Wednesday, December 26, 2018

1980 Profile: Joe Ferguson

Quarterback
No. 12
Arkansas
"Buffalo Joe. He threw five touchdown passes in one game against the Jets last year, nine in his other 15 games. Not impressive statistics, except that Ferguson also threw for more than 3,000 yards (3,572) for the first time in seven pro seasons. The maturing of Jerry Butler and the rebirth of Frank Lewis should help Ferguson even more this year. Last season's performance was even more impressive because the Bills had hardly any running game- it was reported to have disappeared down Niagara Falls in a barrel.
Born in Alvin, Texas, Ferguson was a college star at Arkansas and was drafted third by the Bills in 1973. He has his own pilot's license and breeds Arabian horses. He got married after he led the Bills to seven victories, the most by the club since 1975."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1980 Edition

"Joe set the Bills club record in 1975 by throwing touchdown passes in 19 straight games."

-1980 Topps No. 348

Sunday, December 9, 2018

1980 Profile: Chuck Knox

Head Coach
"The man who can turn it around. He did so in Los Angeles, changing the Rams from a 6-7-1 team into a 12-2 division champion- the first of five straight NFC West titles in Los Angeles. But Knox was called conservative by the media. The late Carroll Rosenbloom would have been called for interference by Knox, who decided to get out first.
He moved on to Buffalo- he ran, not shuffled- where he not only is head coach, but runs the entire football operation. He took over a 3-11 team, made it 5-11 the next year and 7-9 last year without a running game. Knox has drafted well- Terry Miller, Jerry Butler, etc.- and should be a stronger force in the AFC as time moves on. When and if Tom Cousineau returns from Canada will determine how much better the Bills become.
At any rate, Knox has found the happiness in Buffalo he never really had in Hollywood."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1980 Edition

Thursday, November 15, 2018

1980 Buffalo Bills Outlook

"The progress in Buffalo under Chuck Knox is undramatic, plodding and tedious. But it's progress, steady progress.
Small triumphs are still be celebrated in Buffalo. The Bills improved from five victories and eleven losses in 1978 to 7-9 last year. They are almost always in the game. Five of their nine losses were by a touchdown or less. The Buffalo fans will have to be content with small triumphs again. The Bills will be better, but the schedule- which includes Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Oakland- is tougher.
When Knox came to Buffalo two years ago, his priority was to overhaul a personnel department which was almost a scandal in its failure. He is still weeding out deadwood and replacing it with players of his own choosing, mostly from the draft.
The big draft choice, the No. 1 in the entire 1979 draw as the result of the O.J. Simpson deal with San Francisco, got away from the Bills when Ohio State linebacker Tom Cousineau shocked the Buffalo organization by signing with Montreal of the Canadian Football League. But Knox still ended up with the top two rookies in the AFC: linebacker Jim Haslett and wide receiver Jerry Butler. He also vows that sooner or later, this season or next, Cousineau will end up in a Buffalo uniform.
The most measurable progress the Buffalo club made last year was on defense. Knox decided to switch the defense to the 3-4 alignment and it paid off. The Bills allowed 75 fewer points than they did in 1978. Only seven other NFL teams allowed fewer than Buffalo.
Knox's formula for defensive success is, 'first you stop the run, then everything else follows.' The Bills really didn't stop the run last season, but compared to their recent past it was almost a total halt. In 1978, they ranked dead last against the run in the NFL, allowing 201.8 yards [per game]. For the first six weeks of last season, the yield was almost as generous, and the 3-4 decision was questioned openly. Then, for the rest of the season, it came together. The average yield dropped by nearly 50 points a game and the final figure was 155 [yards per game].
Three rookies played key roles in the improvement. Haslett, a second-round draft choice from little Indiana, Pennsylvania, State, was originally meant to spend a learning season behind veteran Isiah Robertson on the outside, with Cousineau starting at one of the inside linebacker positions. But when Cousineau defected, Haslett was shoved into the starting assignment and flourished. He made 124 tackles and set up the winning field goal in overtime against New England by making a sensational one-handed interception.
Jeff Nixon won the free safety job from All-Pro Tony Greene in the last third of the season. Nixon, a fourth-round draftee, led the Bills in interceptions with six, as the team increased its overall total from 14 to 24 over the previous season.
A third rookie, rugged Fred Smerlas, shared the nose tackle position with veteran Mike Kadish and those two were responsible for a large share of the improvement against the run.
In addition, two 1979 draftees who missed all or most of their rookie seasons should be prominent on this year's defensive unit. Ken Johnson, a big, amazingly swift defensive end, will be used frequently as a pass rusher since the Bills' pass rush was not one of the improved areas last year. Johnson suffered a badly sprained ankle at the start of last season and played just briefly at the end of the year. Rod Kush came to training camp with a broken foot, a result of a family basketball game, or he may have won the strong-safety assignment. Kush will challenge incumbent Steve Freeman from the start this time.
The defensive improvement wasn't just a matter of inserting kids into the lineup. Knox also succeeded in getting some of the veterans interested. End Sherman White had his best year as a Bill, blocking six field goal attempts, plus an extra point, and leading the team in sacks with five and a half. Kadish, who had played out his option, was outstanding in a position new to him.
The biggest help may have been Robertson, whom Knox obtained from his old team, the Los Angeles Rams, after Butch had burned his bridges there. In Buffalo, Robertson played the strong side for the first time and provided the experience and leadership the young linebacking corps needed. To inspire him, Knox made him the highest paid linebacker in the NFL.
Shane Nelson, who got unsatisfactory marks as the strong-side backer in the previous 4-3 alignment, was switched to inside linebacker, alongside Haslett, and he, too, flourished. Lucius Sanford, who made the all-rookie team the season before, was the lone disappointment as the weak-side backer.
An improved pass rush could put the two cornerbacks, Mario Clark and Charles Romes, in the company of the best NFL players. Clark started off like a Pro Bowler, but his aggressiveness tailed off in the last half of the season.
It was an odd season for the Bills in that after five games they led the NFL in scoring. For the next 11 games, they averaged 10 points. What happened was that the opposition learned that an old Buffalo staple, running the football, was no longer one of its staples. Terry Miller, the rookie star of 1978, was terrible. Curtis Brown, his running mate, was out of position at fullback.
'One of the top priorities this season will be to get our running game going,' says Knox. He'll probably have to rehabilitate Miller to do that. Terry, a 1,000-yard rusher as a rookie, dropped o 484 yards last year. He didn't have even have one good game, but rather just one long run, a 75-yarder against Green Bay. Miller went on a new off-season conditioning program which Knox hopes will make him stronger and more durable. Brown, at 5-10 and 203 pounds, is not built for the heavy-duty stuff he had to perform last year. He is an excellent talent, but the Bills need a genuinely big back for the short-yardage and blocking duties.
Knox also thinks the poor year suffered by the offensive line is one of the reasons for the deficient running. The strength of the line is in the veteran guards, Pro Bowler Joe DeLamielleure and Reggie McKenzie, both of whom played hurt last season. Tim Vogler, who had to be used as a backup guard last year, gained 25 pounds and a lot of muscle, so he'll be aimed at Willie Parker's center job, or he may be used more at guard. Ken Jones improved as the left tackle last year, but Joe Devlin had a penalty-packed season and could be challenged by pro sophomore Jon Borchardt.
While the running sagged, the passing game perked up considerably. Joe Ferguson, who has been Buffalo's starter since his rookie season in 1973, arrived as a pro quarterback last year.
'He has been the most underrated quarterback in the league for years,' says John Brodie, the ex-San Francisco star. 'Before he's through, I think he'll be one of the best quarterbacks ever to play in the NFL.'
Ferguson threw for 5,732 yards last year, but he's always had an outstanding arm. What distinguished last year from the others which preceded it was Fergy's mastery of the finesse areas of quarterbacking. He also emerged as the team leader after reticent seasons in the shadow of O.J.
Ferguson has two explosive targets. Frank Lewis, the ex-Steeler who seems to have defeated his old injury jinx, became the third Buffalo receiver ever to catch 1,000 yards worth of passes. The biggest explosion was Jerry Butler. The slick rookie set Buffalo records for a first-year player by catching 48 passes for 834 yards. In one game against the Jets, he caught ten passes for 255 yards and four touchdowns.
Butler never saw a single-coverage after that show, and the expectation is that both he and Lewis will get extra attention from opposing defensive coordinators this season. If that happens, the tight end would have to figure far more prominently in the pass offense than Reuben Gant did last year. Since Gant does not help the running game much with his blocking, Knox may have to look elsewhere [for help] at the position. When Butler missed three games due to a shoulder injury, super sub Lou Piccone stepped in and exceeded his career totals with 33 catches for 556 yards.
Nick Mike-Mayer, signed four games into the season, gave Buffalo its best place-kicking in five years. He hit on 20 of 29 field goals, including 16 of 18 within the 40. The punting is a different story. Knox ran out of patience with Rusty Jackson after a second season of poor kicks in clutch situations.
Buffalo's first-round selection produced an almost certain starter, North Carolina State center Jim Richter. Another possible starter came in a deal with Oakland. He is veteran linebacker Phil Villapiano, who was acquired in a trade for veteran wide receiver Bob Chandler. Villapiano may be stationed at the strong-side linebacker spot, with Robertson switched to the weak side, more familiar for him, where he would compete with Sanford.
The draft also brings Auburn running back Joe Cribbs, a small, versatile and strong player who could make Miller expendable. At any rate, Cribbs should help the Bills in the return department.
It is possible that another rookie, Mark Brammer of Michigan State, could replace Gant at tight end. Brammer does not have deep route speed, but he has hands, can block and was an overachiever in college.
The draft also brought quarterback Gene Bradley, a strong-armed basketball player from Arkansas State who is a future project; big guard John Schmeding of Boston College; linebacker Ervin Parker of South Carolina State; and Georgia quarterback Jeff Pyburn, who will be converted to safety."

-1980 Street & Smith's Official Pro Football Yearbook


"Quietly and almost without any sign of fanfare seeping southward from the Niagara frontier, Chuck Knox is rebuilding the Buffalo Bills from the ground up and, right now at least, the name of the game is defense. After years of emphasis upon an offensive unit that whirled on O.J. Simpson's winged cleats, the Buffalo fans are getting a different football fare- one that glorifies the stonewall, not the run-for-daylight amid a splash of Orange Juice.
During the five seasons he was head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, Knox won five divisional championships. His Rams were noted for two things: their unexciting offense, and their inability to get into the Super Bowl. When he arrived in Buffalo two years ago, he was just in time to miss the exciting overland attack generated by O.J. and the Buffalo offensive line which did such a magnificent job of clearing his path. It was the Buffalo defense that was dull and unexciting- and probably the main reason O.J. Simpson never had a chance to run in the Super Bowl.
Now, the Buffalo fans are witnessing an exchange of sorts. Gone is that flashing offense, gone with O.J. who returned to his West Coast home to finish out his career in San Francisco. There wasn't really anyone to take his place, although quite a case for his successor was made for Terry Miller, the Oklahoma rookie. And Miller did look like a Simpson replacement for one season, his first, when he ran for a thousand yards. But all that faded last season when Miller's yardage total dropped dramatically, or undramatically, according to one's viewpoint. He managed to run only 484 yards for reasons no one has been able to fathom.
Miller's failure to fill Simpson's shoes, and O.J. a tough act to follow, somehow caused the entire Buffalo defense to roll over and play dead- almost. By the season's end, the Bills ranked exactly last among the 28 NFL clubs in the matter of yards gained rushing. Their average of 101.3 yards per game on the ground was the league's worst- quite a comedown for a team that once had O.J. Simpson in its offensive backfield.
Still, there was another side to this dismal offensive picture- and that was the defensive unit, the 'other side of the coin' for any football team. As the 1979 season began, the Buffalo defense was slow to fall into place for at least four weeks. The scores, both for and against, were either strangely low or lopsidedly high. Then, certain decisions affecting the defensive unit began showing through all the turmoil.
For one thing, Knox and the Bills' management had traded for linebacker Isiah Robertson of the Los Angeles Rams- a player, quite naturally, well known to Knox. Robertson was unhappy in L.A. and wanted to join Knox in Buffalo for a new run to the top. The 1979 college draft brought the Bills linebacking sensation Jim Haslett who had played college football in the Pennsylvania Conference at Indiana (Pa.). The same draft produced still another rookie whose play in the secondary helped turn the Buffalo defense around. He was Jeff Nixon, out of the University of Richmond in Virginia.
Knox switched to the 3-4 defense and Haslett teamed with veteran Shane Nelson in a middle linebacking operation that put a virtual blockade on opposing ground-gaining attacks. In 1978, the Bills gave up 201 yards rushing per game. That figure dropped to 155.1 yards in 1979.
The combination of a record-setting passing game by Joe Ferguson and an improved rushing defense enabled the Bills to win more games than they had in four years. And there were several very narrow defeats. Five of the nine losses came by a touchdown or less. And at the finish, the Bills were in fourth place in the AFC East.
'By winding up fourth in the AFC East, we earned a 1980 schedule that must rank with the most difficult the Bills have played in many years.' That's Chuck Knox talking as he examines what's ahead for his club. 'Not only do we get the Pittsburgh Steelers,' and everyone knows who they are, 'we also get their Super Bowl opposition,' and that, of course, is Knox's old team, the L.A. Rams. 'Throw in Oakland, San Diego and the rest of the AFC East and the task ahead is obvious.'
How will he go about getting the Bills in shape for these challenges? Knox has some ideas about that, too. 'One of our priorities this fall will be to get that running game going again while, at the same time, improving our pass offense. A number of factors contributed to our inability to move the ball on the ground last season- blocking breakdowns (which are remedial), poor running and key penalties all hurt our running attack.'
Knox, however, is making no wide-ranging claims for the 1980 Bills. No doubt he feels there's plenty of time in which to issue announcements like the one John McKay of Tampa Bay made a year ago when he said, 'We're no longer pretenders, we're contenders.' Still, Knox does have a view of the immediate future, in these words: 'I said it last year and it bears repeating: our improvement as a football team next season may not necessarily be reflected in the record. In other words, we could be a better team and not have as good a record.'
Yes, even in pro football, things are sometimes not what they seem."

-Herbert M. Furlow, The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1980

OFFENSE
"Quarterbacks: Ferguson set Buffalo club records last season with 238 completions, 458 attempts and 3,572 passing yards. He also became the club's first 3,000-yard passer in a statistical arena long dominated by O.J. Simpson's rushing numbers. Bill Munson, if he continues this season, is 17 years in the NFL. He can still complete three out of seven, as he did last season.
Running Backs: Buffalo ranked last in AFC rushing yardage last season, gaining 101.3 yards on the average. Miller hasn't lived up to his all-star promise of two years ago, although he did gain 1,000 yards his first year. That dropped off to 484 in '79. Some claim Miller hasn't had good blocking, and blame Dennis Johnson for that. Johnson, however, did have injury problems.
Curtis Brown led the team in rushing, but his 574-yard total was only the second time in the last eight years that Buffalo has been without a 1,000-yard rusher.
Wide Receivers: Frank Lewis caught 54 passes for 1,082 yards for his career high, thereby becoming only the third 1,000-yard receiver in club history. Rookie Jerry Butler, fresh out of Clemson, missed three games with a hurt shoulder but still finished with 48 catches for 834 yards and four touchdowns. He had his best pass-catching game of the year against the Jets with a record 255 yards on 10 receptions.
Brown caught 39 for 401 yards as a running back. Bob Chandler was lost for most of '79, but Lou Piccone stepped in and replaced anyone who was hurt- and performed with distinction.
Reuben Gant played steadily at tight end until the final two games when an injury sidelined him. Joe Shipp caught three passes for 43 yards as a rookie replacement. Gant's healthy return would strengthen this unit greatly.
Interior Linemen: Coach Knox has this to say about the offensive line: 'It did a good job on pass protection. The fact that our rushing production fell off underlies that we need to do a better job of run blocking. We did have a lot of nagging injuries. Some played hurt. DeLamielleure, Parker and McKenzie all suffered nicks that affected their efficiency. We look for Vogler to challenge for center and Borchardt to make his presence known at tackle. We are thin in backup people at both center and guard.'
Joe DeLamielleure and Reggie McKenzie, with 103 and 117 consecutive starts, are the iron men. Joe Devlin is becoming consistent at tackle. Ken Jones was the most improved offensive lineman, say Buffalo insiders. Jim Richter, the Bills' No. 1 draftee, won the highly coveted Outland Trophy in 1979 as the outstanding lineman in college football.
John Schmeding is 25 and a rugged blocker. Dee Hardison is being switched from defensive nose guard to offensive tackle.
Kickers: Nick Mike-Mayer enters the 1980 season with a string of 17 consecutive extra points. He led Buffalo in scoring last year with 17-for-18 on points-after and 20-for-29 on field goals, even he didn't join the club until the fourth game. He's being hailed as the best kicker Buffalo has had since Pete Gogolak, 15 years ago in the old AFL.
Knox calls the punting 'inconsistent, needful of improvement.' Rusty Jackson got off 96 punts last season, averaging 38.2."

-Herbert M. Furlow, The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1980

DEFENSE
"Defensive Linemen: The Buffalo defense showed marked improvement last season, especially against the run. Against the pass, the Bills actually led the AFC by limiting their opponents to 158.1 yards per game through the air. Mike Kadish had one of his best years at nose tackle, and Fred Smerlas gained all-rookie recognition. Sherman White blocked five field goals and extra points from his end position. Ben Williams also had a better than average year, while Scott Hutchinson is proving a good backup. Phil Dokes was out all season with an injured shoulder.
Linebackers: Haslett's debut was impressive. The big linebacker, who played high school ball in Pittsburgh and college ball at Indiana (Pa.), proved he could tackle, intercept passes and recover fumbles with the best of them. Nelson led the club in solo tackles with 81. Old pro Robertson intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown. With all that, there is a lack of depth at linebacker.
Defensive Backs: Nixon won the free safety post from Tony Greene in the season's last four games. As the Bills' top pass thief, Nixon came on like the furies in his rookie year. He was a fourth-round choice from the University of Richmond whose birthplace is listed as Fursten Feld, Germany. Greene, a one-time Pro Bowler, can play at either safety or cornerback in the 'new look' Bills secondary.
Keith Moody is a kick-return specialist who holds almost all Buffalo club return records. Among other marks, he's the only player in Bills' history with 2,000 or more career yards on kickoff returns."

-Herbert M. Furlow, The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1980


OFFENSE
"Terry Miller, Terry Miller, Terry Miller. You can't say it enough. He is the difference between the Bills going places and going nowhere. If he can play back to his 1,000-yard rookie season after last year's sophomore slide, the Bills are in business. Miller finished 20th in AFC rushing with 484 yards after placing fifth with 1,060 the year before.
He's capable of a complete turnaround, although no one can be quite sure of fullback Curtis Brown, who slipped badly himself. The Bills' ground attack limped into last place in the NFL when only a half-dozen years ago it was first.
The passing game never looked better than 1979, with Joe Ferguson having, perhaps, his finest season at quarterback. There were two reasons why: Daddy Old Legs receiver Frank Lewis, who did have his finest year, and rookie wunderkind Jerry Butler, who caught four touchdown passes in one game. Big Reuben Gant wasn't used much (19 catches), but coach Chuck Knox keeps his tight ends busy blocking.
The offensive front isn't the Electric Company but guards Joe DeLamielleure and Reggie McKenzie can still open wide holes."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Football, 1980 Edition

DEFENSE
"Where are you, Tom Cousineau? Blending into the Canadian sunset, we can only imagine. With Cousineau, the Bills wouldn't be 24th against the rush. Oh, Shane Nelson, Jim Haslett, Lucius Sanford and Isiah Robertson aren't a bad linebacking corps, but none of them was the first player taken in the entire draft, either. Who knows, Cousineau could be back with the Bills in 1981, but until then ... Haslett was a genuine surprise, a rookie who took over Cousineau's projected position and played very well.
The Bills' secondary is impressive- sixth in the NFL against the pass- led by Mario Clark. Rookie Jeff Nixon, the team's Renaissance man, took over at strong safety and led the club in interceptions with six. Charles Romes and Steve Freeman complete a strong secondary.
Defensive end Sherman White finally lived up to his potential last year, playing alongside Ben Williams and Mike Kadish. But watch the progress of youngsters Fred Smerlas, Ken Johnson, Scott Hutchinson and Phil Dokes, former No. 1 who missed last year with a shoulder injury."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Football, 1980 Edition

KICKING GAME
"Nick Mike-Mayer, who started his career in Atlanta, caught on with the Bills and delivered- 20 of 29. He doesn't have long range, however. Punter Rusty Jackson (38.2) is average at best. Once-dangerous Keith Moody slipped as a return man but could rebound."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Football, 1980 Edition

THE ROOKIES
"Buffalo has a center who can play for 12-13 years in Jim Richter, the team's top draft pick. Second-round choice Joe Cribbs, a running back who looks like a fireplug, serves notice to Terry Miller and Curtis Brown that one of them will be on the bench if they run like last year. The Bills may have a sleeper in linebacker Ervin Parker."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Football, 1980 Edition

OUTLOOK
"The Bills keep getting better and better under Chuck Knox but don't have all the parts necessary to threaten for the playoffs. Another running back, some offensive tackles and a Leroy Selmon-type up front would really help the team.
Say, .500 potential, at best."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Football, 1980 Edition

Sunday, October 14, 2018

1979 Buffalo Bills Preseason Roster and Depth Charts

1979 Bills Preseason Roster
Head Coach - Chuck Knox
Assistant Coaches: Tom Catlin, Jack Donaldson, Steve Moore, Elijah Pitts, Ray Prochaska, Kay Stephenson, Jim Wagstaff, Willie Zapalac
60 Bill Adams (G) Holy Cross
52 Doug Becker (LB) Notre Dame
47 Curtis Brown (RB) Missouri
58 Mario Celotto (LB) USC
81 Bob Chandler (WR) USC
29 Mario Clark (CB) Oregon
35 Mike Collier (RB) Morgan State
68 Joe DeLamielleure (G) Michigan State
6  Tom Dempsey (K) Palomar Junior College
70 Joe Devlin (T) Iowa
85 Phil Dokes (DE) Oklahoma State
79 Elbert Drungo (T) Tennessee State
56 Tom Ehlers (LB) Kentucky
12 Joe Ferguson (QB) Arkansas
84 Mike Franckowiak (TE) Central Michigan
22 Steve Freeman (CB-S) Mississippi State
Rockne Freitas (T) Oregon State
88 Reuben Gant (TE) Oklahoma State
55 Tom Graham (LB) Oregon
53 Will Grant (C) Kentucky
43 Tony Greene (S) Maryland
74 Dee Hardison (DT) North Carolina
76 Craig Hertwig (T) Georgia
80 John Holland (WR) Tennessee State
25 Roland Hooks (RB) North Carolina State
78 Scott Hutchinson (DE) Florida
 4  Rusty Jackson (P) LSU
51 Dan Jilek (LB) Michigan
39 Dennis D. Johnson (RB) Mississippi State
75 Dennis L. Johnson (DT) Delaware
24 Doug Jones (S) Arizona State, Cal State-Northridge
73 Ken Jones (T) Arkansas State
71 Mike Kadish (DT) Notre Dame
82 Frank Lewis (WR) Grambling
10 David Mays (QB) Texas Southern
54 Randy McClanahan (LB) Louisiana-Lafayette
67 Reggie McKenzie (G) Michigan
41 Eddie McMillan (CB) Florida State
40 Terry Miller (RB) North Carolina State
46 Keith Moody (KR-CB) Syracuse
 9  Bill Munson (QB) Utah State
59 Shane Nelson (LB) Baylor
Phil Olsen (C) Utah State
61 Willie Parker (C) North Texas State
89 Lou Piccone (WR) West Liberty State
23 Steve Powell (RB) Northeast Missouri State
26 Charles Romes (S) North Carolina Central
57 Lucius Sanford (LB) Georgia Tech
Bill Simpson (S) Michigan State
21 Marvin Switzer (S) Kansas State
49 Larry Walton (WR) Arizona State
83 Sherman White (DE) California
77 Ben Williams (DE) Mississippi
86 Leonard Willis (WR) Ohio State
53 Connie Zelencik (C) Purdue

Top Draft Choices
1 Tom Cousineau (LB) Ohio State
1 Jerry Butler (WR) Clemson
2 Fred Smerlas (DT) Boston College
2 Jim Haslett (LB) Indiana (PA)
3 Jon Borchardt (T) Montana State

-1979 Complete Handbook of Pro Football


1979 Bills Preseason Depth Charts
OFFENSE
QB - Joe Ferguson (Arkansas), Bill Munson (Utah State), David Mays (Texas Southern), Dan Manucci (Kansas State)*
RB - Terry Miller (Oklahoma State), Roland Hooks (North Carolina State), Mike Collier (Morgan State), Steve Powell (Northeast Missouri State) 
RB - Curtis Brown (Missouri), Dennis Johnson (Mississippi State) 
WR - Frank Lewis (Grambling), Lou Piccone (West Liberty State), John Holland (Tennessee State), Len Willis (Ohio State)
T- Ken Jones (Arkansas State, Craig Hertwig (Georgia), Elbert Drungo (Tennessee State), Jon Borchardt (Montana State)*
G - Reggie McKenzie (Michigan), Bill Adams (Holy Cross), Don Medlin (North Carolina State)
C - Willie Parker (North Texas State), Will Grant (Kentucky), Connie Zelencik (Purdue), Phil Olsen (Utah State)
G - Joe DeLamielleure (Michigan State), Bill Adams (Holy Cross)
T - Joe Devlin (Iowa), Eric Smith (Southern Mississippi)
TE - Reuben Gant (Oklahoma State), Mike Franckowiak (Central Michigan), Joe Shipp (USC)
WR - Bob Chandler (USC), Larry Walton (Arizona State), Willie Zachery (Central State-Ohio), Jerry Butler (Clemson)*

DEFENSE
E - Ben Williams (Mississippi), Scott Hutchinson (Florida), Ken Johnson (Knoxville)*
T - Mike Kadish (Notre Dame), Phil Dokes (Oklahoma State)                 
T - Dee Hardison (North Carolina), Mekeli Ieremia (Brigham Young), Dennis Johnson (Delaware), Fred Smerlas (Boston College)*
E - Sherman White (California), Scott Hutchinson (Florida)
LB - Shane Nelson (Baylor), Doug Becker (Notre Dame), Tom Ehlers (Kentucky), Tom Cousineau (Ohio State)* 
MLB- Tom Graham (Oregon), Randy McClanahan (Louisiana-Lafayette)
LB - Lucius Sanford (Georgia Tech), Dan Jilek (Michigan), Mario Celotto (USC), Jim Haslett (Indiana-Pennsylvania)
CB - Mario Clark (Oregon), Keith Moody (Syracuse)
S - Doug Jones (San Fernando Valley), Steve Freeman (Mississippi State), Bill Simpson (Michigan State), Rod Kush (Nebraska-Omaha)*
S - Tony Greene (Maryland), Marvin Switzer (Kansas State), Jeff Nixon (Richmond)*
CB - Charles Romes (North Carolina Central), Eddie McMillan (Florida State) 

KICKERS
K - Tom Dempsey (Palomar JC)
P - Rusty Jackson (LSU)

* rookie

-The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1979, published by Pocket Books, New York


OFFENSE
QB - Joe Ferguson (Arkansas) 12, Bill Munson (Utah State) 9, Dan Manucci (Kansas State)*
RB - Terry Miller (Oklahoma State) 40, Roland Hooks (North Carolina State) 25, Mike Collier (Morgan State) 35
FB - Curtis Brown (Missouri) 47, Dennis D. Johnson (Mississippi State) 39                         
WR - Jerry Butler (Clemson)*, Lou Piccone (West Liberty State) 89
T- Ken Jones (Arkansas State) 72, Jon Borchardt (Montana State)*
G - Reggie McKenzie (Michigan) 67, Bill Adams (Holy Cross) 60
C - Willie Parker (North Texas State) 61, Will Grant (Kentucky) 53
G - Joe DeLamielleure (Michigan State) 68
T - Joe Devlin (Iowa) 70
TE - Reuben Gant (Oklahoma State) 88, Joe Shipp (USC) 87
WR - Bob Chandler (USC) 81, Frank Lewis (Grambling) 82, Danny Fulton (Nebraska-Omaha)*

DEFENSE
DE - Ben Williams (Mississippi) 77, Ken Johnson (Knoxville)*
DT - Mike Kadish (Notre Dame) 71, Dee Hardison (North Carolina) 74, Dennis L. Johnson (Delaware) 75, Fred Smerlas (Boston College)*
DE - Sherman White (California) 83, Scott Hutchinson (Florida)*
OLB -  Isiah Robertson (Southern) 58, Chris Keating (Maine)* 
ILB - Jim Haslett (Indiana-Pennsylvania)*, Tom Cousineau (Ohio State)*
ILB - Shane Nelson (Baylor) 59, Tom Higgins (North Carolina State)*
OLB - Lucius Sanford (Georgia Tech) 57, Dan Jilek (Michigan) 51
CB - Mario Clark (Oregon) 29, Keith Moody (Syracuse) 46
SS - Steve Freeman (Mississippi State) 22, Doug Jones (San Fernando Valley) 24
FS - Tony Greene (Maryland) 43, Jeff Nixon (Richmond)*
CB- Charles Romes (North Carolina Central) 26, Eddie McMillan (Florida State) 41

KICKERS
K - Tom Dempsey (Palomar JC) 6
P - Rusty Jackson (LSU) 4
KR - Keith Moody (Syracuse) 46, Lou Piccone (West Liberty State) 89
PR - Keith Moody (Syracuse) 46, Jeff Nixon (Richmond)*

* rookie


1979 Buffalo Bills Profile Summary
Head Coach - Chuck Knox
QB - Joe Ferguson (Arkansas) 12
RB - Terry Miller (Oklahoma State) 40
RB - Roland Hooks (North Carolina State) 25
FB - Dennis D. Johnson (Mississippi State) 39
WR - Bob Chandler (USC) 81
WR - Jerry Butler (Clemson) 80
WR - Lou Piccone (West Liberty State) 89
TE - Reuben Gant (Oklahoma State) 88
C - Willie Parker (North Texas State) 61
G - Joe DeLamielleure (Michigan State) 68
G - Reggie McKenzie (Michigan) 67
T - Joe Devlin (Iowa) 70
T- Ken Jones (Arkansas State) 72

DT - Mike Kadish (Notre Dame) 71
DT - Dennis L. Johnson (Delaware) 75
DE - Sherman White (California) 83
DE - Ben Williams (Mississippi) 77
ILB - Tom Cousineau (Ohio State) 50
ILB - Merv Krakau (Iowa State) 52
OLB - Isiah Robertson (Southern) 58
OLB - Lucius Sanford (Georgia Tech) 57
CB - Mario Clark (Oregon) 29
CB- Charles Romes (North Carolina Central) 26
CB - Keith Moody (Syracuse) 46
SS - Steve Freeman (Mississippi State) 22
FS - Tony Greene (Maryland) 43

K - Tom Dempsey (Palomar JC) 6
K - Nick Mike-Mayer (Temple) 5
P - Rusty Jackson (LSU) 4
KR - Keith Moody (Syracuse) 46
PR - Keith Moody (Syracuse) 46

1979 Profile: Steve Freeman

Strong Safety
No. 22
Mississippi State
After playing all 14 games in each of his first three pro seasons, Steve played all 16 last year. He led all Buffalo defensive backs with 109 tackles, including 59 unassisted.
A three-year starter at Mississippi State, Steve led the team in interceptions his final two years. He played in the North-South and Senior Bowl games.

Thursday, September 27, 2018

1979 Profile: Charles Romes

Cornerback
No. 26
North Carolina Central
After playing all 14 games as a rookie in 1977, Charles started all 16 last season. His big moment came in  Buffalo's home game against the Jets when he returned an intercepted pass 85 yards for a touchdown. It was the longest interception return in the AFC in '78 and the second in the longest in the NFL.
Charles was the last player drafted by the Bills in '77 after playing just one year of college football, yet his raw talent and outstanding physical tools were recognized. He was the national junior college champion in the 60 and 120-yard high hurdles and has run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

1979 Profile: Isiah Robertson

Linebacker
No. 58
Southern
Isiah reunites with former Ram head coach Chuck Knox to provide a steadying veteran presence to the young Bill linebacking corps. The 1971 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, he was a twice a first-team All-Pro and six times a Pro Bowl selection.
He had a 49-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Giants in 1973, and in a 1974 playoff game against the Redskins returned a fourth-quarter interception 59 yards for a touchdown in a 19-10 Ram win.
Isiah was a UPI and AP small college All-American and a Sporting News All-American.

Sunday, August 26, 2018

1979 Profile: Lucius Sanford

Linebacker
No. 57
Georgia Tech
Lucius played all 16 games as a rookie last year, 15 as a starter beginning with the second game. He led the Bills with 116 tackles (71 solos, also leading the club) and with five quarterback sacks. Against Kansas City, Lucius became the first player in Buffalo history to block two field goals in one game. He blocked a punt against Baltimore, setting up Buffalo's first touchdown, and intercepted a pass against the Giants, returning it 41 yards.
A starter for four years at Georgia Tech, Lucius was a second-team Associated Press All-American in 1977 after receiving honorable mention in '75 and '76.

Saturday, August 4, 2018

1979 Profile: Ben Williams

Defensive End
No. 77
Mississippi
After playing all 14 games in 1977, Ben played all 16 games in 1978. He had no trouble adjusting to coach Knox's 3-4 defense, teaming with Sherman White to give Buffalo a solid defensive end tandem.
Known for his quickness as a nose guard at Ole Miss, both AP and UPI selected Ben All-Southeastern Conference as well as honorable mention All-America. He played in the Senior Bowl.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

1979 Profile: Ken Jones

Offensive Tackle
No. 72
Arkansas State
Very quick and agile, Ken is the unsung stalwart who completes the offensive line of the Bills. He played all 16 games, starting 15, after playing all 14 games in 1977.
Ken was a first-team All-American who as a guard paved the way for the top rushing offense in college football. He was a two-year starter who came back strong after an appendectomy in his sophomore year.
A member of the Bills' basketball team, Ken also likes to play racquetball.

Monday, July 2, 2018

1979 Profile: Joe Devlin

Offensive Tackle
No. 70
Iowa
In 1975 the Bills traded former number one draft choice Walt Patulski to the Cardinals for a second-round draft choice that was used to draft Joe Devlin. Known as the other Joe D. of the Bills' offensive line, he started the last two games of his rookie season in 1976, every game in '77 and every game in '78 until sidelined late in the season, 30 straight starts.
Joe is a strong and athletic offensive lineman who was a three-year starter at Iowa at both guard and tackle. In 1975 he was a first-team Sporting News All-American, an honorable mention UPI All-American and first-team All-Big Ten.

Thursday, June 7, 2018

1979 Profile: Joe DeLamielleure

Joe has played every game for the Bills during his six seasons as a pro. He's been a consensus All-Pro the last four years. He's been selected to four Pro Bowls- and has been in the starting lineup for the last three.
An outstanding blocker for both running and passing, Joe was a No. 1 draft pick in 1973. He was three times All-Big Ten at Michigan State and an All-American as a senior.
In college, Joe majored in criminal justice. As a pro, Joe lays down the law for opposing defenses.

Sunday, May 27, 2018

1979 Rookie Profiles: Tom Cousineau and Jerry Butler

TOM COUSINEAU
Linebacker
1st Round
Ohio State
"In 1977 and 1978 the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Oilers, respectively, drafted instant success in the form of running backs Tony Dorsett and Earl Campbell. Dorsett helped the Cowpokes win Super Bowl XII and Campbell led an Oiler rush to the playoffs and a quarterfinal playoff win.
The scenario was different last May at the 44th annual NFL draft held in New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, however, when this season's first choice, Ohio State linebacker Tom Cousineau, was selected by the Buffalo Bills. Cousineau is properly rated as the number one pro prospect in the country, but neither he nor his teammates are playoff bound.
'All we know,' said Buffalo head coach Chuck Knox, 'is that Cousineau can become an All-Pro.'
Cousineau is only the second linebacker ever honored as number one in the lottery, the other being Tommy Nobis, the Atlanta Falcons' 1966 selection, who more than made the pick stand up.
'My idol has always been Dick Butkus,' said Cousineau, who wears a diamond in his left earlobe, a leather scapular medal around his neck and a shark tattoo on his right calf. 'Buffalo seemed to need defense last year. I expect to start and I feel I will contribute.' Cousineau hopes to follow in the footsteps of the NFL's best inside linebacker- Denver's Randy Gradishar, another Ohio State grad and Woody Hayes player.
Cousineau is 6'3" and 230 pounds of filet mignon on the hoof, but like most draft picks his selection cannot be assessed for several years. The Bills needed defense and he was the best athlete available."

-Norm MacLean, Football Forecast 1979


JERRY BUTLER
Wide Receiver
1st Round
Clemson
A first-team All-American last year, his statistics were the most impressive of any pass-catcher in the Atlantic Coast Conference. His 58 receptions and 908 yards both topped the conference and his 15.7 average was good for second, as were his three receiving touchdowns. This followed a 1977 season in which Jerry topped the ACC both with 824 yards and a 17.7 average, and a '76 season which earned him the most Heisman votes of any underclassman in the country.
In 1977, Jerry set the Clemson record for most receiving yards in one game (163) against Georgia Tech. In his best game of the '78 season, against North Carolina, he caught six passes for 124 yards.

Sunday, May 20, 2018

1979 Profile: Lou Piccone

Wide Receiver
No. 89
West Liberty State
"One of the Bills' most versatile players, Lou excels on specialty team duty. He set Jets' season and career records for kickoff return yardage during the 1974 campaign.
Lou majored in speech at West Liberty State."

-1979 Topps No. 148

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Sunday, May 6, 2018

1979 Profile: Willie Parker

Center
No. 61
North Texas State
"The Bills' regular center over the course of the past two seasons, Willie started all 14 games of the 1977 campaign at the center post, moving in for the departed  Mike Montler. He had appeared in 30 consecutive games for the Bills before suffering an injury in the second game of 1976.
Willie is an excellent snapper on punting downs.
He won three letters in weightlifting at North Texas State."

-1979 Topps No. 259

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

1979 Profile: Nick Mike-Mayer

Place Kicker
No. 5
Temple
"Nick joined the Eagles for the final three games of 1977 and displayed a perfect record. He was three-for-three in field goal tries and made seven extra points [7-for-7].
Nick earned a degree in languages at Temple."

-1979 Topps No. 107

Friday, March 16, 2018

1979 Profile: Merv Krakau

Linebacker
No. 52
Iowa State
"Merv has been a consistently strong player for the Bills both as a starting linebacker and as a specialty teams player. He played in the 1972 Liberty Bowl.
One of Merv's hobbies is bowling."

1979 Topps No. 491

Saturday, March 3, 2018

1979 Profile: Mike Kadish

Defensive Tackle
No. 71
Notre Dame
"Mike was voted as the Bills' Most Valuable Player by his teammates for his performance during the 1977 campaign. He led all Buffalo defensive linemen that season with 117 tackles, third best on the defensive squad. Mike was the Bills' defensive leader in 1975 with 93 tackles and seven quarterback sacks.
An All-American at Notre Dame, Mike is the Bills' player representative."

-1979 Topps No. 87

Monday, February 19, 2018

1979 Profile: Dennis L. Johnson

Defensive Tackle
No. 75
Delaware
"Acquired by the Bills from the Redskins prior to the 1978 campaign, Dennis proved to be a valuable member of the Buffalo defensive unit last season. He's a hard hitter.
Dennis was a Kodak Little All-American in 1972."

-1979 Topps No. 428

1979 Profile: Dennis D. Johnson

Running Back
No. 39
Mississippi State
"Another of the Bills' superb crop of 1978 rookies, Dennis proved to be a valuable member of the club's offensive unit. A second-team All-Southeastern Conference pick in 1976, he was sidelined part of 1977 due to a knee injury requiring surgery.
Dennis was a physical education major at Mississippi State."

-1979 Topps No. 216

Thursday, February 8, 2018

1979 Profile: Rusty Jackson

Punter
No. 4
LSU
"A three-year letterman at LSU where he placekicked as well as punted, Rusty had a long boot of 70 yards for the Bills in 1978. He made the All-Rookie team in 1976.
Rusty has worked as a consultant forester during the off-season."

-1979 Topps No. 449

Saturday, January 27, 2018

1979 Profile: Roland Hooks

Running Back
No. 25
North Carolina State
"Roland stepped into the limelight in spectacular fashion for the Bills. In his first starting assignment, November 6, 1977, he rushed for 155 yards on 27 carries to help the club to an upset victory over the Patriots.
Roland returned a kickoff 80 yards in his first varsity game at North Carolina State."

-1979 Topps No. 379

Thursday, January 11, 2018

1979 Profile: Tom Dempsey

Place Kicker
No. 6
Palomar JC
"Tom holds the [NFL] mark with a 63-yard field goal for the Saints in 1970. He has worked as the sports director for a radio station."

-1979 Topps No. 317