‘No Sense Keeping in Namath,’ With Taliaferro Needing Work

By NEIL AMDUR

Herald News Writer

Monday, October 23, 1967

At 1:40 p.m. Sunday, New York quarterback Mike Taliaferro was activated for the Jets football game with Miami in the Orange Bowl.

Taliaferro had not run a play since Aug. 26 when he suffered a shoulder separation. In practice all week, he had been playing “Rick Norton” on the Jets’ scouting squad.

Taliaferro wasn't listed on the Jets' numerical roster. And he hasn't had to worry about an unlisted phone number since Joe Namath arrived in New York.

Sunday, however, the fans back home had to settle for Taliaferro (pronounced Tol-liver) in the second half while Namath stalked the sidelines trying to walk off a charleyhorse in his left leg.

“There was no sense playing Joe when we were ahead,” Coach Weeb Ewbank said, after Namath had completed 13 of 15 passes for 199 yards in his second assault on the Dolphin secondary this season. “We were planning to use Jim Turner, but Mike needed the work and he said he was ready.” Taliaferro started shakily on his first series losing four yards in three plays. After Bob Griese passed fur Miami's first score to close the Jets' lead to a 24-7, Mike took New York 81 yards in nine plays, throwing the final 20 to Don Maynard.

Namath's injury is not serious. “I just got hit near the end of the first half,” he said. “It's nothing but a charleyhorse.”

Ewbank said he would have reinstated his hero if the Dolphins had come closer than 33-14. But Taliaferro “moved the ball club,” and anytime Joe Namath limps, it is cause for alarm be it charleyhorse or one of his tender knees.

New York’s aerial success against the Dolphins — three touchdown passes — profited from Miami's realignment in the secondary or more specifically the ability of George Sauer (six catches for 139 yards) to beat new cornerback Pete Jaquess.

“They were double-covering me most of the time, said Sauer, a talented three year Texas product. But when we brought (Don) Maynard over on the same side they seemed to get confused on the coverage.

“I think both touchdown passes (61 yards to Sauer, 20 to Maynard) were brought on by a moment of indecision. I hate to say indecision because it connotes mental error. But they were new men playing new positions and they may not have been ready for this type coverage.”

Ewbank said the Jets adjusted to the revised secondary, particularly with Jaquess replacing Dick Westmoreland on Sauer. We had no idea he would be there until we saw their formations,” Ewbank said. “Yes, I’d say we adjusted more to work on that.”

Namath was more specific.

“George thinks he can beat anybody,” Joe said. “Our line did a helluva job of blocking on that touchdown pass, and all day.”

If the Dolphin secondary came out a loser, rookie Griese and his 17-for-21 passing effort drew the plaudits of Ewbank, Namath, Taliaferro and veteran cornerback Johnny Sample.

“He kept his poise, he got rid of the ball fast and his play-calling was good,” Namath said with the usual concise delivery he shows on and off the field.

The flamboyant Sample, who has been tracking pro pass receivers for 10 years, provided a capsule comparison of Griese and starter Rick Norton.

“Griese looked a lot better than you expect a rookie to be,” he said knowing fully that Griese had pitched a pair of TD passes behind him. “He looked like he was getting set and he was shooting that ball out quick.

“Norton wasn't getting set. He didn't have that momentum behind the ball. He was leaning, going forward, going back… that's probably why his passes weren't as clean as Griese's. With a little more experience, this Griese could be a real good one.”

Off by himself in a corner of the Jets’ dressing room was a familiar face, fullback Billy Joe, who was cut by the Dolphins earlier this fall and called by Ewbank as a backup. There were traces of bitterness in Joe’s voice as he discussed his new status.

“I haven't been playing a lot here,” he said. “But at least it's a lot different than Miami. There’s no shuffling of personnel like the Dolphins. Everybody has a job and they do it. You get a feeling of security. At Miami, nobody knew when he’d be activated or losing his job.” Joe gained 43 yards in five carries Sunday, an eight yard average he never saw with the Dolphins. Miami's plight was best summed up by Sherman Plunkett, the Jets’ walrusian 330-pound offensive tackle. “They've got some jelling to do." Plunkett said. “It's all a matter of jelling. When they do, they'll start winning."

Plunkett could afford such oratory Sunday. The Jets won’t see Miami again until next year unless Namath brings them back Jan. 14.