A Shortage of Studs

In the garish expanse of the Moderne Room in Manhattan's Belmont Plaza Hotel last week, Pro Football Commissioner Pete Rozelle stood up and patiently repeated the same announcement half a dozen times for the benefit of the surrounding cameras and microphones: "The Buffalo Bills select O. J. Simpson, halfback, University of Southern California."

Thus last week began the third annual combined draft of the National and American Football Leagues. There was never a moment's doubt about Simpson: under the rules, the team with the poorest record has the right to make its draft selection first, and Buffalo, with a 1-12-1 record, won the honor hands down. O.J. had made some noises about refusing to go to Buffalo, but by week's end everyone seemed happy.

In one telephone link-up between Simpson in Los Angeles and Bills Owner Ralph Wilson in Buffalo, the Heisman Trophy winner, who has seen snow only twice in his life, asked how the weather was. "It's a beautiful clear day," replied Wilson, tactfully neglecting to mention that it was 4DEG above zero. When Columbia Quarterback Marty Domres learned that he was the first-round choice of the San Diego Chargers, he burbled: "They sent me a brochure last week. Do you know the lowest temperature they had last year was in January? It was 65.8."

Beef Stock. If the choice of Simpson was obvious, the selections of Domres and Yale Halfback Calvin Hill, who was the first choice of the Dallas Cowboys, were surprises. It was in fact the first time in the 34-year history of the pro draft that two players from the lowly Ivy League were snapped up in the first round. Save for All-America Quarterback Terry Hanratty of Notre Dame, who was bypassed (presumably because of his injured knee) and later picked up in the second round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the rest of the midwinter harvest was predictable.

Most teams sought to shore up their weak spots, though the Cleveland Browns, who already have an explosive running attack seemed to be padding when they opted for Michigan Halfback Ron Johnson. Green Bay's choice of unheralded Richie Moore, a 6-ft. 7-in., 290-lb. defensive tackle from Villanova, was based on more obvious logic. Aware that the current college crop is rich with running backs but thin on pro-caliber linemen, the Packers were apparently anxious to stock up on as much beef as they could.

All pro teams are badly in need of the big, mean linemen known to the trade as "studs." But there was a shortage of such types on college squads in 1968. The New York Giants, for example, are desperate for defensive linemen, and they had to settle for Defensive End Fred Dryer from San Diego State, who stands 6 ft. 6 in. and weighs a mere 228 lbs. Giant Coach Allie Sherman airily predicted that Dryer will put on some weight before the pro season starts in September. He had better.

Sizable Cut. After the draft, the next big battle will be the long negotiating sessions between players' agents and team owners. Simpson's agent, for example, has let it be known that his opening request will be for something like half the State of New York and a sizable cut of the proceeds from the St. Lawrence Seaway. In the end, most insiders figure that Simpson will come away with a three-year contract calling for more than $600,000, making him one of the highest-paid players in the history of football--or any other game.

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