Rookies in the Line-up

The complex violence of professional football is not easy to learn-- even for the most skillful semi-pro fresh from a collegiate football foundry. It usually takes a couple of seasons of practice before new tactics, new formations, new plays become second nature. Rookies quickly discover that long seasoning on the bench is considered a part of their schedule.

Except this year. These autumn Sundays, almost every team is breaking the unwritten rookie rule by gambling on the burly talents of at least one player fresh from the campus. And in almost every case, the newcomer is one of the stars of the team. Some of the best:

> Running Back Mel Farr of Detroit, 22, 6 ft. 2 in., 208 lbs., came to this year's lamentable Lions with some grandiose goals in mind: to gain 1,000 yds. rushing, to make all-pro, and to be chosen N.F.L. Rookie of the Year. He is well on his way to all three. His quick acceleration often squirts him through an all but invisible hole in the line; it helps him break all but the surest tackles. He has already bulled his way for 702 yds., gained another 187 yds. on 26 passes, and scored five times.

> Middle Linebacker Willie Lanier of Kansas City, 22, 6 ft. 1 in., 235 lbs., has beaten out Veteran Sherrill Headrick for the top linebacker spot on the A.F.L. Chiefs. Uncommonly quick at diagnosing offensive plays, Lanier is also uncommonly agile as he moves laterally to batter down interference and make a tackle. He revels in the bone-crunching defensive game, and he has a hide full of bruises to testify that he has earned his nickname: "Contact."

> Kick Return Specialist Travis Williams of Green Bay, 21, 6 ft. 1 in., 210 Ibs., is easily the fastest man in the Packer lineup. But the stingy Green Bay defense gives opponents few opportunities to kick off. Williams has thus far fielded only six kicks, but he has returned three of them for touchdowns.

> Pass Receiver Dave Williams of St. Louis, 22, 6 ft. 2 in., 205 lbs., works as a flanker or split end with equal facility. Against Green Bay, for example, Williams twice beat All-Pro Cornerback Herb Adderley to pull down TD passes. His record of 23 catches for 367 yds. and five scores, marks Williams clearly as the tempting target for Cardinal Quarterback Jim Hart, himself a rookie of sorts, who played only 11 minutes last year before replacing Army- bound Charley Johnson this season.

> Running Back Dick Post of San Diego, 21, 5 ft. 10 in., 192 lbs., is a squat ambulatory fireplug who combines impressive speed with a maddening change of pace. Post has also become such a potent pass receiver that every time he moves downfield he keeps the defensive secondary off balance. So much second effort is packed into his short, muscular legs that Charger Post carries a clutch of defenders for vital extra yardage just about every time he handles the ball.

> Defensive Tackle Alan Page of Minnesota, 22, 6 ft. 5 in., 270 lbs., was named lineman of the week for his devastating performance against Detroit. Page racked up Lion backs with so much enthusiasm that he caused four fumbles and recovered another himself. The Vikings have also been getting such outstanding performances from Backs Clinton Jones and Bob Grim, Flanker Gene Washington and Tight End John Beasley that the team boasts the brightest crop of rookies in the league.

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