Offensive Tackle
No. 79
Colorado State
"Big Al was the Giants' No. 2 draft selection in 1975 and saw extensive duty during his rookie campaign, mostly with special teams units. He did get into action frequently throughout the year at left offensive tackle and also played some at guard when injuries depleted the offensive unit. Simpson was a hard worker all year long, as attested to by his slicing his collegiate weight of 270 down to 250 for his initial NFL season.
He began his collegiate career at McCook Junior College in Nebraska before moving to Colorado State, initially as a defensive tackle, then as an offensive tackle. Simpson's prowess there earned him second-team NEA All-American honors as well as MVP, Offense, at Colorado State his senior year. That year Colorado State ranked No. 1 in the country in passing offense, a tribute to the pass blocking on that team. Simpson also won a spot in the East-West Shrine Game his senior season.
Allen Ralph Simpson, Jr. was born in Pittsburgh. He played high school football and was a shot-putter at both Westinghouse High School and Wilkinsburg High School in Pittsburgh."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Thursday, August 25, 2016
1976 Profile: Dave Simonson
Offensive Tackle
No. 67
Minnesota
"Dave was a No. 12 selection of the Baltimore Colts in 1974 and played 13 games with the Colts as a rookie. He came to the Giants last year after being released by the Colts and saw some action late in the campaign, both on special teams and as a reserve tackle. He has fine potential with good size to go with that potential.
A three-year letterman at Minnesota, Dave was a dependable player who improved yearly. His versatility in athletics was best exemplified by the fact that he was also an outstanding wrestler, finishing second in the 1973 Big 10 wrestling championships in the heavyweight division.
David Arnold Simonson was born in Austin, Minnesota and was an all-around high school athlete at Austin Central High School. He still resides in his hometown during the off-seasons."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 67
Minnesota
"Dave was a No. 12 selection of the Baltimore Colts in 1974 and played 13 games with the Colts as a rookie. He came to the Giants last year after being released by the Colts and saw some action late in the campaign, both on special teams and as a reserve tackle. He has fine potential with good size to go with that potential.
A three-year letterman at Minnesota, Dave was a dependable player who improved yearly. His versatility in athletics was best exemplified by the fact that he was also an outstanding wrestler, finishing second in the 1973 Big 10 wrestling championships in the heavyweight division.
David Arnold Simonson was born in Austin, Minnesota and was an all-around high school athlete at Austin Central High School. He still resides in his hometown during the off-seasons."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
Friday, August 19, 2016
1976 Profile: Andy Selfridge
Linebacker
No. 57
Virginia
"Selfridge came to the Giants prior the 1974 season as a free agent and won himself a job in training camp with his fine performance. He appeared in all 14 regular season games as an outside linebacker, with half of those games as a starter. Andy had an interception against Atlanta, recorded two quarterback sacks and had two fumble recoveries as well, and did a fine job on the special teams.
In 1975, Selfridge continued to be a bulwark on all of the special team units and saw frequent action as the fourth linebacker in certain defenses. He had a blocked punt against the Colts, and made some big stops on the Bills on goal line stands in the 17-14 Monday Night upset over his former team. He was originally drafted No. 13 by San Diego in 1972, then went to the Buffalo Bills that year and spent two seasons in Buffalo before the Giants obtained him.
Andy was a defensive tackle at Virginia and won All-Atlantic Coast honors two years in succession. He also played in the All-American Bowl. He earned a B.A. degree in economics and a Master's degree in education.
Andrew Paul Selfridge was born in Cleveland, Ohio and played his high school athletics at Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, Ohio. He spent the off-season in New York working for the National Alliance of Businessmen after having been a member of the Giants' Speakers Bureau during the previous year. Andy is planning on a career in government after his playing days."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 57
Virginia
"Selfridge came to the Giants prior the 1974 season as a free agent and won himself a job in training camp with his fine performance. He appeared in all 14 regular season games as an outside linebacker, with half of those games as a starter. Andy had an interception against Atlanta, recorded two quarterback sacks and had two fumble recoveries as well, and did a fine job on the special teams.
In 1975, Selfridge continued to be a bulwark on all of the special team units and saw frequent action as the fourth linebacker in certain defenses. He had a blocked punt against the Colts, and made some big stops on the Bills on goal line stands in the 17-14 Monday Night upset over his former team. He was originally drafted No. 13 by San Diego in 1972, then went to the Buffalo Bills that year and spent two seasons in Buffalo before the Giants obtained him.
Andy was a defensive tackle at Virginia and won All-Atlantic Coast honors two years in succession. He also played in the All-American Bowl. He earned a B.A. degree in economics and a Master's degree in education.
Andrew Paul Selfridge was born in Cleveland, Ohio and played his high school athletics at Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, Ohio. He spent the off-season in New York working for the National Alliance of Businessmen after having been a member of the Giants' Speakers Bureau during the previous year. Andy is planning on a career in government after his playing days."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
Friday, August 12, 2016
1976 Profile: Bob Schmit
Middle Linebacker
No. 59
Nebraska
"The Giants obtained Schmit as a free agent prior to 1975 training camp on the advice of linebacker coach Marty Schottenheimer who had coached Bob at Portland of the WFL. Schmit was considered one of the top middle linebackers in the WFL during the 1974 season, leading Portland in tackles. When he became a free agent, several NFL teams contacted him and offered contracts. Bob enjoyed a solid preseason, coming up with an interception and a 44-yard return in a win over San Diego, then proved valuable as a reserve in the regular season and as a hitter on special teams.
Schmit played for two seasons at Nebraska as a linebacker. He was chiefly a reserve on those Cornhusker teams, and was subsequently not drafted by an NFL team. Bob signed with Portland where, given an opportunity to play regularly, he developed into an outstanding player.
Robert Steven Schmit was born in Astroria, New York but grew up in famed Boystown, Nebraska where he excelled at all sports. After his graduation from Boystown High School, he moved on to the University of Nebraska. His favorite form of entertainment is music and his major hobby is old and antique cars."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 59
Nebraska
"The Giants obtained Schmit as a free agent prior to 1975 training camp on the advice of linebacker coach Marty Schottenheimer who had coached Bob at Portland of the WFL. Schmit was considered one of the top middle linebackers in the WFL during the 1974 season, leading Portland in tackles. When he became a free agent, several NFL teams contacted him and offered contracts. Bob enjoyed a solid preseason, coming up with an interception and a 44-yard return in a win over San Diego, then proved valuable as a reserve in the regular season and as a hitter on special teams.
Schmit played for two seasons at Nebraska as a linebacker. He was chiefly a reserve on those Cornhusker teams, and was subsequently not drafted by an NFL team. Bob signed with Portland where, given an opportunity to play regularly, he developed into an outstanding player.
Robert Steven Schmit was born in Astroria, New York but grew up in famed Boystown, Nebraska where he excelled at all sports. After his graduation from Boystown High School, he moved on to the University of Nebraska. His favorite form of entertainment is music and his major hobby is old and antique cars."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
Saturday, August 6, 2016
1976 Profile: Ray Rhodes
Wide Receiver
No. 82
Tulsa
"Rhodes was the 10th round draft pick of the Giants and proved to be a valuable utility man with versatility. The swift youngster was a reserve wide receiver, catching nine passes for 138 yards and a 15.3 average and also led the club in punt returns with 10 for 124 yards, including a 40-yarder which set up a touchdown against Kansas City. Ray also had a kickoff return for 27 yards and blocked a punt against the Eagles on special team duty. He played in all 14 games and showed fine promise.
Last year, Ray won a starting job at wide receiver in competition against vets Bob Grim and Don Herrmann and proved to be as dangerous as any wide receiver in the division. All told, he had 26 catches for 537 yards, and his 20.7 yards-per-catch average was the best in the entire NFL. His six touchdown catches led the Giants in that department.
Ray specializes in circus catches, making any number of near-impossible receptions, and he also becomes a threat after he catches the ball, with wicked moves and good speed and running ability. He's one of the hardest workers on the squad.
He began his collegiate career at TCU as a running back, showing 786 yards on 176 carries for a 4.9 average, then transferred to Tulsa where he was a wide receiver and a teammate of Drew Pearson of the Cowboys. Rhodes had 43 catches in two seasons for five touchdowns and averaged 26.1 on kickoff returns. He also earned two letters in track.
Raymond Rhodes was born in Mexia, Texas and played football, basketball and ran track at Mexia High School. He now lives in Dallas."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 82
Tulsa
"Rhodes was the 10th round draft pick of the Giants and proved to be a valuable utility man with versatility. The swift youngster was a reserve wide receiver, catching nine passes for 138 yards and a 15.3 average and also led the club in punt returns with 10 for 124 yards, including a 40-yarder which set up a touchdown against Kansas City. Ray also had a kickoff return for 27 yards and blocked a punt against the Eagles on special team duty. He played in all 14 games and showed fine promise.
Last year, Ray won a starting job at wide receiver in competition against vets Bob Grim and Don Herrmann and proved to be as dangerous as any wide receiver in the division. All told, he had 26 catches for 537 yards, and his 20.7 yards-per-catch average was the best in the entire NFL. His six touchdown catches led the Giants in that department.
Ray specializes in circus catches, making any number of near-impossible receptions, and he also becomes a threat after he catches the ball, with wicked moves and good speed and running ability. He's one of the hardest workers on the squad.
He began his collegiate career at TCU as a running back, showing 786 yards on 176 carries for a 4.9 average, then transferred to Tulsa where he was a wide receiver and a teammate of Drew Pearson of the Cowboys. Rhodes had 43 catches in two seasons for five touchdowns and averaged 26.1 on kickoff returns. He also earned two letters in track.
Raymond Rhodes was born in Mexia, Texas and played football, basketball and ran track at Mexia High School. He now lives in Dallas."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
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