Linebacker
No. 54
Nebraska
"Ruud appeared in 14 games in 1976 as a backup outside linebacker and special team player. He returned six short kickoffs 68 yards, an 11.3 average. Tom was credited with 26 tackles (19 unassisted) and one fumble recovery last year.
The Bills' top draft choice in 1975, Ruud started three games in 1975 after arriving late at training camp due to contractual problems. He appeared in all 14 games that year.
A unanimous All-Big Eight selection in 1974, Tom also earned Associated Press All-American honorable mention. He led the Cornhuskers with 104 tackles that fall while adding three fumble recoveries and two pass interceptions. Tom was an All-Academic Big Eight choice in both 1973 and 1974 and finished his career with 209 tackles. He played in the Senior Bowl.
A business major interested in banking and public relations, Tom lists music, hunting, fishing and skiing as his hobbies. He has five sisters and a brother."
-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-Radio-TV Guide
Monday, September 26, 2016
Monday, September 19, 2016
1977 Profile: Darnell Powell
Running Back
No. 35
Chattanooga
"The first running back taken by the Bills in the 1976 college draft, Powell appeared in 11 games before injuring his elbow, which required corrective surgery. He was used on special teams and as a backup at both fullback and halfback. Powell had a nifty 20-yard run against the Houston Oilers. He will be given a good shot at fullback this year.'
Powell rushed for over 1,500 yards in three years at Chattanooga. He led the team with 618 yards as a junior when he was also the top kickoff returner with 482 yards in 20 returns, including a 90-yarder for a touchdown. His total offense for three years neared 2,400 yards."
-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-TV-Radio Yearbook
No. 35
Chattanooga
"The first running back taken by the Bills in the 1976 college draft, Powell appeared in 11 games before injuring his elbow, which required corrective surgery. He was used on special teams and as a backup at both fullback and halfback. Powell had a nifty 20-yard run against the Houston Oilers. He will be given a good shot at fullback this year.'
Powell rushed for over 1,500 yards in three years at Chattanooga. He led the team with 618 yards as a junior when he was also the top kickoff returner with 482 yards in 20 returns, including a 90-yarder for a touchdown. His total offense for three years neared 2,400 yards."
-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-TV-Radio Yearbook
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
1977 Profile: Bob Patton
Center-Long Snapper
No. 65
Delaware
"Bob appeared in 12 games last fall, joining the Bills squad after Willie Parker was injured. He was used as a backup center and was the snapper on punts and placement kicks. He impressed the coaches with his aggressiveness and with his improvement during training camp and was one of the final cuts. He re-signed as a free agent.
The mainstay of a strong Delaware offensive line, Patton played at both guard and center before starting all games at center in 1975. He lettered for three years and consistently graded very high with his quickness and agility, two big assets. He can center the ball for punts and field goals.
Bob won eight letters in high school."
-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-Radio-TV Guide
No. 65
Delaware
"Bob appeared in 12 games last fall, joining the Bills squad after Willie Parker was injured. He was used as a backup center and was the snapper on punts and placement kicks. He impressed the coaches with his aggressiveness and with his improvement during training camp and was one of the final cuts. He re-signed as a free agent.
The mainstay of a strong Delaware offensive line, Patton played at both guard and center before starting all games at center in 1975. He lettered for three years and consistently graded very high with his quickness and agility, two big assets. He can center the ball for punts and field goals.
Bob won eight letters in high school."
-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-Radio-TV Guide
Thursday, September 8, 2016
1977 Profile: Willie Parker
Long Snapper-Center
No. 61
North Texas State
"Parker missed the final 12 games of the 1976 season with a knee injury after appearances in 30 straight games with the Bills. His versatility is a major asset- he can play guard or center and is used as a snapper on punts and placement kicks and is a strong special teams player.
He was drafted third by San Francisco in 1971 and spent most of that season on the 49ers reserve squad. He was on the LA reserve list for a full year before being picked up by Buffalo for a future draft choice in September 1973.
Parker was a second team All-Missouri Valley Conference choice as a junior and a first team selection as a senior.
He went back to Texas last winter after spending the two previous off-seasons in Orchard Park. He has passed his insurance examination."
-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-Radio-TV Yearbook
No. 61
North Texas State
"Parker missed the final 12 games of the 1976 season with a knee injury after appearances in 30 straight games with the Bills. His versatility is a major asset- he can play guard or center and is used as a snapper on punts and placement kicks and is a strong special teams player.
He was drafted third by San Francisco in 1971 and spent most of that season on the 49ers reserve squad. He was on the LA reserve list for a full year before being picked up by Buffalo for a future draft choice in September 1973.
Parker was a second team All-Missouri Valley Conference choice as a junior and a first team selection as a senior.
He went back to Texas last winter after spending the two previous off-seasons in Orchard Park. He has passed his insurance examination."
-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-Radio-TV Yearbook
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
1977 Profile: Bob Nelson
Middle Linebacker
No. 56
Nebraska
"Nelson appeared in 14 games last year, mostly on special teams and as a backup middle linebacker. He was involved in 19 tackles and credited with one sack.
He missed most of the 1975 season with a leg injury, being placed on injured reserve after three games. He will challenge for a starting spot in the middle this fall.
Nelson was a teammate, classmate and roommate of Tom Ruud, the Bills' first round pick in the 1975 draft. A second team All-Big Eight selection his last year and a standout performer in the Senior Bowl, he was involved in 198 tackles while picking up three varsity letters. Bob had a pair of fumble recoveries and a pass interception during his career.
A business education major interested in coaching, Bob has worked summers in a family ice cream plant."
-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-Radio-TV Yearbook
No. 56
Nebraska
"Nelson appeared in 14 games last year, mostly on special teams and as a backup middle linebacker. He was involved in 19 tackles and credited with one sack.
He missed most of the 1975 season with a leg injury, being placed on injured reserve after three games. He will challenge for a starting spot in the middle this fall.
Nelson was a teammate, classmate and roommate of Tom Ruud, the Bills' first round pick in the 1975 draft. A second team All-Big Eight selection his last year and a standout performer in the Senior Bowl, he was involved in 198 tackles while picking up three varsity letters. Bob had a pair of fumble recoveries and a pass interception during his career.
A business education major interested in coaching, Bob has worked summers in a family ice cream plant."
-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-Radio-TV Yearbook
Thursday, August 25, 2016
1977 Profile: Keith Moody
Cornerback-Punt Returner
No. 46
Syracuse
"One of the pleasant surprises of the 1976 season. A 10th round pick, Keith ended up leading the Bills in punt returns and kickoff returns and was second on the club with three pass interceptions for 63 yards. He appeared in all 14 games, started twice and was the number one backup at cornerback.
His 67-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Jets tied the game for the Bills and was the Bills' first touchdown on a punt return in three years. Keith was among the AFC leaders in returns in 1976, accumulating 687 return yards. He's quick and aggressive with a bright future.
Moody was an ECAC first team selection in 1975 as the top Syracuse defensive back and punt returner. He picked off six passes in '75 and returned 28 punts for an 8.1 yard average. He earned three letters and played in the American Bowl in 1975, but sat out the 1974 season.
A physical education major interested in counseling and public relations work, his college nickname is 'Juice.'"
-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-Radio-TV Guide
No. 46
Syracuse
"One of the pleasant surprises of the 1976 season. A 10th round pick, Keith ended up leading the Bills in punt returns and kickoff returns and was second on the club with three pass interceptions for 63 yards. He appeared in all 14 games, started twice and was the number one backup at cornerback.
His 67-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Jets tied the game for the Bills and was the Bills' first touchdown on a punt return in three years. Keith was among the AFC leaders in returns in 1976, accumulating 687 return yards. He's quick and aggressive with a bright future.
Moody was an ECAC first team selection in 1975 as the top Syracuse defensive back and punt returner. He picked off six passes in '75 and returned 28 punts for an 8.1 yard average. He earned three letters and played in the American Bowl in 1975, but sat out the 1974 season.
A physical education major interested in counseling and public relations work, his college nickname is 'Juice.'"
-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-Radio-TV Guide
Friday, August 19, 2016
1977 Profile: Mike Montler
Center
No. 53
Colorado
"Montler put together another outstanding season in 1976, anchoring the offensive line. He now has started 49 straight games since moving in midway though the 1973 season to replace the injured Bruce Jarvis. Montler had a painful leg injury in 1974 but did not miss a start.
A steady, consistent player with a sense of humor that keeps the squad loose, Mike came to Buffalo from New England as a tackle but easily made the switch to center. He was involved in the trade that brought Jim Cheyunski and Halvor Hagen to the Bills. A second round draft choice of the Pats in 1969, Mike was a starter on the Patriots' offensive line for four years. He's the oldest man on the Bills' roster.
He won All-America and All-Big Eight honors as a tackle for Eddie Crowder at Colorado. Captain of the Buffaloes as a senior, he captured the Ernie Davis Memorial Award in the 1969 Coaches' All-America Game. Mike was a member of the Blue-Grey, Hula and Senior Bowl squads and the College All-Star team.
Mike played service football during a four-year tour in the Marine Corps. His duty stations included San Diego and Okinawa. His undergraduate major at Colorado was business with a minor in journalism. He's worked in the off-season with a Sheriff's department and in the PR departments of both a bank and a real estate firm. Mike is one of the squad's better racquetball players."
-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-TV-Radio Guide
No. 53
Colorado
"Montler put together another outstanding season in 1976, anchoring the offensive line. He now has started 49 straight games since moving in midway though the 1973 season to replace the injured Bruce Jarvis. Montler had a painful leg injury in 1974 but did not miss a start.
A steady, consistent player with a sense of humor that keeps the squad loose, Mike came to Buffalo from New England as a tackle but easily made the switch to center. He was involved in the trade that brought Jim Cheyunski and Halvor Hagen to the Bills. A second round draft choice of the Pats in 1969, Mike was a starter on the Patriots' offensive line for four years. He's the oldest man on the Bills' roster.
He won All-America and All-Big Eight honors as a tackle for Eddie Crowder at Colorado. Captain of the Buffaloes as a senior, he captured the Ernie Davis Memorial Award in the 1969 Coaches' All-America Game. Mike was a member of the Blue-Grey, Hula and Senior Bowl squads and the College All-Star team.
Mike played service football during a four-year tour in the Marine Corps. His duty stations included San Diego and Okinawa. His undergraduate major at Colorado was business with a minor in journalism. He's worked in the off-season with a Sheriff's department and in the PR departments of both a bank and a real estate firm. Mike is one of the squad's better racquetball players."
-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-TV-Radio Guide
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