1968 New York Giants Outlook

"Don't tell the Giants anything about fate. In the past few seasons, they've seen their fortunes bob around like a cork on a boiling sea. Now, as they switch from a weak Century Division to a Cowboy-dominated Capitol Division, they see themselves as winners in a losing cause. But that's the luck of the draw.
Still to be answered this season is whether it was really Giant luck or just plain Tarkenton pluck that brought them back from the ashes of a 1966 campaign. The installation of Fran Tarkenton at quarterback last year produced a high-powered mobile offense which propelled the Giants into third place in scoring in the league; they topped the NFL in touchdowns with 49, 33 of them coming on passes.
There is no doubt that Tarkenton gives the offense leadership, direction and diversity. In addition to his well-known scrambling tactics, he is a capable and often deadly passer and a is slick ball-handler. Without him at the control, the Giants are just another ball club. In the bullpen behind him are reliable Earl Morrall and young Tom Kennedy.
The striking power of the Giants is reflected in the 13 touchdown grabs made by Homer Jones last year. Defenses can go just so far in covering a man with Homer's blazing speed, and he spends most of his playing time on Sundays with at least two backs for company. Just think what another speed end would do for him. In the meantime, the Giants won't come up empty-handed with the versatile Joe Morrison at flanker and Aaron Thomas at tight end. But coach Allie Sherman concedes he's a bit short of receivers. Bob Crespino is a valuable third-down sub at tight end, and Barry Brown, obtained from Baltimore where he was a linebacker, will also be tried at this spot. The Giants are high on recruit Joe Koontz, a 6-1, 192-pound flanker from San Francisco State drafted in the ninth round.
If you include Tarkenton, the Giant backfield accounted for more than 1,400 yards last year; but even if you don't count his contribution, the other backs did pretty well on their own. This is mainly true because Ernie Koy has come into his own as a big league fullback. He bulled his way to 704 yards on the ground last year. His running mate, Tucker Frederickson, was just getting back into high gear again after a serious knee problem when he again was cut down by an injury to the other knee. If he makes it back this year, the backfield picture will be sound. Bill Triplett, Allen Jacobs and Randy Minnier provide the Giants with good depth, but they are still desperate for a speed back. Maybe Ronnie Bly, coming off the taxi squad, is the man they're seeking.
One of the happier developments of last season was the way the offensive line came back after breaking down in '66. Sherman says all it needed was a refresher course in the fundamentals. He could be proved right. The only change anticipated is at right tackle, where ex-Packer Steve Wright will be moved in ahead of Charley Harper. The rest of the unit is comprised of Willie Young at left tackle, Pete Case and Darrell Dess at the guards, and Greg Larson at center. Sherman has ample reserve strength in Harper and rookie Dick Buzin (Penn State) at tackle, taxi-squader Doug Van Horn and Bookie Bolin at guard, and Chuck Hinton at center.
This much is certain about the defense: Allie has enough bodies to populate three lines. The only problem will be in finding the right four. The probable starters will be captain Jim Katcavage and Glen Condren at the ends, and Roger Anderson and Bob Lurtsema, a Nordic-looking giant who appears to be a real find, at the tackles. From his vast pool of subs and convalescents, Allie may eventually build a better line. Rosey Davis and Bruce Anderson are other possibles at end, and Jim Colvin, Don Davis and Jim Moran are the other tackles. From all this, you can fairly make two fairly safe assessments: one, the Giants lead the league in Davises and Andersons, and two, the pass rush should be a little better than in the past.
The linebacking presents almost the same questions of adequacy as the defensive line, but there appears to be a lot more hope here. Vince Costello, who was imported from Cleveland at the start of last season, will hold down the middle job as long as his 37-year-old legs hold up. Bill Swain, who made a comeback from knee surgery last year, and Ken Avery, a real discovery in '67, will be on the outside. However, somebody may have to make room for Tommy Crutcher, the aggressive young head-knocker the Giants got from the Packers in the off-season. He could play either in the middle or on the outside. Not to be discounted are Ed Vargo, Mike Ciccolella or Jeff Smith among the returnees, and rookie Henry Davis, an 11th-round draft pick from Grambling who could be the 'sleeper' of the year for the Giants.
With a better rush up front, the Giant secondary should look better than it's been. They have a promising young cornerback in Scott Eaton, who stuck out as a rookie last year, and a flashy safetyman in Spider Lockhart. Willie Williams, one of the original 'Gremlins' of 1965, rejoined his mates last season and figures to be one of the regular corners. Freeman White, whose defensive skills have not yet caught up to his athletic ability, will get first shot at strong safety. Clarence Childs will have to fight off rookies Jim Holifield (Jackson State) and Ken Parker (Fordham) for the extra cornerback job, while holdover Dave Hathcock and rookie Bobby Duhon (Tulane) will available for duty at safety."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

IN BRIEF
Probable 1968 Finish: 2nd
Strengths:  a splashy offense with Tarkenton as ringmaster, with assists from Jones and Koy.
Biggest Needs: some backfield speed, a much stronger pass rush, and an extra receiver or two with speed.
1967 finish:  2nd (7-7)

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968


"The turnabout of the New York Giants was unbelievable. From their poorest team in history, winners of only one game in 1966, they reversed the field to finish second in their division and were serious challengers for the title as late as December.
Coach Allie Sherman achieved that change with one major alteration- Fran Tarkenton playing quarterback. Mr. Scramble inspired an offensive effort which produced more touchdowns than any team in the NFL (49), and he produced his own career highs in touchdown passes, completions and yards gained. It was a fantastic introduction to New York after spending his first six years as a pro in the tundra of Minnesota.
It'll be unbelievable if the Giants can do as well this year. For one thing, they've changed over from the Century Division to the Capitol Division. That'll put them in direct competition with Dallas, Washington and Philadelphia- more formidable opposition than they had last year. For another, they still have that same defense which is so vulnerable (only Philadelphia and Atlanta had more points scored against them).
On paper, the Giants didn't get much help between seasons to alleviate the situation. The big swap of the winter sent Francis Peay, disappointing offensive tackle, to Green Bay for Steve Wright, who plays the same position, and Tommy Crutcher, a reserve linebacker. The college draft yielded Dick Buzin of Penn State, a relatively unknown offensive tackle.
So the defense continues to lean heavily on guys like Jim Katcavage and Vince Costello, who between them have played 25 years of pro football. Around them are a lot of inexperienced kids, castoffs and retreads.
Tarkenton, mobile as he is, will suffer if Tucker Frederickson doesn't return from his second knee operation to provide backfield blocking. Ernie Koy as a runner needs Tucker's help, too.
The chief weapon remains the long bomb to Homer Jones, who now drives the only Cadillac convertible in Pittsburgh, Texas."

-1968 True's Football Yearbook


1968 New York Giants Preseason Roster
79 Bruce Anderson (DE) Willamette
73 Roger Anderson (DT) Virginia Union
54 Ken Avery (LB) Southern Mississippi
Ron Blye (RB) Notre Dame
63 Bookie Bolin (G) Mississippi
McKinley Boston (DT-DE) Minnesota
Gerry Boyd (E) Morgan State
*Richard Buzin (T) Penn State
Jack Calcaterra (G) Purdue
28 Henry Carr (DB) Arizona State
65 Pete Case (G) Georgia
Gary Cassells (G) Indiana
Doug Chatman (DE) Jackson State
Lou Checchetto (QB) Upsala
48 Clarence Childs (DB) Florida A&M
58 Mike Cicolella (LB) Dayton
Roy Clay (LB) Tennessee
72 Jim Colvin (DE) Houston
70 Glen Condren (DE) Oklahoma
57 Vince Costello (LB) Ohio
89 Bob Crespino (E) Mississippi
50 Tommy Crutcher (LB) TCU
Bernard Dallas (LB-K) Massachusetts
76 Don Davis (DT) Los Angeles State
*Henry Davis (LB-DE) Grambling
77 Rosey Davis (DE) Tennessee A & I
Tom Dean (G) Morgan State
62 Darrell Dess (G) North Carolina State
*Bob Duhon (RB-DB) Tulane
20 Scott Eaton (DB) Oregon State
Bob Fiorini (LB) Indiana
24 Tucker Frederickson (FB) Auburn
Fred Freeman (DT) Mississippi Valley
John Gallagher (DE) Boston University
Charles Glenn (G-T) Auburn
3  Pete Goglolak (K) Cornell
Frank Goldberg (LB) Central Michigan
64 Andy Gross (G) Auburn
61 Charlie Harper (T) Oklahoma State
46 Phil Harris (DB) Texas
26 Wendell Harris (DB) LSU
Dick Herzing (DT) Drake
56 Chuck Hinton (C) Mississippi
*Jim Holifield (DB) Jackson State
Ted Holman (DB) Syracuse
Lynn Hughes (DB) Georgia
Howard Humphries (K-FL) Maryland
30  Allen Jacobs (FB) Utah
45 Homer Jones (E) Texas Southern
75 Jim Katcavage (DE) Dayton
Bill Kelly (DT) Virginia Union
18 Tom Kennedy (QB) Los Angeles State
Ron Kenny (G) Rutgers
Larry Kohn (E-LB) Georgia
*Joe Koontz (E) San Francisco State
Dick Kotite (TE) Wagner
53 Greg Larson (C) Minnesota
John Lawler (DT)
John Lium (DT-C) Notre Dame
43 Carl Lockhart (DB) North Texas State
71 Bob Lurtsema (DE) Western Michigan
27 Randy Minniear (HB) Purdue
Warren Montgomery (TE) Wagner
74 Jim Moran (DT) Idaho
Bill Moreman (RB) Florida State
11 Earl Morrall (QB) Michigan State
40 Joe Morrison (HB) Cincinnati
84 Les Murdock (K) Florida State
Roger Nitsch (RB) Adams State
Ken Parker (DB) Fordham
Randy Payne (E) Indiana State
Bill Perkins (RB) Iowa
Bud Phillips (OE) North Carolina
Pete Pifer (RB) Oregon State
22 Bob Post (DB) Kings Point
Gary Rowe (OE) North Carolina State
Carl San Marco (DT) Edinboro State
85 Del Shofner (E) Baylor
Joe Siesel (LB) Bowling Green
55 Jeff Smith (LB) USC
83 Randy Staten (DE) Minnesota
Gerry Stevenson (RB) Missouri
Dennis Stuewe (DB) Nebraska
52 Bill Swain (LB) Oregon
10 Fran Tarkenton (QB) Georgia
88 Aaron Thomas (E) Oregon State
Lou Thompson (G) Alabama
Jim Toon (DE) North Carolina A & T
38 Bill Triplett (HB) Miami-Ohio
Doug Van Horn (G) Ohio State
25 Larry Vargo (LB) Detroit
Hank Washington (QB) West Texas State
51 Ed Weisacosky (LB) Miami
59 Joe Wellborn (C) Texas A & M
81 Freeman White (DB) Nebraska
41 Willie Williams (DB) Grambling
78 Steve Wright (T) Alabama
69 Willie Young (T) Grambling

* rookie

-Pro Football 1968


1968 New York Giants Preseason Depth Charts
Offense
QB -    Fran Tarkenton (Georgia) 10, Earl Morrall (Michigan State) 11, Tom Kennedy (Los Angeles State) 18
HB - Bill Triplett (Miami-Ohio) 38, Randy Minniear (Purdue) 27, Tucker Frederickson (Auburn) 24
FB - Ernie Koy (Texas) 23, Allen Jacobs (Utah) 30
SE - Homer Jones (Texas Southern) 45, Joe Koontz (San Francisco State)* 
T -  Willie Young (Grambling) 69, Charlie Harper (Oklahoma State) 61
G - Pete Case (Georgia) 65, Doug Van Horn (Ohio State)
C - Greg Larson (Minnesota) 53, Chuck Hinton (Mississippi) 56
G -   Darrell Dess (North Carolina State) 62, Bookie Bolin (Mississippi) 63
T - Steve Wright (Alabama) 78, Richard Buzin (Penn State)*
TE -  Aaron Thomas (Oregon State) 88, Bob Crespino (Mississippi) 89, Barry Brown (Florida)
FL - Joe Morrison (Cinncinati) 40

Defense
DE - Jim Katcavage (Dayton) 75, Roosevelt Davis (Tennessee A & I) 77         
DT - Roger Anderson (Virginia Union) 73, Jim Colvin (Houston) 72
DT - Bob Lurstema (Western Michigan) 71, Don Davis (Los Angeles State) 76, Jim Moran (Idaho) 74     
DE -  Glen Condren (Oklahoma) 70, Bruce Anderson (Willamette) 79
LB -  Bill Swain (Oregon) 52, Henry Davis (Grambling)*
MLB - Vince Costello (Ohio) 57, Jeff Smith (USC) 55
LB - Ken Avery (Southern Mississippi) 54, Tommy Crutcher (TCU) 50
CB - Scott Eaton (Oregon State) 20, Jim Holifield (Jackson State)*
S - Freeman White (Nebraska) 81, Bob Duhon (Tulane)*
S - Spider Lockhart (North Texas) 43, Dave Hathcock (Memphis)
CB -  Willie Williams (Grambling) 41, Clarence Childs (Florida A & M) 48

*rookie

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968


Offense
QB - Fran Tarkenton (Georgia) 10, Gary Wood (Cornell) 19
HB - Ernie Koy (Texas) 23, Randy Minniear (Purdue) 27
FB - Tucker Frederickson (Auburn) 24, Bob Duhon (Tulane)*
SE -  Homer Jones (Texas Southern) 45, Freeman White (Nebraska) 81, Joe Koontz (San Francisco State)* 
T -  Willie Young (Grambling) 69, Rich Buzin (Penn State)*
G - Pete Case (Georgia) 65, Andy Gross (Auburn) 64
C - Greg Larson (Minnesota) 53, Chuck Hinton (Mississippi) 59
G - Darrell Dess (North Carolina State) 62, Doug Van Horn (Ohio State) 60
T - Steve Wright (Alabama) 78, Charlie Harper (Oklahoma State) 61
TE - Aaron Thomas (Oregon State) 88, Bob Crespino (Mississippi) 89, Butch Wilson (Alabama) 86
FL - Joe Morrison (Cincinnati) 40

Defense
DE - Jim Katcavage (Dayton) 75
DT -  Bob Lurtsema  (Western Michigan) 71, Sam Silas (Southern Illinois) 72
DT - Roger Anderson (Virginia Union) 73, Jim Moran (Idaho) 74
DE - Bruce Anderson (Willamette) 79
LB - Ken Avery (Southern Mississippi) 54, Barry Brown (Florida) 83
MLB - Vince Costello (Ohio) 57, Henry Davis (Grambling)*
LB -  Tommy Crutcher (Texas Christian) 56, Mike Ciccolella (Dayton) 58
CB - Scott Eaton (Oregon State) 20, Jim Holifield (Jackson State)*
S - Bruce Maher (Detroit Mercy) 21, Wendell Harris (LSU) 26
S - Spider Lockhart (North Texas) 43, Bob Duhon (Tulane)*
CB  - Willie Williams (Grambling) 41, Henry Carr (Arizona State) 28

K - Pete Gogolak (Cornell) 3
P - Ernie Koy (Texas) 23
KR - Randy Minniear (Purdue) 27, Ronnie Blye (Notre Dame)*, Bob Duhon (Tulane)*
PR - Spider Lockhart (North Texas) 43, Bob Duhon (Tulane)*

*rookie


1968 New York Giants Profile Summary
Head Coach - Allie Sherman

QB - Fran Tarkenton (Georgia) 10
HB - Ernie Koy (Texas) 23
HB - Randy Minniear (Purdue) 27
FB - Tucker Frederickson (Auburn) 24
FL - Joe Morrison (Cincinnati) 40
SE -  Homer Jones (Texas Southern) 45
TE - Aaron Thomas (Oregon State) 88
C - Greg Larson (Minnesota) 53
G - Darrell Dess (North Carolina State) 62
G - Pete Case (Georgia) 65
T -  Willie Young (Grambling) 69
T - Steve Wright (Alabama) 78

DT -  Bob Lurtsema  (Western Michigan) 71
DT - Sam Silas (Southern Illinois) 72
DE - Jim Katcavage (Dayton) 75
DE - Bruce Anderson (Willamette) 79
MLB - Vince Costello (Ohio) 57
LB -  Tommy Crutcher (Texas Christian) 56
LB - Ken Avery (Southern Mississippi) 54
CB - Henry Carr (Arizona State) 28
CB  - Willie Williams (Grambling) 41
S - Spider Lockhart (North Texas) 43
S - Bruce Maher (Detroit Mercy) 21

K - Pete Gogolak (Cornell) 3
P - Ernie Koy (Texas) 23
KR - Randy Minniear (Purdue) 27
PR - Spider Lockhart (North Texas) 43