"There is a school of thought around the National Football League that says there is little wrong with the Buffalo Bills that the return to good health of quarterback Joe Ferguson and fullback Jim Braxton won't cure.
That school of thought ignores some elementary facts:
1. The Bills lost their last 10 games of the 1976 season.
2. In their final two games, the Bills' opponents scored 103 points against them.
3. Their head coach, Jim Ringo, hasn't won a game after more than half a season on the job. He went 0-9 last year in relief of Lou Saban.
If the Bills are going to move out of the pits of the NFL into mediocrity, then Ferguson and Braxton have to get healthy, certainly, but there's more to the Bills' problems than that.
Braxton, one of the top fullbacks in the league, suffered a knee injury on the first play from scrimmage in the first game last year and never played again. Ferguson suffered broken bones in his back in game seven and never played again. The season before, he threw a conference-leading 25 touchdown passes.
Braxton and Ferguson have to be healthy because the only way Buffalo is going to win is to outscore people. The Bills' offensive unit, still centered around O.J. Simpson, is still among the jewels of the NFL.
There seems little question that Buffalo should have traded the Juice for some defensive help last year. Such a deal probably could have been made with the Los Angeles Rams, bringing running back Lawrence McCutcheon and three defensive starters to Buffalo. But it wasn't made and O.J. remains with the Bills, an orchid in the onion patch.
The Juice gained 1,503 yards last year to lead the league- without benefit of a training camp. He broke his own single-game record with 273 yards against the Detroit Lions, then the No. 1 ranked defensive team in the National Conference. He rang up his fifth and sixth 200-yard games, an all-time record.
The only name that stands between him and the NFL's career record for ground gaining is that of Cleveland's Jim Brown.
Simpson's offensive line, one of the best in the league, may be even better in '77. Joe Devlin beat out offensive tackle Donnie Green in the last month of the season and the Bills think Devlin can be an All-Pro. The rest of the line includes one certified All-Pro, guard Joe DeLamielleure, another top guard in Reggie McKenzie, plus veteran tackle Dave Foley and center Mike Montler.
The chief offensive problem is that the Bills' passing attack has only one receiver of quality. Bob Chandler was even triple-teamed at times last season because no qualified partner could be found for him. The chief hope this year is that third round rookie selection John (The Comet) Kimbrough, a 9.4 sprinter from St. Cloud State, can take some heat off Chandler. If that turns out not to be the case, the Bills may play an awful lot of double tight end again, with Paul Seymour, a superior blocker but not much of a catching theat, joined by Reuben Gant.
On defense is where you'll find the team's critical- maybe fatal- problems.
The Bills made a defensive lineman, Oklahoma State's Phil Dokes, their No. 1 draftee. He is a player of considerable skill, but the word is that he must be motivated. That puts him in a class with the player who probably will start at right defensive end, ex-Bengal Sherman White. Tackle Mike Kadish and end Ben Williams should be the other starters.
Last year's best rookie was a linebacker, Dan Jilek. That makes him the only solid man at that position, since John Skorupan, the other outside linebacker, had his worst season and Merv Krakau is not the answer in the middle. The new linebacker coach is former Detroit defensive coordinator Jimmy Carr; his priority assignment is to resurrect the career of Tom Ruud, the No. 1 draftee of two years ago who has been a flop so far.
The Bills had better luck with their first rounder of 1976, cornerback Mario Clark. He made the All-Rookie team. The other corner, Dwight Harrison, has some hairy games but he is a super athlete.
The safeties, weak-sider Tony Greene and strong-sider Doug Jones are veterans. Something may have to give at a corner or safety for Keith Moody, a talented youngster who played well as a spot man in the secondary and did a top job of returning punts.
Marv Bateman's punting average, 42.3, led the NFL, but rookie Neil O'Donoghue will challenge place kicker George Jakowenko."
-Larry Felser, Pro Football 1977
OFFENSE
"Quarterbacks: The Bills must have Ferguson back from the injury list, since Gary Marangi was unbelievably bad in relief.
Performance Quotient: 3 [1 through 5, 1 being best]
Running Backs: What can you say about the Juice? It's just too bad he isn't with a big winner. Braxton was hurt on the first down of the season and didn't play again. He deserves a big raise off what his successors didn't do.
Performance Quotient: 1
Receivers: It's Chandler against the world. He may have been the NFL's most underrated offensive player last year. No one playing the opposite position belonged in the league, and that included John Holland. Seymour is a great blocker, but as a pass catcher he's a third tackle. Gant is handy to have when the Bills go into a double tight end alignment.
Eddie Bell may get work in an emergency. Fred Coleman is a prospect; Emmett Edwards isn't. Help is desperately needed at the wide spots.
Performance Quotient: 4
Interior Linemen: Foley is no ballet dancer, but he can drive block. Devlin moved in ahead of Green late last season. Coach Ringo thinks the youngster can be in DeLamielleure's class- and Joe D. is a Pro Bowl regular. McKenzie remains one of the class guards in the league. Montler shows no signs of slowing down, despite his age.
Green, Bill Adams and Willie Parker are savvy, skilled subs who might be starting elsewhere. Any of them may be used in a trade to bring defensive help. Ken Jones switches over to this side of the line after an unsuccessful try on defense. Bob Patton is the least of this group- and remember to consider tight end Seymour as part of this brotherhood.
Performance Quotient: 1
Kickers: Jakowenko is a 'hold-your-breath' field-goaler. Bateman's average led the NFL, but he's no clutch guy.
Performance Quotient: 3"
-Larry Felser, Pro Football 1977
DEFENSE
"Front Linemen: Williams did some good things as a rookie and he's quick, but he gets overpowered. White still hasn't been coaxed to play up to his ability. Kadish makes the effort, but he's limited.
Bill Dunstan was a spear carrier in Philly last year, but he may start with Buffalo. Things are that bad. Marty Smith and Jeff Lloyd are expendable ... and that's the case even though Smith started last year.
Performance Quotient: 5
Linebackers: New assistant coach Carr will try to revive the linebacking. Jilek was the best Buffalo had in his rookie year. Skorupan must snap out of his slump. Krakau gives everything he has, but it's not enough. Ruud, a one-time No. 1 draftee is a Carr development project.
Bob Nelson also falls into the reclamation category. Bo Cornell and Mark Johnson are valued as special teams players, but that's all. What the Bills need is a beneficial trade.
Performance Quotient: 4
Cornerbacks: Clark made the All-Rookie team in '76, but he has much to learn. Harrison is erratic but a fine athlete. Moody has big possibilities and may move someone in this secondary to the bench; Clifford Brooks has no such prospects. Former All-Pro Robert James tries again to come back from his knee injury. He's missed one and a half seasons.
Performance Quotient: 2
Safeties: Jones had some good games and some very bad ones. Greene hasn't played up to his All-Pro '75 season since hurting his knee.
Van Green and Steve Freeman can play in spots, but Moody may be switched back here. He is a top prospect.
Performance Quotient: 3"
-Larry Felser, Pro Football 1977
1977 DRAFT SELECTIONS
"Dokes was a motivation problem in college, but he's a sure starter with this talent-hungry defense. Kimbrough also has a shot at starting if he can acquire some technique to go with his speed and quickness. He and Curtis Brown should help as the kick returners. O'Donoghue is a good bet to take Jakowenko's job.
Jim Dean, Fred Besana and Ron Pruitt all have chances to stick, but if they play a lot it may be an indication of problems with higher touted players. Greg Morton is a middle linebacker prospect; he's got talent, but he used it in college as a defensive tackle.
Performance Quotient: 3"
-Larry Felser, Pro Football 1977
"The snakebit Bills, the NFL's top scoring team in '75, suffered a nightmarish 2-12 season last year when injuries to fullback Jim Braxton and quarterback Joe Ferguson (plus some horrendous trades) robbed them of the scoring punch they hoped would carry them to the playoffs. Lack of quality depth, the killing factor in '76, is the major problem confronting Jim Ringo who took over from Lou Saban in mid-season. However, if Ringo has upgraded his defense via the draft and can keep his high-powered offensive unit healthy, Buffalo could effect a dramatic turnaround and be a very dangerous factor in the upcoming Eastern Divison race.
'How can one man be so much better than everybody else?' asked Don Shula (Miami) after watching the incomparable O.J. Simpson in action. Despite a late a start and a succession of defenses stacked to stop his run, The Juice combined his explosive speed, incredible leg drive and superhuman stamina to power for 1,503 yards on 290 carries for a remarkable 5.2-yard average, thereby capturing his fourth NFL rushing title. Simpson starts his ninth pro season as the NFL's second all-time leading rusher and is considered by many the greatest running back ever to play the game. The yardage will come easier for O.J. with Burly Jim Braxton (6-1/245) wiping out opposing linebackers from his fullback slot where he keys the attack with his devastating blocking and inside power running. Classy rookie Curtis Brown of Missouri and Jeff Kinney should comprise the second-line unit with holdover reserves Roland Hooks, Eddie Ray and Darnell Powell also eligible for spot play.
Buffalo's excellent line salvaged some measure of satisfaction by dedicating themselves to assisting O.J. to the rushing title; The Electric Company turned on The Juice to the tune of a whopping 647 yards in the final three games. All-Pro Joe DeLamielleure (6-3/245) and big Reggie McKenzie (6-5/255) are among the best set of guards in the NFL and the keys to Buffalo's ground game. Donnie Green (6-7/260) and Dave Foley (6-5/245) are the tackles but stickout soph Joe Devlin (6-4/260) looms a starter before long. Mike Montler (6-4/245) does the snapping and is a tough blocker at center. Bill Adams (6-2/245), Willie Parker (6-3/250) and Bob Patton (6-1/240) provide depth up front.
Ferguson will restore balance to the attack with his accurate passing as he reclaims the quarterback post from Gary Marangi who registered a woeful 35.3 percent completion record last season. If rookie Fred Besana of California fails to impress, veteran Sam Wyche will be retained as the No. 3 man.
Clever Bob Chandler was Buffalo's only reliable target and ranked second in the AFC with 61 catches for 824 yards and 10 touchdowns. Ringo hopes that diminutive but very dangerous rookie John Kimbrough of St. Cloud State will jump right into the lineup at the other flanker slot where John Holland, Emmett Edwards, Eddie Bell and Ron Holiday failed to deliver the deep threat. Last year, the Bills were forced to employ two tight ends, powerful Paul Seymour and Reuben Gant, more often than not; both return along with reserve Fred Coleman.
The AFC punting champion, Marv Bateman, hopes for a repeat of his sensational 42.8-yard average on 86 attempts. Place kicker George Jakowenko converted 12 of 17 field goal attempts but may lose his job to Dublin-born Neil O'Donoghue, a 6'6/210 soccer-style booter from Auburn, who comes up with a rep as being one of the very best power kickers in the country. Keith Moody and Curtis Brown will do most of the kick returning with assists from Hooks and perhaps Kimbrough.
The Buffalo defense, particularly the defensive line, has been the major problem area over recent years; Ringo may well have resolved that problem via the draft. Top draft pick Phil Dokes (6-5/265) of Oklahoma State, a superb prospect with unlimited potential, looms an instant starter at tackle and could very well team there with another blue chip rookie, Jimmy Dean (6-5/260) of Texas A & M, a very quick and strong youngster. Mike Kadish (6-5/270), Bill Dunstan (6-3/260) and Marty Smith (6-3/250), the remaining tackles, will argue the issue. Tody Smith (6-5/255), a proven performer, will probable team up with spirited Sherman White (6-5/245) on the ends, while Ben Williams (6-2/260), Ken Jones (6-5/250) and rookie Ron Pruitt (6-3/250) of Nebraska are the backups. All at once, the Buffalo front wall looks quite respectable.
The Bills blitz their linebackers often which puts the spotlight on young Dan Jilek, who had an outstanding rookie season at his right linebacker post. Merv Krakau is a tough tackler in the middle while steady John Skorupan plays the strong side in good fashion. Tom Ruud, Bob Nelson, rookie Greg Morton of Michigan and Bo Cornell form the second-string unit.
Tony Greene, one of the quickest and smartest pass defenders in the game, keys the secondary at his free safety position. Doug Jones plays the strong slot while standout Dwight Harrison and classy soph Mario Clark handle the corners. Steve Freeman is the fifth back in pass situations. Other reserves include Moody, Van Green, Cliff Brooks and rookie Mike Nelms of Baylor.
When hitting on all cylinders, the Bills can outscore any team in the league, and for that reason alone they must be considered a dark horse contender in the AFC East. The success or failure of the '77 season will rest on the performance of the defensive platoon. With O.J. nearing the end of his brilliant career and hungering for a shot at playoff glory, Buffalo could prove to be a surprise, especially if either the Patriots or Colts stumble along the way.
'77 Forecast: 3rd Place"
-Football Forecast 1977, published by Lexington Library, Inc.
"At Buffalo, O.J. Simpson had another big season, but the Bills won only two games, the same as expansion Seattle. It came after three straight winning seasons when things were looking up.
Coach Jim Ringo is facing an uphill battle. The former offensive line coach took over when Lou Saban quit and the Bills' record stood at 2-3. Despite an 0-9 record, Ringo was rehired.
O.J. did quite well (winning the NFL rushing title for the fourth time) for someone who wasn't to be found in the '76 Bills press guide. The Bills superstar had asked to be traded to the West Coast and missed training camp. Owner Ralph Wilson never managed to work out the deal and finally chased down Simpson in the Los Angeles area and signed him to a multi-year contract which reportedly exceeded $2 million in pay and fringe benefits.
Simpson reported to the Bills the night before their opening Monday night game against Miami. Despite his lack of training, O.J. played well but the Bills lost their 13th in a row. Coach Saban almost quit after the game. Four weeks later he did resign.
There were other problems which affected the club last year. Wide receiver Ahmad Rashad wasn't signed after playing out his option. He was signed by Seattle and later traded to Minnesota. Robert James, an All-Pro cornerback, was ruled out for the '76 season after he failed to recover from knee surgery.
Jim Braxton missed the entire season after suffering a knee injury in preseason. And the big fullback may not be back with the Bills this year since- just like O.J.- he wanted to renegotiate his contract.
Quarterback Joe Ferguson injured his back and missed the last half of the season. And so the Bills carry a 10-game losing streak into '77.
There are some more O.J. feats worth mentioning. He set a single game rushing record of 273 yards, breaking his old mark of 250. He went over 200 yards twice, giving him a record six [200-yard games] in his career. He rushed for seven more 100-yard games. All told he had 1,503 yards.
Simpson got so frustrated last season that he got the boot from a game for fighting with New England's Mel Lunsford, who had slammed O.J. to the ground. In the earlier game against New England, Ferguson was racked up, breaking some bones in his back.
'What frustrates me is being in the league eight years and we're two or three years away from the Super Bowl,' Simpson says.
Other Bill highlights: guard Joe DeLamielleure made All-Pro and wide receiver Bob Chandler had 61 pass receptions. Also, Marv Bateman topped NFL punters with a 42.8 average on 86 kicks. His longest traveled about 78 yards.
Chandler enters the '77 season with a string of 27 games in which he has caught at least one pass. He has 191 receptions over six seasons. His yardage last year totaled 824. Reuben Gant, the other wide receiver, made the most of his 12 pass catches, gaining 263 yards. Paul Seymour and John Holland rank 1-2 as tight ends.
Ferguson had rolled up 1,086 yards in the air before being hurt. Gary Marangi was ineffective in his place, completing only 35 per cent of his passes (compared to Fergy's 49 per cent) and was intercepted 16 times.
The offensive line is solid with Reggie McKenzie, Mike Montler, Joe Devlin and DeLamielleure providing the muscle. Even O.J. is outspoken about the Bill's poor defense. He says: 'In a losing year, you can't have a good feeling about it. The only redeeming factor is that we, the offense, can look back and say, 'Hey we did it.' Our guys on defense need a lot of help. Management has dealt us some bad hands, and we've had to play with what we got. It's embarrassing.'
Tony Greene heads the secondary which also had Mario Clark, Keith Moody, Dwight Harrison and Doug Jones. Sherman White, acquired from Cincinnati for a No. 1 draft pick, Tody Smith and Ben Williams are the ends; Marty Smith, Mike Kadish and Jeff Lloyd are holdover tackles; John Skorupan, Dan Jilek and Merv Krakau head the linebackers.
George Jakowenko made 12 of 17 field goals and 21 of 24 PAT's."
-Dick Joyce, Complete Sports 1977 Pro Football Special Preview
"As one Buffalo fan expressed it, the best thing about the 1976 season is that it ended.
The problems began early with O.J. Simpson's indecision on whether to play or not to play, keeping matters a bit off balance for everyone, players and fans alike. Then, even before training camp opened, talented receiver Ahmad Rashad left the club after playing out his option. The Bills should have kept him, according to the best hindsight available. The pass reception unit took another body blow when J.D. Hill was traded away, and this was followed by the departure of three top-flight defensive ends- Walt Patulski, Earl Edwards and Pat Toomay. This trio left variously via the expansion draft and the trade route.
Coach Lou Saban hadn't counted on O.J.'s demand that he be traded, preferably to a West Coast club. With so much talent already leaving Buffalo, Saban suddenly found himself confronted with a situation bordering on disaster. Simpson finally returned, after holding out for a three-year contract said to be worth $2.5 million, but the whole hassle created a certain amount of dissension on the club. At one point running back Jim Braxton threatened to stage a one-man strike and refuse to play the first game against Miami.
Braxton relented and went on to play after all, but perhaps he should have stuck by his threat. Buffalo lost to the Dolphins, 30-21, and Braxton banged up his knee so badly he was sidelined for the rest of the season.
Although the Bills won a couple and lost a couple as the season opened, Lou Saban found the situation too much for his conception of the game and resigned as head coach after game No. 5. Offensive line coach Jim Ringo took over and presided over the loss of the next nine games, ending a miserable season made more miserable by highly regarded quarterback Joe Ferguson's shelving because of a back injury. When Ferguson left the scene, the Bills' debacle was complete. Only O.J.'s brilliant dash for a league-leading 1,503 yards and the brilliant work of rookie linebacker Dan Jilek managed to keep Buffalo fans from losing interest in a club that, only the season before, had roused the entire city with its bid for a playoff berth.
But the main question is: What next?
Coach Ringo looks at things realistically enough. 'Frustration,' he says, 'is difficult to finesse or forget. Even though the Bills lost [the record was 2-12 in 1976], it's to their credit that they never ACCEPTED losing. The distinction is important, and can turn last year's agony into this year's anticipation.'
And what about the defense?
Ringo says, 'Problems continue to plague our defensive unit. Offense alone cannot put us into a contending position. The obvious assignment: better defensive play, and soon. Last season, tackle Mike Kadish wound up as the only holdover starter [from 1975] on a completely restructured defensive line. We imported Sherman White from Cincinnati and started free agent Marty Smith alongside him at tackle. Rookies Ben Williams and Ken Jones shared the left end spot. Now, with Jones headed back to the offensive line where he played in college, the already slender defensive front wall is further thinned out. But we hope defensive end Tody Smith, picked up late last season from Houston on waivers, will establish his presence.'
Ringo joined the Bills as offensive line coach in 1972. He was given a great deal of credit when, in 1973, the Bills rushed for an NFL record 3,088 yards. The 43-year-old former Green Bay Packer served as an assistant coach with the Chicago Bears from 1969 through 1971 after completing a 15-year playing career in the NFL."
-Norman MacLean and Herbert M. Furlow, The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1977
OFFENSE
"Quarterbacks: Ferguson missed half the 1976 season with back problems, just one of the reversals that beset the Bills last year. Gary Marangi moved in, but a 35.3 completion percentage didn't measure up- Ferguson completes 50 percent. Sam Wyche is the backup's backup. If Ferguson doesn't recoup, quarterbacking will again hamper the Bills.
Running Backs: The late word from O.J. is that he now has hopes of playing for two more seasons (presumably this one and next) before pursuing a career in other fields. He has already made six movies. Braxton's knee is on the mend; he missed 13 games last year because of it. When they're together, he and O.J. provide the NFL's most devastating one-two running attack.
Roland Hooks, Darnell Powell and Jeff Kinney are good replacements. Rookie Curtis Brown is good at kickoff returns, too.
Receivers: The big man here is Bob Chandler, whose 61 receptions for 824 yards made him second among NFL receivers in 1976. The next nearest teammate had only 22 [receptions], and he was- guess who? O.J. Simpson, who rolls up yardage more ways than one. Paul Seymour and John Holland snared 31 jointly.
This unit could use another Chandler-type receiver. A newcomer is Eddie Bell, formerly with the Jets and Chargers. John Kimbrough comes with great credentials from college division circles.
Interior Linemen: The offensive line had both good and bad notices in 1976. The Buffalo rushing game averaged 183.3 per game, third best best in the entire NFL. Dave Foley, Reggie McKenzie, Mike Montler, Joe DeLamielleure, Donnie Green and Company did their job well and return to do it again. In the passing area, Buffalo quarterbacks were sacked 33 times- not too bad, but not too good, either. An improved passing game could make this unit one of the very best.
Kickers: In 1976 Simpson led the league in rushing, Chandler almost led in pass receptions and Marv Bateman led in punting with a 42.8 yard average on 86 boots. George Jakowenko is a good place kicker; he got 21 of 24 PAT's and 12 of 17 field goals in 1976."
-Norman MacLean and Herbert M. Furlow, The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1977
DEFENSE
"Front Linemen: An area for continued improvement. The defensive unit has ranked low among NFL clubs for at least two seasons, proving ineffective generally against both the pass and the rush.
Kadish is a blue-chipper at tackle, and in his college career Phil Dokes made 87 tackles and recovered nine fumbles. But help is needed here if Jim Ringo is to move the Bills up.
Linebackers: John Skorupan, one of a long line of Penn State linebackers, leads the group. Jilek was one of the better rookies of 1976. Beyond these two, the Bills have a way to go before this unit is tip-top.
Cornerbacks: Dwight Harrison plays his right cornerback [position] with skill, and Mario Clark proved he was cast properly as Buffalo's only first round draftee of 1976. Bob James, a former All-Pro, wants to play again, but an injured leg has sidelined him for two seasons now. Keith Moody opened eyes as a rookie.
Another defensive area that needs help.
Safeties: Tony Greene is the best of these. Doug Jones' year wasn't up to expectations. Van Green is coming off an injury; he missed seven games in 1976."
-Norman MacLean and Herbert M. Furlow, The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1977
"Last year's season began badly for the Bills when O.J. Simpson, wanting to be traded, reported late. Then their other big back, Jim Braxton, was hurt and missed 13 games. Finally, quarterback Joe Ferguson went to the bench for half the season with an aching back. With the Big Three of their offense gone, the Bills could not count on a strong defense- [it was] one of the NFL's weakest. Result: humiliations like the 58-20 beating inflicted by Baltimore in the last game of the season. The Bills ranked eighth of 14 in total offense; 10th in total defense.
Coach Jim Ringo, who took over from Lou Saban in mid-season, is counting on the return of his Big Three to score a lot of points, but as he adds, 'Offense alone cannot put us in a contending position. The obvious assignment: better defensive play, and soon.
OFFENSE: If passer Joe Ferguson comes back strong, backed by young Gary Marangi, the running of The Juice and Braxton, who is also a heavy blocker, could be terrifying. Ringo says, 'Defenses will be unable to afford the kind of undivided attention O.J. received over the last half of the 1976 season' (when he nevertheless gained 647 yards in three games). Behind Braxton and O.J. stands Jeff Kinney.
Ferguson will be rifling passes at Bob Chandler, who led the team with 61 catches, O.J. (22), tight end Paul Seymour (16) and wide receiver John Holland (15). Reuben Gant (12) often played with Seymour in the Bills' double-tight end formation.
The offensive line is the Bills' pride. This is the unit that spearheaded O.J.'s drive for 2,003 yards in 1973. The center is Mike Montler; the guards are Reggie McKenzie and All-Pro Joe DeLamielleure; the tackles are Dave Foley and Donnie Green. Ken Jones will shift to tackle from defensive end.
DEFENSE: The Bills gave up an average of 4.6 yards a rush, and opponents completed almost one of every two passes. On the front four, the strong spot was tackle Mike Kadish, who led with six sacks. Ringo will be looking for fresh faces. Among the rookies are No. 1 choice Phil Dokes (Oklahoma State) and Jimmy Dean, a tackle from Texas A & M. Holdovers on the front four include Tody Smith, Sherman White and Marty Smith. The starting linebackers are Merv Krakau, young Dan Jilek and John Skorupan. They are backed by Tom Ruud and Bo Cornell, among others.
The deep backs are Mario Clark, Tony Greene, Doug Jones and Keith Moody. Greene led the team with five interceptions and now ranks second in all-time intercepts for the Bills. Van Green and Robert James, a former All-Pro, return from knee problems to try to win jobs.
SPECIALISTS: Marv Bateman led the NFL in average with 42.7. George Jakowenko, the third of three place kickers tried last year, seems to have won the job. Keith Moody and Roland Hooks are among the kick returners.
STRENGTHS: If O.J. Simpson and Jim Braxton are together again, a powerful running attack; a cohesive offensive line; a dangerous passing attack if Joe Ferguson returns healthy.
WEAKNESSES: A shattered defense that needs total rebuilding.
THE CRYSTAL BALL SAYS: In a very tough division, the Bills will finish no higher than fourth- and they'll rise that high only with a big improvement in the defense."
-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1977
OFFENSE
"Even without a quarterback (Joe Ferguson) and a fullback (Jim Braxton), the Buffalo offense was 12th in the league, entirely on the efforts of one running back, O.J. Thataway (1,503 yards), one wide receiver, Bob Chandler (61 catches), and one of the best run-block lines in existence. With the return to health of Ferguson and Braxton, the attack will again be one of the best in the league.
Braxton, who earns his living as O.J.'s bodyguard, went down on the first play of the first game, while Ferguson lasted until the seventh game, when the New England linebackers held a convention on his back. The Bills never won without him.
There are deficiencies in the Buffalo lineup, like the lack of a second solid wide receiver to take pressure off Chandler. And while tight end Paul Seymour catches well for a tackle, nobody mistakes him for a game-breaker. But because of O.J.'s greatness, nobody really notices."
-Rich Kucner, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
DEFENSE
"They've tried. Oh, how they've tried. First round draft choices, trades, purchases. You name it, Buffalo has tried it. And still, the defense is awful. Within the past four years, the Bills have used first or second round draft picks to take linebackers Doug Allen, Tom Ruud and Bob Nelson, defensive backs Mario Clark and Glenn Lott and defensive end Ken Jones. Clark, however, was the only one in the Bill lineup last year.
Incompetence in the Bill draft department has hurt badly, leaving Buffalo with a defense that gives yardage like the government gives away foreign aid. Y'all come. Everybody's welcome. Y'all come on back, y'heah?
There are some quality players like tackle Mike Kadish, linebackers John Skorupan and Dan Jilek, and corner Mario Clark. Others, like end Sherman White and corner Dwight Harrison, have the ability to be first rate performers. Adding defensive tackles Phil Dokes, a rookie, and Bill Dunstan from the Eagles is a step in the right direction. But it'll take more, much more to make the Bills a good defensive team."
-Rich Kucner, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
KICKING GAME
"A disaster. Buffalo was dead last in defense against punt and kickoff returns. The Bills gave up nearly double the league average on punt returns. In other areas, the results are mixed. Marv Bateman's punting average of 42.8 was the best in the league. George Jakowenko was an acceptable field goal kicker but weak on kickoffs, and the Bills' return men were nothing special."
-Rich Kucner, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
THE ROOKIES
"Although desperately in need of defensive help, the Bills used just two of their top six picks for defensive players, taking Phil Dokes (Oklahoma State) and Jimmy Dean (Texas A & M), both tackles. Dokes, a first rounder, should help immediately. Dean, a fourth rounder, might be a bargain. Neil O'Donoghue (Auburn) should provide place-kicking help."
-Rich Kucner, The Compete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
OUTLOOK
"With an offense capable of scoring 40 points a game and a defense capable of giving up 45, the Bills won't be dull. They won't be winners, either."
-Rich Kucner, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
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