NEWCOMER

September 13, 1976

Richard Todd has long idolized Joe Namath. Like Namath. Todd is a quarterback. Like Namath, he played for Bear Bryant at Alabama. Like Namath, he is single. Like Namath. he has Jimmy Walsh for a lawyer, and Walsh has negotiated a five-year, $600,000-plus contract for Todd with the Jets. Unlike Namath, though, the 6'2", 210-pound Todd is blond. Unlike Joe Willie, he calls himself "just plain Richard." And most important, unlike Namath, he has two healthy legs. He also runs the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds. Namath doesn't even run it. Operating the Alabama wishbone. Todd ran for almost as many yards (1,254) as he passed (1,642), but his only running for the Jets will be in self-defense. Namath will start for New York, but he is on the final year of his contract, and if the Jets open poorly, as expected. Todd takes over.