Safety
No. 20
Mississippi
"The odds against returning a punt for a touchdown have been figured at 98 to 1. The odds against returning a kickoff all the way are even steeper, 165 to 1. Yet against the Redskins in the Polo Grounds last season, Patton performed both feats in the same game. The odds on that feat have not yet been figured.
Patton, the smallest Giant, gained experience on defense in 1955 which may make him a regular in 1956. Very fast, he returned five kickoffs for 229 yards, three punts for 69 yards and intercepted a pass.
Married and a father, Patton was drafted No. 8 in 1955."
-1956 Jay Publishing
"The regular right safety man in 1956, Patton was second in punt and kickoff returns. He returned one interception for two yards, but in the Championship game he caught one and ran it back 28 yards to set up a score.
Patton is small but very fast and is a sure tackler. He once ran a kickoff back 98 yards and a punt back 69 yards for two touchdowns in the same game. The odds against such feats were 165 to 1 and 98 to 1 respectively.
Patton was drafted No. 8 in 1955. Married, with two children, his hometown is Belzoni, Mississippi."
-1957 Jay Publishing
"The smallest player on the Giants squad, Jim has become a big man in the New Yorkers' success story. He's swift and shifty and is thrilling to watch when he receives a kickoff and streaks downfield. He is one of the speediest players in the league.
In 1955, Jim returned a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns."
-1957 Topps No. 83
"One of the NFL's fastest defensive backs, Jim topped the league in pass interceptions in 1958. He won a reputation as a defensive star at Ole Miss. He once ran 9.9 in college, where Coach Howell first spotted him.
Jim lives in Belzoni, Mississippi."
-Pro Football Handbook 1959
"Jim Patton, the Giants Johnny-on-the-spot, picked off a high of 11 opponent tosses to establish himself as the premier individual pass-harasser. He ran the interceptions back for 183 yards, a 16.6 average."
-Pro Football Handbook 1959
WHO SAYS JIM IS LITTLE?
"His stature as a safety makes up for whatever height Jim Patton of the Giants lacks. No pro gridder likes to be called 'small' or 'little.' This is probably because club owners and coaches reject players who fail to meet minimum physical standards.
The moniker of 'little,' so often seen and heard in conjunction with the Giants' safety man, Jimmy Patton, is obviously a term of affection as well as a kind of tribute to his great performances in spite of his middling size (5-10, 180). In one way, Patton is the biggest man in the league; he led all interceptors in '58 with a record-making 11, running the ball back for a total of 183 yards (including a 42-yard run). This tied Patton and Otto Schnellbacker (1951) for the Giants' all-time single-season record.
Jim showed his real stature as a player way back in his rookie season, five years ago, in a game against Washington when he received the opening kickoff for a memorable return of 98 yards for a touchdown. The experts calculate that the odds are 165 to 1 against running back the kickoff, and 98 to 1 against a punt being reversed all the way. No odds exist for one man doing it in a single game.
The Belzoni, Mississippi safety man has shown steady development as a valuable man. There was that memorable day in '56 when the Giants met the Bears for the league title. Patton was assigned to police Harlon Hill, who was then at his peak. Hill, a 6-3 handful for any safety or halfback, did no scoring that day as the Giants swept on to the title.
A highlight of Patton's '57 season was the three interceptions he made- all in one game- returning the ball for a total of 50 yards.
Now, heading into his fifth year with the Giants, Jimmy promises no 'little' amount of trouble for the opposition."
-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1959 Pro Football
The moniker of 'little,' so often seen and heard in conjunction with the Giants' safety man, Jimmy Patton, is obviously a term of affection as well as a kind of tribute to his great performances in spite of his middling size (5-10, 180). In one way, Patton is the biggest man in the league; he led all interceptors in '58 with a record-making 11, running the ball back for a total of 183 yards (including a 42-yard run). This tied Patton and Otto Schnellbacker (1951) for the Giants' all-time single-season record.
Jim showed his real stature as a player way back in his rookie season, five years ago, in a game against Washington when he received the opening kickoff for a memorable return of 98 yards for a touchdown. The experts calculate that the odds are 165 to 1 against running back the kickoff, and 98 to 1 against a punt being reversed all the way. No odds exist for one man doing it in a single game.
The Belzoni, Mississippi safety man has shown steady development as a valuable man. There was that memorable day in '56 when the Giants met the Bears for the league title. Patton was assigned to police Harlon Hill, who was then at his peak. Hill, a 6-3 handful for any safety or halfback, did no scoring that day as the Giants swept on to the title.
A highlight of Patton's '57 season was the three interceptions he made- all in one game- returning the ball for a total of 50 yards.
Now, heading into his fifth year with the Giants, Jimmy promises no 'little' amount of trouble for the opposition."
-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1959 Pro Football
"Jim Patton (20) was almost turned down by the Giants when he came out of Mississippi five years ago. He weighed only 180 pounds and the feeling was that he'd never be able to stand the gaff of pro football physically. But Patton, all whalebone and whipcord small as he is, soon proved otherwise. His speed, alertness and wonderful anticipation have won him all-league rating at safety for the past two years."
-1959 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium, November 1)
"Generally recognized as one of the finest defensive backs in the NFL, Jim covers his safety territory, plus a lot of other ground, with deadly efficiency. He intercepted five passes this season after leading the circuit with 11 for 183 yards in 1958. Injuries hampered his early efforts this year but he's ready to turn on all of his sizzling speed now.
The 5-10, 180-pound Mississippi product was drafted eighth in 1955 and has developed into an All-Pro performer."
-1959 Baltimore Colts Official Program (Memorial Stadium, NFL Championship Game)
DICK NOLAN
Safety
No. 25
Maryland
"The regular right halfback on defense for the past two seasons, Nolan should reach maturity in 1956. As a rookie he intercepted six passes, returning them 48 yards. Last season this total was cut to one interception returned 20 yards.
Nolan is possibly the fastest Giant. He's a sure tackler and a fiery competitor.
A White Plains, New York boy, his big thrill was to play his first pro game in New York. Drafted No. 4 in 1954, Nolan is married, with one son."
-1956 Jay Publishing
"The regular right halfback on defense for three seasons, Nolan returned two interceptions 17 yards in 1956. He had his best year intercepting as a rookie, six for 48 yards.
Nolan is possibly the fastest regular. He's a sure tackler and a fiery competitor.
He played in the All-Star Game after starring at Maryland, with one season at quarterback. He was drafted No. 4 in 1954.
Nolan is married, with two children. His hometown is White Plains, New York."
-1957 Jay Publishing
"Primarily a defensive back, Nolan, who played for the Giants before going to the Cardinals, is especially gifted at intercepting passes. He frequently goes back with the deep man because of his quickness and his ability to stick with a receiver. And, pass-catchers will tell you he's a tough man to shake and an even tougher man to catch if he manages to intercept the ball."
-1958 Topps No. 131
Returning to the Giants from the Chicago Cardinals, Dick is a fiery competitor and possibly the fastest man on the Giants. He intercepted six passes for 48 yards as a rookie.
Earning All-American honorable mention at Maryland, Dick played in the College All-Star Game.
Earning All-American honorable mention at Maryland, Dick played in the College All-Star Game.
"Dick Nolan (25) is on his second tour of defensive backfield duty with the Giants. He broke in with them, out of the University of Maryland, in 1954 and played there through 1957. In 1958 he went to the Cardinals in the deal for Lindon Crow.
He returned to the Giants, by way of the Packers, this season. It has been a happy homecoming for the gamester from White Plains, N.Y."
-1959 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium, November 15)
No comments:
Post a Comment