AFL Merger Brings Players Acceptance and Foreseeable Changes
AFL players express pride at the merger ending years of inferiority to the NFL. They discuss competition levels, quarterback depth, and the impact on salaries, pensions, and options, with emphasis on preserving AFL identity and planning toward 1970 parity. Opportunities for future games in the Bay Area and cross league competition are noted.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
NEW York
NEA
American Football League
AFL
Jim Tyrer
Kansas City Chiefs
Tyrer
Chiefs
Denver
Eldon Danenhauer
Broncos
Danenhauer
Jack Kemp
Buffalo Bills
NFL
Boston
Tom Addison
Colts
Eagles
Buffalo
Kansas City
San Diego
Houston
Oakland
Fred Glick
Ernie Wright
AFL Players Association
Ralph Wilson
Players Association
Kemp
Wayne Hawkins
Bay Area
Raiders
49Ers
Addison
Canada
Wright
Jon Gilliam
Ed Budde
Curt Merz
Dave Hill
Hatch Rosdah
Lions' Schmidt Ends Career With Lone Acknowledgment
Detroit veteran Joe Schmidt retires after 13 seasons with the Lions without a formal tribute. Once a nine-time All-Pro, Schmidt remained a respected figure amid franchise turmoil and a partial coaching role, leaving memories of dominance and a fading public spotlight.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Detroit
Mich
Inea
Detroit Lions
Joe Schmidt
Lions
Roosevelt Brown
Yankee Stadium
Schmidt
Sam Huff
New York Giants
National Football League
Joe
Joe Wack
Mike Lucel
Laons
Lions struggle with unrest and coaching doubts at camp
The Lions, consigned to last in the West, face a turbulent camp with veteran walkouts led by Roger Brown John Gordy Pat Studstill and Bruce Maher. Coach Harry Gilmer grapples with control while Milt Plum replaces Earl Morrall and Joe Schmidt contemplates returning to the field amid a shaky roster and tense sidelines.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Erally
West
Roger Brown
John Gordy
Pat Studstill
Bruce Maher
Harry Gilmer
Joe Don Looney
Milt Plum
Earl Morrall
New York Giants
Manna
Larry
Schmidt
Terry Barr
Joe
Lions
Tiger Stadium
Detroit
Fina
Tay Bee
Broncos Face Uncertain Future Under Joe Namath Era Style
Pro scouting notes on the Denver Broncos critique passing stability with John McCormick’s injury history and Mickey Slaughter as tentative starter. Lionel Taylor and Bob Scarpitto provide receivers, while Cookie Gilchrist’s absence strains blocking. Linemen Rash of injuries and rookies fill gaps. defense labeled weak but with Willie Brown and Austin Gansoulin as positives. Prediction: Fourth place.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John McCormick
Mickey Slaughter
Lionel Taylor
Bob Scarpitto
al Denson
Hewrith Dixon
Cookie Gilchrist
Cookie
Wendell Hayes
Abner Haynes
Charley Mitchell
Raiders have balanced attack and strong defense in new lineup
The Raiders reunite a scrambling quarterback mix with Flores pocket passing and rely on Art Powell Biletnikoff and Todd at receiver. Daniels Gilchrist Haghberg Otto Hawkins ship in seasoned line and rookie Banaszak adds depth. Secondary features Grayson Bird inactive. Predicting strong West run.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Clemon Daniels
Cookie Gilchrist
Roger Haghberg
Bronca Hewitt Dixon
Pete Banaszak
Jim Otto
Wayne Hawkins
Bob Svihus
Harry Schuh
Dick Tyson
George Flint
Buffalo
Mike Mercer
Johnny Rauch
Chiefs Offense Faces Tough Depth as Dawson Holds Line
A retrospective on the Kansas City Chiefs offense shows Len Dawson's arm strength rising while Pete Beathard expects more action. The receivers Otis Taylor Frank Jackson Chris Burford and Fred Arbanas anchor a veteran receiving corps as running backs and offensive line battle depth concerns. The defense headlines by Headrick Bell and Williamson remains solid, but injuries and reserves push questions about the backfield and tackle depth. The team must gel behind a veteran core with limited proven bench strength.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Carleton Oats
Raider
Bill Budness
Gus Otta
J. R. Williamson
Kent McCloughan
Dave Grayson
Rodger Bird
Willie Williams
Giants
Warren Powers
Howie Williams
Len Dawson
Pete Beathard
Lenny
Pete
Chicts
Otis Taylor
Frank Jackson
Chris Burford
Frank Pitts
Fred Arbanas
Bills poised for repeat despite camp questions
In Joel Collier's debut the Bills present a familiar lineup with Kemp as starter, strong receivers Dubenian and Bass returning, and rookies like Crockett challenging. The backfield features a three way battle among Smith Burnett Bailey, while top linemen Basher Shaw and Dunaway anchor the front. Sestak's knee heals boosting the tackle unit. Byrd Saimes anchor the secondary as two all league vets. Bills remain logical favorites with Kemp needing a strong year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Daryle Lomanico
Joel Callier
Jack Kemp
Elbert Dubenian
Glenn Bass
Bobby Crockett
Arkansas
Paul
Fort Valley State
Cline
Dave Behrmann
al Bemniller
Stew Basher
Gilly Shaw
Rich Hudson
Joe O'Donnell
Joe
Remi Prudhomme
Tom Sestak
Jim Dunaway
Tom Day
Roland McDole
Henry Schmidt
Mike Stratton
Buttolo
Vétergas
Harry Jacobs
John Tracey
Bill Laskey
Morty Schottenheimer
Butch Byrd
George Saimes
Edgerson
Charley Warner
Charley King Hagood Clark
Gene Sykes
Joel Collier
Kemp
Also Mentioned on This Page
Sandy Padwe
Newspaper Enterprise Assn
Murray Olderman
Denver Broncos
Eldon Danenhaver
Jerry Stuem
Roy Kubolo
Pat Matson
Oregon
Bob Breitenstein
Gary Kroner
Billy Ray Fletcher
Schtpitto
George Tarasovic
Ray Jacobs
Max Leetxow
Archie Matsos
John Bramlett
Jim Thibert
Ron Sbronti
Willie Brown
Austin Gansoulin
Bronco
Bob Richardson
UCLA
Goldie Sellers
Grambling
Broncs
Mad’ Speedie
Oakland Raiders
Cotton Davidson
Tom Flores
Art Powell
Fred Biletnikoff
Larry Todd
Bill Cannan
Tom Mitchell
Ben Davidson
the Lassiter
Dave Costa
Don Birdwell
Tom Keating
Bills
Chargers
Mack Lee Hill
Custis McClinton
Bert Coon
Burton
Mike Garrett
Hank Strom
Jerrell Wilson
Bue
Tommy Brooker
Pane
Earl Lothamer
Lothamer
Bud Buchanan
Jerry Mays
Chuck Hurston
Aaron Brown
Sherrill Headrick
Muddle Man
Ang Comner
E J. Holub
Bobby Bell
Bell
Smokey Stover
Walt Corey
Uust
Fred Williamson
Willie Mitchell
Johany Robinson
Bobby Hunt
Scfenes
Capericoced
Fog
Solomon Brannon
Bobby Ply
Wray Carlton
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