1976 Profile: Craig Morton

Quarterback
No. 15
California
"Now 33, he steered Dallas to the Super Bowl in 1971, but he has always been suspect as a quarterback. Can he win the big ones? Last year he ranked eighth in the NFC in passing. A bachelor, he owns a Dallas restaurant and enjoys the skiing life at Aspen."

-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1976

"Morton came to the Giants from Dallas for a No. 1 draft choice just before the trading deadline in 1974 and moved right in as the No. 1 quarterback. In fact, with just three days work, he played the following Sunday against the Cowboys in relief of Jim Del Gaizo, then started the remaining games. Morton's presence improved the offense considerably.
The Giants scored but 68 points in the first seven games of the year, then increased production to 127 for the final seven with Morton doing the orchestration. By season's end, he had completed 122 of 237 passes for 1,510 yards and nine touchdowns for the Giants and enjoyed several outstanding afternoons. Craig had 21 completions for 259 yards against the Cardinals and was 21-for-32 against the Jets.
In 1975, despite an offensive line which was hit by a series of injuries, and the lack of a really outstanding running attack, Craig led the club to five wins, and along the way had 186 completions for 2,359 yards and 11 touchdowns, the last of which was his 100th career touchdown. He had a great night in a 17-14 win over the undefeated Bills with 15-for-21 for 220 yards. A good, solid leader, he should be primed for a top year with a full season [with the Giants] behind him and the addition of some muscle in the rush attack via the signing of Larry Csonka.
He originally was a No. 1 draft choice of Dallas in 1965 and spent 10 years with the Cowboys, several of those seasons as the No. 1 quarterback, including taking the club to a Super Bowl. He had a banner year in 1972 with a club record 185 completions for 2,396 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Morton was an All-American quarterback at California, starring for three seasons and setting records in the process. A teammate in the backfield was Mike Epstein, later a major league baseball player. Morton was also a top baseball player at Cal, turning down a baseball bonus offer to join the Cowboys.
Craig L. Morton was born in Flint, Michigan and was raised in Campbell, California, where he was an All-State high school star in football, baseball and basketball. A bachelor, he spends time skiing in Aspen during the off-season."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide