Wednesday, December 31, 2014

1973 New York Giants Linebacker Profiles

JIM FILES
Middle Linebacker
No. 58
Oklahoma
"Jim was the Giants' first choice for 1970 and won the middle linebacking job as a rookie. He switched to the outside with the emergence of Ron Hornsby in 1971."

-1973 Topps No. 49


PAT HUGHES
Linebacker
No. 56
Boston University
Possessed with good potential, Pat can play at center if needed. He co-captained Boston University in 1969, was MVP and earned All-East and All-New England honors."

-1973 Topps No. 201


RON HORNSBY
Linebacker
No. 67
Southeast Louisiana
"Ron stepped into a starting role as middle linebacker as a rookie in 1971 and was named to the NFC's All-Rookie Team. A sure and deadly tackler, he improved with each game. Ron had a big game in the 1971 victory over the Falcons, making nine solo tackles, assisting on five others and sacking the opposing quarterback for a seven-yard loss."

-1973 Topps No. 256


BRAD VAN PELT 
Linebacker
2nd Round 
Michigan State
"With his size (6-5, 225), scouts feel he could be the coming thing in strong safeties."

-Bob Billings, Football Digest, January 1972

"Some years ago your humble correspondent predicted the day of the 6-5, 250-pound strong safety. Within weeks after the utterance the New York Giants responded by lining up a one-time defensive end, Freeman White, in that position. He never quite mastered it, but the scouts feel Brad Van Pelt, the 6-5, 225, safetyman of Michigan State has.
'For a quarterback to look out and see that guy out there must be like looking at the Hancock Building,' said one scout in sheer amazement. And what White lacked in mobility and agility, Van Pelt has to the highest degree.
He's as big as any tight end he'll come up against in a man-to-man situation, has outstanding speed, and hits so hard that many scouts are looking at him as a potential linebacker. The one question mark is whether he wants to play football. He's already turned down a pro baseball offer of $100,000."

-Bob Billings, Football Digest, January 1973

"Gussie Busch of the baseball Cardinals had been in hot pursuit of this near-superhuman athlete who lettered for three years in baseball and football at Michigan State (he won two letters in basketball but gave up the sport to concentrate on baseball). The Giants landed him and he could be outstanding.
'He has all the tools, quickness, great strength,' say the coaches. Van Pelt could also be used at cornerback."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition

"Using the Minnesota Vikings' 2nd round choice obtained though the trade for Fran Tarkenton, the Giants selected Michigan State's unanimous All-America star safety. Van Pelt has superior ratings from the pro scouts who feel that his potential is at outside linebacker, the position the Giants envision for him as well. Michigan State Coach Duffy Daugherty says of Van Pelt, 'he could play all 22 positions in football- plus he can kick off and kick field goals. He's the best all-around football player I've ever coached, including George Webster.'
This past season, Van Pelt had four pass interceptions for 39 yards returned, as well as 10 punts returned for 48 yards. His defensive totals showed 42 defensive tackles and 42 assists. His three-year totals show 14 interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns.
Brad was team co-captain in his senior season and played in the East-West Shrine Game. He also lettered in baseball and basketball and will have won 10 varsity letters when he graduates in June. Van Pelt was also named to All-America teams as a junior and to All-Big Ten teams three years running. He has been drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in baseball where he is pitcher for the Spartans.
He has fine speed and power and is rated an intense competitor by scouts. An outstanding all-around high school star at Owosso High School in Owosso, Michigan, Brad is married to the former Mary Scott and is majoring in physical education."

-Football Digest, August 1973

WHY BRAD VAN PELT CHOSE THE N.Y. GIANTS
"When it came to the crunch, Brad Van Pelt took the easy way out and signed with the football Giants instead of the baseball Cardinals.
Who wants to play a rough game like baseball, where a guy can get beaned or spiked or lose his wife in a swapout, when football has so much more going for it?
There even is more money (but not too much), which explains in part why the Michigan State All-America safety has accepted a reported three-year, no-cut contract with the Giants.
But the much deeper reasoning behind Van Pelt's decision was based on the assurance football offered him in terms of becoming a first-line player immediately.
'I felt I have a better chance as a linebacker with the Giants than with the Cardinals as a pitcher,' Van Pelt said.
'It's a great opportunity here. The Giants say they're optimistic about me making it as a regular, but in baseball I might have to be in the minors for I don't know many years.'
Van Pelt is a rangy, good-looking young man with lank, blond hair, cut with a moderate mod style, a pug nose, grey eyes and the square chin that goes with Middle America football heroes.
'My fastball is good,' he says, 'but my curve leaves a lot to be desired. I'd have to learn a lot more pitches to play in the major leagues.'
It was a tough decision in a way for Van Pelt, a strapping 6-5, 230-pounder with what baseball scouts describe as a blazing fastball.
'I love both sports,' he says. 'In baseball it's the personal challenge as a pitcher. It football, it's the joy of a good team effort.' In fact, Van Pelt is also an outstanding basketball player. He graduated from Michigan State with eight varsity letters- three in football, three in baseball and two in basketball.
'I was hoping the money offer would be so much more in one sport over the other that I'd really have no choice.
'But they were so close,'- slight pause as a prelude to a bad joke- 'I even thought they (Giants and Cardinals) got together.'
Considering that the Giants had no No. 1 draft pick this year and pulled off a steal of sorts in obtaining him in the second round (when other NFL clubs passed him by because he was sewed up for baseball), Van Pelt is a bargain.
Van Pelt will be worth every nickel if he just makes it at the strong-side linebacker spot Jim Files is vacating this year to move into he middle this year.
He'll be worth even more if he also fulfills the promise he displayed as a kicker for Michigan State late last season when Duffy Daugherty decided he needed a backup booter and Van Pelt revealed a hidden talent.
'I kicked a 50-yard field goal in practice and I can put kickoffs in the end zone,' he says. But Pete Gogolak doesn't have to start worrying yet. Van Pelt will be busy enough learning to be a pro linebacker after playing safety all through college.
'They had me at linebacker in the East-West and Hula games and I liked it,' he says. 'There's more action there. At safety sometimes you get to feel you're not in the game, but at linebacker there's always the contact and you also get to play the pass.'
Van Pelt had only one collegiate injury, a shoulder separation in his junior year, and none in high school football.
'You can get banged up and still play football,' he says, 'but in baseball all you have to do, especially if you're a pitcher, is pull one tiny muscle and you could be through.' "

-Gene Roswell, The New York Post, Football Digest, August 1973

Monday, December 29, 2014

1973 New York Giants Defensive Line Profiles

JOHN MENDENHALL
Defensive Tackle
No. 64
Grambling
John started all 14 games as a rookie. He finished sixth in the Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
At Yankee Stadium against Morgan State in 1971, he was MVP of the Whitney M. Young Jr. Memorial Classic.


LARRY JACOBSON
Defensive Tackle
No. 75
Nebraska
Larry was one of the Giants' two first-round selections in the 1972 draft. As a senior at Nebraska, he was an All-American and the winner of the Outland Trophy. He arrived at training camp after playing in the College All-Star Game, became a starting tackle and played in all 14 games.
Jacobson starred in the Orange Bowl games of 1970 and 1971 and was named to the Senior Bowl along with his College All-Star selection.


JACK GREGORY
Defensive End
No. 81
Delta State
"Gregory came to the Giants from the Browns in a trade for draft picks and promptly made it to the Pro Bowl, where he had played in 1969.
'I don't think I'm doing anything differently than before. The only thing is, my attitude is better because I like the organization better. Here you play your game and they leave you alone. They treat you like a grownup. Over there (Cleveland), you were a puppet, a yes man.' Gregory started four years for the Browns. The Giants built their new 'rover' defense around him.
'I like it because it gives me a better chance not to be double-teamed. The other team doesn't know where I'm going to be.' Jack rushes from the left side or the right side.
A rancher in Mississippi, he's a pal of Joe Namath.
'We frequent the same places.'"

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition

"Enjoying his finest season in 1972, Jack was named to the combined AFC-NFC All-Star team. Strong and aggressive, he's particularly effective on the pass rush."

-1973 Topps No. 490


RICH GLOVER
Defensive End
3rd Round
Nebraska
"Many scouts think Rich Glover is the best college player in the country, a cinch number one, and a certain future pro star. 'He's so tough it's unbelievable,' said one pro scout in summing up his potential.
Supposedly a man without a position because he plays heads-up on the defense in the Nebraska defense, most scouts think that at 6-1 and 235, he'll make a great middle linebacker. A few think they can add a few pounds to him and have the quickest defensive tackle in the game. No matter where, he'll play."

-Bob Billings, Football Digest, January 1973

"Finally, there has to be a pick to be a sleeper in the NFC. The nominees include Rich Glover, the man that everybody says is too small to make it as a pro. He is the outstanding middle guard from Nebraska who won both the Outland and Lombardi trophies voted to the most outstanding lineman in college football. As such, he can't really considered a sleeper in the strictest sense, but given all the negative opinions as to his size handicapping him in the pros, it is the feeling here that the Giants picked up a true bargain when they were able to select him in the third round of the draft."

-Frank Ross, from Previewing the Top Rookies of 1973, Pro Football Illustrated 1973


Sunday, December 28, 2014

1973 New York Giants Offensive Line Profiles

GREG LARSON
Center
No. 53
Minnesota
"The dean of Giants offensive linemen, Greg was the club's sixth draft choice in 1961 and has established as one of the most talented and respected men at his position.
Greg played three positions in his first three years- tackle in 1961, guard in 1962 and center (his natural position) in 1963."

-1973 Topps No. 418


DOUG VAN HORN
Guard 
No. 63
Ohio State
"Doug was the Lions' fourth draft selection in 1966, served in the Army and rejoined the Lions in 1968. Acquired by the Giants, he became a regular guard in 1969.
Doug had an outstanding career at Ohio State where he was regarded as one of the top linemen in the Big Ten. He made the All-American teams of AP, UPI and Coaches in 1965."

-1973 Topps No. 142


DICK ENDERLE
Guard
No. 62
Minnesota
"Acquired from the Falcons, Dick was the starting left guard in his rookie year of 1969. He was a regular at right guard in 1970 and came to New York prior to 1972."

-1973 Topps No. 22


WILLIE YOUNG
Offensive Tackle
No. 69
Grambling
"The Giants' left tackle for the past six seasons, Willie is very quick and exceptionally strong. He was the MVP lineman at Grambling and played in the Pecan Bowl."

-1973 Topps No. 106


JOE TAFFONI  
Offensive Tackle
No. 72
Tennessee-Martin
Taffoni was acquired from the Rams during the 1971 preseason for tackle Rich Buzin but was voluntarily retired for that season. He returned to the Giants last year to solidify the offensive line that led the NFL in the fewest quarterback sacks allowed. An excellent pass blocker who gives his quarterback the extra precious seconds needed to execute a pass play, not once during the entire '72 campaign did a man blocked by Taffoni reach the quarterback.
At Tennessee-Martin, he was a standout defensive tackle.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

1973 New York Giants Receivers Profiles

RICH HOUSTON
Wide Receiver
No. 84
East Texas State
"Rich collaborated with Norm Snead on a 94-yard scoring pass last season. He's a genuine long-bomb threat, has exciting speed, and is a difficult man to tackle."

-1973 Topps No. 391


BOB GRIM
Wide Receiver
No. 27
Oregon
Drafted by the Vikings in 1967, Bob was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1971. He came to the Giants in the trade that sent Fran Tarkenton back to Minnesota. Along with being a starting wide receiver, he also returns punts and kickoffs.


LINZY COLE
Wide Receiver
No. 25
Texas Christian
"Acquired from the Oilers after the start of the 1972 season, Linzy was the Bills' second leading return artist. He has excellent speed, quickness and good hands."

-1973 Topps No. 449


BOB TUCKER
Tight End
No. 38
Bloomsburg
"The top pass catcher in the NFC in 1971, he slipped to only second in 1972, finishing behind Philadelphia's Harold Jackson. Tucker caught 55 passes for 764 yards and an average gain of 13.9 and caught four touchdown passes.
He comes from the coal mining country of Pennsylvania. 'But I was a skinny kid and I wasn't much good until high school.' Bob went to a Texas school but hated the flat, dry country, and ended up back home at Bloomsburg State. He was a first-team Little All-America but was ignored in the draft. Bob played for minor league teams like Pottstown, Pa.
'I play chess games with Ron Johnson and I like to win. If I was a dog catcher, I'd want to catch all the dogs, I'd want to win.'"

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition

"Bob had another outstanding season in 1972 and was named All-Pro. He's fast and strong and can run with the ball after the catch."

-1973 Topps No. 80


GARY BALLMAN 
Tight End
No. 82
Michigan State
"A genius product of the on-the-job training program offered by the Steelers is Gary Ballman, who was promoted from their taxi squad late in 1962 and developed so rapidly as a flanker and kickoff-returner last year that he was the NFL's No. 2 in the latter capacity. In '63, he rushed only eight times for 59 yards (7.4 average) and caught 26 aerials for 492 yards.
Ballman figures to be a permanent starter this fall and could climb higher in the reception statistical column now that he'll carry much of the loaded toted by the departed Buddy Dial."

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1964

"Starting his third NFL season, Gary Ballman looms as one of the most spectacular stars in pro football. Blueprinted to make the Steeler fans forget Buddy Dial, Ballman proved to be a capable receiver last season with 26 catches for 492 yards and five touchdowns. He's also a sensational kickoff-return runner, going 692 yards in 22 returns, including a 98-yard touchdown dash. Out of Michigan State, he's a sturdy [six-foot-one 200-pounder] of whom the Steelers expect great things."

-Dave Anderson, Pro Football Handbook 1964

"What was Gary's 1963 standing in kickoff returns? No. 2."

-1964 Philadelphia No. 141

"Opposing defenses never gave Gary Ballman a chance to get lonesome last year. As the Steelers' only consistent pass receiver, he was double-teamed nearly every time he took off. Which makes his 47 catches for 935 yards and seven touchdowns all the more amazing. And Gary registered the highest average gain- a whopping 19.9 yards per catch.
The 6-1, 200-pound Michigan State graduate came on fast after moving up from the taxi squad in 1963. He was the league's second-best kickoff-returner that year, and as a pass-catcher, caught 26 for 492 yards."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965

"Back at Michigan State, Gary Ballman got used to the idea of heavy duty, by playing both offense and defense. He therefore didn't mind the extra burden placed on him last year by a crippled Steeler attack, when he added ball-carrying to his other chores of catching passes and running back kicks. He ran the ball 17 times for 46 yards and three touchdowns, and he was his usual superb self as a receiver, grabbing 40 aerials for 859 yards and five touchdowns. One of his scores came on an 87-yarder- the second longest one of the season. He averaged 21.5 yards per catch. Now in his fifth NFL year, Gary is most dangerous on the down-and-in."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1966

"Need something to be done? Gary'll do it. He has run back kicks and punts. He's been a running back, scoring three touchdowns running last year. He's also Pittsburgh's leading receiver with 40 catches for 859 yards and five touchdowns, 21.5 yards a catch."

-1966 Philadelphia No. 145

GARY BALLMAN IN ACTION
"Driving down the field in a series of plays to bring them into a scoring position, the Pittsburgh drive ends with a touchdown. Gary Ballman grabs Bill Nelsen's pass to cross the goal line standing up. New York's Lou Slaby and Jim Patton can't stop Gary."

-1966 Philadelphia No. 156

"In obtaining Gary Ballman from the Steelers, the Eagles got an accomplished football player who does much more than simply catch passes. Though receiving is Gary's forte, he is such a dedicated type that he has excelled in runbacks and shown that he can also carry the ball when necessary. 
But in four years with the Steelers, he caught 154 passes for 2,949 yards. In 1966, he made 41 receptions for 663 yards, a 16.2 average and five touchdowns. One of his scores was good for 79 yards. Defenders covering him know Gary's pet move is to go deep down and cut in.
He attended Michigan State, where he played both offense and defense."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

"Gary spent his first year on the taxi squad but came on with a rush in 1963. In '66, he was second on the team with 41 catches and five touchdowns via the pass. He gained 663 yards through the air. He also returned 20 kicks for 477 yards."

-1967 Philadelphia No. 148

"Another reason the Eagles flew on fluttery wings last season was the inability of Gary Ballman to go at full speed. One of the league's most prolific pass-catchers and runback specialists in his previous five years with the Steelers, Gary nursed pulled hamstring muscles through most of the year. He missed only two games but was subpar in several others. Still, he caught 36 passes for 524 yards and six touchdowns- not bad for a fellow who averaged around 40 a season for three years in a row with nearly 2,500 yards.
Now in his seventh NFL season, the 6-1, 205-pounder runs short and long patterns equally well, and he has the strength to outgrapple defenders for the ball in close quarters. He played his college ball at Michigan State."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

"In 1967, Gary led the Eagles in pass receptions. Injuries sidelined him for half of last year's campaign, but he was still able to grab 36 passes.
Gary led the NFL with 19.9 yards per catch in 1964."

-1968 Philadelphia No. 58

"The best way to describe Gary Ballman is to say he's a pro's pro. This guy is a football player- all 6-1, 205 pounds of him- a guy who can do it all. He can carry the ball, as he did as a collegian at Michigan State, run back kicks, and catch passes, which is what he does best.
Running at full speed again last year after spending most of 1967 playing with pulled hamstring muscles, Gary caught 30 passes for 341 yards and four touchdowns. He's capable of doing much better, and probably will if he's working with a healthy quarterback.
Gary spent his first five years as a pro with the Steelers, with whom he caught 154 passes for 2,949 yards. His best season was 1964 when he had 47 receptions for 935 yards and seven touchdowns."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969

"An off-season trade in 1967 brought Gary to the City of Brotherly Love in exchange for two players and a top draft pick. A favorite receiver of quarterback Norm Snead, he's been used on kick-off returns.
Gary played in the Hula Bowl in College."

-1969 Topps No. 41

"A very versatile guy is the veteran, who begins his ninth pro season this year. Having already earned reputations as a wide receiver, running back, and kick returner, Gary opened a new phase of his career last season by moving over to tight end when Fred Hill was injured. Tight ends are supposed to big fellows who can block enemy tackles when the occasion warrants. At 205 pounds, Ballman often had to give away 50  pounds or more. But he survived and even flourished, grabbing 31 passes for 492 yards and two touchdowns.
Gary caught an 80-yard touchdown pass- the Eagles' longest of the year- against New Orleans and pulled out a victory over St. Louis with a dramatic 23-yard score.
A Michigan State grad, Brad played five seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers before being traded to the Eagles in 1967. At 30, he is one of a handful of 'old pros' who give the young Eagles a solid backbone of experience."

-Brenda and Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1970

"An outstanding pass receiver equally adept at going deep or catching short passes and turning them into long gainers, Gary's reception was an 80-yarder he turned into a touchdown in 1969. He was instrumental in how the Eagles fared last season and his experience and ability proved to be a great team asset.
Gary joined the Eagles in a trade with Pittsburgh in 1967. In college, he appeared in the Hula Bowl."

-1970 Topps No. 47

"One of the steadiest receivers in the league, Gary Ballman has caught at least 26 passes a season in the last nine years. The Eagles obtained the 31-year-old receiver from Pittsburgh in a 1967 trade. The onetime Michigan State star shifted between tight end and wide receiver last season and wound up with 47 receptions.
The toughest challenge for Gary in 1970 was controlling his weight. He needed the muscle of his pre-season 228 pounds to execute his blocking assignments at tight end but took off 15 pounds to give him added speed for the outside job. Finally settling down at around 216, Gary capably carried out both jobs and came up with a number of clutch receptions."

-Brenda Zanger, Pro Football 1971

"Ballman was the second-best pass catcher for the Eagles in 1970, picking 47 for 601 yards and an average gain of 16.6 yards per catch. His longest was only 26 yards since he tends to run short hooking patterns to the inside or the outside. He caught three touchdown passes. Ballman ranked 10th in the NFC in rushing. He also functions as a tight end although he is not really big enough for the position.
1970 was his second-best year as a pro, his first having been 1964 when he caught 47 passes for 935 yards for Pittsburgh. Born in Detroit, he was All-Big Ten at Michigan State. Ballman was drafted eighth by the Steelers in 1962, where he was a running back used mostly on swing pass patterns. He came to the Eagles in 1967 in a trade for Earl Gros and Bruce Van Dyke.
He's married and is a stockbroker in the off-season."

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


Wednesday, December 24, 2014

1973 New York Giants Running Back Profiles

RON JOHNSON
Running Back
No. 30
Michigan
"Johnson finished a close second behind Larry Brown in NFC rushing and ranked third in the entire NFL. He gained 1,182 yards with an average burst of four yards a carry. Only tight end Bob Tucker caught more passes for the Giants; Ron snared 45 for a gain of 10 yards a catch and scored five touchdowns on passes. He scored nine touchdowns by rushing to share the NFC lead with Greg Landry and scored the most touchdowns (14) running and passing in the NFC.
Ron lives with his wife in a luxury apartment in New Jersey. She works in real estate."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition

"Ron led the NFC in touchdowns in 1972 with 14, nine rushing and five receiving. Against the Eagles on October 2, he rushed for 124 yards and four touchdowns and caught five passes."

-1973 Topps No. 350


ROCKY THOMPSON
Kick Returner-Running Back
No. 22
West Texas State
"Rocky had one of the NFL's longest kickoff returns of the 1972 season, a 92-yard runback for a touchdown. As a college senior he scored a touchdown in the Senior Bowl."

-1973 Topps No. 441


CHARLIE EVANS
Fullback
No. 31
USC
"Charlie has shown great promise in his first two years in New York. He's a punishing runner and a fine blocker. As a rookie he rushed for three touchdowns in a game against the Chargers."

-1973 Topps No. 184


JOHNNY ROLAND 
Fullback
No. 23
Missouri
"Midway through the Cardinals' opening game of the 1966 season, Charley Winner sent Johnny Roland in at halfback. 'He's an opportunist,' Winner said. He knows where the goal is.'
Roland made Winner a prophet on both counts, as he scurried his way to Rookie of the Year honors and ranked 11th in the league in rushing with 695 yards and five touchdowns. The 6-2, 210-pound former All-America at Missouri also topped the NFL in punt returns with 221 yards on 20 runbacks, gained 347 yards on kickoff returns and caught 21 passes for 213 yards. 
Johnny was a fourth-round future pick by the Cards, and played both offense and defense at Missouri."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1967

"Johnny was the Rookie of the Year in 1966. He led the Cardinals in rushing with 695 yards on 192 carries and five touchdowns, and led the league in punt returns with 221 yards on 20 returns, including an 86-yard touchdown. He added 213 yards on 21 receptions."

-1967 Philadelphia No. 163

"Unbelievable as it may sound, Johnny Roland was not running at full throttle last season, when he was the fourth-best rusher in the league. A knee injury restricted him most of the way, and still, he remained up among the leading ball-carriers. But he finally had to pack it in two weeks from the end of the campaign to undergo surgery on the knee. He picked up 876 yards on 234 carries for a 3.7 average and 10 touchdowns (he was second in attempts and touchdowns only to Leroy Kelly). These were better than his Rookie of the Year marks in '66.
Fast, but not possessed with blazing speed, at 6-2 and 210 pounds, he has excellent breakaway moves; and as Charley Winner says, 'He knows where the goal line is.' The Cardinals are using him more and more as a receiver- John caught 20 passes for 269 yards and a 13.5 average last year."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1968

"Set back by a crushing knee injury in 1967, which set him back much of last season, the gifted Johnny Roland seems to be running in high gear once again.
Following his Rookie of the Year performance in 1966, Johnny was bunched with Gale Sayers and Leroy Kelly in an exclusive circle of super ball-carriers. He was NFL Player of the Week in his first pro game, even though he didn't get to play the first half; then he went on to amass 695 yards on the ground for a 3.6 average and five touchdowns. Johnny also led NFL punt returners in his rookie campaign and set a new record with a 47.3 average in a single game.
In '67, despite a knee injury that grew progressively worse, he was still good enough to rank as the fourth-leading rusher in the league with 876 yards for a 3.7 average and 10 touchdowns. Coming off surgery last year, he got off slowly, and gained momentum, winding up with 455 yards on 121 carries for a 3.8 average and a pair of touchdowns."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1969

"As a rookie in 1966, this long-strided back paced the National Football League in punt returns. Johnny was a key ball carrier for the Cardinals, rushing for a nifty 3.8-yard average. He was the St. Louis Rookie of the Year.
Johnny is always a pass-receiving threat."

-1969 Topps No. 225

"In his fifth season Johnny Roland appears ready to step out with the NFL's best running backs. At 6-2 and 215 pounds, he combines power with explosive speed.
Last season he gained 498 yards and has learned to run around people as easily as he runs over them. He is a tough man to bring down in the open when he sees some daylight.
Roland was NFL Player of the Week in his very first pro game in 1966 and set a Cardinals record for rushing in 1967 with 284 carries and 876 yards gained. He suffered a damaging knee injury in the final game of the 1967 season, was operated on in the off-season, and wasn't right until midseason. Last year he came back in full stride and could be a key operator in 1970 if Hart can spread the defenses a little wider with his passing."

-Brenda and Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1970

"Johnny is a hard-running back with good size and a natural running ability. He's an excellent blocker.
He was the NFL's fourth-leading rusher in 1967, then injured his knee in the next-to-last game of the season, and took a long time getting back into the groove. Named to the Pro Bowl squad in his first two seasons, Johnny set a team record for most carries in his second year."

-1970 Topps No. 76

"As a rookie in 1966, offensive halfback John Roland showed the promise of turning into a super-star. The promise almost became a reality in his second year when he ran for 876 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 20 passes for 269 yards. However, in the next-to-last game that year, John suffered a severe knee injury and it appeared that he was babying the knee the following two years.
Last season Cid Edwards took his job away, but when Cid was hurt Roland stepped in to finish the season in grand style. Roland, who was also a great defensive back at Missouri, averaged better than four yards a carry in gaining 392 yards, second only to MacArthur Lane on the club. He also demonstrated that he had not lost the speed with which he had led the league in punt returns as a rookie; against Dallas he returned a punt 74 yards.
Roland's comeback gives the Cards three outstanding runners."

-Brenda Zanger, Pro Football 1971

"The big, rugged runner had another fine season in 1970 and now ranks as the fourth leading rusher in Cardinals history. Johnny has good hands, is an outstanding blocker, and a smart runner with natural football ability.
Johnny was chosen as the NFL's Player of the Week in the first game of his rookie year. Against the Eagles on October 2 he returned 20 for 221 yards and an 11.1 average, including an 86-yarder for a touchdown. In that game he returned three punts for 142 yards and a 47.3 average.
He won the team and league Rookie of the Year honors and led the NFL in punt returns.
He was the NFL's fourth-leading rusher in 1967, then suffered a severe knee injury in the next-to-last game, and took a long time to recover."

-1971 Topps No. 123

"Gained an average of 3.9 yards and totaled 414 for an erratic Cardinal offense. Johnny's longest run was for only 18 yards. He led the team in pass catching with 38 and averaged 8.4 yards a catch.
Johnny has done it all in the NFL: thrown passes (5-for-8 in 1966), rushed, caught passes, and returned punts and kickoffs. He played in the 1966 and 1967 Pro Bowls. His injured knees have held him down in recent years. Roland holds the mark for most rushing yards by a Cardinal.
'I've never been known for my blazing speed,' he says. 'It's been my quickness in getting to the hole that's helped me make the pros.'
He has a B.S. degree in business administration."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1973 Edition)

"Johnny broke the Cardinals' all-time rushing record in 1972. His 414 yards gave him a total of 3,608, breaking the former mark of 3,511 set by Charley Trippi from 1947-55."

-1973 Topps No. 123



Tuesday, December 23, 2014

1973 Profile: Norm Snead

Quarterback
No. 16
Wake Forest
"Snead surprised a lot of people in New York and points west, including Minnesota, when he led both AFC and NFC passers in 1972 after being a backup quarterback for the Vikings in 1971. He completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 2,037 yards and 17 touchdowns and had only 3.7% intercepted. Snead completed one for 94 yards and a touchdown.
Norm came to the Giants in the trade that sent Fran Tarkenton westward. He drives a green Jaguar and has a passion for Civil War history.
'I can say I played 13 seasons in the NFL and that's something a lot of people can't say.
'I have a great deal of confidence in my ability. I could throw a football between that chair and table if it meant winning. I do much better when I know what's expected of me.'"

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition

HOW NORM SNEAD RESTORED PRIDE IN NEW YORK
By Completing Passes at a 60% Rate to Pace the NFL, He Led the Most Improved Offense in the NFL in '72
"Norm Snead shrugged off the question. 'We happened to have the most improved offense in the league last season, and I was the quarterback. That doesn't mean I was the only one responsible for the big improvement.'
Speaking from his Yorktown, Virginia., home, the National Football League's leading passer of 1972 spoke crisply and confidently as he looked back in time. Though he has been maligned through the years, Snead chose his 12th season as a pro quarterback to write the best chapter of his career.
'I thought I was stepping into a perfect situation when I was traded to Minnesota in 1971,' Norm recalls. 'After seven years in Philadelphia with the Eagles, I thought the Vikings represented a real chance for a championship team. I was pretty bitter about the way things worked out there. But now I feel the Giants have a tremendous future, and I'm thrilled to be involved in it.'
Snead, a 6-4, 215-pound product of Wake Forest and a pro since 1961, will be 34 by the start of the 1973 season, and any 'future' the Giants have will have to arrive in a hurry for Norm to reap its benefits. But after his ups and downs in the NFL, Snead isn't about to start making rash predictions.
'There are a lot of guys on this club with tremendous potential,' he says. 'Some of them haven't reached it yet, and it's going to take some time. But that's all it's going to take- time. In Philadelphia, we got worse instead of better. But the coaching staff in New York, from Alex Webster down, has put this club together well and things can't help but get better.'
Snead is one of the more ironic stories in recent pro football. When he was dealt to the Giants in the much-heralded return of Fran Tarkenton to the Vikings, Norm was accompanied by wide receiver Bob Grim and running back Vin Clements. Many football people nodded knowingly and said sympathetically, 'Well, that's the end of the line for old Norm. He had his shot in Minnesota, blew it, and now it's back to the second division.'
Anyone who would have dared to predict that the Giants, with Snead, would finish 1972 with a better won-lost record than the Vikings with Tarkenton, would have earned a quick removal to the funny farm. But the Giants were 8-6 and the Vikings, despite the added offensive impetus supplied by Tarkenton, were 7-7 and by a wide margin missed winning their fifth consecutive Central Division title.
Alan Page, the great defensive right tackle of the Vikings, was an outspoken critic of the trade that took Tarkenton back to Minnesota last season. But, Page says, his criticism wasn't personal against Tarkenton. 'I couldn't figure out why Norm didn't get a better shot with us than he got,' says Page. 'He had a couple of good games in the 1971 preseason, and our offense was beginning to jell the way it had when Joe Kapp was our quarterback.
'But once the season started the coaching staff had Norm and our other quarterbacks follow that old conservative offensive game plan the Vikings are famous for, and that's one of the worst things you can tell a quarterback- almost like telling him to stop trying to move the ball. I think Norm could have had a good year for us given half a chance.'
When Norm showed at the Giants' training camp last summer, he wasn't certain he would have that 'half a chance' with New York, either. Randy Johnson, who had patiently waited for Tarkenton to either grow old or feeble, seemed to have a corner on the number one quarterbacking job. In the last game of 1971, Johnson had fashioned a 370-yard passing performance, as if serving a warning to the competition that in 1972 he would be the regular Giant signal-caller.
But Johnson, a seven-year pro, was injured in the preseason and Snead encroached on his number one status. By the season-opener, Norm was Webster's selection as the starter. Snead did well enough statistically, completing 16 of 25 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown pass to tight end Bob Tucker. But the Detroit Lions romped to a 30-16 victory.
Though Snead's performance in the opener was reasonably good, Webster felt he had an obligation to give Johnson a chance to show what he could do, so he started Randy against Dallas in the second game. Johnson didn't last his first series. On the second play of the game he was tackled viciously by a horde of Cowboys and suffered a mild concussion. After that, Snead came in and the Cowboys did the suffering.
In one of the greatest performances of his career, Snead pitched 19 completions in 26 throws for 298 yards. He and sprinter-speedy Rich Houston teamed on touchdown plays of 55 and 94 yards, beating all-time great cornerback Herb Adderley both times.
Dallas beat the Giants, 23-14, but after that afternoon there was no question about the identity of the regular Giant quarterback. Snead, disappointed at the loss to Dallas, refused to acknowledge that his passing the first two games of the year gave him an advantage over Johnson for the rest of the season. 'Is 0-2 an advantage?' was his chagrined reply.
The Giants gave Snead the job from then on, however, fully aware that the losses to Detroit and Dallas were expected. The next opponent was Philadelphia, and if the Giants had lost to the Eagles, their season might have fallen apart right then. But New York won, 27-12, and in the process, Snead became the eighth pro passer in history to surpass the 25,000 mark in aerial yardage.
Three more victories followed then, including a 23-17 upset of eventual Western Division champion San Francisco. A victory over Denver was sandwiched by two close losses to Washington, and the Giants reached their zenith of the year with a record-shattering 62-10 slaughter in their second meeting with the Eagles.
A disappointing 13-10 defeat by Cincinnati seemed to erase the Giants' hopes for finishing above .500. The Bengals and Giants met in game 12 of the regular season and the remaining opponents on the schedule were Miami and Dallas. With a 7-5 record going into those games, it appeared the Giants would have to be content with a 7-7 final slate.
But after bowing to the Dolphins, 23-10, to give Miami a 13-0 record, the New Yorkers rose for a sweet 23-3 clobbering of the Cowboys before a large home crowd in their new home in Irving, Texas.
Before 1972, Snead had played on only one club that had a winning record: the 1966 Eagles (9-5). Mostly, Norm toiled on teams like the 1961 Washington Redskins, when the club was 1-12-1 (his rookie year) and spent a substantial part of the season on his back.
'Obviously, I'm glad we had a winning season,' Snead says of 1972, 'but I was happy at first just to be a starter again. When you've been in as many losing games as I have, you become, unfortunately, a little used to it. But what good was it to be with a winner like the Vikings in 1971, when you're not playing?' In 1972 Snead thew 325 passes compared to 75 in his seven appearances for Minnesota the previous autumn. Throughout his career Norm has averaged well over 300 passes a season.
If Snead lit the spark for the 1972 Giants, there were plenty of other fuses. 'How can you go wrong when you had the kind of line we had, and with guys like Ron Johnson to carry for more than 1,000 yards?' Norm asks. 'Bob Tucker at tight end makes it impossible for the defense to concentrate on covering our outside passing routes. Bob's the best tight end in football right now. And Don Herrmann, who runs great patterns, and Rich Houston, with his great speed and moves, give us tremendous receivers.
'Then, too,' adds Snead, 'look how injury-free we were in 1972. Luck had to play a large part in that. Until Charlie Evans broke his leg late in the season, we didn't have a major injury. And then Joe Orduna gave us a lift by filling in for Charlie like he did. But I think everyone knows about guys like that. You really have to mention our offensive line. Those guys were tremendous.'
Okay, Norm, they're mentioned. The defensive improvement in the Giants was perhaps more evident and certainly more heralded because of the addition of All-Pro end Jack Gregory, and fine rookies like John Mendenhall and Larry Jacobson. But the offensive line played a major role in taking the Giants from a club that scored only 228 points in 1971 to one that scored 331 in '72 and posted the best overall offense in the National Conference, 320.2 rushing-passing yards per game.
Here are the principals in the Giant offensive line which allowed enemy defenders to sack Snead only 11 times in 1972, compared to 40 sacks against Giant quarterbacks in 1971. The evaluations of those of Ray Wietecha, the great New York center of the 1950s who coaches the Giant offensive line for head coach Alex Webster:
-Left tackle Willie Young (6-0, 265) - 'He's no picture player, as his size would indicate, but he's efficient. Has no one thing he does best, but gets it all done with hard work.'
-Left guard Dick Enderle (6-2, 250) - 'Very bright and a student of the game. Our best puller and gets his man when he does go outside.'
-Center Greg Larson (6-3, 250) - 'The leader, if there is one. Calls assignment switches. Very strong blocker handling man over center. Also, very good at whipping a man by turning him around.'
-Right guard Doug Van Horn (6-3, 245) - 'Great line blocker. Good strong legs and stiff back that make his straight-ahead drive very effective, good knowledge of opponents.'
-Right tackle Joe Taffoni (6-3, 255) - 'A fine pass-blocker. Has good agility, quickness and balance. Has a gliding motion.'
These were the men who certainly share a lot of the credit that went to Snead for his league-leading passing marks of 1972. His 60.3 completion percentage (196 completions for 325 tries) was the key statistic in enabling Norm to rank one point better than Miami's Earl Morrall for the overall NFL title. It was the first time Norm had ever led the league in a single passing category- except interceptions. Norm led all quarterbacks in interceptions in 1963 when he was with Washington,  and in 1968 when he was toiling for Philadelphia.
Now, it's different. Heretofore known as the guy the Redskins traded one-on-one for Sonny Jurgensen in 1964, Norm now stars while Sonny sits.
There's really no figuring these things in the whacky world of pro football. Suddenly Snead is a big name in New York. Fortunately, Norm had only a one-year contract with the Giants, so he is able to command a much larger salary for the 1973 campaign. 'I didn't think I would get a salary cut,' Snead chuckles, 'but the way things have worked out here, it's been great.'
Early in his career with New York Norm was signed by a shoe manufacturer in the city to do a couple of newspaper advertisements. The shoe man explained he had chosen Snead instead of a better-established New York player because, 'He wasn't as well-known as other athletes, so I figured I could get him cheaper.'
They can't hold Norm Snead so cheap anymore. He's filling a bigger pair of shoes now that he's directing a winner."

-Larry Bortstein, Football Digest, June 1973

SNEAD: NEW LIFE
"The New York Giants didn't do any crying over the trade that sent scrambling Fran (Tarkenton) to the Vikings in exchange for veteran Norman Snead, who has bounced from Washington to Philadelphia to Minnesota to New York.
Snead, at 34, enjoyed his best season in '72 and the Giants may indeed be the dark horse if Norman has another year in '73 like the one last year. All he did in 1972 was lead the NFL in passing, completing a nifty 60.3 percent of his tosses for 2,307 yards, an average of seven yards per gain. He hit on 196 of 325 passes, 17 for touchdowns.
Giant tight end Bob Tucker (55 catches) feels Snead is a bonafide, underrated NFL pro. 'You always read about other people in the magazines, but Norman meant so much to our team last season,' Tucker says. 'With his passing and Ron Johnson (1,182 yards, second in the NFC) both clicking, we'll be contenders again. We're a lot more experienced.'
Snead's coming to the Giants made New York a stronger offensive team. Snead's dropback patterns certainly differed considerably from the scrambling tactics of Tarkenton, who suffered disappointments with Minnesota in the NFC Central.
If Snead did anything, he brought 'new life' to the Giants."

-Frank Dascenzo, 1973 Gridiron News Pro Yearbook

"Norm was the NFC's passing leader in 1972 and also led the NFL. He had the best percentage of completions with 60.3. Norm threw a 94-yard touchdown pass to Rich Houston."

-1973 Topps No. 515

THE GAME I'LL NEVER FORGET by Norm Snead
"For a number of years now I've knocked around or kicked around this game, whatever it is- first with Washington, then with Philadelphia, then on to Minnesota and now back east to the New York Giants.
In almost a decade and a half I've known the heady euphoria that comes with the spectacular and the almost humiliating shame that comes over you when you bomb out. Not when you just get beat, when you just give it away through carelessness or a lack of good attitude, for want of a better word.
While that may be the worst way to lose, I think that the best way to win is when you pull one out that everyone said you had no chance of winning. They call that an upset,  although I don't like to  use the word. Football's such an emotional game that wanting to win more than the other guy can offset almost any difference in talent. I've seen it happen too often to doubt it.
That's why in looking back to close than 200 league games, the one that stands out most in my mind was the game played between the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants on the night of November 23, 1970.
I was with the Eagles then, and we were going no place. Until you've gone no place with the Eagles you just haven't gone no place yet. We lost our first seven games then got hot and beat Miami and tied Atlanta to go into that game 1-7-1.
The Giants were riding a six-game winning streak, which they started, by the way, seven weeks before by beating us. In a way you could say the game figured to be a clash between two hot teams, figuring our win over the Dolphins and our tie with the Falcons, but only in a way you could say that. Most everyone was saying that the Giants would restore us to our natural pace, they being contenders and all that.
But there is a natural rivalry that exists in this east coast Washington-Philadelphia-New York axis. Part of it is the closeness of the franchises, and another factor is that they've all been in the league and played each other so long, and they've all seen good days and bad days and there are so many old scores to settle and this whole thing gets passed down from one generation of players to another. I should know, I've seen it from all three angles now.
So there was very little brotherly love for the Giants in the city of Philadelphia that cold, windy night.
The Giants, I suppose, figured there was no way they should lose to us and that's the way they started off. Tarkenton, my old friend Fran, looked like he was going to have a good night. He got the Giants 
moving right away, but our defense managed to stall them a little and they had to settle for a field goal.
I was just standing there on the sideline wearing my thermal mittens trying to keep my hands warm watching him and going over in my mind the things I wanted to do once we took over. The boys were popping pretty good and we got off a march of our own. We brought it down to the Giants' one-yard line and I sneaked it over from there.
Now some people might think that by keeping the ball himself down close to the goal line the quarterback is looking for some glory. That isn't it at all. He'll do it for a couple of reasons and none have anything to do with glory. One reason is that by keeping it himself he reduces the danger of a fumble, and fumbles on your opponent's goal line are one of the most demoralizing things that can happen to a team; and by keeping it himself the quarterback has a chance of getting it into the end zone before the defense can react, certainly before they can mass.
Our touchdown seemed to stimulate the Giants, as much to say, 'All right, you fellas have had your fun,' and they completely took over the ball game.
Tarkenton got them off on a long drive and Ron Johnson went over for the touchdown from a couple of yards out and then they took the ball away from us right away. We made them settle for a field goal, but the tempo of the game was theirs.
One of the key plays of the game came on the following kickoff. With 10 straight points, they were in a position to blow us out if we didn't do something. Bill Walik did it for us. He ran the kickoff back 57 yards to put us in real good position. All we got out of it was a field goal, and we went into the locker room down 13 to 9 at halftime, but we had broken the Giants' momentum.
In the locker room we agreed that we were letting them control the ball too much. We decided we had to do the same thing, to run the ball as much as we could and pass only when we had to.
That strategy put us into the lead. Cyril Pinder and Lee Bouggess were terrific on the quick openers and off-tackle slants, and when we got it down real close we crossed them up when I passed to our tight end Fred Hill for the touchdown.
There was still a lot of time left and the Giants put together the same type of long drive with Tarkenton spinning in the last yard to put them on top by four points.
Walik gave us a shot again. He returned the kickoff back to the Giants' 46-yard line, and with the Giants expecting the ball-control game, I again popped Ben Hawkins with a pass. A penalty, two good runs by Pinder, and we had it down to the one again and I sneaked it in again to put us up again, 23 to 20.
Our defense was real tough and stopped the Giants without a first down. There was still a lot of time to play though, over 10 minutes, and we had the ball deep in our territory. We wanted to move the ball and eat up as much time as we could.
We certainly did it. We practically inched it up the field with Pinder and Bouggess getting the tough yardage, getting one first down then another, and another, grinding out the yardage and the clock. They finally stopped us, but not until we had it inside their 30. We tried a field goal and missed, but when they took over on their 20-yard line they had a little more than 50 seconds to play. Our drive had eaten up almost nine and a half minutes!
It might not have been an artistic success because we didn't score, but it sure accomplished what we wanted to accomplish.
We played the best we knew how and on that night it was good enough. We did what we had to do when we had to do it. It was a sweet win because of the kind of season both teams were having and it gave me a personal satisfaction to put a dent in the wheel that the Giants thought was going to roll them to a championship."

-Norm Snead, as told to Bob Billings, Football Digest (September 1973)

Monday, December 22, 2014

1973 Profile: Alex Webster

The 1956 Giants (from the Football Digest article The Six Best Rushing Backfields Of All Time)
"The first 2,000-yard backfield to capture an NFL title belonged to the 1956 New York Giants. Charlie Conerly directed the star-studded trio of Frank Gifford, Alex Webster and Mel Triplett.
'We were using both the three-man and deuce backfield back then,' Charlie stated. 'I would usually go to Alex Webster in short yardage situations as he was the heaviest of the three. Triplett was my blocker, but also a fine runner.
'I would flank either Gifford or Webster,' he went on, 'but as Frank was the faster we tended to use him more on the flank. I also would throw to my backs coming out of the backfield as is so often done today. When Vince Lombardi came in as backfield coach, he put in the option play for Gifford, who had been a tailback in college.
'I cannot say our offense was ahead of the defenses,' added Conerly, 'for we just had excellent blocking and Lombardi seemed to come up with a new play, like a double reverse, for every game. This added the element of surprise.'
The versatile Gifford was the top ground gainer with 819 yards. He caught 51 passes, threw for two touchdowns and did some place kicking. Webster had 694 yards and Triplett 515. Gifford scored more career touchdowns than any other Giant, with Webster third; Webster gained more yards than any Giant in history, with Frank second."

-Stan Grosshandler, Football Digest, June 1973

TIP FROM THE COACH
"In 1972 we got our offense to the peak we had been hoping for. Now, in 1973, we are going to be looking at rookies like Van Pelt and Glover to mix with our veterans like Jack Gregory to give our defense a stronger pass rush and cut down on the number of touchdown passes thrown against us."

-Alex Webster, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1973 Edition)

Thursday, December 18, 2014

1973 New York Giants Outlook

DRAFT REVIEW
"They gambled and gambled. Brad Van Pelt is a first-round athlete, potential linebacker standout, but he was being courted by big baseball money. Most clubs felt all-everything middle guard Rich Glover couldn't do the job as linebacker. The Giants play man over center a lot, but Glover's kind of small for that in the pros.
A Leon McQuay-Ron Johnson backfield may be an expolsive sight- in 1975. McQuay has two years to go on his Canadian League pact. Another gamble was basketballer Rod Freeman- who will be tried at tight end. Defensive tackle George Hasenohrl could surprise. The best thing about the Giants' was the 1972 trade of their No. 1 pick for Jack Gregory, who had a big year. Rating: 3 1/2 (Under 4 is poor, 4-5 fair, 6-7 good, over 7 excellent)"

-Ed Stone, Football Digest, June 1973


TEAM DIRECTORY
President: Wellington T. Mara
General Manager: Raymond J. Walsh
Head Coach: Alex Webster
Assistant Coaches: Jim Garrett, Ray Wietecha, Joe Walton, Emlen Tunnell, Jim Katcavage, Matt Hazeltine
Trainers: John Johnson and John Dziegiel  
Office: 10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
Colors: Red, White, Blue
Training Camp: Monmouth College, Long Branch, New Jersey

-The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1973 Edition)

"In climbing from a terrible 4-10 season in 1971 to an 8-6 record last year, the Giants were ranked first in total offense in the NFC, gaining more yardage and first downs than any other team. They were seventh in rushing, third in passing. And a young, mobile defense showed improvement, giving up only 17 points a game compared to 26 a game a year earlier.
Satisfied as near any coach can be with his offense, Alex Webster sought to stiffen his defense when he went to the draft. He used nine of his 15 selections to pick defensive players: five defensive linemen, two defensive backs and two linebackers.
Just as rookie defensive tackles John Mendenhall and Larry Jacobson became starters by mid-season last year, Webster hopes to see his No. 1 and No. 2 picks become starters by at least mid-season of 1973. The first choice was Brad Van Pelt from Michigan State, a unanimous All-American defensive back. At 6-5 and 235, Van Pelt will be used at outside linebacker.
'He could play 22 positions in football, plus he could kick off or kick field goals,' says his ex-coach Duffy Daugherty. 'He's the best all-around football player I've ever coached.' Van Pelt was the winner of the Maxwell Trophy and the Giants had to outbid the baseball Cardinals to get him. The No. 2 choice was the winner of the Outland Trophy as the nation's outstanding lineman: Rich Glover of Nebraska, called by his coach Bob Devaney 'the greatest defensive lineman I've ever seen.' That says a lot since Devaney also coached Jacobson, the previous winner of the Outland Trophy. Glover is 6-1 and 240. Most scouts thought he would fit best at linebacker but the Giants would like to use his quickness on the pass rush, as they did with Mendenhall, who is Glover's size."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition

OFFENSIVE BACKFIELD
"Norm Snead led NFL quarterbacks in passing, completing 60.3% and having only 12 of his 235 passes intercepted. Snead is now 34 but he is hardy and may be coming into his great years, as did Y.A. Tittle with the Giants in the early 1960s. Ron Johnson is another who made the Giant traders look smart. Obtained from Cleveland several years ago for Homer Jones, Johnson had mushy knees in 1971 but came back last season to finish second in NFC rushing behind Larry Brown, averaging four yards a try. Charlie Evans was the other running back until he was injured and replaced by Joe Orduna and, later, rookie Vin Clements. With the veteran Joe Morrison retired, Evans, Orduna, Clements or Rocky Thompson figure to line up with Johnson.
Snead threw mostly to tight end Bob Tucker, second in the NFC in receptions with 55. Ron Johnson caught 45 and wide receiver Don Herrmann 20. Rich Houston is the other wide receiver. Bob Grim, unhappy during his first year in New York, is a very capable receiver, as he proved for years with the Vikings."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition

OFFENSIVE LINE
"The Giant quarterback was dumped only 10 times, the third lowest total in NFL history. Add to that the fact that the Giants were the seventh-best rushing team in the conference and you know the Giants have a strong forward wall. The tackles are Joe Tafoni and Willie Young, the guards Dick Enderele and Doug Van Horn, and the center Greg Larson. Guard Mark Ellison and tackle John Hill, two rookies last season, are in reserve."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition

DEFENSIVE LINE
"The Giants ranked only ninth in total defense- seventh against the rush and tenth against the pass- so there figure to be changes throughout the entire unit. Last year the ends were Henry Reed and Jack Gregory (a Pro Bowler), the tackles Larry Jacobson and John Mendenhall. Returning after being out all season with injuries is tackle Jim Kanicki. Also returning are tackle Dan Goich and end Dave Tipton. With Rich Glover on hand, look for a fierce struggle, especially for Reed's left end spot."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition

DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD
"Linebacker Jim Files was on the left, Ron Hornsby in the middle and Pat Hughes on the right side. Carter Campbell and John Douglas were the backups. The Giants seem a little shorthanded here. Rookies Brad Van Pelt and Brian Kelly, a Little All-America (California Lutheran) will get good chances.
Safety Scott Eaton missed all of 1972 with injuries but figures to return to contest Richmond Flowers for his job. Getting a job here won't be easy- Flowers, Spider Lockhart and the two corners, Pete Athas and Willie Williams, were tied for fifth in NFC interceptions with four each. Two of last year's rookies, Eldridge Small and Chuck Crist, will be back with added experience. The Giants gave up a high of 19 touchdowns by passing (compared with a league average of 15) and Webster will look to his deep backs to reduce that toll."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition

SPECIALISTS
"After an off year in 1971 (6-for-17), Pete Gogolak came back to rank third in NFC field goal kicking with 21-of-31, including 5-of-8 from the 40 to the 49. Tom Blanchard is an excellent punter, and kick returner Rocky Thompson is among the best."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition

OUTLOOK
"If the defense continues to improve, look for the Giants to battle for first in the NFC East."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition

New York Giants' Big Play
"The Giants call this the split end under. While the running back and the tight end draw people out of the area, the split end cuts under the safeties for a short pass."

-John Devaney, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1973 Edition


"OFFENSE: The Giants, a promising young team, appear to be snakebit. Not only do they lack a suitable place to play but they also are locked in the same division as two powerhouses, Washington and Dallas. Still, they have an offense that could roll them into the playoffs. After being cast off by Washington, Philadelphia and Minnesota, quarterback Norm Snead found himself last season with the Giants, winning the NFL passing title with a completion percentage of 60.3. Ron Johnson continues as one of the NFL's most productive running backs. In 1972, he rushed for 1,182 yards, second only to Washington's Larry Brown in the NFC, led the conference in touchdowns with 14 and ranked eighth in the NFC in receiving with 45 catches.
'I've played with a lot of good backs in my times,' says Snead, 'but for blocking, running, catching the ball and being a complete back, I'd have to call Ron Johnson easily the best.' Vin Clements, a 6-3 running back acquired in the Tarkenton trade, will provide stiff competition for Charlie Evans, out with a broken leg in mid-year. The Giants enjoyed their best rookie crop in years in 1972, and it helped them to an 8-6 record, their second plus-.500 mark since 1963.
Bob Tucker, who placed second in the NFC last season with 55 receptions after leading the conference in 1971 with 59, is a lesson in perseverance. Nobody ever took him seriously. He played for obscure Bloomsburg (PA) Teachers College, was cut later by New England, and taxied by Philadelphia. He then joined the Pottstown Firebirds of the Atlantic Coast League, which he led in receiving in 1968 and 1969. Rated a free agent by the NFL, he bounced around several camps before turning up with the Giants. There someone finally noticed his pass catching talent. He became Fran Tarkenton's roommate and picked his brain for all possible information that would make him a better receiver. On accepting a pass, Tucker carries the ball with one hand, using the other to stiff-arm defenders. Joe Morrison, the last of the old Giants, has retired. So have Scott Eaton, Bobby Duhon and Dick Kotite.
DEFENSE: Jack Gregory, who played out his option at Cleveland in 1971, almost went to St. Louis but finally signed with New York, is the key. Gregory, a 6-5, 210-pound end, merely led the NFL in sacks with 21, three more than the entire Giant team achieved in 1971. John Mendenhall, 6-1 and 255, and Larry Jacobson, 6-6 and 260, both rookies in '72, lent quickness and power to the defensive line last year.
Two 1973 rookies should shore up the defense, Rich Glover, 6-1, 234-pound lineman from Nebraska, and Brad Van Pelt, 6-5, 223 from Michigan State, at linebacker.
SPECIAL TEAMS: It was the Giants' signing in 1966 of Pete Gogolak, the Buffalo toe, that led to the AFL-NFL merger. Pete assured his job for another season by kicking 21 of 33 field goal attempts in 1972. Rocky Thompson, the No. 1 draft choice of 1971, ranked fourth in the NFC in kickoff returns last season. He lugged back 29 for an average of 28.3 yards, and one went back for a touchdown.
QUESTIONS: Can Snead do it again? Is Van Pelt the super athlete? Will injuries be kept to a minimum again?
STRENGTHS: In the last game of 1972, the Giants routed Dallas, 23-3, moving the ball as they pleased through the touted Cowboy defense. So the offense seems strong enough to make a run on the 1973 Eastern title.
OUTLOOK: Sunny, because of the plethora of promising young talent. And it will be sunnier when Wellington Mara can finally move his club into the $200 million sports complex being built in New Jersey."

-Jim Scott, Gridiron News 1973 Pro Yearbook


"Early in the pro football season, the Giants will be forced to evacuate Fun City. Yankee Stadium, their longtime home in New York, is to be renovated. 'Tis said that everywhere that is outside New York is Bridgeport. Well, the Giants are skedaddling right past Bridgeport. They're relocating temporarily to the boondocks in New Haven, Connecticut, site of the hallowed Yale Bowl. All of which makes timely these words out of the mouth of Alex Webster, coach of these orphans, who eventually will alight in the New Jersey meadows in a new stadium: 'Above all, I want to make football fun for my players, because that's the way I always approached the game when I was in their shoes. Football is a business but it can be fun, too.'
Fun: The Giants haven't had much fun since they last won a title. That was ten years ago.
The route to New Jersey smacks of something usurped from the playbook as prepared by the gone, but not forgotten, Francis Tarkenton. It had been presumed such geographic nonsense ended when Tarkenton was returned in exile to Minnesota last year.
In his place, the Giants received Norm Snead, who discovered how to play quarterback efficiently in his 12th pro season. The fun envisioned by Webster for the Giants hinges primarily on Snead. Was he a one-season mirage? Or will he flourish on the playing fields of Yale as he did last autumn in gloomy Yankee Stadium?
The figuring here is that Snead must suffer a relapse to normalcy. He completed more than 60 per cent of his passes and led the NFL. He was the antithesis of Tarkenton. He stood his ground and fired. He was seldom knocked down, a tribute to a line that could straighten and pass block without worrying about what zigzag trip the quarterback might take. So Snead enjoyed a rare winning season ... and so did the Giants.
They were 8-6, third behind the Redskins and Cowboys in the NFC's most strenuously difficult division. That, sadly, is about as much as they can expect again this year.
There were other pluses that contributed to the improvement of the Giants in the year of Tarkenton's departure and Snead's arrival. Ron Johnson came back to run and pass catch as good as ever. He set the club record of 1,182 yards rushing. He scored 14 touchdowns. The Giants can expect the same sort of performance from him in '73.
The addition of Jack Gregory was responsible for the Giants' best defensive handiwork in a decade. Gregory, gearing a rebuilt defensive line, caught opposing passers 21 times. John Mendenhall and Larry Jacobson also were new to the defensive line. They, too, flourished- and the Giants can expect them to improve as second-year players. Overall, the Giants' defense got to the passer 38 times.
Snead relishes the short passing game. He has the receivers for it, especially tight end Bob Tucker and runner Johnson. They are his favorite targets. The wide receivers are used mostly as decoys. But Don Herrmann, Rich Houston and Bob Grim are capable. Tom Gatewood and new vet Gary Ballman provide better-than-average depth at the wide and tight positions.
Running with Johnson is likely to be Charlie Evans supported by Vin Clements, a man with chronic knee trouble.
The offensive line should remain intact after some revamping last year to Snead's benefit. Dick Enderle and Joe Taffoni, veteran newcomers, helped make the line solid. They blended with Willie Young, Greg Larson and Doug Van Horn to form a safe protective cup for Snead.
Snead himself cannot be certain of steady work despite his glowing statistics of last year. He is challenged by Randy Johnson, who actually had the job won a year ago until he was injured.
The main addition to the Giants this year is Brad Van Pelt, who accepted some $300,000 of owner Wellington Mara's money to forget about pitching baseballs. Van Pelt, a lanky All-America defensive back at Michigan State, will play outside linebacker for the Giants.
Because of Van Pelt, the Giants will be able to restructure their linebacking unit. Jim Files can return to middle linebacker from the outside, placing Ron Hornsby on the bench. Pat Hughes remains as the other outside linebacker.
The only change anticipated in the secondary is at strong safety where Chuck Crist could take the assignment away from Richmond Flowers. Spider Lockhart, Willie Williams and Pete Athas are incumbents in the defensive backfield.
Pete Gogolak has regained some of his field goal-kicking abilities. But he is a liability on extra points, a ritual which is regarded as automatic in the pros. Pete missed four of them last year. Tom Blanchard, despite a lack of publicity, is one of the league's better punters."

-Dave Klein, Pro Football 1973

OFFENSE
"QUARTERBACKS: Despite Snead's league-topping stats, he is not a super-quality deep passer. Randy Johnson has some flair.
Performance Quotient: 3 [1 through 5, 1 being best]
RUNNING BACKS: Ron Johnson is a most versatile runner, a 1,000-yarder who has power, speed and dedication. And he catches passes better than most backs. Clements has chronic knee problems, but plenty of potential. Evans will likely reclaim the starting job from Clements. Evans finds the end zone. Rocky Thompson and Joe Orduna are fast kick-return specialists. Eddie Richardson is promising.
Performance Quotient: 2
RECEIVERS: Tucker is ideally suited to the short-pass offense and a superb tight receiver of All-Pro caliber who is still unrecognized on a national scope. Herrmann and Houston are the incumbent outside starters, adequate performers who are not flashy. Snead tends to prefer passing to Tucker and Johnson. Gatewood could break in at a wide spot; he is also a spare tight end. Grim has been good before. Ballman can be a valuable reserve. Linzy Cole is ordinary.
Performance Quotient: 3
INTERIOR LINEMEN: For a group without a super standout, this line has excelled as a unit. Their pass protection was so strong that the Giants led the NFL in fewest quarterback sackings (10) in 1972. The line is molded around Larson, a fine blocker and a leader. There's good maturity here and good depth. Young and Taffoni supply able pass protection and open sizable holes. Van Horn developed into an excellent guard and Enderle blended in as a newcomer in '72. Bob Hyland has experience and can help at several positions. John Hill and Mark Ellison are good prospects.
Performance Quotient: 2
KICKERS: Gogolak is still erratic; he's still troubled by medium-range field goals and PATs. Blanchard is an okay punter
Performance Quotient: 3."

-Dave Klein, Pro Football 1973

DEFENSE
"FRONT LINEMEN: The addition of Gregory in '72 gave the Giants the pass rush they lacked. It is now one of the finest lines in pro football. Gregory alone accounted for 21 sackings. With him and newcomers Mendenhall and Jacobson plus Henry Reed, the line became cohesive and should improve after a year's togetherness. Reed is mobile, Mendenhall is aggressive. Dave Tipton, back from injury, has possibilities. Carter Campbell is versatile; he can play linebacker, too. Rich Glover has the credentials to be a star.
Performance Quotient: 2
LINEBACKERS: Some rearrangement is due here. Files, a top-drawer linebacker, returns to the middle from the outside. Van Pelt, an outstanding athlete, figures to break in as an outside starter. Hughes is tough, and Hornsby is likely to become a reserve after starting at MLB. John Douglas provides experienced depth. Coaches like Brian Kelley, picked in the 14th round.
Performance Quotient: 3
CORNERBACKS: Williams covers patterns well. Athas has the interception knack, but he can be beaten at times. Eldridge Small, a good athlete, gets a shot at starting. Otto Brown has experience but cannot be considered a starting possibility.
Performance Quotient: 3
SAFETIES: Flowers returns from a good year with his job in jeopardy. Lockhart, a stellar pass defender, has his job locked up. Crist challenges Flowers on the strong side.
Performance Quotient: 3"

-Dave Klein, Pro Football 1973

"Almost. The word for the New York Giants in 1972 was almost.
But what will it be for 1973? Sadly, it will not change. The Giants, for several reasons, will be an almost team again.
For one thing, Dallas and Washington are in the same NFC Eastern Division, which assures New York of four tough games. For another, there is still about the quarterback despite the league-leading surprise named Norm Snead. There is also a question or two in the defensive secondary ... a problem of their own making among the linebackers ... some unsettled nature to their defensive line and one or two other gray areas that must be satisfactorily resolved.
But there is much to recommend these Giants discounting the extraneous nonsense which will force them to play five 'home' games in the Yale Bowl. There is Ron Johnson at halfback ... a tough, professional offensive line ... tight end Bob Tucker ... defensive end Jack Gregory and a batch of impressive youngsters.
The offense will be all right so long as Johnson is. He came back from knee surgery to gain 1,812 yards in 1972, to lead the NFL with 14 touchdowns, to catch 45 passes for another 451 yards to rank him second to Tucker in team receiving and eighth in the NFC.
He's as much a superstar as O.J. Simpson or Larry Brown and the Giants are tough with him, lost without him.
If Snead is neither spectacular nor exciting, he is at least dependable. He did lead the league, after all, after 11 years of acquiring a reputation as a professional loser. And he did take the Giants to an 8-6 record, after their 4-10 horror of a year before. But there is something about Norman, or perhaps something not there,  that leads doubt. Randy Johnson may, indeed, fight for and win the job.
Tucker is sensational and his failure to make the Pro Bowl squad for the second straight year is as flagrant an error as Ted Kwalick making it.
The offensive interior line- tackles Joe Taffoni and Willie Young, guards Doug Van Horn and Dick Enderle, center Greg Larson- will probably remain intact, but center-guard Bob Hyland and guard-tackle John Hill are waiting for a spot.
Defensively, Jack Gregory was outstanding. He caught the quarterback 21 times, leading the team with 37 sacks. He anchored a dependable foursome of Henry Reed at the other end and John Mendenhall and Larry Jacobson at the tackles. But now the team wants to use Rich Glover at Mendenhall's middle guard spot and move Mendy to end for Reed. It is a risk on two counts- Glover may not be big enough and Mendenhall on the end may have the same problem.
Linebacking? It was Ron Hornsby in the middle flanked by Pat Hughes and Jim Files. But No. 2 draft pick Brad Van Pelt, out of Michigan State, will be given every chance to take the strongside spot, since Files will be moved to the middle and, if he beats out Hornsby as expected, opening that job. Hughes seems secure as the weakside man, but once those coachly brains start cooking, who can tell?
The secondary has Willie Williams and Pete Athas on the corners, Spider Lockhart at free safety and Rich Flowers at tight safety. Athas wants to be Lockhart, the coaches wish Flowers was better, Williams is beginning to age and last year's No. 1 pick, Eldridge Small, would like to play. He's a cornerback and could be a great one.
In all, the Giants seem to be strong, perhaps even a playoff team. But until that is firmed up, 'almost' must be better than nothing.
Predicted Finish: 2nd."

-Dave Klein & the Editors, Pro Football Illustrated 1973


"A lot of things would have to fall into place for the Giants to win the East- and even then the schedule (Cleveland, Green Bay, Oakland, Minnesota) would be stacked against them.
Well-traveled Norm Snead found a home with the Giants last year, becoming the No. 1 ranked passer in the league. He'll need a comparable performance to keep them in the title chase.
Snead will be working behind a veteran line that protected him so well that he was sacked only 10 times in 1972. The Giants have fine receiving balance, led by underrated tight end Bob Tucker, and they should get more out of Bob Grim as a backup for Rich Houston and Don Herrmann.
That takes care of half the offense. The other half is Ron Johnson, but the versatile workhorse halfback needs some help. Backfield depth is suspect. Charlie Evans was doing an adequate job at fullback until hit by the seventh leg fracture of his life and second in three seasons. He'll try to beat out Vin Clements, who ran well as a late-season starter. Ex-49er Joe Orduna and return man Rocky Thompson will work behind Johnson.
The Giants got favorable results with the 'Rover' defense, featuring Jack Gregory at end, alongside rookies John Mendenhall and Larry Jacobson. Most of the competition will be in the deep secondary, where there are a couple of soft spots, and at linebacker.
Brad Van Pelt, the club's top draft pick, has the size and raw talent to challenge for any of the linebacker jobs even though he was a safety in college. A planned switch for Jim Files to move from the outside back to the middle in exchange with Ron Hornsby.
It's questionable whether rookie Rich Glover can perform up to his middle-guard standards at Nebraska but he'll get the chance because the Giants use a lot of odd-man lines."

-Ed Stone, Football Digest (September 1973)


1973 NEW YORK GIANTS ROSTERS
New York Giants 1973 Preseason Veteran Roster
45 Pete Athas (CB) Tennessee
15 Tom Blanchard (P) Oregon
21 Otto Brown (CB) Prairie View 
79 Carter Campbell (LB) Weber State
29 Vin Clements (RB) Connecticut
-- Linzy Cole (WR) Texas
24 Chuck Crist (S) Penn State
51 John Douglas (LB) Missouri
28 Bobby Duhon (RB) Tulane
20 Scott Eaton (S) Oregon State
65 Mark Ellison (G) Dayton
62 Dick Enderle (G) Minnesota
31 Charlie Evans (RB) USC
58 Jim Files (LB) Oklahoma 
44 Richmond Flowers (S) Tennessee
83 Tom Gatewood (TE) Notre Dame
  3 Pete Goglolak (K) Cornell  
68 Dan Goich (DT) California
81 Jack Gregory (DE) Delta State
27 Bob Grim (WR) Oregon State
61 Charlie Harper (DT) Oklahoma State 
85 Don Herrmann (WR) Waynesburg 
52 John Hill (T) Lehigh
67 Ron Hornsby (LB) Southeast Louisiana
84 Rich Houston (WR) East Texas State
56 Pat Hughes (LB) Boston University
70 Bob Hyland (C) Boston College
75 Larry Jacobson (DT) Nebraska
11 Randy Johnson (QB) Texas A&I
30 Ron Johnson (RB) Michigan
73 Jim Kanicki (DT) Michigan State
87 Dick Kotite (TE) Wagner
53 Greg Larson (C) Minnesota
43 Carl Lockhart (S) North Texas State 
64 John Mendenhall (DT) Grambling
40 Joe Morrison (WR) Cincinnati 
49 Joe Orduna (RB) Nebraska
80 Henry Reed (DE) Weber State
18 Eldridge Small (CB) Texas A&I
16 Norm Snead (QB) Wake Forest
72 Joe Taffoni (T) Tennessee-Martin
22 Rocky Thompson (RB) West Texas State
71 Dave Tipton (DE) Stanford
38 Bob Tucker (TE) Bloomsburg (PA) 
63 Doug Van Horn (G) Ohio State 
78 Wayne Walton (T) Abilene Christian
41 Willie Williams (CB) Grambling
69 Willie Young (T) Grambling 

-The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1973 Edition) 

1973 New York Giants Rookies in Draft Order
Brad Van Pelt (LB) Michigan State
Rich Glover (DT) Nebraska
Leon McQuay (RB) Tampa
Wade Brantley (DT) Troy State
Rod Freeman (DT) Vanderbilt
George Hasenohrl (DT) Ohio State
Ty Paine (QB) Washington State
Walter Love (DB) Westminster (UT)
William Wideman (DT) North Carolina A&T
Ron Lumpkin (DB) Arizona State
Clifton Davis (RB) Alcorn A&M
Brian Kelley (LB) California Lutheran
Carl Schaukowitch (G) Penn State
Ben Nitka (K) Colorado College
John Billizon (DE) Grambling  

-The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1973 Edition)

1973 New York Giants Preseason Roster
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Norm Snead (Wake Forest)
Randy Johnson (Texas A & I)

Running Backs
Ron Johnson (Michigan)
Vin Clements (Connecticut)
Charlie Evans (USC)
Rocky Thompson (West Texas State)
Joe Orduna (Nebraska)
Eddie Richardson (Southern)*

Receivers
Don Herrmann (W) (Waynesburg)
Rich Houston (W) (East Texas State)
Bob Tucker (T) (Bloomsburg)
Tom Gatewood (W-T) (Notre Dame)
Bob Grim (W) (Oregon State)
Gary Ballman (T-W) (Michigan State)
Linzy Cole (W) (TCU)
(W)-Wide Receiver  (T)-Tight End

Interior Linemen
Willie Young (T) (Grambling)
Joe Taffoni (T) (Ohio State)
Dick Enderle (G) (Minnesota)
Doug Van Horn (G) Ohio State)
Greg Larson (C) (Minnesota)
Bob Hyland (C-G) (Boston College)
John Hill (T) (Lehigh)
Mark Ellison (G) (Dayton)
(T)-Tackle  (G)- Guard  (C)-Center

Kickers
Pete Gogolak (Cornell)
Tom Blanchard (Oregon)

DEFENSE
Front Linemen
Henry Reed (E) (Weber State)
Jack Gregory (E) (Delta State)
John Mendenhall (T) (Grambling)
Larry Jacobson (T-E) (Nebraska)
Carter Campbell (E) (Weber State)
Dave Tipton (E-T) (Stanford)
Rich Glover (T) (Nebraska)*
(E)-End  (T)-Tackle

Linebackers
Brad Van Pelt (O) (Michigan State)*
Pat Hughes (O) (Boston University)
Jim Files (M) (Oklahoma)
Ron Hornsby (O-M) (Southeast Louisiana)
John Douglas (O) (Missouri)
Brian Kelley (O) (California Lutheran)*
(O)-Outside Linebacker  (M)-Middle Linebacker

Cornerbacks
Pete Athas (Tennessee)
Willie Williams (Grambling)
Eldridge Small (Texas A & I)
Otto Brown (Prairie View)

Safeties
Richmond Flowers (S-W) (Tennessee)
Spider Lockhart (W) (North Texas State)
Chuck Crist (S) (Penn State)
(S)-Strong Side  (W)-Weak Side or 'Free' Safety

* Rookie

-Pro Football 1973 published by Cord Communications Corporation

1973 New York Revised 40-Man Roster (after final cutdown before the start of the 1973  regular season)
45 Pete Athas (CB) Tennessee
82 Gary Ballman (TE) Michigan State
15 Tom Blanchard (P) Oregon
60 Bart Buetow (T) Minnesota
79 Carter Campbell (LB) Weber State
29 Vin Clements (RB) Connecticut
24 Chuck Crist (S) Penn State
51 John Douglas (LB) Missouri
28 Bobby Duhon (RB) Tulane
65 Mark Ellison (G) Dayton
31 Charlie Evans (RB) USC
58 Jim Files (LB) Oklahoma 
44 Richmond Flowers (S) Tennessee
77 Rich Glover (DT) Nebraska
  3 Pete Goglolak (K) Cornell  
68 Dan Goich (DT) California
81 Jack Gregory (DE) Delta State
27 Bob Grim (WR) Oregon State 
85 Don Herrmann (WR) Waynesburg 
52 John Hill (T) Lehigh
67 Ron Hornsby (LB) Southeast Louisiana
84 Rich Houston (WR) East Texas State
56 Pat Hughes (LB) Boston University
70 Bob Hyland (C) Boston College
75 Larry Jacobson (DT) Nebraska
11 Randy Johnson (QB) Texas A&I
30 Ron Johnson (RB) Michigan
55 Brian Kelley (LB) California Lutheran
53 Greg Larson (C) Minnesota
43 Carl Lockhart (S) North Texas State 
64 John Mendenhall (DT) Grambling 
49 Joe Orduna (RB) Nebraska
80 Henry Reed (DE) Weber State
18 Eldridge Small (CB) Texas A&I
16 Norm Snead (QB) Wake Forest
72 Joe Taffoni (T) Tennessee-Martin
22 Rocky Thompson (RB) West Texas State
38 Bob Tucker (TE) Bloomsburg (PA) 
63 Doug Van Horn (G) Ohio State 
41 Willie Williams (CB) Grambling
69 Willie Young (T) Grambling 

Preseason Inactive List
62 Dick Enderle (G) Minnesota
71 Dave Tipton (DE) Stanford
10 Brad Van Pelt (LB) Michigan State

-Football Digest (December 1973) 


1973 NEW YORK GIANTS DEPTH CHARTS
Offense
QB Norm Snead, Randy Johnson 
RB Ron Johnson, Rocky Thompson,  Joe Orduna
RB Vin Clements, Charlie Evans, Eddie Richardson
WR Don Herrmann, Tom Gatewood, Linzy Cole                        
T Willie Young, John Hill
G Dick Enderle, Mark Ellison
C Greg Larson, Bob Hyland
G Doug Van Horn, Bob Hyland
T Joe Taffoni, John Hill
TE Bob Tucker, Gary Ballman, Tom Gatewood
WR Rich Houston, Bob Grim, Gary Ballman

Defense
DE Henry Reed, Larry Jacobson
DT Larry Jacobson, Dave Tipton
DT John Mendenhall,  Rich Glover*
DE Jack Gregory, Carter Campbell, Dave Tipton
LB Brad Van Pelt*, Ron Hornsby, John Douglas 
MLB Jim Files, Ron Hornsby
LB Pat Hughes, John Douglas, Brian Kelley*
CB Pete Athas, Eldridge Small
SS Richmond Flowers, Chuck Crist
FS Spider Lockhart, Richmond Flowers
CB Willie Williams, Otto Brown

*rookie

-Pro Football 1973 published by Cord Communications Corporation

Offense
QB Norm Snead (Wake Forest) 16, Randy Johnson (Texas A&I) 11, Tom Blanchard (Oregon) 15
HB Ron Johnson (Michigan) 30, Rocky Thompson (West Texas State) 22
FB Vin Clements (Connecticut) 29, Charlie Evans (USC) 31, Joe Orduna (Nebraska) 49
WR Bob Grim (Oregon State) 27
T Willie Young (Grambling) 69, John Hill (Lehigh) 52
G Dick Enderle (Minnesota) 62
C Greg Larson (Minnesota) 53, Bob Hyland (Boston College) 70
G Doug Van Horn (Ohio State) 63, Mark Ellison (Dayton) 65
T Joe Taffoni (Tennessee-Martin) 72, Bart Buetow (Minnesota) 60
TE Bob Tucker (Bloomsburg) 38, Gary Ballman (Michigan State) 82
WR Don Herrmann (Waynesburg) 85, Rich Houston (East Texas State) 84 

Defense
DE Carter Campbell (Weber State) 79, Larry Jacobson (Nebraska) 75 
DT Dan Goich (California) 68, Rich Glover (Nebraska)*
DT John Mendenhall (Grambling) 64, Dave Tipton (Stanford) 71
DE Jack Gregory (Delta State) 81 
LB John Douglas (Missouri) 51, Henry Reed (Weber State) 80, Brad Van Pelt (Michigan State)*
MLB Jim Files (Oklahoma) 58, Ron Hornsby (Southeast Louisiana State) 67
LB Pat Hughes (Boston University) 56, Brian Kelley (California Lutheran)*
CB Pete Athas (Tennessee) 45, Eldridge Small (Texas A&M-Kingsville) 18
SS Chuck Crist (Penn State) 24, Richmond Flowers (Tennessee) 44
FS Spider Lockhart (North Texas) 43 
CB Willie Williams (Grambling) 41

K Pete Gogolak (Cornell) 3
P Tom Blanchard (Oregon) 15
KR Rocky Thompson (West Texas State) 22, Bob Grim (Oregon State) 27
PR Pete Athas (Tennessee) 45, Bob Grim (Oregon State) 27

*rookie



1973 New York Giants Topps Checklist
No. Name                              
45   Pete Athas (cornerback)
15   Tom Blanchard (punter)
62    Dick Enderle (guard)
31    Charlie Evans (running back)
58    Jim Files (linebacker)
44    Richmond Flowers (safety)
3      Pete Gogolak (kicker)
81    Jack Gregory (defensive end)
67    Ron Hornsby (middle linebacker)
84    Rich Houston (wide receiver)
56    Pat Hughes (linebacker)
30    Ron Johnson (running back)
53    Greg Larson (center)
43    Spider Lockhart (safety)
16    Norm Snead (quarterback) (1972 NFC passing leader, based on various statistics)
22    Rocky Thompson (running back)
38    Bob Tucker (tight end)
63    Doug Van Horn (guard)
41    Willie Williams (cornerback)
69    Willie Young (tackle)


1973 New York Giants Profile Summary
Head Coach - Alex Webster

QB Norm Snead (Wake Forest) 16
QB Tom Blanchard (Oregon) 15
RB Ron Johnson (Michigan) 30
RB Rocky Thompson (West Texas State) 22
FB Charlie Evans (USC) 31
FB Johnny Roland (Missouri) 23
WR Bob Grim (Oregon State) 27
WR Rich Houston (East Texas State) 84
WR Linzy Cole (Texas Christian) 25
TE Bob Tucker (Bloomsburg) 38
TE Gary Ballman (Michigan State) 82
C Greg Larson (Minnesota) 53
G Doug Van Horn (Ohio State) 63
G Dick Enderle (Minnesota) 62
T Willie Young (Grambling) 69
T Joe Taffoni (Tennessee-Martin) 72

DT John Mendenhall (Grambling) 64
DT Larry Jacobson (Nebraska) 75
DE Jack Gregory (Delta State) 81
DE Rich Glover (Nebraska) 77
MLB Jim Files (Oklahoma) 58 
LB Pat Hughes (Boston University) 56
LB Ron Hornsby (Southeast Louisiana State) 67 
LB Brad Van Pelt (Michigan State) 10
CB  Willie Williams (Grambling) 41
CB Pete Athas (Tennessee) 45
SS Richmond Flowers (Tennessee) 44 
FS Spider Lockhart (North Texas) 43

K Pete Gogolak (Cornell) 3
P Tom Blanchard (Oregon) 15
H Tom Blanchard (Oregon) 15
KR Rocky Thompson (West Texas State) 22
PR Rocky Thompson (West Texas State) 22


1973 New York Giants Team Photo  
Pete Athas
Gary Ballman
Bart Buetow
Tom Blanchard
Otto Brown
Carter Campbell
Vin Clements
Chuck Crist
John Douglas
John Dziegiel (trainer)
Mark Ellison
Dick Enderle
Charlie Evans
Jim Files
Richmond Flowers
Jim Garrett (coach)
Tom Gatewood
Rich Glover
Pete Gogolak
Dan Goich
Jack Gregory
Bob Grim
Matt Hazeltine (coach)
Don Herrmann
John Hill
Julius Horai (trainer)
Ron Hornsby
Rich Houston
Pat Hughes
Bob Hyland
Larry Jacobson
John Johnson (trainer)
Randy Johnson
Ron Johnson
Jim Katcavage (coach)
Brian Kelley
Greg Larson
Spider Lockhart
Walter Love
Ron Lumpkin
Stephen Mara
Wellington Mara (team president)
John Mendenhall
Sid Moret (assistant trainer)
Joe Orduna
Henry Reed
Jack Rizzo
Johnny Roland
Eldridge Small
Norm Snead
Joe Taffoni
Dave Tipton
Bob Tucker
Emlen Tunnell (coach)
Doug Van Horn
Brad Van Pelt
Joe Walton (coach)
Allan Webb (coach)
Alex Webster (head coach)
Ray Wietecha (coach)
Willie Williams
Willie Young