Ron Baines
was already a pass receiving and return threat for three
seasons when he had his biggest season of his career in
1976. Posting then-records of 45 receptions for
736 yards and 13 TD's during the regular season.
He added a 14th TD in the playoffs to best another
former Bengal, Ira Hammon's record 13 from 1973.
Baines was
selected to the NIFL All-League team and Pro-Football
Weekly selected him to the All-Minor League team for
1976. The Tacoma News Tribune honored Baines as
the runner-up Amateur Player of the Year.
Baines was
a 10th Round draft pick (235) of the Buffalo Bills in
1969 after a stand-out career at Montana setting
then-records of 318 punt return yards in 1967 and a
career average of 12.39 yards per return (41 returns 508
yards) from 1967-68. During his college career he
played for Jack Elway at both Montana and Grays Harbor
Community College where Elway was offensive coordinator
from 1965-66.
