FOOTBALL GIANTS SEEK THIRD STRAIGHT
"The New York Football Giants will be back at their old stand in Yankee Stadium again next Fall hoping to make it a 'triple' with their third straight Eastern Division championship in the National Football League.
Back, too, will be the entire cast of Giant favorites. Frank Gifford, Charlie Conerly, Kyle Rote, Alex Webster and Rosey Brown on offense ... and, from the great defensive unit, Sam Huff, Andy Robustelli, Jim Patton and all the rest.
The Giants will have a hard time improving on their 1959 record when they won 10 of 12 regular-season games before losing the world championship to Baltimore for the second year in a row. Stadium fans saw the Giants sweep to victory in five of their six games at home. Included in that string of successes were those whopping 45 to 7 and 48 to 7 routs of Washington and Cleveland, respectively, in the final two Stadium games.
The Browns, of course, are coming back this year to try and settle a personal score with coach Jim Lee Howell's Eastern champions. Cleveland has now been beaten five straight times by the Maramen, a feat unprecedented in Browns' history.
Coming into the Stadium in addition to Cleveland will be such arch-enemies as Pittsburgh with the redoubtable Bobby Layne; the Philadelphia Eagles led by aerial ace Norm Van Brocklin; the youthful and improving Cardinals and Washington.
The pre-season ticket is the greatest ticket in Giants' history. Don't be shut out. Get your order in early."
-The New York Yankees Official 1960 Yearbook
GIANTS ROOKIE CROP
"Headed by Lou Cordileone, Clemson's All-American tackle, a promising group of rookies and newcomers will report to the Giants' St. Michael's College training camp at Winooski Park, Vermont, in July.
Among the outstanding players bidding for berths with the Eastern Division champions in addition to Cordileone are Bob Bercich, Michigan State; Bill Crawford, British Columbia U.; Pete Hall and Jimmy Webster, Marquette; Jim Leo, Cincinnati, and Don Herndon, Tampa.
Also due in camp is Proverb Jacobs, 6-4 255-pound former Philadelphia Eagles tackle who has been signed as a free agent. Jacobs was a star lineman at California and was so highly regarded, the Eagles drafted him second in 1958.
Cordileone, six feet and 200 pounds, was the Giants' No. 1 draft selection this year. One veteran NFL scout called him 'the outstanding offensive lineman in the entire South.' Lou, a Jersey City product, won All-American honors last year and was named the Most Valuable Lineman in the East-West Game.
Although the rugged Clemson star made his reputation as a tackle in college, there is a chance the Giants will try him at offensive guard when camp opens.
Bercich, 5-11 and 185, is looked upon as one of the finest defensive halfback prospects to join the Giants in recent years. The ex-Spartan is a great tackler, an alert ball-hawk and loves to play defense.
The Giants drafted Hall No. 12 on the strength of his great passing record in 1959. The 6-3 Marquette quarterback was third in the nation with 120 completions in 237 attempts for 1,589 yards and seven touchdowns. Pete also ranked third in the NCAA's total offense listing.
Webster is the younger brother of the Giants' Alex Webster, and the kid shows considerable promise. Jimmy is six feet and 195, much smaller than his famous brother, but he is a rugged competitor who could make it either on offense or defense."
-Giant Touchdown, June 1960
GIANTS QB DERBY
"The selection of Pete Hall of Marquette for the Chicago All-Star squad plus the spectacular show the 21-year-old quarterback presented in the alumni game compels Jim Lee Howell to wonder whether the Giants stole a march. Hall was ignored in the early draft rounds and Howell grabbed the six-three, 200-pound prospect at No. 12.
Of course, the Giants already have three well-known forward passers in peerless Chuck Conerly, the experienced George Shaw and promising rookie Lee Grosscup, but the quarterback quest never ceases. The position is the mainspring of the offense unit and it must be protected in depth and quantity.
In addition to the men who appear on the roster, the Giants through the years have tried out many signal-callers who had brilliant college records, but the list of those who actually made it in Conerly's long regime is long enough.
Even in 1948 when Conerly was Rookie of the Year, the Giants also had triple-threat Ray Coates on the roster as protection, and both Frank Reagan and Joe Sulatis worked at the position as holdover emergency men from the crisis of 1947.
An old pro, Ray Malouff, backed up Conerly in '49, and a No. 1 draft pick, Travis Tidwell, came on in '50. Tom Landry also served in an emergency when Conerly was injured.
The Giants had Arnie Galiffa of Army, as well as veterans Bill Mackrides in 1953, and reserve depth became settled in 1954 with the appearance of both Bob Clatterbuck and Don Heinrich. The former held on for four years and Heinrich only this season went off with Landry to found the new Dallas team.
The search for support did not cease, though. Tom Dublinski, former Detroit star, had a shot in 1958 and Shaw was obtained from Baltimore for last season, with Grosscup a draftee.
Now Howell believes he may have a 'sleeper' for the future in Hall, who made All-Catholic All-America at Marquette, starred in the North-South Game and may, in the Chicago extravaganza, prove to be one of the rare quarterbacks who mature fast."
-Giant Touchdown, July 1960
CORDIELONE, HALL IN ALL-STAR TILT
"Two of the Giants' most promising rookies, lineman Lou Cordileone of Clemson and quarterback Pete Hall of Marquette, have been chosen to play in the annual College All-Star Game versus the world champion Baltimore Colts on Friday night, August 12, at Chicago's Soldier Field.
Cordileone, the scrapping 250-pounder from Jersey City is listed as a tackle with the College All-Stars. Hall, the nation's third leading passer in 1959, will be throwing 'em from the quarterback slot.
The two first-year hopefuls will report to the Giants on August 13 at St. Michael's College in Winooski Park, Vt. They probably won't see action in the first pre-season game against the Chicago Bears at Toronto on August 15, but both should be ready for their professional baptism when the Giants meet the Green Bay Packers in Jersey City's Roosevelt Stadium on Monday night, August 22.
Cordileone, who may be converted to guard by line coach Ed Kolman, was the Giants' No. 1 draft choice this year after winning unanimous All-American honors at Clemson. Hall was drafted No. 12.
Last year there were four Giants' rookies in the All-Star classic- quarterback Lee Grosscup, halfback Joe Morrison, end Buddy Dial and guard Ellison Kelly."
-Giant Touchdown, July 1960
Every year, it seems, the Giants' fortunes ride with the leathery old passer, now 39, and this season is no exception. The venerable touchdown tosser will once again be the central figure as the Maramen bid for their third straight Eastern Division championship.
Last year, Conerly fooled those who said he was through. He not only led the Giants to the title with an inspirational performance, but he also won the National Football passing crown in the bargain. And he did it virtually alone.
In 1960, however, Charlie will have some help. Maybe he'll even get the occasional rest periods a gentleman of his advanced years requires. George Shaw, obtained from the Colts in 1959 but injured most of the season, looms at the No. 2 man behind Conerly. If Shaw hits his established form, he could be the starting quarterback before the season ends. Also coming to Conerly's rescue will be rookie Lee Grosscup, former Utah All-American, who is back with the Eastern champs after filling a stand-by role as an inactive player in 1959. Grosscup acquired a wealth of experience as a member of the Giant taxi squad last year and Coach Jim Lee Howell feels Lee will eventually become a fine pro quarterback.
Age is also a prime concern at the halfback positions, where Frank Gifford, 30, and Alex Webster, 29, are at the stage where anything might happen. Gifford enjoyed a great season in 1959, but Webster was slowed by a string of injuries.
Fortunately, the Giants have two fine youngsters to support the veteran halfbacks. They are Phil King, 24, and Joe Morrison, a tender 22. King is in his third NFL season and can help Mel Triplett at fullback, too. Morrison, ex-Cincinnati ace, was one of the league's outstanding rookies last season. Both he and King can catch passes as well as run the ball, an important item in the Giants' offensive halfback pattern.
There is not much in the way of rookie backfield talent. Mississippi All-American Charlie Flowers, the central figure in a legal battle with the rival AFL, says he won't report to the Giants. That leaves Rhode Island fullback Bill Poland, a free agent, and quarterback candidates Pete Hall, Marquette, and John Moses, Butler, as the only other offensive hopefuls.
Perhaps the most promising of the rookies is halfback Bob Bercich of Minnesota, drafted as a 'future' by New York in 1958, but he's a defensive specialist - and a good one!
Lou Cordileone, Clemson's All-American tackle and the Maramen's No. 1 draft choice, may win a starting line berth, probably at guard. Other first-year linemen with impressive credentials are Jim Leo, Cincinnati end; Bob Simms, Rutgers end; Bill Beck, a tackle from Gustavus Adolphus; Howard Jensen, Minnesota tackle; and Bill Crawford, a free agent from the University of British Columbia.
Proverb Jacobs, who was Philadelphia's second draft pick in 1958 has been signed on as a free agent and should help at offensive tackle. He's 6'4" and 255 pounds.
The aging of offensive line veterans poses another problem for Howell. End Kyle Rote will be 32; center Ray Wietecha and guard Jack Stroud, 31; and end Bob Schelker, 30. But Rosey Brown, 27, and Frank Youso, 24, and youngsters like Cordileone, Joe Biscaha and Darrell Dess should take some of the heat off the old-timers.
Defensively, the Giants appear as formidable as ever. Ends Andy Robustelli and Jim Katcavage and tackles Rosey Grier and Dick Modzelewski once again will man the four-man front line. The linebacking will be handled - and quite adequately, the Giants believe - by Sam Huff, pro Lineman of the Year in 1959, and Cliff Livingston.
The defensive secondary should be even stronger now that rookie Bercich is available to assist Jim Patton, Dick Nolan, Dick Lynch and Lindon Crow.
In the specialist department, of course, New York still has the very best. Place-kicker Pat Summerall kicked 23 field goals last year as he scored 90 points, second best in the NFL. Punter Don Chandler averaged 46.6 yards a kick, finishing a close second to Yale Lary of Detroit.
Summing up, if the Giants can get another good year out of the veterans, they should repeat. If not ... well, some rebuilding is in order - and quick!"
-Don Smith, 1960 Pro Football Handbook
"No, we didn't learn our lesson in '59 when we consigned the Giants to third place. Agreed that nobody has stronger defenses, there exists a strong feeling that the Eastern champs didn't get short-changed in breaks last season. On the theory that many of Summerall's fielders will start to miss by inches, and the running attack will slow down to a trot - the Giants to take runner-up honors."
-Don Schiffer, 1960 Pro Football Handbook
MURRAY OLDERMAN'S GAME-BY-GAME PREDICTIONS
Prediction- Second (to win 8, lose 4)
"The Giants have reason to regret their generosity in letting Tom Landry go back home to coach Dallas, for he's the man who's destined to spoil their season- he and the revenge wreaked by their old arch-enemies, the Browns.
New York stutters from time to time in its early games and George Shaw has to relieve Charley Conerly more often at quarterback, but these old pros manage to win most of the close ones. Gifford has his usual good year, particularly as a pass-receiving threat, and his last-quarter touchdowns beat both the Steelers and the Eagles. The defense is almost as robust as it ever was, with no team scoring more than two touchdowns against it in a game until the final weekend of the campaign.
But the lack of speed on offense is never more noticeable when the Browns finally beat them after losing to them five straight over the course of two seasons, and the toe of Pat Summerall is the only weapon that dents the Cleveland defense. Still, they're in first place with a 7-2 record as they head into crucial December. Then Dallas comes to town and it's tough to be at fever pitch for a new team that's been losing consistently. Coach Landry, knowing New York's personnel and how to exploit their weaknesses, works his old black magic. A fourth-quarter drive, featuring short passes into the flats, brings a 14-10 upset and sets up the grand finale of the season, with the Browns coming into Yankee Stadium for the game that will decide the Eastern Division title. On this day the favored Giants are forced to bow to the brilliance of Jimmy Brown and Lenny Dawson."
-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1960 Pro Football
"Coaches rather than players change in the cast of the two-time Eastern champs, who plan to play a pat hand on the field- maybe too pat, considering the age hazard involved. The Giants, standard bearers of the East the past two seasons, will operate in 1960 with a lame-duck coaching regime. Jim Lee Howell, under whom they've developed into 'the team to beat,' has decided to call it a day after this year- his seventh- and turn the ulcer-making chores over to someone else. They also suffered another loss that will take immediate effect- Tom Landry, who went back home to Dallas to become the Cowboys' head man. Landry will be missed, for he directed the Giants' defense, generally ranked the best in the game. But if Harland Svare, the dynamic linebacker at the right corner who was named to replace him, turns out as well as Allie Sherman did on offense, the club won't be hurting.
Changing coaches is about all that's happening in New York. Of the 22 men who did the bulk of the offensive and defensive work in '59, only one figures to be missing- coach Svare. And the suspicion persists that if he doesn't find a corner linebacker to suit him, he will, at a healthy 29, put on the pads again.
Certain risks are inherent in this stand-pat situation. Foremost is Conerly, age 39. His twelfth year in the NFL was his greatest, as he led the league in passing and won the Jim Thorpe Trophy. Yet Charlie doesn't bounce back as spryly as he used to. An ankle sprain in mid-season hobbled him for several games and the offense suffered. Shaw injured a thumb and didn't see enough action to integrate himself into the Giant attack. Neophyte Lee Grosscup didn't make the active roster.
Like Conerly, Gifford had a tremendous campaign, but Webster at the other halfback showed symptoms of slowing up. There are several men in the ranks of 30 and over- Rote, Schnelker, Robustelli, Stroud, Wietecha, Livingston and Scott.
It's something to think about. The Giants haven't been coming up with those brilliant rookies. Joe Morrison, a hard-driving halfback, was their best in '59. The big hope for '60 is Lou Cordileone of Clemson, down for a starting job at guard on offense."
-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1960 Pro Football
OFFENSE
"Ends: While they kept looking for a Hill type of speedster, Bob Schnelker quietly became a standout. Kyle Rote goes on and on. Still, more speed would help.
Rating- Fair
Tackles: Frank Youso's maturing enough to pair with perennial star Roosevelt Brown makes a tough duo for the enemy. This is Proverb Jacob's chance to salvage his career.
Rating- Excellent
Guards: They're depending heavily on rookie Lou Cordileone to fill a gap. Jack Stroud had a fine year, but his advancing age makes him a risk. Darrell Dess doesn't hurt.
Rating- Fair
Centers: Ray Wietecha's no longer a superstar, but he's still a big help.
Rating- Good
Quarterbacks: This is the crux of the offensive hopes. The Giants must get another good year out of Charlie Conerly if they're to repeat in the East.
Rating- Fair
Halfbacks: The Gifford-Webster combine shows signs of wear and tear, but Frank is the far sprier. If Alex slows up at all, Joe Morrison has the spunk to step in.
Rating- Very Good
Fullbacks: Pretty much the same setup. Mel Triplett blocks, Phil King is the bigger threat.
Rating- Fair
Losses: Al Barry (G), Don Heinrich (QB); Strength: You can't beat their experience. Conerly and Gifford go on and on. Tough at the tackles up front; Weakness: Same old bugaboo: no speed. Could be thin at guard. Getting old in spots. And what if Conerly can't make it?
Rating- Fair"
-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1960 Pro Football
DEFENSE
"Ends: While Andy Robustelli gets the raves- and deservedly- Jim Katcavage has just about attained the same plateau of efficiency. They harass passers.
Rating- Very Good
Tackles: Dick Modzelewski had a tremendous '59 season and Rosey Grier's prowess can't be denied; there's no reason to believe they shouldn't be as good as ever. Art Hauser is an old hand.
Rating- Very Good
Middle Guards: Sam Huff is merely the No. 1 defender in pro football today.
Rating- Excellent
Linebackers: The possible Achilles heel in the NFL's top defensive unit. Chances are Harland Svare will have to play and coach, too, to restore the crew's previous quality.
Rating- Fair
Halfbacks: Lindon Crow and Dick Lynch are fine athletes with speed, size and fire. Bob Bercich is a likely rookie who will help. Barring accidents, the Giants can rest easy.
Rating- Very Good
Safeties: Jimmy Patton is generally considered the best secondary performer in pro football. Dick Nolan made an amazing comeback as a safety man. Both are in their prime.
Rating- Excellent
Losses: Svare may stick to coaching; Strength: Front foursome is as fearsome as ever; Huff is the top linebacker in the NFL and the Crow-Patton combine stands out in the secondary.
Rating- Excellent"
-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1960 Pro Football
THEY MAKE THE BIG PLAY AT THE RIGHT TIME
"It may be a tight squeeze but we feel that retiring coach Jim Lee Howell can muster one last winning whirl out of an aging Giant offensive unit that has remained intact at the key positions through four years of Eastern ascendancy.
This confidence is only partly based on a conviction that the venerable New York attackers- Charlie Conerly, 39; Frank Gifford, 30; Alex Webster, 29; Mel Triplett, 28; Kyle Rote, 32; Bob Schnelker, 30, and Ray Wietecha, 31- will continue to work their wonders of the past.
Our firmer belief is that the even greater, and considerably younger, Giant defensive unit- plus those marvelous kickers, Pat Summerall and Don Chandler, again will wreak sufficient havoc on the opposition to take the heat off the graybeards on the other platoon.
Relieved of the obligation of having to score early and often, the game old gaffers can pace themselves and save their dwindling fire for the main chance. Conerly, Gifford and Co. are masters at this. Pro football never has known a brasher band of opportunists.
Even in their balmiest days, these distinguished Giants seldom overwhelmed the enemy with a sustained attack. Their genius rested in their ability to make the big play at the right time. This rare talent, so hard to come by, doesn't vanish overnight.
There, in a nutshell, is why we think the Giants will lead the East again, for the fourth time in five years.
Since this is admittedly an opinionated observation, fairness demands that we round out the picture by going into the reasons why this could also be the year when the Giants will LOSE the pennant.
Obviously, dependence on a 39-year-old quarterback is a potential flaw in the armor of a team with championship ambitions. Compounding this problem is that George Shaw, who might be a replacement for Conerly, still was bothered, at last report, by the sprained throwing hand thumb he suffered last season.
Don Heinrich having departed for the Cowboys, the only other quarterback being seriously considered is Lee Grosscup, the Utah passing whiz of 1957-58 who spent last season on the Giant 'taxi' squad. Grosscup is rated a good prospect but he has yet to throw a football in official NFL competition.
Other factors to site on the negative side are a precarious lack of depth at offensive end; a dearth of established operatives at offensive guard and a rather unimposing rookie group that includes no backfield candidate of accepted stature.
One also wonders whether the Giants can't help but be hurt by the further dissolution of a coaching staff that was a model of efficient operation when first organized six years ago. Vince Lombardi left last year to become head man at Green Bay. Now Tom Landry and Johnny Dell Isola have also departed, Landry to take command of the Dallas Cowboys.
It's not that Howell doesn't still have good men and true working for him. Allie Sherman, Ken Kavanaugh and Ed Kolman have proved their ability in long association with the Giants, and Harland Svare has been removed from the active roster to handle the defense. But so many changes in so short a time could have an upsetting influence. So could Howell's surprising announcement that he would step aside in favor of an unnamed successor at the end of the season- come what may.
However, no rival will waste sympathy on the Giants as long as they retain their defensive wrecking crew. Except for Svare, who always could be rushed back into uniform in a pinch, the whole devastating unit returns.
Poised again up front to smash down enemy runners and smother enemy passers are Jim Katcavage, Dick Modzelewski, Rosey Grier and Andy Robustelli, reading from left to right. Cliff Livingston and the brilliant Sam Huff again will back up this Fearsome Foursome. Svare will pick his successor as right side backer from among the experienced Tom Scott, Jack Delveaux, a 1959 holdout, and rookies Jim Leo of Cincinnati and Blaine Spicer of Wake Forest.
Ranged from left to right again in the deep secondary will be Lindon Crow, Dick Nolan, Jimmy Patton and Dick Lynch. Good as these men are, there's a chance that one (not Patton, though) will have to give way to Bob Bercich. This rookie from Michigan State, drafted as a 'future' in 1958, is supposed to be a real tiger. Another possibly useful addition is Ken Hall of Marquette. He was chiefly famed as a passing quarterback in college, but the Giants grabbed him primarily for his all-around talents.
In the offensive line, the Giants are best-fixed at tackle and center. There's not a better pair of tackles on the pro circuit than Rosey Brown, the perennial all-leaguer, and Frank Youso, a rising star. Proverb Jacobs, the 255-pound ex-Californian, has been picked up as a free agent for use as a swing replacement. At center, the enduring Wietecha, who has few peers as a blocker, again will be supported by big Bob Schmidt.
However, things are a bit sticky at the ends and guards. Besides Rote, who has a chronic bad knee, and Schnelker, the only experienced wingman is Joe Biscaha- and he hardly played enough to get his uniform soiled as a 1959 rookie. The only other candidate in sight is Bob Simms, a rookie from Rutgers.
There'll be a real tournament at guard. Al Barry and Buzz Guy were shipped to Dallas, leaving Darrell Dess, picked up as a late-season fill-in, and 31-year-old Jack Stroud, who has shaky underpinning, as the chief holdovers. The big hope is Lou Cordileone, Clemson's 1959 All-American tackle. He is rated a superior blocker. Also due for trial are Bill Beck and Bill Crawford, a couple of sizable but obscure new boys from Gustavus Adolphus and British Columbia, of all places, and Ellison Kelly, a 1959 man of all work in and about the line.
Fortunately, the Giants have other eggs than Gifford and Webster in their backfield basket. Phil King, also serviceable at fullback, has developed into a solid pro and Joe Morrison had a fine rookie year. George Scott, mainly a kick returner, will also be back. But unless Bill Poland, a chunky 215-pound rookie from Rhode Island, makes the grade at fullback, their visible backfield resources are a bit thin.
One added long-shot possibility is Jimmy Webster, late of Marquette. His chief recommendation is that's he's Alex's brother.
And so the Giants come to the end of the Howell era. We still think they'll make this last chapter a bright one."
-Joe Sheehan, 1960 Dell Sports Magazine Pro Football
GIANTS AT A GLANCE
"Rushing - Not showy, but effective.
Passing - Good as long as Conerly holds up.
Defense - Tre-e-e-mendous.
Kicking - Exceptional.
Rookies - Mainly strangers, but some could help."
-Joe Sheehan, 1960 Dell Sports Magazine Pro Football
1960 New York Giants Preseason Depth Charts
OFFENSE
Ends
Bob Schnelker (Bowling Green)
Kyle Rote (SMU)
Joe Biscaha (Richmond)
Bob Simms (Rutgers)
Tackles
Roosevelt Brown (Morgan State)
Frank Youso (Minnesota)
Proverb Jacobs (California)
Bill Crawford (British Columbia)
Guards
Ellison Kelly (Michigan State)
Darrell Dess (North Carolina State)
Jack Stroud (Tennessee)
Lou Cordileone (Clemson)
Centers
Ray Wietecha (Northwestern)
Bob Schmidt (Minnesota)
Quarterbacks
Charlie Conerly (Mississippi)
George Shaw (Oregon)
Lee Grosscup (Utah)
Halfbacks
Frank Gifford (USC)
Alex Webster (North Carolina State)
Joe Morrison (Cincinnati)
Don Chandler (Florida)
Fullbacks
Mel Triplett (Toledo)
Phil King (Vanderbilt)
DEFENSE
Ends
Andy Robustelli (Arnold)
Jim Katcavage (Dayton)
Pat Summerall (Arkansas)
Tackles
Rosey Grier (Penn State)
Dick Modzelewski (Maryland)
Art Hauser (Xavier)
Charles Terry (Fairmont)
Middle Guards 1960
Sam Huff (West Virginia)
Jack Delveaux (Illinois)
Linebackers
Cliff Livingston (UCLA)
Tom Scott (Virginia)
Jim Leo (Cincinnati)
Harland Svare (Washington State)
Halfbacks
Lindon Crow (USC)
Dick Lynch (Notre Dame)
Bob Bercich (Michigan State)
John Moses (Butler)
Safeties
Dick Nolan (Maryland)
Jim Patton (Mississippi)
Bill Stits (UCLA)
Pete Hall (Marquette)
-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1960 Pro Football
Offense
QB - Charlie Conerly (Mississippi) 42, George Shaw (Oregon) 15, Lee Grosscup (Utah) 11
HB - Frank Gifford (USC) 16, Ed Sutton (North Carolina) 26
HB - Alex Webster (North Carolina State) 29, Joe Morrison (Cincinnati) 40
FB - Mel Triplett (Toledo) 33, Phil King (Vanderbilt) 24, Don Chandler (Florida) 34
E - Kyle Rote (SMU) 44, Joe Biscaha (Richmond) 80
T - Roosevelt Brown (Morgan State) 79
G - Lou Cordelione (Clemson)*, Darrell Dess (North Carolina State) 62
C - Ray Wietecha (Northwestern) 55, Bob Schmidt (Minnesota) 52
G - Jack Stroud (Tennessee) 66, Ellison Kelly (Michigan State) 71
T - Frank Youso (Minnesota) 72, Proverb Jacobs (California) 73
E - Bob Schnelker (Bowling Green) 85, Bob Simms (Rutgers)*
Defense
DE - Jim Katcavage (Dayton) 75, Jim Leo (Cincinnati)*
DT - Dick Modzelewski (Maryland) 77, Frank Youso (Minnesota) 72
DT - Rosey Grier (Penn State) 76, Proverb Jacobs (California) 73
DE - Andy Robustelli (Arnold) 81
LB - Cliff Livingston (UCLA) 89, Blaine Spicer (Wake Forest)*
MLB - Sam Huff (West Virginia) 70
LB - Tom Scott (Virginia) 82, Harland Svare (Washington State) 84
HB - Lindon Crow (USC) 41, Lee Riley (Detroit) 21
S - Dick Nolan (Maryland) 25
S - Jim Patton (Mississippi) 20, Bill Stits (UCLA) 48
HB - Dick Lynch (Notre Dame) 22
K - Pat Summerall (Arkansas) 88
P - Don Chandler (Florida) 34
KR - Bill Stits (UCLA) 48, Joe Morrison (Cincinnati) 40
PR - Bill Stits (UCLA) 48, Joe Morrison (Cincinnati) 40
*rookie
"It may be a tight squeeze but we feel that retiring coach Jim Lee Howell can muster one last winning whirl out of an aging Giant offensive unit that has remained intact at the key positions through four years of Eastern ascendancy.
This confidence is only partly based on a conviction that the venerable New York attackers- Charlie Conerly, 39; Frank Gifford, 30; Alex Webster, 29; Mel Triplett, 28; Kyle Rote, 32; Bob Schnelker, 30, and Ray Wietecha, 31- will continue to work their wonders of the past.
Our firmer belief is that the even greater, and considerably younger, Giant defensive unit- plus those marvelous kickers, Pat Summerall and Don Chandler, again will wreak sufficient havoc on the opposition to take the heat off the graybeards on the other platoon.
Relieved of the obligation of having to score early and often, the game old gaffers can pace themselves and save their dwindling fire for the main chance. Conerly, Gifford and Co. are masters at this. Pro football never has known a brasher band of opportunists.
Even in their balmiest days, these distinguished Giants seldom overwhelmed the enemy with a sustained attack. Their genius rested in their ability to make the big play at the right time. This rare talent, so hard to come by, doesn't vanish overnight.
There, in a nutshell, is why we think the Giants will lead the East again, for the fourth time in five years.
Since this is admittedly an opinionated observation, fairness demands that we round out the picture by going into the reasons why this could also be the year when the Giants will LOSE the pennant.
Obviously, dependence on a 39-year-old quarterback is a potential flaw in the armor of a team with championship ambitions. Compounding this problem is that George Shaw, who might be a replacement for Conerly, still was bothered, at last report, by the sprained throwing hand thumb he suffered last season.
Don Heinrich having departed for the Cowboys, the only other quarterback being seriously considered is Lee Grosscup, the Utah passing whiz of 1957-58 who spent last season on the Giant 'taxi' squad. Grosscup is rated a good prospect but he has yet to throw a football in official NFL competition.
Other factors to site on the negative side are a precarious lack of depth at offensive end; a dearth of established operatives at offensive guard and a rather unimposing rookie group that includes no backfield candidate of accepted stature.
One also wonders whether the Giants can't help but be hurt by the further dissolution of a coaching staff that was a model of efficient operation when first organized six years ago. Vince Lombardi left last year to become head man at Green Bay. Now Tom Landry and Johnny Dell Isola have also departed, Landry to take command of the Dallas Cowboys.
It's not that Howell doesn't still have good men and true working for him. Allie Sherman, Ken Kavanaugh and Ed Kolman have proved their ability in long association with the Giants, and Harland Svare has been removed from the active roster to handle the defense. But so many changes in so short a time could have an upsetting influence. So could Howell's surprising announcement that he would step aside in favor of an unnamed successor at the end of the season- come what may.
However, no rival will waste sympathy on the Giants as long as they retain their defensive wrecking crew. Except for Svare, who always could be rushed back into uniform in a pinch, the whole devastating unit returns.
Poised again up front to smash down enemy runners and smother enemy passers are Jim Katcavage, Dick Modzelewski, Rosey Grier and Andy Robustelli, reading from left to right. Cliff Livingston and the brilliant Sam Huff again will back up this Fearsome Foursome. Svare will pick his successor as right side backer from among the experienced Tom Scott, Jack Delveaux, a 1959 holdout, and rookies Jim Leo of Cincinnati and Blaine Spicer of Wake Forest.
Ranged from left to right again in the deep secondary will be Lindon Crow, Dick Nolan, Jimmy Patton and Dick Lynch. Good as these men are, there's a chance that one (not Patton, though) will have to give way to Bob Bercich. This rookie from Michigan State, drafted as a 'future' in 1958, is supposed to be a real tiger. Another possibly useful addition is Ken Hall of Marquette. He was chiefly famed as a passing quarterback in college, but the Giants grabbed him primarily for his all-around talents.
In the offensive line, the Giants are best-fixed at tackle and center. There's not a better pair of tackles on the pro circuit than Rosey Brown, the perennial all-leaguer, and Frank Youso, a rising star. Proverb Jacobs, the 255-pound ex-Californian, has been picked up as a free agent for use as a swing replacement. At center, the enduring Wietecha, who has few peers as a blocker, again will be supported by big Bob Schmidt.
However, things are a bit sticky at the ends and guards. Besides Rote, who has a chronic bad knee, and Schnelker, the only experienced wingman is Joe Biscaha- and he hardly played enough to get his uniform soiled as a 1959 rookie. The only other candidate in sight is Bob Simms, a rookie from Rutgers.
There'll be a real tournament at guard. Al Barry and Buzz Guy were shipped to Dallas, leaving Darrell Dess, picked up as a late-season fill-in, and 31-year-old Jack Stroud, who has shaky underpinning, as the chief holdovers. The big hope is Lou Cordileone, Clemson's 1959 All-American tackle. He is rated a superior blocker. Also due for trial are Bill Beck and Bill Crawford, a couple of sizable but obscure new boys from Gustavus Adolphus and British Columbia, of all places, and Ellison Kelly, a 1959 man of all work in and about the line.
Fortunately, the Giants have other eggs than Gifford and Webster in their backfield basket. Phil King, also serviceable at fullback, has developed into a solid pro and Joe Morrison had a fine rookie year. George Scott, mainly a kick returner, will also be back. But unless Bill Poland, a chunky 215-pound rookie from Rhode Island, makes the grade at fullback, their visible backfield resources are a bit thin.
One added long-shot possibility is Jimmy Webster, late of Marquette. His chief recommendation is that's he's Alex's brother.
And so the Giants come to the end of the Howell era. We still think they'll make this last chapter a bright one."
-Joe Sheehan, 1960 Dell Sports Magazine Pro Football
GIANTS AT A GLANCE
"Rushing - Not showy, but effective.
Passing - Good as long as Conerly holds up.
Defense - Tre-e-e-mendous.
Kicking - Exceptional.
Rookies - Mainly strangers, but some could help."
-Joe Sheehan, 1960 Dell Sports Magazine Pro Football
1960 New York Giants Preseason Roster
Bill Beck (T) Gustavus Adolphus
Bob Bercich (DB) Michigan State
80 Joe Biscaha (E) Richmond
79 Roosevelt Brown (T) Morgan State
34 Don Chandler (K) Florida
42 Charlie Conerly (QB) Mississippi
Lou Cordileone (T-G) Clemson
Bill Crawford (T) British Columbia
41 Lindon Crow (DB) USC
62 Darrell Dess (LB) North Carolina State
Charlie Flowers (HB) Mississippi
16 Frank Gifford (HB) USC
Bill Gorman (T) McMurray
76 Rosey Grier (DT) Penn State
Lee Grosscup (QB) Utah
Pete Hall (HB) Marquette
70 Sam Huff (LB) West Virginia
Proverb Jacobs (T) California
Howard Jensen (G) Minnesota
75 Jim Katcavage (E) (Dayton)
71 Ellison Kelly (G) Michigan State
24 Phil King (HB) Vanderbilt
Jim Leo (LB) Cincinnati
89 Cliff Livingston (LB) UCLA
22 Dick Lynch (HB) Notre Dame
77 Dick Modzelewski (DT) Maryland
40 Joe Morrison (HB) Cincinnati
John Moses (DB) Butler
25 Dick Nolan (DB) Maryland
20 Jim Patton (DB) Mississippi
Bill Poland (FB) Rhode Island
81 Andy Robustelli (DE) Arnold
44 Kyle Rote (E) SMU
52 Bob Schmidt (T) Minnesota
85 Bob Schnelker (E) Bowling Green
31 George Scott (HB) Miami-Ohio
82 Tom Scott (LB) Virginia
15 George Shaw (QB) Oregon
Bob Simms (E) Rutgers
Blaine Spicer (C) Wake Forest
48 Bill Stitts (HB) UCLA
66 Jack Stroud (T) Tennessee
88 Pat Summerall (E) Arkansas
33 Mel Triplett (FB) (Toledo)
29 Alex Webster (HB) North Carolina State
55 Ray Wietecha (C) (Northwestern)
72 Frank Youso (G) Minnesota
-1960 Pro Football Handbook
1960 New York Giants Preseason Depth Charts
OFFENSE
Ends
Bob Schnelker (Bowling Green)
Kyle Rote (SMU)
Joe Biscaha (Richmond)
Bob Simms (Rutgers)
Tackles
Roosevelt Brown (Morgan State)
Frank Youso (Minnesota)
Proverb Jacobs (California)
Bill Crawford (British Columbia)
Guards
Ellison Kelly (Michigan State)
Darrell Dess (North Carolina State)
Jack Stroud (Tennessee)
Lou Cordileone (Clemson)
Centers
Ray Wietecha (Northwestern)
Bob Schmidt (Minnesota)
Quarterbacks
Charlie Conerly (Mississippi)
George Shaw (Oregon)
Lee Grosscup (Utah)
Halfbacks
Frank Gifford (USC)
Alex Webster (North Carolina State)
Joe Morrison (Cincinnati)
Don Chandler (Florida)
Fullbacks
Mel Triplett (Toledo)
Phil King (Vanderbilt)
DEFENSE
Ends
Andy Robustelli (Arnold)
Jim Katcavage (Dayton)
Pat Summerall (Arkansas)
Tackles
Rosey Grier (Penn State)
Dick Modzelewski (Maryland)
Art Hauser (Xavier)
Charles Terry (Fairmont)
Middle Guards 1960
Sam Huff (West Virginia)
Jack Delveaux (Illinois)
Linebackers
Cliff Livingston (UCLA)
Tom Scott (Virginia)
Jim Leo (Cincinnati)
Harland Svare (Washington State)
Halfbacks
Lindon Crow (USC)
Dick Lynch (Notre Dame)
Bob Bercich (Michigan State)
John Moses (Butler)
Safeties
Dick Nolan (Maryland)
Jim Patton (Mississippi)
Bill Stits (UCLA)
Pete Hall (Marquette)
-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1960 Pro Football
Offense
QB - Charlie Conerly (Mississippi) 42, George Shaw (Oregon) 15, Lee Grosscup (Utah) 11
HB - Frank Gifford (USC) 16, Ed Sutton (North Carolina) 26
HB - Alex Webster (North Carolina State) 29, Joe Morrison (Cincinnati) 40
FB - Mel Triplett (Toledo) 33, Phil King (Vanderbilt) 24, Don Chandler (Florida) 34
E - Kyle Rote (SMU) 44, Joe Biscaha (Richmond) 80
T - Roosevelt Brown (Morgan State) 79
G - Lou Cordelione (Clemson)*, Darrell Dess (North Carolina State) 62
C - Ray Wietecha (Northwestern) 55, Bob Schmidt (Minnesota) 52
G - Jack Stroud (Tennessee) 66, Ellison Kelly (Michigan State) 71
T - Frank Youso (Minnesota) 72, Proverb Jacobs (California) 73
E - Bob Schnelker (Bowling Green) 85, Bob Simms (Rutgers)*
Defense
DE - Jim Katcavage (Dayton) 75, Jim Leo (Cincinnati)*
DT - Dick Modzelewski (Maryland) 77, Frank Youso (Minnesota) 72
DT - Rosey Grier (Penn State) 76, Proverb Jacobs (California) 73
DE - Andy Robustelli (Arnold) 81
LB - Cliff Livingston (UCLA) 89, Blaine Spicer (Wake Forest)*
MLB - Sam Huff (West Virginia) 70
LB - Tom Scott (Virginia) 82, Harland Svare (Washington State) 84
HB - Lindon Crow (USC) 41, Lee Riley (Detroit) 21
S - Dick Nolan (Maryland) 25
S - Jim Patton (Mississippi) 20, Bill Stits (UCLA) 48
HB - Dick Lynch (Notre Dame) 22
K - Pat Summerall (Arkansas) 88
P - Don Chandler (Florida) 34
KR - Bill Stits (UCLA) 48, Joe Morrison (Cincinnati) 40
PR - Bill Stits (UCLA) 48, Joe Morrison (Cincinnati) 40
*rookie
1960 New York Giants Topps Cards
Giants team card
Giants metallic sticker
Roosevelt Brown
Charlie Conerly
Frank Gifford
Sam Huff
Jim Patton
Andy Robustelli
Bob Schnelker
Pat Summerall
Mel Triplett
Alex Webster
1960 New York Giants Jay Publishing Cards
Don Boll (1959 Jay Publishing Washington Redskins)
Roosevelt Brown
Don Chandler
Charlie Conerly
Frank Gifford
Rosey Grier
Sam Huff
Phil King
Andy Robustelli
Kyle Rote
Bob Schnelker
Bill Stits (49ers 1957 team issue)
Pat Summerall
Ed Sutton (1959 Jay Publishing Washington Redskins)
Alex Webster
1960 New York Giants Profile Summary
Head Coach - Jim Lee Howell
QB - Charlie Conerly (Mississippi) 42
QB - George Shaw (Oregon) 15
QB - Lee Grosscup (Utah) 11
HB - Frank Gifford (USC) 16
HB - Alex Webster (North Carolina State) 29
HB - Ed Sutton (North Carolina) 26
FB - Mel Triplett (Toledo) 33
E - Kyle Rote (SMU) 44
E - Bob Schnelker (Bowling Green) 85
E - Bob Simms (Rutgers) 83
C - Ray Wietecha (Northwestern) 55
C - Bob Schmidt (Minnesota) 52
G - Jack Stroud (Tennessee) 66
G - Lou Cordileone (Clemson) 74
G - Darrell Dess (North Carolina State) 62
T - Roosevelt Brown (Morgan State) 79
T - Frank Youso (Minnesota) 72
T - Proverb Jacobs (California) 73
T - Don Boll (Nebraska) 78
DT - Dick Modzelewski (Maryland) 77
DT - Rosey Grier (Penn State) 76
DE - Andy Robustelli (Arnold) 81
DE - Jim Katcavage (Dayton) 75
MLB - Sam Huff (West Virginia) 70
LB - Harland Svare (Washington State) 84
LB - Cliff Livingston (UCLA) 89
LB - Tom Scott (Virginia) 82
LB - Jim Leo (Cincinnati) 30
DHB - Dick Lynch (Notre Dame) 22
DHB - Lindon Crow (USC) 41
S - Jim Patton (Mississippi) 20
S - Dick Nolan (Maryland) 25
S - Lee Riley (Detroit) 21
DB - Ed Sutton (North Carolina) 26
K - Pat Summerall (Arkansas) 88
P - Don Chandler (Florida) 34
October 16, 1960
Giants on Offense
No. Name
44 Kyle Rote, LE
79 Rosey Brown, LT
62 Darrell Dess, LG
55 Ray Wietecha, C
66 Jack Stroud, RG
72 Frank Youso, RT
85 Bob Schnelker, RE
42 Charlie Conerly, QB
16 Frank Gifford, LH
24 Phil King, RH
40 Joe Morrison, FB
Giants on Defense
75 Jim Katcavage, LE
77 Dick Modzelewski, LT
76 Rosey Grier, RT
81 Andy Robustelli, RE
89 Cliff Livingston, LLB
70 Sam Huff, MLB
84 Harland Svare, RLB
41 Lindon Crow, LDHB
22 Dick Lynch, RDHB
25 Dick Nolan, LS
20 Jim Patton, RS
Specialists
Punting - Don Chandler (34), Charlie Conerly (42), Bill Kimber (86)
PAT, FG, Kickoffs - Pat Summerall (88), Don Chandler (34)
Holding for PAT and FG - Charlie Conerly (42)
Kick Returns - Lindon Crow (41), Bill Stits (48), Lee Riley (21), Ed Sutton (26)
-1960 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium)
October 16, 1960 Giants Roster
No. Name
11 Lee Grosscup (QB) Utah
15 George Shaw (QB) Oregon
16 Frank Gifford (HB) USC
20 Jim Patton (S) Mississippi
21 Lee Riley (HB) Detroit
22 Dick Lynch (HB) Notre Dame
24 Phil King (HB) Vanderbilt
25 Dick Nolan (S) Maryland
26 Ed Sutton (HB) North Carolina
30 Jim Leo (E-LB) Cincinnati
33 Mel Triplett (FB) Toledo
34 Don Chandler (P-HB) Florida
40 Joe Morrison (FB-HB) Cincinnati
41 Lindon Crow (HB) USC
42 Charlie Conerly (QB) Mississippi
44 Kyle Rote (E) SMU
48 Bill Stits (HB) UCLA
52 Bob Schmidt (C-T) Minnesota
55 Ray Wietecha (C) Northwestern
62 Darrell Dess (G) North Carolina State
66 Jack Stroud (T-G) Tennessee
70 Sam Huff (LB) West Virginia
72 Frank Youso (T) Minnesota
73 Proverb Jacobs (T) California
74 Lou Cordieleone (T-G) Clemson
75 Jim Katcavage (E) Dayton
76 Rosey Grier (T) Penn State
77 Dick Modzelewski (T) Maryland
78 Don Boll (T) Nebraska
79 Roosevelt Brown (T) Morgan State
81 Andy Robustelli (E) Arnold
82 Tom Scott (LB) Virginia
83 Bob Simms (E) Rutgers
84 Harland Svare (LB) Washington State
85 Bob Schnelker (E) Bowling Green
86 Bill Kimber (E) Florida State
88 Pat Summerall (K-E) Arkansas
89 Cliff Livingston (LB) UCLA
-1960 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium)
THE GIANT DEFENSE IN ACTION
"A reason for pro football's sweeping success of late has been the creation of a new cast of heroes. To earn idol-sized prominence even as recently as a decade ago, a fellow had to run with the ball, throw the ball or catch the ball. He had to be, in short, conspicuous on the offense. There were exceptions, of course, but not many. Today, however, the men who work the other shift- the defense- are crowding the list of fans' favorites. Since sport thrives on hero worship, the augmented ranks of heroes have helped pro football prosper.
The basic ingredients of defense- rough and tumble with skill and purpose, and split-second timing- are exciting to watch. They have been polished to a high scientific gloss in the era of specialization and more and more people are watching them with interest each day. As a result, such men as Sam Huff, Big Daddy Lipscomb and Joe Schmidt have not been with the facelessness of their defensive predecessors.
In New York especially, the defensive unit has cashed in on the new share of glory. Over the large stretch of last season, the Giants won their games with a little scoring and a lot of hard-hitting, complicated defense. Fans cheered long and loud for the fellow who broke up the plays.
Giant rooters can recite, by Rote, the names of the men who play defense. Huff, Andy Robustelli, Jimmy Patton, Dick Modzelewski, Cliff Livingston and Rosey Grier are big heroes. They are responsible, fans insist, for the Giants' success. The players, in turn, shrug off the credit and insist that the defensive coaches- Tom Landry in 1959, Harland Svare in 1960- are responsible for their success.
'They've worked up the strategy,' Robustelli says, 'and all we have to do is carry it out. The boys and I agree that's the easiest part.'
Barking signals to each other before each play (defense demands as much mind work as muscle), the Giants stagger opponents with scientific, rough maneuvers. The crowd-pleasing tactics include blitzing linebackers, slanting ends and alternating charges. The end products include bruising tackles, blocked punts and full-blown glory."
-Sport Magazine, December 1960
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