1978 Profile: Sherman White

Defensive End
No. 83
California
"What went wrong? The second player taken in the 1972 draft, he had it all, the scouts said, but where did it go? White shouldn't feel too badly, though. Walt Patulski was drafted ahead of him, by Buffalo, and never did a thing, really. White was drafted by Cincinnati, never was one of Paul Brown's favorites and was traded to Buffalo before the 1976 season.
Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, White was a basketball player in high school and played only two games of football before attending college. He rapidly developed into an All-American as a University of California senior.
White lives in Oakland and works with disadvantaged youth in the off-season."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1978 Edition

1978 Profile: Paul Seymour

Tight End
No. 87
Michigan
"How many starting tight ends do you know that could survive while catching only two passes a season? It's possible. Paul Seymour caught that many a year ago and is in no danger of not starting in Buffalo. The reason? He is a bludgeoning blocker.
Reuben Gant, his 'backup,' caught 41 passes. When the Bills want to throw, they bring in Gant and throw to him. If Chuck Knox decides to play Gant more regularly, Seymour will play tackle. But he WILL play.
Born in Detroit, Seymour is one of the finest linemen in University of Michigan history. He was drafted in the first round in 1973, just ahead of DeLamielleure. His brother Jim was a Notre Dame wide receiver who played in the NFL."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1978 Edition

"Although his receiving statistics are impressive, Paul's value to the Bills is more as a strong and devastating blocker. A consistent player week after week, he has started 69 of 70 games at tight end since being converted from tackle.
Paul plays the guitar."

-1978 Topps, No. 424

1978 Profile: Reggie McKenzie

Guard
No. 67
Michigan

REGGIE MCKENZIE RECALLS: THE GAME I'LL NEVER FORGET

"With two weeks remaining in the 1973 season, O.J. Simpson was so close, yet so far from something no other running back had ever accomplished- rushing for over 2,000 yards in a single season. He was, to be exact, 416 yards from the coveted plateau. But the mark certainly was within the Buffalo super back's reach.

It wouldn't be easy; he was averaging 132 yards rushing after 12 games, and he needed to average 208 yards in his last two outings against the New England Patriots and New York Jets. Against the Pats and Jets earlier in the season, he had rushed for 250 and 123 yards, respectively.

Another summit well within O.J.'s stride was the NFL rushing record of 1,863 yards set by Jim Brown in 1963 with the Cleveland Browns.

Not only did O.J. desire these single-season rushing feats, so did his offensive line: guards Reggie McKenzie and Joe DeLamielleure, tackles Donnie Green and Dave Foley, center Mike Montler and tight end Paul Seymour. McKenzie, the Bills' seven-year veteran from Michigan, recalls the final two games in 1973 as his most memorable, especially the finale against the Jets at Shea Stadium. 'The game in New York, you might say,' noted the Bills' veteran guard, 'made the 1973 season the most memorable of my career.' "

"When we went in against New England in the next to last game of the season, we were more than a few yards than 400 away from O.J. reaching 2,000. We figured if we could get over 200, we'd have a shot at it against the Jets.

What O.J. had hoped to do against the Patriots was break Brown's record because that was our final home game. It was snowing that day and there were still more than 70,000 fans at the game, and O.J. wanted to get the record in front of them. He gained 219 yards, which was about 60 yards short of Brown's mark.

So, the stage was set for O.J. to do his thing against the Jets. We were going to the big city, going for Brown's record, which over the years hadn't even been threatened, and we were going for 2,000 yards.

The offensive line's attitude was that we wouldn't be denied. Thursday before the game, the line met and watched an extra can of film on the Jets' defense. O.J. wasn't there- he didn't even know about it. After the film, we vowed we were going to clear away for O.J.'s 2,000. It was an emotional meeting.

There was no doubt in my mind we would do it. With the combination of our blocking and O.J.'s running, we couldn't miss. O.J. was- and still is- an exceptional runner. Sometimes he anticipates a hole long before we even clear it. Once he sees an opening, he has an uncanny way of shifting from first to third gear and suddenly people are chasing him. He's a very knowledgeable runner- he knows how to change strikes and, drawing his past experience in track, he can really stretch out when he gets into the open. Very few track stars have ever made the adjustment to football like O.J. He is one of the few who has been outstanding at both.

It was snowing in New York, just like it had the week before against New England. That didn't make any difference to us. Snow is part of playing for Buffalo.

We received the opening kickoff and O.J. went over the middle for four yards on first down. Then came the play that really got us going. We called a 27, where I would pull out and meet a linebacker and Joe D. (DeLamielleure) would come around, read my block, and take it up into the hole with O.J. trailing. O.J. broke it for 30 yards. The only thing that stopped him from going all the way and breaking Brown's record was he tripped. By the time he regained his balance on that slippery field, one of the Jets came across the field and made the tackle.

The Jets weren't laying down. They were quoted in the papers all week as saying they were determined to stop O.J. They were coming after us. But after the 30-yard run, I was even more confident we were the ones who weren't going to be denied. As the game progressed, I believe the Jets began realizing it, too. They saw it in our eyes.

O.J. carried seven of the first eight times we had the ball and gained 57 yards. We had a first and goal at the three and Jim Braxton gained two yards to the one. Braxton was stopped for no gain on the next two plays, but he scored over my (left) side on fourth down.

On our next possession, we again called 27 on first down and O.J. got six yards to break Brown's record. He still needed 131 to reach 2,000. O.J. fumbled on our next play after a three-yard gain and the Jets recovered.

Juice didn't have many big gains in the second quarter. His longest was 13 yards, and that was a touchdown run over my left side late in the half to give us a 14-7 lead. The Jets had scored earlier on a Joe Namath pass.

O.J. had 108 yards at the half- we were 92 away. That was the figure on our minds as we plotted out our second-half strategy in the locker room.

The Jets were laying for O.J. and they stopped him for no gain on his first carry of the second half. On the second play, the Jets went after him again and Joe Ferguson completed a 36-yard pass to Bob Chandler on the Jets' 26. Joe threw only five passes that day- he would have killed him if he had thrown more because of the way they were stacking for O.J.

Juice carried seven times in the third quarter. The first give got him only nine yards, but he picked nine and 25 yards on the final two plays of the quarter. The 25-yarder, a sweep around the right side, was a big play. It got us going again.

Midway through the fourth quarter, we pretty much had the game put away with a 31-7 lead, but we were still 40 yards short of O.J.'s 2,000.

When we got the ball back, O.J. ripped one for 22 yards on a sweep right. After being stopped for no gain, he ran for nine and five. On second-and -five we called a 27 and O.J. gained seven, giving him 2,003. What a relief- it was over.

When he did it, Earl Edwards, one of our defensive ends, told our players, 'Hey, let's carry that man off the field.' And we did. And we were ecstatic. I felt very proud.

Something else we did that season was rush for 3,088 yards as a team, which still stands as a league record.

O.J. isn't only a fantastic football player, he's a also close friend of mine. I would say (defensive end) Al Cowlings, who was once my roommate in Buffalo and is now with the Rams, and O.J. are two of my best friends. There isn't much I wouldn't do for either one.

Playing with O.J. makes the game enjoyable. Having him in the backfield creates a situation for everyone on the line that at any time, on any given play, he can bust one. You tend to press a little harder in terms of blocking because you are aware he can make the big play.

Losing him this season [O.J. underwent knee surgery after the seventh league game] was a letdown for us. Without him our line kind of lost its personality. When we came into stadiums, people were aware we were going to run the ball with O.J. and we were successful at it. Each of us took a lot of pride in keeping O.J. on top. We helped put him over 10,000 career rushing yards this year and that was a big thrill for us.

He has one more year left here for us on his contract, but I honestly don't know if he's going to return. He was pretty down when he left here at mid-season and he told me at the time he has a lot to think about. I guess he's contemplating whether to return to football or devote his entire attention to making movies.

One big reason in his decision, of course, will be how well his knee rehabilitates. One thing on his mind is that has been proven that once a running back reaches 30 in this league he tends to lose half a step. O.J.  has seen it happen to Leroy Kelly and other great backs, and he says he doesn't want it happening to him.

Whatever decision O.J. makes, I'm with him. If he quits, I wouldn't mind getting out of Buffalo, either. I know that (49er general manager) Joe Thomas is a wheeler-dealer- maybe he could swing some kind of deal for me. The 49ers have a couple of pretty good backs out there to block for- Delvin Williams and Wilbur Jackson.

As for O.J.'s 2,003-yard season, yes, it'll be broken someday. One reason is because we'll be playing 16-game seasons starting next year, and another is because there are some great backs around capable of breaking it, like Walter Payton and Tony Dorsett."

-Reggie McKenzie, as told to Dave Payne, Football Digest (March 1978)

"Buffalo doesn't suffer from a Mac attack. The town has its Big Mac and he's a good friend of the Juice. McKenzie was voted the NFL's best blocking lineman by a Wisconsin group in 1973 when O.J. rushed for 2,003 yards. He was All-Pro in '73 and '74, but recent honors have gone to his running mate Joe DeLamielleure. McKenzie takes great pride in the accomplishments of the Bills' offensive line as a unit. He's a very intense performer.
Reggie has a good eye for beauty; he married Miss Massachusetts of 1974, Gthellean Hicks. Born in Detroit, he was recruited by Michigan after an assistant football coach saw him punch out a kid after losing a high school wrestling match. Really! Reggie doesn't wrestle anymore."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1978 Edition

"Reggie has now started 85 consecutive regular-season games for the Bills over the past six campaigns. He continues to refine the skills which earned him All-Pro and All-Conference honors in 1973 and 1974. Winner of the Wisconsin Pro Football Writers' Award as the NFL's top blocking lineman of 1973, Reggie is an intense competitor with pride in the accomplishments of the Bills' offensive line as a unit. He has outstanding speed off the snap.
Reggie's wife was voted as Miss Massachusetts of 1974."

-1978 Topps, No. 323

1978 Profile: Joe DeLamielleure

Guard
No. 68
Michigan State
"Joe D.; let's leave it at that. All-Pro the last two years, the second time made Joe feel great because he did it without O.J. Simpson for most of the season.
An outstanding blocker, both in run and pass situations, he's been a starter since 1973, when the Bills drafted him in the first round. Reggie McKenzie was O.J.'s 'main man,' but Joe D. is considered the better guard. He gives juice to the 'Electric Company,' which gave juice to the Juice.
Born in Detroit, Joe lives in Center Line, Michigan even though he plays just to the right of center. One of 10 children, he was an outstanding lineman at Michigan State and in the East-West Shrine Game. Joe works as a banker in the off-season."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1978 Edition

"In 1977, for the third consecutive season, Joe was the Bills' most honored offensive lineman. He was accorded All-Pro recognition last season and saw action in the Pro Bowl at Tampa last January.
In five straight years with the Bills, Joe has started every game and now ranks as one of the most outstanding guards in pro football. Named to the NFL All-Rookie team for the 1973 season in a poll taken by UPI, he was an offensive guard and tackle in college.
Joe is one of the best racquetball players on the Bills' squad."

-1978 Topps, No. 20

-Was selected as UPI Lineman of the Week following the Michigan State-Purdue game of 1972 in which he performed superbly.

-One of the Bills' two 1st-round draft selections in 1973, he was named to the UPI All-Rookie team for that campaign.

-1978 Topps Holsum No. 4

1978 Profile: Jim Braxton

Fullback
No. 34
West Virginia
"Roll out the barrel. Hey, why is this offensive guard carrying the ball? Braxton looked fat, slow and over-the-hill last year after an 800-yard season two years before. Maybe Braxton, a damaging blocker, missed O.J. Whatever, he looked like a man in need of a physical overhaul.
Born in Vanderbilt, PA, Braxton starred at West Virginia, where he also threw the discus. The Bills drafted him in the third round of the 1971 draft. He tore ligaments, which wiped him out for the '76 season; maybe he was still feeling the effects last year. He has had a weight problem throughout his NFL career.
Braxton works for the governor of West Virginia in the off-season, speaking mainly to young people. He collects coins as a hobby."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1978 Edition

"Ranked among the top four all-time Bills rushers, Jim has scored three touchdowns in four different games during his career. He's a strong runner, and a clever receiver and blocker.
Coin collecting is one of Jim's hobbies."

-1978 Topps, No. 114

1978 Profile: Bob Chandler

Wide Receiver
No. 81
USC
"Guess who has led all NFL wide receivers in receptions the last two years. No, not Drew Pearson, Cliff Branch or Sammy White ... Bob Chandler. That's right, Bob Chandler. Don't be surprised. Chandler is underrated but talented. He had 60 receptions last year, 176 the last three but always watches the Pro Bowl on TV.
Born in Long Beach, California, Chandler started his USC career as a quarterback, and in his first game as a wide receiver caught eight passes. He scored the only touchdown of the 1970 Rose Bowl when he was voted Player of the Game. He's a talented athlete who was on the USC track team and now tears up golf courses. Chandler is closing in on his law degree and is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1978 Edition

"One of the NFL's most outstanding wide receivers, Bob runs precise patterns and relies on quickness and moves plus sure hands. He is the holder on conversions and field goals.
Bob participated in the long jump, high jump and triple jump at USC."

1978 Topps, No. 85

1978 Profiles: Joe Ferguson and Bill Munson

JOE FERGUSON

Quarterback
No. 12
Arkansas
"Ranked 13th in AFC passing ... say it isn't so, Joe. He has had moments of greatness but has been an overall disappointment: 12 touchdowns and 24 interceptions last year. Without O.J. Simpson, Ferguson still led the AFC in passing yardage with 2,803. But he is a 50 per cent passer, nothing more. A streak passer, his career statistics are 52 touchdowns and 74 interceptions.
Born in Alvin, Texas, he grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana and attended the same high school as Terry Bradshaw. Ferguson fell off his last year at Arkansas, but the Bills drafted him third in 1973. He has been their starting quarterback since he was a rookie.
Joe wants to coach someday. He breeds and raises Arabian horses."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1978 Edition

"Joe set the Bills' passing mark for highest completion percentage in one game with 81.3%. It came when he hit on 13 of 16 passes against the Packers in 1974.
He made the UPI All-Rookie team in 1973 when he started every game.
Joe is involved in breeding and raising Arabian horses."

-1978 Topps, No. 339

Buffalo quarterback Joe Ferguson on his reputation as a quitter: "I don't care what people think. The rap has been on me as long as I can remember ... high school, college, pros. But it's a bunch of bull. I can play for any team in this league, and I know it. I'm as confident as any quarterback in the NFL. I do get angry at myself, and if I convey a lack of confidence, it sure isn't my true feeling."

-from Notes, Quotes & Comments (Football Digest, December 1978)

BILL MUNSON

Quarterback

No. 9

Utah State

"His ability to get rid of the ball quickly and surprising coolness under fire helped catapult Bill Munson to the top of the list of NFL rookie quarterbacks last season. Pressed into service as first-stringer for the first five games, due to Roman Gabriel's knee injury, Bill handled himself like a veteran. He wound up the year completing 108 passes in 223 attempts; he flung nine touchdown passes and one of them, a 95-yarder to Bucky Pope, was the longest completion of the season.

He was drafted No. 1 out of Utah State, after a brilliant college career."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965

"After a brilliant rookie campaign in 1964, Bill Munson was well on his way to an even better season last year, when he was suddenly upended by 49er defensive end Clark Miller and suffered torn knee ligaments. He missed the last four games of the season, winding up with an impressive 144 completions on 267 attempts, for 1,701 yards and 11 touchdowns.

He won the first-string job away from Roman Gabriel on his ability to set up and get rid of the ball more quickly. He has quicker, surer moves than the 6-3 Gabriel, and while he doesn't possess Gabe's long-bomb thrust, he's a good short passer who throws with accuracy.

But he's still learning. At Utah State, where he played his college football, Bill didn't get a chance to throw too much."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966

"Bill got his baptism by fire in his rookie year due to a serious injury to Roman Gabriel's knee in 1964. Bill played so well, he won a spot on the NFL All-Rookie team.

In '65, he was 13th in passing. He completed 144 out of 267, with 10 touchdowns."

-1966 Philadelphia No. 101

"He may have had to comb himself free of some cobwebs, but Bill Munson is overjoyed to drape himself in Lion blue. Bill's been on the inactive side the past couple of seasons, but he's a most proficient quarterback who seems certain to solve a nagging problem in Detroit.

He was the regular quarterback of the Rams until 49er defensive end Clark Miller crashed into him, wrecking his knee and causing him to miss the last four games of the 1965 season. By the time Bill was well enough to play again, Roman Gabriel had taken over the first-string job.

The Rams' No. 1 draft choice when he came out of Utah State, he was named to the NFL's All-Rookie team in 1964. He was even better in '65 when he completed 144 out of 267 passes for 1,701 yards, a 53.9 percentage and ten touchdowns.

He's always been known for his accuracy on short- and medium-range passes, but Bill can throw the bomb, too."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

"In his last couple of seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, Bill Munson played backup man to Roman Gabriel at quarterback. But last season, his first with the Lions, he wound up ahead of Gabe in the NFL passing tables when he finished seventh with 181 completions out of 329 throws for 2,311 yards and a 55 percent completion average. His eight interceptions tied for the fewest in the league. All of which convinced the Lions of what Munson knew all along- that he could lead an offense.

Trouble was, he lost his regular job in LA to Gabriel when he sustained a knee injury several years ago. As the Lions' number one man, Bill had some outstanding days, such as striking for three touchdowns against the Bears and throwing 13 of 22 completions against the Packers- both in winning efforts.

Bill is an excellent medium-range passer, but he can heave the bomb, too. All he needs is for someone to go deep. The Lions gave up three players and a number one draft choice to get him."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969

"The Lions gave up Milt Plum, Pat Studstill and Tom Watkins to acquire this quarterback. The ex-Ram completed 27 passes in a 1965 game, the top mark by an L.A. quarterback in 14 years. Bill is strong-armed and accurate.

Bill was named the top back in the Senior Bowl in 1965."

-1969 Topps No. 11

"To a great extent, Detroit's hopes for a division title in 1970 rest on the shoulders of seven-year veteran Bill Munson.

The Los Angeles Rams' first draft pick in 1963, he went on to become a starter for them at times, until he was injured and eventually lost the number one job to Roman Gabriel. Bill played out his option and came to Detroit in a 1968 deal that involved Pat Studstill, Milt Plum, Tommy Watkins and a first-round draft choice. He completed 181 passes that season, the most in Lion history, and his 2,311 yards gained in the air was a personal high for him.

But last year, the 6-2, 210-pounder missed a good part of the season with a broken hand, and Greg Landry replaced him. Nevertheless, in eight games he completed 84 passes for over a thousand yards and seven touchdowns.

Munson, who commanded a running game at Utah State, was named Outstanding Back in the '63 Senior Bowl. His major strength is the quick, short pass, but he can unload the bomb when necessary."

-Brenda and Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1970

"As a senior at Utah State in 1963, Bill led the NCAA in fewest interceptions with only three. He was voted the top back in the Senior Bowl and also starred in the East-West Shrine Game.

Bill has bounced back from numerous injuries. He was with the Rams for two seasons before a knee operation forced him out of the regular lineup. Traded to the Lions in '68, he was the NFL's seventh-ranked passer."

-1970 Topps No. 221

"During the first part of last season, most of the credit for the Lions' 5-1 record was contributed to the outstanding quarterbacking of Bill Munson. But then came three straight losses and Munson suddenly found himself picking up splinters on the bench.

When he was going strong, as against Chicago when he completed 13 of 19 for 229 yards, Bill was almost unstoppable. But when he cooled off, the pocket passer found problems hitting his deep receivers. He finished eighth in the conference.

An outstanding passer at Utah State, Munson led the nation by having only three passes intercepted in 1963. Then four years with the Rams- a knee operation in 1966 cost him his job when Roman Gabriel took over. In 1968, the Lions gave up three players plus draft choices to get Bill. In his first season with Detroit he set a team record of 181 completions, but a broken finger cost him half of the '69 campaign."

-Brenda Zanger, Pro Football 1971

"Used interchangeably with Greg Landry for the second year in a row, Bill completed 84 of 158 passes for 1,049 yards and 10 touchdowns. His specialty is the quick, short pass.

The No. 1 draft pick of Los Angeles in 1964, he was the Rams' No. 1 quarterback, until replaced by Roman Gabriel. He was traded to Detroit in 1968 in exchange for three veterans and the Lions' No. 1 draft choice.

In 1968, despite a shin operation and neck injuries, Bill completed 181 passes for a Lions' record. He had his biggest day completing 26 of 37 passes against Baltimore. A hard-luck player, he broke a finger on his throwing hand in 1969 and missed seven games.

Bill is a native of Sacramento, California, who attended Foothill Junior College before enrolling at Utah State. During the off-season, he's a steel salesman in the Detroit area."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1971 Edition)

"Bill had an outstanding day against the Colts in 1968, with 26 completions in 37 tries for 262 yards. He rewrote passing marks at Utah State. Bill was voted the outstanding back in the Senior Bowl."

-1974 Topps No. 173

"In seven seasons with the Lions, Bill has passed for 7,835 yards and 51 touchdowns. He has an accurate arm."

-1975 Topps No. 172