Thursday, July 28, 2016

1977 Profile: Jeff Lloyd

Defensive Tackle
No. 75
West Texas State
"Jeff appeared in nine games with the Bills in 1976 as a backup defensive tackle and was involved in four tackles. Signed as a free agent early in the season, he had been with the Bills for a short time at the end of the preseason, but was dropped when Donnie Green and O.J. Simpson returned. Jeff was a third round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in the 1976 college draft.
He was first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference as a tight end in 1975 and earned similar honors as a tackle in 1974. He entered school as a running back. Jeff was a three-sport letterman at Cameron County High School in Emprorium, Pennsylvania."

-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-TV-Radio Yearbook

Friday, July 22, 2016

1977 Profile: Merv Krakau

Middle Linebacker
No. 52
Iowa State
"Probably the most improved player on the Bills' squad in 1976, Krakau started every game at middle linebacker and was far and away the team leader in tackles. He had 94 unassisted tackles and 38 assists and was also involved in two and a half sacks and defensed three passes. He was credited with six fumble recoveries, giving him nine the past two seasons.
Krakau has had one pass interception in each of the past three years. He started nine games in the middle in 1975. He appeared in 11 games in 1974, along with a starting role in the first game of 1973. Merv's rapid development in 1973 made him a real sleeper in that year's draft when he was chosen 14th. He has been a very strong special teams player although last year with his starting status, he saw little special teams action.
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 1977 Press-Radio-TV Guide

Thursday, July 14, 2016

1977 Profile: Jeff Kinney

Running Back
No. 36
Nebraska
"Jeff enjoyed his best season as a pro last year while playing in 12 games with Buffalo. He was the Bills' second leading rusher, gaining 475 yards in 116 carries; his previous best year was 304 yards in 85 carries in 1975 with Kansas City. Jeff also caught 14 passes.
He started seven games and had his best effort in a 114-yard (17 carries) performance against his old teammates. Kinney had a strong performance against Dallas with 77 yards on 15 carries.
His best game as a Chief was a 124-yard game against Oakland in 1974. A first round pick of the Chiefs in 1972, he was used mostly as a backup running back with Kansas City where he accumulated 803 yards in four seasons.
Kinney was the leading rusher in Nebraska history with 2,321 yards. He scored four touchdowns and rushed for 171 yards in Nebraska's historic 35-31 win over Oklahoma in 1971.
Active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Jeff's hobbies include hunting, fishing and golf."

-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-Radio-TV Yearbook

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

1977 Profile: Mike Kadish

Defensive Tackle
No. 71
Notre Dame
"Kadish has had seven sacks in each of the past three years, but could be even better if his linemates did their share more often. Buffalo's best defensive lineman, the Bills got him cheap in a 1973 trade with Miami for Irv Goode. Dolphins had made him their No. 1 draft choice but decided he was fat and lazy, trading him after one year- it was Miami's mistake.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kadish is one of the few Notre Dame defensive linemen in recent years who hasn't been an NFL bust. Each year he leads Buffalo's defensive line in tackles and had 54 tackles and 41 assists last year."

-Rich Kucner, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition

"Kadish was Buffalo's most consistent defensive lineman in 1976 and led the linemen in tackles despite being double teamed often. He was credited with 54 unassisted tackles and 41 assists and also had a fumble recovery. Kadish has started every game for the past two years.
He realized a lineman's dream in 1975 when he scored a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers, taking a lateral from Earl Edwards and running 22 yards to the end zone. Mike led the defensive line in 1974 with 60 individual tackles and 33 assists, and also had seven quarterback sacks. The Bills sent veteran offensive lineman Irv Goode to Miami in exchange for Kadish in August 1973, and he started nine games that year and every game since. He was the top draft choice of the Dolphins in 1972 when he spent the entire campaign on the Miami taxi squad.
Mike was an All-America defensive tackle at Notre Dame. He 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 1977 Press-Radio-TV Guide

Thursday, July 7, 2016

1977 Profile: Ken Jones

Defensive End
No. 69
Arkansas State
"Jones started seven games at defensive end last year and played in 12 outings. He was credited with 29 tackles, half a sack and two fumble recoveries.
In 1977 he will be switched back to the offensive line, where he excelled in college. Jones is very quick, agile and aggressive with all the tools to be a top offensive lineman.
Jones was a first team All-America selection of the Football Writers and the Sporting News, and also a third team AP pick. He was a two-year starter at guard where he led the top rushing offense in college football in 1975. Ken played nose guard as a freshman and earned All-Conference honors. He missed most of his sophomore year with an appendectomy but played three games as a fullback and a tight end. Ken played in the East-West Shrine game and the Senior Bowl.
He is a physical education major. His brother Rodney plays football for Arkansas State."

-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-Radio-TV Yearbook

Sunday, July 3, 2016

1977 Profile: Doug Jones

Strong Safety
No. 24
San Fernando Valley State
"Jones made a strong comeback last year after missing the entire 1975 season with a knee injury. He started all 14 games at strong safety and finished with three interceptions for five yards. Jones was the fifth leading tackler on the team with 44 solos and 31 assists for 75 tackles. He was also credited with a sack, a fumble recovery and eight passes defensed.
A knee injury in a preseason game against Atlanta in Tampa knocked him out of the 1975 season. Doug was acquired by Buffalo in a preseason trade with Kansas City. He played behind Jim Kearney as a backup safety with the Chiefs, playing in 14 games with Kansas City in 1974, mostly on special teams. He had one interception for 13 yards with the Chiefs.
Jones was a two-year starter at San Fernando Valley State at both cornerback and safety and played two years at San Diego City College. He was a championship hurdler in college. Doug remains interested in track and worked as an assistant track coach in California."

-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-TV-Radio Yearbook