers in the NFL, Bobby Chandler and J.D. Hill, and now have another, Ahmad Rashad (the former Bobby Moore), who was acquired from St. Louis.
But the hole card, of course, is still O.J. Even if the Bills' new versatility connects and the anti-crack back rule hinders outside running, Simpson still should flirt with 1,500 yards and remain the man the opposing defenses have to compensate for.
With Simpson stretching the defenses, Braxton breaches the inside openings. Jim is also a talented pass receiver, having been an All-America tight end one season with West Virginia.
The offensive line includes one All-Pro, guard Reggie McKenzie, plus a couple of No. 1 draftees who won starting jobs last season, Seymour and guard Joe DeLamielleure. When center Bruce Jarvis got hurt at mid-season Saban switched former New England guard Mike Montler to center and it looked like an inspirational move. There will be a battle now.
Defensively, the Bills have holes, but up front they may be so strong that other flaws can be covered. There are a parade of good defensive linemen. Exhibit A is Earl Edwards, who came last year in a trade with San Francisco, was switched from tackle to end, and won the Bills' Most Valuable Defensive Player award. The other end is Walt Patuslki, who was benched for five games early last season, then woke up to produce like the NFL's bonus draft choice he once was. Don Croft was the team's best defensive lineman as a tackle in '72, tore up a knee in training camp last year, missed the whole campaign and now is being converted to end.
Jerry Patton, a regular tackle last season, was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. That leaves one hole in the defensive front. Mike Kadish, once Miami's No. 1 pick, has the first crack at the other inside position, but he could be challenged. Jeff Winans, who showed as a rookie in 1973 that he has immense possibilities as an interior pass rusher, inherits Patton's spot. And Jeff Yeates, a fourth-round draft choice who was hurt all of last year, could force his way into the lineup.
Jim Cheyunski, who was acquired in a trade prior to last season, had a big campaign at middle linebacker. He doesn't have the stereotyped heft for the position but he makes up for a lot with his savvy. John Skorupan, the former Penn State All-America, was a hit as a starting linebacker in his rookie season and Saban hopes his ex-college teammate Doug Allen, the No. 2 draftee, can take over on the other side.
Cornerback is a well-cared-for position with All-Pro Robert James on one side and former receiver Dwight Harrison on the other. Saban would like to move free safety Tony Greene back to corner for protection but there is a lack of skill at safety. Ernie Kellerman 'unretired' to start on the strong side last year.
John Leypoldt is one of the bright young place kickers in the NFL but punter Spike Jones can be pushed by Notre Dame rookie Brian Doherty."
-Larry Felser, Pro Football 1974
OFFENSE
"Quarterbacks: Poised Joe Ferguson, whose major league arm was under wraps, will be permitted more leeway. Gary Marangi is the lone backup.
Performance Quotient: 4 [1 through 5, 1 being best]
Running Backs: What more can you say about O.J.? There's never been a ball carrier as magnificent. The defensive attention he merits opens things up for Jim Braxton, a freight train who's a 'deja vu' of Cookie Gilchrist. Larry Watkins gave a good account of himself, then Braxton took over. Pete Van Valkenberg and Steve Jones just watch the master from their seats on the bench. Reports are that Carlester Crumpler resembles Calvin Hill.
Performance Quotient: 1
Receivers: Yes, the Bills employ receivers. Good ones. And this year they'll be used for more than blocking. Note the steal- er, deal- for ultra-talented Ahmad Rashad. He doesn't plan to sit. Holdover starters are speed merchant J.D. Hill, who always rates double coverage, and Bob Chandler, a Raymond Berry type. Paul Seymour is really a third tackle. He'll move inside if Gant produces. Wallace Francis is the AFC's best kickoff returner. Ray Jarvis isn't bad.
Performance Quotient: 2
Interior Linemen: Are there any complaints about a convoy of bulldozers that paved the way for 3,088 yards of rushing? Actually, there are shortcomings, but none that time-in-grade won't correct. When Seymour moves from tight end, he'll start. It's a shame that either Dave Foley or Donnie Green will have to exit.
Reggie McKenzie cuts defenders down like a machete- he's All-Pro. Joe DeLameilleure excelled as a rookie and should be a fixture for years. When Bruce Jarvis was hurt, Mike Montler took the job. Now Bruce will try to win it back. Bob Penchion, Willie Parker and Halvor Hagen provide ample depth.
Performance Quotient: 2
Kickers: John Leypoldt, despite an occasional flub, has a strong, effective leg. He booms kickoffs. Spike Jones will be severely threatened by rookie Brian Doherty (42.7 yards a kick in college last year).
Performance Quotient: 3"
-Larry Felser, Pro Football 1974
DEFENSE
"Front Linemen: All of sudden, the Bills are well fortified here. The bargain with the 49ers for Earl Edwards provided the missing piece. After a five-game benching, Walt Patulski saw the light. If he gives 100 percent, he can be All-Pro. Mike Kadish, redeemed from Miami's doghouse, performed with dignity but he's not secure. Jeff Winans and Jeff Yeates will be difficult to suppress.
Bob Kampa, Don Croft (a '72 regular who sat out last season with a knee injury) and Steve Okoniewski are impressive young toughs.
Performance Quotient: 2
Linebackers: Despite a face-lifting here, the complexion here still sags. Jim Cheyunski came in a swap with New England. The spirit is willing but the flesh doesn't intimidate anybody. John Skorupan was a precocious rookie and will get better. Richard Lewis, who became a starter late, looks over his shoulder at Doug Allen, the No. 2 draftee.
Fred Forsberg gives his all. He and Dave Washington, out seven weeks in '73 with a broken arm, have started before. Phil Croyle is run-of-the-mill.
Performance Quotient: 4
Cornerbacks: Robert James is a bona fide All-Pro. With the bump-and-run now limited, he'll have to alter his tactics. Dwight Harrison switched from wide receiver with flying colors. Donnie Walker subs at safety, too.
Performance Quotient: 2
Safeties: Tony Greene bounces from corner to safety. His size is a detriment. Ernie Kellerman is wise in NFL ways but a trifle slow. Bill Cahill exhibits a lot of get-up-and-go. A shakeup can occur here.
Performance Quotient: 4"
-Larry Felser, Pro Football 1974
"What O.J. Simpson did for the Buffalo Bills was incredible. He gained 2,003 yards. He set league records by the handful. He was the most exciting player to hit the NFL since Jim Brown (whose records were the ones to fall). He became an offense within an offense, and his effect on other teams was so great he made heroes out of ordinary players because he drew all the attention.
Still, more than O.J. happened to the Bills. Since he never once made a tackle or intercepted a pass, there was an equal if not nearly as noticeable improvement on defense. The Bills allowed 147 fewer points than they did in 1972, and at least part of the reason for their surprising 9-5 record and just-miss playoff berth rests here.
From the team's appearance, there should only be greater accomplishments in store for 1974. O.J., of course, is still the pivotal factor. But the quarterback was a rookie, Joe Ferguson, and he has a world of memories now- most of them good ones. That will help his confidence ... and his passing.
Jim Braxton (494 yards) or Larry Watkins (414) will be the fullback. J.D. Hill (29 catches for 422 yards) and Bob Chandler (30 for 427) are the wide receivers. No. 1 draft pick Reuben Gant should step in at tight end. And the interior line of guards Reggie McKenzie and Joe DeLamielleure, tackles Dave Foley and Donnie Green and center Bruce Jarvis is young and should remain intact.
Defensively, head coach Lou Saban plans a front four of Walt Patulski, Jerry Patton, Mike Kadish and Earl Edwards. His linebackers- subject to some change- are Jim Cheyunski in the middle with John Skorupan and Richard Lewis on the outside.
Robert James, the cornerman on the left, is an All-Pro. Dwight Harrison, the other corner, led the team with five interceptions. Safeties are Billy Cahill at the free spot and Ernie Kellerman as the strong side defender, and Saban seems set with this combination since the first defensive back drafted was 14th-round Phil Lamm. But the coach would like to find some depth there anyway, perhaps in young vets Donnie Walker or Tony Greene.
That area, plus the need for a quality backup quarterback (it may be third-round pick Gary Marangi of Boston College), stand out as the two most unsettled parts of the team.
Wide receiver Ahmad Rashad (drafted as Bobby Moore) was picked up from St. Louis for quarterback Dennis Shaw, and he can also fill in at running back. Indeed, with his potential, he might well become O.J.'s backup, unseating Pete Van Valkenburg.
In all, the Bills have youth, enthusiasm, confidence and O.J. Simpson going for them- not necessarily in that order."
-Gridiron News 1974 Pro Yearbook
"Buffalo is a legitimate selection to usurp Miami, but the lack of a proven quarterback (Joe Ferguson is a second-year man) will hurt. And even O.J. Simpson can not be expected to do all the work again."
-Dave Klein and the editors, Pro Football Illustrated 1974
JUICE PROVIDES BILLS' BEST VITAMIN
"All right, before we wax poetic about what O.J. Simpson did for the Buffalo Bills last season, let us remember that he was there in '72 and the record wasn't very pretty.
Well, in addition to O.J.'s incredible 2,003-yard season, defense reappeared in Buffalo. The young Bills surrendered 147 fewer points than they did in 1972, and over the last four games allowed a total of just 50. That'll do just nicely.
Yet there was O.J., breaking records by the bushel. He eclipsed Jim Brown's 1,863 ... he did in Willie Ellison's 247-in-one- game when he galloped for 250 ... he carried 39 times, bettering a 40-year-old record ... and he went over 100 yards 11 times in his 14 games, breaking Brown's standard of 10.
Rookie quarterback Joe Ferguson came through admirably, as did backs Jim Braxton and Larry Watkins, each of whom pushed 500 yards. Ike Hill and Bob Chandler (the former with blazing speed, the latter with great moves) hyped the passing game. No. 1 draft pick Reuben Gant (6-4, 240) will move in at tight end. The interior line is big and young, with Joe DeLamielleure and Reggie McKenzie at guards, Bruce Jarvis at center, and Dave Foley and Donnie Green (6-8, 275) at tackles.
It's solid and the defense isn't too far behind.
Up front, Earl Edwards, Walt Patulski, Mike Kadish and Jerry Patton hold forth. Jim Cheyunski is the middle linebacker, flanked by John Skorupan and Richard Lewis. Robert James (a Pro Bowl selection), Dwight Harrison, Billy Cahill and Ernie Kellerman are in the secondary.
No. 2 draft pick Doug Allen, Penn State linebacker, will help, and No. 3 pick Gary Marangi of Boston College should provide quarterback depth.
Prediction: Second"
-Dave Klein and the editors, Pro Football Illustrated 1974
"Would you believe that Buffalo coach Lou Saban hopes O.J. Simpson will not break another single-season rushing record in 1974?
Oh, Lou would be well satisfied if Simpson could check in with statistics showing about 1200-1400 yards on the ground. But the Buffalo offense would be very happy if Simpson could cut his total number of carries by about 15 to 20%. The reasoning is that if the Bills can afford to rely less on this great running back, the rest of the club will have progressed to the point where they complement his talents.
A big move in this direction came in mid-season last year when fullback Jim Braxton was brought up from the ready reserve list and placed next to Simpson as a set back. Braxton, a power runner of the Csonka-type, made an excellent counter-threat to O.J.'s outside speed. Defenses could no longer stack, concentrating exclusively on Simpson. It was the threat of Braxton which kept defenses honest and allowed O.J. to romp to a couple of 200-plus yard games near season's end.
If Joe Ferguson, in his sophomore year, can improve as a passing threat, the Bills can become simply devasting with the ball. And there's good reason for optimism in improvement from the passing game. Wide receiver J.D. Hill, a Buffalo first round draft choice a few years ago, has fully recovered from rookie injuries and showed flashes of potential stardom last year. Hill is every bit as talented and adept as other receivers who've come from his school, Arizona State; men like Charley Taylor, Larry Walton, Ben Hawkins, Fair Hooker, etc. All Ferguson has got to do is learn how to spot J.D. when he works free in the secondary. Then, if defenses start to shift to cover Hill, think of what a short-receiving threat a man with Simpson's talent would become.
Saban's job in '74 will be to keep the club healthy and optimistic while his many young stars gain that necessary experience. He looked in the college draft for a tight end so he could free Paul Seymour for duty at his normal tackle position. It's hoped big Reuben Gant, selected from Oklahoma State, will be the man to do that job.
Lou is known basically as a defensive coach. He built one of the finest defensive units in pro ball during his tenure at Denver and is already showing signs of developing the same in Buffalo. His psychological treatment in bringing along Walt Patulski, another first round pick, at defensive end was highly effective. An angry Walt, frustrated at earlier benchings, was one of the most effective pass rushers in the conference at the end of the year.
Unsatisfied with the performance of Dennis Shaw at quarterback, Saban gave the job to rookie Ferguson early last year. Showing further confidence in Joe, Shaw was dealt to St. Louis. So Lou will have to develop a backup for Ferguson this fall from his draft choices, reserves or through a trade.
The Bills won nine games last year, finishing a distant second to Miami in the AFC East. Enough improvement can be seen to warrant predicting a better won-lost record in '74, even though they'll probably still finish second to the Dolphins. But the Bills stand a very good chance to make it to the playoffs as the best AFC second-place club if they can win 10 games. And that's very possible. Linebacking and deep secondary help is needed, but if Patulski and company can keep applying the pressure up front, the need will be less.
Says Hank Stram of Kansas City, 'If you think you are just going to play O.J. Simpson when you face Buffalo, then you are making a big mistake!' To try beating Stram's Chiefs and the rest of the NFL clubs, Saban will make his front four from Patulski, Earl Edwards, Jerry Patton, Mike Kadish, Jeff Winans and Halvor Hagen. The linebacking is unset, as four rookies were drafted at that position. Late in the season the deep backs were cornerbacks Robert James (a Pro Bowl selection) and Dwight Harrison, with Donnie Walker and Ken Stone as safeties. Look for the Bills to study the free agent and cut lists for punters and place-kicking help, too, as the club was weak in these departments in '73.
The Bills' publicity department is trying to get Buffalo's offensive line called 'The Electric Company.' Why? 'Because they turn loose the juice.'
And the man they call 'The Juice,' O.J. Simpson, is proudly expecting his teammates to win those 10 games and take themselves to the playoffs this year!"
-Tommy Kay's 1974 Big Book of Pro Football
1974 Buffalo Outlook According to Head Coach Lou Saban
"A total effort by every player on our 47-man roster took the Bills to the doorstep of the playoffs last fall. In all my years of coaching, I've never had a team do a more abrupt about face. The promise we saw in the final few games of 1972 became reality in 1973.
Looking ahead for 1974, we hope for improvement in all departments, which may or may not mean a better won-lost percentage. The Buffalo Bills must be taken seriously again and teams that looked past us in prior years won't make the same mistake.
In our favor, we have one of the youngest teams in professional football, a club whose hunger to excel was, we feel, only stimulated by last year's near-miss. Because of our youth, we're not likely to become complacent with successes, individually or as a team. If we do, our ambitions for greater goals in 1974 will be in seriously jeopardy.
Two of the more significant elements in our final record of 9-5 were freedom from serious injuries and an unusually seasoned performance from the nine rookies who made our club, four as starters. Another factor often overlooked, we feel, was the dramatic improvement of the Bills' overall defense. It's well known O.J. Simpson gained 2,003 yards as the heart of a rushing offense that developed into the best ever in the NFL. Almost hidden in the shadows of such extraordinary offensive accomplishment is another meaningful statistic- a drop of 147 points (from 1972) in the opposition's cumulative scoring total.
In the final four games of the season, all victories, the defense surrendered an average of only 12.5 points per appearance. Our 1973 success was, therefore, a mix of many things- a minimum of disabling injuries, a great group of rookies, a spectacular rushing offense, and a much-improved defense.
Offensively, we have rushing weapons the equal of any in the NFL. O.J. Simpson is unquestionably football's most gifted running back. He has the instincts, the intensity, and the intelligence associated with greatness. The question we get most is: Can O.J. improve on 2,003 yards? Incredible as it sounds, such a possibility genuinely exists. The 2,000 and 3,000 yard (team rushing) seasons are now history and athletes are constantly improving on history.
With the exception of center Bruce Jarvis, who missed six games, our offensive line remained intact throughout the season. The veterans- centers Jarvis and Mike Montler, guard Reggie McKenzie, tackles Dave Foley and Donnie Green- had the best year of their career, collectively and as individuals. The rookies- guard Joe DeLamielleure and tight end Paul Seymour- played with consistency and poise. The offensive line, in our opinion, should get better.
To complement O.J. in the offensive backfield, we have two punishing fullbacks- Larry Watkins and Jim Braxton. Watkins carried the burden during the first half of the season when Braxton was on the injury list. When Jim returned, he caused a lot of people to sit up and take notice by rushing for 450 yards, an average of 90 yards per appearance, in the final five games.
One of the items sure to stir comment during the off-season is the imbalance between rushing and passing last fall. With runners like Simpson, Watkins, and Braxton, an aerial game was hardly necessary. Quarterback Joe Ferguson, a rookie, did not have a great many opportunities to show off his passing skills in 1973. Joe definitely has a professional arm along with the quick and analytical mind necessary to read modern coverages. Our wide receivers, J.D. Hill and Bob Chandler, are opposite types- Hill with the blinding speed to threaten deep, Chandler a master of the precise pattern. As Joe becomes more familiar with them and vice versa, our passing precision will rise.
Trades were the making of the Bills' defense. We acquired end Earl Edwards, tackle Mike Kadish, and middle linebacker Jim Cheyunski in deals that, in retrospect, were pivotal. Two rookies, linebackers John Skorupan and Richard Lewis, stepped into starting positions and gave a solid performance. In the secondary, Dwight Harrison, a convertee from wide receiver, and Ernie Kellerman, an eight-year pro who joined us about mid-season, worked well with returnees Bob James and Tony Greene.
For the second straight year, our secondary permitted the lowest percentage of pass completions in the National Football League. The opposition was held to a figure of 45.1%, a real credit to the outstanding work of our defenders.
Aside from James and Greene, the only holdovers from the Buffalo defense of 1972 were tackle Jerry Patton and end Walt Patulski, both of whom played with distinction in starting roles. End Bob Kampa and tackle Jeff Winans experienced quick growth as rookies last fall.
With Patton gone, we look to Winans or Don Croft, out of last season with a knee injury, to step into a starting position at tackle. Another defensive lineman still to be heard from is Jeff Yeates, a fourth round draft choice in 1973 who did not sufficiently recover from knee surgery to play last fall.
Edwards deserves a special mention for the leadership he provided, particularly to our young players. Coaches can teach and re-teach techniques but seeing an experienced pro put them into practice is the best way to learn. Earl was unquestionably the catalyst of our defense last season.
Cheyunski answered any questions about his ability to play in the middle with a solid season, despite a variety of troubling injuries. We also discovered a player of considerable potential in Merv Krakau, a 14th round draft choice out of Iowa State who was an effective reserve and special teams player.
Our attack gets an additional lift from specialist John Leypoldt, third ranking kicker in the AFC last fall, and kickoff returner Wallace Francis, who led the Conference in that department as a rookie. Punter Spike Jones had an inconsistent 1973, which we hope he can improve upon in 1974.
The acquisition of wide receiver Ahmad Rashad for quarterback Dennis Shaw figures to strengthen our offense. Rashad, a number one draft choice of the St. Louis Cardinals, played running back in college and, conceivably, could provide help at two different spots.
Our position in the draft was poor (picking alternately 18th and 17th) but our choices, overall, are promising. Principally, we expect the 1974 rookies to occupy reserve roles, giving us critical depth we lacked at key positions last fall. If people like Reuben Gant (tight end, Oklahoma State), Doug Allen (linebacker, Penn State) and Gary Marangi (quarterback, Boston College) play to their potential we have definitely improved our ball club.
The sweeping rule changes adopted by the NFL at the April meetings are sure to have a significant impact on the game in 1974. Until we see them in practice, however, it is difficult to evaluate precisely how they will affect the Bills. We will be watching closely in training camp and the preseason to determine how the new rules will alter our approach.
There are a couple of question marks as we begin to plan for 1974. We lack an experienced backup at quarterback, have some concerns in the secondary and linebacking areas, and need to further develop our confidence and maturity."
-Lou Saban, Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook
"Offense: The question for 1974 is, 'What is the limit for O.J.?' The man who reached pro football's version of Nirvana with a 2,003-yard season in 1973 is the closest there is to a one-man offense in the NFL. The Bills' coach, Lou Saban, recognizes this and is taking steps to widen the team's offensive horizons.
One step will be to open up his passing game with young Joe Ferguson, who started at quarterback as a rookie last year. Ferguson has a major league arm but Saban wanted to limit the risks in 1973, knowing he had O.J. to get the Bills out of trouble in a much surer, safer way.
Jim Braxton was unveiled as Simpson's partner toward the end of last season. Once he shook back miseries, Braxton bore a resemblance to Larry Csonka as a power back.
Wider use is sure to made of J.D. Hill, potentially a superstar receiver. He did not catch a touchdown pass in 1973. The Bills obtained another player in the Hill mold when they traded backup quarterback Dennis Shaw to St. Louis for Ahmad Rashad (Bobby Moore). Ferguson's prime target when he did throw last year was tricky Bob Chandler. To make full use of O.J., Saban played his number one draft choice, tackle Paul Seymour, as a tight end. Seymour's blocking was a strong factor in Simpson's record, but Seymour wasn't feared as a pass receiver. This year Saban drafted a tight end, Reuben Gant of Oklahoma State.
If Gant can block and catch, Seymour will go back to his normal position. With guards Reggie McKenzie and rookie Joe DeLamielleure leading the way, the revitalized line helped crack Miami's one-year-old NFL rushing record. The Bills totaled 3,088.
Defense: What started out last season as a liability turned out to be Bills' best asset on defense- the front four. Saban made a big trade with San Francisco, getting huge Earl Edwards, whom he switched from tackle to end. Edwards became the steadying anchor on the young line. Saban also traded for Mike Kadish, who won a tackle job. Walt Patulski, pro football's top draft choice in 1972, started to produce as advertised about mid-season and Jerry Patton also had a big year. Two second-year men, Jeff Winans and Bob Kampa, may push for work.
Saban is hoping that another big year up front will help hide deficiencies in the linebacking and at safety. Rookie linebacker John Skorupan broke into the lineup last year and played well. Pro Bowler Robert James is the top player at the deep positions at corner. Former wide receiver Dwight Harrison made a successful switch to corner.
Kicking: John Leypoldt may be the best long distance field goal kicker in the AFC. He had many long kicks among his 21 successes. Spike Jones had an up-and-down year as the punter.
1974 Outlook: This a team that has come a long way in a short time. Just two years ago the Bills were 1-13. O.J. Simpson, obviously, is the major reason for the rise. To many, he is the number one offensive player in the game today. He can be stopped five or six times in succession, then on the seventh play he can be standing in the end zone.
But Simpson isn't the only reason for the Bills' improvement. O.J. was there in the terminal years, too. All those high draft choices are starting to pay off. Two players taken in last year's draft, Seymour and DeLamielleure, won jobs in the starting lineup. Patulski could be one of the league's finest defensive linemen for years to come.
The question is: How much closer is Buffalo to Miami now? Last year the Bills provided the stiffest competition in the AFC East and still were outscored 44-6 in two games with the Dolphins."
-Scouting Jets Opponents, The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook
One step will be to open up his passing game with young Joe Ferguson, who started at quarterback as a rookie last year. Ferguson has a major league arm but Saban wanted to limit the risks in 1973, knowing he had O.J. to get the Bills out of trouble in a much surer, safer way.
Jim Braxton was unveiled as Simpson's partner toward the end of last season. Once he shook back miseries, Braxton bore a resemblance to Larry Csonka as a power back.
Wider use is sure to made of J.D. Hill, potentially a superstar receiver. He did not catch a touchdown pass in 1973. The Bills obtained another player in the Hill mold when they traded backup quarterback Dennis Shaw to St. Louis for Ahmad Rashad (Bobby Moore). Ferguson's prime target when he did throw last year was tricky Bob Chandler. To make full use of O.J., Saban played his number one draft choice, tackle Paul Seymour, as a tight end. Seymour's blocking was a strong factor in Simpson's record, but Seymour wasn't feared as a pass receiver. This year Saban drafted a tight end, Reuben Gant of Oklahoma State.
If Gant can block and catch, Seymour will go back to his normal position. With guards Reggie McKenzie and rookie Joe DeLamielleure leading the way, the revitalized line helped crack Miami's one-year-old NFL rushing record. The Bills totaled 3,088.
Defense: What started out last season as a liability turned out to be Bills' best asset on defense- the front four. Saban made a big trade with San Francisco, getting huge Earl Edwards, whom he switched from tackle to end. Edwards became the steadying anchor on the young line. Saban also traded for Mike Kadish, who won a tackle job. Walt Patulski, pro football's top draft choice in 1972, started to produce as advertised about mid-season and Jerry Patton also had a big year. Two second-year men, Jeff Winans and Bob Kampa, may push for work.
Saban is hoping that another big year up front will help hide deficiencies in the linebacking and at safety. Rookie linebacker John Skorupan broke into the lineup last year and played well. Pro Bowler Robert James is the top player at the deep positions at corner. Former wide receiver Dwight Harrison made a successful switch to corner.
Kicking: John Leypoldt may be the best long distance field goal kicker in the AFC. He had many long kicks among his 21 successes. Spike Jones had an up-and-down year as the punter.
1974 Outlook: This a team that has come a long way in a short time. Just two years ago the Bills were 1-13. O.J. Simpson, obviously, is the major reason for the rise. To many, he is the number one offensive player in the game today. He can be stopped five or six times in succession, then on the seventh play he can be standing in the end zone.
But Simpson isn't the only reason for the Bills' improvement. O.J. was there in the terminal years, too. All those high draft choices are starting to pay off. Two players taken in last year's draft, Seymour and DeLamielleure, won jobs in the starting lineup. Patulski could be one of the league's finest defensive linemen for years to come.
The question is: How much closer is Buffalo to Miami now? Last year the Bills provided the stiffest competition in the AFC East and still were outscored 44-6 in two games with the Dolphins."
-Scouting Jets Opponents, The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook
1974 BUFFALO BILLS ROSTERS
1974 Preseason Roster by Position
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Joe Ferguson (Arkansas)
Gary Barbaganbi (Boston College)
Running Backs
O.J. Simpson (USC)
Jim Braxton (West Virginia)
Larry Watkins (Arkansas M & N)
Pete Valkenberg (Brigham Young)
Charlester Charmpler (East Carolina)
Receivers
J.D. Hill (W) (Arkansas)
Bob Chandler (W) (USC)
Paul Seymour (T) (Michigan)
Ahmad Rashad (W) (Oregon)
Reuben Gant (T) (Oklahoma State)
Wallace Francis (W) (Texas AM & N)
Ray Jarvis (W) (Norfolk State)
(W)-Wide Receiver (T)-Tight End
Interior Linemen
Donnie Green (T) (Purdue)
Dave Foley (T) (Ohio State)
Reggie McKenzie (G) (Michigan)
Joe DeLamielleure (G) (Michigan State)
Mike Montler (C) (Colorado)
Bruce Jarvis (C) (Washington)
Bob Penchion (G) (Alcorn A & M)
Halvor Hagen (T) (Weber State)
Willie Parker (G) (Texas AM & N)
(T)-Tackle (G)-Guard (C)-Center
Kickers
John Leypoldt (PK)
Spike Jones (P) (Georgia)
Brian Doherty (P) (Notre Dame)
DEFENSE
Front Linemen
Walt Patulski (E) (Notre Dame)
Earl Edwards (E) (Wichita)
Jeff Winans (T) (USC)
Mike Kadish (T) (Notre Dame)
Don Croft (E) (Texas-El Paso)
Jeff Yeates (T) (Boston College)
Bob Kampa (E) (California)
Steve Okonewski (T) (Montana)
(E)-End (T)-Tackle
Linebackers
John Skorupan (O) (Penn State)
Richard Lewis (O) (Portland State)
Jim Cheyunski (M) (Syracuse)
Dave Washington (O) (Alcorn A & M)
Fred Forsberg (M-O) (Washington)
Doug Allen (O) (Penn State)
Phil Croyle (O) (California)
(O)-Outside Linebacker (M)-Middle Linebacker
Cornerbacks
Robert James (Fisk)
Dwight Harrison (W) (Texas A & I)
Donnie Walker (Central Ohio)
Safeties
Ernie Kellerman (S) (Miami-Ohio)
Tony Greene (W) (Maryland)
Bill Cahill (W) (Washington)
(S)-Strong Side (W)-Weak Side or 'Free' Safety
-Pro Football 1974 published by Cord Communications, Corp.
1974 Buffalo Bills Preseason Roster
60 Bill Adams (G) Holy Cross (1)
34 Jim Braxton (RB) West Virginia
22 Bill Cahill (S) Washington
81 Bob Chandler (WR) USC
50 Jim Cheyunski (LB) Syracuse
30 Bo Cornell (LB) Washington
72 Don Croft (DT) Texas-El Paso (2)
Phil Croyle (LB) California
68 Joe DeLamielleure (G) Michigan State
73 Earl Edwards (DT) Wichita
12 Joe Ferguson (QB) Arkansas
78 Dave Foley (T) Ohio State
54 Fred Forsberg (LB0 Washington (3)
89 Wallace Francis (WR) Arkansas AM&N
74 Donnie Green (T) Purdue
43 Tony Greene (CB) Maryland
88 Halvor Hagen (DE) Weber State
28 Dwight Harrison (CB) Texas A&M
10 Leo Hart (QB) Duke
40 J.D. Hill (WR) Arizona State
20 Robert James (CB) Fisk
51 Bruce Jarvis (C) Washington
80 Ray Jarvis (WR) Norfolk State
11 Spike Jones (P) Georgia
46 Steve Jones (RB) Duke
71 Mike Kadish (DT) Notre Dame
70 Bob Kampa (DT) California
24 Ernie Kellerman (S) Miami-Ohio
37 Ted Koy (TE) Texas
52 Merv Krakau (LB) Iowa State
3 John Leypoldt (K)
56 Rich Lewis (LB) Portland State
67 Reggie McKenzie (G) Michigan
53 Mike Montler (C-T) Colorado
79 Steve Okoniewski (DT) Montana
61 Willie Parker (C-G) North Texas State
77 Jerry Patton (DT) Nebraska
85 Walt Patulski (DE) Notre Dame
69 Bob Penchion (G) Alcorn A&M
Ahmad Rashad (WR) Oregon (4)
87 Paul Seymour (TE) Michigan
32 O.J. Simpson (RB) USC
55 John Skorupan (LB) Penn State
36 Pete VanValkenberg (RB) Brigham Young
26 Donnie Walker (CB) Central State, Ohio
38 Larry Watkins (RB) Alcorn A&M
75 Jeff Winans (DT) USC
(1) last active with Buffalo in 1972
(2) missed the entire 1973 season due to injury
(3) played three games with Denver, seven with Buffalo in '73
(4) played 13 games with St. Louis in '73
-1974 Gridiron News Pro Yearbook
1974 Bills Draft Choices
1 Reuben Gant (TE) Oklahoma State
2 Doug Allen (LB) Penn State (from Houston)
2 choice to San Diego
3 Gary Marangi (QB) Boston College
4 Carlester Crumpler (RB) East Carolina
5 Gary Hayman (WR) Penn State (from San Diego)
5 Tim Guy (T) Oregon
8 choice to Cleveland
8 Greg Hare (QB) Ohio State
9 Brian Doherty (P) Notre Dame
10 Art Cameron (TE) Albany State (GA) (from St. Louis)
10 Don Calhoun (RB) Kansas State (from Cleveland)
10 choice to St. Louis through Denver
11 Rod Kirby (LB) Pittsburgh
12 Dave Means (DE) Southeast Missouri
13 Ed Gatewood (LB) Tennessee State
14 Phil Lamm (DB) North Carolina (from Houston)
14 Phil Gurbada (DB) Mayville (ND)
15 Ken Williams (LB) Southwest Louisiana
16 Sanford Qvale (T) North Dakota State
17 Sal Casola (K) Cincinnati
-1974 Gridiron News Pro Yearbook
1974 BUFFALO BILLS DEPTH CHART
OFFENSE
QB Joe Ferguson, Gary Marangi, Greg Hare
RB O.J. Simpson, Pete VanValkenberg, Carlester Crumpler*, Don Calhoun*
RB Jim Braxton, Larry Watkins, Steve Jones
WR Bob Chandler, Ray Jarvis, Ahmad Rashad, Gary Hayman*
LT Dave Foley, Bob Penchion, Halvor Hagen
LG Reggie McKenzie, Willie Parker
C Bruce Jarvis, Mike Montler
RG Joe DeLamielleure, Bill Adams
RT Donnie Green, Sanford Qvale
TE Paul Seymour, Ted Koy, Charles Brinkman, Reuben Gant*, Art Cameron*
WR J.D. Hill, Wallace Francis
DEFENSE
LE Walt Patulski, Don Croft, Dave Means*
LT Jerry Patton, Jeff Winans
RT Mike Kadish, Jeff Yeates, Steve Okoneiwski
RE Earl Edwards, Bob Kampa
LLB John Skorupan, Bo Cornell
MLB Jim Cheyunski, Fred Forsberg, Tim Guy*, Merv Krakau
RLB Rich Lewis, Phil Croyle, Dave Washington, Doug Allen*
LCB Bob James, Donnie Walker
LS Tony Greene, Bill Cahill, Phil Lamm*
RS Ernie Kellerman, Rod Kirby*, Ken Williams*, Phil Gurbada*, Gary Birch
RCB Dwight Harrison, Sam Elmore
*rookie
-1974 Gridiron News Pro Yearbook
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