1963 Profile: Hugh McElhenny

Halfback
No. 39
Washington
"McElhenny has thrilled more spectators than any player in the club's history. He's an exciting running halfback who weaves and strikes once he gets into open territory. Tagged 'The King' in his 1952 rookie season, he's still going strong in his eighth year- he was named Most Valuable Player in the '58 Pro Bowl game.
McElhenny lives in Mountain View, California and is the director for promotion and merchandising for a food company."

-Pro Football Handbook 1959

"McElhenny has provided many thrills with his running style. Used primarily as a flanker back in 1959, he nabbed 22 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns. He carried only 18 times for 67 yards.
He picked up the nickname of 'The King' as a 1952 rookie. Los Angeles-born, he was the national high school high-hurdle champ.
McElhenny is promotion director for an Oakland food farm."

-1960 Pro Football Handbook

"The one-time halfback 'King' of the coast is free-wheeling Hugh McElhenny, an explosive bundle of halfback energy with a most spectacular style of running. A 49er since 1952, he was the league's most feared runner at one time, and its most difficult to contain.
Born in Los Angeles, Hugh was a scholastic hurdles champion and an All-American at the University of Washington.
He saw limited service in 1960, gaining 347 yards in 95 rushes and 114 yards with 14 pass grabs."

-1961 Pro Football Handbook

"It was quite a coup for a new team to land a player of Mac's class. Among the men of the NFL, he's universally regarded as the finest broken field runner of this era.
Mac, who played nine seasons with the Forty Niners, doesn't profess to have the speed that once made him a star hurdler, but he was good enough to carry the ball 95 times for 347 yards in 1960. He is also a pass receiving threat. Playing flanker one year (1957), he grabbed off 37 passes."

-1961 Fleer No. 127

"Always worth the price of admission and still the spectacular, exciting 'King' of broken-field fliers is Hugh McElhenny, the Los Angeles thrill-maker who in 1961 became the second player to gain 10,000 lifetime yards. Starting as a 1952 rookie, he was the most amazing of climax runners with the 49ers. McElhenny ripped off 570 rushing yards in '61 and added 283 as a pass receiver.
Experience as a scholastic high-hurler enabled him to apply high knee action  to his scrambling dashes."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"Hugh rates sixth in the NFL's all-time rushing derby. He is a regular in the Pro Bowl."

-1962 Topps No. 92

"A postseason operation on knee cartilage could help Hugh McElhenny recover some of the glory he knew as the most spectacular of all NFL running backs. 'The King' was limited to 50 rushes in 1962, all due to injuries which kept him hobbled to the bench most of the season.
Born in Los Angeles, McElhenny was a San Francisco idol for nine years and the best of 49er runners. At one time he held the high school world record for the high hurdles and still uses the highest knee action in the circuit when making a sweep."

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963

1963 Profile: Allie Sherman

Head Coach
"By now it's fairly obvious that he's the new genius of the block-and-tackle set. His technique is simple: get to know the potential of the personnel and develop the strongest points.
Born in Brooklyn, he was too small to play high school football and was a left-handed quarterback at Brooklyn College during the formative stages of the T-formation. Allie studied this new attack so intently that he became a master at its operation. He played for the Eagles, mostly as a holder for placements, but always kept his eyes and ears open and absorbed as much knowledge as possible.
Allie has a completely positive approach to the game and starts the '63 year with a new five-year contract, the longest NFL pact. He has two conference champions in as many years as the head man in the Bronx."

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963

1963 New York Giants Outlook

"For the last few years, ill-wishers of the New York Giants hoped the ravages of old age would put them in a place far removed from the top. But the Giants have refused to act their age and have consistently put everybody else in their places.
'They called us old before last season,' says Allie Sherman, who has coached the Giants to two successive Eastern titles, 'but after we won they changed it to 'mature.' So I guess we are a little more mature as we get ready for this season.'
Whatever the Giants are if they are not senior citizens, they are not teenagers. Age is bound to tell in several areas. Of the Giant first-line troops, 14 have put in anywhere from eight to 13 years in pro ball.
Sherman admits he is concerned about the regular front four of the defensive team. These four - Andy Robustelli, Jim Katcavage, Dick Modzelewski and Rosey Grier - have worked almost without relief in every game for the past seven years.
'Now they are at a stage where they will need help once in a while,' Sherman says.
Relief will have to found from among Gene Gossage, the ex-Eagle end, second-year man Ken Byers and a crop of rookies. Byers earned a battle star as a substitute for Robustelli last year. The chances are that Andy and most of the gang will be on regular duty for another full season before the new blood achieves the right corpuscular balance.
The key old timer, of course, is Y.A. Tittle, at 36 going into his 12th season. Tittle reached a peak last year with 200 completions for 3,224 yards, a shade less than two-thirds of the Giants' league leading yardage total of 5,005. His 33 scoring passes set a record.
Tittle probably will slip to a plateau high enough to keep the Giants in contention, but a longer descent would be fatal. Backing up Yat are Ralph Guglielmi, sound but no sensation, and a rookie - Glynn Griffing.
The great catching of Del Shofner, Joe Walton and Frank Gifford should keep the air attack respectable in any event, but there are still only Alex Webster and Phil King for heavy duty on the ground and Alex is aging, too.
The linebacking and secondary remain solid with Sam Huff, Jim Patton, Dick Lynch and Erich Barnes, but Tom Scott, never a sprinter, is slowing up. Ray Wietecha called it quits after 10 years to take up coaching, but Greg Larson should be an able replacement at center.
Summing up: Offense - passing may slip, receiving will remain among the best; running not to be feared. Defense - strong overall but slowing."

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963

"It looks like another banner season coming up for the Football Giants at Yankee Stadium in 1963.
Back from last year will be virtually the same cast that swept to the National Football League's Eastern Conference title on the wings of an incredible 12-2 record.
That eastern victory, incidentally, was the fifth in the last seven years for the Giants, an unparalleled stretch of success that began when the Maramen moved into the Stadium back in 1956.
Under Jim Lee Howell, now personnel director, the Giants won the World Championship their first year at the Stadium and followed with conference wins in 1958 and 1959. Al Sherman, the NFL's only two-time Coach of the Year, took over in 1961 and has won two straight eastern crowns.
Winning three in a row is a rare feat indeed but Coach Sherman will try for it with a veteran ball club that has speed, scoring punch, and depth.
The key man, of course, is venerable quarterback Y.A. Tittle, who last season enjoyed his greatest season in pro ball. Yat set a new NFL touchdown throwing record for one year with 33 and also tied the one-game mark of seven TD tosses.
Tittle finished his productive campaign with 200 completions in 375 attempts for 3,224 yards, breaking every passing record in the Giant book. His achievements won him unanimous selection on every All-Pro team.
Returning also in 1963 will be Tittle's great receivers Del Shofner, Frank Gifford, Joe Walton and newcomer Aaron Thomas.
Alex Webster, a great all-around halfback; Phil King, who came into stardom last year, and Joe Morrison will be carrying the ball behind a top offensive line that numbers Darrell Dess and Bookie Bolin at guards, Jack Stroud and Rosey Brown at tackles and Greg Larson as a center replacement for the departed Ray Wietecha.
On defense, a Giant trademark over the years, Sherman will have all the old favorites - Andy Robustelli, Sam Huff, Jim Patton, Jim Katcavage and Dick Lynch.
Among the newcomers who may stir next season's Yankee Stadium crowds are Mississippi's All-American quarterback Glynn Griffing, Florida halfback Dick Skelly and Pittsburgh linebacker Lou Slaby, to mention a few.
Although baseball is still in the air, football is just around the corner. Get your Giant tickets now at the Giant office, 10 Columbus Circle, New York 19, N.Y. They'll be going fast, so don't wait until September!"

-The New York Yankees Official 1963 Yearbook


"A preseason alignment of the teams in the National Football League is always difficult to make, and in the Eastern Conference this year the only way is to stab. Except for the Giants, that is. The New Yorkers the past two seasons have pulled ahead of the opposing teams because of more and better ball players. The Giants are loaded, so it takes no hesitation to name them as the expected Eastern champions.
You can take all the six other teams and throw them into the same pot. There is very little to choose among them, and that too helps the Giants. The six competitors are likely to beat one another so consistently that no true contender will emerge to challenge New York.
The Giants did scratch through to their 1961 Eastern title, there's no doubt about that. If Ray Renfro of the Browns had not dropped a sure touchdown pass in the last game of the regular season ...
But in 1962 New York was a shoo-in. Why? Because the team filled out at every position and for the first time had true depth and bench strength. This will be even more obvious in 1963 competition.
The Giants are loaded because: (1) veteran ball players have kept on and have gone unhurt; (2) new emphasis on scouting under ex-coach Jim Lee Howell has produced better rookies; and (3) the Giants are still masters at trading for the talent they need.
Take a look at the end and flanker positions, spots where the Giants suffered from a lack of manpower and speed for years and years. There is Del Shofner for a starter and he's the best. Then comes Frank Gifford, in his time the league's top offensive player. And add Joe Walton, a vastly underrated pro's pro. Since you can only play three receivers at a time, Aaron Thomas has to sit on the bench. Yet his talents fairly insist that he break into the lineup at split end, tight end or flanker.
What about Johnny Counts? Get his speed harnessed and what a flanker he'll be. Make'em forget Bobby Mitchell. Where do you play Jim Collier, that good-looking prospect from Arkansas? Or Louis Guy, a third draft choice traded to the Giants by the Eagles? Can a place be made on the team for rugged Lou Kirouac, the Boston College boy who unfortunately broke a leg last year? He's a kicker, too, far from Don Chandler's level. So the Giants have ends and flankers coming out of the ear holes in their helmets.
There's a guard spot open on the offensive platoon and four candidates, three of them qualified pros, competing for the job. These are Bookie Bolin, a crack rookie from 1962; Gene Gossage, a regular with the Eagles in 1961; Mickey Walker, an experienced linebacker; and promising Bob Bill, a high-draft rookie from Notre Dame.
Everywhere you look on the Giants, the situation is similar- plenty of good ball players, an embarrassment of riches and a minimum of player problems.
In one area this team is not rich and does have a problem. There are not enough seats in Yankee Stadium to accommodate all who wish to see the Giants. This year the club will sell close to 50,000 season tickets and because of the nature of that baseball stadium, the last 14,000 seats will offer a distorted view of the game. Yankee Stadium, for football, holds 64,000 and it was filled up all seven Sundays last fall. It will be again. Love those Giants."

-Harold Rosenthal, All-Pro 1963 Football

OFFENSE
Receivers
"Del Shofner is the premier receiver in the game. What a steal from the Rams! Joe Walton's junior size fails to inhibit his fine blocking. He has sure hands, too. Aaron Thomas backs up either one superbly. He may wind up on the flank. Frank Gifford learned the position in '62; improvement is expected. Johnny Counts can become another Bobby Mitchell.
Rating: Excellent"

-Harold Rosenthal, All-Pro 1963 Football

Interior Linemen
"Roosevelt Brown and Jack Stroud form an A-plus tackle pair but are at the injury and slowdown stage. Reed Bohovich must improve his pass blocking.
Darrell Dess rates with the league's best guards. Ray Wietecha retired, so ex-guard Greg Larson moves over and Bookie Bolin moves up. That's good. Gene Gossage, from the Eagles, is a good spare. Bob Bill was hurt all of '62.
If the old tackles hold up, no sweat.
Rating: Very Good"

-Harold Rosenthal, All-Pro 1963 Football

Quarterbacks
"No one's perfect, but Y.A. Tittle comes close. This is his last year, so Glynn Griffing becomes very important.
Rating: Excellent"

-Harold Rosenthal, All-Pro 1963 Football

Running Backs
"Webster-King 'elephant' tandem was terrific in '62. They went through unhurt.
Joe Morrison's ready all the time and will do well. Dick Skelly wrestles alligators, what else?
The Giants are thin here.
Rating: Good"

-Harold Rosenthal, All-Pro 1963 Football

Kicker
"Don Chandler in 1962: 19 of 28 field goal attempts.
Rating: Excellent"

-Harold Rosenthal, All-Pro 1963 Football

DEFENSE
Interior Linemen
"Jim Katcavage is the king, an All-Pro. Andy Robustelli was seven times. Andy has lost nothing and is still a great outside pass rusher. Rosie Grier idles sometimes. Dick Modzelewski is a steady wrecker. The old gang goes on and on.
Chuck Janerette and offensive guard Gossage can provide breathers when necessary.
Rating: Very Good"

-Harold Rosenthal, All-Pro 1963 Football

Linebackers
"Sam Huff may or not play dirty but he usually plays well. Jerry Hillebrand, a bust in '62, is ready to show'em.
Like wine, Tom Scott gains from aging. Bill Winter did well as a rookie regular. Mickey Walker's all football but may wait five years to make first string.
Rating: Good"

-Harold Rosenthal, All-Pro 1963 Football

Defensive Backs
"Erich Barnes and Dick Lynch are the best corner pair going. Jim Patton is an All-Pro fixture. They can't pick on Allan Webb. He held up in '62 and fears no one.
John Symank, an ex-Packer, is an aggressive ex-regular. There will be one cut; Sam Horner must fight to stick.
The New York secondary never panics and shuns double coverage as sissy stuff.
Rating: Excellent"

-Harold Rosenthal, All-Pro 1963 Football

OUTLOOK
"Prophecy is never easy, but it can be tougher than picking the Maramen to finish on top again. Prediction: First."

-Harold Rosenthal, All-Pro 1963 Football


"The New York Giants have effected a subtle change in the lexicon of pro football. A player is no longer 'old' - he's simply 'mature.' And the mature Giants, ten of them 30 years old or more, have dominated the Eastern Conference for two years and see no reason why they shouldn't make it three.
As a matter of fact, coach Allie Sherman seems quite confident they can, and the little left-hander from Brooklyn College is a super-cautious type.
An air of cockiness has almost pervaded the Giant camp. It wasn't there a year ago because the Giants were fresh from being humiliated by the Green Bay Packers, 37-0, and everybody insisted they were lucky to make that far anyhow. But they felt they gave it their best shot in losing to the Packers again, 16-7, last December 30, and were vindicated.
Coach Sherman was given an unprecedented five-year contract by the Mara brothers, Jack and Wellington, who control the operation.
A few niggling problems will keep him from being complacent. The Giants frankly need some insurance for their running attack. Alex Webster, at 32, may be only 'mature,' but he's taken a strong pounding for eight seasons in the NFL and a couple in Canada before that. Phil King, a pleasant surprise last fall, is a three-yard plugger who can't break games open. So the Giants now are taking a long look at a rookie from Florida, Dick Skelly, a husky 208-pounder.
The front defensive foursome, intact for seven years with a combined experience of 36 seasons, demands standby relief. The Giants made one move by acquiring Gene Gossage, a reserve lineman, from the Eagles. The middle of the offensive line is a slight gamble because center Ray Wietecha retired. Greg Larson, a center in college, who started as a tackle with the Giants and played guard last year, is back to his normal spot. Bookie Bolin, who looked promising in his '62 debut, has been promoted to starting guard.
But, overall, Sherman deals from strength in almost every phase of the operation. Y.A. Tittle, recovered, hopefully, from an elbow operation this May, had the greatest of his 13 seasons in the NFL and threw a record of 33 touchdown passes. That included seven in one memorable afternoon against Washington. Del Shofner, his blade-thin split end, caught 53 passes, 12 of them in the end zone. Frank Gifford, back from a year's sabbatical, got used to playing a new position, flanker-back, and has Allie bubbling that he'll amaze the league this season, barring injury.
The robust defense, featuring playing coaches Andy Robustelli and Jim Patton, has lost none of its verve or pride. Sherman just wished Rosey Grier would play every Sunday like he did against Green Bay. Sam Huff should ignore controversial entanglements, like public debate over whether he or didn't try to maim Jimmy Taylor, and let his execution as middle linebacker do the talking. The secondary is keyed by great play on the corners. Receivers don't often get behind Dick Lynch and Erich Barnes.
Babe Chandler debuted as a two-way kicker in '62 and broke all club scoring records with 104 points, and personally won three games with his field goals.
With all that veteran personnel, the Giants are a tough club on rookies. But Bill Winter of little St. Olaf made it as a regular linebacker last year. And absorbing lessons for the future will be rookie quarterback Glynn Griffing, the understudy to Tittle and Ralph Guglielmi.
Meanwhile, the present is in good hands."

-1963 Official Pro Football Almanac


"For those who picked the New York Giants in 1962, there were shudders when the Giants dropped their opener to Cleveland, 17-7. Four games later they lost again, to the Pittsburgh Steelers. But that was it. The Giants went on to win their next nine games, and the conference title, then lost in the NFL title game- for the second year in a row, to the  Green Bay Packers.
How did the Giants do it in 1962? They did it mainly on the ageless right arm of Y.A. Tittle, who completed 200 of 375 passes for 3,224 yards, including 33 touchdowns (the most touchdown passes ever thrown in an NFL season.) Tittle threw mostly to Del Shofner, who caught 53 passes for 1,133 yards. And when he wasn't throwing, he was slipping off to Alex Webster (207 carries for 743 yards) or Phil King (108 carries for 460 yards). It was a potent enough offense while the sturdy Giant defense was allowing only 283 points. The same combination has to do it again for the Giants in '63- Tittle, plus that defense. But the warning signals are up.
In May, Tittle went to the hospital to have bone chips removed from his passing arm. The 36-year-old quarterback says he is fine and coach Allie Sherman says Tittle is fine. But if it turns out that he if not fine, the Giants will be in deep trouble. The burden will then fall on journeyman quarterback Ralph Guglielmi or, possibly, the Giants No. 1 draft choice, Glynn Griffing of Mississippi.
Then there is that Giant defense, especially that inner defense. End Andy Robustelli is 36, tackle Rosey Grier is 30, Dick Modzelewski, 32. Jim Katcavage is only 28 and possibly the best defensive lineman the Giants have.
Linebacking is another problem. Tom Scott is 33, and he has never been much more than a fringe player. The other corner man, Bill Winter, looked good as a rookie last year but needs experience. Middle linebacker Sam Huff was not as good in 1962 as he was the year before, or the year before that. And so coach Sherman will be testing Mickey Walker, plus rookie Lou Slaby, Pittsburgh, the No. 5 draft pick.
The Giants' secondary seems to be in excellent shape. Cornerbacks Dick Lynch and Erich Barnes make mistakes, but they also make key interceptions, and both are tough tacklers. All-Pro Jim Patton is back at one safety, and Dick Pesonen could beat out safety Allen Webb.
There is some uncertainty on the offensive line, uncertainty prompted by the retirement of All-Pro center Ray Wietecha. Most likely, Greg Larson, a guard last year, will move to center, which is his normal position. That leaves a guard vacancy, which sophomore Bookie Bolin will try to fill. The rest of the line is well set with All-Pro Rosey Brown and Jack Stroud at tackles, and unsung Darrell Dess at guard.
Tittle will have all his good receivers back in '63- Shofner, Joe Walton at tight end, Frank Gifford or Joe Morrison or Johnny Counts at flanker. Don Chandler, as usual, will handle the punting and field goals. He broke all Giant scoring records with 104 points last year."

-Al Silverman, Inside Football 1963


1963 New York Giants Preseason Roster
*  Currie Ball (DE) Hampton Institute
49 Erich Barnes (DB) Purdue
*  Bob Bill (G-T) Notre Dame
73 Reed Bohovich (G-T) Lehigh
63 Bookie Bolin (G) Mississippi
79 Roosevelt Brown (T) Morgan State
60 Ken Byers (DE) Cincinnati
*  Chris Carr (T) Humboldt State
34 Don Chandler (K-P) Florida
*  Leon Cholakis (G) Syracuse
84 Jim Collier (E)  Arkansas
46 John Counts (HB) Illinois
*  Nat Craddock (FB) Parsons College
*  Ed Cummings (LB) Stanford
62 Darrell Dess (G) North Carolina State
16 Frank Gifford (FL) USC
74 Gene Gossage (G-DE) Northwestern
76 Rosey Grier (DT) Penn State
*  Glynn Griffing (QB) Mississippi
9  Ralph Guglielmi (QB) Notre Dame
*  Al Gursky (DB) Penn State
*  Louis Guy (DB-HB) Mississippi
*  Jerry Hillebrand (DE) Colorado
*  Wilburn Hollis (HB) Iowa
26 Sam Horner (S) VMI
*  Lane Howell (C-DT) Grambling
70 Sam Huff (LB) West Virginia
72 Charlie Janerette (T) Penn State
75 Jim Katcavage (DE) (Dayton)
24 Phil King (HB) Vanderbilt
*  Lou Kirouac (E) Boston College
*  Dick Koblin (DE) John Carroll
53 Greg Larson (C-G) Minnesota
30 Dick Lasse (LB) Syracuse
22 Dick Lynch (CB) Notre Dame
*  Bob McAdams (G) North Carolina Central
77 Dick Modzelewski (DT) Maryland
40 Joe Morrison (FL-HB) Cincinnati
*  Jim Moss (T) South Carolina
*  John Mummey (HB) Ohio State
*  Bill Pashe (DB) George Washington
20 Jim Patton (S) Mississippi
25 Dick Pesonen (DB) Minnesota-Duluth
*  Roger Reynolds (HB) Bowling Green
81 Andy Robustelli (DE) Arnold
*  Don Scott (T) Tampa
82 Tom Scott (LB) Virginia
85 Del Shofner (E) Baylor
*  Dick Skelly (HB) Florida
*  Lou Slaby (LB) Pittsburgh
66 Jack Stroud (T) Tennessee
27 Joe Symank (DB) Florida
*  Bob Taylor (DE) Maryland State
*  Joe Taylor (HB) North Carolina A & T
88 Aaron Thomas (E) Oregon State
14 Y.A. Tittle (QB) LSU
64 Mickey Walker (LB) Michigan State
80 Joe Walton (E) Pittsburgh
21 Allan Webb (S) Arnold
29 Alex Webster (FB) North Carolina State
*  J.R. Williams (C-LB) Fresno State
31 Bill Winter (LB) St. Olaf

* rookie

-1963 Pro Football Handbook


1963 New York Giants Preseason Depth Charts
OFFENSE
Receivers
Del Shofner (S) (Baylor)
Aaron Thomas (S-T) (Oregon State)
Jim Collier (S) (Arkansas)
Joe Walton (T) (Pittsburgh)
Frank Gifford (F) (USC)
Johnny Counts (F) (Illinois)
Lewis Guy (F) (Mississippi)
(S)-Split End  (T)-Tight End  (F)-Flanker

Interior Linemen
Roosevelt Brown (T) (Morgan State)
Jack Stroud (T) (Tennessee)
Reed Bohovich (T) (Lehigh)
Darrell Dess (G) (North Carolina State)
Bookie Bolin (G) (Mississippi)
Gene Gossage (G) (Northwestern)
Bob Bill (G) (Notre Dame)
Greg Larson (C) (Minnesota)
(T)-Tackle  (G)-Guard  (C)-Center

Quarterbacks
Y.A. Tittle (LSU)
Ralph Guglielmi (Notre Dame)
Glynn Griffing (Mississippi)

Running Backs
Alex Webster (F) (North Carolina State)
Phil King (F-H) (Vanderbilt)
Joe Morrison (F-H) (Cincinnati)
Dick Skelly (H) (Florida)
(F)-Fullback  (H)-Halfback

Kicker
Don Chandler (Florida)

DEFENSE
Front Linemen
Jim Katcavage (E) (Dayton)
Andy Robustelli (E) (Arnold)
Ken Byers (E) (Cincinnati)
Dick Modzelewski (T) (Maryland)
Rosey Grier (T) (Penn State)
Chuck Janerette (T) (Penn State)
(E)-End  (T)-Tackle

Linebackers
Sam Huff (M) (West Virginia)
Jerry Hillebrand (M) (Colorado)
Dick Lasse (M) (Syracuse)
Tom Scott (O) (Virginia)
Bill Winter (O) (St. Olaf)
Mickey Walker (O) (Michigan State)
(M)-Middle Linebacker  (O)-Outside Linebacker

Defensive Backs
Erich Barnes (C) (Purdue)
Dick Lynch (C) (Notre Dame)
Dick Pesonen (C) (Minnesota-Duluth)
Jim Patton (S) (Mississippi)
Allan Webb (S) (Arnold)
Joe Symank (S) Florida
Sam Horner (S) (VMI)
(C)-Cornerback  (S)-Safety

-Harold Rosenthal, All-Pro 1963 Football


Offense
QB - Y.A. Tittle (LSU) 14, Ralph Guglielmi (Notre Dame) 9
HB - Alex Webster (North Carolina State) 29
FB - Phil King (Vanderbilt) 24
FL - Frank Gifford (USC) 16, Joe Morrison (Cincinnati) 40, Johnny Counts (Illinois) 46    
E - Del Shofner (Baylor) 85
T - Jack Stroud (Tennessee) 66, Reed Bohovich (Lehigh) 73
G - Darrell Dess (North Carolina State) 62
C - Greg Larson (Minnesota) 53, Lane Howell (Grambling)*
G - Bookie Bolin (Mississippi) 63, Bob Bill (Notre Dame)*
T - Roosevelt Brown (Morgan State) 79
E - Joe Walton (Pittsburgh) 80

Defense
DE - Andy Robustelli (Arnold) 81, Ken Byers (Cincinnati) 60
DT - Rosey Grier (Penn State) 76
DT - Dick Modzelewski (Maryland) 77
DE - Jim Katcavage (Dayton) 75
LB - Tom Scott (Virginia) 82, Dick Lasse (Syracuse) 30
LB - Sam Huff (West Virginia) 70
LB - Bill Winter (St. Olaf) 31, Mickey Walker (Michigan State) 64
CB - Erich Barnes (Purdue) 49
S - Jim Patton (Mississippi) 20, Sam Horner (VMI) 26
S - Allan Webb (Arnold) 21, Dick Pesonen (Minnesota-Duluth) 25
CB - Dick Lynch (Notre Dame) 22, Al Gursky (Penn State)*

* rookie

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963


Offense
QB - Y.A. Tittle (LSU) 14, Ralph Guglielmi (Notre Dame) 9, Glynn Griffing (Mississippi)*
HB - Hugh McElhenny (Washington) 39, Joe Morrison (Cincinnati) 40, Dick Skelly (Florida)*
FB - Alex Webster (North Carolina State) 29, Phil King (Vanderbilt) 24
FL - Frank Gifford (USC) 16, Johnny Counts (Illinois) 46, Lewis Guy (F) (Mississippi)*    
SE - Del Shofner (Baylor) 85, Lou Kirouac (Boston College)*
T - Roosevelt Brown (Morgan State) 79
G - Darrell Dess (North Carolina State) 62, Bob Bill (Notre Dame)*
C - Greg Larson (Minnesota) 53, Lane Howell (Grambling)*
G - Bookie Bolin (Mississippi) 63, Ken Byers (Cincinnati) 60
T - Jack Stroud (Tennessee) 66, Reed Bohovich (Lehigh) 73
TE - Joe Walton (Pittsburgh) 80, Aaron Thomas (Oregon State) 88

Defense
DE - Jim Katcavage (Dayton) 75, Gene Gossage (Northwestern) 74
DT - Dick Modzelewski (Maryland) 77
DT - John LoVetere (Compton CC) 76, Lou Kirouac (Boston College)*
DE - Andy Robustelli (Arnold) 81, Bob Taylor (Maryland State)*
LB - Bill Winter (St. Olaf) 31, Mickey Walker (Michigan State) 64
MLB - Sam Huff (West Virginia) 70, Jerry Hillebrand (Colorado)*
LB - Tom Scott (Virginia) 82, Lou Slaby (Pittsburgh)*
CB - Erich Barnes (Purdue) 49, Al Gursky (Penn State)*
S - Allan Webb (Arnold) 21, Dick Pesonen (Minnesota-Duluth) 25
S - Jim Patton (Mississippi) 20, John Symank (Florida) 27
CB - Dick Lynch (Notre Dame) 22

K - Don Chandler (Florida) 34
P - Don Chandler (Florida) 34
KR - Dick Pesonen (Minnesota-Duluth) 25
PR - Hugh McElhenny (Washington) 39

*rookie


1963 New York Giants Profile Summary
Head Coach - Allie Sherman
Assistant Coach - Ed Kolman

QB - Y.A. Tittle (LSU) 14
HB - Hugh McElhenny (Washington) 39
HB - Joe Morrison (Cincinnati) 40
FB - Alex Webster (North Carolina State) 29
FB - Phil King (Vanderbilt) 24
FL - Frank Gifford (USC) 16
SE - Del Shofner (Baylor) 85
TE - Joe Walton (Pittsburgh) 80
C - Greg Larson (Minnesota) 53
G - Darrell Dess (North Carolina State) 62
G - Bookie Bolin (Mississippi) 63
T - Roosevelt Brown (Morgan State) 79
T - Jack Stroud (Tennessee) 66

DT - Rosey Grier (Penn State) 76
DT - Dick Modzelewski (Maryland) 77
DT - John LoVetere (Compton CC) 78
DE - Andy Robustelli (Arnold) 81
DE - Jim Katcavage (Dayton) 75
DE - Gene Gossage (Northwestern) 74
MLB - Sam Huff (West Virginia) 70
LB - Tom Scott (Virginia) 82
LB - Bill Winter (St. Olaf) 31
CB - Dick Lynch (Notre Dame) 22
CB - Erich Barnes (Purdue) 49
S - Jim Patton (Mississippi) 20
S - Allan Webb (Arnold) 21

K - Don Chandler (Florida) 34
P - Don Chandler (Florida) 34
KR - Hugh McElhenny (Washington) 39
PR - Hugh McElhenny (Washington) 39

1962 Profiles: Joe Walton and Jim Collier

JOE WALTON

Tight End
No. 80
Pittsburgh
"A tight end who blocks as fiercely as a tackle, Joe Walton gives New York a dual threat at the vital flank position.
He was a Giant first-timer in 1961 - coming from the Redskins - and compiled his best offensive mark, catching 36 passes for 544 yards.
Born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, he comes a fine football family - his father Frank was a Redskin 14 years and his brother Frank was a Steeler."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"Joe was acquired from the Redskins in July of 1961. He's a top-notch pass receiver."

-1962 Topps No. 103

"In his quiet, efficient way, Joe Walton (80) does a whale of a job for the Giants at the tight end spot. Although the black-haired Pitt graduate is not particularly big at 205 pounds, he blocks tellingly. And, although he's no speed demon, he has the knack of breaking clear for key catches.

The Giants got Joe from the Redskins before the 1961 season."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

A PLAYER WHO DOES EVERYTHING

Giant End Joe Walton Isn't Very Big Or Very Fast

'Future football historians may well overlook the contributions of Joseph Frank Walton to the New York Giants' cause. Joe does not attract great attention, nor does he stand out among the super-stars of the game.

But those who labor alongside the former Pittsburgh All-American each Sunday are acutely aware of his value. To the rest of the Giants, Walton is worth his weight in gold.

Joe arrived on the New York scene in 1961 via a trade with the Redskins. It was said he was a player who could do everything.

The handsome, dark-haired Walton soon proved that his reputation as a complete player was well-founded. He landed the regular tight end spot with the Maramen and went the route as the won the Eastern title.

Walton truly did everything. He caught passes. He blocked lethally. He hustled and drove every inch of the way, a throwback to the old-time, hard-nosed football player.

It was difficult to play a starting role against the competition provided by Del Shofner (68 catches for 1,125 yards) and Kyle Rote (53 catches for 805 yards), but this mattered little to Walton. He plugged along week after week, catching passes in the clutch and clearing the way for Giant ball-carriers with crisp blocking.

Shofner and Rote got the headlines; Walton got the job done, more quietly but with equal efficiency.

Joe is 26  years old. He weighs 205 pounds and stands a shade under six feet. He lacks the size to block on big defensive linemen, but he flattens them anyway. He also lacks speed and quickness, but still he outmaneuvers swifter defensive halfbacks.

Rival teams that ganged up on Shofner and Rote in 1961 learned to their dismay that Walton could not be disregarded. Joe saved more than one game with timely catches when the opposition was double-teaming the other Giant receivers.

His dogged receiving accounted directly for one touchdown and set up another in New York's key 28-24 victory over Philadelphia at Franklin Field. And in several other games it was Walton who made face-in-the-dirt catches for vital first downs en route to winning scores. All told, Joe nabbed 36 aerials for 544 yards and two touchdowns, the most productive of his five years in the big time.

But what the statistical record does not disclose are the games Joe Walton has won with his blocking, his competitive drive and all-around football savvy.

Coach Al Sherman says, 'Joe is the kind of a fellow who will find a way to beat you no matter what you do.'

Making the big play has always been Walton's forte. As Pitt captain in 1956, Joe led the nation in touchdown catches and hauled in the winning touchdown aerials in victories over Syracuse, Duke and Oregon.

Pittsburgh coach John Micheloson called him 'one of the finest all-around players I've ever coached.'

The Redskins took note of this appraisal and made Walton their No. 2 draft pick for 1957. He clicked from the start- first on defense, then on offense.

Walton comes from a football family. His dad, the late Frank (Tiger) Walton, was one of the Redskins' greatest guards (1934-35 and 1944-45) and later coached the Washington line. A younger brother, Frank, is currently a junior gridder at Pitt. Like Joe, he's an end.

Joe played his scholastic football in Beaver Falls, Pa., where his dad was head coach. He won a scholarship to Pittsburgh, where he earned a BA in history along with his All-America honors. At Pitt, Joe played in the 1956 Sugar Bowl, the 1957 Gator Bowl and the College All-Star Game.

Now a resident of Stamford, Conn., Joe is employed off-season by Eazor Express Co., a trucking firm. He is married to the beautiful former Virginia Pailes, who represented Washington, D.C., in the 1959 Miss America contest."

-New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

JIM COLLIER

Tight End

7th Round (1961)

Arkansas

"Among the several fine rookies the Giants have added to their roster this season is Jim Collier (84). This swift, rangy end from Arkansas has displayed rare first-year ability to go and get that football. 

As he gets to know the Giant pass patterns better, you'll see more of him. Jim has all the requisites of a good pro end- size, speed, good hands, desire and intelligence."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

1962 Profiles: Rosey Grier and Dick Modzelewski

ROSEY GRIER
Defensive Tackle
No. 76
Penn State
"The singing tackle of the defense is Rosey Grier, who cuts records in the off-season and cuts down blockers, runners and passers as a defensive bulwark during the fall. He's potentially one of the greats of the game but is handicapped by the club's defensive setup which limits his tremendous pursuit.
Rosey has maintained his speed and agility since his rookie campaign of  1955."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook


DICK MODZELEWSKI
Defensive Tackle
No. 77
Maryland
Appreciated by both teammates and opponents for his great physical strength and consistent line play, Dick's importance to the Giant defense has been recognized by New York's knowledgeable football fans. In a 53-0 rout of the Redskins last November 5 at Yankee Stadium, the first score of the game resulted from Dick tackling Washington quarterback Norm Snead in the end zone for a safety. The win put the Giants just one game behind the Eagles in the East standings.
A 1952 consensus All-American and that year's Outland Trophy winner, Dick has played every game for New York since being acquired from Pittsburgh in 1956.

"Rugged, relentless Dick Modzelewski (77) has been a regular Giant defensive rushliner ever since his 1956 acquisition from the Steelers. He had put in two years with Washington before being acquired by Pittsburgh.

Little Mo, so called because of older brother, Ed, preceded him into pro football, was an All-American at Maryland. A highly combative player, Dick is both an irrestible force and an immovable body."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

1962 Profile: Don Chandler

Kicker
No. 34
Florida
"The punting man of the club is Don Chandler, the Tulsa terror whose job in '61 fell somewhat short of his previous performances. 'Babe' was the NFL's No. 1 kicker in '57 and was second-best in '58 and '59. He got off a 43.9 average last year, a trifle shy of his lifetime figure, but he wasn't in prime condition for part of the season.
He remains a major threat as an outside runner from punt formation and averaged 10 yards per carry last year in this role."

-1962 Pro Football Handbook

"Don once punted a ball 90 yards against the Bears. He finished sixth in the NFL in punting in 1961."

-1962 Topps No. 107

"Giant fans are seeing Don Chandler (34) in a new role this season. Besides handling the punting assignment, which he has done admirably for six years, the strong-legged Florida graduate has taken over the place-kicking chores from the retired Pat Summerall.

Don is doing better than just all right at his additional new job. He's getting both distance and direction on his placements."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

1962 Giarnt Linebacker Profiles

SAM HUFF
Middle Linebacker
No. 70
West Virginia
"Some of the glitter of Sam Huff was tarnished in 1961 when he was way below his All-Pro stature. The fearsome one from Fairmont, West Virginia, exposed to the wiles of the New York advertising and business worlds, suffered a letdown in general play and too much off-the-field activity may have been harmful.
He was among the ablest of linebackers as a 1957 sophomore and was an All-League choice four straight years."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"Not many players hit as hard as Sam. He's considered a top defensive player."

-1962 Topps No. 110

"Baby-faced Sam Huff speaks softly and has a deceptively roly-poly appearance. His large and vociferous Yankee Stadium clique is not deceived. Huff fans know and love Sam for what he really is- a rough and tough football player who asks and gives no quarter.

An honored tackle at West Virginia, Huff was a No. 3 draft choice in 1956. He quickly won a job as a middle linebacker and for the last four seasons has been all-league."

-New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

"All-Pro linebacker Sam Huff and Giants PR man Don Smith have collaborated on a new book, 'Defensive Football,' which will be published later in the year by Ronald Press Company."

-from Giant Jottings, 1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium)

TOM SCOTT
Linebacker
No. 82
Virginia
Considered by opponents one of the hardest tacklers, Tom earned recognition from New York's fans last November 12 against the Eagles in Yankee Stadium. He returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter of a game the Giants would win to lift their record to 7-2 and tie Philadelphia for the Eastern lead.
A Virginia All-American who was later a two-time selection as a defensive end, Tom has been a stalwart of the Giant defense as a linebacker.

"An All-American selection at the University of Virginia is a battle-tested gridiron pro for the Giants since his acquisition from the Eagles in 1959. He was one of the NFL's top defensive ends when the five-man line was still in vogue. Tom performs equally well on the flank and as a corner linebacker. He has taken over at the latter spot as a regular this year."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

BILL WINTER

Linebacker

No. 31

St. Olaf

"The Giants think they came up with a real 'find' in Bill Winter (31). Although he was only an 18th-round choice in the 1962 college draft, Winter won regular rating in preseason training and has firmly established himself at left linebacker.

A hard-hitting 220-pounder, who moves fast, Bill won eight major letters in football, baseball and basketball at little St. Olaf College."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

MICKEY WALKER 

Linebacker-Guard

No. 64

Michigan State

"Mickey Walker (64) was signed by the Giants as a free agent in 1961 after he had finished a brilliant career at Michigan State. First thought of as a linebacker, he was shifted to offensive guard last season and did a capable job as a fill-in for Jack Stroud and Darrell Dess.

This season he is back at linebacker again and doing a bang-up job in support of the starters. A rugged 230-pounder, Mickey loves to get in there and mix it up."

-New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

JERRY HILLEBRAND
Linebacker
No. 87
Colorado
"The New York Giants are looking to this young rookie for a real pro performance in 1962. Chances are, Yankee Stadium fans will be cheering Jerry as he boots field goals and extra points in assembly-line fashion. He's a strong, fast runner, too."

-1962 Topps No. 113

1962 Giant Offensive Line Profiles

RAY WIETECHA
Center
No. 55
Northwestern
A Pro Bowl selection as recently as 1960, Ray was last year named All-Conference by the Sporting News. Many consider him the best in the league at blocking the middle linebacker out of a play, so he's just as adept at giving protection on passing plays.
All-Big Ten in college, Ray saw action as a Giant rookie at end, linebacker and defensive back before settling in at center, where he has started every game since 1954.

"No center in football, say the Giants, can execute blocking assignments that Ray Wietecha (55) carries out with practiced ease. The rugged 225-pound Northwestern graduate has fantastic lateral range. 

Ray is also the Giants' iron man. Going into this season, he had played 118 consecutive games and never missed a minute of offensive play because of injury.

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

"Ray Wietecha, the Giants' iron man center, goes on and on ... When Ray takes the field against the Detroit Lions this afternoon, it will mark his 124th straight game for the Maramen, and of these, he's been the starting center in 111 ... Wietcha, now in his10th season, is closing in on Emlen Tunnell's club mark of 126 consecutive games ... Sunday, November 4, will be Ray Wietecha Day at Yankee Stadium. It also will be Ray's 34th birthday."

-from Giant Jottings, 1962 New York Giants Official Program

GREG LARSON

Center

No. 53

Minnesota

"Greg Larson (53), captain of Minnesota's 1961 Rose Bowl team, joined the Giants last season and immediately established himself as a bright offensive line prospect. A center and linebacker in college, he was a starter at right tackle for most of his rookie season. This year, he has filled in at right guard as well as at right tackle. He's also the No. 1 replacement for Ray Wietecha at center."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

JACK STROUD
Guard
No. 66
Tennessee
Jack is the New York offensive lineman often graded highest by Giant coaches and is widely regarded as one the best guards in the league. He can always be counted on to open a hole with a devastating block, lead a sweep or block for a pass. He's perhaps best known for pulling out to block for Alex Webster off left tackle.
All-American and team captain at Tennessee, Jack has played in three Pro Bowls and has been named All-Pro five times by AP or UPI.

"For all-around serviceability, there are few offensive linemen who can match Jack Stroud (66). At various stages in his stellar 10-year career with the Giants, this deep-chested, powerfully-built Tennessee graduate has played regularly at both guards and both tackles. He is also used as a goal-line defender. Pulling or firing straight out, Jack is a lethal defender."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

DARRELL DESS
Guard
No. 62
North Carolina State
An unsung hero of the Giant offense, Darrell is known for leading interference to the strong side. He also provides solid pass protection for Y.A. Tittle. Playing every game last year, his strength and confidence won respect throughout the league.
In college, Darrell won two letters in football and one in wrestling.

"Darrell Dess (62) came to the Giants in 1959 via the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers. Since joining the club, the stocky 235-pound graduate of North Carolina State has been a starter more often than not on the offensive unit at left guard.

A wrestling star in college, he has the strength and weight to make his blocks stick and the speed of foot to get out ahead of the ball-carrier on wide plays."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

KEN BYERS

Guard

No. 60

Cincinnati

"In their quest for added line depth, the Giants made Ken Byers (60) their No. 7 choice in last winter's draft. The 240-pound Cincinnati graduate has proven to be a valuable acquisition. Primarily a tackle in college, Ken is serviceable anywhere on the defensive rush line and can also used as a linebacker or up front on offense."

-New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

ROOSEVELT BROWN
Offensive Tackle
No. 79
Morgan State
"Tardy recovery from a knee operation may make All-Pro tackle Roosevelt Brown a question mark in 1962.
A huge bulk who moves downfield like a fullback, he's a devastating blocker for passers and runners, and few teams have been able to check him with just one defender. He's almost impossible to counter when in full flight on Giant kickoffs.
Roosevelt was a 27th draft choice in 1953 which proves the value (?) of scouting reports."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"Back in 1953, the Giants took a flyer in the 27th round of the NFL draft on a raw-boned young tackle from Morgan State College named Roosevelt Brown (79). History has proven the selection to be inspired. By 1954 Roosevelt was solidly entrenched as a starter at left tackle and since 1955 has been all-league.

A fast-moving 250-pounder, Brown blocks dynamicly on the line and down field. He also pitches in on goal-line defense."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

REED BOHOVICH

Offensive Tackle

No. 73

Lehigh

"Giants insiders believe that the New Yorkers have mined a diamond in the rough in big Reed Bohovich (73). This young Giant from Lehigh, who hadn't attained voting age when the season began, has started several games at right tackle on offense and is also being groomed for service at guard.

There are rough spots in his work, of course, but he has impressed as having the basic ability to develop into a pro star. His 260 pounds and speed afoot are other endorsements."

1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

CHUCK JANERETTE
Offensive Tackle
No. 72
Penn State
One of the fastest offensive tackles in the pros, Chuck played every game as a rookie for the Rams in 1960. Last year, he made the Giant offensive line a solid wall of protection for Giant quarterbacks and even recovered a fumble.
Chuck earned four college football letters, All-American honorable mention and played in the Copper Bowl and All-American Bowl.

"Charlie Janerette (72) has served the Giants well the past two seasons as a swing lineman. He fills in capably at either tackle on defense and offense and, in fact, can do a sound job just about anywhere up front.

The Giants got the 250-pound Penn State alumnus in a 1961 trade with the Vikings, who had claimed him from the Rams in the expansion draft."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

1962 Giant Safety Profiles

JIM PATTON
Safety
No. 20
Mississippi
"For size and weight, there isn't anybody as rough and tough as Jim Patton, the Belzoni (Mississippi) ball hawk who seems much lighter than his listed 180 pounds. Again a unanimous All-NFL selection at safety, he intercepted eight forwards and returned them 163 yards. He's one of the few who can meet Jim Brown or Jim Taylor head-on and make the tackle, one-on-one.
Speed, determination and a study of opposing pass receivers make Jim the best at his position."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"Jimmy Patton coaches on and off the field. He tutors the New York Giant secondary in practice then shows them how as a safety on Sundays."

-Murray Olderman, All-Pro 1962 Football

"Jimmy led the NFL with 11 receptions in 1958. He was drafted by the Giants in 1955."

-1962 Topps No. 112

"When Jimmy Patton (20) tried out for the Giants in 1955 as a 180-pound rookie out of Mississippi, sideline observers said: 'He'll never make it; he's too small.' Jimmy made his critics eat their words. Not only did he make it but he made it big from the start, and for the last five years has been the NFL's acknowledged top all-around safetyman.

Patton knows not only how to make all the plays but also why and when to make them, for which reason he has served as a playing coach for the last three seasons."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

ALLAN WEBB

Safety

No. 21

Arnold

"Signed as a free agent last year, Allan Webb (21) has done a terrific job for the Giants as a spare running back, a reserve defensive back and now as the defensive unit's regular left safetyman.

Like Andy Robustelli, he's a graduate of little Arnold College, now part of the University of Bridgeport. Webb kept active in football as a sand-lotter waiting for the big chance that finally came in 1961. During the off-season he serves as recreation director for the Connecticut State Prison."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

DICK PESONEN
Safety
No. 25
Minnesota-Duluth
Acquired from Minnesota in exchange for veteran linebacker Cliff Livingston and a high draft choice, the Giants are looking to Pesonen to join forces with Jimmy Patton to give New York an impressive safety tandem.
After seeing action in all 12 games as a Packer rookie in 1960, Dick was a starting cornerback for the NFL's new Minnesota club in 1961, returning an interception 28 yards. He also returned six kicks for an average of 22.7 yards.

"The Giants acquired Dick Pesonen (25) from the Minnesota Vikings last spring in exchange for Dick Livingston. A 24-year-old graduate of the University of Minnesota's Duluth branch, he was signed by the Packers as a free agent in 1960. He went to Minnesota in the player stocking made available to the new NFL entry in 1961.

Serviceable at all defensive backfield positions, Dick provides valuable protection in the secondary."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

1962 Profiles: Alex Webster and Phil King

ALEX WEBSTER
Fullback
No. 29
North Carolina State

ALEX WEBSTER

CASE STUDY OF A PRO FOOTBALL COMEBACK

"The New York Giants were playing the Dallas Cowboys in an August 1960, exhibition game. Legs churning, head low, Alex Webster sprang from the Giant backfield, headed for a hole off-tackle. But the hole closed quickly. A Dallas lineman grabbed Webster's left ankle, another hit him head-on. Alex kept struggling for those extra inches that sometimes mean the difference between a first down and a fourth, then,  with the suddenness of a linebacker's smash, the squirming ended. Webster fell sideways but his left leg didn't, not right away. It remained anchored by the lineman. The ligaments in Alex's left knee drew taut, stretched and ripped.

Alex was hospitalized, his left leg in a cast for two weeks. When the cast came off, he stood up shakily, looking at his legs. The left one was shriveled and inches smaller than the right- atrophy had taken its toll. Alex missed the first four league games and never did get back in shape in 1960. When he returned he'd lost that crucial first step and he couldn't pivot off his left knee. He gained 48 yards in 23 attempts all year; in previous seasons that would have been a poor single-game performance for him.

Webster, who had been one of New York's top runners since 1955, the powerful, dependable first-down and goal-line man, appeared out of business. As practice began for the 1961 season his chances for success seemed slim. He was 30, last of the old-guard running backs. Frank Gifford had retired and Mel Triplett had gone to the Vikings. The Giants' new head coach, Allie Sherman, was installing a permanent flanker system that stressed a consistently long game and speed to make it go. Webster had never been fast, and the Giants had some speedy rookie backs whose skills seemed ideally suited for the new offense. Reportedly, Webster wasn't even on New York's three-deep charts. That was the pre-season situation.

In the first ten games of the season, Alex Webster carried the Giants' running attack. He gained 672 yards, seven behind the National League's third-leading rusher, Nick Pietrosante, and his average (5.1 yards per carry) was second only to Jim Taylor's (5.3) among the top seven ground gainers. Alex also had the longest gain from scrimmage (59 yards) of all the leading runners. He was well ahead of his best previous NFL pace (694 yards in 1956). He had made his comeback, but it hasn't been easy.

Big Red, as his teammates call the large (6-3, 215) reddish-haired back, had been well aware of the things he faced when he arrived at the Giants' Fairfield University training camp last July. He'd had all winter to think about them. His leg was strong again because he'd done a lot of stair-walking and bowling ('Sliding on it four nights a week helped'). His age worried him most, though; pro teams are built on young men.

'But I made up my mind I was going to make it,' Alex said one afternoon during the season. 'I knew I didn't have a job sewed up as I had in previous years. It was just like starting all over again as a rookie. I had to win my job.'

He even started with the rookies, reporting to camp a week before the rest of the veterans. 'I went up there with the attitude that I had to get in real good shape,' Webster said. 'I had to lose weight and get my legs under me. If you're in shape physically, you're in shape mentally. I figured if I could get through the exhibition season without getting hurt, I had a real good chance of making it. The last couple of years I got hurt in exhibition games and I never got back in shape afterwards.'

Alex worked. And worked. The temperature hung around 90 degrees through most of July and August in Fairfield, Connecticut. Yet Webster ran in a sweatshirt and rubber jacket, steaming the weight off. Sherman told him he could stop when he tired that first week because he didn't have to be up there. And, not wanting to overdo it, Alex did rest, but not often and not for long. His 30-year-old muscles no longer shook off the battering and bashing as they had in the Fifties.

Quarterback Charlie Conerly, 40, who was in camp early, too, kept saying, 'Big Red, no matter how much running you do, you're never gonna get in shape.' Charlie would smile, so would Alex, sweat pouring down his face.

A guy who saw him driving himself had to wonder: What makes a veteran star who has seen many men cut and was himself cut in '53, want to play football so badly he would subject himself to this kind of punishment? Everything seemed to indicate it might all be futile.

'Money,' Alex said. 'It takes a good number of years to really get some money put away. And the thought of going into the business world scares me. When you've always excelled at football and know you'll eventually go into the business world with fellows who never knew what a football looks like, it scares you. Especially when you've got a couple of mouths to feed.'

When pressed for another reason for sticking his neck under the cutting knife, Webster muttered another word: 'Pride. I wanted to prove to myself and a lot of other people that I could still do it. I wanted to finish up on the good side of everything.' Even if he were independently wealthy, he said, 'I still would have come back.'

Alex's 1960 weight had been 230-235 pounds. He conditioned down to 215-220 in 1961. 'I feel faster and that lack of weight helped,' he said at mid-season. 'It also helped my cutting, which is quicker. Another thing is that I'm not flanking this year. As a set back you don't have to run out 20 or 30 yards to the flank every play so you don't get as tired.'

Alex was taking off his practice uniform as he spoke. It was a Thursday in early November, three days before New York's biggest game (to then) of the season. Sunday they would play the Philadephia Eagles, leaders of the Eastern Division. A victory would put the Giants in a tie for first place; a loss would drop them two games behind. It was a 'must' game for New York, one that might mean a championship- and the cash that goes with it. 'Even the younger players can smell the money,' Alex said. 'I know I can.'

On Friday, the final full-practice day before the game, Yankee Stadium looked like a large and deserted cemetery for spectators as the scoreboard clock flashed 10:51. The only human in sight was a wizened little man sweeping the dugout. Then, at 10:57, the Giants ran on the field. Backfield coach Don Heinrich led them in calisthenics, then they went through play drills. Webster ran hard, back bent parallel to the ground, head up, mouth open, grinning. On every play, carrying the ball and running back, the smile. ('The day you stop enjoying it,' he said,'it's time to quit.')

'Tha'sa boy, Alex,' Sherman yelled, 'Tha'sa way to hit it, that's good.' On screen passes, heavily emphasized: ''That'sa way Alex, tha's where to be.'

When the passing drill was ending, Webster, who had thrown as a college tailback, stepped back behind the center and said: 'All right, Shofner, show me what you got.' He hit Del with a 30-yard wobble and smiled.

After practice Sherman undressed in his office and talked about Webster: 'He's a very strong runner with very fine balance and the ability to cut at the right time. He uses his blockers very well and looks like he's got more speed this year' Sherman lit a cigarette, then said, 'He's a wonderful man to have- great temperament, desire, pride. And he's got the facility to execute under pressure. He recognizes how to take advantage of small changes, variations in defense. He's also a very good receiver. He's got good hands and he knows how to work on a defender.'

As Sherman put his sweatshirt on a chair, he was asked if it were true that Webster hadn't been on the Giants' three-deep chart before training camp. 'I don't know,' Allie said, finding a new way, it seemed, to say 'no comment.'

Saturday afternoon's practice lasted 30 minutes. It was devoted to offensive and defensive short-yardage situations and to 'special'-team workouts. Afterward Phil King and Webster, who used to be a punter ('I was pretty good in high school and college,' Alex says, 'and I kicked a couple of times up in Canada, but all of a sudden it just left me.'), starting punting from the end zone. A half-dozen kicks later, Phil said, 'I'll punt you for a dollar, Alex.'

'Okay, King,' Webster said, examining the football. 'This a bad ball, too.'

'Wait a minute,' Phil said, 'we need a judge. Al,' he called to Sherman heading for the dugout, 'you judge this. We're punting for a buck.'

Webster's foot hit the ball on the side and it winged left, no more than 30 yards. 'There goes a buck,' he hollered jubilantly. 'You got the olive.' Phil hit a high spiral that landed near mid-field.

'Another one,' Alex said. 'I've got a good ball this time.' He boomed a towering drive.

'Why didn't you tell me,' Sherman said.

King's next one was almost as bad as Alex's first.

At 2:05 p.m. on Sunday, THE game began. On the Giants' first running play Webster slanted off left tackle for 20 yards. Then he went inside right tackle for two before Y.A. Tittle threw Shofner a touchdown pass.

On the next series of downs Alex ran over tackle for eight and up the middle for three. With the ball on the Eagle 38, Tittle faked Webster into the line. Alex threw a block on a charging lineman as Y.A. faded back, back, looking. Then Webster got up and ran behind four linemen. Just as Tittle was about to be floored he lobbed the screen pass to Alex, who gained 29 yards to the nine. Then Tittle hit Kyle Rote for a touchdown.

After New York got seven, they moved to their 35. Webster, who doesn't often try the ends, turned the left one and would have gone for the touchdown if Joe Walton, blocking near the ten, hadn't gotten in his way. Alex's arm stiffened on Joe's back and he pushed him several yards, but the slowdown gave a defensive back time to catch him at the six. That's the way Webster went that day. He gained 100 yards on 16 carries and caught two passes for 30 yards. The Giants won, 38-21.

Webster would have done even better if he hadn't gotten hurt. Carrying into the line in the third period, he ran into about ten Eagles. Bent low, head down, his legs kept moving and he didn't. Jess Richardson suddenly popped out of the mass of flesh, charged laterally to Webster and dropped his 265-pound body on top of the fullback's right-angled back. Alex went down like an express elevator. He landed hard, on his head, and lay crumpled like a dead man.

They woke up Alex a few minutes later and half-carried him to the bench. Team Doctor Francis Sweeny and trainer Johnny Johnson worked over him with wet towels, ice packs and smelling salts for some ten minutes. When the clock showed 4:35 left in the game, Webster got up and Johnson helped him toward the clubhouse. Alex stopped down the bench, smiled and talked to Charlie Conerly. He didn't know it, though. He didn't know anything that was going on until he reached the Yankee Stadium dugout- 25 minutes after he had been hit.

'I don't even remember carrying the ball,' Alex said later at his cubicle, speaking slowly, feeling for the words. Still slightly dazed (perhaps from medication as much as the injury), he sat in grey Giant shorts and a T-shirt on his wooden stool. He rubbed the back of his neck where his helmet had canted and cracked him when he smashed into the ground. Partially deaf in his left ear since a mastoid operation, the head blow seemed to have completely disengaged the ear. He kept cocking his right ear toward the teammates who came over to ask how he was and congratulate him on his fine game  (he and Tittle, who completed 18 of 24 passes for three touchdowns, tied for the offensive-player-of-the-day award).

Tittle was one of the last to stop by. 'Where were you hurt?' he said as Alex stood and shook his hand.

'In the head.'

'Nothing else?' Tittle asked, tapping Webster's chest and stomach.

'No, nothing.'

'You all right now?'

'Yeah, fine. They can't hurt this head,' Alex said grinning. Then he went in to shower and see Doc Sweeny for a final check.

Trainer Johnson came over to a friend waiting to drive Alex home. 'You watch him,' Johnson said. 'He may talk kind of funny in the car. He should be all right tomorrow.'

He was. 'I'm a little stiff,' Webster said on Monday from his East Brunswick, New Jersey, home, 'but I haven't even got a headache.'

Webster had had a headache three weeks earlier after the Los Angeles game. He had tried to ram his helmet through Les Richter's. They had helped Alex off the field then- in the third period- and in the fourth, he was arguing with Sherman to get back in the game, which Webster and most men with head injuries make a habit of doing. Although he didn't get back in, he had a good day, anyway- 98 yards on 13 carries, including a 46-yard touchdown run on a screen pass.

In his early football years Alex didn't know much about injuries. A painful shoulder separation in high school kept him out of only one game. At North Carolina State University, he wasn't seriously hurt until his senior year. A Georgia linebacker crunched his neck, and he missed a couple of games. He took a pounding for a season and a half in Canada without missing a game. His first Giant year, 1955, he suffered two concussions; in the second, he had a deep chest bruise, yet played every game. His mastoid operation cost him a game in '57. Then it got rough. Torn knee ligaments sidelined him for three games in '58. Torn rib cartilage in a '59 exhibition kept him out of the opening game and a bruised spine against Cleveland cost him a game. His '60 injury almost cost him his career.

In recent years the exhibition games ruined him. As a player gets older it's harder to come back once the season's started. Still, Webster has no chronic injuries and he is not a brittle man. But running into large men enlarged by padded suits is his game. And he gets hurt.

'He runs hard and he hits hard,' said Doc Sweeny after the Eagle game. 'He sticks his head in there,' he said. 'In trying to get extra yardage his head fills a hole and he gets hit there. You saw in the Ram game when he went head-and-head with Richter.'

Middle-linebacker Sam Huff, who has hurt a few men in his six NFL years, thinks Webster's lack of speed has been a factor in his injuries. 'He was never fast,' Sam said as he pulled on thermo longjohns and sweats before practice one day. 'Because he's slow more guys can get to him at once and he gets hit harder. Also, he doesn't go down easy. He's a big boy, as big as some of the linebackers in this league.' He grinned. 'You can't arm-tackle him. You've got to hit him hard.'

Afterward Charlie Conerly, who has handed Webster just about every football he's been hurt carrying, said Alex's injuries stemmed from the way he runs. 'He never quits,' Charlie said. 'He keeps driving all the time. He doesn't always try to go around a man, either, if he thinks he can get more going over him.'

Conerly was asked how he had used Webster in previous years.

'Gifford was the wide man,' Charlie said. 'Alex stayed inside. We seldom ran him wide. In a third-down situation when you needed a man to get a yard or two, Alex was the man.'

'He got the call over Triplett?'

'Yes, he got the call. Alex was always one of the better pass-receivers, too. He's a good clutch man. If you needed yardage you could depend on him to catch a pass.'

'Rote helped me on moves and fakes those first two years,' Alex says. 'And you get smarter as you go along. You learn how to use your speed, which is something I never had. You learn how to set up a defensive back, get him running with you, then cutting away from him to catch the ball. I was always on a combination pattern, making my moves off an end. I worked with Schnelker (Bob) a lot.'

With three excellent receivers in Rote, Shofner and Joe Walton, the Giants cut their throws to Webster this season. Still, in the first ten games he caught 14 passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns. Not bad for a guy supposedly out of business. Alex was not surprised that he'd come back; he'd determined to. 'But I never expected anything his big,' he says.

Webster has been bumping odds for a lot of years. He was born on April 19, 1931, in Kearney, New Jersey, a typical East Coast port industrial town. When Alex was nine his father died and Alex had a few jobs, starting with a newspaper route. He delivered ice off a truck in summers and milk off a truck in winters. He gave his money to his mother, Rena, who worked in a defense factory till the war ended, then other places up to 1956 when she retired to live with her older son in New Brunswick. There was another boy, too, Jimmy, five years younger than Alex who tried out but was cut by the Giants in 1959. (Webster also has a son named Jimmy, eight, and a daughter, Debbie, five.)

From 1945 through '48 Alex was a triple-threat star for Kearney High School. As a single-wing tailback his senior year, he was named to the All-State and All-Metropolitan teams. The University of Miami tried to recruit him; so did V.P.I. and North Carolina State. He visited each and liked the city of Raleigh, North Carolina, best. 'State wasn't really big-time then,' Webster says. 'I didn't think I was good enough to big-time ball. Lots of times you get lost in the shuffle.'

Webster didn't at N.C. State. The Associated Press voted him Southern Conference Sophomore of the Week after State beat Maryland, eighth-ranked nationally, 16-13. Alex, playing safety, recovered three fumbles and intercepted two passes. The last one saved the game. With less than two minutes remaining, the Terrapins were driving for the winning score. Alex picked off Joe Scarbath's pass in the end zone to halt that great Maryland team, which included Dick Modzelewski and Dick Nolan.

Alex likes to get on Giant teammates Little Mo' and Nolan about the upset. While suiting for the second Pittsburgh game this year some players were talknig college football. Webster yelled over to Modzelewski, 'Hey, Mo, remember when little North Carolina State came up to College Park with 13 players and knocked off Maryland?'

'What happened the next year?' Mo said, grinning.

'Yeah, let's talk about that,' Nolan hollered. 'Fifty-two to nothing!'

Laughing, Webster said, 'I came close to leading the country in kickoff returns that day- I returned seven- for not many more yards.'

Webster's top season at State was his junior year. He rushed for 634 yards from tailback, passed for 622 yards and had 13 touchdowns to lead the conference in scoring. He also had a 38.5 punting average and a 25.2 punt-return average. He was most of the State football team.

In those days of winter and spring practices, the football season lasted most of the year so Webster stayed busy. On scholarship, he worked for the athletic department and on the outside whenever he could pick up extra money. Alex had time to socialize, though, and he met Louise Eggers on a blind date. In August 1952, he brought her to meet his family and they were married soon afterward.

The following summer, 1953, Webster reported to the Washington Redskins as their 12th draft choice. 'I took a big gamble,' he says. 'We had a baby coming in October and no hospitalization. But I thought I had a pretty good chance. Most of their offensive players had been around a number of years. (Men like Harry Gilmer, Bill Dudley and Charlie 'Choo Choo' Justice.) Webster didn't get a tryout on offense. Coach Curley Lambeau gave him a good shot at the defensive backfield and it looked like he'd made it until the Detroit Lions cut veteran defensive back Don Doll, who was quickly signed by Washington. The Monday before the season opened Lambeau called Webster's hotel and asked him to come to the Redskin office. He didn't have to tell him why.

'I'm sorry,' Curley said when Alex arrived. 'You're a good ballplayer but Doll has more experience. We're going to have to let you go.'

Despondent, Alex went back to the hotel, packed his bag and took the next train home. He and Louise had been living with his mother since returning from State and he was heavily in debt to her. And the baby was only a couple of weeks away. 'I didn't know what to do,' Alex says. 'It was a black day for me.'

He knew he had to get some money fast to pay for the baby, so he filled out an application for a job at the Otis Elevator Company. Any job. Then, on the evening of September 30, he got an idea. Maybe he could play Canadian football. The season had already started, but he knew Douglas 'Peahead' Walker was coaching the Montreal Alouettes. He'd played against Walker's Wake Forest teams and had an 86-yard punt return in one game. Maybe Walker would remember him. He prayed.

Alex penciled a night letter to Walker: 'I have been just cut by the Redskins. I am in good shape and, if you are looking for a halfback, can give good recommendations from my coaches. Alex Webster.'

Peahead wired back the next morning:

'Come on up today for a tryout.' Webster got there in the afternoon. Most of the Canadian players work days, so practices are at night. And Alex had to make it that night. October 1 was the deadline for the signing of American 'imports.' Webster, the rookie, had to beat out two experienced backs: Nub Smith, who had played for Walker at Wake Forest and was just returning from an ankle injury, and Jimmy Joe Robinson, who had played with the Steelers.

But Walker remembered Webster and after seeing him run in practice he knew he was in shape. That was all he wanted to know. Alex signed his contract at about nine p.m., three hours before the deadline expired. 'I'd probably still be working at Otis Elevator or someplace like that if I hadn't made it,' he says. 'It was very fortunate.'

Alouette fans didn't think they were fortunate. They thought Peahead had a loose head. Montreal newspapers the next morning declared 'WALKER PULL BONER- UNTRIED NEWCOMER OVER TWO VETS.' In obese type.

Webster made Walker a genius several days later. He led the Alouettes to Saturday-Sunday victories over their toughest competition. Sportswriters hailed him as 'the hottest import in years.' He was, scoring six touchdowns in seven games. The following season, his first complete one as a pro, he rushed for 984 yards, caught 373 yards worth of passes and returned kickoffs for 393 yards. He set a Big Four rushing record and tied the all-time scoring record with 80 points (16 five-point touchdowns).

It made the Redskins feel kind of funny and the other NFL clubs feel kind of covetous. The NFL teams went after him. The Lions and Cardinals offered him more money than the Giants, but he chose 'the team I'd always dreamed of playing with' because he wanted to be near his sick mother. He got a good raise over his salary in Montreal.

Webster had a no-cut contract with the Giants, but it didn't guarantee he'd break into the biggest 'name' backfield in football- Gifford, Rote and Eddie Price. Coach Jim Lee Howell said: 'Webster is starting from scratch in our camp. Press clippings mean nothing to me. He has to prove by himself he belongs in the big league and he knows it.'

Alex proved it in the first two exhibition games by scoring three touchdowns. He became the left halfback for the season. Rote, who had bad knees, switched to end. Although knocked unconscious by Pittsburgh and hospitalized for three days, Webster wasn't about to miss the next game. He ran 52 yards for one touchdown and 25 for another on a pass from Conerly. It was his first game against the Redskins. Afterward Howell said, 'That Webster is without question the greatest runner in the business. He doesn't have great speed, but he sure knows what to do behind blockers and in the open field.'

Big Red has always been a fine blocker himself. In 1961, he became an excellent blocker. 'Al (Sherman) taught me how to block,' he says. 'He'd been after me all through training camp to use my head and shoulders, but I couldn't break the habit of throwing my body. Then, in Pittsburgh, I threw a block on Mike Henry (linebacker) and hurt my ribs. My ribs were so darn sore the rest of the game, I had to use my head and shoulders.'

In 1961 Alex took instruction and gave some, too. He worked with the rookie backs in camp, showing them things about running, tipping them off about the Giant system, advising the men who wanted to play his position. 'Alex helped all of us quite a bit,' said rookie back Joel Wells. 'He was working real hard himself but he helped us.'

Alex went beyond playing tips. During the Ram game, rookie Bob Gaiters fumbled for the second time, killing a touchdown drive inside the ten. All-Pro offensive tackle Rosey Brown was angrily screaming at Bobby seconds later as Gaiters sat, chin on chest at the end of the bench. Webster walked over, rubbed Bobby's head sympathetically and said something to him. 'He told me to just shake if off and forget it,' Bob said later. 'Everyone fumbles,' he said. 'Just get 'em next time.' Alex's really helped me all along. He still helps me with my running, telling me about cutting back and all.'

However, the gentleman football player gets angry on the field when provoked. In the second Pittsburgh game, Alex gained 25 yards on his first three carries. On his fourth, 6-6, 290-pound Big Daddy Lipsomb was one of the tackling gang that swamped him. When everyone else unpiled, Big Daddy was on his knees, straddling Webster and leaning over him as if he were about to do a pushup on Alex's chest. Big Daddy refused to let him up. Alex was yelling into that hard-eyed intimidating face less than a foot from his. This went on, tensely, for several seconds, until the referee finally woke up and stepped in.

'We were talkin',' Lipscomb said later. 'That's all. Jus' talk.'

'I told him to get his fat behind off me,' says Alex. Among other things.

Big Daddy and the rest of the Steelers got rougher after New York broke open the game. Alex was the breaker. Tittle called an 'A shoot' in the huddle. 'Yat,' Alex said, 'I'm going to shoot and go down. I can beat the linebacker.' 'Okay,' Yat said, then hit him with a lead pass on the left sidelines at the ten and Alex outran George Tarasovic to score, 21-7 New York.

In the fourth quarter Webster ran wide toward left end, but seeing he couldn't turn it, he cut back sharply through for two yards. The next time New York had the ball he turned the end and raced 32 yards for a touchdown. Later he was pulling off his extra-long rib guards (he's long-waisted) with LIFE BOAT#29 painted on them.

Later still, Big Daddy, who was carrying a hangered shirt over his back, walked into the clubhouse to see Erich Barnes. Rosey Brown, who had issued some hot warnings to Lipscomb during the game, turned and said disgustedly: 'Hey, Big Daddy! Man, sometimes I don't know about you.'

Webster that day gained his 3,341st rushing yard for New York, only 333 behind all-time Giant ground-gainer Frank Gifford. It was obvious that Allie Sherman, who goes out of his way to avoid superlatives for individual players, realized just how much Alex Webster meant to the Giants in 1961. Though Tittle and Shofner received the major credit for New York's success, they were effective largely because of the balance provided by Webster's running. In short, his comeback meant a championship."

-Berry Stainback, Sport Magazine, March 1962

"Comeback kid of the 1961 tournament was Alex Webster, the bruising halfback-fullback who was in danger of being cut in pre-season camp. The Kearney (New Jersey) crusher, a victim of shoulder and leg ailments, whipped himself into such superior shape that he was the league's No. 3 rusher and gained 1,241 yards a runner and pass receiver. Alex was outstanding at picking up that vital third down yardage.
He first starred in the Canadian loop before joining the Giants in 1955."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"In the best year of his career in 1961, Alex was third in the NFL in rushing."

-1962 Topps No. 105

"All but written off in 1960 after injuries had resulted in a second straight sub-par season, Alex Webster (29) had his best all-around year as a Giant in 1961. The big redhead from Brunswick, N.J., hammered rival lines for 928 yards to finish third in the NFL rushing totals.

As in 1955-58, Webster was once again the Giants' bread-and-butter carrier. That goes for this year, too."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

"Alex Webster has moved into the No. 1 spot among all-time Giant rushers this season ... The big redhead from New Jersey has gained 232 yards, bringing his career total to 3,829. Frank Gifford, with 3,674 yards, had held the lead going into he 1962 campaign ... The Section 5 Club honors Alex at the Biltmore Hotel on Sunday, October 28."

-from Giant Jottings, 1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium)

PHIL KING
Fullback
No. 24
Vanderbilt
New York's first draft pick in 1958 played every game in the Eastern title seasons of '58 and '59. As a rookie, Phil rushed for 316 yards, his longest run 38 yards, gained 132 yards receiving, his longest reception 35 yards, and returned 13 kicks 279 yards for a 21.5 average, his longest return 31 yards.
As a collegiate star at Vanderbilt, Phil topped the Southeastern Conference with 773 yards from scrimmage in 1956.

1962 Profiles: Andy Robustelli and Jim Katcavage

ANDY ROBUSTELLI
Defensive End
No. 81
Arnold
"Andy was an NFL star with the Los Angeles Rams before he was traded to New York in 1956. One of the smartest defensive ends in the business, Andy is a great favorite with the Giants' fans. He is selected regularly to the All-Pro defensive squad."

-1962 Topps No. 108

"Andy Robustelli (81), the Giants' defensive coach, has established himself as one of pro football's greatest defensive ends in 12 seasons of brilliant play with the Los Angeles Rams and the Giants, who acquired him in 1956 in exchange for a future draft choice.

He's strong, quick and blessed with an uncanny sense of anticipation and specializes in harrassing enemy passers.

Andy is a native of Stamford, Connecticut, where he still makes his home. He attended Arnold College, now part of the University of Bridgeport."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium)

JIM KATCAVAGE
Defensive End
No. 75
Dayton
"Jim Katcavage demonstrated the value of desire and aggressiveness in 1961 when he was rewarded with All-Pro recognition, outshining his highly publicized fellow defensive end, Andy Robustelli. Superior strength at fending off blockers helped him to whistle into enemy backfields and reduce the efficiency of quarterback-gunners.
Born in Philadelphia, he's been a starter since his freshman 1956 campaign. Always underrated, he's finally been recognized for the genuine standout he is."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"Jim Katcavage, always the Giants' unsung man, is finally getting his due as an All-Pro defensive end."

-Murray Olderman, All-Pro 1962 Football

"Joining the New York club as a rookie in 1956, the big defensive end was an important cog in the Giants' world championship title that year. Jim played as an offensive and defensive end during his college days. He's one of the game's most reliable players."

-1962 Topps No. 109

1962 New York Giants Halfback Profiles

BOB GAITERS
Halfback
No. 35
New Mexico State
"Training camp was like going to school again for Bob Gaiters, the Santa Ana (California) slasher who looked so good - and bad - as a rookie left half in 1961. Although he bolts well to the inside and is effective on the quick-openers, he must learn to absorb the pro system and overcome an inferiority [sic] that he's 'not good enough.'
Bob was the nation's leading scorer and rusher at New Mexico State in 1960."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

JOHNNY COUNTS

Free Agent

No. 46

Illinois

"Johnny Counts (46) was signed as a free agent by the Giants last June. But he wasn't exactly a 'sleeper.' The Giants knew of his high school days in New Rochelle, where he starred in track and football. They would have signed him sooner but they had to await the graduation of his entering class at Illinois where Johnny was named Big Ten Sophomore of the Year in 1960."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

PAUL DUDLEY

Halfback

Free Agent

Arkansas

"When Green Bay, caught in a personnel squeeze, let Paul Dudley (23) go in their final cutdown, the Giants joyously jumped at the chance of adding him to their roster.

A star all-around performer with Arkansas, the wiry 185-pound Dudley has the makings of a top-notch running back and pass receiver. He also knows the ropes on defense. The Giants rate him highly."

-New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

SAM HORNER

Halfback
No. 26
VMI
"Sam Horner showed enough in 1960 to qualify as a starting halfback this season. The Fort Sill (Okla.) firebrand was spotted defensively and offensively last year and never failed to please. He had 22 rushing attempts, gaining 80 yards, and rolled for 106 yards as a pass-catcher; he also stayed busy serving as a returner of punts.
Sam played halfback, fullback, defensive halfback and safety at VMI, in addition to punting."

-1961 Pro Football Handbook

"Sam, besides being an excellent punter, was the second leading rusher on the club [Washington] in 1961."

-1962 Topps No. 167

1962 Profiles: Erich Barnes and Dick Lynch

ERICH BARNES
Cornerback
No. 49
Purdue
"A change of playing arenas worked wonders for Erich Barnes and helped get him named to the All-Pro team. A defensive halfback at Chicago since 1958, he longed for a chance to get traded and showed his appreciation by performing so splendidly in New York. The Elkhart (Indiana) antelope can do everything required of a defender and his only problem is to curb some of his aggressiveness, which occasionally causes him to stray from his assigned territory.
He tied an NFL mark in 1961 by returning an interception for a 102-yard touchdown (vs. the Cowboys) and he topped the loop in bringing back interceptions (195 yards)."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"Last season, Erich intercepted a pass and returned it 102 yards for a touchdown."

-1962 Topps No. 111

"The Giants struck oil in 1961 when, in an involved preseason deal with the Bears and Rams, they acquired Erich Barnes (49) from Chicago. The rangy 198-pound Purdue graduate, a No. 4 draft choice of the Bears in 1958, fit right into the picture as a defensive backfield cornerman. His great speed, coordination and alertness make Barnes an outstanding pass defender."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

DICK LYNCH
Cornerback
No. 22
Notre Dame
"Touted as the best man in all football for one-on-one coverage is Dick Lynch, the spirited corner back of the New York Giants, also the NFL's pass interception leader."

-Murray Olderman, All-Pro 1962 Football

1962 Profiles: Del Shofner and Aaron Thomas

DEL SHOFNER

Split End
No. 85
Baylor
"The master receiver of down-and-out patterns is Del Shofner, the ex-Ram who was so instrumental in aiding the club to its 1961 flag. He moved 1,125 yards with 68 forwards last year and closed as No. 3 man in this category.
The Center (Texas) cyclone came to L.A. in 1957 and was too fast to keep at defensive halfback. Switched to end in '58, he was the league leader as a pass receiver and also was used as a punter."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook

"Del ranked third in pass receiving in 1961. He came to the Giants from the Los Angeles Rams."

-1962 Topps No. 106

"Long noted as the most dangerous deep pass receiver in the NFL, Del Shofner (85) hit peak efficiency with the Giants in 1961. His 68 receptions were good for 1,125 yards, a total that led the league, and he scored 11 touchdowns.

The Giants snagged Del, a 1957 Baylor graduate, in a preseason deal with the Rams. In combination with the Y.A. Tittle, he gave them an offensive boost that helped them win the Eastern title."

-New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

"The first winner of the weekly Kinney Award- free use of a Kinney rental car for a full year- was All-Pro end Del Shofner, who caught six passes for 90 yards before being injured against the Steelers last Sunday."

-from Giant Jottings, 1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium)

AARON THOMAS

Split End

No. 88

Oregon State

"For insurance against injuries to Del Shofner and Frank Gifford, their prime pass receivers, the Giants got big Aaron Thomas (88) from the 49ers early this season in exchange for Bob Gaiters. The 6-3, 208-pound Oregon State graduate, who hauled down 15 passes for 301 yards as a 1961 rookie, can go get 'em."

-New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

1962 Profiles: Y.A. Tittle and Ralph Guglielmi

Y.A. TITTLE
Quarterback
No. 14
LSU
"There are few, if any, NFL passers who can hit as consistently in a third down situation as Y.A. Tittle, the skin-headed sharpshooter who moved the Giant air works in 1961. It wasn't all easy for Y.A., who was forced to adjust to the New York offensive system and the strange personnel. His career completion percentage tops all other quarterbacks and in '61 he was No.2 with a 57.2 figure."

-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook


"'Yat' Tittle has been in the NFL for well over a decade as the star quarterback for both the Baltimore Colts and the San Francisco Forty-Niners. He was traded to the New York Giants before the 1961 season and led his new club to the Eastern Conference crown.
In the following article, written exclusively for ALL-PRO FOOTBALL, he comments on a topic he is expert in- running backs. Not that he is one himself, he quickly admits, but as the man who thousands of times has sent runners on their way, he certainly qualifies to speak on the subject."

-Murray Olderman, All-Pro 1962 Football

"The idea came to me one day last season while I was looking over the rushing statistics issued by the league office. The three top ground gainers were Jimmy Brown of the Cleveland Browns, Jimmy Taylor of the Green Bay Packers and J.D. Smith of the San Francisco Forty-Niners.
Normally, I'm not too concerned with these figures because my interests, as they have for the last 14 years, lean more to the column that says 'passes completed.' Believe me, I am no runner myself and far from being the last word on the subject. Like Norm Van Brocklin says, a quarterback should only run out of sheer fright.
But it did occur to me that the three top yardage gainers in the NFL did not have running styles commonly associated with the image of a picture ball carrier. Most kids breaking into football are taught to run with high knee action, making it more difficult for tacklers to bring them down.
Yet Jimmy Brown runs with his long body leaning, not really bent over, not straight up, looking like he's shuffling his way along. Until somebody tries to tackle him. You know what Kyle Rote of the Giants heard last year as our defensive platoon came off the field after putting up with Mr. Brown for a few plays. 'I touched him, I touched him,' yelled one of the defensive backs, all excited, like he'd just returned a pass 100 yards for a score.
J.D., who broke in as a running back with the Forty-Niners when I was their quarterback, runs something like Brown does. Taylor is a little different. He scoots along the ground because, for one thing, he's a little shorter than the others; when somebody puts a hand on him, he sort of explodes.
But your biggest asset, common in all three, seems to be balance. Each of them is tough to knock off his feet. It takes a good shot to drag any one of them down, and even that doesn't always do it because the Giants hit Taylor every which way when we played Green Bay in early December and he still ran for 186 yards.
The thought occurred to me that maybe with the high knee action, which looks spectacular from up in the stands, one leg is always high in the air when the runner is hit, and consequently it is more difficult for him to maintain his balance.
As a kid at Louisiana State, I briefly got a chance to see one of the greatest runners in history, Steve Van Buren, and later when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles I saw him a few times in action. I never remember him taking his feet off the ground to any extent.
With the Forty-Niners I was privileged to play in the same backfield with Joe Perry and Hugh McElhenny. Very few quarterbacks have ever had the good luck to be able to call on a pair that could do so much with a ball tucked under an arm. There have been greater individual runners, but I don't think anyone has ever had two like them on the same team.
Perry, you know, goes into this season as the leading ground-gainer in league history, and that doesn't count the two early years he spent with the Forty-Niners in the old All-America Conference. He was sent to the Baltimore Colts last year and, at the age of 35, was their leading rusher.
Mac, to my mind, is the best all-around back I've ever seen. There are guys today who are magicians carrying the ball, like Jon Arnett of the Rams. But I'm still partial to McElhenny.
Mac was the only one to come up during my career who had tremendous speed, bounce and unbelievable shiftiness to complement a considerable amount of power. In his heyday, he was the greatest, and if anyone thinks he's lost it, he should see the pictures of The King, as they used to call him in San Francisco, running for the Minnesota Vikings against his old teammates, the Forty-Niners. On an old-fashioned Statue of Liberty play, seven defenders actually had a clear shot at him as he weaved 32 yards for a touchdown.
It was interesting to me, though, that even with Mac's great talent for eluding tacklers he was only mediocre as a faker while running pass patterns. One year the Forty-Niners played him exclusively as a flanker- without too much success. Carrying the ball, Mac let the tackler move first before he committed himself. It was natural instinct that provided the moves to shake him loose. As a receiver, however, he had to pre-plan his cuts and pass routes and consequently was not as elusive.
This reinforces my belief that great running backs are born- with the necessary speed and balance explaining most of their success.
There are some things you can't teach a guy. No one had to show Alex Webster of the Giants how to change direction on a dime, one little maneuver that has transformed him from a back of just average speed into one of the toughest, most elusive runners in the game. And when someone comes along as marvelously equipped as Jimmy Brown, with both quickness and muscle, you just sit back and count the damage.
From my vantage point, handing the ball off and high-tailing it out of there as fast as these old legs will permit, I've seen some great ones in action. None of it has rubbed off, though. My running style is patterned after my little daughter's."

Y.A. Tittle, All-Pro 1962 Football

"Acquired from the 49ers before the season began, Y.A. was sixth in passing in 1961."

-1962 Topps No. 102

"Y.A. Tittle (14) is the NFL's senior quarterback at 35 years old, but one would never guess it to watch him in sprightly action.

Acquired from the 49ers in a preseason 1961 trade, Y.A. paced the Giants to the Eastern title with his thread-needle passing and fiery leadership. Going into his 14th pro season, he had completed 1,859 passes- tops in the game."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

Y.A. TITTLE

HE "MOVES" THE GIANTS

"Once again, as they did for so many years with Charlie Conerly, the Giants boast the dean of quarterbacks in Y.A. Tittle, whose supple and tireless right arm has earned him a distinguished place among the elite forward passers of pro football history.

With the retirement of teammate Conerly at 40, former San Francisco 49er Tittle, now at a spry 35 years old, now holds senior status in the NFL by a whisker or, more precisely, 56 days. The balding 'Old General' of the gridiron was born on October 24, 1926, and his fellow Texas and arch-rival, Bobby Layne of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was born on December 19 of that year.

Tittle, Layne and the recently retired Conerly all came up as rookies together in 1948.

Tittle's career has encompassed three separate eras. As a sharp-shooting young passer out of LSU in 1948, Y.A. began a three-year hitch with the Baltimore Colts, two of them in the All-America Conference and one in the NFL. Then he was acquired by the San Francisco 49ers and was a fixture at that far western outpost from 1951-60. In 1961, Tittle was traded to New York, where he now labors as Conerly's successor.

Although a world championship has eluded Tittle over the years, his accurate and durable right arm has propelled him high on the list of quarterback greats. He stands fourth among all-time passers in completions, percentage, touchdown passes and low percentage of interceptions.

Y.A.'s statistics are based on only 12 seasons because he played his first two years in the ACC with Baltimore before the Colts joined the NFL. Nevertheless, it is on the record that 'Yat,' in two leagues, has completed more passes than any other quarterback in professional football history. His 14-year total is 1,859.

During his NFL tenure, the bald-pated Texan has gained 21,381 yards with his aerials and is likely to surpass Sammy Baugh's 22,085 for 16 years. However, Layne is far ahead with 25,082 and Norm Van Brocklin, now retired, is second with 23,611. 

Only in touchdown passes does Tittle lag. He has 142 and is out of range of the leaders, Baugh and Lane (187) and the runners-up, Van Brocklin and Conerly (173). Tittle suffered in 1960 when a chronic groin injury held him to four touchdowns and a secondary role behind young John Brodie.

But Y.A. made a marvelous comeback in 1961 after being traded to the Giants for guard Lou Cordileone. In a glittering performance, he had 163 completions (sixth in the NFL); a completion mark of 57.2 (third); 2,272 yards (seventh); 17 touchdowns (fifth); 4.2 intercepted (second), and 7.97 yards per completion (eighth).

Despite his success, Title's history shows a constant struggle to keep his station.

When he joined Baltimore as a rookie in 1948, he had to beat two well known pros, Bud Schwenk and Charlie O'Rourke, for the quarterback position. In 1950, when the Colts migrated to the NFL, 'Yat' held  off prize rookie Adrian Burke of Baylor. Then the Colts folded and Y.A. moved to San Francisco, where he was a reserve behind classy southpaw Frankie Albert.

By 1952, Tittle had taken over for Albert. But there always seemed to be a new threat to the 'Old General.' One by one, such talented quarterbacks as Jim Powers of USC, Maury Duncan of San Francisco State, Earl Morrall of Michigan State and Brodie of Stanford challenged 'Yat' for the starting job. And one by one, they were repulsed.

Injuries, and an improved Brodie, finally moved Tittle out of the first-string role in 1959- finally. But the old boy got a new lease on life with his transfer to New York.

An Eastern Division championship for the Maramen followed with Tittle performing at the peak of his artistry.

Tittle was born in Marshall, Texas, on October 24, 1926. Yelberton is an old family name, and Abraham was dropped in because his parents believed a Biblical appellation was necessary. As a result, Y.A. has acquired such nicknames as 'Yat,' 'Ya-Ya,' 'Colonel Slick' and 'Bald Eagle.'

'Yat' was an all-state halfback at Marshall High School in 1943 and college scouts, especially those from Texas schools, evinced a keen interest. But Tittle chose Louisiana State and made the varsity as a 17-year-old freshman.

When he was a sophomore, LSU shifted from the single-wing to the T and Tittle had found his place in football. For the next three years he was the team's MVP and twice was named to the All-Southeastern Conference squad.

Y.A. married his high school sweetheart, Minnette DeLoach, as a pro rookie. Today they have three children- Dianne, 11, Mike, nine, and Pat, six.

Tittle is in the insurance business in San Francisco, and his Palo Alto brokerage is now one of the most successful in the Bay Area. He and his family live in the swanky suburb of Atherton in a new $75,000 home."

-1962, New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium) 

RALPH GUGLIELMI
Quarterback
No. 9
Notre Dame

" 'Goog' was the Redskins' No. 1 draft choice this year. A unanimous All-American last year at Notre Dame, he led the Irish to winning 27 of 30 games and 19 of the last 20. Frank Leahy rates him as the 'greatest quarterback I coached at Notre Dame.'

Ralph set lifetime Notre Dame records for most yardage on passes (7,703), most attempts (435), and most completions (208). He also led the team on defense with 10 interceptions in 1953 and '54.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, Ralph is single."

-1955 Bowman No. 61

"The No. 2 passer to little LeBaron. A healthy right arm should furnish new spark this season. Guglielmi can be spotted as a defensive back.
A No. 1 draft pick in '55, he's one of Notre Dame's all-time greats. He was born in Columbus, Ohio, where he sells insurance."

-Pro Football Handbook 1959

"Guglielmi starts the 1960 campaign certain of a regular signal-calling spot. The club's No. 1 pick in 1955, he lost two years (1956-57) in military service. He tossed four touchdown passes, gaining 617 yards, and also carried for 97 yards. A sore arm hindered his progress in '58.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Guglielmi set the all-time Notre Dame record for yards gained passing. He also sparkled on defense as a collegian.
Guglielmi sells insurance between seasons."

-1960 Pro Football Handbook

"There were many grandstanders who failed to be enchanted by the 1960 quarterbacking and play-calling of Ralph Guglielmi. 'Goog' reserved his better jobs for foreign fields and carved his best season with 125 completions for 1,574 yards. Ralph rifled nine tallies and hung up a husky 56.1 completion average. He also showed excellent roll-out ability, carrying 79 times, an NFL high for quarterbacks. Despite the impressive credentials of Norm Snead, he must be considered the Redskins' No. 1 quarterback.
Ralph was born in Columbus, Ohio."

-1961 Pro Football Handbook

"Redskin hopes are pinned on the quarterbacking of this former Notre Dame All-American (1954).
He's had a spotted pro career, first operating in the shadow of Eddie LeBaron, missing all of two seasons in military service and then returning in 1958 to find LeBaron still the boss.
In 1960, he got his first full shot at the job; he looked great. And now with sole responsibility, handsome and articulate Ralph has the chance to develop into the top echelons of pro leadership."

-1961 Fleer No. 108

"The Giants consider themselves highly fortunate in having come up with so well-qualified an alternative quarterback as Ralph Guglielmi (9). This All-American from Notre Dame saw four years of service with the Redskins and also put in a season with the Cardinals.

Goog knows the NFL ropes, passes and handles the ball expertly and is a strong, elusive runner. He'll put in a lot of playing time in support of Y.A. Tittle."

-1962 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium)