Jay Saldi: Difference between revisions

Receptions:	84
Receiving yards:	913
Receiving TDs:	7
	Stats at Pro Football Reference

Jay Saldi
No. 87, 81
Position:	Tight end
Personal information
Born:	October 8, 1954 (age 70); White Plains, New York, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:	White Plains (NY)
College:	South Carolina
Undrafted:	1976
Career history
	Dallas Cowboys (1976–1982); Chicago Bears (1983–1984); Denver Broncos (1985)*;
	* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
	Super Bowl champion (XII);
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:
Receptions:	84
Receiving yards:	913
Receiving TDs:	7
	Stats at Pro Football Reference

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John Jay Saldi, IV (born October 8, 1954) is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears. He played college football at the University of South Carolina.

Early years

Saldi attended White Plains Senior High School, where he was an All-American linebacker, while also playing tight end in the offense. He practiced basketball and baseball as additional sports.

He accepted a football scholarship from the University of South Carolina, where he played as an undersized (205 pounds) defensive end as a true freshman, before suffering a leg injury.

The following year, he was moved to tight end and eventually became a starter as a junior.^[1] He was a part of a 56–20 win against Clemson University in 1975.

He was injured playing against Louisiana State University and missed the last 5 games of his senior season.^[2] He finished his college career with only 15 receptions.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

After not being selected in the 1976 NFL Draft, he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys, because of his all-around athletic ability. From his rookie season, he played behind Billy Joe Dupree and was a standout special teams player.

In 1977, he was named a captain of the special teams unit. He made only 11 receptions in the season, but 2 of those were touchdowns. He was also used as a fullback in the spread formation. In the sixth game of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles, he blocked a punt that was returned for the decisive touchdown in a 16–10 win.^[3] He had an important fumble recovery in punt coverage during the NFC championship 23–6 win against the Minnesota Vikings.^[4] He was a member of the Super Bowl XII championship team, although he was de-activated for the game with a bruised leg muscle.

The next year, he suffered a broken right forearm in the fourth game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cowboys signed future hall of famer Jackie Smith as his replacement. Saldi caught Roger Staubach last career touchdown pass on December 30, 1979.

In 1980, the Cowboys used the two tight end offense more than any time before, allowing Saldi to have a career-high 25 receptions for 311 yards. His best play came in the NFC Wild Card Game against the Los Angeles Rams, making a 37-yard reception to set up the go-ahead touchdown in a 34–13 win.^[5] At one point assistant coach Mike Ditka was quoted as saying "Jay runs the best routes around. He's got the unique situation of being something of a combination tight end-wide receiver."

In 1981, he started five games and was used as the third tight end on short-yardage plays and the fourth wide receiver in some third-and-long scenarios. He sustained a knee and ankle injury during the 1982 training camp, that caused him to miss most of the season.^[6]

Just as Dupree was finishing his career, Doug Cosbie passed Saldi on the depth chart, so he forced the team to trade him to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a sixth round draft choice (#152-Eugene Lockhart) on May 11, 1983.^[7]^[8]

Chicago Bears

In 1983, Saldi reunited with Mike Ditka who was the head coach of the Chicago Bears, started 6 games, while registering 12 receptions for 119 yards. The next year, he started 7 games, splitting time with Emery Moorehead.

Denver Broncos

On August 5, 1985, he signed with the Denver Broncos, reuniting with head coach Dan Reeves who used to be a Cowboys assistant.^[9] He was waived on August 26.^[10]

Personal life

Saldi was the coach and general manager of the Dallas Hoopsters, the Cowboys players' basketball team. He later teamed with veteran sportscaster Bill Mercer to provide color commentary on World Class Championship Wrestling syndicated broadcasts in the summer of 1982. His son John Saldi tried out for the Dallas Cowboys in 2006 and 2007.^[11]

References

^ "Saldi DePasquale Await 2nd Season". Retrieved January 6, 2023.
^ "A Tale Of Two Tight Ends". Retrieved January 6, 2023.
^ "Blocked Punt Caps Cowboy Rally". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
^ "Broncos, Cowboys Gain Super Bowl 12". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
^ "Dallas Coach Tom Landry sensed it before the game..." Retrieved January 6, 2023.
^ "Saldi Traded". The New York Times. May 12, 1983. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
^ "Saldi Kept on Hold". The New York Times. April 16, 1983. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
^ "Cowboys Trade Saldi To Bears". Retrieved January 6, 2023.
^ "Gil Brandt happy with latest draft". Retrieved January 6, 2023.
^ "Transactions". The New York Times. August 27, 1985. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
^ "Veteran Ray Sherman, John Garrett Hired To Staff". Dallas Cowboys. February 14, 2007.

[1] "Saldi DePasquale Await 2nd Season". Retrieved January 6, 2023.

[2] "A Tale Of Two Tight Ends". Retrieved January 6, 2023.

[3] "Blocked Punt Caps Cowboy Rally". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 6, 2023.

[4] "Broncos, Cowboys Gain Super Bowl 12". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 6, 2023.

[5] "Dallas Coach Tom Landry sensed it before the game..." Retrieved January 6, 2023.

[6] "Saldi Traded". The New York Times. May 12, 1983. Retrieved January 6, 2023.

[7] "Saldi Kept on Hold". The New York Times. April 16, 1983. Retrieved January 6, 2018.

[8] "Cowboys Trade Saldi To Bears". Retrieved January 6, 2023.

[9] "Gil Brandt happy with latest draft". Retrieved January 6, 2023.

[10] "Transactions". The New York Times. August 27, 1985. Retrieved January 6, 2023.

[11] "Veteran Ray Sherman, John Garrett Hired To Staff". Dallas Cowboys. February 14, 2007.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|American football player (born 1954)}}
-{{Infobox NFL player
+{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
+{{Infobox NFL biography
 | name                = Jay Saldi
-| image               = <!-- Only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people -- see [[WP:NONFREE]]. -->
-| image_size          =
-| alt                 =
-| caption             =
 | number              = 87, 81
 | position            = [[Tight end]]
 | birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1954|10|8|mf=y}}
-| birth_place         = [[White Plains, New York]]
+| birth_place         = [[White Plains, New York]], U.S.
-| death_date          =
-| death_place         =
 | height_ft           = 6
 | height_in           = 3
 | weight_lbs          = 225
-| high_school          = [[White Plains Senior High School|White Plains (NY)]]
+| high_school         = [[White Plains Senior High School|White Plains (NY)]]
 | college             = [[South Carolina Gamecocks football|South Carolina]]
 | undraftedyear       = 1976
@@ Line 21: / Line 17: @@
 * [[Chicago Bears]] ({{NFL Year|1983}}–{{NFL Year|1984}})
 * [[Denver Broncos]] ({{NFL Year|1985}})*
-|pastteamsnote = yes
-|statlabel1=Games played - [[Starting lineup|started]]
-|statvalue1=112 - 26
-|statlabel2=[[Touchdown]]s
-|statvalue2=7
 | highlights          =
 * [[Super Bowl]] champion ([[Super Bowl XII|XII]])
-| nflnew              = jaysaldi/2524804
+|statlabel1           = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receptions]]
+|statvalue1           = 84
+|statlabel2           = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receiving yards]]
+|statvalue2           = 913
+|statlabel3           = [[Touchdown|Receiving TDs]]
+|statvalue3           = 7
+| nfl                 = jay-saldi
 | pfr                 = SaldJa00
 }}
-'''John Jay Saldi, IV''' (born October 8, 1954) is a former professional [[American football]] [[tight end]] in the [[National Football League]].  Saldi played for nine seasons from 1976-1984 for the [[Dallas Cowboys]] and the [[Chicago Bears]].  He played [[college football]] at the [[University of South Carolina]].
+'''John Jay Saldi, IV''' (born October 8, 1954) is a former professional [[American football]] [[tight end]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for the [[Dallas Cowboys]] and [[Chicago Bears]]. He played [[college football]] at the [[University of South Carolina]].
 ==Early years==
-Saldi attended [[White Plains Senior High School]] where he was an [[All-America]]n [[tight end]] and [[linebacker]]. He accepted a scholarship from the [[University of South Carolina]] where he played as an undersized (205 pounds) [[defensive tackle]] as a true freshman, before suffering a leg injury.
+Saldi attended [[White Plains Senior High School]], where he was an [[All-American]] [[linebacker]], while also playing [[tight end]] in the offense. He practiced [[basketball]] and [[baseball]] as additional sports.
+He accepted a football scholarship from the [[University of South Carolina]], where he played as an undersized (205 pounds) [[defensive end]] as a true freshman, before suffering a leg injury.
-The following year, he was moved to [[tight end]] and eventually became a starter as a junior.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19751209&id=RYAsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Dc0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=5946,2465201 | title=Saldi DePasquale Await 2nd Season | accessdate=February 19, 2017}}</ref> He was injured playing against [[Louisiana State University]] and missed the last 5 games of his senior season.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19751121&id=aFwsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pooFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3632,4111703 | title=A Tale Of Two Tight Ends | accessdate=February 19, 2017}}</ref>
+The following year, he was moved to [[tight end]] and eventually became a starter as a junior.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19751209&id=RYAsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Dc0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=5946,2465201 | title=Saldi DePasquale Await 2nd Season | access-date=January 6, 2023}}</ref> He was a part of a 56–20 win against [[Clemson University]] in 1975.
+He was injured playing against [[Louisiana State University]] and missed the last 5 games of his senior season.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19751121&id=aFwsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pooFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3632,4111703 | title=A Tale Of Two Tight Ends | access-date=January 6, 2023}}</ref> He finished his college career with only 15 receptions.
 ==Professional career==
 ===Dallas Cowboys===
-After not being selected in the [[1976 NFL Draft]], he was signed as an [[undrafted free agent]] by the [[Dallas Cowboys]].
+After not being selected in the [[1976 NFL Draft]], he was signed as an [[undrafted free agent]] by the [[Dallas Cowboys]], because of his all-around athletic ability. From his rookie season, he played behind [[Billy Joe Dupree]] and was a standout [[special teams]] player.
+In [[1977 NFL season|1977]], he was named a captain of the [[special teams]] unit. He made only 11 receptions in the season, but 2 of those were [[touchdown]]s. He was also used as a fullback in the spread formation. In the sixth game of the season against the [[Philadelphia Eagles]], he blocked a punt that was returned for the decisive [[touchdown]] in a 16–10 win.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1977/10/24/blocked-punt-caps-cowboy-rally/2891b168-3b12-4215-b394-e2878f39da35/ | title=Blocked Punt Caps Cowboy Rally | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | access-date=January 6, 2023}}</ref> He had an important fumble recovery in punt coverage during the NFC championship 23–6 win against the [[Minnesota Vikings]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1978/01/02/broncos-cowboys-gain-super-bowl-12/262dffa0-a2dd-403c-a265-f936a1ff83dc/ | title=Broncos, Cowboys Gain Super Bowl 12 | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | access-date=January 6, 2023}}</ref> He was a member of the [[Super Bowl XII]] championship team, although he was de-activated for the game with a bruised leg muscle.
-Saldi played behind [[Pro Bowl]]er [[Billy Joe Dupree]] for most of his time with the team, but was a standout [[special teams]] player and a captain of the unit.
-He was a member of Cowboys' [[Super Bowl XII]] championship team in [[1977 NFL season|1977]], although he was de-activated for the game with a bruised leg muscle. The next year, he suffered a broken arm in the fourth game and the Cowboys signed future hall of famer [[Jackie Smith]] as his replacement.
+The next year, he suffered a broken right forearm in the fourth game against the [[St. Louis Cardinals (NFL)|St. Louis Cardinals]]. The Cowboys signed future hall of famer [[Jackie Smith]] as his replacement. Saldi caught [[Roger Staubach]] last career [[touchdown]] pass on December 30, [[1979 NFL season|1979]].
+In [[1980 NFL season|1980]], the Cowboys used the two [[tight end]] offense more than any time before, allowing Saldi to have a career-high 25 receptions for 311 yards. His best play came in the NFC Wild Card Game against the [[Los Angeles Rams]], making a 37-yard reception to set up the go-ahead touchdown in a 34–13 win.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1980/12/28/Dallas-Coach-Tom-Landry-sensed-it-before-the-game/6940346827600/ | title=Dallas Coach Tom Landry sensed it before the game...  | access-date=January 6, 2023}}</ref> At one point assistant coach [[Mike Ditka]] was quoted as saying "Jay runs the best routes around. He's got the unique situation
-Saldi caught [[Roger Staubach]] last career [[touchdown]] pass on December 30, [[1979 NFL season|1979]].
+of being something of a combination tight end-wide receiver."
-He sustained a knee and ankle injury during the [[1982 NFL season|1982 training camp]], that caused him to miss most of the season.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/12/sports/saldi-traded.html | title=Saldi Traded | accessdate=February 19, 2017}}</ref>
+In [[1981 NFL season|1981]], he started five games and was used as the third [[tight end]] on short-yardage plays and the fourth [[wide receiver]] in some third-and-long scenarios. He sustained a knee and ankle injury during the [[1982 NFL season|1982 training camp]], that caused him to miss most of the season.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/12/sports/saldi-traded.html | title=Saldi Traded | work=The New York Times | date=May 12, 1983 | access-date=January 6, 2023}}</ref>
-Just as Dupree was finishing his career, [[Doug Cosbie]] passed Saldi on the depth chart, so he forced the team to trade him to the [[Chicago Bears]] in exchange for a sixth round draft choice,<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/16/sports/sports-people-saldi-kept-on-hold.html | title=Saldi Kept on Hold | accessdate=February 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19830512&id=LzYgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=l1IEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6068,4600012 | title=Cowboys Trade Saldi To Bears | accessdate=February 19, 2017}}</ref> that eventually was used to draft [[linebacker]] [[Eugene Lockhart]].
+Just as Dupree was finishing his career, [[Doug Cosbie]] passed Saldi on the depth chart, so he forced the team to trade him to the [[Chicago Bears]] in exchange for a sixth round draft choice (#152-[[Eugene Lockhart]]) on May 11, [[1983 NFL season|1983]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/16/sports/sports-people-saldi-kept-on-hold.html | title=Saldi Kept on Hold | work=The New York Times | date=April 16, 1983 | access-date=January 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19830512&id=LzYgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=l1IEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6068,4600012 | title=Cowboys Trade Saldi To Bears | access-date=January 6, 2023}}</ref>
 ===Chicago Bears===
+In [[1983 NFL season|1983]], Saldi reunited with [[Mike Ditka]] who was the head coach of the [[Chicago Bears]], started 6 games, while registering 12 receptions for 119 yards. The next year, he started 7 games, splitting time with [[Emery Moorehead]].
-Saldi started 6 games in [[1983 NFL season|1983]] and 7 in [[1984 NFL season|1984]], for the [[Chicago Bears]]
 ===Denver Broncos===
-On August 5, [[1985 NFL season|1985]], he signed with the [[Denver Broncos]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1928&dat=19850806&id=6JQgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_2cFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3196,1006690 | title=Gil Brandt happy with latest draft | accessdate=February 19, 2017}}</ref> He was waived on August 26.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/27/sports/transactions-217266.html | title=Transactions | accessdate=February 19, 2017}}</ref>
+On August 5, [[1985 NFL season|1985]], he signed with the [[Denver Broncos]], reuniting with head coach [[Dan Reeves]] who used to be a Cowboys assistant.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1928&dat=19850806&id=6JQgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_2cFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3196,1006690 | title=Gil Brandt happy with latest draft | access-date=January 6, 2023}}</ref> He was waived on August 26.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/27/sports/transactions-217266.html | title=Transactions | work=The New York Times | date=August 27, 1985 | access-date=January 6, 2023}}</ref>
 ==Personal life==
-His son John Saldi tried out for the [[Dallas Cowboys]] in [[2006 NFL season|2006]] and [[2007 NFL season|2007]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2007/02/14/veteran-ray-sherman-john-garrett-hired-staff | title=Veteran Ray Sherman, John Garrett Hired To Staff | accessdate=February 19, 2017}}</ref>
+Saldi was the coach and general manager of the Dallas Hoopsters, the Cowboys players' [[basketball]] team. He later teamed with veteran sportscaster [[Bill Mercer]] to provide color commentary on [[World Class Championship Wrestling]] syndicated broadcasts in the summer of 1982. His son John Saldi tried out for the [[Dallas Cowboys]] in [[2006 NFL season|2006]] and [[2007 NFL season|2007]].<ref>{{cite news| title=Veteran Ray Sherman, John Garrett Hired To Staff | date=February 14, 2007 | publisher=Dallas Cowboys}}</ref>
 ==References==
-{{Reflist|30em}}
+{{Reflist}}
 {{Super Bowl XII}}
@@ Line 71: / Line 73: @@
 [[Category:1954 births]]
 [[Category:Living people]]
-[[Category:Players of American football from New York (state)]]
+[[Category:Sportspeople from White Plains, New York]]
+[[Category:Players of American football from Westchester County, New York]]
 [[Category:American football tight ends]]
 [[Category:South Carolina Gamecocks football players]]
 [[Category:Dallas Cowboys players]]
 [[Category:Chicago Bears players]]
-[[Category:People from White Plains, New York]]
+[[Category:White Plains High School alumni]]
-[[Category:Super Bowl champions]]

v t e Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl XII champions
1 Efrén Herrera 11 Danny White 12 Roger Staubach 18 Glenn Carano 20 Mel Renfro 21 Doug Dennison 25 Aaron Kyle 26 Preston Pearson 31 Benny Barnes 33 Tony Dorsett 35 Scott Laidlaw 36 Larry Brinson 41 Charlie Waters 42 Randy Hughes 43 Cliff Harris 44 Robert Newhouse 46 Mark Washington 50 D. D. Lewis 53 Bob Breunig 54 Randy White (Co-MVP) 56 Thomas Henderson 57 Bruce Huther 58 Mike Hegman 59 Guy Brown 61 Jim Cooper 62 John Fitzgerald 63 Larry Cole 64 Tom Rafferty 65 Dave Stalls 66 Burton Lawless 67 Pat Donovan 68 Herbert Scott 70 Rayfield Wright 71 Andy Frederick 72 Ed "Too Tall" Jones 73 Ralph Neely 75 Jethro Pugh 77 Bill Gregory 79 Harvey Martin (Co-MVP) 80 Tony Hill 83 Golden Richards 86 Butch Johnson 87 Jay Saldi 88 Drew Pearson 89 Billy Joe DuPree
Head coach: Tom Landry
Coaches: Ermal Allen Mike Ditka Jim Myers Dan Reeves Gene Stallings Ernie Stautner Jerry Tubbs