1965 Profile: Joe Morrison

Flanker
No. 40
Cincinnati
"Most versatile of all the Giants, Joe Morrison in his six NFL seasons has played halfback, fullback, flanker, split end and defensive back. His willingness to play anywhere and his talents as a handyman have endeared him to New York fans.
He will probably be used at flanker this year, where he will be slightly handicapped by his lack of real speed. Still, he made 40 receptions for 505 yards and two touchdowns last year, and pinch-hit wherever the Giants needed him."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965

"There's no doubt about it,' says head coach Allie Sherman of the New York Giants, 'Joe Morrison is as close as being a complete ballplayer as you can get.'
The 28-year-old Morrison is a jack-of-all-trades in an age of specialization. This year he was pegged to start at flanker, but as in the past, Joe will probably break into the lineup at three or four different positions. Last season Morrison also was slated to start at flanker but a series of injuries staggered the Giants and Joe found himself shuffling between halfback, fullback, tight end and flanker. He finished the season as the club's No. 2 pass receiver, catching 40 tosses for 505 yards.
In 1963 veteran fullback Alex Webster was slowed by injuries. Morrison stepped into the breach and pounded out 568 yards on 119 rushing attempts as New York won the Eastern Conference title. 'The boy has courage,' says Sherman. 'He has the nerve to hit in there every time even though he knows it means taking a physical beating. He's what we call a hard-nose.'
'I get hurt,' Morrison admits, 'but I love football so much that I never seem to notice the bumps and bruises until after the game.'
A native of Lima, Ohio, Joe was a perennial All-Missouri Valley Conference selection at the University of Cincinnati, where he scored 21 touchdowns during his college career. Drafted by the Giants, he joined the team in 1959 and filled in for Frank Gifford, Alex Webster and Mel Triplett when all three star backs suffered injuries during the season.
In 1961 Joe even took a fling at playing defense and was the team's regular left safety when the season ended. His key interception against Cleveland led to a New York touchdown and the Eastern Conference crown. Says coach Sherman: 'Joe's value to this team is his ability to come off the bench and give us a winning performance at almost any position. Very few fellows can do this."

-Bill Wise, 1965 Official Pro Football Almanac