New England Patriots

Here are the cards for the 1971 New England Patriots. In 1970 (their last season as the "Boston" Patriots), the team went 2-12 under the leadership of QB Joe Kapp (his only season with the team). That was bad enough for last-place, and the Pats used their first overall pick in the 1971 draft to select Heisman Trophy winning QB Jim Plunkett, who would play every down in 1971.

Joe Kapp played in Canada from 1959-66, then came down to Minnesota in 1967 after QB Fran Tarkenton's trade to the Giants. After 3 seasons with the Vikings (culminating in a loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl IV), Kapp headed to Boston, replacing Mike Taliaferro as the starting QB.

By the time this card came out, Kapp was out of football, a victim of contract issues instigated by Pete Rozelle. After football, he went into acting, playing small parts in TV shows and movies, including The Longest Yard.

Mike Taliaferro was a generic AFL QB (like Don Trull and Jackie Lee), but somehow managed to play in the AFL All-Star game in 1969, despite leading his team to a 4-10 record.

The Jets' 28th-round pick in 1963, he didn't play that season, but was the backup from 1964-67 (while also starting 5 games during Joe Namath's rookie season in 1965). Mike was the Patriots' starting QB for half of 1968 and all of 1969, then backed up Kapp in '70. I'm pretty sure he was the backup in 1971, but there's no record of that because he did not play (with Plunkett taking every snap). Mike also played for the Bills in 1972 and the WFL's Houston Texans in 1974.

Carl Garrett was drafted by the Boston Patriots in 1969, and played four seasons with the team as the starting halfback, kick returner, and punt returner. Garrett played 2 seasons with the Bears (1973-74), then 1 with the Jets and 2 with the Raiders. He was primarily a kick returner with Oakland.

Jim Nance was drafted by the Patriots out of Syracuse University in 1965, and was their starting fullback for 7 seasons. At 240 pounds, he was huge for a fullback at that time. Nance led the AFL is rushing yards in 1966 (1458) and 1967 (1216), and made the All-Star team in both seasons. He also led the AFL with 11 TDs in 1966.

Jim was traded to the Eagles in 1972 but chose not to play for them and retired. He came back to play for the Jets in 1973, and the WFL's Shreveport Steamer in 1974-75. Nance died in 1992 at age 49.

Ron Sellers was the Patriots' #1 pick in 1969. After an all-star rookie season, he was injured the following season, and was eventually traded to the Super Bowl champion Cowboys in 1972. He became the starter midway through the season (replacing Bob Hayes), but was traded to the Super Bowl champion Dolphins in 1973, where he rarely played.

Bake Turner was drafted by the Colts in 1962, and followed coach Weeb Ewbank to the Jets in 1963. Bake was a starting end for 2 seasons with the Jets, making the All-Star team in 1963 while collecting over 1000 receiving yards. He started 4 games in 1965, but rookie George Sauer took over the starting job for most of the season.

Turner continued as the team's top kick returner, and although he wasn't one of Joe Namath's top two targets, he was Joe's wingman for off-field shenanigans. Bake remained with the Jets through the 1969 season, then wrapped up his career in 1970 as a starting wide receiver for the Patriots.

Ron Berger played semi-pro football from 1965-67, then was with the Rams in 1968. He played for the Patriots from 1969-72 (and was a starter in 1970), and was with the Dolphins in 1973 (although he did not play).

Marty Schottenheimer was drafted by the Bills in 1965 and was a backup middle linebacker there for 4 seasons before going to the Patriots, where he was a backup linebacker for 2 seasons. Topps almost ran out of room on this card for his name! I'm sure the back of his jersey was just as crowded.

Marty began his coaching career in 1974 in the WFL, and was later the head coach for the Browns, Chiefs, Redskins, and Chargers.

John Bramlett was a starting right linebacker for 6 seasons (1965-70), two seasons each with the Broncos, Dolphins, and Patriots. He wrapped up his career in 1971 with the Falcons. Once nicknamed "The Meanest Man in Football", Bramlett is now a minister.

Tom Janik was the Broncos' 3rd-round pick in 1963, and was a backup defensive back there for 2 seasons, He also punted 10 times in 1964. Traded to the Bills in 1965, and was a starting defensive back for 4 seasons. In Buffalo's only win during the 1968 season, Janik returned an interception 100 yards for a TD. Tom moved on to the Patriots in 1969, where be began punting again, and was the team's punter for 3 seasons.


Also check out the 1968 Patriots.

Green Bay Packers

Here we are, 4 seasons after the departure of Vince Lombardi. Of these 10 players below, five are veterans from the glory years, two began their careers the year of Super Bowl I (1966), and three others were rookies in 1970.

After years at the top, the Pack just went through 3 seasons coached by Lombardi's successor, Phil Bengston. During those seasons, they won 6, 8, and 6 games. 1971 was the first season with Dan Devine at the helm, but their win total dropped to 4. They rebounded in 1972 with a 10-4 record, and their first post-season since 1967. Unfortunately, they wouldn't see double-digit wins again until 1989.

Bart Starr played 16 seasons (1956-71), all for the Packers. He was their starting QB every season from 1957-70, until rookie Scott Hunter took over in Starr's last season (1971). Starr was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977, and coached the Packers from 1975-83, never winning more than 8 games in a season.

Veteran Zeke Bratkowski was a backup QB for the Bears from 1954-60, then started for the Rams in '61 and '62. During the 1963 season, he was traded to Green Bay, where he served as Starr's caddy through 1968. After 2 years as a Packers' coach, he suited up in 1971 for one final season.

Donny Anderson was the Packers' #1 pick in 1965, and finished 4th in the Heisman voting. He began playing in 1966, but with Green Bay stocked at running back with Paul Hornung, Jim Taylor, and Elijah Pitts, Anderson returned punts and kicks during his first 2 seasons. He was also the team's punter for all but his rookie season. With the departure of Hornung and Taylor to the Saints in 1967, Donny was one of the team's leading rushers from 1967-71. Anderson was traded to the Cardinals prior to the 1972 season, and played there for 3 seasons.

A 17th (last) round pick in 1970, Larry Krause returned kicks for the Pack from 1970-74.

Gale Gillingham joined the Packers in 1966, and was a starting guard from 1967-76 (except for missing most of 1972 and all of 1975). He replaced Fuzzy Thurston at left guard in 1967, then moved to the right side in 1969 following Jerry Kramer's retirement. Gale was a 5-time Pro-Bowler.

Lionel Aldridge was drafted by the Packers in 1963, and was their starting right defensive end for the next 9 seasons. He also played for the Chargers from 1972-73. Aldridge passed away in 1998 at age 56.

Mike McCoy was the Packers' #1 pick (2nd overall) in 1970, and became the starting right defensive tackle, replacing the retired Henry Jordan, who had manned that post for 11 seasons. The following season, Mike and Bob Brown switched sides, with McCoy holding down left D-tackle for the next 6 seasons. He finished his career with the Raiders, Giants, and Lions from 1977-80.

Ray Nitschke was another of Lombardi's grizzled veterans. He was drafted by Green Bay in 1958 from the University of Illinois, 7 years before Dick Butkus was drafted from the same school. Ray was the team's starting MLB from 1958-70, followed by 2 seasons as a reserve, before retiring after 1972. Surprisingly, he only made 1 Pro Bowl. Nitschke was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.

Ken Ellis joined the Packers in 1970, replacing legendary cornerback Herb Adderley, who had been traded to the Cowboys. Ellis was a starting corner for Green Bay from 1970-75, then played for 5 other teams between 1976 and 1979.

Willie Wood was signed as a free agent in 1960, and played 12 seasons, all with the Packers. He was Green Bay's starting free safety in all but his rookie season, and returned punts every season. Wood was an 8-time Pro-Bowler, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.


Also check out the 1967 and 1968 Packers.

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Philadelphia Eagles

These are the cards for the 1971 Eagles. You may be wondering why there is no quarterback card. Long-time veteran Norm Snead was traded to the Vikings in the off-season, and appears on a Vikings card (but in an Eagles' jersey). Snead was replaced by CFL quarterback Pete Liske, but not until just before training camp.

Aside from not including a quarterback, the position allocation seems a little strange here: 3 running backs, 2 wide receivers (including kick returner Billy Walik instead of veteran starter Ben Hawkins), no offensive linemen, and no middle linebacker.

Except for Tom Woodeshick, Harold Jackson, and Tim Rossovich, all of the cards here are the player's rookie card. The 1970 rookies (Lee Bouggess, Walik, Mark Moseley) appear in the team's current jerseys. Others are shown in the late-1960s' Eagles jersey with stripes around the shoulders.

I noticed today that although each player's card back contains a long narrative, most of them go into great detail about the player's college career, with only a sentence about their NFL accomplishments. I guess because it's the early-70s Eagles!


Cyril Pinder - Cyril was the Eagles' #2 pick in 1968, and worked his way up to starting halfback in 1970, leading the team in rushing. However he didn't make the team in 1971 (?!?) and was traded to the Bears. After 2 seasons in Chicago, he ended his career in 1973 with the Cowboys.


Lee Bouggess - The Eagles' #3 pick in the 1970 draft, Bouggess was the team's starting fullback for his first 2 seasons, and was the Eagles' 2nd-leading rusher as a rookie, with 401 yards. After missing the 1972 season with injuries, he returned for 1 final season with the Eagles in 1973, as a backup.


Tom Woodeshick - Tom was drafted by the Eagles in 1963, and after 4 seasons as a backup, he was the starting fullback from 1967-69. Woodeshick made the Pro Bowl in 1968, the year he rushed for 947 yards. He was the 2nd-string fullback behind Bouggess from 1970-71, and wrapped up his career with the Cardinals in 1972.


Harold Jackson - Harold was one of the few stars on the Eagles in 1971. Drafted by the Rams in 1968, he was a starter for the Eagles from 1969-72, and led the NFL in receiving yards in 1969 and 1972. After the 1972 season, he returned to the Rams in the Roman Gabriel trade. Jackson played 5 more seasons for the Rams, and 4 with the Patriots. He finished as a backup with the Vikings (1982) and Seahawks (1983).


Billy Walik - Walik's NFL career consisted of 3 seasons (1970-72) with the Eagles as a kick returner and occasional punt returner. I'm not sure why he has a card, as he never scored on a return, and he rarely lined up as a receiver. (Meanwhile, #2 WR Ben Hawkins had over 30 catches and 4 TDs in 1970, but no card in 1971.)


Mark Moseley - Oh, what could have been! Moseley was drafted by the Eagles in 1970, and after a poor rookie season (56% of field goals made) where he was also pressed into service as a punter due to injuries, the Eagles gave up on him. After 2 seasons with the Oilers, Mark went on to kick for the Redskins for 12 years, leading the NFL in field goals 4 times.


Tim Rossovich - The Eagles' #1 pick in the 1968 draft was probably more notable for his off-field activities (like eating glass and setting his hair on fire) than for his football accomplishments. After starting at left defensive end for 2 1/2 seasons, he moved to middle linebacker midway through the 1970 season, replacing long-time veteran Dave Lloyd. After the 1971 season, he moved on to the Chargers. Rossovich played for the WFL's Philadelphia Bell for the 1974-75 seasons, then returned to the NFL with the Oilers in 1976.

After football, Tim began acting, and appeared in various TV series, including "Magnum, P.I." (with his college roommate Tom Selleck), "MacGyver", "Knight Rider", and most notably 1980's "When the Whistle Blows".


Gary Pettigrew - Gary was the Eagles' #2 draft pick in 1966, and was a starter on their defensive line for 8-plus seasons, except for missing some time in 1969 and 1971 with injuries. He was the team's starting right end for his first 2 seasons, before moving to defensive tackle. He began his last season (1974) with the Eagles, but ended it with the Giants.

Steve Preece - Preece began his career with the Saints in 1969, but was the Eagles' starting free safety in 1970. He replaced long-time Eagles' free safety Joe Scarpati, who was traded to the Saints in a separate deal. After his 2nd season with the Eagles, Steve moved on to the Broncos and Rams before ending his career with the Seahawks in 1977.

Adrian Young - Young was the Eagles' #3 pick in 1968 out of USC, the same school where they found their #1 pick Rossovich. After 2 seasons as a backup, Adrian was a starting outside linebacker in 1970. He missed almost all of 1971 due to injury, and was traded to the Lions early in the 1972 season. He finished his career in 1973 with the Bears.

One more thing: this picture is not Adrian Young - it's Rick Duncan. Duncan punted for 1 game with the Eagles in 1968, and was invited to their 1971 training camp, but didn't make the team. Below are Young's and Duncan's pages from the Eagles 1971 yearbook.





March 2013 edit: A fellow blogger has now corrected Topps' oversight.


Also check out the 1967 and 1972 Eagles.
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Denver Broncos

Here we have the 1971 Denver Broncos cards. Four of the ten players are pictured in other teams' uniforms. In the early days, the Broncos seemed like the AFL's revolving door. In their first 8 seasons, Denver finished 2-11-1 twice, 3-11 twice, and 4-10 twice. After 2 straight 5-8-1 seasons, the Broncos slipped to 4-9-1 in 1971, bringing an end to Lou Saban's 5-year tenure as head coach.


#59 Don Horn - Horn was the Packers' 1st-round draft pick in 1967, and after caddying for Bart Starr for 4 seasons, Don finally got his own gig in 1971 with the Broncos. He was Denver's 4th starting QB in 4 years, but the carousel didn't stop there. After 9 games, he lost his job to Steve Ramsey, who would be replaced in 1972 by ex-Cardinal Charlie Johnson. In 1972, Don wasted away as the Broncos' 3rd-string QB before moving on to Cleveland in 1973 and San Diego in 1974.


#110 Floyd Little - One of the few Broncos' stars of the 1960s and early 1970s, Little was Denver's 1st-round pick in 1967, and played his entire career (1967-75) with the Broncos. Floyd led the NFL in rushing with 1133 yards in 1971, and his 12 TDs in 1973 also led the league. Little was inducted in to the Hall of Fame in 2010.


#212 Bob Anderson - Bob was drafted in the 1st round by the Broncos in 1970, and played 4 seasons with them as a fullback and kick returner. After jumping to the WFL in 1974, Bob returned to the NFL in 1975 and played briefly for the Redskins and Patriots. His brother Dick was a safety with the Dolphins in the early 1970s.


#185 Sam Brunelli - Brunelli had a 6-year career with the Broncos from 1966 to 1971. He was their starting left tackle from 1967-70.


#136 Jim Turner - Turner was drafted by the Redskins in 1963 but did not make the team. Beginning in 1964, Jim played every game for the next 16 seasons, first with the Jets (1964-70) and then the Broncos (1971-79). Turner kicked for the Jets in Super Bowl III and the Broncos in Super Bowl XII. Because the back of the card said "he can also fill in at quarterback", apparently in 1971 I felt the need to update his position on the front. (He had a total of 4 passing attempts in 1967 and 1 in 1973.)


#81 Rich Jackson - Jackson was signed as a free agent in 1965 by the Raiders, but a training camp injury landed him on the taxi squad all season. He returned in 1966 as a backup linebacker for the Raiders, then was traded to the Broncos in summer 1967 and switched to defensive END. From 1967 to 1972, he was a starting defensive end for Denver, until finishing his career with the Browns in the latter part of the 1972 season.


#164 Dave Costa - Dave played 12 years in the AFL and NFL as a defensive tackle. He began with Oakland (1963-65), then Buffalo (1966), Denver (1967-71), San Diego (1972-72), and back to Buffalo (1974). He was a starter everywhere except for his 2 seasons with the Bills, and made the Pro Bowl 4 times.


#256 Cornell Gordon - Cornell played for the Jets from 1965 to 1969, finally becoming the starting right cornerback in his last season there. He also played 3 seasons with the Broncos (1970-72), and was their starting left cornerback in 1970.


#38 Paul Martha - Paul was drafted by the Steelers in the 1st round in 1964, out of the University of Pittsburgh. A seldom-used split end during his first 2 seasons, he moved to defense in 1966 when injuries decimated the Steelers, and was their starting free safety for 4 seasons. He wrapped up his career in 1970 as the Broncos' starting free safety. After football, he became an attorney, and was an executive with the San Francisco 49ers and later the Pittsburgh Penguins.

#9 Billy Van Heusen - Van Heusen was primarily a punter, and played his entire career (1968-76) with the Broncos. He was also a starting wide receiver in 1974 and 1975.


Also see the 1968 Broncos.


Next time: Green Bay Packers
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New Orleans Saints

The 1971 New Orleans Saints have the standard allotment of 10 player cards. In 1970, the Saints finished 2-11-1, in what would become their customary 4th spot in the NFC West. In 1971, with rookie QB Archie Manning at the controls, they improved to 4-8-2, but still finished 4th.


#226 Edd Hargett - Hargett played for the Saints from 1969-72, and the Oilers in 1973. His only starts came during 1970 and 1971.


#198 Hoyle Granger - Granger was drafted by the Oilers in 1966, and was their fullback from 1966 to 1972, except for the one season (1971) he spent with the Saints. His best season was 1967, when he rushed for 1194 yards.


#90 Dan Abramowicz - Dan was picked by the Saints in the last (17th) round of the 1967 draft. He played for the Saints from 1967 until 2 games into the 1973 season. He spent the remainder of 1973 and all of 1974 with the 49ers. His 73 receptions led the NFL in 1969.


#148 Al Dodd - After playing in a few games for the Bears in 1967, Al became a starting wide receiver for the Saints from 1969-71, and the Falcons in 1973-74. He also returned kicks and punts during his career. Al missed the 1968 and 1972 seasons.


#37 Dave Parks - Dave was the first overall pick (by the 49ers) in the 1964 draft. After playing split end for the 49ers from 1964-67, he joined the Saints in 1968, and switched to tight end in 1969. In 1965, he led the NFL in receptions (80), receiving yards (134), and touchdowns (12). He finished his career with the Oilers in 1973.


#117 Errol Linden - Linden's career began in 1961 with the Browns. He played for the Vikings from 1962-65, the Falcons from 1966-68, and the Saints from 1969-70. He was his team's starting offensive right tackle from 1963-70.


#5 Tom Dempsey - Tom was with the Chargers in 1968 but did not play. He kicked for the Saints from 1969-70, including a record 63-yard field goal in 1970. In a classic "What have you done for me lately?" move, he was cut after the 1970 season. Midway through the 1971 season, he hooked on with the Eagles, where he stayed through the 1974 season. He also kicked for the Rams (1975-76), Oilers (1977), and Bills (1978-79).


#251 Jackie Burkett - Jackie was the Colts' 1st-round pick in 1959. After playing for the Colts through the 1966 season, he played for the Saints in 1967 and 1970, and for the Cowboys in 1968-69.


#57 Mike Morgan - Here we see Morgan in his Eagles' jersey, where he was the starting left linebacker from 1964-67. After one season (1968) with the Redskins, he finished his career as the Saints' regular left linebacker from 1969-70.


#173 Joe Scarpati - Another ex-Eagle here is Joe Scarpati. Joe was the Eagles' starting free safety from 1964 to 1969. He was also the Saints' free safety during his only season there (1970). Although he's shown on this card as a Saint, he returned to the Eagles for the 1971 season. A pre-season injury ended his career.


Also check out the 1967 and 1972 Saints.


Next time: Denver Broncos
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