1979 Profile: Sherman White

Defensive End
No. 83
California
"Sherman tank. Built to destroy, but has practiced self-destruction most of his pro career. The second player taken in the entire 1972 draft, by Cincinnati, he hasn't come close to All-Pro or even a Pro Bowl. White shouldn't feel alone: Walt Patulski, Dave Butz and John Matuszak haven't either.
He wasn't a particular favorite of Bengals' majordomo Paul Brown and was traded to the Bills in 1976. White has been a starter all three of his years in Buffalo.
The sleeping giant may have awakened in 1978, having probably his best year as a pro. He might hit his peak this autumn.
Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, White was an All-American at California after having played just two games of football in high school."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition

1979 Profile: Keith Moody

Kick Returner-Cornerback
No. 46
Syracuse
"Buffalo was past the point of no returns when it drafted Moody 10th in 1976. One year later he finished fourth in the NFL bringing back punts, including club records for return average, 13.1, and the longest return, 91 yards- also the longest in the league that season.
One-year flash? Forget it. Moody returned last year with an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown, tying the Jets' Bruce Harper for the longest return in the league. Moody and Harper had identical 12.6 return averages, second in the NFL to Denver's Rick Upchurch.
Moody was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. A star defensive back at Syracuse, he backs up Mario Clark at left cornerback for the Bills."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition

1979 Profiles: Tony Greene and Bill Simpson

TONY GREENE

Free Safety
No. 43
Maryland
"A second-story man who makes his living in the fall by stealing- 36 interceptions in seven pro seasons, including a pair of nines (1974 and 1977). A charmer with his smile, a player throughout- one of those 'where-do-you-want-me-play, coach' types.
Greene started with the Bills as a cornerback, then switched to free safety. He has played hurt; one year it looked like Tony couldn't play because of a knee injury, but he came back to the secondary when he couldn't walk without limping.
Born in Bethesda, Maryland, he was a defensive back and sprinter at Maryland and signed with the Bills as a free agent. Greene holds the Buffalo record with a 101-yard interception return in 1976. He has played in two Pro Bowls."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition

"A co-holder of a Bills club record with three interceptions in one game, October 30, 1977, Tony has sure hands. Tony was the Bills' Man of the Year in 1976."

-1979 Topps No. 118

BILL SIMPSON

Free Safety

No. 45

Michigan State

"A key member of the Rams' improving young secondary, Bill was voted the club's Most Outstanding Defensive Back for 1975, his first season as a starter. In '75 he led the club in interceptions, recovered five fumbles, recovered a blocked punt against the 49ers that resulted in a touchdown and was often seen as an effective safety blitzer for the club.

An All-Big 10 selection, Bill led the conference in punt returns and in punting in 1972."

-1977 Topps No. 406

"One of the young leaders of a Ram secondary that is one of the best in pro football, Bill tied for second among NFC interceptors last season. Opposing receivers and runners consider Bill one of the NFL's hardest hitters and tacklers.

Bill's freckles and red hair make him resemble Huckleberry Finn."

-1978 Topps No. 209

"Bill tied a Rams club record for most interceptions in one game when he picked off three in a contest againt the 49ers in 1977. He continues to enhance his reputation as a 'hitter.'

Bill was an All-Big 10 center fielder at Michigan State."

-1979 Topps No. 312