They Said It

?Russ Thomas, Detroit Lions general manager, on why NFL teams are employing more than one quarterback: "The ideal situation would be to have a 24-year-old quarterback with a 35-year-old mind backed up by a 35-year-old quarterback with a 24-year-old body."

?John Schmitt, New York Jets center, on the first time he played against 6'9", 295-pound San Diego Charger Ernie Ladd: "I looked up across the line of scrimmage and there was Ernie Ladd. His eyeballs weighed five pounds apiece."

? Mike Lewis, Pittsburgh Condors center, noting that first-year players in the ABA include Artis Gilmore, Jim McDaniels, Julius Erving and George McGinnis: "I'd like to be coach of the rookies in this league. I'd play anybody in the world."

? Johnny Unitas, during a discussion of longevity in pro football, reminded that George Blanda is even older than he: "That's because he was born before I was."