1979 Profile: Steve Freeman

Strong Safety
No. 22
Mississippi State
After playing all 14 games in each of his first three pro seasons, Steve played all 16 last year. He led all Buffalo defensive backs with 109 tackles, including 59 unassisted.
A three-year starter at Mississippi State, Steve led the team in interceptions his final two years. He played in the North-South and Senior Bowl games.

1979 Profile: Charles Romes

Cornerback
No. 26
North Carolina Central
After playing all 14 games as a rookie in 1977, Charles started all 16 last season. His big moment came in  Buffalo's home game against the Jets when he returned an intercepted pass 85 yards for a touchdown. It was the longest interception return in the AFC in '78 and the second longest in the NFL.
Charles was the last player drafted by the Bills in '77 after playing just one year of college football, yet his raw talent and outstanding physical tools were recognized. He was the national junior college champion in the 60 and 120-yard high hurdles and has run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.

1979 Profile: Isiah Robertson

Linebacker
No. 58
Southern

"A superb rookie as an outside linebacker for the Rams in 1971, Isiah was voted as the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in the NFL. His college honors included AP and UPI Small College All-American and Sporting News All-American. The tenth player selected in the 1971 college draft, he had 11 interceptions at Southern."

-1972 Topps No. 215

"Stationed at weakside linebacker, Isiah has become one of the most honored Rams. Selected in the first round of the 1971 draft, he was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year."

-1973 Topps No. 65

"Isiah surprises opposing offenses with aggressiveness and pursuit. He had an outstanding rookie season in 1971."

-1974 Topps No. 285

"The first touchdown of Isiah's pro career came when he intercepted a pass against the Giants in 1973 and returned it 49 yards for a score. He won all sorts of honors in his rookie season including selection to the Pro Bowl."

-1975 Topps No. 271

ALL-PRO LINEBACKER

"An All-American out of Southern University, Isiah played in the 1971 and 1973 Pro Bowls. In '73 he made two fumble recoveries. In the off-season, Isiah enjoys baseball and basketball."

-1975 Topps No. 219

"A starter for the Rams since his rookie season, Isiah was an immediate sensation. He intercepted a fourth-quarter pass in the Rams' 1974 playoff win over the Redskins."

-1976 Topps No. 226

"Isiah was accorded an All-Pro nomination once again in 1976 and was named to the Pro Bowl for the fifth time. He swiped an aerial against the Eagles in 1975 and roared 76 yards to score. He picked off a pass against the Redskins in a 1974 playoff game and returned it 59 yards in a 19-10 Ram victory.

Isiah intercepted 11 passes in three years at Southern University. He was selected as an All-American in his senior year by The Sporting News."

-1977 Topps No. 430

"The tenth player selected in the 1971 college draft, Isiah was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He has been an All-Pro ever since.

Isiah was nicknamed 'Butch' by his teammates."

-1978 Topps No. 130

1979

Isiah reunites with former Ram head coach Chuck Knox to provide a steadying veteran presence to the young Bill linebacking corps. The 1971 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, he was twice a first-team All-Pro and six times a Pro Bowl selection.
He had a 49-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Giants in 1973, and in a 1974 playoff game against the Redskins returned a fourth-quarter interception 59 yards for a touchdown in a 19-10 Ram win.
Isiah was a UPI and AP small college All-American and a Sporting News All-American.

The gospel according to Isiah Robertson: "My only gripe in L.A. was money. The Rams wouldn't give me what I wanted and Buffalo did. It's much more enjoyable to be with a bunch of guys who are working together than to be on a championship team where everybody's pulling apart. The Rams aren't losers on the football field, but, as far as I'm concerned, they are as people. There are a bunch of nice guys here [in Buffalo] you can communicate with, not a bunch of back-stabbers."

-from News, Quotes & Comments, Football Digest (December 1979)

1979 Profile: Lucius Sanford

Linebacker
No. 57
Georgia Tech
Lucius played all 16 games as a rookie last year, 15 as a starter, beginning with the second game. He led the Bills with 116 tackles (71 solos, also leading the club) and with five quarterback sacks. Against Kansas City, Lucius became the first player in Buffalo history to block two field goals in one game. He blocked a punt against Baltimore, setting up Buffalo's first touchdown, and intercepted a pass against the Giants, returning it 41 yards.
A four-year starter at Georgia Tech, Lucius was a second-team Associated Press All-American in 1977 after receiving honorable mention in '75 and '76.

1979 Profile: Ben Williams

Defensive End
No. 77
Mississippi
After playing all 14 games in 1977, Ben played all 16 in 1978. He had no trouble adjusting to coach Knox's 3-4 defense, teaming with Sherman White to give Buffalo a solid defensive end tandem.
Known for his quickness as a nose guard at Ole Miss, both AP and UPI selected Ben All-Southeastern Conference and honorable mention All-America. He played in the Senior Bowl.

1979 Profiles: Ken Jones and Rockne Freitas

KEN JONES

Offensive Tackle
No. 72
Arkansas State
Very quick and agile, Ken is the unsung stalwart who completes the offensive line of the Bills. He played all 16 games, starting 15, after playing all 14 games in 1977.
Ken was a first-team All-American who as a guard paved the way for the top rushing offense in college football. He was a two-year starter who returned after an appendectomy in his sophomore year.
Ken, a member of the Bills' basketball team, also likes to play racquetball.

ROCKNE FREITAS

Offensive Tackle

No. 78

Oregon State

"After an outstanding prep career in Hawaii, Rockne enjoyed a fine college career at Oregon State. Picked for the College All-Star Game at Chicago and the Coaches' All-America Game at Atlanta, he was first drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Acquired by Detroit in 1967, he spent that season as a member of the Lion taxi squad. In 1968 he came on strong in the limited duty he saw. Given a chance in 1969,  he broke into the starting lineup. He has good charge and speed and is still learning.

Rockne was named after legendary coach Knute Rockne."

-1970 Topps No. 96

"Moving rapidly toward becoming one of the finest tackles in the NFL, Rockne was put into a starting slot by the Lions late in the 1968 campaign and has been a regular ever since. Acquired by the Lions from Steelers for a draft choice in 1968, he played in the 1966 College All-Star Game in Chicago and Coaches' All-America Game in Atlanta. Rockne possesses fine moves and agility for a big man and he's very aggressive. He was born in Hawaii."

-1972 Topps No. 94

"Considered by many observers to be the most underrated offensive tackle in pro football, Rockne possesses great mobility for his size.

He has been an outstanding starter for Detroit ever since he moved into the regular lineup late in the 1968 season. Rockne was acquired by the Lions for a draft choice in a deal with Pittsburgh in 1967."

-1973 Topps No. 351

"Rockne has developed into one of the league's finest tackles since moving into the starting lineup for the Lions late in the 1968 season. At Oregon State he was picked for the 1967 College All-Star Game, the Hula Bowl and the Coaches' All-America Game.

Rockne is one of Hawaii's best known athletes."

-1974 Topps No. 497

"Rockne came to the Lions in his rookie season from the Steelers. He spent all of 1967 and part of 1968 on the taxi squad before moving into the starting lineup. He has started every game for the Lions beginning with the final eight games of 1968.

Named Lions MVP for 1972, he played in the College All-Star Game, the Hula Bowl and the Coaches' All-America Game. He played prep ball in his native Hawaii."

-1975 Topps No. 102

"A gigantic offensive tackle who has been a fixture on the right side of the Lions' line for the past seven seasons, Rockne has started 99 consecutive games since taking over in the final game of the 1968 season. Voted the Lions' Most Valuable Offensive Player in 1972, he was selected to the Pro Bowl squad after the 1972 season. A center in college, Rockne played in the 1965 Rose Bowl against Michigan.

He's extremely strong."

-1976 Topps No. 314

R.I.P. Billy Kinard

An Original Bill