Sunday, November 27, 2016

1976 Rookie Profile: Troy Archer

Defensive End
1st Round
Colorado
"Out of Whittier, California, Troy made most of the All-American teams while starring for Colorado. A bachelor, he says his favorite hobby is handball."

-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1976

"Archer is a swift and versatile defensive lineman who earned considerable honors in his two varsity years at Colorado University after his transfer from Rio Hondo Junior College. In his two years at Colorado, he had 154 unassisted tackles and was named Most Valuable Lineman in both 1974 and 1975.
In his senior season, Troy had 83 solo tackles, including 12 quarterback sacks. He was named the Big 8 Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in a victory over Missouri, when he had 31 tackles, and was named to the All-Big 8 teams of both UPI and AP.
He was also outstanding in the Bluebonnet Bowl this past season against Texas after Colorado went to that Bowl game following a fine 9-2 season. Troy caught the eyes of pro scouts, and Giant coach Bill Arsnparger, for his efforts in this past year's Senior Bowl.
Troy played his high school football at California High School in Whittier, CA. The Colorado coaching staff rates him as a young man with tremendous potential and rate his toughness and competitive instincts as exemplary. Troy still resides in Whitter and lists handball as his favorite hobby."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

Thursday, November 17, 2016

1976 Profile: Willie Young

Offensive Tackle
No. 69
Grambling
"Signed as a free agent in 1966 by the Giants, Willie has been the starting left tackle for the Giants for the past eight seasons. Called 'Sugar Bear' by his teammates, he was originally a defensive tackle in his rookie year, then made the move to offense the following year as a reserve and won a starting job in 1968.
Not tall for an offensive tackle, Young makes up for that with quickness and great strength and 100% desire. He has also racked up some stats as a tackle, including two kickoff returns for six yards ... three rushing attempts on laterals for two yards ... and has caught two passes, one for eight yards and one for minus-five!
Young earned three letters at Grambling as an offensive guard, winning MVP honors in his senior year and All-American NAIA mention as well. He also played in the Pecan Bowl and when he wasn't playing football, he sang as a bass in the Grambling choir.
Willie Lull Young was born in Ruston, Louisiana into a family of eight children. His father, Reverend James Young, is a minister in Ruston. Willie spends the off-seasons as a guidance counselor at Grambling."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

Friday, November 11, 2016

1976 Profile: Elmo Wright

Wide Receiver
No. 83
Houston
"The No. 1 draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1971 after a stellar career at the University of Houston where he was a unanimous All-American and held NCAA career records for catches (34) and average-per-catch (21.9), Wright signed as a free agent with the Giants this past off-season. He played out his option with Kansas City [at the end of the 1974 season], and subsequent stops in 1975 were at New England and Houston.
Elmo had a big rookie year in 1971, winning Chiefs' MVP Rookie honors after grabbing 26 passes for 528 yards, a 20.2 average and three touchdowns. He had 66 catches for 1,070 yards in four seasons with KC despite being slowed by a succession of injuries in his final three years. He also rushed 10 times for 69 yards and a touchdown.
Called by many observers 'the best wide receiver in the U.S.' during his senior year at Houston, Wright was a first-team All-American on five teams that year- AP, Sporting News, FWAA, Football News and NEA- and followed that by being a first round draft pick.
Elmo Wright was born in Brazoria, Texas and achieved stardom in several sports at Sweeney High School in his hometown before entering the University of Houston. An accomplished saxophone player, Elmo resides during the off-season in Houston where he works in real estate."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

Friday, November 4, 2016

1976 Profile: Bill Windauer

Defensive Tackle
No. 72
Iowa
"An 8th round draft choice of the Baltimore Colts in 1973, Bill came to the Giants last year after being released by the Colts and got into the last four games of the season. With the Colts, he was a starting defensive tackle for five games in 1974, then suffered a broken thumb and was sidelined for several games thereafter. Windauer had a quarterback sack while a starter.
Windauer was a three-year performer at Iowa as a defensive lineman, the first season as the middle guard and the last two as a defensive tackle. He sat out one season with an ankle injury, but came back strongly in his final year to win conference mentions and was named to play in the Blue-Grey Game.
William Joseph Windauer was born in Chicago and was a highly versatile athlete at Mendel Catholic High School in the Windy City, starring in football and as a heavyweight wrestling champion and member of a state championship two-mile relay team. Bill resides in Iowa City during the off-season."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide