TOM SESTAK
Defensive Tackle
No. 70
McNeese State
"Hardly anybody will argue the point. Tom Sestak is the greatest defensive tackle in the AFL - and maybe the NFL, as well.
He's a scout's dream-come-true, a small-college sleeper. Tom played for tiny McNeese State and was drafted 17th by the Bills back in 1961.
He's a 6-4, 270-pounder with the disposition and reflexes of a mountain lion. He runs so fast that enemy quarterbacks can't get out of his way, and he knocks down ball-carriers as if he were swatting flies."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"'Tom Sestak is the best defensive tackle in the AFL,' flatly states head coach Al Davis of the Oakland Raiders. There was must be plenty of football men who agree with Davis because Sestak was on virtually everyone's All-AFL team last season. The 6'4", 270-pound Texan is another example of the unpublicized college player who rises to the top in the competitive world of pro football - where campus headliners often fall by the wayside.
Sestak was spotted by Harvey Johnson, Buffalo's director of player personnel in 1961 when Tom was a senior at little McNeese State in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Johnson was favorably impressed by the big youngster, but the Bills took their time before drafting him in the 17th round. Admits Johnson: 'Sure, he looked like a good prospect, but nothing like he's turned out to be.'
The defensive tackle was Buffalo's outstanding rookie in 1962 and made the All-AFL second team. Despite breaking a rib in an early 1963 exhibition game against Kansas City, Tom came back in time for the season's opener against San Diego, averaged nine unassisted tackles per game and made every important All-AFL team. Last season he anchored Buffalo's superb defensive forward wall, which included such stalwarts as Tom Day, Jim Dunaway and Roland McDole, as the team ran away with the Eastern Division title. Playing against the San Diego Chargers in the championship game, Sestak was a key member of a three-man rush that harried veteran quarterback Tobin Rote all afternoon and helped the Bills to a 20-7 victory.
Sestak's will to win also rubs off on his teammates. 'You work against Tom in practice every day and you either improve or retire,' says All-AFL guard Billy Shaw. Rival coach Sid Gilman of the Chargers just about sums it up when he calls the 29-year-old native of Gonzales, Texas 'a great football player.'"
-Bill Wise, 1965 Official Pro Football Almanac
"In the opening moments of last season's first game in Buffalo, Len Dawson of the Kansas City Chiefs faded back and lofted a screen pass. Before the pass reached the intended receiver, tackle Tom Sestak of the Bills picked it off and rumbled 15 yards for a score.
In the next two minutes and 33 seconds, Buffalo scored three more touchdowns and started its march toward the AFL championship. Throughout the season, Sestak- called by veteran Boston quarterback Babe Parilli 'the finest defensive lineman in all pro football'- was to make the big plays.
The key to winning any title is defense, and Tom is the pivotal figure on Buffalo's great front four. He owns one of the best pass rushes around and, over the past two years, has averaged 10 unassisted tackles per game.
Sestak has surpassed all expectations since he came to the Bills as a 17th round draft choice in 1962. He stands 6-4, weighs 270 and can move. Check with any offensive guard around the league who has tangled with him. San Diego's Walt Sweeney supplied the perfect tribute when he asked: 'If Sestak isn't All-World, I'd like to know, who is? There just couldn't by anyone better.'"
-Sports All-Stars/1965 Pro Football
"One of the most popular stars on the Buffalo club, Tom is regarded as the American Football League's outstanding defensive lineman. The defensive captain of the Bills, No. 70 has no equal when it comes to putting a rush on the opposing quarterback. Extremely mobile and fast, Tom need only catch a piece of a runner to bring him down.
Tom was a real sleeper and wasn't picked until the 17th round of the 1962 draft. At the close of the '62 season, he was voted Rookie of the Year in the AFL in many polls."
-1965 Topps No. 40
JIM DUNAWAY
Defensive Tackle
No. 78
Mississippi
"Hulking Jim Dunaway teams with Tom Sestak to give the Bills a defensive tackle duet worth avoiding. Lou Saban says he wouldn't trade them for any two linemen in football, and you can't blame him. Dunaway is just as heavy as Sestak at 270 pounds, but perhaps not as fast. But when he lands on somebody, it makes very little difference. Jim's only real problem is keeping his weight under control.
He was an All-America at Ole Miss, where he played in both the Sugar and Cotton Bowls."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"When Jim came out of college, he was voted 'one of the most likely to succeed in the pros.' The big defensive tackle is good now and everyone seems to agree that he'll be even better in the future.
The powerful Mr. Dunaway was a unanimous choice for All-American at the University of Mississippi. Before coming to the Bills, Jim played in the Coaches All-America Game, the College All-Star Game and the Cotton Bowl.
Along with teammate Tom Sestak, Jim [forms] the AFL's most dangerous defensive tackle duo."
-1965 Topps No. 29
TOM KEATING
Defensive Tackle
No. 74
Michigan
"Though listed on the Buffalo roster as a defensive tackle, Tom can also be used as a defensive end.
In 1964 Tom got his chance to break into the Bills' defensive lineup when Jim Dunaway nursed an injured leg early in the season. The rookie played so well that he was awarded a regular job. Tom suffered a broken leg midway through the season and now faces the chore of winning a chance to play regularly again.
The former Michigan star is a great competitor. Like the Mounties, Tom always gets his man."
-1965 Topps No. 34
HENRY SCHMIDT
Defensive Tackle
No. 76
USC
"San Diego fans agree that Henry had his best year as a pro in 1963. A hard, vicious tackler, he is the type of ballplayer that refuses to give up. An ex-Marine, he played football for the Marine Corps in San Diego. A massive man, Henry's appearance spreads fear in the hearts of the opposition.
Henry played his college football for the University of Southern California and also for Trinity College in San Antonio."
-1964 Topps No. 172
RON MCDOLE
Defensive End
No. 72
Nebraska
"Roland is a big bruiser who has the speed and mobility to go along with his size. Opposing quarterbacks try to stay out of the way of this tough red-dogger.
Acquired by the Bills in 1963, it took half a year until he received a chance to play regularly. Given the opportunity to show his stuff, Roland has been one of the Buffalo reliables ever since.
Roland was an offensive end while playing for Nebraska. He was a top collegiate basketball player and has played college baseball, too."
-1965 Topps No. 38
TOM DAY
Defensive End
No. 88
North Carolina A & T
"After a brilliant collegiate career, Tom has had a regular job with the Buffalo Bills since early in 1961. Coach Saban received top performances from Day all year, as Tom and teammate Ron McDole provided a top exterior pass rush. A quick and mobile runner, Tom is expected to improve upon last year's performance in 1965 with the arrival of Remi Prudhomme.
Popular among his teammates, Tom is noted for his coolness and good sense of humor. He works as a salesman in Buffalo during the off-season."
-1965 Topps No. 27
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Saturday, July 26, 2014
1965 Profiles: Ralph Wilson and Lou Saban
RALPH WILSON
Owner
"The head of the Buffalo Bills operation is typical of the AFL owners; he has money, imagination and drive. And he's certain that he's got the best product on the American sports market."
-Sports All-Stars/1965 Pro Football
WHY I OWN A PRO FOOTBALL TEAM by Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.
"It shouldn't take much calculating to decide whether to pay $5 or $50,000 for a seat at a football game. I had just such a choice a few years back and, contrary to what you might you expect of a sane man, I chose the higher priced seat. It wasn't that I was interested in the view, but the $50,000 entitled me to any seat in the house; I had finally become what I had long wanted to be- the sole owner of a pro football team.
To put all this into its proper perspective, let's go back to 1959, the year I made that momentous decision. At the time, I numbered myself among the Detroit Lions' most ardent fans. I had been rooting for them since the days of Dutch Clark and can recall having gone to games with my dad at Detroit University's field in the mid-1930's. (Looking back now, it seems that half the people who witnessed those struggles came to boo the Lions out of town.)
The idea of owning a pro football team first struck me in 1947 when a group of us Detroiters banded together to buy the Lions from Fred Mandel. The most any one person could own was four per cent. Nevertheless, I felt good about having some stock in the club I had rooted for so long.
With the advent of television, interest in the National Football League grew. No longer confined to the locales in which the loop operated, fan enthusiasm- via nationwide TV- suddenly became a factor to be reckoned with. From time to time, I inquired about buying an NFL franchise, but nobody was selling. And expansion, I was told by insiders, was out of the question.
One day in August 1959, I read that a Texan named Lamar Hunt was forming a new pro football league. My first reaction was: 'Wilson, this may be your big chance if you're ever going to become an owner.'
I didn't know Lamar personally, but I wrote and told him I'd be interested in a franchise for Miami, Florida where my family has a winter home. He replied that I'd better get moving quickly, as franchises had already been awarded to New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas, Houston and Minneapolis.
Off I went to Miami- to be greeted with the same kind of enthusiasm a cold spell engenders down there. Everyone I talked to equaled the AFL with the defunct All-America Conference, the league that unsuccessfully fought the NFL for four years prior to 1950. I reported my chilly reception to Lamar and, for a time, considered forgetting about the AFL. Hunt then informed me that I could have my choice of a franchise in St. Louis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Buffalo or Kansas City. I wasn't very knowledgeable about any of those cities and I thought about sticking with my small share of the Lions, but I still couldn't get away from the idea of starting fresh in a new, well-financed league that had unlimited potential.
I finally decided to check with a Detroit newspaperman, Eddie Hayes, and Nick Kerbaway, who had been general manager of the Lions, to see it they had any information on the cities Lamar listed. Both of them recommended Buffalo, pointing out that the fans had supported their All-America Conference franchise very loyally.
I knew only one Buffalo resident personally, George Schaaf, a contractor who was my skipper on a minesweeper during the war. Frank Leahy, who was general manager of the AFL team going into Los Angeles, suggested I visit Paul Neville, managing editor of the Buffalo Evening News. With Schaaf as my guide, I met with Neville. It was to be an exploratory talk. A few hours later, I flew back to Detroit committed to placing a team in Buffalo.
At first blush, franchise ownership seemed fine. I had promised to back a team for three years. I knew it would cost money and I expected to lose a considerable amount until the league was on firmer footing. But what if the AFL didn't last and I would just be throwing money down the drain, so to speak, for three years? It was a sobering thought.
In the final analysis, I decided to go ahead because of my faith in the game of football. I was positive that our product was the best the American sports public could buy. And once we signed a nationwide television deal, I was confident that we would have the exposure we needed.
We didn't have a front office staff or a coach when the first AFL draft was held. As a result, I had to call upon friends around the country and send out agents from my insurance office to sign players. One agent, a fellow named Lou Curl, was sent to sign Birtho Arnold, a 310-pound Ohio State tackle. 'I'm with the Buffalo Bills,' said the 5-5, 135-pound Curl in his introduction. 'What in the world,' gasped the astonished Arnold, 'do you play?'
I, too, had a couple of memorable experiences trying to sign a couple of players. They fell into the if-I-knew-then-what-I-know-now category. The players were Larry Wilson, a halfback from Utah, and Len Rhode, a Utah State lineman. Both said they were interested in signing with Buffalo, but each wanted a $1,500 bonus. 'We don't hand out big bonus money like that for defensive backs or linemen,' I explained. So Wilson signed with St. Louis and became an NFL star, while Rhode signed with San Francisco and has been a solid performer there. When I think of what pro teams are now paying for boys with lesser college reputations than Wilson and Rhode, I have to laugh at myself. And that was only six years ago. What will be the situation six years from now?
The one fear I have for the game of football is the outcome of the battle for college players. The damage won't be apparent immediately, but I'm afraid that down the road a few years, the sport will be the worse for these tremendous, long-term, no-cut contracts. And it has absolutely nothing to do with the ability of professional clubs in both leagues to pay skyrocketing salaries.
Until recently, a player had to make the squad. If a veteran let down, there was a hungry rookie pushing him for his job. Nowadays, a youngster with a big reputation comes in guaranteed of financial reward whether he produces or not. Sure, a large percentage of boys have sufficient pride to want to do their best anyway. But what happens when rosters are virtually inundated by players with no-cut contracts? Don't say it can't happen, because it can. And the day it does, pro football will have lost the spark that ignites the 60 minutes of hard-hitting action fans are accustomed to seeing.
As for the Bills, we've refused to jump off the bridge with no-cut pacts. (This attitude has cost us several players.) The few to whom we've given no-cuts have, fortunately for us, produced. Regardless, it's poor policy and football had better wake up to that fact in a hurry.
Throughout the past five AFL seasons, I've found that owning a pro team isn't all financial ledgers and won-lost columns. The toughest thing I've had to do involved the first man I hired for the Bills organization, Buster Ramsey. Buster was a really good friend and still is. He's one of the outstanding defensive minds around. But after the 1961 campaign, I decided to make a coaching change. I found it so difficult to do that even after I told Buster he was fired, I almost asked him to forget what I'd just said and stay on at the helm.
LOU SABAN
Head Coach
"Although he won his first American Football League title with the Bills last year, Lou Saban in accustomed to victory. As a 200-pound linebacker and captain of the Cleveland Browns, he played on four championship teams.
He later coached at Case Institute, Northwestern, Western Illinois and the Boston Patriots before coming to the Bills as director of player personnel in 1961. The following year he succeeded Buster Ramsey as head coach.
He's known for his emphasis on line play and on a strong rushing game. He's also known for his courage and firmness, which was particularly was illustrated last season when he disciplined his bread-and-butter man, Cookie Gilchrist."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
Owner
"The head of the Buffalo Bills operation is typical of the AFL owners; he has money, imagination and drive. And he's certain that he's got the best product on the American sports market."
-Sports All-Stars/1965 Pro Football
WHY I OWN A PRO FOOTBALL TEAM by Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.
"It shouldn't take much calculating to decide whether to pay $5 or $50,000 for a seat at a football game. I had just such a choice a few years back and, contrary to what you might you expect of a sane man, I chose the higher priced seat. It wasn't that I was interested in the view, but the $50,000 entitled me to any seat in the house; I had finally become what I had long wanted to be- the sole owner of a pro football team.
To put all this into its proper perspective, let's go back to 1959, the year I made that momentous decision. At the time, I numbered myself among the Detroit Lions' most ardent fans. I had been rooting for them since the days of Dutch Clark and can recall having gone to games with my dad at Detroit University's field in the mid-1930's. (Looking back now, it seems that half the people who witnessed those struggles came to boo the Lions out of town.)
The idea of owning a pro football team first struck me in 1947 when a group of us Detroiters banded together to buy the Lions from Fred Mandel. The most any one person could own was four per cent. Nevertheless, I felt good about having some stock in the club I had rooted for so long.
With the advent of television, interest in the National Football League grew. No longer confined to the locales in which the loop operated, fan enthusiasm- via nationwide TV- suddenly became a factor to be reckoned with. From time to time, I inquired about buying an NFL franchise, but nobody was selling. And expansion, I was told by insiders, was out of the question.
One day in August 1959, I read that a Texan named Lamar Hunt was forming a new pro football league. My first reaction was: 'Wilson, this may be your big chance if you're ever going to become an owner.'
I didn't know Lamar personally, but I wrote and told him I'd be interested in a franchise for Miami, Florida where my family has a winter home. He replied that I'd better get moving quickly, as franchises had already been awarded to New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas, Houston and Minneapolis.
Off I went to Miami- to be greeted with the same kind of enthusiasm a cold spell engenders down there. Everyone I talked to equaled the AFL with the defunct All-America Conference, the league that unsuccessfully fought the NFL for four years prior to 1950. I reported my chilly reception to Lamar and, for a time, considered forgetting about the AFL. Hunt then informed me that I could have my choice of a franchise in St. Louis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Buffalo or Kansas City. I wasn't very knowledgeable about any of those cities and I thought about sticking with my small share of the Lions, but I still couldn't get away from the idea of starting fresh in a new, well-financed league that had unlimited potential.
I finally decided to check with a Detroit newspaperman, Eddie Hayes, and Nick Kerbaway, who had been general manager of the Lions, to see it they had any information on the cities Lamar listed. Both of them recommended Buffalo, pointing out that the fans had supported their All-America Conference franchise very loyally.
I knew only one Buffalo resident personally, George Schaaf, a contractor who was my skipper on a minesweeper during the war. Frank Leahy, who was general manager of the AFL team going into Los Angeles, suggested I visit Paul Neville, managing editor of the Buffalo Evening News. With Schaaf as my guide, I met with Neville. It was to be an exploratory talk. A few hours later, I flew back to Detroit committed to placing a team in Buffalo.
At first blush, franchise ownership seemed fine. I had promised to back a team for three years. I knew it would cost money and I expected to lose a considerable amount until the league was on firmer footing. But what if the AFL didn't last and I would just be throwing money down the drain, so to speak, for three years? It was a sobering thought.
In the final analysis, I decided to go ahead because of my faith in the game of football. I was positive that our product was the best the American sports public could buy. And once we signed a nationwide television deal, I was confident that we would have the exposure we needed.
We didn't have a front office staff or a coach when the first AFL draft was held. As a result, I had to call upon friends around the country and send out agents from my insurance office to sign players. One agent, a fellow named Lou Curl, was sent to sign Birtho Arnold, a 310-pound Ohio State tackle. 'I'm with the Buffalo Bills,' said the 5-5, 135-pound Curl in his introduction. 'What in the world,' gasped the astonished Arnold, 'do you play?'
I, too, had a couple of memorable experiences trying to sign a couple of players. They fell into the if-I-knew-then-what-I-know-now category. The players were Larry Wilson, a halfback from Utah, and Len Rhode, a Utah State lineman. Both said they were interested in signing with Buffalo, but each wanted a $1,500 bonus. 'We don't hand out big bonus money like that for defensive backs or linemen,' I explained. So Wilson signed with St. Louis and became an NFL star, while Rhode signed with San Francisco and has been a solid performer there. When I think of what pro teams are now paying for boys with lesser college reputations than Wilson and Rhode, I have to laugh at myself. And that was only six years ago. What will be the situation six years from now?
The one fear I have for the game of football is the outcome of the battle for college players. The damage won't be apparent immediately, but I'm afraid that down the road a few years, the sport will be the worse for these tremendous, long-term, no-cut contracts. And it has absolutely nothing to do with the ability of professional clubs in both leagues to pay skyrocketing salaries.
Until recently, a player had to make the squad. If a veteran let down, there was a hungry rookie pushing him for his job. Nowadays, a youngster with a big reputation comes in guaranteed of financial reward whether he produces or not. Sure, a large percentage of boys have sufficient pride to want to do their best anyway. But what happens when rosters are virtually inundated by players with no-cut contracts? Don't say it can't happen, because it can. And the day it does, pro football will have lost the spark that ignites the 60 minutes of hard-hitting action fans are accustomed to seeing.
As for the Bills, we've refused to jump off the bridge with no-cut pacts. (This attitude has cost us several players.) The few to whom we've given no-cuts have, fortunately for us, produced. Regardless, it's poor policy and football had better wake up to that fact in a hurry.
Throughout the past five AFL seasons, I've found that owning a pro team isn't all financial ledgers and won-lost columns. The toughest thing I've had to do involved the first man I hired for the Bills organization, Buster Ramsey. Buster was a really good friend and still is. He's one of the outstanding defensive minds around. But after the 1961 campaign, I decided to make a coaching change. I found it so difficult to do that even after I told Buster he was fired, I almost asked him to forget what I'd just said and stay on at the helm.
While it's logical that winning a league title- which Buffalo did last season- should be the most memorable moment for an owner, coach or player, it's not true in my case. To me, defeating San Diego for the championship was anticlimactic. The big thrill had come in the regular season finale against the Boston Patriots.
Going back to the first preseason contest ever played in the AFL, the Patriots always seemed to have the thumb on us, particularly when it counted most. We had tied them for the Eastern Division crown in 1963 but were outclassed, 26-8, in a playoff game. Now, after leading our division all season, we came down to the final clash with a scant half-game lead. Should we be beaten in this last encounter, our all-out efforts would go right out the window.
Believe me, the emotional pitch was staggering. I felt, too, for Lou Saban, whom I had first hired as personnel director, then as head coach, after he had been cut loose by Boston. The game, I'm told, was played in sub-zero weather, but I wasn't conscious of the cold; my heart was pumping blood at a rate calculated to keep anyone warm. At the final gun, we had our first divisional title by a 24-14 score. And six days later, we handed the powerful Chargers a 20-7 setback for all the marbles. Emotionally, however, I was still replaying the Boston game.
As an owner, I want to know what's going on with the club. I don't mean the day-to-day affairs with which a coach must concern himself. But when Lou is thinking of making a trade, I don't want to pick up a newspaper and find that so-and-so was already dealt off. And Lou, respectful of my feelings, keeps me posted- through the decisions are his to make.
I also like to know in advance just whom Lou and personnel director Harvey Johnson have in mind as possible draft choices. We have a running joke that I'm allowed one pick of my own each year. They usually like me to wait until one of the late rounds but, more often than not, my choices have earned places on our club. (I'd have to be a real slow study if I hadn't acquired some judgment of a man's ability after so many years of exposure.)
The real heroes of this piece, however, are the Buffalo fans. They were disappointed when their franchise folded with the old AAFC and had little to cheer about during our initial years of operation. In fact, they must have been crazy about the game to have stuck with us so long. And we've only just begun to pay them back."
-Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., Sports All-Stars/1965 Pro Football
LOU SABAN
Head Coach
"Although he won his first American Football League title with the Bills last year, Lou Saban in accustomed to victory. As a 200-pound linebacker and captain of the Cleveland Browns, he played on four championship teams.
He later coached at Case Institute, Northwestern, Western Illinois and the Boston Patriots before coming to the Bills as director of player personnel in 1961. The following year he succeeded Buster Ramsey as head coach.
He's known for his emphasis on line play and on a strong rushing game. He's also known for his courage and firmness, which was particularly was illustrated last season when he disciplined his bread-and-butter man, Cookie Gilchrist."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
1965 Buffalo Bills Outlook
"While nobody is saying that the Bills are about to start fading like the Buffalo nickel, they are going to rub against some stronger opposition being minted in the league this season. If they fail to repeat in '65, don't cash them in. Credit it to a stronger AFL foundation.
The same wrecking crew that powered the Bills to the Eastern Division crown and to the championship victory over the San Diego Chargers is back, practically man for man. Stew Barber, Billy Shaw, Walt Cudzik, Al Bemiller and Dick Hudson - from tackle to tackle - last year helped Buffalo ball-carriers carve out 1,945 yards through enemy lines, which was the most powerful rushing demonstration in the league.
The backfield, which had domestic problems as well as medical ones, is loaded for power - if not blinding speed - and the Bills are starting the season with both problems apparently solved. The domestic one was taken care of when they traded Cookie Gilchrist, the two-time ground-gaining champion, to the Denver Broncos in exchange for fullback Billy Joe. Billy is just as big as Cookie is, and is six years younger and much faster in the open field.
He will be spotted in Gilchrist's old running spot, and with that big, mobile line moving out in front of him, he is given an excellent chance of developing into a 1,000-yard man. If Joe makes it then beefy Wray Carlton will remain at halfback, which brings us to the hospital problem. Last year Carlton was out of action until the Bills' final three games, and then he came back strong. He's built more like a fullback - where he would play in the absence of a good one - and he is not a speedster; but according to quarterback Jack Kemp, he's 'as good a blocker as Cookie and a damned underestimated runner.'
Behind Carlton are good runners, too, in Bob Smith and Joe Auer, both with good freshman years behind them. Smith has great outside speed; Auer is more of a slasher. The aforementioned Kemp guides the attack with his great savvy and even greater arm. When things bog down, Daryle Lamonica comes in, and while he can't throw with Kemp, he provides a greater running threat. Coach Lou Saban has indicated that he intends to use them both the same way this season.
When Kemp goes to the air, he has as fine a flanker to throw to as there is in the business in Elbert Dubenion, and there are also excellent targets among split ends Glenn Bass and Bill Groman, and in tight end Ernie Warlick.
The defense, which was also the best in the league last year, is better up close. The front foursome of Ron McDole, Jim Dunaway, Tom Sestak and Tom Day surrendered an average of 68 rushing yards a game. Dud Meredith and Tom Keating are prime backup men. The linebacking, which was a cause of some concern before last season, shaped up magnificently with John Tracey, Harry Jacobs and the menacing Mike Stratton. This year they'll be supported by Marty Schottenheimer, a rookie from Pitt, Herb Paterra, from the taxi squad and by Paul McGuire, obtained on waivers from San Diego.
The Bills are most vulnerable in the deep backfield, where their operatives are relatively small. They were probably saved some embarrassments last year by the strong rushing up front. The cornermen are Butch Byrd and Charley Warner, and the safetymen are George Saimes and Gene Sykes. Anybody looking for a job with the Bills can start shopping here first."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"Now that the brutal Bills finally have won the AFL title, they can be counted on to hang to it with the tenacity of a tiger guarding its prey.
If coach Lou Saban has any real concern, it's over whether Billy Joe can perform in the grand style of Cookie Gilchrist, for whom he was traded.
Even if Billy - Rookie of the Year in 1963 - doesn't cut it, there are other possibilities. Wray Carlton, a 220-pound halfback who returned to action late in '64 after an injury, could go just as well as a fullback. In this case, Saban would have such halfbacks as sophomores Bob Smith, a speedster, and Joe Auer, a slasher, both over 200 pounds, as is Willie Ross, Cookie's understudy last season. Bob Currington, who taxied last year, could move ahead of everyone - he's got bulk, blazing speed and more moves than the other backs.
But it's the line that keeps the opposition in the real bind and gives the Bills the all-important ball control when the clock must be eaten. There's no tougher left side than that manned by tackle Stew Barber and Bill Shaw, all-league guard again in '64. Al Bemiller and Dick Hudson are about as effective on the other side. To back them up, the Bills signed their top two draft choices, Ohio State's Jim Davidson and Villanova's Al Atkinson. And Dave Behrman (6'5", 260), No. 1 draft choice of '62, is assured of some spot in this forward wall.
Monsters stalk the defensive line. Particularly terrifying are the defensive tackles, Tom Sestak (272), All-AFL the past three years, and Jim Dunaway (276). Tom Day and Ron McDole are dogged pass rushers and should improve with competition from Remi Prudhomme from LSU.
The linebacking, off in '63, came on strong last year under the revived play of John Tracey and Harry Jacobs, who improved his pass protection. And Mike Stratton made the all-league team.
Buffalo has had little use for the pass. Still, it has the strongest arm in football in Jack Kemp, who can always strike effectively when points are needed; they seldom are. His substitute, Daryle Lamonica, gives Saban a fourth running back.
If you must find a chink in this armor, it could be the age (33) of Ernie Warlick at tight end."
-Bill Wise, 1965 Official Pro Football Almanac
THE PROSPECTS
"The Buffalo Bills thundered to the best record in pro football last year - then gave up on 'thunder.' Or at least that part of it personified by rumbling, grumbling fullback Cookie Gilchrist. He was traded to Denver for Billy Joe, a back of Gilchristian proportions (6-2, 250). Joe was Rookie of the Year in '63 and is six years younger than Cookie. The latter fact might not interest most coaches, but Buffalo coach Lou Saban is more fortunate.
He has a host of hulking linemen, led by All-Star Stew Barber and Billy Shaw (offense) and Tom Sestak (defense); a pair of spectacular receivers in Elbert Dubenion (10 touchdowns) and Glenn Bass (7 touchdowns, including one of 94 yards); a consistent and powerful, if unorthodox, place-kicker in Pete Gogolak; and a pair of hot quarterbacks he uses like pitchers - Jackie Kemp (starting) and Daryle Lamonica (relief).
If there is a weakness, it is in the defensive secondary, but some claim this is a bad rap; the Bill defensive line is so strong (allowing an average of only 65 yards per game) that the secondary sees more action than most.
Toss in a good rookie crop, including the Bills' first two draft picks, and perhaps Buffalo can afford to lose a Cookie Gilchrist. Certainly, no other team in the AFL can."
-Tom Harmon, 1965 Pro Football Almanac (Tom Harmon's Sports Information Book)
THE STARS
"The above are enough big names for any club, but the list hardly scratches the Herd's hide.
Defensively, linebacker Mike Stratton and safety George Saimes were All-AFL picks last year, while cornerback Butch Byrd's rookie season indicated he will soon be in the same class.
On offense, the Bills' running game, a key factor in their ball control ability, will depend a great deal on Joe. However, the load will not be his alone. Late last season, Wray Carlton, a big halfback, came off the injured list to run and block with authority.
The key position, of course, is quarterback. Saban went with Kemp in the crucial final games of last season and Jackie came through with firm, consistent performances (267 attempts, 199 completions). At 29, he should be near his peak and one of the best in the game."
-Tom Harmon, 1965 Football Almanac (Tom Harmon's Sports Information Book)
"They find out the way the Cookie crumbled."
-Dick Kaplan, Pro Football Almanac 1965
The Champions Will Learn What a Difference a Fullback Makes, If His Name is Gilchrist
"The Bills traded one 250-pound fullback for another. Sounds like a fair exchange but it isn't. Billy Joe, acquired from the Broncos, isn't Cookie Gilchrist, exiled to Denver because he was too much trouble in Buffalo. Say what you will about Gilchrist's attitude, he is still the best running back in the AFL. Billy Joe is a good fullback. He was Rookie of the Year in 1963, he is six years younger than Cookie, and maybe a bit faster. Maybe he'll gain as much yardage with the Bills' huge offensive line scooping out holes for him. Maybe. But how about blocking? Gilchrist is also the finest blocking block in pro football.
All this Joe-Gilchrist talk has barbed relevance because Buffalo is basically a running team. The Bills passed only 369 times last year, low for the league. And Gilchrist, blocking and running, made this power game go. If Joe should prove to be just another guy, coach Lou Saban could switch 220-pound veteran Wray Carlton from halfback to fullback. Wray was hurt almost all last season. Most likely he will stay at halfback, keeping faster backs Willie Ross, Joe Auer and Bob Curington moored to the bench. At flanker, Elbert Dubenion broke the league record with 27 yards per pass reception last year.
The only problem at quarterback is that there are two of them. Jackie Kemp is the bomb-thrower while Daryle Lamonica is more of a running, rollout threat. Last year Saban stayed with Kemp in the important games- against Boston for the Eastern title, then against San Diego for the league championship.
The offensive line is well populated, took, except at tight end, where Saban broods that 33-year-old Ernie Warlick may be fraying. Glenn Bass is the split end. He caught 43 passes last year. Stew Barber and Billy Shaw are all-stars at left tackle and left guard. Center Walt Cudzik was good enough to shove Al Bemiller over to right guard- and Bemiller was good enough to make the adjustment in championship style. Dick Hudson returns to play right tackle. Young players complicate matters. Like 260-pound Dave Behrman, who sat out his rookie season with an exhibition game injury. Or top draft picks Jim Davidson of Ohio State, a tackle, and Al Atkinson, a Villanova guard. Saban may trade an interior lineman for a blocking end.
Buffalo has the most rugged defense in the league, particularly against rushing. Credit this to a thundering herd up front: Roland McDole, 280, and Tom Day, 262, at the ends; 270-pound All-Leaguer Tom Sestak and 276-pound Jim Dunaway at the tackles. We'll spare you the arithmetic; they average 272 pounds. Either Dunaway or Day could lose his job to Tom Keating. Tom was a starting tackle as a rookie in '64 before he broke his leg. He also plays end- as does LSU rookie Remi Prudhomme.
The deep secondary is as small as the front four are big. Only cornerback Butch Byrd has real size (211 pounds). Otherwise, it's 180-pounders Charley Warner and Booker Edgerson competing at left corner, with 5-10 All-AFLer George Saimes and 5-11 Gene Sykes at safety. Ray Abbruzzese and Hagood Clarke are the support troops. Rookie Floyd Hudlow of Arizona should stick, too.
The Buffalo linebackers, supposedly weak, weren't- at least not in '64. Middle linebacker Harry Jacobs covered better on passes; right linebacker Mike Stratton got All-AFL notice and left linebacker John Tracey had his best year, capped by the destruction of San Diego's Keith Lincoln in the championship game. The leading rookie is 225-pound Marty Schottenheimer of Pitt.
Paul Maguire will again do the punting and Pete Gogolak the placekicking. Maguire averaged 42.6 yards, third best in the league. Gogolak, with that sidewinding approach to the ball, made 19 of 28 field goal attempts as a rookie.
This is a sound Buffalo team. But without Cookie, it will not be better than last year- not even as good."
-Dick Kaplan, Pro Football Almanac 1965
"Buffalo's victory over San Diego in the AFL title game marked the first time the Bills lived up to their promise. It also provided a measure of revenge for coach Lou Saban, who had to beat Boston to get into the playoff. (The Patriots had given Lou the boot after one season as head man.)
The Bills had their problems, not the least of which was Cookie Gilchrist's 'trade me' attitude. The management took care of that by swinging a post-season deal with Denver for fullback Billy Joe. A third-year performer, Joe must now prove he's as fine a runner as he was in 1963 when he won Rookie of the Year honors.
Gilchrist, for all the trouble he generated, has to be missed in Buffalo. His rushing total of 981 yards was more than three times that of the next best Buffalo ground gainer. Saban's other problem lies in making a decision between quarterbacks Dayle Lamonica and Jackie Kemp. Kemp got the starting assignment in both the championship game and the preceding division-clinching victory over Boston. Lamonica, on the other hand, has the goods to develop into a top star. The other coaches in the league would love to be 'plagued' by such a decision."
-Harold Rosenthal, Sports All-Stars/1965 Pro Football
1965 Buffalo Bills Preseason Roster
46 Ray Abbruzzese (DB) Alabama
* Al Atkinson (G) Villanova
43 Joe Auer (HB) Georgia Tech
Jim Baffico (C) Nebraska
77 Stew Barber (T) Penn State
27 Glenn Bass (E) East Carolina
Dave Behrman (T) Michigan State
50 Al Bemiller (C) Syracuse
42 Butch Byrd (DB) Boston University
30 Wray Carlton (HB) Duke
45 Hagood Clarke (DB) Florida
* Paul Costa (E) Notre Dame
53 Walt Cudzik (C) Purdue
Bob Curington (HB) North Carolina
* Jim Davidson (T) Ohio State
88 Tom Day (DE) North Carolina A & T
Oliver Dobbins (DB) Morgan State
44 Elbert Dubenion (HB) Bluffton
* Bob Dugan (T) Mississippi State
78 Jim Dunaway (DT) Mississippi
24 Booker Edgerson (DB) Western Illinois
Charley Ferguson (E) Tennessee State
73 George Flint (G) Arizona State
3 Pete Gogolak (K) Cornell
* Doug Goodwin (FB) Maryland State
81 Bill Groman (E) Heidelberg
Henry Hamilton (G) Virginia Union
* Linwood Hart (DB) Virginia State
* John Henry (DE) Boston University
* Ray Hinze (T) Texas A & M
* Floyd Hudlow (DB) Arizona
79 Dick Hudson (T) Memphis State
* Chuck Hurston (DE) Auburn
64 Harry Jacobs (LB) Bradley
Billy Joe (FB) Villanova
74 Tom Keating (DT) Michigan
15 Jack Kemp (QB) Occidental
Malion Kent (QB) Auburn
12 Daryle Lamonica (QB) Notre Dame
55 Paul Maguire (LB) The Citadel
72 Ron McDole (DE) Nebraska
75 Dudley Meredith (DT) Lamar Tech
Joe Meyer (LB) St. Lawrence
* Sullivan Mills (DB) Wichita State
* Don Montgomery (E) North Carolina State
Norm Nicola (C) Notre Dame
Bill Nies (E) South Carolina
67 Joe O'Donnell (T) Michigan
Frank Orgel (E) Georgia
57 Herb Paterra (LB) Michigan State
* Remi Prudhomme (DE) LSU
47 Willie Ross (FB) Nebraska
40 Ed Rutkowski (FL) Notre Dame
26 George Saimes (DB) Michigan State
* Marty Schottenheimer (LB) Pittsburgh
70 Tom Sestak (DT) McNeese State
66 Billy Shaw (G) Georgia Tech
John Skopan (DB) Mississippi Southern
20 Bobby Smith (HB) North Texas State
58 Mike Stratton (LB) Tennessee
23 Gene Sykes (DB) LSU
51 John Tracey (LB) Texas A & M
Woody Ward (DE) Maryland State
84 Ernie Warlick (E) North Carolina Central
22 Charley Warner (DB) Prairie View
* rookie
-Pro Football 1965
1965 Buffalo Bills Preseason Depth Charts
OFFENSE
QB - Jack Kemp (Occidental) 15, Daryle Lamonica (Notre Dame) 12
HB - Wray Carlton (Duke) 30, Bobby Smith (North Texas State) 20, Joe Auer (Georgia Tech) 43
FB - Billy Joe (Villanova), Willie Ross (Nebraska) 47
SE - Glenn Bass (East Carolina) 27, Bill Groman (Heidelberg) 81, Charley Ferguson (Tennessee State)
T - Stew Barber (Penn State) 77, Bob Dugan (Mississippi State)*
G - Billy Shaw (Georgia Tech) 66, Al Atkinson (Villanova)*
C - Walt Cudzik (Purdue) 53, Dave Behrman (Michigan State)
G - Al Bemiller (Syracuse) 50, George Flint (Arizona State) 73
T - Dick Hudson (Memphis State) 79, Joe O'Donnell (Michigan) 67
TE - Ernie Warlick (North Carolina Central) 84, Frank Orgel (Georgia)
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44, Ed Rutkowski (Notre Dame) 40
DEFENSE
DE - Ron McDole (Nebraska) 72, Chuck Hurston (Auburn)*
DT - Jim Dunaway (Mississippi) 78, Tom Keating (Michigan) 74
DT - Tom Sestak (McNeese State) 70, Dudley Meredith (Lamar Tech) 75
DE - Tom Day (North Carolina A & T) 88, Remi Prudhomme (LSU)*
LB - John Tracey (Texas A & M) 51, Jim Moss (South Carolina)
MLB - Harry Jacobs (Bradley) 64, Marty Schottenheimer (Pittsburgh)*
LB - Mike Stratton (Tennessee) 58, Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
CB - Charley Warner (Prarie View) 22, Booker Edgerson (Western Illinois) 24
S - Gene Sykes (LSU) 23, Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45
S - George Saimes (Michigan State) 26, Ray Abbruzzese (Alabama) 46
CB - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42, Oliver Dobbins (Morgan State)
* rookie
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
OFFENSE
QB - Jack Kemp (Occidental) 15, Daryle Lamonica (Notre Dame) 12
HB - Wray Carlton (Duke) 30, Bobby Smith (North Texas State) 20, Joe Auer (Georgia Tech) 43
FB - Billy Joe (Villanova) 33, Donnie Stone (Arkansas) 32
SE - Glenn Bass (East Carolina) 85, Bill Groman (Heidelberg) 81, Charley Ferguson (Tennessee State) 80
T - Stew Barber (Penn State) 77, Jim Davidson (Ohio State)*
G - Billy Shaw (Georgia Tech) 66
C - Walt Cudzik (Purdue) 53, Dave Behrman (Michigan State) 60
G - Al Bemiller (Syracuse) 50, George Flint (Arizona State) 73
T - Dick Hudson (Memphis State) 79, Joe O'Donnell (Michigan) 67
TE - Ernie Warlick (North Carolina Central) 84
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44, Ed Rutkowski (Notre Dame) 40
DEFENSE
DE - Ron McDole (Nebraska) 72
DT - Jim Dunaway (Mississippi) 78, Tom Keating (Michigan) 74
DT - Tom Sestak (McNeese State) 70, Dudley Meredith (Lamar Tech) 75
DE - Tom Day (North Carolina A & T) 88, Remi Prudhomme (LSU)*
LB - John Tracey (Texas A & M) 51, Bill Laskey (Michigan)*
MLB - Harry Jacobs (Bradley) 64, Marty Schottenheimer (Pittsburgh)*
LB - Mike Stratton (Tennessee) 58, Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
CB - Booker Edgerson (Western Illinois) 24, Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
S - Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45, Gene Sykes (LSU) 23
S - George Saimes (Michigan State) 26, Floyd Hudlow (Arizona)*
CB - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42, Oliver Dobbins (Morgan State) 25
SPECIALISTS
K - Pete Gogolak (Cornell) 3
P - Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
KR - Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22, Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45
PR - Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45, Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42
* rookie
1965 Buffalo Bills Profile Summary
Owner - Ralph Wilson
Head Coach - Lou Saban
QB - Jack Kemp (Occidental) 15
QB - Daryle Lamonica (Notre Dame) 12
HB - Wray Carlton (Duke) 30
FB - Billy Joe (Villanova) 33
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44
FL - Bo Roberson (Cornell) 46
SE - Glenn Bass (East Carolina) 85
TE - Ernie Warlick (North Carolina Central) 84
C - Walt Cudzik (Purdue) 53
G - Billy Shaw (Georgia Tech) 66
G - Al Bemiller (Syracuse) 50
G - Al Atkinson (Villanova) 62
T - Stew Barber (Penn State) 77
T - Dick Hudson (Memphis State) 79
T - Jim Davidson (Ohio State) 69
DT - Tom Sestak (McNeese State) 70
DT - Jim Dunaway (Mississippi) 78
DT - Tom Keating (Michigan) 74
DT - Henry Schmidt (USC) 76
DE - Ron McDole (Nebraska) 72
DE - Tom Day (North Carolina A & T) 88
MLB - Harry Jacobs (Bradley) 64
LB - Mike Stratton (Tennessee) 58
LB - John Tracey (Texas A & M) 51
LB - Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
CB - Booker Edgerson (Western Illinois) 24
CB - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42
CB - Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
S - George Saimes (Michigan State) 26
S - Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45
S - Tom Janik (Texas A & I) 27
K - Pete Gogolak (Cornell) 3
P - Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
KR - Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
PR - Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
The same wrecking crew that powered the Bills to the Eastern Division crown and to the championship victory over the San Diego Chargers is back, practically man for man. Stew Barber, Billy Shaw, Walt Cudzik, Al Bemiller and Dick Hudson - from tackle to tackle - last year helped Buffalo ball-carriers carve out 1,945 yards through enemy lines, which was the most powerful rushing demonstration in the league.
The backfield, which had domestic problems as well as medical ones, is loaded for power - if not blinding speed - and the Bills are starting the season with both problems apparently solved. The domestic one was taken care of when they traded Cookie Gilchrist, the two-time ground-gaining champion, to the Denver Broncos in exchange for fullback Billy Joe. Billy is just as big as Cookie is, and is six years younger and much faster in the open field.
He will be spotted in Gilchrist's old running spot, and with that big, mobile line moving out in front of him, he is given an excellent chance of developing into a 1,000-yard man. If Joe makes it then beefy Wray Carlton will remain at halfback, which brings us to the hospital problem. Last year Carlton was out of action until the Bills' final three games, and then he came back strong. He's built more like a fullback - where he would play in the absence of a good one - and he is not a speedster; but according to quarterback Jack Kemp, he's 'as good a blocker as Cookie and a damned underestimated runner.'
Behind Carlton are good runners, too, in Bob Smith and Joe Auer, both with good freshman years behind them. Smith has great outside speed; Auer is more of a slasher. The aforementioned Kemp guides the attack with his great savvy and even greater arm. When things bog down, Daryle Lamonica comes in, and while he can't throw with Kemp, he provides a greater running threat. Coach Lou Saban has indicated that he intends to use them both the same way this season.
When Kemp goes to the air, he has as fine a flanker to throw to as there is in the business in Elbert Dubenion, and there are also excellent targets among split ends Glenn Bass and Bill Groman, and in tight end Ernie Warlick.
The defense, which was also the best in the league last year, is better up close. The front foursome of Ron McDole, Jim Dunaway, Tom Sestak and Tom Day surrendered an average of 68 rushing yards a game. Dud Meredith and Tom Keating are prime backup men. The linebacking, which was a cause of some concern before last season, shaped up magnificently with John Tracey, Harry Jacobs and the menacing Mike Stratton. This year they'll be supported by Marty Schottenheimer, a rookie from Pitt, Herb Paterra, from the taxi squad and by Paul McGuire, obtained on waivers from San Diego.
The Bills are most vulnerable in the deep backfield, where their operatives are relatively small. They were probably saved some embarrassments last year by the strong rushing up front. The cornermen are Butch Byrd and Charley Warner, and the safetymen are George Saimes and Gene Sykes. Anybody looking for a job with the Bills can start shopping here first."
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
"Now that the brutal Bills finally have won the AFL title, they can be counted on to hang to it with the tenacity of a tiger guarding its prey.
If coach Lou Saban has any real concern, it's over whether Billy Joe can perform in the grand style of Cookie Gilchrist, for whom he was traded.
Even if Billy - Rookie of the Year in 1963 - doesn't cut it, there are other possibilities. Wray Carlton, a 220-pound halfback who returned to action late in '64 after an injury, could go just as well as a fullback. In this case, Saban would have such halfbacks as sophomores Bob Smith, a speedster, and Joe Auer, a slasher, both over 200 pounds, as is Willie Ross, Cookie's understudy last season. Bob Currington, who taxied last year, could move ahead of everyone - he's got bulk, blazing speed and more moves than the other backs.
But it's the line that keeps the opposition in the real bind and gives the Bills the all-important ball control when the clock must be eaten. There's no tougher left side than that manned by tackle Stew Barber and Bill Shaw, all-league guard again in '64. Al Bemiller and Dick Hudson are about as effective on the other side. To back them up, the Bills signed their top two draft choices, Ohio State's Jim Davidson and Villanova's Al Atkinson. And Dave Behrman (6'5", 260), No. 1 draft choice of '62, is assured of some spot in this forward wall.
Monsters stalk the defensive line. Particularly terrifying are the defensive tackles, Tom Sestak (272), All-AFL the past three years, and Jim Dunaway (276). Tom Day and Ron McDole are dogged pass rushers and should improve with competition from Remi Prudhomme from LSU.
The linebacking, off in '63, came on strong last year under the revived play of John Tracey and Harry Jacobs, who improved his pass protection. And Mike Stratton made the all-league team.
Buffalo has had little use for the pass. Still, it has the strongest arm in football in Jack Kemp, who can always strike effectively when points are needed; they seldom are. His substitute, Daryle Lamonica, gives Saban a fourth running back.
If you must find a chink in this armor, it could be the age (33) of Ernie Warlick at tight end."
-Bill Wise, 1965 Official Pro Football Almanac
THE PROSPECTS
"The Buffalo Bills thundered to the best record in pro football last year - then gave up on 'thunder.' Or at least that part of it personified by rumbling, grumbling fullback Cookie Gilchrist. He was traded to Denver for Billy Joe, a back of Gilchristian proportions (6-2, 250). Joe was Rookie of the Year in '63 and is six years younger than Cookie. The latter fact might not interest most coaches, but Buffalo coach Lou Saban is more fortunate.
He has a host of hulking linemen, led by All-Star Stew Barber and Billy Shaw (offense) and Tom Sestak (defense); a pair of spectacular receivers in Elbert Dubenion (10 touchdowns) and Glenn Bass (7 touchdowns, including one of 94 yards); a consistent and powerful, if unorthodox, place-kicker in Pete Gogolak; and a pair of hot quarterbacks he uses like pitchers - Jackie Kemp (starting) and Daryle Lamonica (relief).
If there is a weakness, it is in the defensive secondary, but some claim this is a bad rap; the Bill defensive line is so strong (allowing an average of only 65 yards per game) that the secondary sees more action than most.
Toss in a good rookie crop, including the Bills' first two draft picks, and perhaps Buffalo can afford to lose a Cookie Gilchrist. Certainly, no other team in the AFL can."
-Tom Harmon, 1965 Pro Football Almanac (Tom Harmon's Sports Information Book)
THE STARS
"The above are enough big names for any club, but the list hardly scratches the Herd's hide.
Defensively, linebacker Mike Stratton and safety George Saimes were All-AFL picks last year, while cornerback Butch Byrd's rookie season indicated he will soon be in the same class.
On offense, the Bills' running game, a key factor in their ball control ability, will depend a great deal on Joe. However, the load will not be his alone. Late last season, Wray Carlton, a big halfback, came off the injured list to run and block with authority.
The key position, of course, is quarterback. Saban went with Kemp in the crucial final games of last season and Jackie came through with firm, consistent performances (267 attempts, 199 completions). At 29, he should be near his peak and one of the best in the game."
-Tom Harmon, 1965 Football Almanac (Tom Harmon's Sports Information Book)
"They find out the way the Cookie crumbled."
-Dick Kaplan, Pro Football Almanac 1965
The Champions Will Learn What a Difference a Fullback Makes, If His Name is Gilchrist
"The Bills traded one 250-pound fullback for another. Sounds like a fair exchange but it isn't. Billy Joe, acquired from the Broncos, isn't Cookie Gilchrist, exiled to Denver because he was too much trouble in Buffalo. Say what you will about Gilchrist's attitude, he is still the best running back in the AFL. Billy Joe is a good fullback. He was Rookie of the Year in 1963, he is six years younger than Cookie, and maybe a bit faster. Maybe he'll gain as much yardage with the Bills' huge offensive line scooping out holes for him. Maybe. But how about blocking? Gilchrist is also the finest blocking block in pro football.
All this Joe-Gilchrist talk has barbed relevance because Buffalo is basically a running team. The Bills passed only 369 times last year, low for the league. And Gilchrist, blocking and running, made this power game go. If Joe should prove to be just another guy, coach Lou Saban could switch 220-pound veteran Wray Carlton from halfback to fullback. Wray was hurt almost all last season. Most likely he will stay at halfback, keeping faster backs Willie Ross, Joe Auer and Bob Curington moored to the bench. At flanker, Elbert Dubenion broke the league record with 27 yards per pass reception last year.
The only problem at quarterback is that there are two of them. Jackie Kemp is the bomb-thrower while Daryle Lamonica is more of a running, rollout threat. Last year Saban stayed with Kemp in the important games- against Boston for the Eastern title, then against San Diego for the league championship.
The offensive line is well populated, took, except at tight end, where Saban broods that 33-year-old Ernie Warlick may be fraying. Glenn Bass is the split end. He caught 43 passes last year. Stew Barber and Billy Shaw are all-stars at left tackle and left guard. Center Walt Cudzik was good enough to shove Al Bemiller over to right guard- and Bemiller was good enough to make the adjustment in championship style. Dick Hudson returns to play right tackle. Young players complicate matters. Like 260-pound Dave Behrman, who sat out his rookie season with an exhibition game injury. Or top draft picks Jim Davidson of Ohio State, a tackle, and Al Atkinson, a Villanova guard. Saban may trade an interior lineman for a blocking end.
Buffalo has the most rugged defense in the league, particularly against rushing. Credit this to a thundering herd up front: Roland McDole, 280, and Tom Day, 262, at the ends; 270-pound All-Leaguer Tom Sestak and 276-pound Jim Dunaway at the tackles. We'll spare you the arithmetic; they average 272 pounds. Either Dunaway or Day could lose his job to Tom Keating. Tom was a starting tackle as a rookie in '64 before he broke his leg. He also plays end- as does LSU rookie Remi Prudhomme.
The deep secondary is as small as the front four are big. Only cornerback Butch Byrd has real size (211 pounds). Otherwise, it's 180-pounders Charley Warner and Booker Edgerson competing at left corner, with 5-10 All-AFLer George Saimes and 5-11 Gene Sykes at safety. Ray Abbruzzese and Hagood Clarke are the support troops. Rookie Floyd Hudlow of Arizona should stick, too.
The Buffalo linebackers, supposedly weak, weren't- at least not in '64. Middle linebacker Harry Jacobs covered better on passes; right linebacker Mike Stratton got All-AFL notice and left linebacker John Tracey had his best year, capped by the destruction of San Diego's Keith Lincoln in the championship game. The leading rookie is 225-pound Marty Schottenheimer of Pitt.
Paul Maguire will again do the punting and Pete Gogolak the placekicking. Maguire averaged 42.6 yards, third best in the league. Gogolak, with that sidewinding approach to the ball, made 19 of 28 field goal attempts as a rookie.
This is a sound Buffalo team. But without Cookie, it will not be better than last year- not even as good."
-Dick Kaplan, Pro Football Almanac 1965
"Buffalo's victory over San Diego in the AFL title game marked the first time the Bills lived up to their promise. It also provided a measure of revenge for coach Lou Saban, who had to beat Boston to get into the playoff. (The Patriots had given Lou the boot after one season as head man.)
The Bills had their problems, not the least of which was Cookie Gilchrist's 'trade me' attitude. The management took care of that by swinging a post-season deal with Denver for fullback Billy Joe. A third-year performer, Joe must now prove he's as fine a runner as he was in 1963 when he won Rookie of the Year honors.
Gilchrist, for all the trouble he generated, has to be missed in Buffalo. His rushing total of 981 yards was more than three times that of the next best Buffalo ground gainer. Saban's other problem lies in making a decision between quarterbacks Dayle Lamonica and Jackie Kemp. Kemp got the starting assignment in both the championship game and the preceding division-clinching victory over Boston. Lamonica, on the other hand, has the goods to develop into a top star. The other coaches in the league would love to be 'plagued' by such a decision."
-Harold Rosenthal, Sports All-Stars/1965 Pro Football
1965 Buffalo Bills Preseason Roster
46 Ray Abbruzzese (DB) Alabama
* Al Atkinson (G) Villanova
43 Joe Auer (HB) Georgia Tech
Jim Baffico (C) Nebraska
77 Stew Barber (T) Penn State
27 Glenn Bass (E) East Carolina
Dave Behrman (T) Michigan State
50 Al Bemiller (C) Syracuse
42 Butch Byrd (DB) Boston University
30 Wray Carlton (HB) Duke
45 Hagood Clarke (DB) Florida
* Paul Costa (E) Notre Dame
53 Walt Cudzik (C) Purdue
Bob Curington (HB) North Carolina
* Jim Davidson (T) Ohio State
88 Tom Day (DE) North Carolina A & T
Oliver Dobbins (DB) Morgan State
44 Elbert Dubenion (HB) Bluffton
* Bob Dugan (T) Mississippi State
78 Jim Dunaway (DT) Mississippi
24 Booker Edgerson (DB) Western Illinois
Charley Ferguson (E) Tennessee State
73 George Flint (G) Arizona State
3 Pete Gogolak (K) Cornell
* Doug Goodwin (FB) Maryland State
81 Bill Groman (E) Heidelberg
Henry Hamilton (G) Virginia Union
* Linwood Hart (DB) Virginia State
* John Henry (DE) Boston University
* Ray Hinze (T) Texas A & M
* Floyd Hudlow (DB) Arizona
79 Dick Hudson (T) Memphis State
* Chuck Hurston (DE) Auburn
64 Harry Jacobs (LB) Bradley
Billy Joe (FB) Villanova
74 Tom Keating (DT) Michigan
15 Jack Kemp (QB) Occidental
Malion Kent (QB) Auburn
12 Daryle Lamonica (QB) Notre Dame
55 Paul Maguire (LB) The Citadel
72 Ron McDole (DE) Nebraska
75 Dudley Meredith (DT) Lamar Tech
Joe Meyer (LB) St. Lawrence
* Sullivan Mills (DB) Wichita State
* Don Montgomery (E) North Carolina State
Norm Nicola (C) Notre Dame
Bill Nies (E) South Carolina
67 Joe O'Donnell (T) Michigan
Frank Orgel (E) Georgia
57 Herb Paterra (LB) Michigan State
* Remi Prudhomme (DE) LSU
47 Willie Ross (FB) Nebraska
40 Ed Rutkowski (FL) Notre Dame
26 George Saimes (DB) Michigan State
* Marty Schottenheimer (LB) Pittsburgh
70 Tom Sestak (DT) McNeese State
66 Billy Shaw (G) Georgia Tech
John Skopan (DB) Mississippi Southern
20 Bobby Smith (HB) North Texas State
58 Mike Stratton (LB) Tennessee
23 Gene Sykes (DB) LSU
51 John Tracey (LB) Texas A & M
Woody Ward (DE) Maryland State
84 Ernie Warlick (E) North Carolina Central
22 Charley Warner (DB) Prairie View
* rookie
-Pro Football 1965
1965 Buffalo Bills Preseason Depth Charts
OFFENSE
QB - Jack Kemp (Occidental) 15, Daryle Lamonica (Notre Dame) 12
HB - Wray Carlton (Duke) 30, Bobby Smith (North Texas State) 20, Joe Auer (Georgia Tech) 43
FB - Billy Joe (Villanova), Willie Ross (Nebraska) 47
SE - Glenn Bass (East Carolina) 27, Bill Groman (Heidelberg) 81, Charley Ferguson (Tennessee State)
T - Stew Barber (Penn State) 77, Bob Dugan (Mississippi State)*
G - Billy Shaw (Georgia Tech) 66, Al Atkinson (Villanova)*
C - Walt Cudzik (Purdue) 53, Dave Behrman (Michigan State)
G - Al Bemiller (Syracuse) 50, George Flint (Arizona State) 73
T - Dick Hudson (Memphis State) 79, Joe O'Donnell (Michigan) 67
TE - Ernie Warlick (North Carolina Central) 84, Frank Orgel (Georgia)
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44, Ed Rutkowski (Notre Dame) 40
DEFENSE
DE - Ron McDole (Nebraska) 72, Chuck Hurston (Auburn)*
DT - Jim Dunaway (Mississippi) 78, Tom Keating (Michigan) 74
DT - Tom Sestak (McNeese State) 70, Dudley Meredith (Lamar Tech) 75
DE - Tom Day (North Carolina A & T) 88, Remi Prudhomme (LSU)*
LB - John Tracey (Texas A & M) 51, Jim Moss (South Carolina)
MLB - Harry Jacobs (Bradley) 64, Marty Schottenheimer (Pittsburgh)*
LB - Mike Stratton (Tennessee) 58, Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
CB - Charley Warner (Prarie View) 22, Booker Edgerson (Western Illinois) 24
S - Gene Sykes (LSU) 23, Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45
S - George Saimes (Michigan State) 26, Ray Abbruzzese (Alabama) 46
CB - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42, Oliver Dobbins (Morgan State)
* rookie
-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965
OFFENSE
QB - Jack Kemp (Occidental) 15, Daryle Lamonica (Notre Dame) 12
HB - Wray Carlton (Duke) 30, Bobby Smith (North Texas State) 20, Joe Auer (Georgia Tech) 43
FB - Billy Joe (Villanova) 33, Donnie Stone (Arkansas) 32
SE - Glenn Bass (East Carolina) 85, Bill Groman (Heidelberg) 81, Charley Ferguson (Tennessee State) 80
T - Stew Barber (Penn State) 77, Jim Davidson (Ohio State)*
G - Billy Shaw (Georgia Tech) 66
C - Walt Cudzik (Purdue) 53, Dave Behrman (Michigan State) 60
G - Al Bemiller (Syracuse) 50, George Flint (Arizona State) 73
T - Dick Hudson (Memphis State) 79, Joe O'Donnell (Michigan) 67
TE - Ernie Warlick (North Carolina Central) 84
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44, Ed Rutkowski (Notre Dame) 40
DEFENSE
DE - Ron McDole (Nebraska) 72
DT - Jim Dunaway (Mississippi) 78, Tom Keating (Michigan) 74
DT - Tom Sestak (McNeese State) 70, Dudley Meredith (Lamar Tech) 75
DE - Tom Day (North Carolina A & T) 88, Remi Prudhomme (LSU)*
LB - John Tracey (Texas A & M) 51, Bill Laskey (Michigan)*
MLB - Harry Jacobs (Bradley) 64, Marty Schottenheimer (Pittsburgh)*
LB - Mike Stratton (Tennessee) 58, Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
CB - Booker Edgerson (Western Illinois) 24, Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
S - Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45, Gene Sykes (LSU) 23
S - George Saimes (Michigan State) 26, Floyd Hudlow (Arizona)*
CB - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42, Oliver Dobbins (Morgan State) 25
SPECIALISTS
K - Pete Gogolak (Cornell) 3
P - Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
KR - Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22, Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45
PR - Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45, Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42
* rookie
1965 Buffalo Bills Profile Summary
Owner - Ralph Wilson
Head Coach - Lou Saban
QB - Jack Kemp (Occidental) 15
QB - Daryle Lamonica (Notre Dame) 12
HB - Wray Carlton (Duke) 30
FB - Billy Joe (Villanova) 33
FL - Elbert Dubenion (Bluffton) 44
FL - Bo Roberson (Cornell) 46
SE - Glenn Bass (East Carolina) 85
TE - Ernie Warlick (North Carolina Central) 84
C - Walt Cudzik (Purdue) 53
G - Billy Shaw (Georgia Tech) 66
G - Al Bemiller (Syracuse) 50
G - Al Atkinson (Villanova) 62
T - Stew Barber (Penn State) 77
T - Dick Hudson (Memphis State) 79
T - Jim Davidson (Ohio State) 69
DT - Tom Sestak (McNeese State) 70
DT - Jim Dunaway (Mississippi) 78
DT - Tom Keating (Michigan) 74
DT - Henry Schmidt (USC) 76
DE - Ron McDole (Nebraska) 72
DE - Tom Day (North Carolina A & T) 88
MLB - Harry Jacobs (Bradley) 64
LB - Mike Stratton (Tennessee) 58
LB - John Tracey (Texas A & M) 51
LB - Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
CB - Booker Edgerson (Western Illinois) 24
CB - Butch Byrd (Boston University) 42
CB - Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
S - George Saimes (Michigan State) 26
S - Hagood Clarke (Florida) 45
S - Tom Janik (Texas A & I) 27
K - Pete Gogolak (Cornell) 3
P - Paul Maguire (The Citadel) 55
KR - Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
PR - Charley Warner (Prairie View) 22
Sunday, July 6, 2014
1964 Profile: Ernie Warlick
Tight End
No. 84
North Carolina Central
Ernie led Buffalo with 35 receptions in 1962, and in 1963 had 24 receptions for 479 yards, a 20.0 average. He was selected to the AFL All-Star Game both years. An outstanding blocker with impressive speed for his size, Buffalo quarterbacks like to throw to him on third down.
Named to the CIAA All-Conference and Negro All-American teams for three years, Ernie played in the Shrine Game and was an all-star for three of his five seasons in the CFL before joining the Bills.
No. 84
North Carolina Central
Ernie led Buffalo with 35 receptions in 1962, and in 1963 had 24 receptions for 479 yards, a 20.0 average. He was selected to the AFL All-Star Game both years. An outstanding blocker with impressive speed for his size, Buffalo quarterbacks like to throw to him on third down.
Named to the CIAA All-Conference and Negro All-American teams for three years, Ernie played in the Shrine Game and was an all-star for three of his five seasons in the CFL before joining the Bills.
1964 Profile: Daryle Lamonica
Quarterback
No. 12
Notre Dame
"Ready to take over at quarterback on a moment's notice, Daryle Lamonica starts his second AFL season. As a rookie, he completed 33 of 71 passes for three touchdowns as a solid backup man for Kemp last season.
Out of Notre Dame, he's a pureblood AFL player who spurned the NFL to sign with the Bills. His performance in training camp a year ago prompted the Bills to carry him ahead of veteran Warren Rabb. He looms as a solid pro quarterback for the Bills for years to come."
-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964
"More action is planned for Daryle Lamonica this season. The flinger from Fresno, California, a 1963 rookie who passed up a Green Bay offer, was the No. 2 quarterback and an able replacement for Jackie Kemp. He connected on 33 of 71 for 437 yards and had four forwards intercepted.
His arm is so strong that he can throw 40-yarders on a line. Not the scrambler that Kemp is, he prefers to get rid of the ball instead of taking a chance, although he does have the speed and poise to do well as a ball carrier."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1964
"Daryle was a valuable backup quarterback to Jack Kemp last year. He was voted the Most Valuable Player when he completed 20 of 28 passes for a record-breaking 349 yards.
The young quarterback tied a Notre Dame record of four touchdown passes in a game in 1962. Possessing a rifle arm, Daryle gave his top performance in the 1963 Coaches All-America Game."
-1964 Topps No. 31
No. 12
Notre Dame
"Ready to take over at quarterback on a moment's notice, Daryle Lamonica starts his second AFL season. As a rookie, he completed 33 of 71 passes for three touchdowns as a solid backup man for Kemp last season.
Out of Notre Dame, he's a pureblood AFL player who spurned the NFL to sign with the Bills. His performance in training camp a year ago prompted the Bills to carry him ahead of veteran Warren Rabb. He looms as a solid pro quarterback for the Bills for years to come."
-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964
"More action is planned for Daryle Lamonica this season. The flinger from Fresno, California, a 1963 rookie who passed up a Green Bay offer, was the No. 2 quarterback and an able replacement for Jackie Kemp. He connected on 33 of 71 for 437 yards and had four forwards intercepted.
His arm is so strong that he can throw 40-yarders on a line. Not the scrambler that Kemp is, he prefers to get rid of the ball instead of taking a chance, although he does have the speed and poise to do well as a ball carrier."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1964
"Daryle was a valuable backup quarterback to Jack Kemp last year. He was voted the Most Valuable Player when he completed 20 of 28 passes for a record-breaking 349 yards.
The young quarterback tied a Notre Dame record of four touchdown passes in a game in 1962. Possessing a rifle arm, Daryle gave his top performance in the 1963 Coaches All-America Game."
-1964 Topps No. 31
1964 Profile: Jack Kemp
Quarterback
No. 15
Occidental
"Anxious to restore himself to the status of a championship quarterback, Jack Kemp begins his second full season with the Bills.
He's considered a strong, accurate passer. He was the third-ranking AFL passer last season with 194 completions in 384 attempts and 20 touchdowns.
He came to the Bills early in the 1962 season after the Chargers put him on the disabled list. The Bills snapped him up on a waiver technicality.
Out of Occidental College, he led the Chargers to the Western title in both 1960 and 1961."
-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964
"For a fellow who was third-best at his trade of passing in 1963, the season was not particularly bright for Jackie Kemp despite his second-team AFL rating at quarterback. Perhaps too much had been expected of a fellow who'd been All-AFL two years and was the top passer in 1960 with the Chargers. A damaged finger on his throwing hand caused him to miss eight games in '62 after he was traded to Buffalo.
Born in Los Angeles, he's a newspaper columnist and public relations representative between seasons.
Considered to have the strongest throwing arm of all passers, he hit 194 times in 384 attempts for 2,914 yards last year, being outgained only by George Blanda."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1964
"Jack was a star quarterback with the San Diego Chargers before he joined the Bills. With the Chargers, he completed 376 of 770 passe. In 1960, Jack led the American Football League with 211 complete passes and 20 touchdowns.
Last year, his first full season with the Bills, Jack gained 2,914 yards through the airways."
-1964 Topps No. 30
"Jack finished third in the quarterback standings in the AFL last year. He threw 194 completions, 20 touchdown passes and gained 2,914 yards through the air."
-1964 Topps No. 43
No. 15
Occidental
"Anxious to restore himself to the status of a championship quarterback, Jack Kemp begins his second full season with the Bills.
He's considered a strong, accurate passer. He was the third-ranking AFL passer last season with 194 completions in 384 attempts and 20 touchdowns.
He came to the Bills early in the 1962 season after the Chargers put him on the disabled list. The Bills snapped him up on a waiver technicality.
Out of Occidental College, he led the Chargers to the Western title in both 1960 and 1961."
-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964
"For a fellow who was third-best at his trade of passing in 1963, the season was not particularly bright for Jackie Kemp despite his second-team AFL rating at quarterback. Perhaps too much had been expected of a fellow who'd been All-AFL two years and was the top passer in 1960 with the Chargers. A damaged finger on his throwing hand caused him to miss eight games in '62 after he was traded to Buffalo.
Born in Los Angeles, he's a newspaper columnist and public relations representative between seasons.
Considered to have the strongest throwing arm of all passers, he hit 194 times in 384 attempts for 2,914 yards last year, being outgained only by George Blanda."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1964
"Jack was a star quarterback with the San Diego Chargers before he joined the Bills. With the Chargers, he completed 376 of 770 passe. In 1960, Jack led the American Football League with 211 complete passes and 20 touchdowns.
Last year, his first full season with the Bills, Jack gained 2,914 yards through the airways."
-1964 Topps No. 30
"Jack finished third in the quarterback standings in the AFL last year. He threw 194 completions, 20 touchdown passes and gained 2,914 yards through the air."
-1964 Topps No. 43
1964 Profiles: Ed Rutkowski and Bill Groman
ED RUTKOWSKI
Kick Returner-Halfback
No. 40
Notre Dame
"If the Bills fail to find a runner to complement Cookie Gilchrist, look for Ed Rutkowski to help out again in an offensive role.
Born in Kingston, Pennsylvania, he was an unwanted rookie in 1963 until the Bills took him on as a free agent with the idea that a club can never have too many defensive backs. Before long, however, he went to the offense as a runner and receiver when Roger Kochman was injured, and sparkled in a position he hadn't played since high school.
Ed gained 408 yards as a rusher and a receiver; his eventual 1964 position will be determined after the club shapes up in exhibition play."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1964
"Ed surprised and embarrassed a lot of the so-called 'experts' during an exciting rookie campaign last year. Overlooked in the regular draft, Ed was signed as a free agent by the Bills. The former Notre Dame defensive star has the size and speed which is necessary for a top defensive back.
In college, Ed competed in track and was an outstanding wrestler."
-1964 Topps No. 35
BILL GROMAN
Flanker
No. 89
Heidelberg
"Bill Groman is statistical proof that practice can make one almost perfect. Working overtime in drills, this 25-year-old end became proficient enough to gain more yards with caught passes than any other. He pulled in 72 forwards for 1,473 yards, a top average of 20.5 per catch. He was also on the receiving end of the longest touchdown pass reception of the year (92 yards), performances adequate enough to earn all-star recognition at offensive end."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"A halfback, sprinter, broad jumper and all-around track man at Heidelberg, Bill, who had an outstanding year at end, may be used in addition at halfback in 1961.
He was chosen All-AFL last year with 72 passes caught, 1,473 yards gained and 12 touchdowns. Only Denver's Lionel Taylor caught more passes, 92, but Groman with fewer passes gained 238 more yards. His 20.5 average per catch is considered fantastic for pro ball."
-1961 Fleer No. 172
"Groman ran some of the trickiest pass patterns in the AFL last season. He caught 72 passes for 12 touchdowns and a league high of 1,473 yards."
-1961 Topps No. 142
"The touchdown-getter of 1961 was Bill Groman, 26, the all-league offensive end of 1960. He nailed 50 passes, 17 of which were taken in for touchdowns. His average of 23.5 yards per pass received was another league high, all of this done despite his absence from two full games.
His tremendous speed and magic fingers make him a spectacular pass-grabber."
-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook
"Groman made the AFL All-Star team for the second straight year in 1961. He tied an all-time pro mark by snaring 17 touchdown passes. He caught a season total of 50 aerials for 1,175 yards and the remarkable average of 23.5 yards per catch. Bill's receptions tied him for sixth in that department, but his 1,175 yards was the third highest total in the loop.
Groman was sixth in scoring, with 108 points. That's the highest total of points, scored solely on touchdowns, since 1947."
-1962 Fleer No. 49
"All the Oiler brass expect Bill Groman of Tifford, Ohio to recover the dashing style he exhibited as a split end in 1961 when he brought down 17 touchdown passes. A knee operation early in '62 made for a disappointing campaign when he caught only 21 forwards for three scores.
Groman was a tremendous running halfback in college and used his sprinter's speed to befuddle defensive secondaries. If physically sound, he gives the club- along with Hennigan- the best pass-catching duo in the circuit."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963
"Making a comeback with the Broncos, flankerback Bill Groman is searching for the form that made him one of the AFL's most dangerous pass catchers with the Oilers during their 1960-61 championship seasons. He was slowed by a knee injury in 1962.
As a rookie out of small Heidelberg College, he grabbed 72 passes for 1,472 yards in 1960. The next season he caught 50 for 1,175 yards and an AFL record of 17 touchdown passes while compiling a remarkable 23.5 average gain. A dash man in college, he hopes to regain his speed."
-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964
Kick Returner-Halfback
No. 40
Notre Dame
"If the Bills fail to find a runner to complement Cookie Gilchrist, look for Ed Rutkowski to help out again in an offensive role.
Born in Kingston, Pennsylvania, he was an unwanted rookie in 1963 until the Bills took him on as a free agent with the idea that a club can never have too many defensive backs. Before long, however, he went to the offense as a runner and receiver when Roger Kochman was injured, and sparkled in a position he hadn't played since high school.
Ed gained 408 yards as a rusher and a receiver; his eventual 1964 position will be determined after the club shapes up in exhibition play."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1964
"Ed surprised and embarrassed a lot of the so-called 'experts' during an exciting rookie campaign last year. Overlooked in the regular draft, Ed was signed as a free agent by the Bills. The former Notre Dame defensive star has the size and speed which is necessary for a top defensive back.
In college, Ed competed in track and was an outstanding wrestler."
-1964 Topps No. 35
BILL GROMAN
Flanker
No. 89
Heidelberg
"Bill Groman is statistical proof that practice can make one almost perfect. Working overtime in drills, this 25-year-old end became proficient enough to gain more yards with caught passes than any other. He pulled in 72 forwards for 1,473 yards, a top average of 20.5 per catch. He was also on the receiving end of the longest touchdown pass reception of the year (92 yards), performances adequate enough to earn all-star recognition at offensive end."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"A halfback, sprinter, broad jumper and all-around track man at Heidelberg, Bill, who had an outstanding year at end, may be used in addition at halfback in 1961.
He was chosen All-AFL last year with 72 passes caught, 1,473 yards gained and 12 touchdowns. Only Denver's Lionel Taylor caught more passes, 92, but Groman with fewer passes gained 238 more yards. His 20.5 average per catch is considered fantastic for pro ball."
-1961 Fleer No. 172
"Groman ran some of the trickiest pass patterns in the AFL last season. He caught 72 passes for 12 touchdowns and a league high of 1,473 yards."
-1961 Topps No. 142
"The touchdown-getter of 1961 was Bill Groman, 26, the all-league offensive end of 1960. He nailed 50 passes, 17 of which were taken in for touchdowns. His average of 23.5 yards per pass received was another league high, all of this done despite his absence from two full games.
His tremendous speed and magic fingers make him a spectacular pass-grabber."
-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook
"Groman made the AFL All-Star team for the second straight year in 1961. He tied an all-time pro mark by snaring 17 touchdown passes. He caught a season total of 50 aerials for 1,175 yards and the remarkable average of 23.5 yards per catch. Bill's receptions tied him for sixth in that department, but his 1,175 yards was the third highest total in the loop.
Groman was sixth in scoring, with 108 points. That's the highest total of points, scored solely on touchdowns, since 1947."
-1962 Fleer No. 49
"All the Oiler brass expect Bill Groman of Tifford, Ohio to recover the dashing style he exhibited as a split end in 1961 when he brought down 17 touchdown passes. A knee operation early in '62 made for a disappointing campaign when he caught only 21 forwards for three scores.
Groman was a tremendous running halfback in college and used his sprinter's speed to befuddle defensive secondaries. If physically sound, he gives the club- along with Hennigan- the best pass-catching duo in the circuit."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963
"Making a comeback with the Broncos, flankerback Bill Groman is searching for the form that made him one of the AFL's most dangerous pass catchers with the Oilers during their 1960-61 championship seasons. He was slowed by a knee injury in 1962.
As a rookie out of small Heidelberg College, he grabbed 72 passes for 1,472 yards in 1960. The next season he caught 50 for 1,175 yards and an AFL record of 17 touchdown passes while compiling a remarkable 23.5 average gain. A dash man in college, he hopes to regain his speed."
-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964
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