Tuesday, June 30, 2015

1974 Profile: Tony Greene

Safety
No. 43
Maryland
"Greene was a starter at both cornerback and safety last fall. He intercepted a pass in the season's opener against New England and had a kickoff return for seven yards. He's a tough hitter and an excellent man on coverage. Tony first won a starting job in 1972 after playing mainly on special teams as a rookie.
Tony was captain of Maryland's 1970 squad. He led the Atlantic Coast Conference in interceptions and was voted as the Terrapins' outstanding defensive back as both a junior and a senior. A sprinter for the Maryland track team, he set records in the 50 (5.3 seconds), 60 (6.0) and 100 (9.5).
Greene majored in physical education and would like to get into either coaching or teaching as a career. He enjoys reading and movies."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Monday, June 29, 2015

1974 Profile: Donnie Green

Offensive Tackle
No. 74
Purdue
"Green has been a Buffalo starter at tackle for three seasons. The tallest and heaviest man on the Bills roster, he's an outstanding blocker with excellent speed and will only improve with experience.
He was listed as an honorable mention on AP and UPI's 1970 college All-America teams, was captain of the Purdue squad as a senior and won an invitation to the American Bowl game in Tampa. Donnie once set a Boilermaker freshman record in the shotput with a throw of 49-7.
Donnie took a physical education course at Purdue and is interested in social work. One of his hobbies is singing."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Sunday, June 28, 2015

1974 Profile: Wallace Francis

Kick Returner-Wide Receiver
No. 89
Arkansas AM & N
"The AFC kickoff return champion as a rookie last fall, Francis collected 687 yards on 23 returns, an average of 29.9. He ran two back for touchdowns- 101 yards against Philadelphia and 90 yards against New England at Orchard Park. Wallace has outstanding speed and is listed behind J.D. Hill at one of the wide receiver positions.
Wallace was a second-team choice on the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-America roster. He played flanker for Coach Vanette Johnson and was voted Arkansas AM & N's outstanding player as a senior. Wallace was also a baseball player in college.
He was a recreation major with a minor in sociology and would like to pursue a career in the development of recreation programs for young people. Listening to music and playing pool are his favorite spare time pursuits."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Saturday, June 27, 2015

1974 Profile: Fred Forsberg

Linebacker
No. 57
Washington
"The Bills acquired Fred from Denver in exchange for safety John Pitts last October 4. He played three games with Denver and seven with the Bills, making his only start of 1973 against the Dolphins in Miami.
A good man on special teams, Fred spent five seasons with the Broncos. He was a 14th round draft choice of Denver in 1966, played for two years with the Calgary Stampeders after being cut and was re-signed as a free agent in 1968. He missed the entire 1969 campaign with an injury after winning a starting job in the preseason, but intercepted three passes as a Denver reserve in 1971. Forsberg appeared in nine games in 1972 before suffering a knee injury.
He was a center and defensive end for Coach Jim Owens at Washington and was captain of the Huskies as a senior. An All-Coast selection, Forsberg won postseason invitations to the Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine Game and Coaches All-America Game. He was a physical education and health major."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Friday, June 26, 2015

1974 Profile: Dave Foley

Offensive Tackle
No. 78
Ohio State
"Foley was the regular left tackle on the Bills' record-setting offensive line. He was a starter in all 14 games and named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad. A consistent performer and an excellent pass blocker, Dave came to the Bills on waivers from the Jets just prior to the 1972 season and started 12 games his first year in Buffalo. He was a number one draft pick of the Jets in 1969 and a regular there in 1970. Dave injured a knee against Buffalo as a rookie and has had knee surgery.
Dave was an All-America and an All-Big Ten tackle on Ohio State's 1968 National Champions when the Buckeyes defeated USC, led by O.J. Simpson, in the 1969 Rose Bowl game. An Academic All-America choice, he won three OSU letters in track and played in the College All-Star Game against the New York Jets.
Foley earned his B.S. in industrial engineering and works as a life insurance agent during the off-season. His hobbies include handball, fishing and golf."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Thursday, June 25, 2015

1974 Profile: Joe Ferguson

Quarterback
No. 12
Arkansas
"A Buffalo starter in all 14 regular season games, Ferguson was the only NFL rookie to start every game at quarterback and made the UPI All-Rookie team. He connected on 44.5% of his passing attempts for 939 yards and four touchdowns.
Joe had his best day against the Colts in Baltimore, hitting on 11-of-19 for 201 yards and one touchdown, and rushed for 147 yards on 48 carries. The Bills' third round draft pick in 1973, he has an outstanding arm and is cool under pressure.
Ferguson was an All-America quarterback at Arkansas and was voted MVP in the Southwest Conference and a member of the All-Conference team as a junior. He set a number of Razorback passing records for Coach Frank Broyles and was named to the North-South Shrine Game, Hula Bowl and College All-Star squads.
Joe was a physical education major and hopes to someday be a coach. Hunting and fishing are his favorite forms of recreation."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

1974 Profile: Earl Edwards

Defensive End
No. 73
Wichita
"Edwards became the Bills team leader on defense after coming over from San Francisco in a preseason trade. He played one game at tackle (at New England) before being moved to end. Earl is a fearsome pass rusher with excellent strength and speed.
Earl was a 49er for three seasons and was a starter in San Francisco in both 1971 and 1972. He played some offense as a 49er rookie and once caught a one-yard pass as a tight end. A fifth round draft choice of San Francisco in 1969, Earl was with Edmonton in the Canadian League for two years.
He played two years at Wichita where he was Sophomore Lineman of the Year. An All-Conference, All-Midwest and honorable mention All-America choice, Earl was credited with 15 unassisted tackles in a game against Drake University. He was a physical education and journalism major at Wichita."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

1974 Profile: Joe DeLamielleure

Guard
No. 68
Michigan State
"Joe started every game as a rookie, played opposite All-Pro Reggie McKenzie and improved with every outing. One of the Bills' two number one draft choices in 1973, he was named to the NFL All-Rookie team by UPI. Intelligent with good size and strength, Joe will be even better with a year's experience.
Joe was an offensive guard and a tackle for Duffy Daugherty at Michigan State. He was three times an All-Big 10 choice and made the All-America team as a senior. Selected UPI Lineman of the Week following the 1972 Michigan State-Purdue game, Joe earned invitations to the North-South Shrine game and the Senior Bowl.
Joe's Michigan State major was criminal justice and he hopes to work in the area of juvenile probation. He was employed during the off-season by the Erie County Sheriff's Department. Joe played with the Buffalo Pros during the winter and handball and basketball are his favorite pastimes. Joe comes from a family of 10 children."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Sunday, June 21, 2015

1974 Profile: Phil Croyle

Linebacker
No. 54
California
"The Bills added Croyle to their roster in 1974 shortly after mid-season. He was picked up as a free agent after spending some time with both Houston and Denver. Phil got into four games as a reserve at outside linebacker and as a special teams performer. Houston's 7A draft choice in 1971, Phil was a part-time starter with the Oilers in 1972 after getting a late start due to military service.
A California football captain, Croyle was a two-time All-Pacific 8 selection and an All-America choice of both wire services in 1970. He led the Bears in total minutes played and won an invitation to the East-West Shrine game. Phil was a member of the Cal rugby team.
Phil was a linguistics major and languages are his hobby. He plays the guitar, mandolin and tenor banjo."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Friday, June 19, 2015

1974 Profile: Don Croft

Defensive End
No. 72
Texas-El Paso
"Croft missed the entire 1973 season with an injury suffered in training camp and had knee surgery. He's expected to get a look at defensive end, a new position. Don was a starter for Buffalo at defensive tackle in 1972 after joining the team on waivers from Baltimore. A tough tackler with good strength and mobility, Don is excellent at applying pressure on the quarterback. He was a fifth round draft choice of the Colts in '72.
A three-year starter at defensive tackle for Texas-El Paso, Croft was All-Western Athletic Conference and an honorable mention All-America choice as a senior. He won postseason invitations to the North-South Shrine game and the Coaches All-America contest. Don received the Texas-El Paso 'Gold Helmet' award for his play against Texas at Arlington in 1971.
Don was awarded a degree in general business, has worked in a Buffalo men's shop during the off-season and would like to be in business for himself someday. He's the honorary chairman of the March of Dimes Walkathon.
Horse racing is his favorite form of entertainment, and hunting and fishing are his hobbies. Don plays the guitar."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

1974 Profile: Bo Cornell

Linebacker
No. 30
Washington
"Cornell moved from running back to linebacker midway through the 1973 campaign. An aggressive special teams player, he was captain of the Bills special teams on several occasions last fall.
Bo was a second round draft choice of the Cleveland Browns in 1971. He has the speed to play running back and was versatile and intelligent enough to make a smooth transition from offense to defense.
He was a fullback at the University of Washington and a college teammate of Bills center Bruce Jarvis. Bo was chosen second team All-Coast and All-Pacific 8 Conference and was an honorable mention All-America. His postseason appearances included the East-West Shrine game and the Coaches All-America game.
An economics major at Washington, skiing is one of his hobbies."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Sunday, June 14, 2015

1974 Profile: Jim Cheyunski

Middle Linebacker
No. 50
Syracuse
"Cheyunski started 12 of 14 games at middle linebacker in 1973, missing his first two appearances with a knee injury. He finished as the Bills' second leading interceptor with three for 31 yards. He intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble to set up the first two touchdowns in the Buffalo win over Kansas City. Jim gave a consistent defensive performance throughout the fall.
A 12th round draft pick of the Patriots, Jim was acquired from New England in a trade that also brought Halvor Hagen and Mike Montler to Buffalo. He had fractured his wrist midway through the 1972 season after winning a nod as AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Cheyunski was an honorable mention AP All-American as a linebacker at Syracuse and won three varsity letters under Coach Ben Schwartzwalder. He called the defensive signals and led the Orangemen in total tackles for two seasons.
Jim's college major was English with a minor in physical education. He looks forward to a career in management. Music and gunning are his favorite pastimes."

-1974 Buffalo Bills Yearbook

Saturday, June 13, 2015

1974 Profile: Bob Chandler

Wide Receiver
No. 81
USC
"Buffalo's leading receiver last fall, Chandler caught 30 passes for 427 yards and three touchdowns, two of them against the New England Patriots on December 9. He had his best afternoon of 1973 in Baltimore with five receptions for 97 yards including a 37-yard touchdown catch that tied the game.
Chandler has great speed and outstanding hands and is adept at finding the open space and catching in a crowd. An extremely steady performer, he's also a determined blocker. Used as a punt returner in 1973, Bob is the holder on conversions and field goal tries.
Bob was captain and an All-Pacific Eight flanker for the USC Trojans and was Player of the Game in Southern California's 1970 Rose Bowl victory over Michigan. He led USC in pass receptions in each of his three varsity seasons and played in the East-West Shrine game. Bob caught eight passes for 115 yards and one touchdown in his first game as a USC starter. A member of the USC track team, his events were the long jump, high jump and triple jump.
He's active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. A finance major at USC with a minor in physical education, Bob has worked as a helper in the California oil fields and as an extra in motion pictures. Novels, movies and golf are among his favorite spare time pursuits."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Friday, June 12, 2015

1974 Profile: Bill Cahill

Punt Returner-Free Safety
No. 22
Washington
"Cahill saw service in five games after being activated by the Bills just prior to the Bengals' visit. He was used on special teams, as a defensive safety and as a punt returner. Bill had four punt returns for 73 yards to rank second in that department and ran a punt back 51 yards for a touchdown in the finale against the Jets. He also collected 42 yards on a pair of kickoff returns.
A seventh round draft choice of New Orleans, Bill was released by the Saints just before the start of the regular season. He had a trial with Pittsburgh before landing with the Bills and will get a long look at free safety.
Cahill was a three-year letterman as a weak safety for the Huskies and co-captain as a senior. He saw postseason action in the Hula Bowl, Coaches All-Star game at Lubbock, Texas and the College All-Star game.
Psychology and English were his major subjects at Washington."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Thursday, June 11, 2015

1974 Profile: Cookie Brinkman

Strong Safety
No. 39
Louisville
"A tight end last fall, Brinkman will get a look at strong safety in 1974. He suffered a broken arm in a preseason game with the Redskins and never returned to action in 1973. Cookie caught two passes for 32 yards in preseason appearances against the Eagles and Packers.
Cookie signed as a free agent with Cincinnati in 1971, was acquired from the Bengals by Cleveland and spent 1971 on the Browns taxi squad. He appeared in two games for the Browns in 1972, one against the Dolphins in the playoffs.
Brinkman was a tight end and punter for Coaches Frank Camp and Lee Corso at Louisville. An honorable mention UPI All-American, All-Missouri Valley Conference pick and the leading MVC pass receiver, Brinkman was Louisville's Outstanding Senior in 1970. He played with the Cardinals in the Pasadena Bowl, once had an 89-yard punt against Tulsa and caught 10 passes for 199 yards against Marshall in 1970.
Cookie was awarded his B.S. degree in marketing and is an excellent golfer with ambitions to someday become a course professional; he once fired a 29 on a par 34 course. His father is a baseball scout for the Cincinnati Reds. Cookie plays the guitar."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Sunday, June 7, 2015

1974 Profile: Jim Braxton

Running Back
No. 34
West Virginia
"Braxton missed the first eight games of the 1973 season with a back injury. He returned against Cincinnati in a reserve role then started the final five games. Jim had the best day of his professional career against Miami at Orchard Park, gaining 119 yards on 17 carries and becoming the first back to top the 100-yard rushing figure against the Dolphin defense in 45 games. He averaged 82.3 yards in each of his 1973 appearances and 90.0 yards in five starting assignments.
Jim earned his first start for Buffalo in the second game of the 1972 season and refused to be displaced. He was a backfield reserve as a rookie when a preseason ankle injury slowed his development. He's an excellent inside power runner, catches the ball well and is a devastating blocker.
A first-team All-America selection in 1970 as a fullback for Bobby Bowden's West Virginia Moutaineers, Braxton won an invitation to the East-West Shrine game. In a statewide vote, he was chosen as West Virginia's Most Outstanding Amateur Athlete. He was a discus thrower for the WVU track team.
One of nine children, Jim's college major was physical education and social studies. He worked during the off-season with the West Virginia Board of Education and the Governor's Manpower Office. His duties included speaking around the state to groups of young people, working particularly in the areas of vocational education and dropout prevention. His hobbies are cards, music and coin collecting."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Friday, June 5, 2015

1974 Profile: Bill Adams

Guard
No. 60
Holy Cross
"Adams spent the entire 1973 season on the Bills' inactive roster. He last played as a reserve guard in the final six games of the 1972 season after being activated from the taxi squad.
The coaching staff considers Bill an excellent insurance policy on the offensive line. He has good strength and mobility and is one of the hardest workers on the squad. Bill was signed as a free agent out of Holy Cross.
An offensive guard and a tackle in college, Bill was tri-captain of the Crusaders and an All-New England choice. He won two letters in track and three in wrestling as an undergraduate.
Bill has a B.A. degree in economics with a minor in history. He's interested in a career as a CPA, teacher or business management specialist. Golf and movies are his hobbies."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

1974 Profile: Tony Marchitte

Equipment Manager
"One of the essential people behind the scenes in the Bills' football operation is equipment manager Tony Marchitte. His responsibilities include maintaining the large stockpile of gear required to outfit the Buffalo squad.
Marchitte has been with the Bills almost as long as they've been in business, first joining the organization in 1961. Born in Buffalo, Marchitte is a longtime resident of Western New York. Tony's easy manner and pleasant personality make him a popular member of the staff."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

1974 Profile: Joe Murry

Physical Coordinator
"One of the newer members of the Bills' football staff is physical coordinator Joe Murry, who has responsibility for developing the club's strength program. Murray joined the Buffalo organization in March of last year.
Joe holds a Master's degree in physical education from Southeastern Louisiana. As an undergraduate at Southwestern Louisiana, he won acclaim as National Collegiate heavyweight weightlifting champion. He set four national records in his specialty and placed fourth in the heavyweight division of the 1968 Olympic trials, narrowly missing a spot on the United States team.
Prior to accepting a position with the Bills, Murry taught at Metarie (Louisiana) Park Country Day School and was an assistant football coach at several Metarie high schools."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

Monday, June 1, 2015

1974 Profile: Bob Reese

Trainer
"Bob Reese's interest in athletic training dates from his high school days at Father Ryan High in Nashville, Tennessee. After one year as a member of the football squad, Bob became a student trainer and has been actively involved in the profession from that day to this. He worked with the training staff throughout his undergraduate career at Purdue University, where he earned his B.S. in physical education in 1970.
Appointed head trainer at Boston College in 1970, Reese, then only 21 years old, was the youngest head trainer in the nation. Bob joined fellow Purdue alumnus Eddie Abramoski with the Bills in 1972."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook