1971 Giants Wide Receiver Profiles

CLIFTON MCNEIL

Wide Receiver
No. 18
Grambling
"One thing Clifton McNeil has is confidence.
'When I'm going,' says the seven-year veteran, 'there's no defensive back who can stay with me.' Despite his self-esteem, McNeil failed to show the Giants much early last season. But midway through the campaign, the man who led the NFL with 71 receptions in 1968, when he was with the 49ers, caught fire.
'It just took Fran and myself time to get to know what each of us could do,' says Clift. Once that happened, the Grambling product got hot and wound up tied for fifth in the NFC with 50 catches for 764 yards. His patterns were the finest seen since Del Shofner's Giant days.
The only disappointment was his inability to click with the bomb, something the Giants were looking for in a man who ran a 9.5 100 in college. He still has the ability to get clear, but at 30 it could be that he's lost a step."

-Brenda Zanger, Pro Football 1971

"McNeil ranked sixth in the National Football in pass-catching last season, grabbing 50 for 764 yards, an average of 15.3 yards a catch. His longest was for 59 yards and he caught four for touchdowns.

He has had an up-and-down career. He was drafted No. 11 as a future by the Browns in 1962 and spent four seasons- 1964 through 1967- sitting on the bench after being on the Browns' taxi squad in 1963. He caught only 12 passes during his five years with the Browns.

McNeil was traded to the 49ers for a draft choice and immediately became a sensation, leading the league in pass-catching in 1968 with 71 receptions. He was All-NFL and a starter for the West in the Pro Bowl. Bothered by injuries in 1969, McNeil then fell out of favor with the 49er coaches. He was traded to the Giants for two draft choices.

He's nicknamed Sticks, Spider, Road Runner and Night Train because of his speed and build. Once, as a Brown, he threw a pass 43 yards and completed it.

Born in Mobile, Alabama, he now lives in California. He is married and has one child."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1971 Edition)

"Acquired from the 49ers prior to the 1970 season, Clifton led the Giants in pass receiving last year. Hampered by a shoulder injury in 1969, he recovered last year and was named to the UPI NFC second team.

Originally drafted #11 as a future pick by the Browns in 1962, he spent four seasons as a reserve at Cleveland, then went to the 49ers in a trade, 9-2-68, and became an immediate sensation. Clifton won the NFL receiving championship in 1968, was named to the All-NFL team by UPI, AP and NEA and was a starter for the West squad in the Pro Bowl.

He won four letters in football and three in baseball at Grambling where he was a hard-hitting centerfielder.

Clifton works for an automobile company."

-1971 Topps No. 15

DON HERRMANN

Wide Receiver

No. 85

Waynesburg

"Don promptly established himself as one of the top young pass-catchers in the NFL. He finished his rookie season of 1969 as the Giants' third best receiver. His two-touchdown performances early in the season accounted for victories over Miami and Chicago. In 1970, he was fourth on the club in receiving and showed good speed, fine moves and the ability to hold on to the ball.

In addition to being a defensive cornerback in college, Don set a number of school receiving records. His three-year total showed 143 receptions for 2,175 yards and 30 touchdowns. He established records with 18 passes caught in one game and 76 in one season, seven touchdown catches in one game and 20 in one season, and 300 yards in one game and 1,145 in one season.

Don is one of pro football's most eligible bachelors."

-1971 Topps No. 222

ROCKY THOMPSON

Kick Returner-Wide Receiver

1st Round

West Texas State

"The Giants' first-round choice. A running back in college, Thompson averaged 4.8 yards a try. He has twice been clocked in 9.2 for the 100-yard dash.

He was born in Bermuda. He ran a record 10.1 in the 100 meter to win the British Empire title.

Though he will be tried first as a wide receiver, Thompson could be a running back with the Giants. 'We could use him out of the I-formation,' says Alex Webster."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1971 Edition)