Defensive End
No. 83
California
"Sherman tank. Built to destroy, but has practiced self-destruction most of his pro career. The second player taken in the entire 1972 draft, by Cincinnati, he hasn't come close to All-Pro or even a Pro Bowl. White shouldn't feel alone: Walt Patulski, Dave Butz and John Matuszak haven't either.
He wasn't a particular favorite of Bengals' majordomo Paul Brown and was traded to the Bills in 1976. White has been a starter all three of his years in Buffalo.
The sleeping giant may have awakened in 1978, having probably his best year as a pro. He might hit his peak this autumn.
Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, White was an All-American at California after having played just two games of football in high school."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
Friday, December 29, 2017
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
1979 Profile: Keith Moody
Kick Returner-Cornerback
No. 46
Syracuse
"Buffalo was past the point of no returns when it drafted Moody 10th in 1976. One year later he finished fourth in the NFL bringing back punts, including club records for return average, 13.1, and the longest return, 91 yards- also the longest in the league that season.
One-year flash? Forget it. Moody returned last year with an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown, tying the Jets' Bruce Harper for the longest return in the league. Moody and Harper had identical 12.6 return averages, second in the NFL to Denver's Rick Upchurch.
Moody was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. A star defensive back at Syracuse, he backs up Mario Clark at left cornerback for the Bills."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
No. 46
Syracuse
"Buffalo was past the point of no returns when it drafted Moody 10th in 1976. One year later he finished fourth in the NFL bringing back punts, including club records for return average, 13.1, and the longest return, 91 yards- also the longest in the league that season.
One-year flash? Forget it. Moody returned last year with an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown, tying the Jets' Bruce Harper for the longest return in the league. Moody and Harper had identical 12.6 return averages, second in the NFL to Denver's Rick Upchurch.
Moody was born in Salisbury, North Carolina. A star defensive back at Syracuse, he backs up Mario Clark at left cornerback for the Bills."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
Friday, December 8, 2017
1979 Profiles: Tony Greene and Bill Simpson
TONY GREENE
Free Safety
No. 43
Maryland
"A second-story man who makes his living in the fall by stealing- 36 interceptions in seven pro seasons, including a pair of nines (1974 and 1977). A charmer with his smile, a player throughout- one of those 'where-do-you-want-me-play, coach' types.
Greene started with the Bills as a cornerback, then switched to free safety. He has played hurt; one year it looked like Tony couldn't play because of a knee injury, but he came back to the secondary when he couldn't walk without limping.
Born in Bethesda, Maryland, he was a defensive back and sprinter at Maryland and signed with the Bills as a free agent. Greene holds the Buffalo record with a 101-yard interception return in 1976. He has played in two Pro Bowls."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
"A co-holder of a Bills club record with three interceptions in one game, October 30, 1977, Tony has sure hands. Tony was the Bills' Man of the Year in 1976."
-1979 Topps No. 118
No. 43
Maryland
"A second-story man who makes his living in the fall by stealing- 36 interceptions in seven pro seasons, including a pair of nines (1974 and 1977). A charmer with his smile, a player throughout- one of those 'where-do-you-want-me-play, coach' types.
Greene started with the Bills as a cornerback, then switched to free safety. He has played hurt; one year it looked like Tony couldn't play because of a knee injury, but he came back to the secondary when he couldn't walk without limping.
Born in Bethesda, Maryland, he was a defensive back and sprinter at Maryland and signed with the Bills as a free agent. Greene holds the Buffalo record with a 101-yard interception return in 1976. He has played in two Pro Bowls."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1979 Edition
"A co-holder of a Bills club record with three interceptions in one game, October 30, 1977, Tony has sure hands. Tony was the Bills' Man of the Year in 1976."
-1979 Topps No. 118
BILL SIMPSON
Free Safety
No. 45
Michigan State
"A key member of the Rams' improving young secondary, Bill was voted the club's Most Outstanding Defensive Back for 1975, his first season as a starter. In '75 he led the club in interceptions, recovered five fumbles, recovered a blocked punt against the 49ers that resulted in a touchdown and was often seen as an effective safety blitzer for the club.
An All-Big 10 selection, Bill led the conference in punt returns and in punting in 1972."
-1977 Topps No. 406
"One of the young leaders of a Ram secondary that is one of the best in pro football, Bill tied for second among NFC interceptors last season. Opposing receivers and runners consider Bill one of the NFL's hardest hitters and tacklers.
Bill's freckles and red hair make him resemble Huckleberry Finn."
-1978 Topps No. 209
"Bill tied a Rams club record for most interceptions in one game when he picked off three in a contest againt the 49ers in 1977. He continues to enhance his reputation as a 'hitter.'
Bill was an All-Big 10 center fielder at Michigan State."
-1979 Topps No. 312
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
1979 Profile: Mario Clark
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
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 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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)