DICK JAMES
Halfback-Kick Returner
No. 47
Oregon
"Must be called the club's most versatile back. Defensively or offensively James does a stellar job. He was the 1959 Redskin leader in punt returns (95 yards), kickoff returns (503 yards) and pass interceptions (3). He even found time to gain 384 yards as a ball carrier.
James became a Skin in 1956 and in 1958 was voted most valuable on offense AND defense in a game against the Eagles. Born in Grants Pass, Oregon, he's an off-season physical education training instructor."
-1960 Pro Football Handbook
"Defensively or offensively, Dick James delivers 100 per cent every time he's given a job and is rated as the most versatile back in the NFL.
He spent 1960 on offense and was also active returning punts (7 for 46 yards) and kickoffs (19 for 458). He carried 73 times, gaining 199 yards, and added 243 yards as a pass receiver.
Dick was born in Grants Pass, Oregon."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"Look for Dick James to move over to the defensive platoon in 1962. The handyman from Grants Pass, Oregon is being tabbed for duty at defensive back now that Bill Barnes and Bobby Mitchell can carry some of the offensive burden.
James has been among the most versatile of all pros, dividing his time between offense and defense. In 1961 he led the club in rushing (374 yards) and picked up an additional 298 as a pass receiver. He's dynamic as a tackler and aggressive as a runner. James ended '61 as No. 2 among kickoff returners, coming back 617 yards on 21 tries."
-Don Schiffer, 1962 Pro Football Handbook
"Dick's big moment in 1961 was scoring a dramatic 39-yard touchdown on the ground."
-1962 Topps No. 165
"In 1962, Dick James gained 373 yards and five touchdowns catching passes, 889 yards on kickoff returns (fourth best in the NFL), 145 yards on punt returns (fifth best in the league) and 13 yards rushing. How's that for a sawed-off 175-pound halfback?
On the go all the time, rivals marvel at the way he takes punishment and bounces back. He is also a fine scrambler as a defensive halfback.
James was born in Grants Pass, Oregon and is a University of Oregon product. In his eighth year as a pro, he returned a kickoff 83 yards on his first pro play."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963
"The best kick-return runner the Giants have had in a decade, Dick James looms as a key man in the Giant battle plan. Obtained from the Redskins in the deal for Sam Huff, James is one of the smallest NFL players at 5-9 and 175. But he's also one of the toughest.
Last season he led the Redskins in rushing with 384 yards. He returned kickoffs 840 yards and punts 225 yards. Dick is also a tricky pass catcher, grabbing 12 for 262 yards.
Popular in Washington, he figures to be even more popular in New York."
-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964
"With the acquisition of Dick James, the Giants now have the league's two most versatile (Joe Morrison's the other). Dick is a speed demon who can return punts (No. 1) and kickoffs (No. 7) as well catch passes as a split end, serve as a running back and fill in as a corner man or safety on defense.
Born in Grant's Pass, Oregon, Dick credits tumbling exercises for building his strength and coordinating his balance; he advocates trampoline training as an excellent conditioner."
-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1964
"In little James, the Giants possess one of the finest all-around backs in current National Football League annals. While he's not that big power back, James can do many things on offense as well as play defense, as he demonstrated during his eight seasons with the Washington Redskins before coming to the Giants this spring, along with Andy Stynchula, in the Sam Huff deal. James was the Redskins' top ground-gainer in '63 with 384 yards, an average of 3.7 yards per carry. He also paced the NFL in punt returns, averaging 13.4 yards for 16 runbacks. Dick was no slouch on kickoff returns, either, ranking seventh with a 27.7 average for 30 returns. Besides gathering in 15 passes for 302 yards, one for 77 yards, the little big man additionally intercepted twice.
This gritty fellow, who seldom gets hurt, should become a big favorite with Giant fans."
-Complete Sports 1964 New York Giants
RC OWENS
Halfback
No. 27
College of Idaho
His amazing ability to leap makes him a feared pass receiver. Owens gets between defenders and suddenly shoots high to nail a pass. He can operate as an end and as a halfback and is a good downfield blocker who gives his best on every play.
Owens begins his third season and has the ability to get tabbed for All-Pro honors."
-Pro Football Handbook 1959
"The man in the most pass-catching photographs during the season always seems to be R.C. Owens, whose 'Alley-Oop' type of catches- up and up- are the most colorful in the game. R.C. caught 37 last year, gaining 532 yards, and always seemed to pop up with the grab needed to keep the offensive momentum.
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, R.C. matured in Santa Monica, California."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
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