1974 Profile: Mike Montler

Center
No. 53
Colorado
"Montler concluded the 1973 season as Buffalo's starting center after he was pressed into service when Bruce Jarvis was sidelined by a knee injury prior to the Cincinnati game. Mike did an outstanding job as the Bills regular pivot over the final six weeks of the season and is expected to press Jarvis for the job this fall. He's versatile enough to play guard or tackle.
Mike was acquired by Buffalo in the trade that also brought Jim Cheyunski and Halvor Hagen from New England. He was a starting offensive lineman during his four seasons with the Patriots. He was New England's second round draft choice in 1969.
Montler won All-America and All-Big Eight honors as a tackle for Eddie Crowder at Colorado. Captain of the Buffaloes as a senior, he captured the Ernie Davis Memorial Award in the 1969 Coaches All-America Game. Mike was a member of the Blue-Grey, Hula and Senior Bowl squads and the College All-Star team.
Mike played service football during a four-year tour in the Marine Corps. His duty stations included San Diego and Okinawa. His undergraduate major at Colorado was business with a minor in journalism. Mike's off-season employment was as a PR representative for a Boulder bank. He has also worked as a sheriff's deputy."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Reggie McKenzie

Guard
No. 67
Michigan
"An All-NFL choice of the Associated Press, Pro Football Writers and Football NEWS, second team All-League in NEA and Pro Football WEEKLY balloting and near unanimous choice for All-Conference, McKenzie received more votes than any other offensive lineman in the UPI balloting for the All-AFC eleven. Also winner of the Wisconsin Pro Football Writers' award as the NFL's 'top-blocking lineman,' he received a special citation from the Long Island Writers for his blocking contribution in 1973.
A two-year regular at guard, Reggie won the starting job as a rookie and played all season despite painful ankle sprains; he was the only Buffalo guard to remain in the lineup during the entire 1972 campaign. He has outstanding speed and the ability to get out in front of the play. McKenzie is a devastating blocker and has outstanding leadership traits.
McKenzie was a consensus All-American for Bo Schembechler at Michigan and a member of two Michigan Rose Bowl teams (1970,1972). A two-time All-Big Ten choice, he won invitations to the Hula Bowl and College All-Star games.
Reggie won his B.S. degree in physical education and has ambitions for graduate study, perhaps in law. He was co-chairman of Buffalo Brotherhood Week for the National Conference of Christians and Jews and is active in the public service area. He worked during the off-season as a public relations representative for a local hotel. Reggie has four brothers and three sisters. Music and reading are his hobbies."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: John Leypoldt

Place Kicker
No. 3
"Leypoldt ranked third among AFC field goal kickers last fall. His percentage of.700 (21-for-30) was topped only by league leader Don Cockroft of Cleveland (.710) and Bobby Howfield of the Jets (.708). John was the AFC's best kicker from the midfield mark or beyond, hitting 2-of-4 from long range.
John tied the Buffalo record with a 52-yard field goal against Baltimore and is within one of Pete Gogolak's record for career field goals. He starts the 1973 season with a string of five straight field goal successes and has hit 38 straight PATs dating from November 5, 1972. Leypoldt was the Bills' top scorer two years in a row with 90 points in 1973, 77 in 1972.
Leypoldt joined the Bills as a free agent and has no college football experience. He played on a semi-pro level with Annapolis (later Virginia) Sailors in 1965-66. He was a kicker for his service football team during two years of Army duty in Germany.
John was working for Washington Gas Light Company at the time he won a Bills tryout. An avid pool player, he likes hunting and fishing. John has a St. Bernard named Duke and works during the off-season for a local automobile dealer."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Richard Lewis

Linebacker
No. 56
Portland State
"Lewis finished the 1973 campaign as the Bills starter at outside linebacker and made a total of 10 appearances, seven as a regular. He was picked up by Buffalo after receiving his release from the Houston Oilers last fall. Richard was first active for the Colt game at Orchard Park.
Signed by Atlanta as a free agent in 1972, Richard was claimed by Houston after being waived by the Falcons. He was active with the Oilers for 10 games in 1972 and made several starts at outside linebacker. He's an aggressive player with good speed.
Lewis was a three-year starter at Portland State (Oregon) and was the Vikings' leading tackler. He lives in Portland."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Merv Krakau

Middle Linebacker
No. 52
Iowa State
"Krakau showed remarkable development as a rookie. He played in all 14 games, and was the Bills starter at middle linebacker in the first two games of the regular season when injuries sidelined Jim Cheyunski. An intense performer on special teams, Merv has great desire and strength and is expected to bid for a larger role in 1974. He rates as the Bills' 'sleeper' of the 1973 draft.
A defensive tackle for Johnny Majors at Iowa State, Krakau made the All-Big Eight squad and was a third team All-America choice of the Associated Press. He was Iowa State's outstanding defensive player in the Liberty Bowl game and a member of the Senior Bowl squad. Merv was named National Lineman of the Week for his performance against Nebraska in 1972; his defensive effort against the Cornhuskers included two fumble recoveries, two fumbles caused, three pass deflections, two sacks of the quarterback, and 11 unassisted tackles.
Merv was a physical education major at Iowa State and has ambitions to be a coach and teacher after his playing career. Bowling, hunting and fishing are his hobbies."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Ted Koy

Safety-Tight End
No. 37
Texas
"One of the Bills' most versatile performers, Koy played four different positions last season- running back, tight end, linebacker and safety. He made his only start of 1973 at safety against Philadelphia. Ted is a valuable performer on special teams, a tough blocker with good speed and great determination.
Ted became a Bill six days before the start of the 1971 season, acquired from Oakland in exchange for a future draft choice. He was the Raiders' second round selection in 1970 and played in 14 games for Oakland as a rookie.
Koy was captain of Texas' 1969 National Championship team. An All-America and All-Southwest Conference running back, he made the All-America blocking team. Koy saw postseason action in the Cotton and Senior Bowls and was a member of the 1970 College All-Star squad.
Ted's undergraduate degree is in journalism and public relations and he is studying at the Texas A & M School of Veterinary Medicine in the off-season. He's active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
His brother, Ernie, played with the New York Giants from 1965-70, a sister, Margaret, is a former sportswriter for the Abilene Reporter-News, and his dad was a Texas All-America in football and baseball who later played professionally with the baseball Cardinals and Dodgers."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Ernie Kellerman

Strong Safety
No. 24
Miami of Ohio
"Kellerman signed as a free agent on October 13 last fall, started the next day at safety against the Colts and intercepted a pass. He finished the season with two interceptions and 23 yards in total returns, starting at strong safety in 10 games. Ernie was released by Cincinnati the week before the season opened.
Ernie played safety and led the special teams with the Bengals in 1972 after he was with the Cleveland organization for seven years. He was originally signed by the Browns as a free agent in 1965 after being drafted by Dallas in the sixth round and released on the final cut. The Browns let him go just prior to the '72 opener. Kellerman has a total of 19 career interceptions.
Kellerman was a quarterback for coaches John Pont and Bo Schembechler at Miami of Ohio and guided the Redskins into the Tangerine Bowl as a sophomore. He was a three-time All-Mid-American Conference selection and MVP of the Miami team, and an honorable mention All-America as a senior. Inducted into the Miami Athletic Hall of Fame in 1972, Ernie threw an 88-yard touchdown pass to help Miami surprise nationally-ranked Purdue in a game voted the Major Upset of the 1962 college season.
Ernie earned his college degree in health and physical education, and general business was his minor. He once taught school during the off-season but now works as a manufacturer's representative. Ernie enjoys Broadway musicals and golf."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Bob Kampa

Defensive End
No. 70
California
"Kampa made appearances in seven games last fall and was inactive for three weeks. He started the season at defensive tackle and later moved outside to end and will likely stay at end this fall. Strong with good football instincts, Bob played with considerable poise for a rookie. He was the Bills' No. 3A draft pick in 1973.
Co-Captain and Most Valuable Defensive Lineman for the California Golden Bears as a senior, Kampa was a defensive tackle who won first team All-Pacific 8 and All-West Coast honors. He attended Gavilan Junior College where he lettered in football, track and wrestling before entering California. He set high school records in the shot put and discus. Bob was named to the American Bowl squad for the annual all-star game in Tampa, Florida.
Bob was a physical education major who has an interest in becoming a physical therapist. Bull riding and calf roping are among his favorite forms of entertainment."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Mike Kadish

Defensive Tackle
No. 71
Notre Dame
"The Bills sent offensive lineman Irv Goode to Miami in exchange for Kadish last year on August 28. Inactive for the first two regular season games, he made a total of 12 appearances, nine as a regular. He earned his first start against Miami and got better every week. Kadish was the top draft choice of the Dolphins in 1972 and spent the entire '72 season on the Miami taxi squad.
He was an All-America defensive tackle at Notre Dame and a college teammate of the Bills' Walt Patulski. Mike led the Irish in tackles with 97 including eight quarterback sacks for 40 yards in losses, and played in the Senior Bowl. He's an avid golfer."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Steve Jones

Running Back
No. 46
Duke
"Jones came to the Bills on waivers from St. Louis just before the start of the regular season. He got into 11 games playing mostly on special teams, averaging 19.3 yards on six kickoffs returns, and carried the ball three times from scrimmage for nine yards. A fifth round pick of the Los Angeles Rams, Steve was traded from LA to St. Louis during the preseason and spent the final three weeks of the campaign on the Bills inactive roster.
One of the all-time great running backs in the history of Duke University, Steve had a three-year career rushing record of 683 carries for 2,951 yards, a 4.3 average and 20 touchdowns. He broke his own Duke rushing record as a senior with 1,236 yards on 287 attempts and was a unanimous selection on the writers-coaches All-Atlantic Coast Conference team."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Spike Jones

Punter
No. 11
Georgia
"Jones has done the Buffalo punting for three seasons. He averaged 40.3 yards on 66 punts last fall to improve his pro figure to 40.0, and his longest punt of 1973 traveled 62 yards against New Orleans. A rash of injuries in the offensive line caused his punting average to dip in 1972. Spike joined the Bills after the first game of the 1971 season.
The Oilers regular punter as a rookie, Spike tied the club record for most punts (84), averaging 42.4- his best figure in four years in the NFL. His longest punt as a Bill is 67 yards and he had a 73-yard boot, the longest in the League in 1970, while with Houston.
Jones was two years an All-Southeastern Conference selection as a punter for the University of Georgia. He set a Bulldog record with an 87-yard punt and his career punting average of 41.6 snapped the SEC standard. The number two collegiate punter in 1969, Spike played in three postseason Bowl games (Liberty, Sun, Sugar) and the College All-Star classic. He was roughed four times in a single game against Auburn in '69.
His B.B.A. is in marketing; public relations, selling and management are his areas of career interest. Spike's real first name is John and his nickname is from the comic musician. He plays the banjo, and hunting and fishing are his favorite forms of relaxation."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Ray Jarvis

Wide Receiver
No. 80
Norfolk State
"Jarvis was acquired in a trade for a future draft choice from Atlanta just prior to the opening of training camp a year ago. He played sparingly as a wide receiver but was prominent on special teams. He caught one pass for 12 yards and had 84 yards on five kickoff returns.
A fifth round draft pick of the Falcons in 1971, Ray saw only limited service in two seasons in Atlanta. He backs up Bob Chandler at wide receiver for the Bills.
Jarvis was named to the Pittsburgh Courier All-America team in 1970 and was a three-time All-CIAA receiver at Norfolk State. He set school records for career pass receptions (104), receiving yardage (2,214) and touchdowns (24). Ray had his best college game as a freshman- six receptions, 196 yards and two touchdowns. Also a two-time second team All-Conference choice as a basketball guard, his Norfolk State major was chemistry."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Bruce Jarvis

Center
No. 51
Washington
"Jarvis held down the starting center position until injured in practice just prior to the Cincinnati game. He was sidelined for the remainder of the campaign and underwent off-season knee surgery.
A solid offensive performer on running and passing plays, Bruce missed all but three games of the 1972 season with a knee injury. He was a third round draft choice in 1971 and first won a regular job as a rookie.
Jarvis was an honorable All-America as a center for Coach Jim Owens' Huskies, and a second-team All-Coast selection. He was voted Washington's Offensive Lineman of the Year and was elected to play in the annual Hula Bowl game. Bruce was a college teammate of Bills linebacker Bo Cornell.
Bruce was a business administration major at Washington and got into the restaurant business in Buffalo during the off-season. His father is a surgeon, his brother an attorney. Skiing is his hobby."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Robert James

Cornerback
No. 20
Fisk
"Robert shares with O.J. Simpson the distinction of being the senior member of the Bills organization. Originally signed as a free agent out of Fisk University, he was a near-unanimous choice as an All-NFL cornerback in 1973 and was named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad for the second consecutive season. Robert missed only one game last fall despite playing most of the season with a painful heel bruise. He had a pass interception in 1973 to push his career total to six.
He's one of the toughest one-on-one defenders in the National Football League and his ability to cover usually gets him the team's toughest opposing receiver. Robert won a starting role at cornerback in 1970 after playing mainly on special teams as a rookie. One of the team's inspirational leaders, he wears contact lenses on the field.
Robert was a linebacker and defensive end for Fisk and was an All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference choice. He's the first Fisk University product to gain prominence in pro ball. Fisk's most valuable gridder in 1968, Robert was also the conference champion in the 60-yard high hurdles and the 120-yard intermediate hurdles. His top collegiate hurdle times were 7.5 in the 60's and 14.5 over the 120's.
Robert earned his Bachelor's degree in physical education and is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was saluted by his hometown of Murfreesboro, Tennessee this past spring on Robert James Day. He would like to pursue a teaching career following his playing days."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: J.D. Hill

Wide Receiver
No. 40
Arizona State
"Hill was Buffalo's number two receiver last fall with 29 receptions, one behind leader Bob Chandler. His catches accounted for 422 yards, a 14.6 average. His 42-yard hookup with Joe Ferguson against Miami at Orchard Park was the Bills' longest pass play of the season. J.D.'s best single game statistics last fall were against San Diego- seven receptions for 118 yards, the top one-game showing of the season by a Buffalo receiver.
J.D. led the Bills with 52 receptions in 1972 and ranked fourth in the AFC. He was selected as a member of the '72 AFC Pro Bowl team. J.D. has blazing speed and has seen action as both a kickoff and punt returner. The top draft choice of the Bills in 1971, injuries cut his rookie season to five games.
Hill was the Most Valuable Player on Arizona State's undefeated (11-0) 1970 club and was included on every major All-America team. He was Senior Bowl MVP and a member of the College All-Star squad. J.D. also ran the 100 and the 220 for the Arizona State track team; his best times were 9.3 for the 100 and 20.3 for the 220.
J.D.'s major subjects at Arizona State were physical education and elementary education. He's interested in working with disadvantaged children."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Dwight Harrison

Cornerback
No. 28
Texas A&I
"One of the big success stories of the 1973 season, Harrison switched from wide receiver to cornerback just prior to the regular season opener. He made his first start on defense against the Jets in Buffalo. Dwight finished the year as Buffalo's top interceptor. He picked off five passes and had returns totalling 117 yards, a 23.4 average.
His 31-yard return of a Marty Domres pass against Baltimore brought the Bills a dramatic 24-17 victory over the Colts. His longest interception return, 38 yards, came against against the Dolphins in the Orange Bowl. Dwight also picked off a pair of passes against Cincinnati.
Dwight was traded to Buffalo by Denver in exchange for Haven Moses midway through the 1972 season. He was a second round draft choice of the Broncos in 1971.
He was a standout defensive back and receiver at Texas A&I, 'Flanker of the Decade' in the Lone Star conference, All-Conference and a Kodak All-America selection. Harrison played in the Oil Bowl game and was Texas A&I's most valuable player. A cornerstone of the track squad, he once turned in a 9.5 for the 100-yard dash, a 6-8 high jump and a 24-10 long jump.
Business management was his college major, and forestry and conservation are his career interests. Dwight plays both the clarinet and piano and hunting and fishing are his hobbies."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook

1974 Profile: Halvor Hagen

Offensive Tackle
No. 76
Weber State
"A starter in four games last fall at left defensive end, Hagen made one other appearance in a reserve role and spent nine games on the inactive list. He moved from defense to offensive tackle late in the 1973 season and is ticketed for duty at offensive left tackle this fall.
Hagen came to the Bills in a trade with New England that also brought Jim Cheyunski and Mike Montler to Buffalo. A guard and defensive end for the Patriots, Halvor was a third round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys in 1969 and was traded to New England in 1971.
Halvor attended Shoreline Community College for two years before moving to Weber State. He played defensive end for the Wildcats and was chosen for the Coaches All-America Game.
His hobbies are flying and skiing."

-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook