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
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