RIP - Jim Otto

Jim Otto, the Raiders' center from 1960 to 1974, passed away on May 19, 2024 at age 86.

Otto was selected by the AFL's Minneapolis franchise in 1960, but when they backed out of the league (after receiving an offer to join the NFL in 1961) the Oakland Raiders were quickly established as the 8th team. 

 

Otto started EVERY GAME at center for his entire 15-year career. He was named to the Pro Bowl (or AFL All-Star team) in all but his last 2 seasons. He was also named first-team All-Pro 10 times. 

 

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980, and was also named to the All-Time AFL team.

 

Otto is one of 3 players to have played in every one of his team's AFL games. 

 

Raiders.com obituary  

 

NFL.com obituary 

   

RIP - Roman Gabriel

Roman Gabriel, quarterback for the Rams and Eagles in the 1960s and 1970s, passed away today April 20, 2024 at age 83.

In 1962, he was the first overall pick in the AFL draft by the Raiders, and the 2nd overall pick in the NFL draft by the Rams. 

 

From 1962 to 1965 he was a part-time starter, making 9 starts in 1963. 

 

Gabriel played every game from 1966-72, starting all of them except for 2 games in 1972. He made the Pro Bowl every season from 1967-69, and in 1969 was named first-team All-Pro. as well as the league's MVP. 

 

He was traded to the Eagles after the 1972 season for wide receiver Harold Jackson. Gabe played for the Eagles for 5 seasons, starting every game in 1973 and adding another Pro Bowl appearance, while leading the NFL with 3219 passing yards and 32 touchdown passes. 

 

Gabriel played in 11 games in each of  '74 and '75, starting most of them. In 1976 he lost the starting job to Mike Boryla, but played in 4 games (all starts). 

 

He backed up the newly-acquired Ron Jaworski in 1977, his final season.

 

CBS Sports obituary  

 

ESPN obituary 

  

And now, for the perfect attendance awards...

Recently, I looked up who had cards in the 9-year period from 1964 to 1972, and how many cards each player had in that time span. I chose those years because they are my primary years of interest (well, not the AFL from 1964-66, but I included them anyway to get the complete picture). 

 

This research was an extension of my finding out who had a 1969 card but no other cards from 1966-72, as they will be the topics for my new 1969 card blog.

 

I counted base cards only, and not anyone’s appearance on team cards, “play” cards, or the in-action, All-Pro, and league leader subsets found in the 1972 set. Also, there are two 2-player cards in the 1966 NFL set, so I counted them twice.

 

A total of 997 players were found.  (As a side note, there were 2 Gene Washingtons (already knew that), a John and Johnny Baker, and a John and Johnny Robinson.)

 

12 players had a card in all 9 years. Predictably, most of them (8) were quarterbacks. Although only 8 to 10 players per team were featured in the sets prior to 1973, a team’s starting quarterback was almost guaranteed to appear every season, unless he missed the previous year due to injury (no Bills' QB in '69), or the incumbent was either traded (no Steelers' QB in '68, nor Eagles in '71) or retired. 

 

Another 15 players had 8 cards in those 9 years, usually because they were not active at the start or end of the period, but sometimes because Topps or Philly Gum rotated them out of the set. 

 

What surprised me the most was the difference in total players per year. In ’64 and ’65, there were 334 and 341 players respectively. That dropped to 295 and 290 for the next 2 years. The 1968 set is REALLY small – only 217 players. Topps did a bad job on their first set having both the NFL and AFL players. (Not really surprising, given how shoddy their 1968 baseball set was.) 

 

An enterprising custom card creator out there could add 45 or so players to bring the 1968 total up into the 260’s (the number of players in the 1969 to 1972 sets). Looking at the chart below, I found that many stars were missing 1968 cards, but had cards for most years before and after. Here’s 30 to get you started: 

 

Gerry Philbin, Jim Otto, Merlin Olsen, Dave Parks, Deacon Jones, Earl Morrall, Mick Tingelhoff, Willie Wood, Bruce Gossett, Charley Johnson, Dave Costa, Dick LeBeau, Houston Antwine, Johnny Robinson, Otis Taylor, Steve DeLong, Ben Davidson, Billy Shaw, Bob Brown, Bob Vogel, Chuck Allen, Chuck Howley, Dave Wilcox, Dick Schafrath, Fred Arbanas, Jim Marshall, Mike Clark, Larry Grantham, Mike Pyle, Pat Fischer.

 

 

Here's everyone with 5 or more cards in those 9 years:

Oakland Raiders - Custom Extension Set

Here are the 1967 Oakland Raiders cards made by RetroCards.net, the companion set to the original Topps cards. 

 

These look much better than the Chiefs' cards I posted last week. 

 

 

As usual, there's no room within Blogger's 200-character limit for labels to include everybody. 

 

Next? RetroCards also made a 1967 set for the Bears. If and when I buy that, I will post them here. That's the last of the 1967 cards.

Kansas City Chiefs - Custom Extension Set

This is the fourth of five 1967 team sets I bought from RetroCards.net. Previously, I posted the Cowboys, Packers, and Saints sets.  Those are all great-looking cards.  

I can't say the same for these Chiefs cards.  Almost every photo is too dark - some so dark as to either not be able to make out the player's face, or that the jersey is red.  It doesn't help that the borders are also black (Topps' original color for the Chiefs' cards). 

On the plus side, we have 18 more players for the defending AFL champions.  (Notable absences from the combined Topps/RetroCards set are G Ed Budde, K Jan Stenerud, MLB Willie Lanier, T Dave Hill, and DE Chuck Hurson.)

 

"65 Toss Power Trap!"

I also bought the Raiders' set at the same time.  Those cards have much better photo quality.

Next: Oakland Raiders

New Orleans Saints - Custom Extension Set

After the disaster that was the 1967 Philly Gum Saints cards, RetroCards could have done just about anything and it would have been an improvement over the originals. 

 

They responded with an 18-card set, featuring everyone in a new Saints jersey. Included in the set are Bill Kilmer, Jim Taylor, Dan Abramowicz, Doug Atkins, and a multi-player card featuring Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor, among others. 

 

Gary Cuozzo started most of the games in 1967.  Bill Kilmer was the regular QB from 1968-70, then was traded to the Redskins. (In 1971, 2nd-overall pick Archie Manning took over.)

7 receivers! (WRs Hall, Roberts, Abramowicz, Gilliam, Poage, and Simmons, plus TE Kramer.)

Steve Stonebreaker has a Jim Taylor haircut! 

 

In my recent post about the custom Cowboys cards, I showed a card back. While the backs of all the custom Cowboys cards have referee signals, the backs of the Packers and Saints cards have a montage of custom card photos. (Looks like they are working on a Rams set.)

 

 

Next: Kansas City Chiefs

Green Bay Packers - Custom Extension Set

Continuing with the "Cards That Never Were" sets from RetroCards.net, here are the 1967 Packers. 

 

The original set included mostly defensive players, so there are a lot of offensive players (17 of 20 cards) in this set. 

 

Lots of running backs! (Filling the void of the departed Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor.) 

 

Boyd Dowler and Carroll Dale are both noted as flankers here, but on the back of both cards it says "he could line up at split end too". How versatile of them! 

 

6 offensive linemen (augmenting the 2 starting tackles in the original set).

The original set included CB Herb Adderley and S Willie Wood. Bob Jeter was also a starting cornerback.  Between the two sets, I think the only regulars missing are DE Lionel Aldridge, DT Ron Kostelnik, and S Tom Brown. 

 

(Note: Blogger limits the combined length of all labels to 200 characters, so there was no room to include the backup players.)

 

 

Next: New Orleans Saints

Dallas Cowboys - Custom Extension Set

Back in 2017 I posted this about a company named RetroCards that made "Football Cards That Never Were" (and a few baseball cards too). 

At that time, I had purchased their sets for 1967 and 1971 Cowboys, and the 1967 and 1968 Packers. Since then, I have purchased many other sets, that you can find listed on this blog's sidebar under the RetroCards ad. 

Here are their additional Cowboys' cards to supplement the original set.

I wasn't going to post these cards, because it was noted by other bloggers that some scumbags were selling custom cards (one-off card fronts made by others in the card blogging community) on eBay for their own profit. 

But, I decided to post these now, to show you what they look like. I have added a watermark (similar to what the company does on their own website). I think this is a 1-man operation, so I don't want my postings to cut into his sales. Also, I had to pay for these cards, so....

 

The card backs are very similar to the originals.

 

I will also be posting their 1967 Packers, Saints, Chiefs, and Raiders sets.

Mount Rushmore (+5) of 1960s/1970s coaches

These 9 coaches led 26 of the 40 NFL/NFC and AFL/AFC champions from 1960 to 1979. 

Altogether, their teams made 66 post-season appearances in those 20 seasons. (Paul Brown made an additional 8 post-season appearances in the 1950s.)

How would you rank them?

Miami Dolphins

A few weeks ago, I added a "League Champions" chart and a link to the Vintage Blogroll to my football card blog sidebars. This week I have added 2 more items: 

1. A list of cards I still need to complete the set. 

2. Under the RetroCards ad, there is a list of all the sets I have purchased from them. I highly recommend these cards to everyone. They come in sets of 9 to 25 cards (depending on the team and year), and average out to less than $2.00 per card. 

 

-----

 

The Dolphins entered the AFL in 1966. For their first 4 seasons, they were coached by George Wilson (who had coached the Detroit Lions from 1957-64). During his tenure, they posted records of 3-11, 4-10, 5-8-1, and 3-10-1. In their first season, they were tied with the Oilers, but finished ahead of them on a tie-breaker. 

 

Their last-place finish in 1969 cost Wilson his job. Don Shula was hired, and the Dolphins’ record improved immediately, to 10-4 in his first season. Miami made the playoffs in each of Shula’s first 5 seasons, making 3 trips to the Super Bowl, and winning twice. The only player below still around for the Super Bowl years was Norm Evans. 

 

As the expansion team, the Dolphins had the first two picks in the 1966 AFL draft. Their first overall pick (fullback Jim Grabowski) signed with the Packers, but their 2nd overall pick (QB Rick Norton) started 11 of the 56 games over the team’s first 4 seasons. They also picked up WR Howard Twilley in the 12th round. 

 

Their 1967 draft was a bit more fruitful. QB Bob Griese was selected in the 1st round (4th overall), and Jim Riley, a starter at defensive end from 1968-71, was picked in the 2nd round. They also snared their 11-year punter/tight end Larry Seiple in the 7th round. Griese made the AFL All-Star team in his first 2 seasons, and put an end to the carousel of quarterbacks used in 1966. 

 

The Dolphins used 4 quarterbacks (George Wilson Jr, Dick Wood, Rick Norton, and John Stofa) in their first season. The veteran Wood (the Jets’ starter for 2 seasons, before the arrival of Joe Namath) and top draft pick Norton played the first few games, but soon Wilson (the coach’s son) took over, starting 7 games that year. 

 

In 1967, Wilson was traded, Wood was let go, and everyone else grabbed a seat on the bench as Griese started 10 games, beginning his 13-year hold on that job. 

 

Rick Norton was one of the Dolphins’ two 1st-round picks in 1966. He started as many as 5 games only once during his 4 years with the Dolphins. He also played for the Packers in 1970. 

 

George Wilson Jr – The Bills’ 12th round pick in 1965, he saw no action that year, and was traded to the Dolphins the following summer, joining his father who was the coach. Although starting 7 games in the Dolphins’ 1st season, after Miami drafted Bob Griese in 1967 Wilson was traded to the Broncos in the Earl Faison-for-Abner Haynes deal. The Broncos released him 2 weeks later. 

 

Joe Auer was drafted by the Chiefs in 1963, but did not play for them. After playing for the Bills from 1964-65, he joined the Dolphins in 1966. In the Dolphins’ very first game, Auer returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. He started every game at halfback in ’66, but shared the position with Abner Haynes in ’67. He finished his career in 1968 with the Falcons. 

 

Cookie Gilchrist played in Canada from 1954-61 as a fullback and kicker, while also playing on defense. He joined the Bills in 1962, and was the AFL’s first 1000-yard rusher, leading the league with 1096 yards in 1962, and was named Rookie of the Year. In his first 4 seasons, he led the AFL in rushing touchdowns and made the All-Star team each season. 

 

After spending 1965 as the Broncos’ starting fullback, Cookie played 8 games (5 starts) for the Dolphins in 1966. He returned to the Broncos in 1967, but missed all but 1 game. Selected by the Bengals in the 1968 expansion draft, he retired due to a knee injury. 

 

*Frank Jackson was drafted by the Dallas Texans in 1961. After 2 seasons on the bench, he was the Chiefs’ starting flanker from 1963-65, making the All-Star game in ’65. With 2nd-year man Otis Taylor ready to take over the flanker spot in 1966, Jackson was selected by the Dolphins in the expansion draft, and started 13 games during his 2 seasons with Miami. 

 

Dave Kocourek was the Chargers’ starting tight end from 1960-65, making the All-Star team 4 times. He started every game for the Dolphins in 1966, then was a backup for the Raiders from 1967-68. 

 

Billy Neighbors – The Patriots’ 6th-round pick in 1962, Neighbors started every game at right guard for 4 seasons. He was also the Dolphins’ starting right guard from 1966-68, and for part of 1969 until relinquishing that spot to Larry Little. 

 

Norm Evans was picked by the Oilers in the 1965 draft. After 1 season on their bench, he joined the Dolphins in 1966 and started all but 4 games at right tackle from 1966-75. Evans was named to the Pro Bowl in ’72 and ’74. He also played for the Seahawks from 1976-78, starting at right tackle for the first 2 seasons. 

 

*Ernie Park – Drafted by the Chargers in 1963, Park was a backup tackle and guard for 3 seasons. He was then the starting left guard for the Dolphins (’66), Broncos (’67), and Bengals (’68). 

 

Earl Faison was the Chargers’ 1st-round pick in 1961, and was named Rookie of the Year. He was the team’s starting left defensive end for 5 seasons, and made the All-Star team each year, and was named first-team All-Pro 4 times. After 3 games in 1966 he was released, then hooked on with the Dolphins for the rest of the season. He did not play after 1966. 

 

Tom Nomina – The Broncos’ 2nd-round pick in 1963, he played guard for 2 seasons until switching to defensive tackle in 1965. Nomina played his final 3 seasons (1966-68) with the Dolphins as their starting left defensive tackle (although missing 9 games in 1967). This was one of the cards in the only pack I bought in 1967. 

 

*Rich Zecher was drafted by the Raiders in 1965. After one season, he joined the Dolphins and was their starting right defensive tackle in 1966. He split the 1967 season between Miami and Buffalo. 

 

*Wahoo McDaniel was drafted by the Chargers in 1960, but played for the Oilers as a guard that season. For the next 5 seasons he was the starting middle linebacker for the Broncos (1961-63) and Jets (1964-65). He was the Dolphins’ right linebacker in ’66 and middle linebacker in ’67, then played 4 games as a reserve in 1968. He was also a professional wrestler from 1961-96 (which may explain why this card was the most expensive one to acquire). 

 

Willie West was drafted by the Broncos and Cardinals in 1960. In his first 6 seasons, he played cornerback for the Cardinals (1960-61), Bills (1962-63), Broncos (1964), and Jets (1964-65). He played for the Dolphins from 1966-68, starting most games at safety in ’66 and ’68, and making the All-Star team in 1966. 

 

Jimmy Warren – An undrafted free agent, Warren was a starting left cornerback for the Chargers (1964-65) and Dolphins (1966-69). He made the All-Star team in 1966. From 1970-77 he was a backup defensive back for the Raiders. 

 

 

*Unknown to me before November 2023 

 

As the Bengals had not yet joined the league, this post completes the 1967 AFL card set.

New York Jets

1967 was the Jets’ first winning season (8-5-1). They won their division in 1968 (also winning Super Bowl III) and 1969, then would not finish in first place again until 1998. 

 

Four of these players (Don Maynard, Bill Mathis, Paul Rochester, Bill Baird) played in every AFL season. 

 

Mathis and Baird are the only Jets' cards I had before November 2023. The Larry Grantham card has a light green border, whereas all the others have a light blue border.

 

Joe Namath – The first overall pick in the 1965 AFL draft, Namath quarterbacked the Jets from 1965-76 (although missing most of the games in ’70, ’71, and ’73). He made the All-Star team as a rookie, and 4 times thereafter, and led the league in passing yards in ’66, ’67, and ‘72. Namath finished up with the Rams in 1977, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985. This is the only 1967 AFL card I do not have.

 

Don Maynard - After playing 1958 with the Giants and 1959 in Canada, Maynard joined the Jets in 1960 and was one of the premier receivers in the AFL, leading the league in TDs in 1965 and yards in 1967. He made 4 All-Star teams, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

 

Bill Mathis was selected by the Titans in the 1960 draft, and was the Titans’ starting fullback from 1960-62, and the Jets’ starting halfback from 1963 until midway through 1966, when he was replaced by Emerson Boozer. 

 

Matt Snell was the Jets’ 1st pick (3rd overall) in the 1964 draft and was the AFL Rookie of the Year. He was the Jets’ starting fullback from 1964-69, making 3 All-Star teams in those years. He remained with the Jets from 1970-72, backing up John Riggins.

 

George Sauer – The Jets’ 5th-round pick in 1965, Sauer was the Jets’ starting split end from 1965-70, and led the AFL with 75 receptions in 1967. He made 4 All-Star teams and was named first-team All-Pro twice. 

 

*Sam DeLuca played for the Chargers from 1960-63, then was a starting guard for the Jets from 1964-66. 

 

Winston Hill played for the Jets from 1963 to 1976, and played every game at tackle from 1964 to 1976, starting all of them except for 4 games in ’76. He was an 8-time All-Star, including every year from 1967 to 1973. Hill finished up in 1977 with the Rams. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020. 

 

Gerry Philbin was selected in the 3rd round of the 1964 draft, and started at left defensive end for the Jets from 1964-72. He was an All-Star and first-team All-Pro in ’68 and ’69. Philbin played for the Eagles in his final season (1973). 

 

Verlon Biggs – The Jets’ 3rd-round pick in 1965, Biggs was their starting right end every season from 1965-70, and the Redskins’ starting right end from 1971-74. It doesn't look like he's wearing a Jets' uniform.

 

*Jim Harris was the Jets’ starting right defensive tackle from 1965-67. 

 

Paul Rochester played in every AFL season, for the Dallas Texans from 1960-63, and the Jets from 1963-69. He was his team’s starting left defensive tackle every season from 1961-68. 

 

Ralph Baker – The Jets’ 6th-round pick in 1964, he was their starting left linebacker for his entire career (1964-74). 

 

Larry Grantham was selected by the Titans in 1he 1960 draft. After starting every game at left linebacker as a rookie, he moved to the right side, where he started almost every game for the next 12 years, until retiring after the 1972 season. He was named first-team All-Pro in his first 5 seasons, and also made 5 All-Star teams.

 

Bill Baird – An undrafted free agent, Baird was the Jets’ starting free safety every season from 1963-69, while also playing some cornerback in ’64 and ’66. 

 

 

*Unknown to me before November 2023. 

 

Next: Miami Dolphins

Denver Broncos

 

As you can see in the League Champions chart on this blog’s sidebar, each of the original 8 AFL teams made it to the AFL Championship game at least once during the decade – except the Denver Broncos. Look at their history of ineptitude!

(Even the expansion Dolphins and Bengals made the playoffs by 1970.) 

 

The most obvious reason for this is their lack of a quality quarterback. While other teams were employing Len Dawson, Jack Kemp, John Hadl, George Blanda, Daryle Lamonica, and Joe Namath, the Broncos attempted to get by with the likes of Frank Tripucka, Mickey Slaughter, Jacky Lee, John McCormick, Steve Tensi, and Marlin Briscoe. This theory is reinforced by the Jets, who waited 6 years to get a good QB. Their first winning season wasn't until 1967.

 

The best AFL quarterbacks (in order of appearance) were: George Blanda, Jack Kemp, Tom Flores, Babe Parilli, Len Dawson, John Hadl, Joe Namath, Daryle Lamonica, and Bob Griese.  None of them ever played for the Broncos. 

 

----------

 

John McCormick was a backup quarterback for the Vikings as a rookie in 1962, then played for the Broncos from 1963-68 (although he missed the ’64 and ’67 seasons). He played every game from 1965-66, starting 6 and 5 games those seasons. 

 

Abner Haynes – Although picked by the Oakland Raiders in 1960, Haynes started his career with the Dallas Texans that season. He was the AFL Rookie of the Year in 1960, and was the Texans’/Chiefs’ featured back from 1960 to 1964, making 3 All-Star teams and having 2 first-team All-Pro selections in that time. Haynes played for the Broncos in ’65 and ’66, and split the 1967 season between the Dolphins and Jets. 

 

Wendell Hayes was a starting running back for the Broncos from 1965 to 1967, then played 7 seasons for the Chiefs. He was the Chiefs’ starting fullback from 1970-72, and parts of ’73 and ’74. 

 

Al Denson was the Broncos’ 6th-round pick in 1964. After 2 seasons as a backup wide receiver, he was their starting tight end in 1966. He moved back to flanker in 1967, starting almost every game there through the 1970 season (although he missed 6 games in 1968). He finished up with the Vikings in 1971. 

 

Bob Scarpitto – The Chargers’ 9th-round pick in 1961, after a season on their bench he was traded to the Broncos. Scarpitto was Denver’s starting flanker every season from 1962-66, and made the All-Star team in 1966. He was also his team’s punter from 1965-68, leading the AFL in punts and punting yards in both 1966 and 1967. (When you punt 105 times (like he did in 1967) I guess it’s easy to lead the league in yards!) He played his last season (1968) with the Patriots. 

 

Lionel Taylor played briefly with the Bears in 1959, then was one of the AFL’s top receivers, leading the league in receptions from 1960-63, and 1965. In his 7 seasons with the Broncos (1960-66) he made first-team All-Pro 4 times along with 3 All-Star games. He also played for the Oilers from 1967-68. 

 

Jerry Sturm played in every game for the Broncos from 1961-66, starting all but 12 games. He spent 2 years at tackle, 2 at center, and 2 at guard. He also played for the Saints from 1967-70, and was a starting tackle or center from 1968-70. After playing 1 season with the Oilers, he finished up in 1972 with 1 game for the Eagles. 

 

*Rex Mirich was drafted by the Raiders in 1963, and played 3 seasons for them (‘64-’65 as a defensive tackle, and ’66 as an offensive tackle). Joining the Broncos in 1967, he switched back to defense and was their starting left end in ’67 and starting left tackle in ‘68. After a season on the bench, he finished up with the Patriots in 1970, back on offense. 

 

*Max Leetzow was the Broncos’ 5th-round pick in 1965, and played 2 seasons. He was a sub in his rookie year, and the starting right end in 1966. 

 

Dave Costa – The Raiders’ 7th-round pick in 1963, Costa was their starting right defensive tackle for 3 seasons (making the All-Star team as a rookie). After 1 season on the Bills’ bench, he started every game at defensive tackle for the Broncos from 1967 to 1971, making 3 more All-Star teams. From 1972-73 he also started every game for the Chargers, then returned to the Bills for his final season (1974), that year as a linebacker. 

 

John Bramlett was the starting right linebacker for his team from 1965 to 1970, 2 seasons each with Denver, Miami, and Boston. He made the All-Star team in ’66 and ’67. He finished his career in 1971 as a Falcons’ substitute. 

 

Arch Matsos was drafted by the Colts in 1958, but did not play for them. He was a starting middle linebacker for his entire career: 1960-62 with the Bills, 1963-65 with the Raiders, and splitting 1966 between the Broncos and Chargers. In his first 4 seasons, he made 3 All-Star teams and was named first-team All-Pro twice. 

 

Nemiah Wilson was a starting cornerback for the Broncos from 1965-67, making the All-Start team in 1967. The following year he joined the Raiders and was a starting cornerback every season from 1969-1973. After 1 season backing up Oakland’s other goons, he played for the Bears in 1975. 

 

*Goose Gonsoulin was selected by the Dallas Texans in the 1960 draft, but was dealt to the Broncos before the season. He was their starting free safety every year from 1960-66, making 5 All-Star teams and garnering 2 first-team All-Pro berths. He was the 49ers’ free safety in 1967.

 

 

*Unknown to me before November 2023 

 

Next: New York Jets

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills started off the decade slowly, but they won the East Division every season from 1963 to 1966, and won the AFL Championship in ’64 and ’65. In 1966 they lost the AFL final to the Chiefs, who went on to play in Super Bowl I. 

 

Jack Kemp was acquired from the Chargers in 1962. He made the AFL All-Star team every season from 1960-69, except for missing the entire 1968 season due to injury. Curiously, for all those awards, he never led the league in any passing category. There was always Len Dawson or someone else ahead of him. (Next week’s Denver Broncos post will be a good time to look at the top AFL quarterbacks, as none of them ever played for Denver.) 

 

Tom Flores was the Raiders’ starting QB for much of 1960-66, then was traded to the Bills in the Daryle Lamonica deal. He sat behind Kemp for his final 3 seasons in the league. (It’s surprising that the Bills didn’t use Flores in 1968, during Kemp’s absence.) 

 

Keith Lincoln was the Chargers’ 2nd-round pick in 1961, and was their starting fullback for most of 1961-66. He started 13 games at halfback for the Bills in 1967 (making his 5th and final All-Star game) then returned to San Diego midway through 1968. 

 

Wray Carlton was the Eagles’ 3rd-round pick in 1959, but never played for them. He played for the Bills from 1960-67, and was their starting halfback or fullback every season but ’63 and ’64, missing all but 4 games in those 2 seasons. He made the All-Star team in ’65 and ’66, and led the AFL with 6 rushing TDs in 1965. 

 

*Elbert Dubenion was a 14th-round pick for the Browns in 1959, but did not play for them. He was the Bills’ starting flanker every season from 1960-67, except for missing all but 3 games in 1965. He only missed 2 other games in that 8-year span. Elbert finished his career with 4 games for the Bills in 1968, but had no catches. 

 

Art Powell was one of the top 4 wide receivers in the AFL’s early days (along with Don Maynard, Lance Alworth, and Lionel Taylor). Drafted by the Eagles in 1959, he was a backup defensive back for them in his rookie season, then joined the New York Titans in 1960. Powell was his team’s starting split end in every game for the next 7 seasons (3 with the Titans, 4 with the Raiders). 

 

Powell led the AFL in receiving yards in ’62 and ’63, and in receiving TDs in ’60 and ’63. He also made the AFL All-Star team every year from 1963-66, and was named first-team Al-Pro in ’60 and ’63. Powell came to the Bills in 1967 in the Lamonica-for-Flores trade, and played in 6 games (all starts) that season. In 1968 he played 1 game for the Vikings.

 

*Billy Shaw was the Bills’ #2 pick in 1961, and was their starting left guard for his entire career (9 seasons). He made the All-Star team in all but his rookie season, and was named first-team All-Pro from 1962-66. Shaw was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999. 

 

Stew Barber was a 4th-round pick in 1961. He started half the games at linebacker as a rookie, then moved to offense in 1962, where he was the Bills’ starting left tackle until retiring after the 1969 season. He made 5 All-Star teams and was named first-team All-Pro twice. 

 

*Dick Hudson was drafted in the 2nd round by the Chargers in 1962. After playing guard as a rookie, he moved to the Bills and after playing only 2 games in 1963, he started at right tackle for all 50 games he played from 1964-67. 

 

Ron McDole was drafted by the Broncos and Cardinals in 1961. After playing offensive tackle for the Cardinals as a rookie, he joined the Oilers in 1962 and switched to defensive end. After just one season in Houston, McDole joined the Bills in 1963. 

 

He played 12 games (no starts) in his first season there, then from 1964 to 1977 he was his team’s starting left defensive end, playing in all but 1 game in that 14-year span, while starting all but 3 games. From 1965-67 he made either the All-Star team or first-team All-Pro. After the 1970 season, George Allen brought McDole to the Redskins, where he continued through the 1978 season, starting 10 of 16 games in his final year. 

 

*Jim Dunaway was the Bills’ 2nd-round pick n 1963. He was their starting left defensive tackle for the next 9 seasons, playing every game while starting all but 12. He was an All-Star from 1965-68. In his final season (1972) he played for the Dolphins. 

 

*Tom Sestak – Selected in the 17th round in 1962, Sestak was the Bills’ starting right defensive tackle for his entire career (1963-68). He was named to the All-Star team in his first 4 seasons, and made first-team All-Pro in 3 of them. 

 

*Harry Jacobs was drafted by the Lions in 1959, but did not play for them. He was the Patriots’ middle linebacker for their first 2 seasons, then was a backup player in 1962. He joined the Bills in 1963 and was their starting middle linebacker from 1963-69. He finished up with the Saints in 1970.

 

*Mike Stratton – A 13th-round pick in 1962, Stratton was the Bills’ starting right linebacker from 1962-72, although he missed a number of games in ’70 and ’71. He was an All-Star every year from 1963-68, and was first-team All-Pro 3 times in that span. He finished his career in 1973 with the Chargers. 

 

George Saimes – The Chiefs’ 6th-round pick in 1963, Saimes was the Bills’ starting free safety from 1963-69, making the All-Star team 5 times while being named first-team All-Pro 3 times. He also played for the Broncos from 1970-72, and was their starting free safety in 1971. 

 

 

*Unknown to me before November 2023 

 

Next: Denver Broncos 

 

Oakland Raiders

This is the year the Raiders finished with a 13-1 record and went to Super Bowl II, led by the newly-acquired Daryle Lamonica. 

 

It was also the first year of an 11 out of 12 run where they finished in 1st place in their division. (Yes, in 1969 the Raiders finished ahead of the Chiefs in the AFL West, but a one-off playoff format that year had the division leaders playing the 2nd-place team in the other division. The Chiefs beat the Jets in the first round, then beat the Raiders in the AFL championship game.) 

 

Daryle Lamonica was the Bills’ 24th-round pick in 1963. After riding the bench for 4 seasons behind Jack Kemp, he was traded to the Raiders before the 1967 season for QB Tom Flores. Lamonica was named AFL Player of the Year and first-team All-Pro in ’67 and ’69. He was the team’s starting QB from 1967-72, then backed up Ken Stabler in his final 2 seasons. 

 

Cotton Davidson was the Colts’ 1st-round pick in 1954. After backing up in his rookie season, he missed the next 2 years for military service. Upon his return, he resumed backup chores in 1957. He played in the CFL in 1958, and was retired in 1959 (coaching at Baylor). 

 

The AFL came calling in 1960, and Davidson was the Dallas Texans' starting QB for their first 2 seasons. With the arrival of Len Dawson in 1962, Davidson was traded to the Raiders, where he started in place of Flores, who missed the entire ’62 season. In 1963, Flores returned to the starting role, and Davidson returned to the Oakland bench, playing 1 game in 1968 before retiring. 

 

Clem Daniels was the Dallas Texans’ starting right cornerback in 1960, then played halfback for the Raiders for the next 7 seasons, starting almost every game from 1963-66, while making the Pro Bowl in those 4 years. He finished up with the 49ers in 1968. 

 

Larry Todd – A first-round pick in 1965, Todd was a little-used halfback for the Raiders from 1965-70. This is one of 5 cards that came in the only pack I bought in 1967, so it’s creased and worn.

 

Fred Biletnikoff was the Raiders’ 2nd-round pick in 1965, and started half the games at flanker in his first 3 seasons. Beginning in 1968 he started almost every game for the next 10 seasons, while making 6 Pro Bowls and garnering 2 first-team All-Pro selections. He started 2 games in 1978, his final season with Oakland. 

 

*Glenn Bass was drafted by the Chargers in 1961, but played split end for the Bills from 1961-66. Although pictured on a Raiders’ card, he was a backup flanker for the Oilers in ’67 and ’68. 

 

Billy Cannon – The 1959 Heisman Trophy winner and first overall pick by the Rams in the 1960 draft, Cannon caused quite a stir by signing with both the Rams AND Oilers. He was Houston’s starting halfback from 1960-62 and led the AFL with 948 rushing yards in 1961. After missing half of the 1962 season, he was traded to the Raiders and was their starting fullback in 1964. The next year he switched to tight end and started most of 1967-69. He finished as a backup with the Chiefs in 1970.

 

Jim Otto was drafted by the Raiders in 1960, and started every game at center from 1960-74. He is one of 3 players to have played in every AFL game. Otto was named first-team All-Pro 10 times, and selected for 12 All-Star games/Pro Bowls. He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1980. 

 

Harry Schuh – The Raiders’ 1st pick in the 1965 draft, Schuh was their starting right tackle from 1965-70, making 3 All-Star games in that time. He also played for Rams from 1971-73 (starting every game in the first 2 seasons) and the Packers in 1974. 

 

Bob Svihus was picked in the 3rd round of the 1965 draft and start all but 1 game at left tackle for the Raiders from 1965-69, then was replaced by 2nd-year man Art Shell in 1970. He played for the Jets from 1971-73, starting every game for the first 2 seasons. 

 

Ben Davidson was the Giants’ 4th-round pick in 1961, but was a backup defensive end for the Packers that year. After 2 seasons as a backup with the Redskins, Davidson came to Oakland and was their starting right defensive end from 1964-71, making the Pro Bowl 3 times. 

 

Ike Lassiter was the Rams’ 9th-round pick in 1962, but chose to play for the Denver Broncos, where he started about half the games at defensive end for 3 seasons. From 1965 to 1969 he started every game at left end for the Raiders, making the All-Star game in 1966. He finished up with the Patriots from 1970-71. 

 

Kent McCloughan – An 11th-round pick for the Oilers in 1965, McCloughan was the Raiders’ right cornerback from 1965-68, and 1970. He missed all but 4 games in 1969. 

 

Dave Grayson – An undrafted free agent, Grayson was the Texans/Chiefs starting right cornerback from 1961-64, making 3 All-Star games in that time. He was traded to the Raiders in 1965, and after 2 seasons as the starting right cornerback, he was their starting free safety from 1967-70. He snared 3 first-team All-Pro selections while a Raider, along with 3 Pro Bowls. 

 

 

*Unknown to me before November 2023. 

 

Next: Buffalo Bills

Houston Oilers

The Houston Oilers were the AFL’s first success story, appearing in the first 3 AFL Championship games, and winning the first two. This can surely be attributed to their veteran QB George Blanda, and also 1960 rookie Billy Cannon (the 1959 Heisman Trophy winner). 

 

After winning 10, 10, and 11 games in their first 3 seasons, they only posted 6, 4, 4, and 3 wins in their next 4 seasons. What happened to the Oilers’ machine in 1963? After 10 weeks they were 6-4, but after a 2-week layoff (bye, JFK cancellation), they lost their final 4 games to the Chargers (twice), Raiders, and Patriots (all good teams). Cannon also missed 8 games in ’63, and was traded after the season.

 

The Oilers bounced back in 1967 to win the East Division with a 9-4-1 record, but lost to the Raiders in the AFL Championship game. They didn’t have another winning season until 1975. 

 

The 1967 card set includes quarterbacks Jacky Lee and Don Trull, but neither was the Oilers’ regular QB in 1967 (their first season without Blanda at the helm). Lee played in the first 4 games (including 3 starts), then during the Oilers’ bye week, he and Ernie Ladd were traded to the Chiefs for Pete Beathard. Pete played in the remaining 10 games, starting 9 of them. 

 

Trull played in 3 of the first 4 games (no starts), then 6 days after the Lee/Beathard trade, he was traded to the Patriots.

Jacky Lee was drafted by the Oilers in 1960**. After backing up George Blanda for 4 seasons, he was traded to the Broncos, where he was the starter in ’64 and a backup in ’65. He returned to the Oilers for all of 1966 and part of 1967, then finished up with the Chiefs from 1967-69. 

 

Don Trull was the Oilers’ 14th-round pick in 1963. He replaced Lee as Blanda’s backup for 1964-66. Traded to the Patriots in mid-October 1967, he started 3 games there (behind Babe Parilli), then returned to the Oilers for 1968-69. 

 

Sid Blanks – The Oilers’ 5th-round pick in 1964, Blanks was the team’s starting halfback as a rookie, leading the AFL with 6 rushing TDs and making the All-Star team. After missing the 1965 season, he was a backup for the Oilers from 1966-68, and the Patriots from 1969-70. 

 

Ode Burrell was the Oilers’ 4th-round pick in 1964. After riding the bench in his rookie season, he was the starting halfback in 1965 (making the All-Star team) and part of 1966, before moving to flanker in ’67. Burrell missed all but 1 game in 1968, and was a backup in 1969. 

 

*Larry Elkins was the Oilers’ 1st-round pick (2nd overall) in 1965. He missed all of the 1965 season, but was the starting flanker for half the games in 1966 and 2 games in 1967. 

 

Bob Talamini was drafted by the Oilers in 1960**, and played in every game from 1960 to 1968 (the last season with the Jets). He started every game (at left guard) except for 6 games in his rookie season and 7 games in his final season. A 6-time All-Star and 3-time first-team All-Pro, his final game was Super Bowl III. 

 

Walt Suggs was drafted by the Oilers in the 3rd round in 1961. He missed the 1961 season, and after playing every game in 1962 as a backup, he started every game at left tackle for the Oilers from 1963-70. In his final season (1971), he was the Oilers’ starting center. 

 

*Gary Cutsinger – The Oilers’ 4th-round pick in 1962, Cutsinger started every game at left defensive end for 2 seasons. In 1964 he played in every game but only started two. He returned to his starting role for 1965-66. After missing the 1967 season, he started 10 games on the right end in 1968. 

 

Ernie Ladd was drafted by the Chargers in the 15th round in 1961. He was the starting right defensive tackle for the next 2 seasons, and was a first-team All-Pro selection as a rookie, as well as the runner-up in the Rookie of the Year voting. He made the All-Star team every season from 1962-65 (despite only starting 2 games in 1963), and had 2 more first-team All-Pro selections in ’64 and ’65. 

After playing all of 1966 and part of 1967 with the Oilers, he was traded to the Chiefs in the Pete Beathard deal, and finished his career in 1968. 

 

*Danny Brabham was the Oilers’ 1st-round pick in 1963. He played for them from 1963-67, but was only a regular starter in 1965. He finished his career with the expansion Bengals in 1968. 

 

Bobby Maples – The Oilers’ 4th-round pick in 1965, Maples started half the games at left linebacker as a rookie, then was the team’s starting center from 1966-70. After spending 1971 with the Steelers, he played for the Broncos from 1972-78. Their starting center from 1973-76, he was used mostly as a long-snapper in ’72 and ’77. 

 

Miller Farr was the first overall pick in the 1965 draft by the Broncos. After 7 games as the starting strong safety, he was traded to the Chargers. He played every game as his team’s left cornerback from 1966 to 1972. After playing for the Chargers in 1966, he was traded to the Oilers for Scott Appleton, and made the All-Star team in his 3 seasons with Houston. 

In January 1970 he was traded to the Cardinals for QB Charley Johnson. After 3 seasons in St. Louis, Farr finished his career as a backup with the Lions in 1973. Besides his brother Mel Farr, his family includes cousins Lem Barney, Jerry LeVias, and Marvin Gaye. 

 

*Bobby Jancik – A 19th-round pick in 1962, Jancik played cornerback and safety for the Oilers from 1962-67. He started most of 1963 and parts of 1964-67. 

 

W.K. Hicks signed with the Oilers in 1964, and was their starting right cornerback from 1964-68, before switching to free safety for ’68 and ’69. He also played for the Jets from 1970-72, the first 2 years as their starting free safety. 

 

Jim Norton was drafted by the Dallas Texans in 1960**, but played for the Oilers from 1960-68. He was a staring safety in all but his rookie season, and was a 3-time All-Star selection. He was also the Oilers’ punter from 1961-68. 

 

 

*Unknown to me before November 2023.

** The 1960 AFL draft consisted of the teams drawing random names out of a hat.

San Diego Chargers

Lost in the focus on the late-1960s Super Bowl participants (i.e., Chiefs, Raiders, and Jets) is the fact that the Chargers were a very good team in the early 1960s. They were in 5 of the first 6 AFL Championship games, winning it in 1963. I recently added a “League Champions” chart to all my football card sidebars, so that we can appreciate the Chargers, Oilers, Bills, and Browns (in addition to the usual gang of Packers, Chiefs, Raiders, etc.)

 

After finishing in 1st place in the West for 5 of their first 6 seasons, the Chargers finished in 3rd or 4th place every year from 1966 to 1978. This 1967 club clocked in at 8-5-1, a one-game improvement over 1966’s 7-6-1. 

 

John Hadl – The Chargers’ 1st-round pick in 1962, Hadl took over for the departed Jack Kemp, and was the team’s starting QB from 1962 to 1972 (except for taking a back seat to Tobin Rote in 1963). Hadl led the league in passing yardage in ’65, ’68, and ’71. He also played for the Rams, Packers, and Oilers from 1973-77. 

 

Steve Tensi – A 4th-round pick in 1965, Tensi played sparingly in his 2 seasons with San Diego. He was the Bronco’s starting QB from 1967-69, before losing the job to Pete Liske in 1970. 

 

Paul Lowe – An undrafted free agent, Lowe was the team’s top back from 1960 to 1966 (missing the 1962 season with injuries). He rushed for over 1000 yards in ’63 and ’65, leading the AFL in 1965. He was also 1st-team All-Pro in ‘60 and ’65. Beginning in 1967, he was a backup to 1967 AFL Rookie of the Year Dickie Post. Lowe finished his career with the Chiefs in 1969. 

 

Jim Allison – A 12th-round pick in 1965, Allison played for the Chargers for 4 seasons, but only started 3 games (all in 1966). 

 

Lance Alworth was the Raiders’ 2nd-round pick in 1962, but never played for them. After playing only 4 games for the Chargers in ’62, Alworth’s career exploded in 1963 and was named AFL Player of the Year in ’63. He was also 1st-team All-Pro from 1963-68, leading the AFL in receptions 3 times and receiving yards 3 times. Alworth finished up with the Cowboys in ’71 and ’72. He was the first AFL player inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

 

Jacque MacKinnon – A 33rd (!) round pick in 1961, MacKinnon played tight end for the Chargers every season from 1961-69, except for playing halfback in 1962 in Lowe’s absence. He was the starter only in ’66 and ’68, making the All-Star team in both seasons. In 1970 he wrapped up with the Raiders.

 

Ron Mix was drafted* by the Patriots in 1960, but did not play for them. He was a starter for the Chargers in every AFL season (1960-69), and was 1st-team All-Pro every year but 1969. He was retired in 1970 but returned to play for Oakland in 1971. Mix was the second Chargers’ player inducted into the Hall of Fame (in 1979). 

 

 

Four defensive ends???

 

Tom Day was drafted by the Bills and Cardinals in 1960. After one season with St. Louis, he played for the Bills beginning in 1961. He was a starting guard until switching to defensive end in 1964, starting every game at right end for the next 3 seasons. After playing for the Chargers in 1967, he returned to the Bills for one more season. 

 

Steve DeLong was the Chargers’ 1st pick in 1965, and was a starter on the D-line from 1966-71. He started every game from 1968-71. In his final season (1972) he started every game for the Bears. 

 

Howard Kindig – A 14th-round pick in 1964, Kindig played defensive end for 2 seasons (as the starter in 1966). He split the 1967 season as a defensive tackle for the Chargers and the Bills. Beginning in 1968 he switched to offense, playing center and tackle for Buffalo from 1968-71, tackle for the Dolphins (’72), and center for the Jets (’74). 

 

Scott Appleton – This defensive tackle was the Oilers’ 1st-round pick in 1964. After 3 seasons with Houston, he played for the Chargers from 1967-68. 

 

Bob Petrich was drafted by the Chargers in 1963, and was their starting right defensive end for the next 4 seasons, starting all but 2 games. He finished his career in 1967 with the Bills. 

 

Chuck Allen – The Chargers’ 28th-round pick in 1961, Allen was the team’s starting middle linebacker from 1961-66, and in 1968. He also played for the Steelers (’70-’71) and the Eagles (1972). 

 

Frank Buncom – A 6th-round pick in 1962, Frank was the Chargers’ starting right linebacker from 1964-67, making the All-Star team in 3 of those 4 seasons. He was the expansion Bengals’ starting right linebacker in 1968, but died just hours before their 1969 season-opener.

 

Speedy Duncan was an undrafted free agent and was an excellent kick and punt returner. He led the league in yards per return in ’65, ’66, and ’71, and made the AFL All-Star team from 1965-67. He played for the Chargers from 1964-70, and the Redskins from 1971-74. From 1965-69 he was also San Diego’s starting right cornerback. 

 

 

* In 1960, the AFL draft consisted of the owners picking random names out of a hat.