1965 New York Giants Outlook

"The man from the Giants had a very positive attitude.
'We'll surprise a lot of people,' he said. 'There will be no pressure on us. Every team in the league thinks we're a joke, with our sophomore quarterback, plus a lot of key second-year players.'
The speaker was sophomore quarterback Gary Wood, one of the many key second-year players the Giants will be counting on in this year of reconstruction. But mostly, they will be counting on Wood, who isn't exactly the most impartial observer on the status of either the Giants or Wood. He's a refreshingly confident type with great belief in himself, and while that feeling is shared here, along with great admiration for Allie Sherman's ability to reorganize, the Giants will still need this season to make the climb back as a contender.
Admittedly, Wood is no Tittle, as either a passer or a strategist. But he does have his own style, which includes running when he has to and throwing short, bullet-type passes which he can get off in a hurry. Sherman's revamped offense will feature what he calls a 'big back attack' with second-year men Steve Thurlow and Ernie Wheelwright written in as of now at halfback and fullback, respectively. But this picture could change once Tucker Frederickson gets to camp. He was everybody's All-America last year at Auburn, and he might make a spot for himself right away. Ernie Koy, Bob Timberlake (a quarterback with halfback credentials) and Emlen Tunnel's boy, Smith Reed, fill the requirements as big and fast, but they are young and untried.
Versatile (how that word gets thrown around) Joe Morrison starts out the season as a flanker this time, and he will be backed by Homer Jones, of the taxi squad, and Dick James. Del Shofner will try to relocate the old magic at split end if his finger is all right, and Aaron Thomas will be at tight end, backed up by Bobby Crespino.
The offensive line is liberally sprinkled with veterans and question marks. Will Rosey Brown make it for another year (he's been at it for 12 seasons now) at tackle? How will center Greg Larson respond after knee surgery? Can Roger Anderson do what Jack Stroud used to do at the other tackle? No questions come to mind about guards Darrell Dess and Bookie Bolin, and they should be able to give Wood ample protection.
The defensive line shapes up with similar doubts. John LoVetere also underwent knee surgery, and he will have to see how it stands up under his 285 pounds. Jim Moran and John Contoulis, who also had work done on his knee, will battle it out for the other tackle. Jim Katcavage is a savage charger (if the rhyme fits, use it) and Andy Stynchula will back on more familiar ground at the other end after struggling at defensive tackle last year.
Lou Slaby, who had a most impressive year at middle linebacker, should be even better this year, and his sidekicks will be Jerry Hillebrand and the veteran Tom Scott. Bill Winter and Notre Dame's Jim Carroll provide the Giants with good depth here.
Injuries kayoed the better part of the deep secondary last year, but if all operatives are healthy, the pass defense will be tight. Erich Barnes and Dick Lynch are the cornerbacks, and Dick Pesonen and Jim Patton the safeties. Relief will come from Clarence Childs, who is switching over from the offense to give it a whirl at safety, and from Henry Carr, the world and Olympic 200-meter champion from Arizona State, who will be tried at cornerback."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965


"To use one of coach Allie Sherman's favorite expressions, the Giants are getting a bit of 'shoring up' this season. Last year's disastrous plunge from the top to the bottom of the Eastern Conference was touched off by injuries and heightened by old age. And, of course, the trading of such old-time Maramen as Sam Huff and Dick Modzelewski didn't help.
The 1965 New York team will be the first honest-to-goodness Sherman-developed club since Allie took over the head coaching reins in 1961. With the retirement of such old fan favorites as Y.A. Tittle, Alex Webster, Andy Robustelli, Jack Stroud and Frank Gifford, there are now only fleeting traces of the inheritance Sherman received from the Howell administration.
Sherman is gloating over the Giants' player draft for this season, as well he should be. Within a month after the selection meeting in Chicago last November, 15 of a possible 16 Giant selections were under contract. More important, the rookie roster exudes quality. Football men across the country nodded approvingly when the Giants led off the draft by taking Tucker Frederickson of Auburn, top running back among last year's college bulldozers. Other Giant choices are similarly impressive. The freshman list includes Bob Timberlake, Michigan quarterback; Henry Carr, Arizona State's Olympic star; Jim Carroll, Notre Dame's star linebacker; and Frank Lambert of Mississippi, top 1964 collegiate punter.
Sherman, possibly influenced by his friendship with Vince Lombardi of Green Bay, always has been intrigued by the possibility of a 'big back attack.' With Frederickson, Timberlake and rookie Ernie Koy of Texas teaming up with the sophomore battering rams, Steve Thurlow and Ernie Wheelwright, the Giants should come closer to Sherman's ideal than they have in years.
Triggering the offensive cannon will be Gary Wood, the blond Cornell product who successfully made the big jump from Lake Cayuga to regular status in the NFL last autumn. At 5'11" and 188, Gary was considered small by pro standards. The Giants planned to give him a quick shot at quarterback, then move him over to defense. Gary got his 'quick shot' and they never did get him out of there. He beat out Glyn Griffing for the No. 2 job behind Tittle and when the season ended, won this praise from Sherman: 'Gary is a natural leader. He can move the team. The veterans respond to him.'
Even with Tittle, Gifford and cronies gone, the Giants have enough veterans left to provide a sound nucleus. Four men - Greg Larson, Dick Pesonen, John LoVetere and John Contoulis underwent knee surgery last year but should be ready for the '65 season. End Del Shofner has his weight back up to normal after fighting an ulcer. Bobby Crespino is at tight end. Aaron Thomas, who caught 43 passes last year, is back along with Joe Morrison, who can play either end or halfback.
Jim Katcavage is a tower of strength at defensive end. Contoulis and Jim Moran battle for an open defensive tackle spot next to LoVetere. Tony DiMidio, injured last season, bids at end. Linebacking appears solid, with Bill Winter, Jerry Hillebrand and Lou Slaby young and experienced. The secondary boasts four veteran starters - Dick Lynch, recovered from a bad ankle, Erich Barnes, Pesonen and Jim Patton.
Rosey Brown, hub of the offensive line, admits he's slowing up after 12 years. 'I compensate,' he says. 'Nowadays I let the younger man commit himself, and then I counter.'"

-Bill Wise, 1965 Official Pro Football Almanac


THE PROSPECTS
"The Giants, who trailed behind the rest of the NFL all last year will be running to catch up in 1965. Literally. Departed are the likes of Y.A. Tittle and Frank Gifford - one of the best passing combinations the game has ever known. Former All-Pro receiver Del Shofner is coming off the injury list.
Meanwhile, little Allie Sherman, the coach, will be leaning on some big collegians - draft choices such as Tucker Frederickson (Auburn), Ernie Koy (Texas) and Bob Timberlake (Michigan) - and 'young' veterans like Gary Wood, Ernie Wheelwright and Steve Thurlow. They form the nucleus of a Big Back running attack that has captivated Sherman's imagination.
But the Giants have other problems. Among the retirees are Andy Robustelli and Jack Stroud. Kicker Don Chandler, the league's top scorer two years ago, has been traded. The dependence on rookies and youngsters may be asking too much. Even the coach admits: 'You never know what inexperienced material will do under game conditions.' He didn't say it optimistically."

-Tom Harmon, 1965 Football Almanac (Tom Harmon's Sports Information Book)

THE STARS
"The New Yorkers didn't have a man in the league's top ten in scoring, passing, rushing, receiving or interceptions - standard fortes of the 1961-62-63 Eastern champs. The club was next to last in team defense, last in offense. There were no Giants on the All-Pro lists. So most of the team's stars are has-beens or players-of-the-future.
Offensive end Shofner is one of the best of the established men - but the 30-year-old had a tough season last year, catching only 22 passes for 323 yards, mostly because of an ulcer condition. He is back up to 182 pounds. Joe Morrison, the all-purpose back, offense or defense, inherits Gifford's flanker position and he's experienced there. Morrison has caught 134 passes in his six-year career.
A fine collection of every-improving linebackers - headed by 245-pound Jerry Hillebrand and Lou Slaby - will bulwark a better defense.
Quarterback Wood got the fans behind him last year but his passing game (143 attempts, 66 completions) must improve as a sophomore if he wants to keep them. He is the key to any Giant climb this year."

-Tom Harmon, 1965 Football Almanac (Tom Harmon's Sports Information Book)


"A youth movement brings bright hopes, bleak prospects."

-Berry Stainback, Pro Football Almanac 1965

Using Many Rookies, the Giants Will Change Their Offense and Defense
Changing Their Record Will be More Difficult
"Coach Allie Sherman received considerable criticism last season, from fans, press, opponents and his own players. He tried to begin to rebuild his aging Giants before the aging players all slipped too much or retired. But when he traded veterans Dick Modzelewski, Sam Huff and Phil King, he hurt team morale among the other veterans more than he ever anticipated. Then the Giants suffered a series of costly injuries, including one to Y.A. Tittle ... and the team that had been the best team in the East for three successive seasons was abruptly the worst in the league.
Now, only offensive tackle Rosie Brown, defensive end Jim Katcavage and safetyman Jim Patton are left from New York's '56 championship team. And Sherman will experience sort of a season-long children's hour this season.
Fortunately, New York had its best draft in many years. The Giants signed perhaps the top running back prospect in the country, 6-3 220-pound speedster Tucker Frederickson of Auburn, and a fair one in 6-2 225-pound Ernie Koy of Texas. New Giant defensive backfield coach Em Tunnell feels the sleeper pick is a 6-0 215-pound sprinter named Smith Reed from Alcorn A & M. Since the team already has two potentially good sophomore runners in 245-pound fullback Ernie Wheelwright (402 yards gained in '64) and Steve Thurlow (210 yards gained), the running game looks promising.
This is a nice thing since the Giants have no quarterback. At least not in the tradition of NFL quarterbacks. Gary Wood picked up tremendous experience, along with many painful bruises, as a rookie. But Wood, at 5-10, had trouble passing over the large pro linemen and Sherman will no doubt have to put in a modified rollout offense for Gary this year. Leading quarterback signee, Michigan's Bob Timberlake, is also a rollout quarterback. At 6-4 he won't have trouble seeing to throw, but with the arm he displayed in college he may have trouble simply throwing among the pros.
The Giants have fine ends in Aaron Thomas, Joe Morrison and Del Shofner, plus Homer Jones, Bob Crespino, Joe Walton and Roger Reynolds. But the offensive line has numerous question marks- can Rosey Brown go another year, can center Greg Larson come back from serious knee surgery, can guard Darrell Dess' back hold up, can Roger Anderson develop as a tackle? The young backs are of course depending on these questions being answered affirmatively.
The defense should be better. Tackles John LoVetere, John Contoulis and Tony DiMidio must recover from knee operations. Katcavage and Andy Stynchula are fine ends. The linebackers are adequate and the secondary, led by Erich Barnes, Dick Lynch and Patton, will be bolstered by several highly touted rookies, including Henry Carr of Arizona State. But a team bolstered by rookies will be by definition mistake-prone, and Giant prospects are bleak indeed."

-Berry Stainback, Pro Football Almanac 1965


New York is a tremendous question mark. The team that won three straight titles under Allie Sherman is virtually gone. A 'baby bull,' big-back concept has replaced the 'pass 'em dizzy' technique of the departed Y.A. Tittle. The New Yorkers intend to go with Gary Wood, Tittle's understudy and late-season replacement in 1964.
Wood measures 5-11 with a friendly yardstick. No passer his size has ever led a team to the NFL championship. The Giants believe that an unremitting diet of heavy running by top draft pick Tucker Frederickson, Ernie Wheelwright, their best as a rookie last year, Steve Thurlow and Ernie Koy might keep rival defenses honest and permit Wood to try his combination of pocket-scrambling brand of play. Bob Timberlake, a scrambler from Michigan, may also get a chance at quarterback.
The New York stars of yesterday- Alex Webster, Frank Gifford, Andy Robustelli- have retired. They were part and parcel of the teams Jim Lee Howell built. From here on, the teams will be Allie Sherman's- and the pressures will be tremendous."

-Harold Rosenthal, Sports All-Stars/1965 Pro Football


1965 New York Giants Preseason Roster
*  Ed Adamchick (G) Pittsburgh
John Adams (E) California State
73 Roger Anderson (T) Virginia Union
49 Erich Barnes (DB) Purdue
*  George Bitsko (LB) Dayton
63 Bookie Bolin (G) Mississippi
79 Roosevelt Brown (T) Morgan State
*  Louis Bury (C) Maryland
*  Henry Carr (DB) Arizona State
*  Jim Carroll (LB) Notre Dame
46 Clarence Childs (HB-DB) Florida A&M
*  Glen Condren (DE) Oklahoma
77 John Contoulis (DT) Connecticut
83 Tom Costello (LB) Dayton
*  Ben Crenshaw (HB) Jackson State
89 Bob Crespino (E) Mississippi
62 Darrell Dess (G) North Carolina State
*  Ron DiGravio (QB) Purdue
*  Tony DiMidio (DT) West Chester St.
*  Tucker Frederickson (HB) Auburn
*  John Frick (DE) Ohio University
*  Mike Giers (G) USC
*  Larry Gill (HB) South Carolina
87 Jerry Hillebrand (LB) Colorado
*  Dave Hoppman (HB) Iowa State
78 Lane Howell (T) Grambling
47 Dick James (HB) Oregon
45 Homer Jones (E) Texas Southern
75 Jim Katcavage (DE) Dayton
*  Ernie Koy (HB) Texas D11
*  Frank Lambert (P) Mississippi
53 Greg Larson (C) Minnesota
71 Frank Lasky (T) Florida
*  Abbott Lawrence (T) Yale
*  Spider Lockhart (DB) North Texas State
76 John LoVetere (DT) Compton CC
22 Dick Lynch (CB) Notre Dame
74 Jim Moran (DT) Idaho
40 Joe Morrison (HB) Cincinnati
*  Vincent Muscillo (K) Monmouth College
26 Andy Nelson (HB) Memphis State
Dave O'Brien (DT) Boston College
37 R.C. Owens (HB) College of Idaho
20 Jim Patton (S) Mississippi
25 Dick Pesonen (DB) Minnesota-Duluth
*  Ray Popp (G-LB) Pittsburgh
*  Dave Powless (T) Illinois
*  Smith Reed (HB) Alcorn A & M
10 Henry Schlichtle (QB) Kansas
82 Tom Scott (LB) Virginia
85 Del Shofner (E) Baylor
51 Lou Slaby (LB) Pittsburgh
72 Andy Stynchula (DB) Penn State
*  Maurice Sykes (FB)
*  John Szumczyk (HB) Trinity College
88 Aaron Thomas (E) Oregon State
27 Steve Thurlow (HB) Stanford
*  Bob Timberlake (QB) Michigan
*  Jim Toon (DE) North Carolina A & T
*  John Torok (QB) Arizona State
* Olen Underwood (LB) Texas
64 Mickey Walker (G) Michigan State
21 Allan Webb (S) Arnold
*  Barry Weickel (E) Springfield College
30 Ernie Wheelwright (FB) Southern Illinois
*  Willie Williams (DB) Grambling
*  Jim Winston (E) Iowa
31 Bill Winter (LB) St. Olaf
19 Gary Wood (QB) Cornell

* rookie

-Pro Football 1965


1965 New York Giants Preseason Depth Charts
Offense
QB - Gary Wood (Cornell) 19, Henry Schichtle (Wichita State) 10, Bob Timberlake (Michigan)*
HB - Steve Thurlow (Stanford) 27, Tucker Frederickson (Auburn)*
FB - Ernie Wheelwright (Southern Illinois) 30, Ernie Koy (Texas)*   
SE - Del Shofner (Baylor) 85, Homer Jones (Texas Southern) 45
T - Roosevelt Brown (Morgan State) 79, Lane Howell (Grambling) 78
G - Darrell Dess (North Carolina State) 62, Ed Adamchick (Pittsburgh)
C - Greg Larson (Minnesota) 53, Mickey Walker (Michigan State) 64
G - Bookie Bolin (Mississippi) 63, Mike Giers (USC)*
T - Roger Anderson (Virginia Union) 73, Frank Lasky (Florida) 71
TE - Aaron Thomas (Oregon State) 88, Bob Crespino (Mississippi) 89
FL - Joe Morrison (Cinncinati) 40, Homer Jones (Texas Southern) 45

Defense
DE - Jim Katcavage (Dayton) 75
DT - Jim Moran (Idaho) 74, Tony DiMidio (West Chester)
DT - John LoVetere (Compton CC) 76, John Contoulis (Connecticut) 77
DE - Andy Stynchula (Penn State) 72, John Frick (Ohio University)*
LB - Jerry Hillebrand (Colorado) 87, Tom Costello (Dayton) 83
MLB - Lou Slaby (Pittsburgh) 51, Jim Carroll (Notre Dame)*
LB - Tom Scott (Virginia) 82, Bill Winter (St. Olaf) 31
CB - Erich Barnes (Purdue) 49, Henry Carr Arizona State*
S - Dick Pesonen (Minnesota-Duluth) 25, Andy Nelson (Memphis State) 26
S - Jim Patton (Mississippi) 20, Clarence Childs (Florida A&M) 46
CB - Dick Lynch (Notre Dame) 22, Ben Crenshaw (Jackson State)*

*rookie

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965

Offense
QB - Earl Morrall (Michigan State) 11, Gary Wood (Cornell) 19, Bob Timberlake (Michigan)*
HB - Steve Thurlow (Stanford) 27, Ernie Koy (Texas)*
FB - Tucker Frederickson (Auburn)*, Ernie Wheelwright (Southern Illinois) 30
SE - Del Shofner (Baylor) 85, Homer Jones (Texas Southern) 45
T - Roosevelt Brown (Morgan State) 79
G - Pete Case (Georgia) 65, Mickey Walker (Michigan State) 64
C - Greg Larson (Minnesota) 53, Bob Scholtz (Notre Dame) 55
G - Bookie Bolin (Mississippi) 63, John McDowell (St. John's-Minnesota) 70
T - Frank Lasky (Florida) 71, Roger Anderson (Virginia Union) 73
TE - Aaron Thomas (Oregon State) 88, Bob Crespino (Mississippi) 89
FL - Joe Morrison (Cinncinati) 40, Dick James (Oregon) 47

Defense
DE - Jim Katcavage (Dayton) 75, John Frick (Ohio University)*
DT - Jim Moran (Idaho) 74, Tony DiMidio (West Chester)*
DT - John LoVetere (Compton CC) 76, Bob Taylor (Maryland State) 68
DE - Andy Stynchula (Penn State) 72, Rosey Davis (Tennessee State)*
LB - Jerry Hillebrand (Colorado) 87, Tom Costello (Dayton) 54
MLB - Lou Slaby (Pittsburgh) 51, Jim Carroll (Notre Dame)*
LB - Tom Scott (Virginia) 82, Bill Swain (Oregon) 52, Bill Winter (St. Olaf) 31
CB - Spider Lockhart (North Texas)*, Henry Carr Arizona State*
S - Dick Pesonen (Minnesota-Duluth) 25, Clarence Childs (Florida A&M) 48, Allan Webb (Arnold) 21
S - Jim Patton (Mississippi) 20,  Andy Nelson (Memphis State) 26
CB - Dick Lynch (Notre Dame) 22, Willie Williams (Grambling)*

K - Bob Timberlake (Michigan)*
P - Ernie Koy (Texas)*
KR - Clarence Childs (Florida A&M) 48, Dick James (Oregon) 47
PR - Willie Williams (Grambling)*, Dick James (Oregon) 47

*rookie


1965 New York Giants Profile Summary
Head Coach - Allie Sherman

QB - Earl Morrall (Michigan State) 11
QB - Gary Wood (Cornell) 19
QB - Bob Timberlake (Michigan) 18
HB - Steve Thurlow (Stanford) 27
HB - Ernie Koy (Texas) 23
HB - Dick James (Oregon) 47
FB - Ernie Wheelwright (Southern Illinois) 30
FB - Tucker Frederickson (Auburn) 24
FL - Joe Morrison (Cinncinati) 40
SE - Del Shofner (Baylor) 85
TE - Aaron Thomas (Oregon State) 88
C - Greg Larson (Minnesota) 53
G - Bookie Bolin (Mississippi) 63
G - Pete Case (Georgia) 65
T - Roosevelt Brown (Morgan State) 79
T - Frank Lasky (Florida) 71

DT - John LoVetere (Compton CC) 76
DT - Bob Taylor (Maryland State) 68
DE - Jim Katcavage (Dayton) 75
DE - Andy Stynchula (Penn State) 72
MLB - Lou Slaby (Pittsburgh) 51
LB - Tom Scott (Virginia) 82
LB - Jerry Hillebrand (Colorado) 87
CB - Dick Lynch (Notre Dame) 22
CB - Erich Barnes (Purdue) 49
S - Jim Patton (Mississippi) 20
S - Andy Nelson (Michigan State) 26

K - Bob Timberlake (Michigan) 18
P - Ernie Koy (Texas) 23
KR - Dick James (Oregon) 47
PR - Dick James (Oregon) 47