1976 New York Giants Free Agents

"Quarterbacks - A 17th round pick choice of the San Diego Chargers in 1975, 6-1 180-pound NEAL JEFFERY was an All-Southwestern Conference quarterback at Baylor as a senior, leading his team to the Cotton Bowl. He completed 100 of 181 passes for 1,341 yards and 11 touchdowns in his senior season and set the school career passing record with 4,300 yards. He played for the Chargers in a 1975 preseason game against the Giants, completing three passes for 52 yards in a relief stint."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

"Running Backs - A teammate of John Hicks at Ohio State, 6-1 225-pound TEDDY POWELL spent two seasons with Birmingham of the World Football League.
And from the Memphis team in the WFL, after previous stints with Hamilton in the Canadian Football League and with the Buffalo Bills, is 5-11 195-pound TIM BEAMER who played his college ball at Smith University and Illinois.
Another ex-Memphis running back is IRA HAMMON, and from Oklahoma State, GEORGE PALMER.
And from the Ivy League comes Yale's DON GESICKI, a 6-2 210-pounder from Dover, New Jersey who was an outstanding running back with the Elis."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

"Receivers - From New Canaan, Connecticut comes former Notre Dame All-American PETE DEMMERLE, a 6-1, 190-pounder drafted No. 13 by San Diego in 1975. Pete played in a Sugar Bowl, two Orange Bowls and in his senior year caught 43 passes for 667 yards and six touchdowns.
Back for another look is 6-5 205-pound MIKE MAHONEY of Richmond University who was a Giant draftee in 1975 after a sparkling collegiate career.
And from Memphis (WFL) 6-3 222-pound CHARLES HOBBS, former Arizona State star, makes a bid at either wide receiver or tight end.
At tight end, also from Memphis, is GARY SHIRK, a 6-1 220-pounder who started for two years in the WFL and averaged 19.7 per catch with seven touchdowns in 1974.
And former Atlanta Falcon JIMMY ROBINSON is a wide receiver candidate. The 5-9 175-pounder played at Georgia Tech.
And from Eatontown, New Jersey and Trenton State College comes 6-2 185-pound OLIVER TAYLOR."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

"Linemen - From the World Football League championship Memphis team come four veteran offensive linemen in center RALPH HILL, a 6-1 245-pounder from Florida A & M; guard TOM KRUYER, 6-2 252-pounder who was an All-Big 10 choice at Indiana and later played with Ottawa in the CFL; guard CHARLIE BRAY, 6-1 255, from Central State, Oklahoma who played five years with Toronto in the CFL and was All-CFL four times; and tackle MIKE GIBBONS, 6-4 262, from Southwest Oklahoma State, a former Cowboy. Also from the WFL are JOE MILLER, 6-5 255-pounder from Villanova who was drafted by the Redskins in 1974, and guard RALPH MILLER, 6-4 255, who was with the Houston Oilers in 1973-74.
Another man with experience is 6-5 255-pound tackle BILL ELLENBOGEN from New Rochelle, New York, who played collegiate ball at Virginia Tech and had prior trials with the Redskins, Oilers and Chiefs as well as WFL experience.
Back for another look is Fordam's MIKE AJELLO, a 6-5 250-pounder, who had a try last year with the Giants.
A defensive tackle candidate is FEST COTTON, a 6-3 260-pounder from Dayton University who was with Memphis for two seasons."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

"Linebackers - Still another member of the Memphis contingent at camp will be linebacker FRANK MARION, a 6-3 228-pounder from Florida A & M who had an impressive season with Memphis in 1975.
And from the Big 10 comes rookie MARK GEFERT, a 6-2 225-pounder from Purdue who has fine potential."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

"Defensive Backs - A former Grambling defensive back, later with the Cincinnati Bengals and Birmingham of the WFL, is BILL BRYANT, 5-11 200-pounder.
And from Trenton, New Jersey comes BRUCE CARMICHAEL, a 6-1 175-pounder who played at Elizabeth City State and later in minor league football.
And representing the Memphis WFL group in this category are ANDRE JOHNSON, 5-10 190-pounder from Fisk University, and LARRY MALLORY, 6-1 186-pounder who played at Tennessee State.
Another product of minor league play is GARY WEINLEIN, a 5-11 185-pounder who played at Hudson Valley Community College.
And another former Notre Dame star is 6-2 190-pound MIKE TOWNSEND who was drafted by the Vikings, but went to the WFL in 1975."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

"Kickers - There will quite a few in this category to challenge the incumbents.
Punter HAL ROBERTS is a 6-1 180-pounder from the University of Houston who was a punter for the St. Louis Cardinals for a brief period.
While among the place kickers, RICKY TOWNSEND, the barefoot booter from Tennessee who had a try with the Giants in 1975, will return.
MOSES LATJERMAN from Buenos Aries, Montclair State and a brief trial with the Jets also will get a look.
Others include JULIUS BACSA, a 5-11 185-pound soccer-style kicker from Szeged, Hungary; 5-10 170-pound WALTER BAHR, a native of Mount Holly, New Jersey who kicked at Navy; and 6-1 170-pound GREG SCHWARBER, a rookie from Dayton University."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

1976 Rookie Profile: Steve Curnutte

Cornerback
17th Round
Vanderbilt
"Being picked on the 17th round is not all that unlucky. Both of the Giants' last-round picks the past two years (Steve Cosby in 1974 and Rondy Colbert in 1975) made the 43-man roster. Steve has just as good a chance.
Twice All-Southeast Conference as a defensive back, Steve earned a reputation as a solid hitter with fine potential. Also a letterman in track with times of 4.6 in the 40 and 9.8 in the 100, he did double duty as a punt and kickoff return man and could get a try with the Giants in that area as well.
Steve was born in Lexington, Kentucky and played his high school sports at Ashland High School in Ashland, Kentucky, where he still lives."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

1976 Rookie Profile: Dave Lawson

Place Kicker
16th Round
Air Force
"A powerful All-American place kicker- the most prolific field goal kicker in NCAA history- who lasted until the 16th round because of uncertainty as to his immediate availability due to Air Force requirements. Nonetheless, the Giants feel Lawson is a valuable addition no matter what those requirements might be.
All-American in both 1974 and 1975, Lawson's kicking feats at the Air Force Academy are legendary. He booted 50 field goals, an all-time NCAA career record, and his 19 field goals in 1974 is also a one-season NCAA mark. His career point total is also an all-time NCAA record.
Dave kicked a 62-yard field goal against Iowa State, a 60-yard field goal against Colorado and even booted a 69-yard field goal in a practice scrimmage! His kickoffs sailed into and beyond end zones.
He was an outstanding all-around athlete who was also a starting defensive player for three seasons at Air Force, as both a middle guard and a linebacker. He also lettered in baseball and in track as a javelin thrower, and was the heavyweight intramural boxing champion via a knockout.
Dave was born in Shawnee Mission, Kansas and still resides in his hometown. His dad, Bob, was a college athlete also, winning football and track letters at Ottawa University in Kansas."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

1976 Rookie Profile: Eddie Morgan

Defensive Tackle
15th Round
Arknasas State
"Consistency of performance is the best way to describe Arkansas State's Eddie Morgan, a tough, strong young man who led ASU in tackles, quarterback sacks and fumble recoveries in each of his three seasons at that school. A dedicated weightlifter who built himself up from 180 pounds in his senior year in high school to the 240-pound range in college, Eddie was rated as the strongest man on the Arkansas State squad.
Pro scouts feel that Morgan has the size and strength to play in the NFL, but that he must work some on improving his quickness off the ball. Nonetheless, he's a hitter and a hustler and if determination means anything, then Morgan could well have some fine potential when he reports to training camp in the summer.
Eddie was born in West Memphis, Arkansas, played his high school football there and still lives in his hometown."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide