Saturday, October 29, 2016

1976 Profile: Marsh White

Running Back
No. 24
Arkansas
"White was a 12th round pick last year, going that late primarily because of a collegiate career marred by a series of nagging injuries. As a rookie he improved steadily throughout the season, getting into all 14 games and proving to be a fine hitter and performer on all of the special team duties. He also managed to see extensive duty in the backfield as a reserve and enjoyed a solid afternoon in the 26-23 win over San Francisco when he carried 12 times for 69 yards and scored a touchdown. All told, White had 90 yards on 17 carries for a team-leading 5.3 average and also caught three passes for 15 yards. He's got good speed and could well be a contender for a starting berth in '76.
Hampered by injuries in each of his three seasons at Arkansas, Marsh nonetheless had some fine days as a collegian, including 64 yards in eight carries against USC and 78 in 11 trips against Texas Tech. He was an All-SWC choice as a soph when he rushed 80 times for 340 yards after a fine freshman season when he scored 10 touchdowns.
Marsh R. White was born in Bonham, Texas and starred at Bonham High School in his hometown. He is a cousin of Cincinnati Redleg Joe Morgan."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

1976 Profile: Mike Wells

Quarterback
No. 17
Illinois
"Mike came to the Giants from the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent just prior to the start of the regular season after spending two seasons there- one on the taxi squad and the next on injured reserve after he was kayoed by a knee injury which required surgery. Just prior to that injury, Mike had started at quarterback against Miami in a preseason game and had completed 7-of-8 passes for 56 yards and had rushed five times for 37 yards.
He was a standout quarterback and runner at Illinois, winning three letters there and gaining All-Big 10 honors in 1972. Mike set school records for passing yardage and total offense that season. He majored in geography and made the All-Academic team.
Mike Wells was born in Normal, Illinois where he was an all-around athlete. He still resides in his hometown."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

Friday, October 21, 2016

1976 Profile: Larry Watkins

Running Back
No. 36
Alcorn A & M
"The Giants obtained Watkins for a draft choice from the Buffalo Bills after the [1974] season. He became a valuable running back all through last season, finishing as the club's top per-average rusher with a 4.5 mark, with 303 yards on 68 carries. His best days were against the Cardinals and the Chargers, with 85 yards rushing against the former (all in the first half) and 75 against the latter.
Originally signed as a free agent by Detroit in 1969, Larry played one season there and was traded to Philadelphia in 1970. After three seasons as a reserve, he was traded to Buffalo and became a starter with O.J. Simpson in 1973, carrying 98 times for 414 yards, a 4.2 average and two touchdowns. Larry had 105 yards rushing on 18 carries in the season opener against New England, then proved to be a fine blocker that year as O.J. had his 2,000-yard season. His career totals show 1,241 rushing for a 3.7 average and eight touchdowns, with 41 pass receptions.
Watkins was a three-year letterman at Alcorn A & M and was named co-captain in his senior year. He also played in the Orange Bowl that year.
Lawrence Watkins was born in Bessemer, Alabama and played his high school sports at J.S. Abrams High in Bessemer. He now lives in Camden, New Jersey and has taught in the Camden school system during the off-seasons."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

Sunday, October 16, 2016

1976 Profile: Brad Van Pelt

Linebacker
No. 10
Michigan State
"He pulled down three interceptions last season, high for a linebacker. An All-American at Michigan, he won the Maxwell Trophy. The St. Louis Cardinals wanted to sign him as pitcher, but he turned to pro football, where his career has been nagged by injuries."

-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1976

"The No. 2 draft choice of the Giants in 1973 after an All-American career at Michigan State, Brad was plagued by nagging injuries all through his rookie year and consequently appeared in only five games. Initially, he reported to training camp with a foot injury, and after overcoming that problem suffered a series of deep groin pulls which inhibited his progress.
In 1974, Brad was strictly a linebacker after those earlier trials at defensive back, linebacker and tight end and won a starting job at the weak side. He did a fine job, coming up with two interceptions for 22 yards, and also recovered two fumbles. He missed several games with injuries, but his progress was solid.
Then last year, working at the strong side, Brad hit his peak. Playing all 14 games, he rated solidly not only against the run but in his range on pass coverage. He upped his interceptions total to three, recovered a fumble and blocked two field goal attempts. Brad's potential is unlimited. He can also kick off and is a solid special teams player, too.
A unanimous All-American in college where he was a monster man defensive back, Brad also won the Maxwell Trophy his senior year. He had 14 career interceptions and returned two for touchdowns, kicked off, and had 84 tackles his senior year. He also lettered in basketball and in baseball and had a big bonus offer in baseball from the St. Louis Cardinals as a pitcher.
Brad Alan Van Pelt was born in Owosso, Michigan and played all sports at Owosso High School before heading to Michigan State. He raises St. Bernard puppies and is a fine cribbage player. He still lives in his hometown during the off-seasons."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

1976 Profile: Doug Van Horn

Offensive Tackle
No. 63
Ohio State
"Van Horn was the No. 4 draft choice of the Detroit Lions in 1966, went into the Army the following year and rejoined the Lions in 1968, only to be released in training camp. Doug came to the Giants as a free agent and played that season in the Atlantic Coast League. He returned the following year to win a starting job at guard and has been a first-stringer ever since.
Nicknamed 'Reggie,' he had a stellar season in 1972 when the Giants led the NFL in total offense and allowed the fewest quarterback sacks in the league as well. After five years as the starting right guard, Van Horn moved to right tackle in 1974 and had another solid campaign.
He continued as the starting right tackle in 1975, again going all 14 games, and continued to be a leader on the field. Doug was particularly effective in the big win over Buffalo, not only in his pass blocking and on the run, but by the way he fired up the club in the final winning drive. He also serves as offensive co-captain of the club and is the team's player representative.
Van Horn was one of Woody Hayes' top players in the 1960s, earning three letters with the Buckeyes as an offensive lineman and winning All-Big 10 honors twice as well as being named to the AP, UPI and Coaches' All-American teams in 1965.
Douglas Van Horn was born in Sedalia, Ohio and majored in marketing at Ohio State. He works as a stockbroker in the off-season with Stone-Webster in Columbus."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

Sunday, October 2, 2016

1976 Profile: Bob Tucker

Tight End
No. 38
Bloomsburg State
"The Giants signed Tucker as a free agent in 1970 and he immediately beat out Aaron Thomas as the starting tight end. Bob caught 40 passes for 571 yards and five touchdowns that year and came very close to winning the NFL's Rookie of the Year award. In 1971, he became the first tight end in NFL history to take a receiving title when he caught 59 for 791 [yards] and four touchdowns. Additionally, he was the first Giant end to earn an individual [receiving] title since 1935, when Tod Goodwin led the league.
Tucker came back with another great season in 1972, winning All-NFL honors for the first time, grabbing 55 passes for 764 yards. In 1973, he again led the club with 50 catches to move past the 200 mark and added five more touchdowns, and in 1974 finished second on the club with 41 grabs.
He was again second in that department in 1975, grabbing 34 for 484 yards despite missing one game with an injury. Bob's big day was against the Saints when he had seven for 80 yards before being kayoed in the fourth period. His long gainer of the year was a dazzling 47-yard touchdown run with a screen pass against San Diego.
He also holds the club record of catching passes in 45 straight games. Big, strong and a great runner, Bob had trials with the Eagles and Patriots and spent two seasons in the minor leagues with Lowell, Mass. and Pottstown, PA.
Bob set three NAIA records with Bloomsburg State in 1967- most receptions, highest single game yardage and most yardage in a season. As a two-way end he was named to the Little All-America team in 1967 but, strangely, no pro club took him in the draft.
Robert Tucker was born in Hazelton, Pennsylvania and is of Tyrolean-Polish descent. His father is a construction foreman in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Bob was a top student in college and earned a degree in biology. He represents Walsh & Walsh Insurance Co. in between football seasons."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide