Monday, July 17, 2017

1978 Profiles: Merv Krakau and Tom Graham

MERV KRAKAU
Middle Linebacker
No. 52
Iowa State
"One of the most improved players on the Bills' squad, Merv was an effective specialty teams player before becoming a starter.
He was a defensive tackle at Iowa State and was Lineman of the Week for a 1972 performance against Nebraska."
Merv has ambitions to be a teacher after his playing career."

-1978 Topps, No. 369


TOM GRAHAM
Middle Linebacker
No. 58
Oregon
"Tom Graham, Oregon, at 232 has enough bulk to play in the middle and the pros think he's a good one."

-Bob Billings, Football Digest, January 1972

"Another player who suffered a broken ankle in his senior year after having an outstanding junior year. Tom was All-Coast as a junior and had a standout sophomore year, too, making 20 tackles in his varsity debut. He was coached in college by Jerry Frei, now the Broncos' offensive line coach.
A sociology major, Tom is from  Harbor City, California."

-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1972 Edition)

"A very aggressive player, coaches feel Tom can become a great linebacker. In 1972, he became a starter for the Broncos in the sixth game of his rookie season.
Tom's cousin is former Oakland A's outfielder Bobby Brooks."

-1974 Topps No. 432

"A very aggressive player, Tom became the Broncos' middle linebacker in the sixth game of 1972, a game won by the Broncos over the Raiders, 30-23. A college teammate of Ahmad Rashad of the Bills, he was credited with 20 tackles against Utah in his college debut."

-1975 Topps No. 239

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