1976 New York Giants Outlook

"Before the temptation to start with the annual jokes grows too overpowering to resist, let us make one thing perfectly clear: Larry Csonka.
The Giants, who will move to their spanking new stadium in New Jersey this season, bought themselves an early house-warming gift back in April when they signed the one-time Miami fullback to a multiple-year, more-than-a-million-dollar contract. He has improved their running game 100 per cent. It may be all the way up to acceptable now. And with the presence of Frankenstein, quarterback Craig Morton will not be forced to always pass on third down, and that should help both him and the entire offense.
Running with Csonka will be Ron Johnson, Joe Dawkins, Doug Kotar or rookie Gordon Bell. Johnson would have been automatic had he not played out his option and promised to sign elsewhere. There were some eleventh-hour attempts at reconciliation. Dawkins is both a fullback and a halfback and was the team's leading rusher last year with a rather paltry total of 438 yards. Kotar has more quickness than Dawkins, along with an innate ability to follow his blocking. Bell could be the ding-dong. He is an Archie Griffin type, out of Michigan, said to be sturdy despite his 180 pounds and 5-9 frame. If he can make it, his outside quickness will perfectly Csonka's inside brutality. If. Rookies live and die by that word.
The offensive line, which wasn't horrid, could be better now. Not that draft choices will help. The Giants drafted no offensive linemen. What they did was buy up most of the WFL's Memphis line, including such as center Ralph Hill and guard Tom Kruyer, along with a Birmingham tackle named Joe Miller, reputed to have been the dead league's top linemen.
Hill could start, ahead of incumbent Bob Hyland. Kruyer has a chance to contribute, while Miller is in the easiest spot. With John Hicks and Tom Mullen backed up by Karl Chandler, guards are fairly well spoken for. But with Doug Van Horn and Al Simpson the only tackles, the Giants are hurting at this position.
Ray Rhodes, a wide receiver, may finally blossom. He is a 5-11, 185-pounder with inordinate speed and moves. Walker Gillette or Danny Buggs will be the other wide man, unless Elmo Wright can find what he lost between stardom at Kansas City and waivers at New England. Bob Tucker and Jim Obradovich will fight for the tight end job. Tucker will win.
Defensively, where most of the jokes begin, there has been some improvement. Mostly, the improvement has been in John Mendenhall's injured ankle. He's healthy again, happy again and, if that holds up, he can be one of the league's best tackles again.
The Giants will need that. Coach Bill Arnsparger came up from Miami with a reputation as a defensive genius, and in two years (7-21) has proved that a genius needs warm bodies. With Mendenhall and a renewed Jack Gregory, the right side of the line should be dandy.
The left side is still under construction. At the moment if offers Dave Gallagher at end and Jim Pietrzak at tackle. But the No. 1 draft pick is end Troy Archer, 6-4 and 255 via Colorado, and if he can play (the Giants do have a somewhat unsavory reputation with No. 1s) Gallagher could move inside and send Pietrzak to the bench.
Linebackers should be better. At least the battle for jobs should be fun. Incumbents are Brian Kelley in the middle, flanked by Pat Hughes and Brad Van Pelt. Bob Schmit (middle) and Andy Selfridge are holdovers, and here come the new people: Harry Carson, a No. 4 draft pick from South Carolina State, a marvelous specimen said to be unduly intolerant of offensive players; and Dan Lloyd, a No. 6 pick who broke all the strength-testing machinery at Washington.
The secondary might be better, as well. Cornerback Henry Stuckey played nicely for four games until he and some of his knee ligaments went in different directions. Bobby Brooks, with all the tools, is a third-year man who should now begin to understand his responsibilities. Clyde Powers has been the starter at strong safety since his rookie year, and he's now a third-year man with confidence. But he's good enough to switch to the weak side and if he does, Robert Giblin, a rookie in '75, will get a full shot at the strong-side job. If Giblin can't handle it, there is always senior citizen Spider Lockhart for the weak spot, or Jim Steinke, who is also the cornerback reserve.
The kicking is, well, iffy. Dave Jennings is a sound punter, but place kicker George Hunt isn't adequate. Yet there isn't much help on the horizon. Dave Lawson of the Air Force Academy is the only rookie on the roster, and there is some question whether he can commute from his military commitments to handle the kicking chores on a part-time basis."

-Dave Klein, Pro Football 1976

OFFENSE
"Quarterbacks: Morton, the clear-cut starter, will improve as the team does likewise. Carl Summerell could be ousted if David Jaynes, a former high Kansas City draft, can bounce back from a sore arm.
Performance Quotient: 3 [1 through 5, 1 being best]
Running Backs: The addition of Csonka improves the running game 100 per cent. Kotar will be Csonka's partner if Johnson signs somewhere else. Dawkins, normally a fullback, will be worked at halfback, too. Bell has the quickness and moves, and if the rookie shows that he has endurance and stamina as well, he could be a surprise starter. Marsh White has size, speed and potential.
Performance Quotient: 3
Receivers: Rhodes could be a superstar if he continues to progress. Gillette, resurrected two years ago, still doesn't like catching over the middle. Tucker is gifted even though he could use more speed. Buggs is Coach Arnsparger's sleeper; he has rangy size and blurry speed. Obradovich made it despite some physical shortcomings. Wright could help if he could recapture a proper attitude.
Performance Quotient: 3
Interior Linemen: Van Horn is a dependable veteran. Simpson, last year's top draft, has all the physical tools but disappointed. Hicks, who might see duty at tackle, looks awkward but gets the job done. Mullen, smoother, could be on his way to recognition. Hyland is in serious trouble this time around; he could lose his job.
Chandler, steady and reliable, may start somewhere. Hill is the blue-chipper, a WFL veteran who should start right now. Miller, another WFLer, was that league's top offensive lineman. Kroyer, yet a third WFL survivor, has an outside chance.
Performance Quotient: 3
Kickers: Hunt had an up-and-down season (mostly down) and could be pushed. Jennings was more than adequate as the punter.
Performance Quotient: 3"

-Dave Klein, Pro Football 1976

DEFENSE
"Front Line: Gregory played back to the form of his best years; he's super when well. Gallagher came from the Rams and won a regular job. Mendenhall, when healthy and happy, approaches the top caliber of tackles. Pietrzak, the weak link of the starting unit, has size but not quickness.
Rick Dvorak has quickness but not enough bulk for continuous duty. He's tough, though. Archer, the No. 1 pick, should start and move Gallagher inside. '75 rookie George Martin played surprisingly well, but isn't a starter. John Jordan left school for the WFL; he could surprise.
Performance Quotient: 3
Linebackers: Van Pelt, improving slowly, has enormous physical tools and ability. Hughes, a regular since 1971, will face his annual challenge. Kelley has become an acceptable middle backer but could use more bulk.
Schmit lacks size but hits hard and is quick. Selfridge is on the verge of being cut each year but plays well when tested. Carson is the sleeper of the Giants' draft, with good size, speed and toughness. Lloyd fights to stay.
Performance Quotient: 3
Cornerbacks: Stuckey played well before getting hurt. Brooks has all the physical [tools], but gets lost.
Performance Quotient: 3
Safeties: Powers, a budding star, may find himself a regular on the weak side. Steinke is also the reserve cornerback. Giblin impressed as a rookie despite a rash of minor injuries. Lockhart, the team's senior, isn't ready for retirement. Mel Wilson is highly regarded, but it's hard to see whom he can push here.
Performance Quotient: 2"

-Dave Klein, Pro Football 1976


"Look out, New Jersey, here come the Giants. In 1976 the New York Giants, one of the great nomadic teams of recent NFL history, will settle into what figures to be their more-or-less permanent home on October 10 when the new Giants Stadium in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in northern New Jersey opens.
Once all of the furor is over and the new stadium is opened, the attention of Giant fans will undoubtedly focus on the newest star of the running backfield, Larry Csonka. The former Miami Dolphin great, who jumped to the WFL, signed with New York last spring. This may be the answer to their backfield problems, but perhaps not all of them.
Ron Johnson, long the standout in the running game, played out his option. But he actually finished third among the Giant rushers in 1975 anyway. The two top yardage-gainers, Joe Dawkins (438 yards) and Doug Kotar (378), are both back along with Larry Watkins and Marsh White.
The strengthening of the running game through the addition of Csonka will also help the passing game in two ways. First, of course, it will give better balance to the attack. Second, assuming that his time with the WFL and in enforced inactivity have not dulled his skills, Csonka is also a fine pass blocker. This fact alone will make Craig Morton a much happier man in 1976 than he was a year ago.
For the most part, the Giants are committed to Morton as their quarterback with Carl Summerell and David Jaynes in reserve.
The Giants lost three men to the expansion draft which brought Seattle and Tampa Bay into the league. Wide receiver Don Clune is one who might be missed. Clune, a second round choice from Pennsylvania, and kick return specialist Rondy Colbert were both picked off by the Seattle Seahawks. Tampa Bay selected Jimmy Ginn, a six-year linebacker whom the Giants had acquired from Chicago last season.
On the plus side, the Giants drafted defensive end Troy Archer from Colorado, running back Gordon Bell from Michigan, linebacker Harry Carson from South Carolina State, defensive back Melvin Wilson from Northridge State and linebacker Dan Lloyd from Washington as their top selectees among the college talent available. The choice of mostly defensive men was, of course, a willful move by Giant coach Bill Arnsparger, a former defensive coach.
All of the new faces will leave the Giants with a wide receiver corps which includes Walker Gillette, Ray Rhodes and Danny Buggs at the wide spots. Gillette, with 43 catches for 600 yards, was Morton's pet target last season, while Rhodes had 26 receptions for six touchdowns. Gillette is not gifted with great speed and Rhodes is considered too small as a wide receiver, but the Giants have nothing better and they are adequate. Among the tight ends, starter Bob Tucker is a pro and caught 43 aerials last season. His backup is Jim Obradovich.
On the interior of the offensive line, the Giants needed some help and got it. Doug Van Horn and Willie Young are being challenged. Third-year men Tom Mullen and John Hicks are respectable. [The Giants] also added an entire cadre of Memphis Southmen in guards Charlie Gray and Tom Kruyer, center Ralph Hill, tackle Mike Gibbons and tight end Garry Shirk. The WFL team also contributed linebacker Frank Marion, wide receiver Charlie Hobbs and cornerback Larry Mallory. The best new interior lineman may be Birmingham's Joe Miller.
On defense, Arnsparger will do his best to work in the new blood wherever they may fit. On the front four, it was Dave Gallagher, John Mendenhall and George Martin as regulars. Jack Gregory, Rick Dvorak and Jim Pietrzak will fight it out with the rookies for the fourth starting assignment. The only question among the first three is Mendenhall, who was injured most of 1975, and the Giants hope he stays healthy.
Pat Hughes, Brian Kelley and Brad Van Pelt were the starting linebackers last season and all three did creditable jobs. Van Pelt finally came into his own as a regular and all three can be expected to hold their spots.
On the corners, it was Bobby Brooks and Charlie Ford. Brooks had a good year with four interceptions but Ford got the job by default and can be expected to be replaced by a rookie if any show enough to win the job.
At safety, big questions must be answered. Spider Lockhart played out his option, Henry Stuckey had off-season surgery, and Clyde Powers and Jim Steinke are available but questionable. Rookies may also find jobs here.
Dave Jennings is a fine punter but George Hunt leaves a lot to be desired as a place kicker.
Overall, the Giants may not do better than fourth in the NFC East but they can be expected to be vastly improved and can close ground on the aging Redskins."

-Ben Thomas, Gridiron News 1976 Pro Yearbook


"HEAD COACH: BILL ARNSPARGER
After suffering through painfully dull and unsuccessful rebuilding seasons, loyal Giant fans view their impending move to their new stadium in Hackensack, New Jersey and the simultaneous arrival of former All-Pro fullback Larry Csonka as signifying a dawn of a new era for their favorite football team. Bill Arnsparger, who has lost 21 of 28 games during his tenure, believes his reconstructed Giants are finally ready for a winning season.
OFFENSE
The addition of Csonka (6'3"/240) should put punch in an offense that registered a mere 216 points last year. The bone-crushing fullback will keep the defenses honest with his inside power running as well as providing some badly needed pass-blocking strength. Marsh White and Larry Watkins will back up Csonka. Doug Kotar, Joe Dawkins and little Gordon Bell of Michigan, a fast and deceptively durable type, could split time at the halfback position.
Poor protection (49 sacks) and a weak ground attack handcuffed Craig Morton last season, accounting for his unimpressive 51 percent completion mark and 16 interceptions. Morton seemed ill at ease in the over-simplified New York offense which posed little problem to enemy defenders. Carl Summerell, Mike Wells and Matthew Reed will battle for the reserve role.
Walker Gillette, Ray Rhodes, Elmo Wright and Danny Buggs comprise a mediocre set of flankers. WFLer Charles Hobbs could break into the picture on the outside. Veteran Bob Tucker is a proven performer at tight end but must fend off the challenge of rugged Jim Obradovich.
Arnsparger signed a host of former WFL players for help in his notably ineffectual offensive line. Joe Miller (Birmingham) and Mike Gibbons (Memphis) could press incumbent tackles Doug Van Horn and Al Simpson for starting assignments. The guard positions are strong with John Hicks and Tom Mullen considered among the better young blockers in the conference; WFLers Charlie Bray and Tom Kryer may win reserve roles. Bob Hyland and Karl Chandler share the center slot.
Dave Jennings was impressive with a fine 40.9 average on his 76 punt attempts last season but place kicker George Hunt left a great deal to be desired in missing five extra points and five of 11 field goal kicks.
DEFENSE
Arnsparger, who received his Masters degree in defense at Miami under Don Shula, has made slow but sure progress in building a cohesive defensive unit in New York. The secondary, a long-time Giant weakness, should be more stable with vastly improved Bobby Brooks and quick Henry Stuckey at the corners, plus steady Clyde Powers and talented Jim Steinke at the safety posts. Robert Giblin, Charlie Ford and rookie Mel Wilson of Northridge (California) may push veteran Spider Lockhart off the roster.
Brad Van Pelt (6'5"/240) has fulfilled his great physical potential and is secure at the right linebacker position. Brian Kelley has the inside track for the middle slot as does veteran Pat Hughes on the strong side but both face a lot of competition. Harry Carson (6'2"/220) and Dan Lloyd (6'2"/225) of Washington are well-regarded rookie candidates. John Tate and Bob Schmit are also on hand to argue the issue.
Jack Gregory, who accounted for 16 of New York's 26 sacks last year, and aggressive Dave Gallagher have been the regular ends with hustling John Mendenhall and big Jim Pietrzak the tackles. End George Martin and tackle Rick Dvorak have been the key reserves. The picture may change, however, due to the arrival of All-American end Troy Archer (6'4"/240) of Colorado and top-rated tackle John Jordan (6'4"/240) of Indiana. Archer, an exceptionally fast and reckless hitter, appears much too good to be kept on the bench even as a rookie.
FORECAST
The New York Giants cannot as yet be considered a serious contender for divisional honors but are unquestionably on the upgrade. Csonka, plus the improved defense, should make them a more competitive and, hopefully, a more interesting football team during the upcoming campaign. Bill Arnsparger may achieve his goal, a winning season, but [we believe] a 4-10 or 5-9 record is much more probable."

-Complete Sports Pro Football Special 1976, published by Complete Sports Publications, Inc.


"The dramatic acquisition of all-time great Larry Csonka has generated a new interest and excitement among New York fans who have suffered through two painfully dull rebuilding seasons. The Giants, who come off a ho-hum 5-9 year, move to a new stadium in Hackensack, New Jersey and hope the transition signifies the dawning of a new era and a return to respectability.
Csonka (6'3"/240) is a true battering ram at fullback and should inject some punch in a ground game that ranked among the weakest in the NFL. He'll unquestionably be the foundation of the attack as he was in Miami, getting the tough first downs and keeping rival defenses honest. Larry Watkins and promising Marsh White will compete for backup honors. Gordon Bell (5'8"/175) of Michigan is a quick and deceptively strong cutback artist at halfback where he will challenge steady Doug Kotar and possible Joe Dawkins.
Poor pass protection (49 sacks) and an oversimplified approach to offense seemed to handcuff Craig Morton, a normally effective point producer and play-mixer. The 12-year veteran hopes the addition of Csonka will allow him to improve sharply on his 51 percent completion mark and 16 interceptions of last season. Carl Summerell, Mike Wells and WFLer Matthew Reed are candidates for the relief role.
Little Ray Rhodes distinguished himself as a legitimate deep threat flanker with six touchdown catches on fly patterns while Walker Gillette pulled in 43 passes of the drive-sustaining type. WFLer Charles Hobbs and Elmo Wright join Danny Buggs, fastest Giant ever, to complete the quartet of wide men. Rugged Jim Obradovich may give veteran Bob Tucker a real battle for starting honors at tight end this season: both are solid blockers and excellent receivers.
Arnsparger looked to the defunct WFL for needed help in his notably ineffectual offensive line. The major problem is at the tackle positions where Doug Van Horn (6'3"/245) and Al Simpson (6'5"/255) have had their problems. The Giants feel Joe Miller (6'5"/255), who starred for Birmingham, and Mike Gibbons (6'4"/260), from Memphis, will prove of NFL calibre. The guard positions are strong with John Hicks (6'2"/260) and Tom Mullen (6'3"/245) firmly entrenched as starters; Charlie Bray (6'1"/255), a quick mover, and Tom Kruyer (6'2"/255) also come over from the WFL for reserve duty. Bob Hyland (6'5"/255) and Karl Chandler (6'5"/250) will share the center spot.
Dave Jennings posted a noteworthy 40.9 record on 76 punts but place kicker George Hunt missed five extra points and five of 11 field goals. The explosive Bell will join Tim Berra, Kotar and Buggs on punt and kickoff runback teams.
The Giants had the worst record in the league against the run, yielding 4.4 yards per rush. A major contributing factor was the limited play of tackle John Mendenhall (6'1"/255), by far the best player on the team, who was plagued with injuries in '75. A healthy and happy Mendenhall will shore up the defense as he teams in the middle with big Jim Pietrzak (6'5"/265) or quick Rick Dvorak (6'5"/265). Aggressive Dave Gallagher (6'4"/255) and sack artist Jack Gregory (6'5"/255) are the incumbents at end, with promising George Martin (6'4"/245) in reserve. A shuffling of personnel may take place due to the arrival of All-American end Troy Archer (6'4"/240) of Colorado, a fast and reckless headhunting type, plus tackle John Jordon (6'4"/255) of Indiana.
Brad Van Pelt (6'5"/240) has come into his own at the right linebacker post and is secure in his position. Brian Kelley patrols the middle in competent fashion while Pat Hughes may have to hustle to keep his strong-side job this season. Rookie Harry Carson (6'2"/220) of South Carolina State and young hit-man John Tate could apply pressure in preseason play. Dan Lloyd (6'2"/225) of Washington also tries to crack the reserve unit which includes Andy Selfridge and Bob Schmit.
Giant fans hope for some stability in the secondary now that Arnsparger has finally settled on a starting unit. Bobby Brooks and Henry Stuckey loom as best bets for the corners with Charlie Ford as the backup. Clyde Powers has a lock on the strong safety position and talented Jim Steinke may be hard to displace at free safety. Robert Giblin and rookie Mel Wilson of Cal-Northridge should also see action at the deep posts. Spider Lockhart, long-time local hero, appears destined to be playing elsewhere in '76.
New York appears to making progress, however slowly, in regaining some measure of bygone glory but cannot yet be considered any threat to the established divisional leaders. Csonka, plus the improved defense, should make the Giants more competitive and, hopefully, more interesting to watch. The unimaginative offense, worsened by confused huddles and sideline hesitancy, is the drawback. A fast getaway could make all the difference in the world.
Forecast: 4th Place"

-Football Forecast 1976, published by Lexington Library, Inc.


"It's now up to Larry Csonka to prevent another Giant disaster. The big fullback from the Miami Dolphins by way of the WFL Memphis Southmen said it succinctly: 'If the Giant situation turns around, I may get credit for it.'
That credit will have to be shared with quarterback Craig Morton who, like coach Bill Arnsparger, is on trial. Arns is in his third year. He had carefully weeded out the old Giants and has gone with youth- cornerback Bobby Brooks is an example of a promising player who burned the Giants for most of his two seasons, but who was coming along at the end of 1975.
Morton must make the attack less prone to error. Csonka isn't fumble-prone the way the 1975 backfield (with emphasis on Ron Johnson, Joe Dawkins, Larry Watkins and Doug Kotar) was.
Coming to the Giants with Csonka are the premier members of the Memphis offensive line that cleared the way for his rushing forays during the short-lived WFL season last year. These include guard Charlie Bray, described as one of the best pulling guards in the sport; guard Tom Kruyer; center Ralph Hill; tight end Gary Shrirk; linebacker Frank Mallory; and Mike Gibbons, a backup tackle. Still another WFL offensive lineman was signed, this one from Birmingham- Joe Miller, six-five, 255 pounds, rated by some as one the WFL's best. These additions are expected to automatically shore up the Giant's offensive line, one of the club's weaker points. The newcomers may not budge Tom Mullen or John Hicks, but they might replace Doug Van Horn, Karl Chandler, Bob Hyland and Willie Young.
The Giants' front office stole a march on the rest of the NFL with its Memphis acquisitions. And Troy Archer may help add sock up front on defense. On paper, the Giants' rush line should perform better than it did. John Mendenhall was hurt in the first quarter of the first game of 1975, tried to play on a bad ankle for half the year, and wound up bitter at management. He wanted to be traded, but the acquisition of Csonka and the Southmen may change his thinking.
The brass had to make a move. The Giants are set to end their long odyssey and move into their new home in the New Jersey Meadowlands. Or will they play part of the season in the newly refurbished Yankee Stadium? Either way, they're in a desperate battle for fan approval. They've just about worn out their credibility. To help them sell in New Jersey, even the 'NY' has been removed from their blue-and-white helmets.
Arnsparger is a testy man, neither liked nor disliked by the press. He isn't too smooth with the media and isn't that well liked by his players, either. His open feud with running back Ron Johnson hurt everyone concerned. Johnson wants to be traded, but the value of the former 1,000-yarder is now nil. Arns says he can come back, but he will want to back up Csonka?
Technically, the Arnsparger defense didn't do too do badly in 1975 until they finally gave up in December. Still, 14th against the pass and 23rd against the rush isn't the answer.
Critics claim that Arnsparger's offense lacks imagination. McVay may be put in charge of putting some high octane in the attack. Meanwhile, Arns claims, 'Csonka will automatically make Morton a better quarterback. The attack will be two-dimensional this way, with a good running threat.'
The Giants didn't go to premier tight end Bob Tucker enough last year. Wide receiver Charlie Hobbs, another Southman, can give Walker Gillette some competition as Morton's favorite receiver. Elmo Wright may do the same.
The Giants have made big strides, but now they must put in together. The WFL players may have some cohesion from their experience together, and this will help. If the holes can be opened for Csonka, Morton has a chance.
The defensive front line has to be better. A comeback by Jack Gregory would help immensely. Gregory and Mendenhall could lead the charge and make the defense really respectable.
Management has spent made the money and made the moves. Now it's up to Morton and Arnsparger. If mid-season finds the Giants wallowing, look for the coach to walk the plank. It may all come down to Morton, who has never proved he can win, even when he had the horses with the Cowboys. (He came close, but he didn't win.)
Morton may have to look to wide receiver Elmo (The Jitterbug) Wright, the noted hot dog from Kansas City. The staid Giants need some color, and Wright will provide it if he makes the team.
The Giants are fervently hoping the long projected move to their new Stadium in New Jersey actually takes place. They were a road team for a year and a half in New Haven, and then were an unwanted fourth team in Shea Stadium last year. A continuation of the same between Yankee Stadium and the new ball park won't make the players happy, and it could cost a couple of games."

-Norman MacLean and Herbert M. Furlow, The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1976

OFFENSE
"Quarterbacks: Morton is still a loser, but he's the Giants' best passer. Carl Summerell is young and has promise but is only a mop-up at present. Morton has to get the attack moving, take the ball in when he gets opportunities, and cut out the constant fumbleitis.
David Jaynes is a former Kansas All-America who was chosen by Kansas City in the third round of the 1974 draft. He spent the 1975 season in the WFL.
Running Backs: Larry Csonka! Giants say, clear the track! Johnson has played out his option, is openly feuding with Coach Arnsparger and wants to be traded. The Giants should take him up on that- he gained only 351 yards in 1975, behind Dawkins' 438 and Kotar's 378. Both Dawkins and Kotar are error-prone.
Watkins and Marsh White are also on the scene; Watkins is the most able. In addition to playing football, John Thomas was a track man at Valley City State in North Dakota. Gordon Bell was All-America at Michigan.
Receivers: Gillette tops the units- he snagged 43 catches for 600 yards in 1975. Tight end Tucker, who wasn't used as much as he should have been, caught 34 but scored only once. Rhodes proved his value as a regular, but he's too small and plays without shoulder pads. Still, the Giants have none better. Danny Buggs will challenge the wide spots while Jim Obradovich challenges at tight end.
Hobbs and Gary Shirk arrived on the scene with the Memphis delegation. When Wright scores a touchdown, he will jitterbug in the end zone for the Giants this year. Tim Berra, Yogi's son, will also try his hand at running back kicks. At Clemson, Craig Brantley didn't catch a lot of passes but when he did, it usually meant a touchdown.
Interior Linemen: Van Horn and Young are still standing upright despite the horrors of the last two years. Mullen and Hicks, both from the 1974 draft, are solid starters but Al Simpson disappointed last year when he was penciled in to take over for Young. Hyland is the center; Chandler is a sub for the whole line.
Help has arrived from the WFL (Memphis) with linemen Gibbons, Kruyer, Bray and Hill. Bray was All-Canada for three years with Toronto. Kruyer also played north of the border. Joe Miller is from Birmingham of the WFL; Ralph Miller adds heft to the line.
Kickers: David Jennings did well as punter in 1975, with several coffin corner kicks and a touch-the-sky type of punt at times. He averaged 40.9. George Hunt, who punted short a couple of times when the situation called for it, was something less than a ring-tailed wow on place kicks- his extra points got blocked with regularity. It might have been the line, or it might have been slowness in getting kicks off."

-Norman MacLean and Herbert M. Furlow, The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1976

DEFENSE
"Front Linemen: The rush line needs some new blood. Dave Gallagher and Mendenhall, injured most of the year, and second-year man George Martin appear set, with the other spot open to either Rick Dvorak or Jim Pietrzak. Gregory bounced back a bit last year, and with help can be a leader. Troy Archer was a surprise first round draft choice.
Bonnie Sloan was last active with St. Louis in 1974. As a college player, Eddie Morgan led his team in tackles, quarterback sacks and fumble recoveries. John Jordan is a member of the Memphis delegation on the Giants' squad; at six-six, Raymond Carr is the tallest man on the team.
Linebackers: Pat Hughes, Brian Kelley and Brad Van Pelt aren't very familiar names, but these men did fairly well in 1975, and Van Pelt finally nailed down a regular spot.
Andy Selfridge and Bob Schmit are the backups. Frank Marion was a WFLer with Memphis. Jerry Mullane was defensive captain at Lehigh and was noted for his spirited leadership. Harry Carson played four seasons of football in college and never missed a game; Dan Lloyd was, among other things, a college wrestling champion.
Cornerbacks: Brooks had a pretty fair year in 1974. He's another player who came out of that good 1974 draft. He led with four interceptions last year. Charlie Ford finished as the other starter, but he isn't the answer. Henry Stuckey could help, but he's coming off surgery.
Mel Wilson won college honors on the West Coast as both a linebacker and a safety. Steve Curnutte was chosen in the 17th round of the draft, but the Giants have been lucky with their 17th round choices. Bill Bryant is a product of Eddie Robinson's Grambling ramblers; Rick Caswell has 4.5 speed in the 40.
Safeties: Clyde Powers was less than that in 1975. Jim Steinke is once more listed as a free safety- he played most of 1975 out of position at cornerback.
Mallory, up from Memphis, could solve some problems, and maybe Mike Townsend can bring some of the luck of the Irish to the Jersey Meadowlands. And, oh yes, Spider Lockhart is still on the roster for the time being."

-Norman MacLean and Herbert M. Furlow, The Pocket Book of Pro Football 1976


"Moving to their new stadium across the Hudson River in New Jersey, the Giants talk with swelling chests of their improvement under coach Bill Arnsparger. In his first season, 1974, they were 2-12; in 1975 they ratcheted upward three notches. The club was made up mostly of first and second-year players, their average age only 25. The mistakes of youth cost the Giants five games. 'It could have been a 10-4 season,' the Giants claim, but could-have-beens won't get you into the Super Bowl. The Giants have added the super Larry Csonka, but they face a rugged schedule: half of their games are against 1975 playoff teams.
OFFENSE: The Giants ranked only 22nd in offense- 24th in rushing, 17th in passing. Needed badly was a running back of the ramrod calibre of Csonka. The team's top rusher, Joe Dawkins, gained only 438 yards. Dawkins, Doug Kotar, Marsh White or rookie Gordon Bell (Michigan) will flank Csonka at running back.
The quarterback is Craig Morton, who had to throw too often to be effective (he was eighth in the conference). There is no quality backup quarterback- and Craig is 33 years old. The wide receivers will be Walker Gillette, the Giants' top pass catcher last season, and Ray Rhodes. Former All-Pro Bob Tucker holds fast at tight end. Again there is little proven stuff in reserve.
On the offensive line, Bob Hyland is the center. John Hicks and Tom Mullen- they made the All-NFL Rookie team [in 1974]- are the guards. Doug Van Horn and Al Simpson hold down the tackle slots. Four starters from Csonka's WFL Memphis team will try to win jobs on this line.
DEFENSE: With tackle John Mendenhall limping most of the year on aching ankles, the Giants came apart up front. They were 21st of 26 in total defense- 23rd against the rush and 14th against the pass. The Giants' No. 1 draft pick was a defensive end, Troy Archer (Colorado), but George Martin will get first shot at left end with Jack Gregory (16 sacks) on the right side. The tackles will be Mendenhall and Dave Gallagher with Jim Pietrzak and Rick Dvorak fighting to break in.
Linebacking seems less fluid. Brian Kelley is in the middle with Pat Hughes and Brad Van Pelt on the outside. No. 3 draft pick Harry Carson (South Carolina State) could work his way into a spot.
Bobby Brooks and Henry Stuckey will be at the corners, Clyde Powers or Bob Giblin at strong safety with Jim Steinke at free safety replacing the retired Spider Lockhart.
SPECIALISTS: Field goal kicker George Hunt (6 of 11) leaves something to be desired; punter Dave Jennings is barely adequate. There are no streaky kick return types.
THE CRYSTAL BALL SAYS: The Giants will move west- to New Jersey- but no more than one step north in the NFC East."

-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1976