Sunday, December 29, 2019

1980 Buffalo Bills Preseason Roster and Depth Charts

1980 Bills Preseason Roster
Head Coach - Chuck Knox
Assistant Coaches: Tom Catlin, Jack Donaldson, Miller McCallum, Steve Moore, Elijah Pitts, Ray Prochaska, Kay Stephenson, Jim Wagstaff, Willie Zapalac
73 Jon Borchardt (T) Montana State
47 Curtis Brown (RB) Missouri
80 Jerry Butler (WR) Clemson
29 Mario Clark (CB) Oregon
35 Mike Collier (RB) Morgan State
68 Joe DeLamielleure (G) Michigan State
70 Joe Devlin (T) Iowa
85 Phil Dokes (DE) Oklahoma St.
56 Tom Ehlers (LB) Kentucky
12 Joe Ferguson (QB) Arkansas
22 Steve Freeman (S) Mississippi State
84 Dan Fulton (WR) Nebraska-Omaha
62 Ed Fulton (G) Maryland
88 Reuben Gant (TE) Oklahoma State
53 Will Grant (C) Kentucky
21 Doug Greene (S) Texas A&I
43 Tony Greene (S) Maryland
74 Dee Hardison (NT) North Carolina
55 Jim Haslett (LB) Indiana (PA)
54 Tom Higgins (LB) North Carolina State
25 Roland Hooks (RB) North Carolina State
Ron Howard (TE) Seattle
90 Scott Hutchinson (DE) Florida
 4  Rusty Jackson (P) LSU
51 Dan Jilek (LB) Michigan
39 Dennis Johnson (FB) Mississippi State
91 Ken Johnson (DE) Knoxville
73 Ken Jones (T) Arkansas St.
71 Mike Kadish (DT) Notre Dame
52 Chris Keating (LB) Maine
82 Frank Lewis (WR) Grambling
11 Dan Manucci (QB) Kansas State
67 Reggie McKenzie (G) Michigan
  5 Nick Mike-Mayer (K) Temple
40 Terry Miller (RB) North Carolina State
46 Keith Moody (CB-KR) Syracuse
 9  Bill Munson (QB) Utah State
59 Shane Nelson (LB) Baylor
38 Jeff Nixon (S) Richmond
61 Willie Parker (C) North Texas State
89 Lou Piccone (WR) West Liberty State
23 Steve Powell (RB) Northeast Missouri State
58 Isiah Robertson (LB) Southern
26 Charles Romes (CB) North Carolina Central
57 Lucius Sanford (LB) Georgia Tech
87 Joe Shipp (TE) USC
76 Fred Smerlas (NT) Boston College
Phil Villapiano (LB) Bowling Green
65 Tim Vogler (C) Ohio State
83 Sherman White (DE) California
77 Ben Williams (DE) Mississippi
86 Len Willis (WR) Ohio St.
60 Connie Zelencik (C) Purdue

Top Draft Choices
 1 Jim Richter (C) North Carolina State
 2 Joe Cribbs (RB) Auburn
 2 Gene Bradley (QB) Arkansas State
 3 Mark Brammer (TE) Michigan State
 3 John Schmeding (G) Boston College

-1980 Complete Handbook of Pro Football

50 A Ball (LB) Fullerton
K Baker (LB) William Penn
73 Jon Borchardt (T) Montana State
47 Curtis Brown (RB) Missouri
80 Jerry Butler (WR) Clemson
29 Mario Clark (CB) Oregon
35 Mike Collier (RB) Morgan State
68 Joe DeLamielleure (G) Michigan State
70 Joe Devlin (T) Iowa
85 Phil Dokes (DE) Oklahoma St.
56 Tom Ehlers (LB) Kentucky
12 Joe Ferguson (QB) Arkansas
22 Steve Freeman (S) Mississippi State
84 Dan Fulton (WR) Nebraska-Omaha
62 Ed Fulton (G) Maryland
88 Reuben Gant (TE) Oklahoma State
53 Will Grant (C) Kentucky
21 Doug Greene (S) Texas A&I
43 Tony Greene (S) Maryland
74 Dee Hardison (NT) North Carolina
55 Jim Haslett (LB) Indiana (PA)
54 Tom Higgins (LB) North Carolina State
25 Roland Hooks (RB) North Carolina State
Ron Howard (TE) Seattle
90 Scott Hutchinson (DE) Florida
M Iremia (DE) Brigham Young
51 Dan Jilek (LB) Michigan
39 Dennis Johnson (FB) Mississippi State
91 Ken Johnson (DE) Knoxville
73 Ken Jones (T) Arkansas St.
71 Mike Kadish (DT) Notre Dame
52 Chris Keating (LB) Maine
M Kirtman (WR) San Jose State
20 R Kush (S) Nebraska-Omaha
R Leaks (FB) Texas
82 Frank Lewis (WR) Grambling
11 Dan Manucci (QB) Kansas State
67 Reggie McKenzie (G) Michigan
  5 Nick Mike-Mayer (K) Temple
40 Terry Miller (RB) North Carolina State
46 Keith Moody (CB-KR) Syracuse
 9  Bill Munson (QB) Utah State
59 Shane Nelson (LB) Baylor
38 Jeff Nixon (S) Richmond
61 Willie Parker (C) North Texas State
89 Lou Piccone (WR) West Liberty State
23 Steve Powell (RB) Northeast Missouri State
58 Isiah Robertson (LB) Southern
26 Charles Romes (CB) North Carolina Central
57 Lucius Sanford (LB) Georgia Tech
87 Joe Shipp (TE) USC
76 Fred Smerlas (NT) Boston College
Phil Villapiano (LB) Bowling Green
65 Tim Vogler (C) Ohio State
83 Sherman White (DE) California
77 Ben Williams (DE) Mississippi
86 Len Willis (WR) Ohio St.
60 Connie Zelencik (C) Purdue

-1980 Street & Smith's Official Pro Football Yearbook


1980 Bills Preseason Depth Charts
OFFENSE
QB - Joe Ferguson (Arkansas), Bill Munson (Utah State), Dan Manucci (Kansas State), Gene Bradley (Arkansas State)*
RB - Terry Miller (Oklahoma State), Roland Hooks (North Carolina State), Steve Powell (Northeast Missouri State), Joe Cribbs (Auburn)*
RB - Curtis Brown (Missouri), Mike Collier (Morgan State), Dennis Johnson (Mississippi State)
WR - Jerry Butler (Clemson), Lou Piccone (West Liberty State)
T- Ken Jones (Arkansas State, Jon Borchardt (Montana State)
G - Reggie McKenzie (Michigan), Ed Fulton (Maryland)
C - Willie Parker (North Texas State), Will Grant (Kentucky), Tim Vogler (Ohio State), Connie Zelencik (Purdue), Jim Richter (North Carolina State)*
G - Joe DeLamielleure (Michigan State), John Schmeding (Boston College)*
T - Joe Devlin (Iowa), Dee Hardison (North Carolina)
TE - Reuben Gant (Oklahoma State), Joe Shipp (USC), Ron Howard (Seattle), Mark Brammer (Michigan State)*
WR - Frank Lewis (Grambling), Dan Fulton (Nebraska-Omaha), Mike Kirtman (San Jose State)

DEFENSE
E - Ben Williams (Mississippi), Ken Johnson (Knoxville), Mekeli Ieremia (Brigham Young)
NT - Mike Kadish (Notre Dame), Fred Smerlas (Boston College)               
E - Sherman White (California), Scott Hutchinson (Florida), Phil Dokes (Oklahoma State)
LB - Isiah Robertson (Southern), Phil Villapiano (Bowling Green)
LB- Jim Haslett (Indiana-PA), Chris Keating (Maine), Kevin Baker (William Penn)
LB - Shane Nelson (Baylor), Tom Higgins (North Carolina State), Tom Ehlers (Kentucky), Ervin Parker (South Carolina State)*
LB - Lucius Sanford (Georgia Tech), Dan Jilek (Michigan), Aaron Ball (Fullerton State)
CB - Mario Clark (Oregon), Keith Moody (Syracuse), Jeff Pyburn (Georgia)*
S - Steve Freeman (Mississippi State), Doug Greene (Texas A & I), Rod Kush (Nebraska-Omaha)
S - Jeff Nixon (Richmond), Tony Greene (Maryland)
CB - Charles Romes (North Carolina Central), Len Willis (Ohio State), Keith Lee (Colorado State)*

KICKERS
K - Nick Mike-Mayer (Temple)
P - Rusty Jackson (LSU)

* rookie

-The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1980, published by Pocket Books, New York

OFFENSE
QB - Joe Ferguson (Arkansas) 12, David Humm (Nebraska) 10, Dan Manucci (Kansas State) 11, Gene Bradley (Arkansas State)*
RB - Terry Miller (Oklahoma State) 40, Roland Hooks (North Carolina State) 25, Joe Cribbs (Auburn)*
FB - Curtis Brown (Missouri) 47, Roosevelt Leaks (Texas) 48                 
WR - Jerry Butler (Clemson) 80, Lou Piccone (West Liberty State) 89
T- Ken Jones (Arkansas State) 72, Dee Hardison (North Carolina) 74
G - Reggie McKenzie (Michigan) 67, John Schmeding (Boston College)*
C - Willie Parker (North Texas State) 61, Jim Richter (North Carolina State)*, Will Grant (Kentucky) 53
G - Conrad Dobler (Wyoming) 69, Tim Vogler (Ohio State) 65
T - Joe Devlin (Iowa) 70, Jon Borchardt (Montana State) 73
TE - Reuben Gant (Oklahoma State) 88, Mark Brammer (Michigan State) 86
WR - Frank Lewis (Grambling) 82, Ron Jessie (Kansas) 81

DEFENSE
DE - Ben Williams (Mississippi) 77, Ken Johnson (Knoxville) 91
NT - Fred Smerlas (Boston College) 76, Mike Kadish (Notre Dame) 71, Dee Hardison (North Carolina) 74
DE - Sherman White (California) 83, Scott Hutchinson (Florida) 90
OLB -  Lucius Sanford (Georgia Tech) 57, Phil Villapiano (Bowling Green) 41
ILB - Jim Haslett (Indiana-Pennsylvania) 55, Chris Keating (Maine) 52
ILB - Shane Nelson (Baylor) 59, Ervin Parker*
OLB - Isiah Robertson (Southern) 58
CB - Mario Clark (Oregon) 29, Jeff Pyburn (Georgia)*
SS - Steve Freeman (Mississippi State) 22, Rod Kush (Nebraska-Omaha) 42
FS - Jeff Nixon (Richmond) 38
CB- Charles Romes (North Carolina Central) 26, Rufus Bess (South Carolina State) 28

KICKERS
K - Nick Mike-Mayer (Temple) 5
P - Greg Cater (Tennessee-Chattanooga) 7, Rusty Jackson (LSU) 4
KR - Terry Miller (Oklahoma State) 40
PR - Joe Cribbs (Auburn)*

* rookie


1980 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
RB - Joe Cribbs (Auburn) 20
FB - Curtis Brown (Missouri) 47
FB - Roosevelt Leaks (Texas) 48
WR - Jerry Butler (Clemson) 80
WR - Frank Lewis (Grambling) 82
WR - Lou Piccone (West Liberty State) 89
TE - Reuben Gant (Oklahoma State) 88
C - Willie Parker (North Texas State) 61
C - Jim Richter (North Carolina State) 51
G - Reggie McKenzie (Michigan) 67
G - Joe DeLamielleure (Michigan State) 68
G - Conrad Dobler (Wyoming) 69
T - Joe Devlin (Iowa) 70
T- Ken Jones (Arkansas State) 72

NT - Fred Smerlas (Boston College) 76
NT - Mike Kadish (Notre Dame) 71
DE - Sherman White (California) 83
DE - Ben Williams (Mississippi) 77
ILB - Jim Haslett (Indiana-Pennsylvania) 55
ILB - Shane Nelson (Baylor) 59
OLB - Isiah Robertson (Southern) 58
OLB -  Lucius Sanford (Georgia Tech) 57
OLB -  Phil Villapiano (Bowling Green) 41
CB - Mario Clark (Oregon) 29
CB- Charles Romes (North Carolina Central) 26
SS - Steve Freeman (Mississippi State) 22
FS - Jeff Nixon (Richmond) 38
FS - Tony Greene (Maryland) 43

K - Nick Mike-Mayer (Temple) 5
P - Rusty Jackson (LSU) 4
KR - Terry Miller (Oklahoma State) 40
KR - Lou Piccone (West Liberty State) 89
PR - Joe Cribbs (Auburn) 20
PR - Lou Piccone (West Liberty State) 89

Saturday, December 28, 2019

1980 Profile: Steve Freeman

Strong Safety
No. 22
Mississippi State
Steve has played in 74 consecutive games for the Bills since coming from the Patriots on waivers during the preseason of 1975. Since becoming a regular safety midway through '78, the last 23 have been as a starter. He led all Buffalo defensive backs with 109 tackles in '78 and last year had three interceptions, one of which he returned 50 yards for a touchdown against the Broncos.
A three-year starter at Mississippi State, Steve led the team in interceptions his final two years. As a senior, he returned 12 punts for 101 yards. He played in the North-South and Senior Bowl games.

1980 Profile: Charles Romes

Cornerback
No. 26
North Carolina Central
In the opening game of the 1979 season against Miami, Charles returned a field goal blocked by Sherman White 76  yards for a touchdown. In 1978 against the Jets, he had the longest interception return of the year in the AFC (second-longest in NFL) by intercepting a pass and running 85 yards for a touchdown. He has played 46 straight games since making the squad as a 12th-rounder in '77 and has started 32 straight in the last two seasons.
Charles has run the 40 in 4.5; before transferring to North Carolina Central, he was the national junior college champion in the 60- and 120-yard high hurdles for Lake City (Fla.) Junior College.

Friday, December 27, 2019

1980 Profile: Lucius Sanford

Linebacker
No. 57
Georgia Tech
Playing in every game for Buffalo in his two years as a pro, Lucius has started every game since the second week of his rookie season. His 116 tackles and five quarterback sacks both led the team in '78 and were followed by 112 tackles and two interceptions last year. Lucius blocked two field goals in one game against the Kansas City Chiefs in '78, the first Buffalo Bill ever to accomplish this, and in '79 scored his first touchdown as a pro by blocking a punt and returning it against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Lucius was a starter for four years at Georgia Tech and captain as a senior. As a senior, he was a Sporting News All-American and an AP second team All-American.

R.I.P. Elbert Dubenion

Forever a Folk Hero of the Niagara Frontier

Monday, December 23, 2019

1980 Profile: Isiah Robertson

Linebacker
No. 58
Southern
When the six-time Pro Bowl selection intercepted a pass against the Bengals last year and returned it for a touchdown, it was the third interception returned for a touchdown in his career- in the regular season. In 1975, when still with the Rams, he returned one 76 yards for a score against the Eagles, and in '73 it was 49 yards for a touchdown against the Giants. And in a 1974 playoff game against the Redskins, Isiah intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown in a 19-10 Los Angeles win.
With 11 interceptions in three seasons at Southern, Isiah was an AP and UPI small college All-American and a Sporting News All-American.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

1980 Profile: Shane Nelson

Linebacker
No. 59
Baylor
With a career high 192 tackles last year, Shane led the club for the second time in three seasons. He registered 10 or more tackles in nine games including 14 against the Jets. Although known as particularly effective against opposing running backs, his three interceptions were the most among Buffalo linebackers in '79.
Shane enters the 1980 season with 46 consecutive starts, starting with the opening game of 1977. That year he made the NFL All-Rookie team.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

1980 Profile: Ben Williams

BEN WILLIAMS
Defensive End
No. 77
Mississippi
Nailing his opposition with hard, sure tackles, Ben has been a starting defensive end for the Bills for three years, starting all 14 games in 1977 and all 16 in 1978. Last season, he started 15 of the 16 he played, his skein of 39 consecutive starts ending in the third game of the season. His total of 86 tackles was a career high and second-best among Buffalo defensive linemen.
Ben was a nose guard in college. He was AP and UPI first-team All-Southeastern Conference in 1975, with both AP and UPI All-America honorable mention, and played in the Senior Bowl.

Thursday, December 19, 2019

1980 Profile: Mike Kadish

Defensive Tackle
No. 71
Notre Dame
Mike made the successful transition from defensive tackle to nose tackle in Buffalo's 3-4 defense. Playing in all 16 games in 1979, after playing every game from 1974-77, he led the team in tackles (106) for the third time in four years.
Voted Buffalo's MVP by his teammates in 1977, Mike registered 15 tackles in one game against Kansas City in '78 and last year made 11 tackles in a game three times. After receiving a recovered fumble on a lateral in a 1975 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he ran 26 yards for a touchdown.
Mike was a Notre Dame All-American whose stellar senior season included 97 tackles and eight quarterbacks and an invitation to the Senior Bowl. The number one draft choice of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, he came to Buffalo in a 1973 preseason trade.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

1980 Profile: Ken Jones

Offensive Tackle
No. 72
Arkansas State
Ken started all 16 games for Buffalo in 1979 and has started 31 of 32 in the last two seasons. A 2nd round pick of the Bills in 1976, he started seven games as a defensive end that year. Switching to offense in '77, he filled in at tackle for the injured Dave Foley for the first two games and in '78 became a regular with Foley's retirement.
A Sporting News first-team All-American guard as a senior at Arkansas State, Ken helped lead the way for the nation's top rushing offense.

Monday, December 16, 2019

1980 Profile: Joe Devlin

Offensive Tackle
No. 70
Iowa
This unbelievably strong man may not get a football card every year but is ready to fend off any defensive end who menaces quarterback Joe Ferguson. A starter for the past three years, Joe had a string of 30 consecutive starts snapped late in '78 due to a knee injury, but started all 16 games in '79 and displayed the greatest consistency of his career.
A starter for three years at Iowa, Joe was first-team Sporting News All-American, an honorable mention UPI All-American and first-team All-Big Ten in 1975.

Sunday, December 15, 2019

1980 Rookie Profile: Joe Cribbs

Running Back
1st Round
Auburn
Joe's 3,368 yards and 657 carries are both Auburn career records and both third all-time in the Southeastern Conference. He also holds the school's record for career touchdowns (34) and touchdowns in a season (16 in 1978). In his college career, Joe rushed for 100 yards 13 times (200 twice), rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his last two seasons and carried the ball 288 consecutive times without fumbling.
Joe was SEC Player of the Year in 1979 and an All-American. He played in the Hula Bowl and the Senior Bowl.

Saturday, December 14, 2019

1980 Rookie Profile: Jim Richter

Center
1st Round
North Carolina State
A consensus All-American last year, Jim won the Outland Trophy- the first center ever to win the award and only the second offensive lineman since 1969 so honored. He also brought home the Jacobs Trophy as the outstanding blocker in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Jim is considered a prime reason why NC State led the conference in rushing yards in 1979 and finished second in '77 and '78.

Sunday, December 8, 2019

1980 Profile: Sherman White

Defensive End
No. 83
California
"An outstanding member of the Bills' front four, Sherman led the club with five and a half quarterback sacks in 1979.
Since joining the Bills in 1976, Sherman has started every game in which he's played. His career statistics include a safety he scored in 1972 and a pass he intercepted for a five-year return in '76.
Sherman was a consensus All-American at California."

-1980 Topps No. 106

Friday, December 6, 2019

1980 Profile: Phil Villapiano

Linebacker
No. 41
Bowling Green
"Phil is a versatile competitor who can play inside and outside."

-1980 Topps No. 23

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

1980 Profile: Lou Piccone

Wide Receiver-Kick Returner
No. 89
West Liberty State
"Lou is a multi-purpose performer who is a strong specialty teams player and a good blocker."

-1980 Topps No. 417

Sunday, December 1, 2019

1980 Profile: Willie Parker

Center
No. 61
North Texas State
"Willie is an 'iron man' performer for the Bills with the reputation for being a battler who never stops working. The club's regular center during the past three seasons, he also sees action on all field goal, extra point and punt attempts.
Willie was a First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection as a senior at North Texas State."

-1980 Topps No. 368

Sunday, November 24, 2019

1980 Profile: Nick Mike-Mayer

Place Kicker
No. 5
Temple
"Nick still holds nearly every Atlanta Falcon placekicking mark."

-1980 Topps No. 313

Sunday, November 10, 2019

1980 Profile: Roosevelt Leaks

Running Back
No. 48
Texas
"An outstanding blocker and short-yardage runner, Roosevelt scored a touchdown on a seven-yard run on his first NFL carry in 1975."

-1980 Topps No. 192

Monday, October 28, 2019

1980 Profile: Rusty Jackson

Punter
No. 4
LSU
"Rusty booted a 70-yard punt for the Bills in 1978. It ranks as one of the longest in club history."

-1980 Topps No. 142

Sunday, October 20, 2019

1980 Profile: Roland Hooks

Running Back
North Carolina State
No. 25
"Roland has developed into a solid performer for the Bills. His 4.7 rushing average in 1978 was tops among the club's runners for the year."

-1980 Topps No. 167

Sunday, September 29, 2019

1980 Profile: Tony Greene

Free Safety
No. 43
Maryland
"Tony enters his ninth season and is the dean of Bills defensive backs."

-1980 Topps No. 503

Sunday, September 8, 2019

1980 Profile: Reuben Gant

Tight End
No. 88
Oklahoma State
"Rapidly becoming one of the NFL's finest tight ends, Reuben is a big target with good speed for his size."

-1980 Topps No. 59

Sunday, August 18, 2019

1980 Profile: Conrad Dobler

Guard
No. 69
Wyoming
"An outstanding blocker and an All-NFL performer during his pro career, Conrad was a starter in three consecutive Pro Bowl Games. He has acquired the reputation of being perhaps 'the meanest man in pro football' while earning recognition as one the NFL's top offensive linemen.
Conrad joined the Saints in a trade with the Cardinals on January 31, 1978."

-1980 Topps No. 386

Friday, August 9, 2019

1980 Profile: Mario Clark

Cornerback
No. 29
Oregon
"Mario has been a starter for the Bills in 59 of 60 games since being selected in the first round of the 1976 College Draft. He won All-Pacific 8 honors at Oregon."

-1980 Topps No. 191

Thursday, July 11, 2019

1980 Profile: Curtis Brown

Running Back
No. 47
Missouri
"Rundown Brown. What happened to Curtis a year ago? The same thing that happened to Terry Miller, we can only guess. Brown rushed for 574 yards (3.3) and only one touchdown. He showed more promise the year before with 591 yards (4.6) and four touchdowns.
Maybe he was tired from the extra pass-catching. Brown finished third on the club with 39 receptions, including one for 84 yards.
Born in St. Louis, Brown rushed for 375 yards in one game for Scott JC (Kansas). He transferred to Missouri where he bruised Oklahoma one afternoon with 20 carries for 153 yards."

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

"A powerful runner, Curtis' quickness and strength make him extremely difficult to bring down. He scored a touchdown on a 102-yard kickoff return against the Colts in 1978."

-1980 Topps No. 443

Sunday, June 2, 2019

1980 Profile: Fred Smerlas

Nose Tackle
No. 76
Boston College
"Another of the Bills' rookie wave. A second-round pick a year ago, he challenged Mike Kadish for the middle guard position until a knee injury finished the big rookie with three games to go. Smerlas and Kadish shared the job last year and may have the same arrangement this autumn, unless Smerlas suddenly comes on like the next Curley Culp.
Smerlas is a tough, aggressive player who certainly has size and strength. Born in Waltham, Mass., he was a three-year starter at Boston College and a two-time New England heavyweight wrestling champion in high school.
Smerlas enjoys weightlifting and camping. Together. He once bench pressed a 1,500-pound Grizzly 10 times in succession."

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

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

1980 Profile: Jeff Nixon

Free Safety
No. 38
Richmond
"Wolfgang Amadeus Nixon? Not really. His mother actually is a descendant of Johan Sebastian Bach. Jeff was born in Germany, is an accomplished guitarist and has written some music. He's the Bills' Renaissance Man, except that he can also play football.
Nixon was a fourth-round draft pick of the Bills. He led the team with six interceptions last year as a rookie, beating out veteran Tony Greene over the last four games.
Born in Fursten Feldbruck, Germany, he set Richmond University interception and punt return records. He had 25 tackles in a game against North Carolina. He now lives in Glendale, Arizona- Jeff sure gets around."

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

Saturday, May 4, 2019

1980 Profile: Jim Haslett

Linebacker
No. 55
Indiana (PA)
"Tom who? While the Bills mourned the loss of top draft pick Tom Cousineau to Canada, some kid named Haslett came along and was voted NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He's Jim Haslett and it's a great story.
He's from Indiana University. Not the Hoosiers. Indiana U. of Pennsylvania. He's a second-round pick who finished second on the Bills in tackles (124) besides intercepting two passes, recovering two fumbles, forcing two more and getting a sack.
Born in Pittsburgh, Haslett made numerous College Division All-American teams at Indiana, Pa. He punted for a 41.5-yard average, including 61.3 on four punts against Lock Haven, when he boomed one 73 yards."

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

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

1980 Profile: Reggie McKenzie

Guard
No. 67
Michigan
"Last of the Electric Company, along with DeLamielleure. The Juice's main man at one time, McKenzie hasn't lost the ability that has made him one of football's better guards. He just doesn't have Simpson behind him anymore.
Born in Detroit, McKenzie was an All-American at Michigan and has a physical education degree. He was All-Pro his first two seasons after the Bills drafted him second in 1972. The Bills' player representative from 1973-77, he's married to the former Ethellean Hicks, Miss Massachusetts of 1974. Mac helped make Terry Miller a 1,000-yard rusher as a rookie, although Miller fell off last year."

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

"Teaming with Joe DeLamielleure to give the Bills one of the most feared guard combinations in the National Football League, Reggie has now played in 117 consecutive regular season games for the club. He earned All-Pro and All-AFC honors in 1973 and 1974 and he hasn't missed a game since his rookie campaign on 1972. Reggie was a consensus All-American."

-1980 Topps No. 218

Sunday, March 31, 2019

1980 Profile: Joe DeLamielleure

Guard
No. 68
Michigan State
"One half of the Bobbsie Guards. Joe D. and Reggie McKenzie have played 103 and 117 consecutive games respectively. Joe DeLamielleure, otherwise known as Frenchy Joe or Pierre the Pull-Out Guard, was an All-Pro pick and Pro Bowl selection for the fifth straight year. He was a first-round pick back in 1973 and became an instant starter the year The Juice ran for 2,003 yards.
Despite his bulky look, Joe D. won the NFL racquetball championship. He works out every day in the off-season and is one of the strongest Bills. Born in Detroit, he's not scared to walk Motown's streets at night.
He attended Michigan State and majored in criminal justice. When Joe D. blocks you, there is no justice. It's au revoir."

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

"In seven seasons with the Bills, Joe has earned recognition as one of the truly outstanding linemen in NFL history. He was a starter for the AFC squad in the Pro Bowl for the fourth consecutive season last January and was also a consensus All-Pro choice for the fifth straight year. Joe ranks as one of the most honored linemen in Bills history."

-1980 Topps No. 477

Monday, February 25, 2019

1980 Profile: Terry Miller

Running Back
No. 40
Oklahoma State
"Case for missing persons. Let's see, in his rookie year of 1978 he rushed for 1,060 yards and seven touchdowns. Terry started off a lot faster than O.J. Last year, he wasn't quite as visible, finishing with 484 yards and just one touchdown.
One reason for his off-year was 99 fewer carries. However, his rushing average dropped from 4.5 to 3.5.
His whereabouts could be Oklahoma where he has ownership in two construction firms. He also has a pilot's license, so check out the friendly skies.
Details: Born in Columbus, Georgia. College: Oklahoma State, everybody's All-American. Hometown: Colorado Springs. Hey, check out the ski slopes! Rumor: Heading back to Buffalo and a big season."

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

"Terry enjoyed one of his finest games for the Bills, against the Jets on November 26, 1978. That afternoon he rushed for 208 yards on 21 carries and scored two touchdowns."

-1980 Topps No. 243

Sunday, February 3, 2019

1980 Profile: Jerry Butler

Wide Receiver
No. 80
Clemson
"Future phenom. Butler caught 48 passes for 834 yards (17.4) and four touchdowns- all against the Jets in one afternoon when he had 10 grabs for 255 yards. The yardage and touchdowns were new Bills single-game records. The fifth player taken in last year's draft, Butler missed three games.
He once beat Olympian Harvey Glance in an NCAA indoor qualifying race. Butler went to Clemson on a track scholarship and wound up breaking many of the school's receiving records while also leading the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Born in Greenwood, South Carolina, Butler was a quarterback in high school- and four years later an All-American wide receiver. He was a favorite college target of Steve Fuller, now with Kansas City."

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

"Jerry's finest game of 1979 was against the Jets on September 23. He caught 10 passes for 255 yards and touchdowns measuring five, 75, 74 and nine yards. It was one of the top performances ever by a rookie."

-1980 Topps No. 36

Thursday, January 10, 2019

1980 Profile: Frank Lewis

Wide Receiver
No. 82
Grambling
"It took nine seasons, but Frank Lewis finally got it right. Fifty-four catches for 1,082 yards (20.0), his best pro season ever. Thirty-three years old and getting better.
Lewis was once a starter for Pittsburgh's first two Super Bowl champions. He deflated Baltimore in the 1976 playoffs with a 76-yard touchdown catch. But the Steelers had Lynn Swann and John Stalworth, so Lewis was traded to Buffalo in 1978.
Born in New Orleans, his hometown is Houma, Louisiana. A deputy sheriff in the off-season, no one tries to run away when Frank makes an arrest.
He scored 42 touchdowns as a wingback at Grambling. His longest touchdown catch as a pro was 92 yards for Buffalo two years ago."

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

"Frank caught five passes for 153 yards and a touchdown on September 17, 1978."

-1980 Topps No. 293