ED KOLMAN
Offensive Line Coach
"A former Bear tackle has taken firm hold of the Giant offensive line. Ed Kolman is the canny coach who believes defenses are to be destroyed.
Born in Brooklyn, he played at Temple before his NFL career. He has served for 10 years as a Giant aide."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963
JOHN LOVETERE
Defensive Tackle
No. 78
Compton CC
"A defensive rookie surprise who played more time at tackle than more experienced hands. He's probably the fastest defensive lineman on the club and is an effective pass rusher and a sturdy defender against the running game. Few expected John to take over as a starter because of his lack of high-level college competition."
-1960 Pro Football Handbook
"The surprise of the 1959 season was the rise of John LoVetere to a starting tackle job after coming to camp as a free agent. An expert tackler and exceptionally fast for a 280-pounder, he was voted best defensive lineman by the Ram fan club. John continued his excellent play in 1960 and now feels he's experienced enough to make all-league noises.
Born in Boston, he was a scholastic all-sports star."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"Strength and confidence make John LoVetere a quality tackle and the tiger of the defensive line. The Boston (Mass.) bullyboy has a knack for blocking punts and is now getting the double-team treatment on kicking situations.
Signed as a free agent in 1959, his early progress was so slow he considered quitting the training grind. LoVetere was an all-sports scholastic star."
-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook
GENE GOSSAGE
Defensive End
No. 83
Northwestern
"Little is expected of 28th draft choices, but Gene Gossage is one who made good, particularly as a 1962 Eagle. This hard-charging defensive end from Northwestern has all the strength needed to play defensive end. Sometimes, though, he doesn't orient to the situation quickly enough.
Born in Wadsworth, Ohio, Gene made the All-American scholastic team in college, where he played guard."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963
DICK LYNCH
Cornerback
No. 22
Notre Dame
Dick led the NFL with nine interceptions in 1961. His lower total of five last year was the inevitable result of opposing quarterbacks not wanting to throw passes in his vicinity. Everybody knows this former Notre Dame All-American is one of the stars of the storied Giant defense.
Last October 7 at Sportsman's Park with the score tied 14-14, his second-quarter fumble recovery in the end zone put the Giants ahead of the Cardinals in a game they would win 31-14 to lift their seasonal record to 3-1.
ERICH BARNES
Cornerback
No. 49
Purdue
Erich's 1962 interception was just one shy of the seven he made in his All-Pro season of 1961. Selected to the Pro Bowl for the third time in five pro seasons, he once again teamed with Dick Lynch to make New York's cornerback tandem a vital component of the feared Giant defense.
Although an outstanding end at Purdue, the Bears after drafting Erich correctly determined he had the speed, size and aggressiveness to be an ideal defensive back. His greatest moment as a pro came with the Giants protecting a 17-10 3rd quarter lead in a 1961 game at the Cotton Bowl- Erich tied an NFL record by returning a Dallas kick 102 yards for a touchdown.
ALLAN WEBB
Safety
No. 21
Arnold
After part-time duty as a rookie in 1961, Alan became a starter at safety last year and played all 14 games. He intercepted three passes, including one returned 21 yards, and recovered a fumble. He showed his versatility with five punt returns for a 12.2 average, eight kick returns for a 19.5 average, and on offense rushed six times for an 8.5 average.
DON CHANDLER
Place Kicker-Punter
No. 34
Florida
Don has been booming accurate punts for the Giants since finishing fourth in the NFL in punting as a rookie in 1956. In 1958, he led the league in punts (65), punting yards (2,859) and booted the longest punt of the season (67 yards). Whenever the Giants find themselves deep in their own territory, they can turn to Don's powerful leg to turn the game around quickly.
With the retirement of Giant star Pat Summerall, Don last year assumed the club's place-kicking duties more than capably. He was second in the NFL with 19 field goals, second with a 67.9 field goal percentage and fourth with 104 points scored. He also made 47 extra point conversions (second in the league) in 48 extra point attempts (also second in the league).
The nation's leading punter at Florida in 1955, Don also lettered in baseball, basketball and track- he high-jumped 6'1".
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