Sunday, August 30, 2015

1975 Profie: Ron Hornsby

Middle Linebacker
No. 67
Southeast Louisiana
"The Giants' No. 3 draft choice for 1971, Hornsby stepped into a starting role at middle linebacker as a rookie and had a solid season, one in which he was named to the NFC's All-Rookie team. He continued his fine play in 1972, then was switched to outside linebacker in 1973 when the now-retired Jim Files was moved back to middle linebacker.
The hard-hitting and aggressive Hornsby was back in the middle last year, however, and again proved his ability before going down with an injury halfway through the campaign and yielding the spot to Brian Kelley. Ron had one interception (against the Eagles) and should again be in contention for that MLB spot in '75.
Hornsby earned four letters at Southeast Louisiana and was selected All-Conference three years in succession. He was twice named Defensive MVP in the Conference, was captain his senior year and named to the Kodak All-American team. Ron played in the Senior Bowl, where he was defensive captain of the South team and scored a touchdown in that game on a 46-yard interception return.
Ron was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana but grew up in Greensburg, Louisiana where he did his high school athletics at Greensburg High School. He now resides in Amite, Louisiana during the off-seasons."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide

Friday, August 28, 2015

1975 Profile: Roy Hilton

Defensive End
No. 78
Jackson State
"The Giants obtained the veteran defensive end from the Baltimore Colts in an off-season trade for running back Joe Orduna and a draft choice prior to last season. Roy stepped right in as a starter at left end and had a fine season. He had a 71-yard touchdown with a fumble recovery against the Cowboys- the second longest fumble return in club history- and also blocked two field goal attempts against the Redskins in one game.
A 15th round draft choice in 1965 by the Colts, Roy was a starter for the Colts for most of his nine years there in good company, first with Ordell Braase and then Bubba Smith. He played in two Super Bowls with the Colts, and in the Baltimore 16-13 victory over Dallas in 1971, he sacked the quarterback twice.
In 10 seasons, he's missed only one game- and that one was in 1973. Roy led the Colts in quarterback sacks with six in 1972. He has had nine fumble recoveries in his career and also intercepted a pass and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown in 1968.
Hilton won three varsity letters in football at Jackson State where he played both offensive and defensive end. He received a B.S. degree in health and physical education.
He was born in Hazelhurst, Mississippi and starred at Parrish High School in his hometown. Roy has worked for the Colts' speakers bureau in the off-seasons and lists bowling as a favorite hobby."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

1975 Profile: John Hill

Offensive Tackle
No. 52
Lehigh
"Hill was the Giants' No. 6 pick in 1972 after winning All-East honors at Lehigh, and won himself a spot as a reserve offensive lineman and special team player during his rookie campaign. John saw action as both a backup center and an offensive tackle and proved a solid hitter and performer on the special units. He did those same jobs again in 1973 but last year was strictly at tackle where he was the top reserve as well as starting several games, in addition to his special team duties.
John was a standout at Lehigh in football and track, winning not only All-East honors in football but College Division All-American honors as well. Team captain, he was also selected for the East-West Shrine Game. He also earned three letters in track as a shot-put and discus man and won the Middle Atlantic Conference championship twice in the shot put with throws of 57'3" and 60'2", as well as hurling the discus 158'5".
Hill was born in East Orange, New Jersey and was an all-around star at Franklin High School in Somerset, New Jersey. John's dad, Otto Hill, is Business Manager of Athletics at Rutgers. John resides in Somerset, lists crossword puzzles as a favorite hobby and was in the export-import business during the off-season with teammate Bob Hyland."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

1975 Profile: John Hicks

Guard
No. 74
Ohio State
"The No. 1 draft pick of the Giants in 1974, Hicks more than lived up to great expectations. First, he won himself a job at right guard and performed with distinction for 14 games. At season's end, the honors heaped up on him. He was named to the All-NFL Rookie team by UPI, AP, Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers of America, and then was named the NFC's Offensive Rookie of the Year by UPI- the first offensive lineman ever to win that distinction in the 20 years of the poll.
Big, strong and agile, he excelled in all phases of the game: pass blocking, leading the sweeps or in straight-ahead blocking. Everyone agrees that he is definite All-Pro material.
Hicks won just about every honor available at Ohio State. A three-year letterman, he was an All-American for two years, won both the Outland and Lombardi Trophies and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting to John Cappelletti of Penn State. Hicks played in the Rose Bowl three times and was also named Player of the Year by the Sporting News in 1973.
Hicks was born in Cleveland, Ohio and played his high school sports at John Jay High School in that city. He's related to NFL players Tommy Hart and Frank and Elijah Pitts. He lists music and drag racing among his favorite hobbies and is active in the Catholic Big Brothers program."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide

Monday, August 24, 2015

1975 Profile: Don Herrrmann

Wide Receiver
No. 85
Waynesburg
"A 15th round draft choice from little-known Waynesburg College in 1969, sure-handed Herrmann has developed into one of the most consistent and dependable receivers in the NFL. In his very first game as a rookie, Don caught two touchdown passes in the final quarter to lead a 24-23 upset of the Vikings at Yankee Stadium, and went on to grab 33 for 423 yards and five touchdowns that season.
Herrmann had his best year in 1973, catching 43 for 520 yards and two touchdowns to finish second among Giant receivers and in the top 10 of the NFC. Last year, he went down with a knee injury early in the season, saw only limited action and had but 10 receptions.
Don runs excellent patterns and is adept at catching the ball in close quarters. In six seasons, he's fumbled only once ... another indication of his good hands.
Herrmann was a legend at little Waynesburg despite the fact that he enrolled at that school without a scholarship because his fiance was attending the college. In three seasons he set all of that college's records ... most passes caught in one game (18) and in one season (76); and most touchdown passes caught in one game (7) and in one season (20). All told, he had 143 catches for 2,175 yards and 30 touchdowns ... and he also played cornerback on defense.
Don was born in Newark, New Jersey and later moved to Chatham, New Jersey where he starred at Chatham High School. He married his college sweetheart."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide

Sunday, August 23, 2015

1975 Profile: George Hasenohrl

Defensive Tackle
No. 72
Ohio State
"George was the No. 8 draft choice of the Giants in 1973, but had only a brief stay in that year's training camp. He returned last year for another try, in much better shape, and made the club with hard work and good effort in the training camp. He managed to break into the starting lineup early in the season, but was injured in the fifth game of the season and sat out the remainder of the year.
Hasenohrl enjoyed a solid career at Ohio State, winning three letters and getting All-American mention in his senior year, as well All-Big 10 honors. He played in the Rose Bowl in both 1971 and 1973 and in the Hula Bowl his senior year.
George was born in Cleveland, Ohio and was a standout gridder at Garfield Heights High School."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide

Friday, August 21, 2015

1975 Profile: Bob Grim

Wide Receiver
No. 27
Oregon State
"Grim came to the Giants prior to the 1972 season in the trade with Minnesota for Fran Tarkenton and saw only limited activity with the Giants that year after reporting late to camp. In 1973, he won a starting role from the start of camp and had an outstanding year, catching 37 passes, most of them of the acrobatic variety, for 593 yards and two touchdowns. Last year, the wily receiver added 29 grabs for 466 yards and two more touchdowns. Blessed with fine moves, Bob has also been a fine punt returner during his career.
A No. 2 draft choice of the Vikings in 1967, Bob had his top season in 1971 with Minnesota, catching 45 for 691 yards and seven touchdowns and making the Pro Bowl, where he caught another touchdown for the NFC team. He also rushed six times that year for 127 yards, an average of 21.2 per carry!
Grim was a three-year letterman at Oregon State as both a running back and a wide receiver and also played some defensive back. He starred in the Senior Bowl after his final season, being named MVP on offense, and also was selected to play in the College All-Star Game of 1967.
Bob was born in Oakland, California and was an all-around star at Red Bluff High School in Red Bluff, California."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

1975 Profile: Jack Gregory

Defensive End
No. 81
Delta State
"The Giants obtained Gregory from the Cleveland Browns in 1972 for a No. 1 draft choice after he had played out his option with the Browns. He had a banner season in 1972, leading the NFL in quarterback sacks with 21, being named to the first-team All-NFL team by both UPI and the Pro Football Writers, as well as going to the Pro Bowl.
During the past two seasons, Jack has been troubled by personal problems involving the critical illness of his infant son and constant medical care, yet came through with nine sacks in 1973 and 10 more last year. With his son now on the road to recovery, Jack should be ready to return to his All-Pro form of 1972. He was a No. 9 choice of the Browns as a future in 1965 and was a four-year starter for Cleveland, winning All-AFC honors and Pro Bowl designation in 1970.
Gregory began his collegiate career at Chattanooga University as a defensive end, then transferred to Delta State where he concluded his collegiate career as a two-way end.
He was born in Okolona, Mississippi and excelled at all sports at Okolona High School. His father, Jack Sr., played pro football with the Cleveland Rams in the early 1940s.
Jack still resides in his hometown with his wife and young son on a large ranch where he raises cattle, cotton and soybeans."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide

Monday, August 17, 2015

1975 Profile: Pete Gogolak

Place Kicker
No. 3
Cornell
"Gogolak became the Giants' all-time scorer in 1972 when he totaled 97 points on 21 field goals and 34 PAT's to run his career mark to 519 points, erasing the former mark of 484 set by Frank Gifford. That total has now reached 646 after he added 51 points in the 1974 season. Pete also holds the club mark for field goals (126) and PAT's (268), as well as most field goals in one season (25) and the longest field goals (54 yards against Dallas in 1970).
Pete came to the Giants as a free agent in 1966 after starring for two years with the Buffalo Bills where he scored over 100 points each year and won All-AFL honors. He was the first of all the soccer-style kickers in pro football.
He introduced the soccer-style place-kick to American football at Cornell University, where he set an Ivy League record of 44 consecutive extra points- a mark later topped by his kid brother Charlie, who kicked for Princeton and eventually became the No. 1 choice of the Washington Redskins. During his Cornell career, Pete booted nine field goals including a record 50-yarder.
Pete was born in Budapest, Hungary and escaped with his family to the United States during the 1956 uprisings. Dr. Gogolak and his family settled in Saratoga Springs, New York and from there young Pete went on to kicking fame at Cornell. He majored in hotel administration in college and at one time worked at the famed '21' Club in Manhattan."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide

Sunday, August 16, 2015

1975 Profile: Chip Glass

Tight End
No. 83
Florida State
"Glass came to the Giants from the Cleveland Browns in a trade for defensive end Carter Campbell and appeared in 13 games as a backup man for Bob Tucker. Big, strong and a solid blocker, he caught three passes for 23 yards.
Originally a No. 3 draft choice of the Browns in 1969, Chip played five seasons with Cleveland, missing only two games in that span. His totals there showed 31 catches for 619 yards, a fine 20.0 average and five touchdowns.
Glass earned three letters as a tight end at Florida State. He played in the Coaches' All-American game in his senior season before being drafted by the Browns.
Chip was born in Homestead, Florida and played his high school sports at Chamberlain High School in Tampa. He now makes his home in Ohio during the off-season."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide

Saturday, August 15, 2015

1975 Profile: Walker Gillette

Wide Receiver
No. 84
Richmond
"Gillette came to the Giants on waivers from the Cardinals on cutdown day last year and proved to be as fine an addition as anyone on the club. He won a starting job at wide receiver half way through the season when Don Herrmann was injured, and through the second half of the campaign was the top target for Craig Morton. Walker finished the year with 29 receptions for 466 yards and three touchdowns, with 28 of those catches coming in the final seven games. He almost had sweet revenge against St. Louis when he caught a 17-yard touchdown pass to put the Giants up 21-20 in the final minute of play, but Jim Bakken's field goal in the final three seconds pulled it out for the Cardinals.
Walker was originally a No. 1 draft choice of the San Diego Chargers in 1970, but saw only limited time there with 12 catches in two seasons. He was traded to St. Louis in 1972 for Dave Williams and had his best season when he grabbed 33 passes for 550 yards and two touchdowns. He had 20 catches in 1973, including a 48-yard touchdown against the Giants.
Gillette was an All-American at Richmond, winning three varsity letters and appearing in the College All-Star game as well as the East-West and Hula Bowl games. His collegiate totals showed 158 catches for 2,649 yards.
Walker was born in Norfolk, Virgina and starred at Southampton High School there. His father, Jim, played in the NFL with Washington, Green Bay and the Cleveland Rams."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide

Thursday, August 13, 2015

1975 Profile: Dick Enderle

Guard
No. 62
Minnesota
"Enderle came to the Giants in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons for a No. 6 draft choice prior to the 1972 season and won a starting job at left guard. He turned in an outstanding season for a much improved offensive line that allowed only 10 sackings of Giant passers. Last year, he played in all 14 games as the third guard and continued to be a valuable reserve and special team player.
Dick was a No. 7 draft choice of the Falcons in 1969 and spent three seasons with Atlanta. He was a starting left guard his rookie year, then moved to right guard in his second campaign and again was a regular. During 1971, he started most of the games at left guard.
Enderle won three letters in both football and wrestling at Minnesota and was picked for the All-Big 10 team in football his senior year. He also played in the East-West game after his senior campaign.
He was born in Breckenridge, Minnesota and graduated from Elbow Lake High School where he was All-State in football as well as the state wrestling champion his senior year. Dick now resides in Minneapolis during the off-season."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

1975 Profile: Rick Dvorak

Linebacker
No. 66
Wichita State
"A No. 3 draft choice in 1974, Rick put in time as both a linebacker and defensive end in the 53 Defense during the preseason. He was a key man on the special teams all during the regular season in addition to logging playing time as a reserve. He showed solid hitting ability, enough to warrant a long look at linebacker for this coming season.
Dvorak was a three-time All-Missouri Conference selection as a defensive tackle at Wichita State, winning team MVP honors in his rookie season. He set a school record with 27 unassisted tackles in one game. Rick majored in engineering with a B average and was a Vince Lombardi scholarship winner.
Rick was born in Spearville, Kansas and played his high school athletics at Spearville High School in his hometown. He resides in Wichita during the off-seasons."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide

Thursday, August 6, 2015

1975 Profile: Jim Del Gaizo

Quarterback
No. 12
Tampa
"This left-handed quarterback came to the Giants from Green Bay for a 1976 draft choice just prior to the regular season opener last year and appeared in four games- three as a starter. Jim had 12 completions in 32 attempts for 165 yards, three interceptions and no touchdowns.
Originally signed as a free agent by the Miami Dolphins after an earlier trial with Cincinnati, spending the 1971 season on the Miami taxi squad, he saw some action in 1972 when Bob Griese was hurt, hitting 5-of-9 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Traded to Green Bay in 1973 for a pair of draft choices, Del Gaizo was a starter there before being kayoed with injuries. With the Pack, he showed a 27-for-62 reading for 318 yards and two touchdowns.
Del Gaizo began his collegiate career at Syracuse, then found his way to Tampa where he earned three varsity letters and set a total of 12 Tampa passing records before he was finished.
Jim was born in Boston, Mass. and played his high school sports at Revere High School in Revere, Mass."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

1975 Profile: Joe Dawkins

Running Back
No. 26
Wisconsin
"Dawkins came to the Giants from the Denver Broncos for a No. 3 draft choice prior to the 1974 season and proved to be a stellar acquisition, leading the club in both rushing (561 yards) and in pass receiving (46 for 332 yards) and scoring five touchdowns. A hard runner and good blocker, Joe came up with game-winning touchdown catches against Dallas (14 yards) and Kansas City (51 yards) and proved to be the most consistent starter in the backfield.
Originally a No. 10 draft choice of Houston in 1970, Dawkins was the Oilers' leading rusher as a rookie with 517 yards, then went to the Broncos in a 1971 trade for Dickie Post. He had his biggest year in 1973 with Denver, rushing for 706 yards and a 4.4 average and also caught 30 passes. Joe also has ability as a kickoff return man, showing a 24.8 career average. He returned four for the Giants last year for a whopping 38.5 average, including a pair of 53-yard runbacks.
Joe began his career at Los Angeles City College, then moved on to Wisconsin where he earned two varsity letters and gained 816 yards on 188 carries for a 4.3 average.
Dawkins was born in Los Angeles and played his high school sports at John C. Fremont High School in L.A. He still lives in Los Angeles, is related to former San Diego running back Don McCall, and lists photography and billiards as his favorite hobbies."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide

Monday, August 3, 2015

1975 Profile: Steve Crosby

Running Back
No. 33
Fort Hays College
"The 17th round draft choice in 1974, Steve became the first Fort Hays product to make it to the NFL and showed versatility and potential in his work until he was sidelined with a knee injury, underwent surgery and missed the last five games of the season.
He did a fine job in the preseason games, then had good showings as a reserve in the regular season, particularly in a 14-6 win over Dallas. His season totals were 55 yards rushing in 14 carries, two receptions for 44 yards and two kickoff returns for 47 yards, plus a 60-yard quick kick against the Redskins. Steve is one of the strongest men on the club.
Steve began his collegiate career at Kansas State with teammates like Larry Brown, Mack Herron and Lynn Dickey, then spent a year in the Army before his transfer to Fort Hays College. In two years there, he rushed for 1,891 yards and a 5.5 average-per-carry and won fine ratings for blocking ability and toughness as well.
He was born in Great Bend, Kansas and starred at Pawnee High School in his hometown. Steve spent this past off-season as a member of the Giants' Speakers Bureau and did a fine job."

-1975 New York Giants Media Guide