The next time he walks onto a field, it will be as head coach of the New York Giants, a team that was 2-11-1 last year ... a team that had more problems than Spiro the novelist ... a team that underwent an agony of change and housecleaning.
What does the season hold for Arsparger?
First, a flock of disenchanted Giants has already flown the coop. Richmond Flowers, Carter Campbell, Randy Johnson, Vin Clements and John Douglas have all signed with the WFL. But all will be around this season, or at least as many of them as Arnsparger chooses. Others are unhappy, including Ron Hornsby and Jim Files, but want a chance to see the new regime in operation. So Arsparger has that added burden as he attempts to make his first head coaching job a successful one.
The offense is affected by the WFL since Johnson might emerge as the starting quarterback and Clements could be the top fullback. But there is Ron Johnson, a superstar runner, at halfback, along with a trio of receivers as good as any- tight end Bob Tucker, wide men Bob Grim and Don Herrmann.
If Randy doesn't get the job, old Norm Snead will. And if Clements is benched, Charlie Evans will play. But there are other runners with a chance- such as heralded rookie Leon McQuay, fleet Rocky Thompson, steady if unspectacular Joe Orduna and promising Clifton Davis.
McQuay may be the answer to the fullback problem, not that he can play as a fullback but because his presence, with Ron Johnson, might allow Arnsparger to 'do away' with the fullback-type position entirely. He is a two-year Canadian League sensation who left college (Tampa) after his sophomore year and now owns a three-year Giant contract.
The offensive line should have a new look- a much younger look. No. 1 draft pick John Hicks, the All-America from Ohio State, will be handed a job at guard. It will be his. He's a starter. Dick Enderle will most likely be the other guard, with Doug Van Horn (another guard) and John Hill or Willie Young at the tackles. Greg Larson's tenure as center ended with his retirement after 13 years and Bob Hyland inherited the job. No. 2 draft pick Tom Mullen, another guard, could fight for work, along with Mark Ellison.
Arnsparger may be overloaded with people who move the ball, but he certainly isn't in the same boat as people who are supposed to stop it from being moved by other teams. The defense is spotty, strong in spots, tissue-thin in others, unsettled in others.
Up front, for instance, the starters figure to be Jack Gregory (an All-Pro two years ago) and Campbell at the ends, while John Mendenhall (a certain All-Pro one day soon) and Larry Jacobson at the tackles. That leaves Henry Reed, Dan Goich, Rich Glover and some rookies to get in line as the top reserves. Reed, a starter once upon a time, might be considered a linebacker now, or as the '53 man' in Arnsparger's defense that was so dramatically successful at Miami.
The linebackers have to earn jobs, but at the moment the alignment is as it was in 1972, not as it was last year. Jim Files has been moved back to the strong side, Ron Hornsby reinstated in the middle and Pat Hughes stays at the weak side. Files can be a superb linebacker if he allows himself to stop thinking about playing the middle. Hornsby needs only the chance to hold the job since he hits with fury and isn't bad on pass coverage. Hughes, constantly the team's highest graded linebacker, remains anonymous.
In reserve will be Brian Kelly, Douglas, Brad Van Pelt and maybe rookie Rick Dvorak, another end-linebacker swingman like Reed.
The secondary has some woes, but not as many as people think. Pete Athas, whose best position is free safety, is the left cornerback. That's because Spider Lockhart is entrenched- or was- at free safety. Willie Williams is on the right corner and Flowers will have to dabble in magic to beat back Chuck Crist at strong safety. Eldridge Small, also a wide receiver possibility, is a cornerback reserve, and if Athas goes to Lockhart's spot, Eldridge gets a job.
Tom Blanchard capably handles the punting, and Pete Gogolak, the original side-wheeling Hungarian, will do the place kicking again."
-Dave Klein, Pro Football 1974
OFFENSE
"Quarterbacks: Norm Snead might be the starter through attrition- Randy Johnson's announced jump to the WFL in '75. On ability alone they're close, but Randy might have won the job and still might, though now it's tougher. Leo Hart and Carl Summerell are strictly long shots.
Performance Quotient: 3 [1 through 5, 1 being best]
Running Backs: Ron Johnson, one of the NFL's best, is sure to gain 1,000 yards if he stays healthy. Charlie Evans might be the fullback for the same reason Snead may win the quarterback job- Vin Clements has defected.
Leon McQuay is an intriguing rookie (with two years in Canada) who will get plenty of playing time. Rocky Thompson has speed and size but is erratic. Joe Orduna is a journeyman. Clifton Davis, hurt as a rookie in the last preseason, could make it big.
Performance Quotient: 3
Receivers: This is a strong position for the team, with Bob Grim, Don Herrmann and Rich Houston fighting for the two wide receiver jobs and Bob Tucker a bona fide All-Pro at tight end. Tucker has led the team in receptions three years straight.
Tom Gatewood can fill in at all three positions, while Don Clune is a solid-looking rookie with size and speed. If the regulars stay healthy, the subs won't play much.
Performance Quotient: 2
Interior Linemen: This unit has strength in numbers, but it is largely unsettled. John Hicks, the No. 1 choice, is an instant starter. Dick Enderle is consistent if unspectacular. Doug Van Horn moved from guard to tackle last season, but he's not a plus. Willie Young might not be a starter again, falling to a strong charge by John Hill. Bob Hyland finally outlasted Greg Larson and takes over the center position.
Tom Mullen (No. 2 pick) might surprise Enderle. There is potential in Mark Ellison, and he could join the guard battle.
Performance Quotient: 3
Kickers: Pete Gogolak is sometimes erratic, generally acceptable. Tom Blanchard had some blocked last year, but kicks well.
Performance Quotient: 3"
-Dave Klein, Pro Football 1974
DEFENSE
"Front Linemen: There's strength here. Jack Gregory and Carter Campbell have been outstanding, though not in the same seasons. Both are young enough to bloom, but Campbell has signed on with the WFL for '75. John Mendenhall can be an All-Pro tackle and Larry Jacobson has size, and showed advancement last year.
Henry Reed can play end or linebacker. Dan Goich is consistent though not particularly outstanding. Rich Glover seems miscast because of his size. Dave Tipton has been a disappointment; he's now getting what should be a final chance to earn his keep. Rick Dvorak will be tried at end and linebacker.
Performance Quotient: 2
Linebackers: Questions arise here because of shifting. Ron Hornsby benched it last year, but is listed as a starter in the middle again. Jim Files is back on the strong side and may not be happy. Pat Hughes graded out as the unit's top performer; he might become something with experience now working for him.
Brian Kelley looked good as a rookie, Brad Van Pelt didn't. In both cases, the results were surprising.
Performance Quotient: 3
Cornerbacks: Pete Athas is loose and reckless, but effective. Willie Williams is both the veteran and the question mark; he may be slowing down. Eldridge is a backup now, but could be a wide receiver, too.
Performance Quotient: 3
Safeties: Spider Lockhart, in his 10th year, must do better than in '73 or Athas will get a long-awaited shot. Chuck Crist seems capable of unseating Richmond Flowers (another WFL-er).
Performance Quotient: 3"
-Dave Klein, Pro Football 1974
"There may still be some trading, but barring one or two deals new head coach Bill Arnsparger gets just what he sees now. In truth, there may be enough for him to do something.
The Giants were 2-11-1, but that reflects more on the chaos and disorganization, the disappointment and frustration, than on the potential talent. Arnsparger comes fresh from being defensive chief of the Super Bowl Dolphins and he has a miracle-worker reputation. He'll need it.
But there's talent for him to work with. There's running back Ron Johnson, tight end Bob Tucker, wide receivers Bob Grim and Don Herrmann and a fair-to-good interior line for the offense. Defensively there's tackle John Mendenhall, ends Carter Campbell and Jack Gregory, linebackers Pat Hughes and Jim Files, and deep backs Spider Lockhart, Willie Williams and Pete Athas.
They aren't superstars, and aside from Johnson and Tucker, they aren't Pro Bowlers, but they do possess the necessary abilities to win. Much depends on Arnsparger's motivation process, his juggling of a few positions and his luck. He'll need lots of that.
Johnson is a true superstar. He gained 902 yards last season despite missing three games. He caught 32 passes for 377 yards. He scored nine touchdowns. And at 6-1 and 205, he's even better when healthy. Tucker, the 6-3, 235-pound tight end, led the team again with 50 catches for 681 yards. Herrmann had a big year, 43 catches for 520 yards, and both Grim and Rich Houston have good outside speed at the other slot.
Two high draft picks- the first two in fact- are guards. They are All-America John Hicks of Ohio State and unheralded Tom Mullen of Southwest Missouri State. Both could start, but probably only Hicks will. Bob Hyland should replace Greg Larson at center and one-time guard Doug Van Horn, who went to tackle last season in an experiment, will stay there.
The chief offensive question is quarterback. On the one hand there is Norm Snead, experienced, veteran and oft-disappointing. He led the NFL in passing in '72 and plummeted to near the bottom in '73. On the other hand is moody, oft-brilliant but sometimes helpless, WFL-bound Randy Johnson. He's a younger man, could be a star, but must deal with his emotions first.
Defense is the promise. In Mendenhall, the Giants have a legitimate superstar already spoken of with awe by other teams. Gregory was All-Pro in '72 and All-Nothing in '73. Campbell improved and led the team in quarterback sacks. The Great Experiment of Files at middle linebacker seems over- he's listed at strongside with Ron Hornsby coming back from the bench to handle the middle. Pat Hughes graded out consistently higher at weakside.
The secondary may be leaky. Lockhart is aging and Williams already has, though Athas, Chuck Crist and Eldridge Small seem ready to all make it at once.
It's quarterback and secondary, plus the need to find a fullback (Charlie Evans or Vin Clements) that concern Arnsparger most."
-Gridiron News 1974 Pro Yearbook
"Offense: What was wrong with the Giants' attack was underlined by the team's first selection in the last college draft. They didn't hesitate in picking John Hicks, whom Woody Hayes calls the best offensive lineman he ever had at Ohio State. Hicks is expected to do something for the Giants' backs that wasn't done often enough last year: open holes. The Giants' second pick was a guard, Tom Mullen from Southwest Missouri State.
There is a new day dawning in the Giants organization. Shortly after Miami won its second consecutive Super Bowl, New York's new director of football operations, former star Andy Robustelli, announced that the Dolphins' assistant head coach, Bill Arnsparger, would be the Giants' new head coach.
Arnsparger inherits a team with first-rate scoring potential. With all their troubles, the Giants still managed to finish second in NFL passing yardage, 2,762. Bob Tucker continued to establish himself as one of the finest tight ends by catching 50 passes. Clever Don Herrmann got open enough to catch 43. Ron Johnson, one of the best all-around backs in the league, caught 32.
Arnsparger's first move was to convince the unhappy Randy Johnson that he would take a fresh look at the quarterback competition between Randy and veteran Norm Snead. Snead threw 22 interceptions.
Despite malfunctions in the running attack, Ron Johnson carried for 902 yards last year. He should love Hicks. To run alongside Ron, Arnsparger has Vin Clements, Joe Orduna and Rocky Thompson.
Defense: This is Arnsparger's baby. Don Shula thought so much of his work at Miami that he gave him the unprecedented title of assistant head coach. It was his refinement of the 53 defense that helped stymie opponents trying to play catch-up against the Dolphins. He is an advocate of a disciplined, rather than a big-play, defense.
One of his first moves will be to cut down the number of touchdowns scored on the ground against the Giants from the fat 21 of 1973. Jack Gregory could return to his All-Pro form of two years ago under the new deal. Worry over the premature birth of his baby affected his play last year. John Mendenhall would seem to be the type who would flourish under the new coach and big things could happen for Larry Jacobson and Dave Tipton.
Jim Files, once considered a spectacular middle linebacker prospect, had a down season and rode the bench toward the end. Ron Hornsby is another linebacker seeking rehabilitation. One of the major questions concerns the role to be played by Brad Van Pelt, last year's top draft choice, who had trouble getting out of the gate. Some think he will be the '53' utility man Bob Matheson was for Arnsparger in Miami.
Zone defense is an Arnsparger staple and that coverage will get his touch in New York. The Giants have many experienced deep backs, including Pete Athas, Spider Lockhart, Willie Williams and Chuck Crist.
Kicking: Pete Gogolak had another representative field goal season, 17 for 27. Punter Tom Blanchard averaged 41.9
1974 Outlook: The Giants won eight games just two seasons ago before slipping to 2-11-1 last year. There is talent on the roster. It will be interesting for New Yorkers to watch what Arnsparger will do with the Giants."
-Scouting Jets Opponents, The New York Jets Official 1974 Yearbook
1974 New York Giants Preseason Position Roster
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Norm Snead (Wake Forest)
Randy Johnson (Texas A & I)*
Leo Hart (Duke)
Carl Summerell (East Carolina)
Running Backs
Ron Johnson (Michigan)
Charlie Evans (USC)
Leon McQuay (Tampa)
Vin Clements (Connecticut)*
Joe Orduna (Nebraska)
Rocky Thompson (West Texas State)
Clifton Davis (Alcorn A&M)
Receivers
Bob Grim (W) (Oregon State)
Don Herrmann (W) (Waynesburg)
Bob Tucker (T) (Bloomsburg)
Rich Houston (W) (East Texas State)
Tom Gatewood (W-T) (Notre Dame)
Don Clune (W) (Pennsylvania)
(W)-Wide Receiver (T)-Tight End
Interior Linemen
Doug Van Horn (T) Ohio State)
Willie Young (T) (Grambling)
Dick Enderle (G) (Minnesota)
John Hicks (G) (Ohio State)*
Bob Hyland (C) (Boston College)
Mark Ellison (G) (Dayton)
John Hill (T-C) (Lehigh)
Tom Mullen (G) (Southwest Missouri State)
(T)-Tackle (G)- Guard (C)-Center
Kickers
Pete Gogolak (Cornell)
Tom Blanchard (Oregon)
DEFENSE
Front Linemen
Jack Gregory (E) (Delta State)
Carter Campbell (E) (Weber State)*
John Mendenhall (T) (Grambling)
Larry Jacobson (T) (Nebraska)
Henry Reed (E) (Weber State)
Dan Goich (T) (California)
Rich Glover (T) (Nebraska)
Dave Tipton (E) (Stanford)
Rick Dvorak (E) (Wichita State)
(E)-End (T)-Tackle
Linebackers
Pat Hughes (O) (Boston University)
Jim Files (O-M) (Oklahoma)
Ron Hornsby (M) (Southeast Louisiana)
Brian Kelley (O) (California Lutheran)
Brad Van Pelt (O) (Michigan State)
John Douglas (O) (Missouri)*
(O)-Outside Linebacker (M)-Middle Linebacker
Cornerbacks
Pete Athas (Tennessee)
Willie Williams (Grambling)
Eldridge Small (Texas A & I)
Safeties
Chuck Crist (S) (Penn State)
Spider Lockhart (W) (North Texas State)
Richmond Flowers (S) (Tennessee)*
(S)-Strong Side (W)-Weak Side or 'Free' Safety
*WFL in 1975
-Pro Football 1974 published by Cord Communications Corporation
1974 Preseason Depth Chart
OFFENSE
QB - Norm Snead 16, Randy Johnson 11, Tom Blanchard 15, Carl Summerell*, Leo Gasieneca*
RB - Ron Johnson 30, Joe Orduna 49, Rocky Thompson 22, Jack Rizzo 34, Leon McQuay*
RB - Vin Clements 29, Charlie Evans 31, Johnny Roland 23, Clifton Davis*, Steve Crosby*
WR - Don Herrmann 85, Tom Gatewood 83, Tom Clune*, Ray Rhodes*
LT - Willie Young 69, John Hill 52, Mike Hayes*
LG - Dick Enderle 62, Bart Buetow 60, Tom Mullen*
C - Bob Hyland 70, John Hill 52
RG - Mark Ellison 65, John Hicks*
RT - Doug Van Horn 63, John Hill 52, Mike Hayes*
TE - Bob Tucker 38, Tom Gatewood 83, Marty Woolbright*, Ed Robinson*, John Strada*
WR - Bob Grim 27, Rich Houston 84, Walter Love 46
DEFENSE
LDE - Carter Campbell 79, Henry Reed 80, Rick Dvorak*
LDT - Larry Jacobson 75, Dan Goich 68, Jim Pietrzak*, Wade Brantley*
RDT - John Mendenhall 64, Rich Glover 77, George Hasenohrl*
RDE - Jack Gregory 81, Dave Tipton 71, Rick Dvorak*
LLB - Jim Files 58, Brian Kelley 55, John Douglas 51
MLB - Ron Hornsby 67, Jim Files 58, Fred Abbott 54
RLB - Pat Hughes 56, Brad Van Pelt 10
LCB - Pete Athas 45, Eldridge Small 18, Ron Lumpkin 47, Bobby Brooks*
SS - Richmond Flowers 44, Chuck Crist 24, James Sims*
FS - Spider Lockhart 43, Honor Jackson 20, Greg Strunk*
RCB - Willie Williams 41, Otto Brown 21, Clyde Powers*, Ernie Baptist*
* rookie
-Gridiron News 1974 Pro Yearbook
OFFENSE
QB - Norm Snead 16, Randy Johnson 11, Tom Blanchard 15, Carl Summerell*, Leo Gasieneca*
RB - Ron Johnson 30, Joe Orduna 49, Rocky Thompson 22, Jack Rizzo 34, Leon McQuay*
RB - Vin Clements 29, Charlie Evans 31, Johnny Roland 23, Clifton Davis*, Steve Crosby*
WR - Don Herrmann 85, Tom Gatewood 83, Tom Clune*, Ray Rhodes*
LT - Willie Young 69, John Hill 52, Mike Hayes*
LG - Dick Enderle 62, Bart Buetow 60, Tom Mullen*
C - Bob Hyland 70, John Hill 52
RG - Mark Ellison 65, John Hicks*
RT - Doug Van Horn 63, John Hill 52, Mike Hayes*
TE - Bob Tucker 38, Tom Gatewood 83, Marty Woolbright*, Ed Robinson*, John Strada*
WR - Bob Grim 27, Rich Houston 84, Walter Love 46
DEFENSE
LDE - Carter Campbell 79, Henry Reed 80, Rick Dvorak*
LDT - Larry Jacobson 75, Dan Goich 68, Jim Pietrzak*, Wade Brantley*
RDT - John Mendenhall 64, Rich Glover 77, George Hasenohrl*
RDE - Jack Gregory 81, Dave Tipton 71, Rick Dvorak*
LLB - Jim Files 58, Brian Kelley 55, John Douglas 51
MLB - Ron Hornsby 67, Jim Files 58, Fred Abbott 54
RLB - Pat Hughes 56, Brad Van Pelt 10
LCB - Pete Athas 45, Eldridge Small 18, Ron Lumpkin 47, Bobby Brooks*
SS - Richmond Flowers 44, Chuck Crist 24, James Sims*
FS - Spider Lockhart 43, Honor Jackson 20, Greg Strunk*
RCB - Willie Williams 41, Otto Brown 21, Clyde Powers*, Ernie Baptist*
* rookie
-Gridiron News 1974 Pro Yearbook
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