1979 Profile: Terry Jackson

Cornerback

No. 24

San Diego State

"He ain't heavy, but he's Monte Jackson's brother. It helped to have an older brother who was an All-Pro before him. He calls it 'quite a challenge' to cover a receiver while '76,000 people are looking at you; that's quite a few. I don't worry about things, though. I'm low-key.'

In his first pro game, he intercepted the first pass thrown his way and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown against Green Bay. Terry led the Giants in interceptions, with seven.

Born December 9, 1955, in Sherman, Texas, he played at San Diego State, where he was All-West Coast."

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

1979 Profile: Dave Jennings

"Keeps a diary (in a Yale University Spiral Notebook) 'so I can look at it years from now and recall little things.' In that diary is how Jennings was once told that Rosey Grier was once benched and spent the entire game eating peanuts, which he had hidden in his thigh pads. Also, Jennings has recorded details of his first pro season when Houston cut him before  he caught on with the Giants.

Born June 8, 1952, in New York City, he's a versatile athlete who defeated the likes of Tony Dorsett and Lynn Swann in the Superstars competition. Jennings is a vital cog in the Giants' limited-offense format."

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

"Dave enjoyed his finest pro campaign in 1978. He was the second leading punter in the NFC with a 42.1 average, the highest of his career, and saw action in the Pro Bowl Game in January.

Dave is a third cousin of Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk."

-1979 Topps No. 25

1979 Profile: Gary Jeter

Defensive Tackle

No. 70 

USC

"Surly most of his rookie season because of little playing time, Jeter started most of last year after Troy Archer broke a bone in his foot. Improving all the time, he certainly has no problem with confidence, gladly enumerating his own talents to anyone who will listen. 'Imagine,' he once said, 'John Riggins trying to outrun me.' Jeter says his ankles must be taped because they are 'real small; I guess that's why I can run so fast.'

He was born January 24, 1955, in Weirton, West Virginia, and grew up in Cleveland. An All-American at USC, he always has been the big kid on the block, having played at 275 in a high school all-star game."

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

1979 Profile: Ray Rhodes

"A starting wide receiver for two seasons, he was switched to cornerback partly because the Giants found bigger and faster wide receivers, but mostly because they were desperate on defense. 

Rhodes was considered the most dependable secondary man the Giants last year, except he spent a lot of time nursing injuries. A smash to one shoulder caused the ribs on the opposite side of his chest to pop away from the ligaments. 'It hurt to cough, laugh, breathe,' he says. Sometimes, it hurt to watch him try to play anyway.

Rhodes was born October 20, 1950, in Mexia, Texas." 

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

"A versatile player for the Giants, Ray led the Giants in punt returns as a rookie in 1974. He had a 40-yard interception return against the Redskins in 1977. helping to clinch a 17-6 victory.

Ray was a college teammate of the Cowboys' Drew Pearson."

-1979 Topps No. 412

1979 Profile: Jim Clack

Center

No. 56

Wake Forest

"Probably the team's most valuable player last season, his first as a Giant after being traded by Pittsburgh. 'I feel sorry for this team,' Clack said late in the year after considerable fan abuse. 'Every time we come off the field guys from the other team are saying, 'I wouldn't want to play here.' Clack is a consummate team man and rugged old pro who does his best no matter what.

Born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, he played at Wake Forest. He originally signed as a free agent with the Steelers and hated watching the playoffs on TV last year."

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

"A solid performer for the Steelers at both center and guard, Jim joined the Giants prior to 1978 and became the club's regular center. He was a center at Pittsburgh until the 1974 season, then switched to guard where he was a starter in two Super Bowl wins.

Jim was the top blocker in the Atlantic Coast Conference in his senior campaign. A fine pass protector, he was an honor student in high school."

-1979 Topps No. 99

1979 Profile: Brad Van Pelt

Linebacker

No. 10

Michigan State

"A man as easily disappointed as Van Pelt probably should not play for the Giants. Often, he has wondered if he should have chosen a baseball career instead, or what it would be like to play closer to home in Detroit. But then, a man as qualified as Van Pelt must play for the Giants if they are to have any hope. He has played in the Pro Bowl the past three years, though a series of injuries diminished his effectiveness last season.

Van Pelt was an All-American at Michigan State as a safety. He's a shy sort who never really found New York City to be that exciting."

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

"Brad reached his full potential with the Giants in 1976. His best game came in a 24-10 win over the Lions when he had 10 solo tackles and two interceptions.

Brad has two brothers who are high school coaches."

-1979 Topps No. 140

1979 Profile: Harry Carson

Middle Linebacker

No. 56

South Carolina State

"Behind the scowl ticks an observant, sometimes insecure mind, even though last season he was voted to the Pro Bowl. 'The pros are all right, but there are times when I wish I were back there [in college]. At times you'd like the security that was there. That rah-rah spirit and family feeling and knowing that everybody's pulling for you.' Opponents find him frightening, but he is human enough to need a pat on the back and admits it.

Born November 23, 1953, in Florence, South Carolina, he played at South Carolina State as a defensive end whom opponents diligently avoided. His college jersey- No. 75- was retired last year."

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

"Harry has been rated by the Eagles and Cardinals as one of the best linebackers they've faced. He won Giants' MVP honors in 1977 and received strong support in voting for the Pro Bowl.

Harry had 30 quarterback sacks as a senior at South Carolina State."

-1979 Topps No. 515