Saturday, May 30, 2015

1974 Free Agent Profile: Gordon Taylor

Running Back
No. 44
Southern Connecticut State
"Taylor has played for the Hartford Knights. He became the second player in S.C. State history to go over 1,000 yards in a season (junior year). Taylor rushed 440 times for 2,044 yards and a 4.7 yard average in college and tallied 20 touchdowns; one romp was for 78 yards. Also a pass catcher, with 4.5 speed, he had 46 receptions for 625 yards, a 12.6-yard average. All-Conference in 1970 and 1971, All-East and All-New England, Gordon was team MVP in '70.
A health and physical education major, Gordon also lettered in track while in college. He likes 'most outdoor activity' and teaches in the off-season. His birthplace is Mount Vernon, New York."

-1974 New York Stars Press/Radio/TV Guide

Monday, May 25, 2015

1974 Free Agent Profile: Dave Stukes

Cornerback
No. 40
Elizabeth City State
"As a cornerback and safety in college, Stukes intercepted 20 passes, two of which were returned for touchdowns. He ran back four kickoffs 125 yards, the longest for 35 yards. Selected All-CIAA Conference, Dave goes 4.5 in the 40.
Dave lettered four years in football and baseball in high school. An industrial arts major, he enjoys football, baseball, basketball and tennis. His brother Charlie plays for the Los Angeles Rams. His birthplace is Norfolk County, Virginia."

-1974 New York Stars Press/Radio/TV Guide

Saturday, May 23, 2015

1974 Free Agent Profile: Len St. Jean

Guard
No. 67
Northern Michigan
"As running guards go, Len St. Jean is regarded as small at six feet and 240 pounds. This doesn't seem to bother fullback Jim Nance any, because he says he likes to look over Len's head and stare into the eyes of the opposing lineman. It doesn't bother Mike Holovak any, for he regards Len as the most underrated guard in the league. And it doesn't upset Len any, and this is a good thing, for the former lumberjack is said to be the strongest man on the Boston squad. Suffice it to say he does his job, which is to move people out of the way and open holes for Nance.
Len played his college ball at Northern Michigan, where he also attracted the attention of the Green Bay Packers. But he signed with the Pats as their ninth-round draft choice."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

"Coming off his three-point stance, Len St. Jean is strong enough to lift a defensive tackle right off his feet. The six-foot, 240-pound guard, who has worked as a lumberjack, has carried up to 600 pounds at one time. Long underrated, he is one of the league's most effective blockers and is now coming in for some long overdue recognition.
Boston backs will tell you how swift and mobile he is at clearing a path for them. He's also solid as a rock dropping back to give his passer protection.
Now in his sixth pro season, Len played his college football at Northern Michigan."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969

"An NAIA All-American in 1963, Len is one of the Patriots' most powerful players. Formerly a defensive lineman, he made the 1966 East All-Star team in his first full year on offense. Especially valuable to the Patriots because of his versatile talents, Len has played offensive guard, linebacker, defensive end and tackle and has been one of the best on the kickoff and punt coverage teams.
Also drafted by Green Bay, Len's feats of strength on and off the gridiron have earned him the title of 'Boston Strong Boy.' He was formerly a lumberjack."

-1970 Topps No. 33

"One of the strongest offensive linemen in pro football, Len makes for his relatively short stature with excessive power and desire. He started with the Patriots on defense and was a crashing success on the specialty teams. Len was an AFL All-Star selection in his first full year as an offensive guard."

-1972 Topps No. 23

"Going into his 10th season with the Patriots, Len started on defense and was sensational on special teams. Extremely strong and mobile, he has been a permament fixture at guard since being moved to the offensive unit. One of the fastest linemen on the New England squad, Len was selected as an All-Star in 1966."

-1973 Topps No. 168

"Going into his 11th season with the Patriots, Len started on defense and became a sensation on the specialty team coverage. Extremely strong, he's been a permanent fixture at guard since being moved to offense.
Len was an AFL All-Star in 1966. He ranks among Northern Michigan's best."

-1974 Topps No. 103

Friday, May 22, 2015

1974 Free Agent Profile: Tom Spinks

Wide Receiver
No. 21
Louisiana Tech
"Spinks was injured while with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1971 preseason. He was All-GSC at Louisiana Tech and an Honorable Mention All-American for three years. He had 182 career receptions for 3,000 yards, a 16.5 reception average, and 15 touchdowns. He had an 80-yard grab, his longest. Tom does the 40 in 4.65.
A physical education major, Tom was an All-State Honorable Mention All-American in high school. He enjoys camping and golf and is an off-season school teacher. His birthplace is Lake Charles, Louisiana."

-1974 New York Stars Press/Radio/TV Guide

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

1974 Free Agent Profile: Frank Smith

Running Back
No. 39
Boston College
"Smith moved up to starting fullback his junior and senior years after being fifth-string his sophomore year. He had a fine 4.3-yard average while gaining 700 yards and scoring five touchdowns, and his longest scrimmage run was 35 yards. Frank runs a 4.75 in the 40 and has never been seriously injured.
Frank was selected for the Boston Herald All-Scholastic team in high school and was team MVP twice in high school. A general business major and a self-employed painter, he likes tennis, fishing and deep sea clamming. Frank's birthplace is Salem, Massachusetts."

-1974 New York Stars Press/Radio/TV Guide

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

1974 Free Agent Profile: James Sims

Strong Safety
No. 45
USC
"Sims intercepted four passes for 100 return yards for USC coach John McKay and had a 35-yard touchdown return. He made 85 solo tackles his senior year and helped out on 40 more. Sims played on the 1972 Trojan National Championship team.
He made eight unassisted tackles, blocked a punt and deflected two passes which were turned into touchdowns against Michigan State in '72. Sims was selected Pac-8 Player of the Week two weeks in a row his junior year and was also named Chevrolet's Player of the Week.
Sims enjoys horseback riding, sailing and doing collages. He helps children in recreation parks. His birthplace is Kountze, Texas."

-1974 New York Stars Press/Radio/TV Guide

Sunday, May 17, 2015

1974 Free Agent Profile: Dave Shaffer

Offensive Tackle
No. 77
Tennessee
"A two-season starter for the Vols at right tackle, Shaffer was the lone senior on the offensive line. He has never been injured. The highlight of his career was the Georgia Tech game in '73. He joins fellow Vol Art Reynolds in Star camp.
Dave was a transportation major and his hobbies are hunting, camping, antique-collecting and music. His father is a nuclear chemist. Dave's birthplace is Big Spring, Texas."

-1974 New York Stars Press/Radio/TV Guide