Running Back
No. 25
North Carolina State
"Roland stepped into the limelight in spectacular fashion for the Bills. In his first starting assignment, November 6, 1977, he rushed for 155 yards on 27 carries to help the club to an upset victory over the Patriots.
Roland returned a kickoff 80 yards in his first varsity game at North Carolina State."
-1979 Topps No. 379
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Thursday, January 11, 2018
1979 Profile: Tom Dempsey
Place Kicker
No. 6
Palomar JC
"Tom holds the NFL mark with a 63-yard field goal for the Saints in 1970. He has worked as the sports director for a radio station."
-1979 Topps No. 317
No. 6
Palomar JC
"Tom holds the NFL mark with a 63-yard field goal for the Saints in 1970. He has worked as the sports director for a radio station."
-1979 Topps No. 317
Friday, December 29, 2017
1979 Profile: Sherman White
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
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
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
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