Jim Breech, the Lions' eighth-round draft choice of 1978 out of the University of California and the Raiders' kicker in 1978 and '79, "joined Bengals, 11-25-80, and was a key factor in 2 late-season victories with clutch field goals," says his 1982 card.
Ross Browner’s 1979 card: “Ross suffered an injury early in 1978 but came back to show great promise during the 2nd half of campaign. A consensus All-American from the Notre Dame National Championship Team of 1977, he has great strength and he’s a highly intense player. Ross was the most honored and decorated lineman in college football during the 1976 & 1977 seasons. Ross is one of 8 children.”
Pete Johnson became a Bengals starter in his rookie season after being made a second round draft choice in 1977 out of Ohio State. Pete Johnson's 1978 card: "Pete was an academic all-American. The acquisition of Pete gives the Bengals a chance to reunite the Ohio State backfield that dominated the Big 10 for 3 years. Last season he won a spot on Bengals' unit alongside college runningmate Archie Griffin. Pete was the leading scorer in Ohio State and Big 10 history with 58 touchdowns. He was the NCAA scoring champion in both 1975 & 1976." "Pete is an avid boater," says his 1979card.
The first catch of Don Bass's career at the University of Houston went for a 60-yard touchdown, says his 1977 card.
Says Ken Anderson's 1976 card, "The leading active passer in the AFC, Ken led conference quarterbacks in 1975 for 2nd consecutive season. Ken is a strong and powerful runner when occasions warrant." His 1981 card says he's "associated with a real estate firm."
Jim LeClair's 1976 card labels him "a top college wrestler" and "a head-hunter type." And his 1981 card adds that LeClair "enjoys raising and showing Dobermans" and "is annually among NFL's leading tacklers."
Archie Griffin's 1977 card chronicles his collegiate distinctions: two Heisman Trophies, 31 consecutive games with 100 or more yards rushing, 5,177 yards rushing during his Ohio State career and 6,003 all-purpose yards.
Isaac Curtis's 1976 card says he is "famous for catching the long-gain bombs" and "considered by many to be the fastest man in pro football." He was a track star at San Diego State, says his 1981 card.
A two-year letterman as an offensive tackle at Jackson State, Coy Bacon went undrafted and signed as a free agent with the Rams in 1968. He joined the Chargers in 1973 and returned an interception that season 80 yards for a score. "Came to Bengals in off-season trade involving Charlie Joiner, 4-2-76," says his 1977 card.
Scott Perry, says his 1979 card, "works in public administration in his hometown of Wilton, Conn."
Charles Alexander's 1981 card says he "holds 27 LSU records."
"Pat (McInally) was a Rhodes Scholar candidate at Harvard," says his 1981 card. "Pat is very adept at punting the ball out of bounds in the 'coffin corner.' He's also a fine receiver with good hands and speed."
Dan Ross "was voted New England player of the year in 1978," says his 1981 card. Ross was the Benglas second-round draft choice in 1979, out of Northeastern.
Jack Thompson, says his 1981 card, has two NFL-ing cousins. "A young and highly respected quarterback with tremendous potential."
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
New York Giants cards
Jim Stienke was in on two field-goal blocks as part of the Giants' special teams in 1974 and two punt blocks in 1975, says his 1977 card.
Jim Clack, says his 1979 card, "was an honor student in high school ... He was a center at Pittsburgh until the 1974 season, then switched to guard where he was a starter in 2 Super Bowl wins. Jim was the top blocker in the Atlantic Coast Conference his senior campaign at Wake Forest."
Gary Jeter’s 1980 card: “One of his best games was in 1978 vs. Cowboys when he had 7 tackles, one QB sack and 2 blocked passes. A nephew of two former NFL players, Tony and Bob Jeter …”
Phil Simms's 1980 card says he "became Gaints' starting quarterback midway through the 1979 season and was selected to NFL's All-Rookie Team last season. Holds Morehead State marks for 5545 yards & 32 TD's." A high-school baseball hurler, adds his 1981 card.
Ray Rhodes started out as a Texas Christian running back but transferred to Tulsa and joined Drew Pearson among the wide receivers, says Rhodes's 1977 card.
After starring at Northern Illinois, Jerry Golsteyn was New York's 12th-round draft choice of NFL76. After leading the Giants to preseason wins over the Oilers, Steelers and Packers, Golsteyn suffered a knee injury and missed most of his rookie season. "Jerry is one of 6 brothers, all of share the first initial 'J,'" says his 1978 card.
Brad Van Pelt's 1979 card says his coming-of-age performance was a 10-tackle, two-interception effort in a 24-10 win over Detroit in 1976. Two Van Pelt brothers were high-school coaches. Brad was a baseball-pitching prospect, says his 1981 card.
Joe Danelo, a 10th-round draftee of the Dolphins in 1975, emerged as the Packers' replacement for injured Chester Marcol in 1975 and finished the season as NFC's fifth-leading kicker. Danelo, says his 1977 card, "stays in top condition by playing soccer as a physical and kicking conditioner during the off-season." His 1981 card: "Joe plays the concertina for his principle hobby. Joe is the only kicker in Giants' history to have more than one field goal of 50 yards or more. Joe had a pass reception in 1979."
Harry Carson's 1980 card says 1978-79 Giant quarterback Fred Besana is the son of 1956 Oriole pitcher Cyril Besana. Carson's 1981 card: "Harry is a devoteee of television soap operas. ... He had 8 tackles and an interception in the 1980 Pro Bowl."
A 14th-round draft choice in 1973, Brian Kelley became a Giants starter in his second year with the team and ended up as New York's leading tackler, his 1976 card says. "Brian owns and operates his own restaurant," says his 1981 card, depicting him in a tuxedo and holding a menu in front of a woman with deep-cut dress."
"Johnny (Perkins) specialized in 100 & 200-yard dashes on Abilene Christian track team," says his 1978 card. "... He began college career at Ranger J.C. in Texas then transferred to Abilene Christian where he had dramatic first season. Johnny caught 50 passes for 1195 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead NAIA receivers during junior campaign."
Dave Jennings roots for the Boston Red Sox, his 1981 card says.
Jim Clack, says his 1979 card, "was an honor student in high school ... He was a center at Pittsburgh until the 1974 season, then switched to guard where he was a starter in 2 Super Bowl wins. Jim was the top blocker in the Atlantic Coast Conference his senior campaign at Wake Forest."
Gary Jeter’s 1980 card: “One of his best games was in 1978 vs. Cowboys when he had 7 tackles, one QB sack and 2 blocked passes. A nephew of two former NFL players, Tony and Bob Jeter …”
Phil Simms's 1980 card says he "became Gaints' starting quarterback midway through the 1979 season and was selected to NFL's All-Rookie Team last season. Holds Morehead State marks for 5545 yards & 32 TD's." A high-school baseball hurler, adds his 1981 card.
Ray Rhodes started out as a Texas Christian running back but transferred to Tulsa and joined Drew Pearson among the wide receivers, says Rhodes's 1977 card.
After starring at Northern Illinois, Jerry Golsteyn was New York's 12th-round draft choice of NFL76. After leading the Giants to preseason wins over the Oilers, Steelers and Packers, Golsteyn suffered a knee injury and missed most of his rookie season. "Jerry is one of 6 brothers, all of share the first initial 'J,'" says his 1978 card.
Brad Van Pelt's 1979 card says his coming-of-age performance was a 10-tackle, two-interception effort in a 24-10 win over Detroit in 1976. Two Van Pelt brothers were high-school coaches. Brad was a baseball-pitching prospect, says his 1981 card.
Joe Danelo, a 10th-round draftee of the Dolphins in 1975, emerged as the Packers' replacement for injured Chester Marcol in 1975 and finished the season as NFC's fifth-leading kicker. Danelo, says his 1977 card, "stays in top condition by playing soccer as a physical and kicking conditioner during the off-season." His 1981 card: "Joe plays the concertina for his principle hobby. Joe is the only kicker in Giants' history to have more than one field goal of 50 yards or more. Joe had a pass reception in 1979."
Harry Carson's 1980 card says 1978-79 Giant quarterback Fred Besana is the son of 1956 Oriole pitcher Cyril Besana. Carson's 1981 card: "Harry is a devoteee of television soap operas. ... He had 8 tackles and an interception in the 1980 Pro Bowl."
A 14th-round draft choice in 1973, Brian Kelley became a Giants starter in his second year with the team and ended up as New York's leading tackler, his 1976 card says. "Brian owns and operates his own restaurant," says his 1981 card, depicting him in a tuxedo and holding a menu in front of a woman with deep-cut dress."
"Johnny (Perkins) specialized in 100 & 200-yard dashes on Abilene Christian track team," says his 1978 card. "... He began college career at Ranger J.C. in Texas then transferred to Abilene Christian where he had dramatic first season. Johnny caught 50 passes for 1195 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead NAIA receivers during junior campaign."
Dave Jennings roots for the Boston Red Sox, his 1981 card says.
Detroit Lions cards
Ray Oldham's 1981 card says he "is an owner of a chemical plant."
Levi Johnson, Detroit's third-round draft choice of 1973 out of Texas A&I, "led the Lions with 5 interceptions in each of his first two seasons," says his 1975 card. "He started his rookie season as free safety but was switched to corner after first two games. Had 22 interceptions at Texas A&I."
Luther Bradley's 1980 card calls him "one of the NFC's best defensive backs," and his 1981 card says he's an off-season stockbroker.
Gary Danielson's 1979 card says he "became Lions' starting quarterback in 1978 and turned in admirable job throughout campaign. He led club to a 13-10 upset win against Colts during 1977. Gary holds for the Lions' placekicks." His 1981 card says that Danielson "once worked on an assembly line."
Tom Skladany did not play in 1977 after the Browns made the former Ohio State star their second-round draft choice that spring. He was traded to the Lions in 1978. "One of the finest punters and placekickers ever to come out of the collegiate ranks, Tom led the NFC in punting last season," says his All-Pro 1979 card. "He's a 3-time All-America selection and holder of every major kicking record at Ohio State. Had 59-yard field goal. Tom's father and 3 uncles also played in the NFL." Skladany’s 1981 card: “His punts at Ohio State were called ‘Beer Can’ or ‘Non-Returnable’ by Buckeye Coach Woody Hayes. Tom played in 3 Rose Bowls.”
Ed Murray’s 1981 card points out that he was named MVP of the 1981 Pro Bowl.
“Stan (White) has a law practice during the off-season,” says his 1981 card. “Stan helps Lions with experience and savvy.”
David Hill's 1980 card says Detroit's second-round draft choice out of Texas A&I in 1976 had become the Lions' all-time leader in receptions by a tight end through four seasons. "Once worked as a television camerman" says his 1981 card.
Greg Landry completed his first six passes as a pro, says his 1975 card.
After training-camp knee surgery limited his play as a rookie in 1974, Dexter Bussey led the Lions in rushing in 1975 and was named the team's most valuable offensive player, says his 1977 card.
Horace King carried the ball a Lions-record 32 times in a game against the Patriots in 1976, says his 1978 card.
Steve Owens in 1971 became the first Lion to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
Leonard Thompson, an eighth-round draft choice out of Oklahoma State in 1975, played wide receiver, running back and special teams for the Lions, says his 1978 card. His 1981 card says the Lions utilize Thompson as "shuttle receiver, bringing plays from bench."
Howard Payne went 10-1-1 during Ken Sanders's senior 1971 season. He was the Lions' third-round draft choice in 1972, and he started every regular-season game on the Detroit defensive line from 1973 through '78, according to his 1979 card.
Doug English--a three-time Southwest Conference champion at Texas--was active in the NFL Players Association, according to his 1978 card.
Jim Laslavic "follows Detroit tradition of having Pennsylvanians at middle linebacker spot, his predecessors being Mike Lucci and Joe Schmidt in recent years," says Laslavic's 1977 card.
James "Hound" Hunter became a starter in his first season after Detroit made him a first-round draft choice out of Grambling in 1976. In his first game in the first unit, against Seattle, he scored on a 70-yard return. Later that season, against New England, he returned an interception 76 yards for a score. He finished with a team-high seven interceptions, according to his 1978 card.
Joe Reed "became the Lions' starting quarterback in 1975 after injuries to Greg Landry & Bill Munson. ... Hobby is singing," says his 1976 card.
Al "Bubba" Baker's 1981 card chronicles his last four sack totals: an NFL-high 18 in 1980, 16 in 1979, 23 as a rookie in 1978 and 20 as a senior at Colorado State in 1977. "His personal high was 5 quarterback sacks in a game vs. Buccaneers in 1978. Al was selected as NFL's Defensive Lineman of Year for 1978."
Dave Pureifory's 1982 card: "Dave enjoyed perhaps his finest season in 1980 when he was selected as Lions' Most Valuable Defensive Player by his teammates ... He's been a regular performer since joining the Lions midway through 1978."
Jim Allen's nickname is "Spiderman," says his 1981 card.
Ken Fantetti's 1981 card: "Ken once made 22 tackles in a game at Wyoming. Known as a 'deluxe hitter' when he was drafted by the Lions, Ken has shown dramatic improvement with added experience. At Wyoming he was voted the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in senior season."
Freddie Scott--enrolled in medical school, according to his 1979 card--joined the Detroit Lions in a May 1, 1978, trade with Baltimore for Herb Orvis. He was the Lions' choice for offensive MVP in 1979, says his 1981 card.
"Billy enjoys fixing cars in his spare time," says Billy Sims's 1981 card.
Rick Kane's 1982 card points out that, with 1,144 yards in 1975, he became San Diego State's first 1,000-yard rusher.
Levi Johnson, Detroit's third-round draft choice of 1973 out of Texas A&I, "led the Lions with 5 interceptions in each of his first two seasons," says his 1975 card. "He started his rookie season as free safety but was switched to corner after first two games. Had 22 interceptions at Texas A&I."
Luther Bradley's 1980 card calls him "one of the NFC's best defensive backs," and his 1981 card says he's an off-season stockbroker.
Gary Danielson's 1979 card says he "became Lions' starting quarterback in 1978 and turned in admirable job throughout campaign. He led club to a 13-10 upset win against Colts during 1977. Gary holds for the Lions' placekicks." His 1981 card says that Danielson "once worked on an assembly line."
Tom Skladany did not play in 1977 after the Browns made the former Ohio State star their second-round draft choice that spring. He was traded to the Lions in 1978. "One of the finest punters and placekickers ever to come out of the collegiate ranks, Tom led the NFC in punting last season," says his All-Pro 1979 card. "He's a 3-time All-America selection and holder of every major kicking record at Ohio State. Had 59-yard field goal. Tom's father and 3 uncles also played in the NFL." Skladany’s 1981 card: “His punts at Ohio State were called ‘Beer Can’ or ‘Non-Returnable’ by Buckeye Coach Woody Hayes. Tom played in 3 Rose Bowls.”
Ed Murray’s 1981 card points out that he was named MVP of the 1981 Pro Bowl.
“Stan (White) has a law practice during the off-season,” says his 1981 card. “Stan helps Lions with experience and savvy.”
David Hill's 1980 card says Detroit's second-round draft choice out of Texas A&I in 1976 had become the Lions' all-time leader in receptions by a tight end through four seasons. "Once worked as a television camerman" says his 1981 card.
Greg Landry completed his first six passes as a pro, says his 1975 card.
After training-camp knee surgery limited his play as a rookie in 1974, Dexter Bussey led the Lions in rushing in 1975 and was named the team's most valuable offensive player, says his 1977 card.
Horace King carried the ball a Lions-record 32 times in a game against the Patriots in 1976, says his 1978 card.
Steve Owens in 1971 became the first Lion to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
Leonard Thompson, an eighth-round draft choice out of Oklahoma State in 1975, played wide receiver, running back and special teams for the Lions, says his 1978 card. His 1981 card says the Lions utilize Thompson as "shuttle receiver, bringing plays from bench."
Howard Payne went 10-1-1 during Ken Sanders's senior 1971 season. He was the Lions' third-round draft choice in 1972, and he started every regular-season game on the Detroit defensive line from 1973 through '78, according to his 1979 card.
Doug English--a three-time Southwest Conference champion at Texas--was active in the NFL Players Association, according to his 1978 card.
Jim Laslavic "follows Detroit tradition of having Pennsylvanians at middle linebacker spot, his predecessors being Mike Lucci and Joe Schmidt in recent years," says Laslavic's 1977 card.
James "Hound" Hunter became a starter in his first season after Detroit made him a first-round draft choice out of Grambling in 1976. In his first game in the first unit, against Seattle, he scored on a 70-yard return. Later that season, against New England, he returned an interception 76 yards for a score. He finished with a team-high seven interceptions, according to his 1978 card.
Joe Reed "became the Lions' starting quarterback in 1975 after injuries to Greg Landry & Bill Munson. ... Hobby is singing," says his 1976 card.
Al "Bubba" Baker's 1981 card chronicles his last four sack totals: an NFL-high 18 in 1980, 16 in 1979, 23 as a rookie in 1978 and 20 as a senior at Colorado State in 1977. "His personal high was 5 quarterback sacks in a game vs. Buccaneers in 1978. Al was selected as NFL's Defensive Lineman of Year for 1978."
Dave Pureifory's 1982 card: "Dave enjoyed perhaps his finest season in 1980 when he was selected as Lions' Most Valuable Defensive Player by his teammates ... He's been a regular performer since joining the Lions midway through 1978."
Jim Allen's nickname is "Spiderman," says his 1981 card.
Ken Fantetti's 1981 card: "Ken once made 22 tackles in a game at Wyoming. Known as a 'deluxe hitter' when he was drafted by the Lions, Ken has shown dramatic improvement with added experience. At Wyoming he was voted the Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in senior season."
Freddie Scott--enrolled in medical school, according to his 1979 card--joined the Detroit Lions in a May 1, 1978, trade with Baltimore for Herb Orvis. He was the Lions' choice for offensive MVP in 1979, says his 1981 card.
"Billy enjoys fixing cars in his spare time," says Billy Sims's 1981 card.
Rick Kane's 1982 card points out that, with 1,144 yards in 1975, he became San Diego State's first 1,000-yard rusher.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Mike Thomas
From the The Complete Handbook of Pro Football for 1977: "Went wild last year with the kind of running Redskin fans hadn't witnessed since the physical punishment finally caught up to Larry Brown ... Followed his 919-yard rookie season with a 1,101-yard effort in 1976, and then snazzy running in the Pro Bowl ... Doesn't like the money he's making, a fifth-round draft choice who signed for beneath what he now is worth .... Has been unhappy, but if he can wait out, George will pay. Allen's special teams players make more than a number of regulars in the league ... Thomas was born July 17, 1953, in Greenville, Tex ... Started at Oklahoma, then transferred to Nevada-Las Vegas ... Two other brothers played in NFL." (1)
Thomas was the rare rookie to have started for George Allen and earned AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1975. His salary unhappiness apparently factored throughout his career with the Redskins.
---
(1) 1977 Edition The Complete Handbook of Pro Football Zander Hollander, editor (New York: New American Library, 1977) 155.
Thomas was the rare rookie to have started for George Allen and earned AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1975. His salary unhappiness apparently factored throughout his career with the Redskins.
---
(1) 1977 Edition The Complete Handbook of Pro Football Zander Hollander, editor (New York: New American Library, 1977) 155.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
NFL Strategy
The thing about pretty much any pre-Atari, board-game recreation of football for us stats and records geeks was figuring out a practical, believable solitaire version. The likelihood of having a sibling or next-door neighbor who was equally as mesmerized by the minutiae and had the patience to pile up game after game, season after season of handwritten game records was almost nil. This meant that, if you sought to recreate a league in decades of depth, you quickly realized that you were pretty much on your own.
(The ongoing ramifications of this realization for a 10- to 15-year-old boy is a topic to be tucked away for pondering. For the moment, we're just going to talk about football board games.)
Relative to its predecessors and contemporaries, NFL Strategy leant itself to such a pursuit pretty elegantly.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Monday Morning Football
I'm of the daily-newspaper/network-news/Collier's Encyclopedia school, but I'm adapting to the user-defined, "push," new-media experience. It has been a gradual metamorphosis, not without its fits and stops, but I'm getting there.
For me, Google news alerts and automated Ebay search reports are among the Internet's killerest apps. Every day in my inbox, I find email roundups of news stories with the phrases "former NFL" or "ex-NFL" and new sale descriptions containing the terms "1975," "football" and "cards." Browsing these links today brought a chill.
First, from Ebay, ...
"Up for auction is the complete set of APBA football cards for the year 1975. These cards were kept in a locked chest and are all in mint condition. These were my husbands and he was a sports fanatic. He wrote in the corner of each envelope the year and that teams stats for that particular season. Comes from a smoke free but pet friendly home. Please check out my store for other items that he collected! Thanks for looking."
And, then, by Ken Murray in The Baltimore Sun ...
"Heart surgeon Archie Roberts was speaking on cardiac disease to a group of doctors in 1997 when he felt numbness in his right arm and suddenly stumbled over his words in mid-dissertation. The man who had saved lives with his expertise in cardiology was having a stroke because he didn't follow his own advice and, as a former NFL quarterback, didn't think it could happen to him. It did. In short order, Roberts, 55 years old and 22 pounds over his playing weight of 193, was admitted to Bayshore (N.J.) Hospital with his life-threatening condition. ..."
Well, I've got to get to work, so I'm going to cut this short. But let me just line up the following facts in short order to create a framework for future posts:
For me, Google news alerts and automated Ebay search reports are among the Internet's killerest apps. Every day in my inbox, I find email roundups of news stories with the phrases "former NFL" or "ex-NFL" and new sale descriptions containing the terms "1975," "football" and "cards." Browsing these links today brought a chill.
First, from Ebay, ...
"Up for auction is the complete set of APBA football cards for the year 1975. These cards were kept in a locked chest and are all in mint condition. These were my husbands and he was a sports fanatic. He wrote in the corner of each envelope the year and that teams stats for that particular season. Comes from a smoke free but pet friendly home. Please check out my store for other items that he collected! Thanks for looking."
And, then, by Ken Murray in The Baltimore Sun ...
"Heart surgeon Archie Roberts was speaking on cardiac disease to a group of doctors in 1997 when he felt numbness in his right arm and suddenly stumbled over his words in mid-dissertation. The man who had saved lives with his expertise in cardiology was having a stroke because he didn't follow his own advice and, as a former NFL quarterback, didn't think it could happen to him. It did. In short order, Roberts, 55 years old and 22 pounds over his playing weight of 193, was admitted to Bayshore (N.J.) Hospital with his life-threatening condition. ..."
Well, I've got to get to work, so I'm going to cut this short. But let me just line up the following facts in short order to create a framework for future posts:
- I'm almost 41.
- I've got a great wife and 6-month-old baby girl.
- I love football.
- I've got a closetful of old football board games, cards, books, magazines, notes, kitsch, scraps, crap ...
- Twenty-two pounds?!? That's all?
- I really, really love football.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
NFL Films
Thursday, December 02, 2004 4:25 PM
As you know, I've decided to start watching more NFL Films. In the last 24 hours, I've seen about an hour of NFL Films, and they've been wonderful.
And I've made another important decision -- that I need to start studying for these episodes in advance. What happens is that I get stuck following the plot of the show and miss all of the details. If I already knew the plot, then I'd be free to focus on which player missed his block, the stadium signs, etc., instead of getting all caught up in whether or not the featured team wins. (I'm reminded how much richer Simpsons episodes on second and subsequent viewings. If you know how things are going to go, you're free to notice things like the "Krudler" joke.)
So, anyway, tomorrow's episode is the 1968 Baltimore Colts, and so tonight I'm going to spend some time reading about that team.
Now, here are some notes from the two episodes I've seen in the last two days.
I saw an NFL Game of the Week episode, hosted by Ray Scott, about the Oct. 7, 1973, Eagles-Bills game in Buffalo. First, isn't it astounding that a 1973 game between the Eagles and Bills would be considered worthy of Game of the Week status? The big deal here, though, is that Buffalo is 2-1 and tied for the AFC East lead with Miami. Also, the Bills had just drafted stud offensive linemen Joe DeLaimalleure and Paul Seymour in the first round of the last two drafts, so there's probably some thought that Buffalo is a coming power. O.J. Simpson is on pace to break Jim Brown's single-season rushing record, and a rookie, Joe Ferguson, has played himself ahead of Dennis Shaw at quarterback. Philadelphia, then, is of some interest because its new quarterback is former passing champion Roman Gabriel.
The game, at Rich Stadium, is back and forth. In the fourth quarter, Simpson is stopped after one yard on a third-and-2 by Eagles linebacker Marvin McKeever, and then John Leypoldt comes on to kick a 47-yard field goal for a 27-26 lead. Philadelphia comes back down the field, finally stopping the clock with three seconds remaining at the Buffalo 19. (The key play here was an amazing fourth-and-13 conversion where Gabriel throws high into triple coverage and rookie tight end Charley Young outleaps the three Bills defenders for the first-down catch.) On comes Tom Dempsey, who in 1973 looked a lot like I would look today in a skin-tight NFL jersey, and he immediately knows his 26-yard attempt is a miss. Buffalo wins.
A few other things:
-- I guess this must've been the last year of the goal post at the goal line. I don't remember ever seeing a game with it up there, and I think I definitely remember watching some of the 1974 regular season. Anyway, I love the idea of putting the defender back at the goal post to try to jump and block the kick back into the field of play. Hate it that that's illegal today.
-- O.J. was really, really, really great.
-- The Bills had won AFL titles in 1964 and '65 under Lou Saban, so I guess it's understandable that the NFL Films guys might've thought Buffalo was about to move back past Miami in the AFC East. That's only nine years removed from this game.
This morning, I watched a film on the 1968 Oakland Raiders, and I was more in an out with this one. But what an AFL West race that was! Kansas City and Oakland were tied for the division lead with three games to go, and both teams won out to force a playoff. Oakland opened a 21-0 lead -- all on long passes -- and then, in the second quarter, hold the Chiefs to six points despite two drives to inside the Oakland 5 (bad for Stephen). Late in the first half, Fred Biletnikoff catches a short pass, fakes Johnny Robinson and then high steps out of the reach of some lunging defenders for a 28-6 lead, and, ultimately, the Raiders win 41-6. Biletnikoff was a very impressive runner after the catch, and this show reinforces my feeling that Randy Moss is the Biletnikoff of his day.
Incidentally, the Raiders are trailing, 27-23, late against the Jets in the AFL championship and driving. Daryle Lamonica flairs a miserable pass behind a running back trailing out of the backfield, and the Jets recover the fumble to hold on for the win -- and head to the Orange Bowl for the Super Bowl with the Colts. During the offseason, John Madden is named the new head coach of the Raiders.
As you know, I've decided to start watching more NFL Films. In the last 24 hours, I've seen about an hour of NFL Films, and they've been wonderful.
And I've made another important decision -- that I need to start studying for these episodes in advance. What happens is that I get stuck following the plot of the show and miss all of the details. If I already knew the plot, then I'd be free to focus on which player missed his block, the stadium signs, etc., instead of getting all caught up in whether or not the featured team wins. (I'm reminded how much richer Simpsons episodes on second and subsequent viewings. If you know how things are going to go, you're free to notice things like the "Krudler" joke.)
So, anyway, tomorrow's episode is the 1968 Baltimore Colts, and so tonight I'm going to spend some time reading about that team.
Now, here are some notes from the two episodes I've seen in the last two days.
I saw an NFL Game of the Week episode, hosted by Ray Scott, about the Oct. 7, 1973, Eagles-Bills game in Buffalo. First, isn't it astounding that a 1973 game between the Eagles and Bills would be considered worthy of Game of the Week status? The big deal here, though, is that Buffalo is 2-1 and tied for the AFC East lead with Miami. Also, the Bills had just drafted stud offensive linemen Joe DeLaimalleure and Paul Seymour in the first round of the last two drafts, so there's probably some thought that Buffalo is a coming power. O.J. Simpson is on pace to break Jim Brown's single-season rushing record, and a rookie, Joe Ferguson, has played himself ahead of Dennis Shaw at quarterback. Philadelphia, then, is of some interest because its new quarterback is former passing champion Roman Gabriel.
The game, at Rich Stadium, is back and forth. In the fourth quarter, Simpson is stopped after one yard on a third-and-2 by Eagles linebacker Marvin McKeever, and then John Leypoldt comes on to kick a 47-yard field goal for a 27-26 lead. Philadelphia comes back down the field, finally stopping the clock with three seconds remaining at the Buffalo 19. (The key play here was an amazing fourth-and-13 conversion where Gabriel throws high into triple coverage and rookie tight end Charley Young outleaps the three Bills defenders for the first-down catch.) On comes Tom Dempsey, who in 1973 looked a lot like I would look today in a skin-tight NFL jersey, and he immediately knows his 26-yard attempt is a miss. Buffalo wins.
A few other things:
-- I guess this must've been the last year of the goal post at the goal line. I don't remember ever seeing a game with it up there, and I think I definitely remember watching some of the 1974 regular season. Anyway, I love the idea of putting the defender back at the goal post to try to jump and block the kick back into the field of play. Hate it that that's illegal today.
-- O.J. was really, really, really great.
-- The Bills had won AFL titles in 1964 and '65 under Lou Saban, so I guess it's understandable that the NFL Films guys might've thought Buffalo was about to move back past Miami in the AFC East. That's only nine years removed from this game.
This morning, I watched a film on the 1968 Oakland Raiders, and I was more in an out with this one. But what an AFL West race that was! Kansas City and Oakland were tied for the division lead with three games to go, and both teams won out to force a playoff. Oakland opened a 21-0 lead -- all on long passes -- and then, in the second quarter, hold the Chiefs to six points despite two drives to inside the Oakland 5 (bad for Stephen). Late in the first half, Fred Biletnikoff catches a short pass, fakes Johnny Robinson and then high steps out of the reach of some lunging defenders for a 28-6 lead, and, ultimately, the Raiders win 41-6. Biletnikoff was a very impressive runner after the catch, and this show reinforces my feeling that Randy Moss is the Biletnikoff of his day.
Incidentally, the Raiders are trailing, 27-23, late against the Jets in the AFL championship and driving. Daryle Lamonica flairs a miserable pass behind a running back trailing out of the backfield, and the Jets recover the fumble to hold on for the win -- and head to the Orange Bowl for the Super Bowl with the Colts. During the offseason, John Madden is named the new head coach of the Raiders.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)