1979 NEW YORK GIANTS TEAM DIRECTORY
President: Wellington Mara
Vice-President-Treasurer: Timothy Mara
Vice-President-Secretary: Raymond Walsh
General Manager: George Young
Director of Pro Personnel: Jim Trimble
Director of Player Personnel: Jim Lee Howell
Director of Public Relations: Ed Croke
Head Coach: Ray Perkins
Home Field: Giants Stadium (76,500)
-The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)
OFFENSE
"Once again the Giants are unbalanced. Not their line, their entire team. Because once again, they have a new coach- their fourth in the last seven years- and finding stability must be the first order of business. (Only one other NFC team, in fact, starts this season with a new coach: San Francisco hired Bill Walsh.)
Anyway, quarterback seems to be the second order of business for the Giants, though Joe Pisarcik has shown competence and even, occasionally, some real brilliance. The thing is, whoever the quarterback happens to be, he'll need more help than appears readily available. There is only one threatening running back, Bobby Hammond, and he is small, and in the parlance of the NFL- 'fragile.' Johnny Perkins has possibilities as a wide receiver, as does Emery Moorehead.
The line finally seems to have made progress in the strangest way: J.T. Turner, a journeyman defensive tackle for a couple of years, suddenly has emerged as an effective offensive guard. And veteran Jim Clack, coming over from Pittsburgh, makes an unreasonable difference at center. Second-year tackle Gordon King has definite possibilities. But still the talent is thin, and the past haunts every move."
-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)
DEFENSE
"Opponents must not necessarily expect free passage against the Giants. Because there is a troll waiting under the bridge. The defense. Troy Archer, Harry Carson and Brad Van Pelt shall lead the younger ones, guys like defensive backs Terry Jackson and Odis McKinney.
The defensive line, beginning with Archer, has been more than respectable for years, though John Mendenhall's grumbling moods don't help and Jack Gregory is getting along in years. Gary Jeter will help there. The linebackers, beginning with Carson and Van Pelt, may be the team's strength, because Brian Kelley doesn't make many mistakes and Dan Lloyd likes to pretend he's playing bumper cars.
The secondary is, as the euphemism goes, 'building.' Certainly, Jackson and McKinney help there, as does Ray Rhodes, who was a receiver in an earlier life. Ernie Jones probably will have to win his safety job over again."
-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)
KICKING GAME
"For those demanding sorts who insist on dependability, the best answer the Giants have would be place kicker Joe Danelo and punter Dave Jennings. It's tough being feet in a game of yards, but these guys can do it. Better, in fact, than all those blockers and tacklers on the Giants."
-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)
THE ROOKIES
"Fans at the NFL draft meeting, staged in New York's Waldorf Astoria, booed when they heard the Giants' fist pick was unknown quarterback Phil Simms of Morehead State. The second-round choice- wide receiver Ernest Gray of Memphis- is known for not relishing contact."
-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)
OUTLOOK
"With considerable stealth (by squandering a couple of late-season games), the Giants qualified for the easy schedule given to fifth-place teams. Don't knock it. It's a start."
-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)
"A mathematician might even say that the New York Giants are a collection of pluses and minuses that somehow can't seem to balance themselves out. A psychologist might say they have become so accustomed to losing that they become uncomfortable when they're winning, then collapse under the strain. Still another type of analyst, a realist, might even say that those unpredictable game-breaking events called the 'breaks' never seem to side with the Giants. All of these diagnoses have merit, although none provides answers long-suffering Giants fans are demanding.
And, if the fans are calling the shots, club owners Wellington and Tim Mara are dancing to the tune. On the heels of the fumble, that now legendary miscue in the Philadelphia game last season, out went head coach John McVey with his entire staff, and in came Ray Perkins to take over with HIS entirely new staff. For those who don't know, a review of what happened when The Fumble occurred can be found in this volume's Philadelphia article, thus sparing the pain of repeating here. But suffice it to say that no fumble in NFL history had so many reverberations, with the shock waves reaching all the way up to the top row of seats at Giants Stadium in East Rutheford, New Jersey.
For one thing, The Fumble came at a most inopportune time in the schedule. At the end of eight games, the halfway point, the Giants were on the winning end of a 5-3 record with euphoria running high. Then, they journeyed to New Orleans where the Saints stopped them, 17-28. That was the beginning of a long side, punctuated and aggravated by The Fumble. In those final eight games, the Giants lost seven, winning only against St. Louis. It was a jarring turnabout from the mid-season high, and left a lot of people limp- especially after watching several spectacular fourth-quarter Giant collapses on the way to a final 6-10 record.
Ray Perkins, at age 38, becomes the eleventh head coach in the club's history. After starring as a receiver at Alabama, catching passes thrown by both Joe Namath and Ken Stabler, he became a 7th-round draft choice of the Baltimore Colts. He was a Colt five seasons, receiving passes from Johnny Unitas and appearing in title games until a bad knee ended his playing career. After serving as receivers coach with the Patriots for four years, he became offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers- a team whose offense has shown marked improvement in recent seasons.
As Perkins joins the Giants, he leaves little doubt that he remains offense-minded and will be his own offensive coordinator. In the 1979 NFL draft, 16 players were chosen- 10 on offense and six on defense. Among the choices is the highly regarded small-college quarterback, Phil Simms, who was the first man on the Giants' shopping list. In addition, the Giants chose three running backs, three offensive guards, a wide receiver and a tight end. The defense got two cornerbacks, an end and a linebacker. Still, this hardly balances out the fact that in '78 the Giants finished last in two categories: total defense and rushing defense. The offense, on the other hand, didn't do all that badly. Are the priorities in order here? Maybe yes. Maybe no.
The offensive line, by all accounts, showed vast improvement last season. That's the assessment given by the work of tackles Gordon Gravelle, Ron Mikolajczyk and Gordon King, guards Doug Van Horn, J.T. Turner and Brad Benson, along with center Jim Clack. Benson, now entering only his second NFL year, already has an interesting career in the making- one that might be called 'triple-threat offensive lineman.' When he replaced the injured Gordon King at right tackle late in the season, he went on the astonish the fans by also playing the positions of right guard, center, left guard and tight end all in the same game against Washington! Since each position holds certain responsibilities on various plays, how did he adjust? No problem, Benson assures the doubters. 'To tell the truth, I really didn't care if I missed my assignment on a play, or forgot because of changing positions so quickly. I just wanted to knock somebody back off the other line. That seemed more important.' And, he might add, to the point.
The Giants open their regular season at Philadelphia at Veterans Stadium on September 2. Some three weeks later, the Eagles come to Giants Stadium for the return contest. With the specter of The Fumble yet hovering in the vicinity, it will be a formidable reminder that, in the world of pro football, you're only as good as your last play."
-Herbert M. Furlow, The 1979 Pocket Book of Football
OFFENSE
"Quarterbacks: Simms was drafted in the first round amid groans from the Giants fans on hand at the Waldorf-Astroria where the NFL's annual selection meeting was held. At Morehead State in Kentucky, Simms played quarterback for four years in the Ohio Valley Conference (which has produced pro players in the past). His career figures are 836 attempts, 409 completions for 5,545 yards and 32 touchdowns. That also figures out to a completion percentage of slightly less than 50%. Perhaps with pro type receivers, more of those passes will be caught.
Joe Pisarcik's completion percentage rose from 42.7 in '77 to 47.2 in '78 and his intercepted passes rose from 14 to 23. Jerry Goldsteyn started once last season and didn't impress. Randy Dean remains the only Giant quarterback (besides Simms) who hasn't been given a complete trial. Dean threw 39 times, completed 19 for 48.7%- the best the Giants could muster.
Running Backs: The Giants' rushing game in '78 didn't do too badly at all. With an average of 144 yards per game, the ground attack ranked fifth in the NFC. Heading up the rush were Doug Kotar (625 yards) and Bob Hammond (554) with rookie Dan Doornik impressing with 306 yards in 60 carries for a 5.1 average- until he was injured. He also caught 12 passes, including a club-high five against Los Angeles (for the season single-game mark). Billy Taylor also showed good form.
Both Bob Torrey and Eddie Hicks were drafted in the sixth round. Hicks had a 6.4-yard rushing average in college. Alvin Maxson was an injured reservist last season.
Receivers: Gary Shirk replaced Al Dixon at tight end, but the position remains a trouble spot. Perhaps fifth-round rookie Cleveland Jackson can help out here, or perhaps seventh-round Steve Alvers from Miami (Fla.). Quarterback Simms has a down-home target in Shirk, who attended Morehead State himself.
Jimmy Robinson and Johnny Perkins were the main targets for the three Giant quarterbacks, catching 64 between for over 1,100 yards. Emery Moorehead was out of the first six games with an injury. Brian DeRoo was out the entire season for the same reason.
Second-round choice Ernest Gray is highly regarded and may be a real 'find.' At Memphis State, he had 97 career receptions for a 21.9-yard per catch average. His 4.4 in the 40 speed does it.
Interior Linemen: Despite frequent injuries, this unit showed future promise. There were frequent ups and downs, but Clack and converted defensive tackle Turner performed most consistently. Tackle Mikolajczyk was hurt but was replaced by top draftee King who, in turn, was injured and replaced by Benson, a converted guard. That's patchwork. Improvement in enemy sack totals, 46 in the 14-game schedule in '77, 38 in 16 games in '78.
Dick Leavitt missed the entire season with torn knee ligaments, Mikolajczyk was out eight games with the same trouble. Doug Van Horn enters his 13th NFL year holding on at age 35, but surrounded by plenty of young folks.
Kickers: Found: one Giant unit that defies criticism. The kicking is a joy to behold on Sundays at Giants Stadium in Jersey's Meadowlands. After leading the NFL for most of last season, Dave Jennings wound up with a 42.1 average, good enough for fourth place. He gets those punts off, too, no blocks.
Joe Danelo's place kicking was equally superb- 27-for -29 on PATs and 21-for-29 on field goals, two of which were made from 50 yards or more (out of three attempted at that distance). Five out of six field goal attempts were successful at the 40-49 range. Danelo is obviously a long-distance expert."
-Herbert M. Furlow, The 1979 Pocket Book of Football
DEFENSE
"Front Linemen: Most of what was wrong with the Giants last season was simply what was wrong with their defense. The club ranked at the NFC's bottom in both total defense, allowing 315.1 yards per game, and in rushing defense, yielding 166 yards per game. The line missed the services of Troy Archer for the first six games, and when his broken foot finally healed, his return noticeably bolstered the team. George Martin and Gary Jeter had good seasons, Martin sacking opposing quarterbacks 10 times. Is John Mendenhall really happy with the Giants? Is Jack Gregory growing old? These are pertinent questions as the new season begins.
Linebackers: Harry Carson and Brad Van Pelt joined punter Dave Jennings in the Pro Bowl. This unit performed well, almost well enough to redeem the overall lapses by the defensive unit in crucial games.
Blake Whitlach, a San Diego 9th-round choice, played in four games for the Giants last year. Giant linebacking is good and will probably get even better.
Defensive Backs: Rookie Terry Jackson intercepted seven passes last year, the most by a Giant since Willie Williams stole 10 back in '68. By season's end, Ernie Jones and Odis McKinney were the starting safeties, although Beasley Reece had one of the jobs when healthy.
The low point for the Giants came in the 16-13 overtime loss to Washington. Joe Theismann picked the secondary apart, completing eight passes on the way to a tying touchdown and an overtime field goal. This Giant unit gets a B-plus."
-Herbert M. Furlow, The 1979 Pocket Book of Football
"New York's rebuilding program enters its 15th year with youthful Ray Perkins, former offensive aide at San Diego, the latest in a long line of coaches who have tried to overcome an archaic front office to awaken the slumbering Giants. Despite schedules so soft you could sleep on them, the New Yorkers have dwelt in the NFC East cellar the past two years.
Under Perkins, who will call all the plays from the sidelines, the Giants are expected to beef up their passing attack provided they can find someone who can throw the ball with some consistency. Top draftee Phil Simms of Morehead State has a rifle-like arm and good size but has never faced top-grade competition. Tough Joe Pisarcik had an erratic 47.5% completion record with 23 interceptions which opens the door for Simms plus holdover reserves Jerry Goldsteyn and Randy Dean.
Deep threat draftee Ernest Gray of Memphis State, a fluid receiver, joins pint-sized Jimmy Robinson, speedy Jerry Perkins, promising Emery Moorehead, 9.3 blazer Ernie Pough and soph Brian DeRoo at the wide receiver posts, giving the Giants an abundance of outside speed. Rookies Cleveland Jackson (Nevada-Las Vegas) and Steve Alvers (Miami) could push Al Dixon and backup Jerry Shirk out of their tight end jobs.
Despite a solid 4.0 rushing average, New York scored only 12 touchdowns on the ground last year, pointing up the need for a breakaway back. Underrated Doug Kotar (625 yards) has fine quickness but no real long-run potential while young fullback Dan Doornik appears a pure inside runner. Little Bobby Hammond (554), Billy Taylor and Alvin Maxson are halfback reserves, while Bob Torrey (Penn State) and Eddie Hicks (East Carolina) join Willie Spencer in the fullback competition.
An improved front wall, led by center Jim Clack (6-3, 250), has Doug Van Horn (6-3, 247) and promising J.T. Turner (6-3, 254) at guards, with Gordon Gravelle (6-5, 251) pairing with strong Ron Mikolajczyk (6-3, 276) at the tackles. Kingsize soph tackle Gordon King (6-6, 278) and versatile guard-tackle Brad Benson (6-3, 258) lead the reserves which include tackle Jim Pietrzak, tackle Dick Leavitt, tackle Bill Bain, rookie guard Roy Simmons (Georgia Tech) and center Leo Tierney.
An exceptionally solid kicking game- the Giants' most potent offensive weapon- is guaranteed by punter Dave Jennings, No. 2 in the NFC with a fine 42.1-yard average, and deadly place kicker Joe Danelo who scored 90 points, including 21-for-29 on field goal conversions.
New York's valiant yet overworked defensive platoon excelled against the pass (only 10 touchdowns yielded) but crumpled against the run (25 touchdowns, most in the NFL). Dependable left end George Martin (6-4,248) had 10 of the team's meager 29 sacks while veteran Jack Gregory (6-5, 255) performed better stopping the run. Standout right tackle Troy Archer (6-4, 256) is as tough as they come inside and will have either John Mendenhall (6-1, 250) or young Gary Jeter (6-4, 262) as his left tackle partner. Rookie tackle Phil Tabor (6-4, 248) of Oklahoma is an intense, hustling athlete who should see action while soph tackle Jim Krahl and end Steve Brown hope to win reserve berths.
Giant fans refer to top tackler Harry Carson (6-2, 245) as Darth Vader, indicating his villainous style of play, and feel he may be the best middle linebacker versus the run in the league. Pro Bowl left linebacker Brad Van Pelt (6-4, 242) is another blue-chipper, while right linebacker Brian Kelley (6-3, 225) is a clever weak-side guardian. Wild man Dan Lloyd, a wicked hitter, is a key backup while Frank Martin, John Skorupan and Randy Coffield compete for the remaining slots.
A rapidly solidifying secondary allowed only 47.4% of enemy passes to be completed last year and should be even better with a full season under their belt. Left cornerback Terry Jackson had seven interceptions and played the run well while strong safety Ernie Jones showed marked improvement in a key role. Soph Odis McKinney can challenge both regular right cornerback Ray Rhodes and free safety Beasley Reece for starting honors. Maurice Tyler, Larry Mallory and young D.K. Perry are possible reserve material.
Another soft schedule should make life tolerable for Giant fans, many of whom burned their tickets in protest last year. An impotent scoring attack is the biggest problem facing Perkins and his team.
'79 Forecast: 5th Place"
-Football Forecast 1979, published by Lexington Library, Inc.
1979 NEW YORK GIANTS ROSTERS
1979 Giants Preseason Roster
Head Coach -
Assistant Coaches: Ernie Adams, Bill Belichick, Ralph Hawkins, Pat Hodgson, Bob Lord, Don Pollard, Dick Scensiak, Jim Stanley
77 Troy Archer (DT) Colorado
73 Bill Bain (T) USC
60 Brad Benson (C) Penn State
17 Fred Besana (QB) California
53 Harry Carson (LB) South Carolina State
56 Jim Clack (G) Wake Forest
59 Randy Coffield (LB) Florida State
18 Joe Danelo (K) Washington State
15 Randy Dean (QB) Northwestern
84 Al Dixon (TE) Iowa State
35 Dan Doornik (RB) Washington State
12 Jerry Golsteyn (QB) Northern Illinois
71 Gordon Gravelle (T) Brigham Young
81 Jack Gregory (DE) Delta State
33 Bob Hammond (RB) Morgan State
24 Terry Jackson (CB) San Diego State
13 Dave Jennings (P) St. Lawrence
70 Gary Jeter (DT) USC
31 Ernie Jones (S) Miami
20 Larry Jones (WR) Northeast Missouri State
55 Brian Kelley (LB) California Lutheran
72 Gordon King (T) Stanford
44 Doug Kotar (RB) Kentucky
74 Jim Krahl (DT) Texas State
78 Dick Leavitt (T) Bowdoin
54 Dan Lloyd (LB) Washington
34 Larry Mallory (S) Tennessee State
51 Frank Marion (LB) Florida A&M
75 George Martin (DE) Oregon
36 Alvin Maxson (RB) SMU
23 Odis McKinney (CB) Colorado
64 John Mendenhall (DT) Grambling
62 Ron Mikolajczyk (T) Tampa
80 Emery Moorehead (WR) Colorado
86 Johnny Perkins (WR) Abilene Christian
76 Jim Pietrzak (T-C) Eastern Michigan
9 Joe Pisarcik (QB) New Mexico State
82 Ernie Pough (WR) Texas Southern
28 Beasley Reece (S) North Texas State
22 Ray Rhodes (CB) Tulsa
85 Jimmy Robinson (WR) Georgia Tech
87 Gary Shirk (TE) Morehead State
57 John Skorupan (LB) Penn State
27 Willie Spencer (RB)
38 Billy Taylor (RB) Texas Tech
83 James Thaxton (TE) Tennessee State
89 James Thompson (WR) Memphis State
52 Leo Tierney (C) Georgia Tech
68 J.T. Turner (DT) Duke
25 Maurice Tyler (S) Morgan State
63 Doug Van Horn (T) Ohio State
10 Brad Van Pelt (LB) Michigan State
Top Five Draft Choices
1 Phil Simms (QB) Morehead State
2 Ernest Gray (WR) Memphis State
4 Phil Tabor (DE) Oklahoma
5 Cleveland Jackson (TE) Nevada-Las Vegas
6 Bob Torrey (RB) Penn State
-1979 Complete Handbook of Pro Football
1979 Giants Preseason Position Roster
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Fred Besana (California)
Randy Dean (Northwestern)
Jerry Golsteyn (Northern Illinois)
Joe Pisarcik (New Mexico State)
Phil Simms (Morehead State)
Running Backs
Dan Doornik (Washington State)
Bob Hammond (Morgan State)
Eddie Hicks (East Carolina)
Doug Jackson (Columbia)
Doug Kotar (Kentucky)
Alvin Maxson (SMU)
Ben Norman (Colorado State)
Billy Taylor (Texas Tech)
Bob Torrey (Penn State)
Receivers
Brian DeRoo (W) (Redlands)
Al Dixon (T) (Iowa State)
Ernest Gray (W) (Memphis State)
Cleveland Jackson (T) (Nevada-Las Vegas)
Larry Jones (W) (Northeast Missouri)
Emery Moorehead (W) (Colorado)
Johnny Perkins (W) (Abilene Christian)
Ernie Pough (W) Texas Southern
Jimmy Robinson (W) (Georgia Tech)
Gary Shirk (T) (Morehead State)
James Thaxton (T) (Tennessee State)
James Thompson (W) (Memphis State)
(W)-Wide Receiver (T)-Tight End
Interior Linemen
Bill Bain (T) (USC)
Brad Benson (G-C) (Penn State)
Jim Clack (C) (Wake Forest)
Keith Eck (C) (UCLA)
Gordon Gravelle (T) (Brigham Young)
Gordon King (T) (Stanford)
Dick Leavitt (T) (Bowdoin)
Ron Mikolajczyk (T) (Tampa)
Jim Pietrzak (T-C) (Eastern Michigan)
Leo Tierney (C) (Georgia Tech)
J.T. Turner (G) (Duke)
Doug Van Horn (G) Ohio State)
(T)-Tackle (G)- Guard (C)-Center
Kickers
Joe Danelo (PK) (Washington State)
Dave Jennings (P) (St. Lawrence)
(PK)-Place Kicker (P)-Punter
DEFENSE
Front Linemen
Steve Adzima (E) (Richmond)
Troy Archer (T) (Colorado)
Steve Brown (E) (William Paterson)
Larry Gillard (E) (Mississippi State)
Jack Gregory (E) (Delta State)
Gary Jeter (T) (USC)
Jim Krahl (T) (Texas Tech)
George Martin (E) (Oregon)
John Mendenhall (T) (Grambling)
Phil Tabor (E) (Oklahoma)
(E)-End (T)-Tackle
Linebackers
Harry Carson (M) (South Carolina State)
Randy Coffield (O) (Florida State)
Brian Kelley (O) (California Lutheran)
Dan Lloyd (M) (Washington)
Frank Marion (O) (Florida A&M)
John Skorupan (M) (Penn State)
Brad Van Pelt (O) (Michigan State)
Blake Whitlatch (O) LSU
(O)-Outside Linebacker (M)-Middle Linebacker
Defensive Backs
Allen Caldwell (S) (North Carolina)
Terry Jackson (CB) (San Diego State)
Ernie Jones (S) (Miami, Fla.)
Larry Mallory (S) (Tennessee State)
Odis McKinney (S) (Colorado)
Beasley Reece (S) (North Texas State)
Ray Rhodes (CB) (Tulsa)
Maurice Tyler (S) Morgan State
(CB)-Cornerback (S)-Safety
-The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1979, published by Pocket Books
1979 New York Giants Depth Chart
OFFENSE
QB Randy Dean, Joe Pisarcik, Jerry Goldsteyn, Fred Besana, Phil Simms*
RB Doug Kotar, Bob Hammond, Billy Taylor, Ben Norman*, Eddie Hicks*
RB Dan Doornik, Emery Moorehead, Alvin Maxson, Doug Jackson, Bob Torrey*
WR Johnny Perkins, Ernie Pough, James Thompson, Earl Gray*
LT Gordon Gravelle, Bill Bain
LG Doug Van Horn, Brad Benson
C Jim Clack, Jim Pietrzak, Leo Tierney, Keith Eck
RG J.T. Turner, Brad Benson
RT Ron Mikolajczyk, Jim Pietrzak, Gordon King, Dick Leavitt
TE Gary Shirk, Al Dixon, James Thaxton
WR Jimmy Robinson, Brian DeRoo, Larry Jones, Cleveland Jackson*
DEFENSE
LDE George Martin, Gary Jeter, Steve Brown, Phil Tabor*
LDT John Mendenhall, Jim Krahl
RDT Troy Archer, Gary Jeter
RDE Jack Gregory, Larry Gillard, Steve Adzima*
LLB Brad Van Pelt, John Skorupan, Brad Whitlatch
MLB Harry Carson, John Skorupan, Dan Lloyd
RLB Brian Kelley, Frank Marion, Randy Coffield
LCB Terry Jackson, Odis McKinney
SS Odis McKinney, Maurice Tyler, Beasley Reece
FS Larry Jones, Larry Mallory, Allen Caldwell*
RCB Ray Rhodes, Larry Mallory
* rookie
-The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1979, published by Pocket Books
