Running Back
10th Round
Valley City State (North Dakota)
"A product of schoolboy athletics in Philadelphia, Thomas has turned out to be a highly versatile all-around athlete at Valley City State College in North Dakota. In three seasons there, the 6-3, 200-pounder has played at defensive back, wide receiver and running back, as well as being a punt and kickoff return specialist ... and he did all of those things extremely well.
He's just as versatile in track where he runs the 100, 220, is on the 440-yard relay team and also runs the 120-yard hurdles. He's been timed at 4.7 for the 40, 9.7 for the 100, and with this type of speed and size could prove to be a candidate for return work with the Giants. Pro scouts who saw Thomas in action his past season rated him as easily the best running back in his conference, blessed with great natural abilities in the areas quickness, instincts and overall capabilities.
John was born in Philadelphia and was a three-sport standout at Simon Gratz High School. He still lives in Philadelphia."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Monday, December 26, 2016
1976 Free Agent Profile: John Jordan
Defensive Tackle
8th Round
Indiana
"Here's a prospect from Indiana University via semi-pro football, the Memphis Southmen of the WFL, and the recommendation of Giants assistant coach Jay Fry. Jordan played at Indiana University for two years, then dropped out of school in 1974 and played that year with the semi-pro Indianapolis team. From that league, Jordan's next stop was with Memphis where he began the year as a swingman and part-time starter at defensive tackle. His rapid improvement there resulted in his winning a starting spot for the final six games of the season, and thus the lasting impression made on Coach Fry who believes that Jordan has unlimited potential.
Jordan was born in Indianapolis, is 23 years old and is married. He still makes Indianapolis his home."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
8th Round
Indiana
"Here's a prospect from Indiana University via semi-pro football, the Memphis Southmen of the WFL, and the recommendation of Giants assistant coach Jay Fry. Jordan played at Indiana University for two years, then dropped out of school in 1974 and played that year with the semi-pro Indianapolis team. From that league, Jordan's next stop was with Memphis where he began the year as a swingman and part-time starter at defensive tackle. His rapid improvement there resulted in his winning a starting spot for the final six games of the season, and thus the lasting impression made on Coach Fry who believes that Jordan has unlimited potential.
Jordan was born in Indianapolis, is 23 years old and is married. He still makes Indianapolis his home."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
Sunday, December 18, 2016
1976 Rookie Profile: Dan Lloyd
Linebacker
6th Round
Washington
"With this draft choice, obtained from New England, the Giants tapped Washington's All-Pac 8 linebacker Dan Lloyd, a rugged 225-ponder with a background as a California state wrestling champion. Lloyd was a starter for each of his three seasons with the Huskies and earned his initial recognition in 1974 as a junior when he was third [on the team] in tackles and was picked for the All-Pac 8 third team.
In his senior season last year, Lloyd's contributions escalated, despite the fact that a series of nagging injuries sidelined him for three games and hampered him in others. The wide-ranging linebacker still finished the year with 129 tackles, again the third best total on the club, and this time made the All-Pac 8 first team at season's end. He was additionally voted the Pac 8's Linebacker of the Week for his performance against the University of California; he had an interception for a 27-yard return in that game against the Bears. Lloyd was also selected to play in the Hula Bowl, but bowed out because of the injuries which happened in the final games.
Born in Hebner, Utah, Dan starred at Hames Lick High School in San Jose (CA), making the high school All-American teams in both football and wrestling. He majored in art education at Washington."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
6th Round
Washington
"With this draft choice, obtained from New England, the Giants tapped Washington's All-Pac 8 linebacker Dan Lloyd, a rugged 225-ponder with a background as a California state wrestling champion. Lloyd was a starter for each of his three seasons with the Huskies and earned his initial recognition in 1974 as a junior when he was third [on the team] in tackles and was picked for the All-Pac 8 third team.
In his senior season last year, Lloyd's contributions escalated, despite the fact that a series of nagging injuries sidelined him for three games and hampered him in others. The wide-ranging linebacker still finished the year with 129 tackles, again the third best total on the club, and this time made the All-Pac 8 first team at season's end. He was additionally voted the Pac 8's Linebacker of the Week for his performance against the University of California; he had an interception for a 27-yard return in that game against the Bears. Lloyd was also selected to play in the Hula Bowl, but bowed out because of the injuries which happened in the final games.
Born in Hebner, Utah, Dan starred at Hames Lick High School in San Jose (CA), making the high school All-American teams in both football and wrestling. He majored in art education at Washington."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
1976 Rookie Profile: Mel Wilson
Defensive Back
5th Round
Cal State-Northridge
"Rated highly for his potential by the Giants' West Coast scouts, 23-year-old Mel Wilson has the distinction of having won All-California Collegiate Athletic Association honors as both a linebacker and a defensive safety. Wilson earned four varsity letters in football, and in addition to linebacker and free safety played defensive end and running back early in his career.
A product of San Fernando High School where he was a teammate of Anthony Davis, Mel was also an outstanding basketball player and his agility and jumping ability contributed greatly to his play at free safety.
He had nine interceptions in his final two seasons, returning one 85 yards for a touchdown. Team captain and extremely active as a leader on campus, Mel has 4.6 speed in the 40 and also received fine gradings from the pro scouts for his hitting ability. The Giants plan to look at him as both a corner and a strong safety possibility.
Mel was born in Pacoima, California and still resides in his hometown."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
5th Round
Cal State-Northridge
"Rated highly for his potential by the Giants' West Coast scouts, 23-year-old Mel Wilson has the distinction of having won All-California Collegiate Athletic Association honors as both a linebacker and a defensive safety. Wilson earned four varsity letters in football, and in addition to linebacker and free safety played defensive end and running back early in his career.
A product of San Fernando High School where he was a teammate of Anthony Davis, Mel was also an outstanding basketball player and his agility and jumping ability contributed greatly to his play at free safety.
He had nine interceptions in his final two seasons, returning one 85 yards for a touchdown. Team captain and extremely active as a leader on campus, Mel has 4.6 speed in the 40 and also received fine gradings from the pro scouts for his hitting ability. The Giants plan to look at him as both a corner and a strong safety possibility.
Mel was born in Pacoima, California and still resides in his hometown."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
1976 Rookie Profile: Harry Carson
Middle Linebacker
4th Round
South Carolina State
"A four-year player at South Carolina State who never missed a game, Carson is called 'one of the greatest players I've ever coached' by South Carolina State head man Willie Jeffries ... and Jeffries is quick to add that he has also coached Elvin Bethea of Houston and Barney Chavous of Denver.
Carson was a defensive lineman in those years, led the team in tackles as a soph with 92, and in his junior and senior years was the MVP of the Mid-East Conference, won Little All-American honors from the AP and was named first team Black All-American by the Mutual Black Network. This past season Harry was nearly invincible- he had 114 solo tackles, 41 assists and 30 quarterback sacks! Born in Florence, South Carolina, he starred at McClenaghan High School there before his move on to South Carolina State.
Because of his great speed for a big man (4.8 in the 40), the Giants have projected Carson as a linebacker and will try him both in the middle and on the outside when he gets to training camp. Carson also got top ratings for his leadership abilities at SCS and can be of additional value as a special teams player."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
4th Round
South Carolina State
"A four-year player at South Carolina State who never missed a game, Carson is called 'one of the greatest players I've ever coached' by South Carolina State head man Willie Jeffries ... and Jeffries is quick to add that he has also coached Elvin Bethea of Houston and Barney Chavous of Denver.
Carson was a defensive lineman in those years, led the team in tackles as a soph with 92, and in his junior and senior years was the MVP of the Mid-East Conference, won Little All-American honors from the AP and was named first team Black All-American by the Mutual Black Network. This past season Harry was nearly invincible- he had 114 solo tackles, 41 assists and 30 quarterback sacks! Born in Florence, South Carolina, he starred at McClenaghan High School there before his move on to South Carolina State.
Because of his great speed for a big man (4.8 in the 40), the Giants have projected Carson as a linebacker and will try him both in the middle and on the outside when he gets to training camp. Carson also got top ratings for his leadership abilities at SCS and can be of additional value as a special teams player."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
Friday, December 2, 2016
1976 Rookie Profile: Gordon Bell
Running Back
4th Round
Michigan
"He made the All-American teams at Michigan both as a football player and a wrestler. He grew up in Troy, Ohio, still lives there, and enjoys fishing and reading."
-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1976
"Using the choice obtained from San Francisco in the 4th round of the draft, the Giants selected Michigan's All-American running Gordon Bell, a perpetual motion runner who averaged 122 yards rushing per game in 1975 en route to a 1,335-yard season. This sort of production won him Associated Press All-American honors, as well as first team All-Big 10 by both AP and UPI and an eighth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Gordon's 1,335 rushing yards also ranked as the eighth-best total in the country in 1975.
While his senior year was an exceptional one, Gordon enjoyed fine seasons as well as both a sophomore and junior at Michigan. As a swingman tailback in 1973, he averaged 5.2 per carry on 475 yards on 88 attempts, then won All-Big 10 second team accolades in 1974 when he carried 174 times for 1,072 yards and a sparkling 6.0 average per trip. Gordon's three-year rushing total comes to 2,882 yards and he scored 28 touchdowns over that span. In addition to his postseason bowl game appearances, he was also a member of the group that participated in the Japan Bowl.
Gordon Bell was born in Troy, Ohio and still resides in his hometown. A business administration major at Michigan, he lists fishing and reading as his principal hobbies. Gordon should prove to have special value to the Giants since he is also a highly capable kickoff and punt return specialist."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
4th Round
Michigan
"He made the All-American teams at Michigan both as a football player and a wrestler. He grew up in Troy, Ohio, still lives there, and enjoys fishing and reading."
-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1976
"Using the choice obtained from San Francisco in the 4th round of the draft, the Giants selected Michigan's All-American running Gordon Bell, a perpetual motion runner who averaged 122 yards rushing per game in 1975 en route to a 1,335-yard season. This sort of production won him Associated Press All-American honors, as well as first team All-Big 10 by both AP and UPI and an eighth-place finish in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Gordon's 1,335 rushing yards also ranked as the eighth-best total in the country in 1975.
While his senior year was an exceptional one, Gordon enjoyed fine seasons as well as both a sophomore and junior at Michigan. As a swingman tailback in 1973, he averaged 5.2 per carry on 475 yards on 88 attempts, then won All-Big 10 second team accolades in 1974 when he carried 174 times for 1,072 yards and a sparkling 6.0 average per trip. Gordon's three-year rushing total comes to 2,882 yards and he scored 28 touchdowns over that span. In addition to his postseason bowl game appearances, he was also a member of the group that participated in the Japan Bowl.
Gordon Bell was born in Troy, Ohio and still resides in his hometown. A business administration major at Michigan, he lists fishing and reading as his principal hobbies. Gordon should prove to have special value to the Giants since he is also a highly capable kickoff and punt return specialist."
-1976 New York Giants Media Guide
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