Safety-Place Kicker
No. 20
Auburn
"The most active of all pro punters in '60 was Birmingham's Billy Atkins whose 89 boots totaled 3,468 yards. Booting Billy, 26, was first exposed to pro fire as a 49er and turned in a creditable job as a defensive back. As a Bill he intercepted five passes and also tallied 45 points on 27 extra points and six field goals."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"Speed and alertness are the factors most sought after in the secondary, and this All-Southeastern Conference star possesses both.
A conference selection in 1956 and 1957, with an All-America nomination in 1957, Atkins participated in the East-West Shrine Game and the College All-Star contest, then joined the San Francisco 49ers as a valuable defense man. Last year he switched to the Bills where he proved a valuable kicker as well."
-1961 Fleer No. 141
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
1961 Profile: Chuck McMurtry
Defensive Tackle
No. 73
Whittier
"Among defensive AFL tackles, few had the range, speed and perseverance of Chuck McMurtry, an All-League selection. This 310-pounder out of Whittier, California climbed all over interior linemen, stymied running attacks and was unpopular with forward passers. Twenty-three-year-old Chuck never let up during the season and figures to be as menacing in '61."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"When Buffalo's Chuck McMurtry develops Bud McFadin's competitive edge, he'll be in the same class. Chuck is the heftiest man in the game, almost impossible to move. He came into camp last year weighing 315 pounds, but coach Ramsey boiled him down to a playable 290 and he was the pleasantest surprise of the season. He hits hard- harder than necessary some foes complain. What the Bills didn't expect was his ability to move.
Chuck had played at little Whittier College and made the East-West Game, but he was still pretty much of an unknown quality (or quantity). In his early stages with Buffalo, the inexperience of the 22-year-old Giant was transparent. He could be trapped and knocked off his pins- you didn't dare challenge him head-on. But he came fast as the season progressed."
-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1961 Pro Football
No. 73
Whittier
"Among defensive AFL tackles, few had the range, speed and perseverance of Chuck McMurtry, an All-League selection. This 310-pounder out of Whittier, California climbed all over interior linemen, stymied running attacks and was unpopular with forward passers. Twenty-three-year-old Chuck never let up during the season and figures to be as menacing in '61."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"When Buffalo's Chuck McMurtry develops Bud McFadin's competitive edge, he'll be in the same class. Chuck is the heftiest man in the game, almost impossible to move. He came into camp last year weighing 315 pounds, but coach Ramsey boiled him down to a playable 290 and he was the pleasantest surprise of the season. He hits hard- harder than necessary some foes complain. What the Bills didn't expect was his ability to move.
Chuck had played at little Whittier College and made the East-West Game, but he was still pretty much of an unknown quality (or quantity). In his early stages with Buffalo, the inexperience of the 22-year-old Giant was transparent. He could be trapped and knocked off his pins- you didn't dare challenge him head-on. But he came fast as the season progressed."
-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1961 Pro Football
1961 Rookie Profile: Billy Majors
Safety
9th Round
Tennessee
"The rookie most likely to earn a '61 post is Billy Majors, the ninth draft choice who bears a famous football name. An outstanding safetyman at Tennessee, he switched from a '59 tailback to a '60 safety slot, and was a sure-shot tackler and a buzz saw against a passing attack.
Billy is also valuable as a returner of kickoffs and punts."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
9th Round
Tennessee
"The rookie most likely to earn a '61 post is Billy Majors, the ninth draft choice who bears a famous football name. An outstanding safetyman at Tennessee, he switched from a '59 tailback to a '60 safety slot, and was a sure-shot tackler and a buzz saw against a passing attack.
Billy is also valuable as a returner of kickoffs and punts."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
1961 Profile: Dan McGrew
Center
No. 52
Purdue
"A blocking force with the efficiency and downfield fierceness of a guard is Dan McGrew, the 23-year-old Martins Ferry (Ohio) phys ed instructor who was drafted originally by the Lions. Dan's long snaps are easy to handle and constantly on target for the punter and the place kicker."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"What's his nickname? Why Dangerous Dan, naturally. And that's just what he is- a dangerous, devastating blocker.
This veteran of Big Ten football has a burst of speed rare in so big a man. His snapbacks are strong and accurate, so vital on punt and point-after-touchdown attempts.
In the off-season, he's a qualified physical education instructor for the State of Ohio."
-1961 Fleer No. 140
No. 52
Purdue
"A blocking force with the efficiency and downfield fierceness of a guard is Dan McGrew, the 23-year-old Martins Ferry (Ohio) phys ed instructor who was drafted originally by the Lions. Dan's long snaps are easy to handle and constantly on target for the punter and the place kicker."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"What's his nickname? Why Dangerous Dan, naturally. And that's just what he is- a dangerous, devastating blocker.
This veteran of Big Ten football has a burst of speed rare in so big a man. His snapbacks are strong and accurate, so vital on punt and point-after-touchdown attempts.
In the off-season, he's a qualified physical education instructor for the State of Ohio."
-1961 Fleer No. 140
1961 Profile: Elbert Dubenion
Flanker
No. 44
Bluffton
"The only other halfback who's as spectacular as Abner Haynes is Elbert Dubenion of the Buffalo Bills. He went to little Bluffton College and scored 53 touchdowns. He was supposed to be the 'sleeper' of the Browns in 1959, but a bad knee suffered in the College All-Star camp sidelined him for the year.
The Bills, who play him as flanker back, rate him the fastest man in the game. He scored six touchdowns on runs of 40 yards or more last season. With a year of experience, he might set the league on fire in 1961- just like Abner Haynes in 1960."
-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1961 Pro Football
"Speed and more speed. That's what pro football demands, and that's what Elbert brought to the Bills. Easily the fastest man on the squad, he is among the fastest in either league.
Running from his flanker back position, Elbert has forced the opposition to over shift to thwart his running. In his rookie year, he improved greatly as a pass receiver, adding to his offensive threat."
-1961 Fleer No. 136
"Teammates rate him the fastest man in pro football. Elbert was voted the Bills' most valuable offensive player. He is a two-way threat as a rusher and pass-receiver."
-1961 Topps No. 159
No. 44
Bluffton
"The only other halfback who's as spectacular as Abner Haynes is Elbert Dubenion of the Buffalo Bills. He went to little Bluffton College and scored 53 touchdowns. He was supposed to be the 'sleeper' of the Browns in 1959, but a bad knee suffered in the College All-Star camp sidelined him for the year.
The Bills, who play him as flanker back, rate him the fastest man in the game. He scored six touchdowns on runs of 40 yards or more last season. With a year of experience, he might set the league on fire in 1961- just like Abner Haynes in 1960."
-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1961 Pro Football
"Speed and more speed. That's what pro football demands, and that's what Elbert brought to the Bills. Easily the fastest man on the squad, he is among the fastest in either league.
Running from his flanker back position, Elbert has forced the opposition to over shift to thwart his running. In his rookie year, he improved greatly as a pass receiver, adding to his offensive threat."
-1961 Fleer No. 136
"Teammates rate him the fastest man in pro football. Elbert was voted the Bills' most valuable offensive player. He is a two-way threat as a rusher and pass-receiver."
-1961 Topps No. 159
1961 Profile: Richie Lucas
Quarterback
No. 11
Penn State
"Runner, passer, pass-receiver - all were the '60 duties of Richie Lucas, the 22-year-old class guy out of Glassport, Pennsylvania. Richie worked at quarterback and halfback, and proved to be among the most versatile in the loop. His fine running and pass-catching abilities may earn him a flanking back slot in '61."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"A sensational quarterback at Penn State, Lucas made many an All-American first team in 1959. He was also the top draft pick of the newly formed Buffalo AFL team in 1960 and it took club owner Ralph Wilson to get his signature.
A brilliant passer, as well as a fine runner, Lucas was shifted to halfback so that the Bills could capitalize on both talents."
-1961 Fleer No. 135
No. 11
Penn State
"Runner, passer, pass-receiver - all were the '60 duties of Richie Lucas, the 22-year-old class guy out of Glassport, Pennsylvania. Richie worked at quarterback and halfback, and proved to be among the most versatile in the loop. His fine running and pass-catching abilities may earn him a flanking back slot in '61."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"A sensational quarterback at Penn State, Lucas made many an All-American first team in 1959. He was also the top draft pick of the newly formed Buffalo AFL team in 1960 and it took club owner Ralph Wilson to get his signature.
A brilliant passer, as well as a fine runner, Lucas was shifted to halfback so that the Bills could capitalize on both talents."
-1961 Fleer No. 135
1961 Profile: Wray Carlton
Fullback
No. 30
Duke
"First of the Bills in '60 rushing figures was Wray Carlton, the 25-year-old Wallace (North Carolina) walloping fullback. Wray racked up 533 yards and seven touchdowns as a ball-carrier, and gained 477 yards on 29 pass receptions, good for four tallies, helping him lead the club scorers with 66 points."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"This product of the South boasts some of the highest credentials a pro coach can bestow. Of the former Duke star, Bill coach Buster Ramsey said, 'He has speed, power, is a real good blocker and can catch the ball.' Very few backs have been able or willing to do all four, claims Ramsey, who picked up Carlton in an astute trade with Boston for defensive tackle Al Crow."
-1961 Fleer No. 134
"A rugged workhorse, Wray carried the ball 137 times and caught more passes (29) than any other fullback in the AFL. He had a four-yard rushing average and scored 11 touchdowns in 1960."
-1961 Topps No. 160
No. 30
Duke
"First of the Bills in '60 rushing figures was Wray Carlton, the 25-year-old Wallace (North Carolina) walloping fullback. Wray racked up 533 yards and seven touchdowns as a ball-carrier, and gained 477 yards on 29 pass receptions, good for four tallies, helping him lead the club scorers with 66 points."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"This product of the South boasts some of the highest credentials a pro coach can bestow. Of the former Duke star, Bill coach Buster Ramsey said, 'He has speed, power, is a real good blocker and can catch the ball.' Very few backs have been able or willing to do all four, claims Ramsey, who picked up Carlton in an astute trade with Boston for defensive tackle Al Crow."
-1961 Fleer No. 134
"A rugged workhorse, Wray carried the ball 137 times and caught more passes (29) than any other fullback in the AFL. He had a four-yard rushing average and scored 11 touchdowns in 1960."
-1961 Topps No. 160
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