Cornerback
No. 29
Oregon
"Heady, steady ... Chuck Knox's description of Clark, entering his fourth year as a Bills' starter. He never has been a looker-on: he started all four years at Oregon, too.
Clark led Buffalo in interceptions last year with five. He has 14 interceptions in three pro seasons, with a high of seven in '77. This surpasses his college mark of 13.
He's one of the NFL's best young corners but may not get the recognition due him unless the Bills' woeful defense improves. Clark is a very good cover man who likes the challenge of man-to-man coverage, otherwise known as me-and-you, Jack.
Born in Pasadena, but if he wanted to play in a Rose Bowl in his hometown, he should have gone to USC or UCLA. Much closer, too."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
"The Bills' leading interceptor in 1978, Mario has started 43 of 44 games since joining the club in 1976. He tied a Bills record in 1977 with interceptions in four straight games.
One of Mario's majors at Oregon was architecture."
-1979 Topps No. 404
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
1979 Profile: Reggie McKenzie
Guard
No. 67
Michigan
"The other half of perhaps the league's finest guard pair. Only Bob Kuechenberg and Larry Little in Miami would be close.
Mac has played in 101 straight games dating back to 1972 when Buffalo made him its second draft pick. Mac and Joe D. are all that's left from the Electric Company, Buffalo's offensive line in the heyday of O.J. Simpson. Reggie was the juice's main man in Buffalo. Chuck Knox believes he will have his best year in 1979.
Born in Detroit, McKenzie was an All-American at Michigan. He's interested in politics, and also in pulchritude: he married Miss Massachusetts of 1974. He does charity work for the Bills and likes music, reading and racquetball."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
"Reggie's string of consecutive games, which dates to his rookie campaign of 1972, now stands at 101 straight contests as he enters the 1979 season. He has earned All-Pro and All-Conference honors during his career in Buffalo and he won the Wisconsin Pro Football Writers' Award as the NFL's Top Blocking Lineman during 1973.
Reggie has worked in public relations for a hotel."
-1979 Topps No. 468
No. 67
Michigan
"The other half of perhaps the league's finest guard pair. Only Bob Kuechenberg and Larry Little in Miami would be close.
Mac has played in 101 straight games dating back to 1972 when Buffalo made him its second draft pick. Mac and Joe D. are all that's left from the Electric Company, Buffalo's offensive line in the heyday of O.J. Simpson. Reggie was the juice's main man in Buffalo. Chuck Knox believes he will have his best year in 1979.
Born in Detroit, McKenzie was an All-American at Michigan. He's interested in politics, and also in pulchritude: he married Miss Massachusetts of 1974. He does charity work for the Bills and likes music, reading and racquetball."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
"Reggie's string of consecutive games, which dates to his rookie campaign of 1972, now stands at 101 straight contests as he enters the 1979 season. He has earned All-Pro and All-Conference honors during his career in Buffalo and he won the Wisconsin Pro Football Writers' Award as the NFL's Top Blocking Lineman during 1973.
Reggie has worked in public relations for a hotel."
-1979 Topps No. 468
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
1979 Profile: Joe DeLamielleure
Guard
No. 68
Michigan State
No. 68
Michigan State
Joe has played every game for the Bills during his six seasons as a pro. He's been a consensus All-Pro the last four years. He's been selected to four Pro Bowls- and has been in the starting lineup for the last three.
An outstanding blocker for both running and passing, Joe was a No. 1 draft pick in 1973. He was three times All-Big Ten at Michigan State and an All-American as a senior.
In college, Joe majored in criminal justice. As a pro, Joe lays down the law for opposing defenses.
"Consensus All-Pro for the fourth straight season, even without O.J. to block for anymore. Terry Miller should buy Joe D. and Reggie McKenzie steak dinners whenever they ask. Joe D. had a preseason knee injury but didn't miss a game and now has played in 87 consecutive games for the Bills. He's built more like a duplex than an apartment building but, technically, is as fine a blocker as there is in the game.
Born in Detroit, Joe comes from a family of 10 children. He was a tremendous college lineman at Michigan State, the Bills' second first-round pick in 1973 and an instant starter in the pros. Joe works in a bank in the off-season and is part-owner of a restaurant."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
"Joe is a consensus All-Pro selection who has established himself as one of the most outstanding guards in pro football. A perennial Pro Bowl participant, Joe has started every game for the Bills for the past six seasons.
Joe earned invitations to the North-South and Senior Bowl Games after his college career. He spent one winter working in a sheriff's office."
-1979 Topps No. 190
An outstanding blocker for both running and passing, Joe was a No. 1 draft pick in 1973. He was three times All-Big Ten at Michigan State and an All-American as a senior.
In college, Joe majored in criminal justice. As a pro, Joe lays down the law for opposing defenses.
"Consensus All-Pro for the fourth straight season, even without O.J. to block for anymore. Terry Miller should buy Joe D. and Reggie McKenzie steak dinners whenever they ask. Joe D. had a preseason knee injury but didn't miss a game and now has played in 87 consecutive games for the Bills. He's built more like a duplex than an apartment building but, technically, is as fine a blocker as there is in the game.
Born in Detroit, Joe comes from a family of 10 children. He was a tremendous college lineman at Michigan State, the Bills' second first-round pick in 1973 and an instant starter in the pros. Joe works in a bank in the off-season and is part-owner of a restaurant."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
"Joe is a consensus All-Pro selection who has established himself as one of the most outstanding guards in pro football. A perennial Pro Bowl participant, Joe has started every game for the Bills for the past six seasons.
Joe earned invitations to the North-South and Senior Bowl Games after his college career. He spent one winter working in a sheriff's office."
-1979 Topps No. 190
1979 Profiles: Reuben Gant and Ron Howard
REUBEN GANT
Tight End
No. 88
Oklahoma State
"Reuben G., Reuben G., just how good will you ever be? The answer could be this season.
Gant played three years behind Paul Seymour when the latter was needed as a blocking tight end for O.J. Simpson. O.J. left last year and so did Seymour. Gant had the job to himself for the first time and caught 34 passes for 408 yards (12.0) and five touchdowns. He caught 41 the year before as a reserve but for only two scores. The Bills are waiting for him to explode, and he will once the overall offense is stable again.
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Gant blocked for most of his college career at Oklahoma State. He was drafted No. 1 by the Bills in 1974.
Reuben likes to ride horses in the off-season- after breaking them."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
"A strong receiving threat from the tight end position for the Bills, Reuben enjoyed his best game for the club on November 6, 1977. He caught seven passes for 97 yards in a win against the Patriots.
Reuben looks toward a career in broadcasting."
-1979 Topps No. 358
No. 88
Oklahoma State
"Reuben G., Reuben G., just how good will you ever be? The answer could be this season.
Gant played three years behind Paul Seymour when the latter was needed as a blocking tight end for O.J. Simpson. O.J. left last year and so did Seymour. Gant had the job to himself for the first time and caught 34 passes for 408 yards (12.0) and five touchdowns. He caught 41 the year before as a reserve but for only two scores. The Bills are waiting for him to explode, and he will once the overall offense is stable again.
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Gant blocked for most of his college career at Oklahoma State. He was drafted No. 1 by the Bills in 1974.
Reuben likes to ride horses in the off-season- after breaking them."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
"A strong receiving threat from the tight end position for the Bills, Reuben enjoyed his best game for the club on November 6, 1977. He caught seven passes for 97 yards in a win against the Patriots.
Reuben looks toward a career in broadcasting."
-1979 Topps No. 358
RON HOWARD
Tight End
No. 85
Seattle
"Ron has been described as a great competitor. He came to the Cowboys in 1974 as a free agent basketball player with no college football experience but made the squad and and was a valuable and fierce hitter on special teams. Ron was a two-year starter at forward on the Seattle basketball team, turning down an offer to play pro basketball in France to join the NFL. In being drafted by the Seahawks, Ron will be playing in his home state of Washington in 1976."
-1976 Topps No. 298
"Drafted by the Seahawks from the Cowboys before the 1976 campaign, he had an outstanding season in Seattle last year as he was the club's second leading receiver, his longest gainer of the season going for 30 yards. He was a high school All-America in basketball and All-Conference in football as a defensive back, excelling at both positions. Ron played basketball in college and was a two-year starter at forward."
-1977 Topps No. 28
"Ron caught a touchdown pass in the Seahawks' first win ever. It came with 13 seconds remaining in the game as Seattle gained a 17-16 verdict in a preseason contest with the Chargers on August 29, 1976.
Ron turned down an offer to play professional basketball in France."
-1978 Topps No. 143
"Ron has started most of the Seahawks' games at tight end in the club's three-year history. His first touchdown pass came in 1977- a seven-yard reception against the Denver Broncos.
Ron is playing for the Seahawks in front of his hometown fans."
-1979 Topps No. 443
1979 Profile: Bob Chandler
Wide Receiver
No. 81
USC
"Caught 44 passes, his lowest total in four years, but his 13.2 yards per catch was right around his career average. Captain of the NFL's All-Unsung team, Chandler caught 220 passes in four years but has never played in a Pro Bowl.
Perry Mason with a waistline; he will soon have a law degree after applying himself during the off-season. Born April 24, 1949, in Long Beach, California, Chandler has that Surf City look.
The player of the game in USC's 1970 Rose Bowl victory over Michigan when he scored the game's only touchdown, Chandler is a natural athlete who was a quarterback as a USC freshman. He was also on the track team and is a fine golfer.
Chandler runs precise passing patterns, relying on quickness and sure hands."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
"Bob currently ranks second to Elbert Dubenion in all receiving categories on the Bills' all-time list of pass catchers.
He attends law school during the off-season"
-1979 Topps No. 292
No. 81
USC
"Caught 44 passes, his lowest total in four years, but his 13.2 yards per catch was right around his career average. Captain of the NFL's All-Unsung team, Chandler caught 220 passes in four years but has never played in a Pro Bowl.
Perry Mason with a waistline; he will soon have a law degree after applying himself during the off-season. Born April 24, 1949, in Long Beach, California, Chandler has that Surf City look.
The player of the game in USC's 1970 Rose Bowl victory over Michigan when he scored the game's only touchdown, Chandler is a natural athlete who was a quarterback as a USC freshman. He was also on the track team and is a fine golfer.
Chandler runs precise passing patterns, relying on quickness and sure hands."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
"Bob currently ranks second to Elbert Dubenion in all receiving categories on the Bills' all-time list of pass catchers.
He attends law school during the off-season"
-1979 Topps No. 292
1979 Profile: Joe Ferguson
Quarterback
No. 12
Arkansas
"Watched Rome burn all around him while playing first fiddle for six years in Buffalo. Had a great offensive line to protect him at one time, not so great anymore. Same with his receivers and running backs. But Joe plays on.
'Like any quarterback, Joe will improve when he has a better surrounding cast,' says coach Chuck Knox. 'I'm not talking simply about the offense. When the defense can stop people, it won't put such a tremendous burden on the offense, the quarterback in particular. Joe's got a great arm and had some great games for us.'
Born in April 23, 1950, Alvin, Texas, Ferguson was one of Arkansas' great quarterbacks. He was sixth in the AFC in passing last year and fourth in touchdown passes (16)."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
"Ferguson has always been a passer. An underrated quarterback, he has had the misfortune of playing for some outmanned Buffalo Bills teams. With a virtual cast of youngsters and marginal players, Ferguson still finished among the top 10 in NFL quarterback ratings (10th), completing 53% of his passes. With his better supporting cast in 1979, Ferguson could come up a big winner."
-Joel D. Blumberg, Football Forecast 1979
"Joe has moved into second place on the Bills' all-time list in all passing categories.
He threw four touchdown passes in one game against the Patriots on November 23, 1975.
Joe hopes someday to be a coach."
-1979 Topps No. 23
No. 12
Arkansas
"Watched Rome burn all around him while playing first fiddle for six years in Buffalo. Had a great offensive line to protect him at one time, not so great anymore. Same with his receivers and running backs. But Joe plays on.
'Like any quarterback, Joe will improve when he has a better surrounding cast,' says coach Chuck Knox. 'I'm not talking simply about the offense. When the defense can stop people, it won't put such a tremendous burden on the offense, the quarterback in particular. Joe's got a great arm and had some great games for us.'
Born in April 23, 1950, Alvin, Texas, Ferguson was one of Arkansas' great quarterbacks. He was sixth in the AFC in passing last year and fourth in touchdown passes (16)."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
"Ferguson has always been a passer. An underrated quarterback, he has had the misfortune of playing for some outmanned Buffalo Bills teams. With a virtual cast of youngsters and marginal players, Ferguson still finished among the top 10 in NFL quarterback ratings (10th), completing 53% of his passes. With his better supporting cast in 1979, Ferguson could come up a big winner."
-Joel D. Blumberg, Football Forecast 1979
"Joe has moved into second place on the Bills' all-time list in all passing categories.
He threw four touchdown passes in one game against the Patriots on November 23, 1975.
Joe hopes someday to be a coach."
-1979 Topps No. 23
1979 Profile: Terry Miller
Running Back
No. 40
Oklahoma State
"Instant offense. Miller rushed for 1,060 yards as a rookie, re-juicing the Bills' attack after O.J. left. Second to Earl Campbell in the Heisman race of '77 after two straight All-American years at Oklahoma State, some scouts believe that Miller will remain an effective pro longer than Campbell.
Miller's 1,060 was the sixth best ever by an NFL rookie, although accomplished in 16 games. He was one of 11 to crack 1,000 in the NFL last year. He did most of it in the second half of the season after a slow start, common for a rook. Miller's 208 yards rushing against the Giants was the league high.
He also caught 22 passes in '78 to top Bills' running backs.
Born January 7, 1956, in Columbus, Georgia, he has a college degree in finance."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
"One of the NFL's finest rookies in 1978, Terry became a 1,000-yard rusher during his initial campaign. The Bills' leading rusher last season, he ranked fifth in the AFC in that category.
Terry was a consensus All-America pick. He was also the Colorado schoolboy champ in the 60, 100 and 200-yard dashes."
-1979 Topps No. 511
No. 40
Oklahoma State
"Instant offense. Miller rushed for 1,060 yards as a rookie, re-juicing the Bills' attack after O.J. left. Second to Earl Campbell in the Heisman race of '77 after two straight All-American years at Oklahoma State, some scouts believe that Miller will remain an effective pro longer than Campbell.
Miller's 1,060 was the sixth best ever by an NFL rookie, although accomplished in 16 games. He was one of 11 to crack 1,000 in the NFL last year. He did most of it in the second half of the season after a slow start, common for a rook. Miller's 208 yards rushing against the Giants was the league high.
He also caught 22 passes in '78 to top Bills' running backs.
Born January 7, 1956, in Columbus, Georgia, he has a college degree in finance."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
"One of the NFL's finest rookies in 1978, Terry became a 1,000-yard rusher during his initial campaign. The Bills' leading rusher last season, he ranked fifth in the AFC in that category.
Terry was a consensus All-America pick. He was also the Colorado schoolboy champ in the 60, 100 and 200-yard dashes."
-1979 Topps No. 511
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