Houston Oilers

1972 was not a good time for the Houston Oilers. After finishing 4-9-1 in 1971, they dropped to 1-13 in 1972, their only win coming against the Jets in week 3. They would repeat their 1-13 performance in 1973.

#156 Dan Pastorini - Pastorini was the Oilers' #1 pick (3rd overall) in the 1971 draft. Other quarterbacks drafted in 1971 were Jim Plunkett (#1 overall), Archie Manning (#2 overall), Lynn Dickey (the Oilers' 3rd-round pick), Ken Anderson, and Joe Theismann (drafted by Miami, but played in the CFL). Pastorini also punted for the Oilers. After 9 seasons with the Oilers, Dan would play 1 season each with the Raiders, Rams, and Eagles.


#103 Robert Holmes - Holmes played 3 1/2 seasons with the Chiefs before coming to Houston in mid-1971. After the 1972 season, he would move on to the Chargers, before returning for a final season with the Oilers in 1975.


#26 Ken Burrough - After his rookie season with the Saints in 1970, Burrough played 11 seasons with the Oilers, and led the league in receiving yards (1063) in 1975. He's one of 2 players to wear double-zero back in the day (Oakland's Jim Otto was the other).


#244 Charlie Joiner - The Oilers' other starting wide receiver was their 4th pick in the 1969 draft. Midway through the 1972 season he was dealt to the Bengals. Charlie did his real damage as a member of the San Diego Chargers from 1976 to 1986.


#313 Jim Beirne - Three wide receivers with football cards? That is a luxury! Beirne was a 4th-round pick in 1968, and except for 1974 with the Chargers, he played his entire career (1968-76) with the Oilers.


#52 Bobby Maples - Bobby was drafted by the Oilers in 1965. After playing outside linebacker in his rookie season, he switched to center in 1966.

#202 Garland Boyette - Boyette played 2 seasons with the Cardinals and 2 seasons with the CFL's Montreal Alouettes before coming to the Oilers in 1966. After playing defensive end in 1966, he switched to middle linebacker in 1967, and finished his career with the Oilers in 1972.

#78 Ken Houston - One of the best safeties in NFL history, Houston played strong safety for the Oilers (1967-72) and the Redskins (1973-80). He was a 12-time Pro Bowler, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.


#176 John Charles - John played for the AFL's Boston Patriots from 1967-69, then spent one season with the Vikings before joining the Oilers in 1971. He was their starting free safety in 1971 and 1972, then spent his final 2 seasons as a backup.


Also check out the 1968 Oilers.


Next time: Philadelphia Eagles
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