Cornerback
No. 21
Grambling
"Signed by the Giants as a free agent last season after earlier trials with the Cincinnati Bengals and Birmingham of the defunct WFL, Bryant won himself a spot on the roster with his solid hitting and special teams play during the preseason. He played 14 games and, when the club lost cornerbacks Bobby Brooks, Charlie Ford and Henry Stuckey to knee surgery during the regular season, Bryant moved in as a starter for the final four games and did a fine job. He finished third among the defensive backs in tackles with 61.
Originally a No. 6 pick of Cincinnati in 1974, he had a pair of interceptions for Birmingham during the 1975 WFL season.
Bryant, nicknamed 'Boone,' was a three-year starter at defensive back for Grambling and caught the eye of pro scouts in the Senior Bowl. He received a degree in physical education and recreation.
William Bryant, Jr. was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and was a three-sport star at Webster High School in Minden, LA."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Friday, October 27, 2017
Saturday, October 21, 2017
1977 Profile: Bobby Brooks
Cornerback
No. 37
Bishop
"The No. 11 draft choice in 1974, Brooks came to the Giants on the recommendation of scout Emlen Tunnell who was impressed with his size and potential. Bobby won himself a spot in training camp and came up with a 26-yard interception for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in preseason play.
During the regular season, he was a key man on special teams and also got in some playing time at the right corner. Bobby had five kickoff returns for 106 yards and also returned a punt nine yards. He not only became a starter in 1975 but led the club in interceptions with four for 38 yards and continued his solid hitting. Brooks went down with a knee injury in the fourth game of the 1976 season, underwent surgery and was lost for the rest of the year, but is fully recovered now and should reclaim his starting job.
Brooks was a safetyman for three seasons at Bishop, earning his good ratings for that hitting ability and strength as well as for his good speed in covering opponents' top receivers. He was clocked in 4.7 for the 40 while in college.
Bobby Brooks was born in Dallas and played his high school sports at I.M. Terrell High School in Big D. Bobby still resides in Dallas during the off-season."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 37
Bishop
"The No. 11 draft choice in 1974, Brooks came to the Giants on the recommendation of scout Emlen Tunnell who was impressed with his size and potential. Bobby won himself a spot in training camp and came up with a 26-yard interception for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in preseason play.
During the regular season, he was a key man on special teams and also got in some playing time at the right corner. Bobby had five kickoff returns for 106 yards and also returned a punt nine yards. He not only became a starter in 1975 but led the club in interceptions with four for 38 yards and continued his solid hitting. Brooks went down with a knee injury in the fourth game of the 1976 season, underwent surgery and was lost for the rest of the year, but is fully recovered now and should reclaim his starting job.
Brooks was a safetyman for three seasons at Bishop, earning his good ratings for that hitting ability and strength as well as for his good speed in covering opponents' top receivers. He was clocked in 4.7 for the 40 while in college.
Bobby Brooks was born in Dallas and played his high school sports at I.M. Terrell High School in Big D. Bobby still resides in Dallas during the off-season."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Friday, October 13, 2017
1977 Profile: Gordon Bell
Running Back
No. 25
Michigan
"The 4th round pick in 1976, the erstwhile Michigan All-American proved to be a valuable all-purpose performer in his rookie season. Working as a swingman at halfback, Bell had 233 yards rushing for a 3.5 average, caught 25 passes for another 198 yards and added 352 yards on kickoff returns.
Bell scored a pair of touchdowns in the 28-16 victory over Seattle and came back a week later to lead the club with 73 yards on 15 carries in the 24-10 upset over Detroit. In a preseason game against the Packers, he scored the winning touchdown with an 11-yard sweep with just 40 seconds left to play in the game.
He should be a contender for considerably more action in 1977 with that good rookie year behind him.
Gordon had an outstanding senior season at Michigan, winning All-American and All-Big 10 honors as he rushed for 1,335 yards and an average of 122 yards per game- the eighth-best total in the country. He also finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting that season. He played in the Japan Bowl after his senior season. As a junior, Gordon averaged 6.0 per carry en route to a season total of 1,072 yards and in three seasons totaled 2,882 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Gordon was born in Troy, Ohio and was an all-around high school star in football, basketball and track in his hometown, where he still resides. He lists fishing and reading as his principal hobbies."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 25
Michigan
"The 4th round pick in 1976, the erstwhile Michigan All-American proved to be a valuable all-purpose performer in his rookie season. Working as a swingman at halfback, Bell had 233 yards rushing for a 3.5 average, caught 25 passes for another 198 yards and added 352 yards on kickoff returns.
Bell scored a pair of touchdowns in the 28-16 victory over Seattle and came back a week later to lead the club with 73 yards on 15 carries in the 24-10 upset over Detroit. In a preseason game against the Packers, he scored the winning touchdown with an 11-yard sweep with just 40 seconds left to play in the game.
He should be a contender for considerably more action in 1977 with that good rookie year behind him.
Gordon had an outstanding senior season at Michigan, winning All-American and All-Big 10 honors as he rushed for 1,335 yards and an average of 122 yards per game- the eighth-best total in the country. He also finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting that season. He played in the Japan Bowl after his senior season. As a junior, Gordon averaged 6.0 per carry en route to a season total of 1,072 yards and in three seasons totaled 2,882 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Gordon was born in Troy, Ohio and was an all-around high school star in football, basketball and track in his hometown, where he still resides. He lists fishing and reading as his principal hobbies."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Monday, October 9, 2017
Monday, October 2, 2017
1977 Profile: Troy Archer
Defensive Tackle
No. 77
Colorado
"The future. Last year's No. 1 draft pick.
Archer became a starter at tackle, although he had been a defensive end at Colorado. He didn't make one All-American team in college (unless you count the pro scouts' team) and was virtually unheard of when the Giants selected him. The oft-cynical New York press had thought the Giants had gone mad, drafting Robin Hood. They still hadn't gotten over Rocky Thompson. But Archer was no mistake, as he learned quickly and improved greatly during his rookie season.
Born in Whittier, California, he likes handball, which explains how he knocks offensive linemen around with either hand."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
"The Giants No. 1 draft choice in 1976, Archer enjoyed a powerful rookie season, stepping in as a starter at right tackle midway through the campaign and providing outstanding play. In just half a season as a starter, he had 70 tackles (37 solos, 33 assists), added three quarterback sacks and added and had a pair of fumble recoveries.
At season's end, Troy was named to the Pro Football Writers' All-NFL Rookie second team and was additionally voted the Giants Outstanding Rookie by the New York chapter of the PFWA. Strong, quick, determined and a competitor, he's future All-Pro caliber.
Archer began his collegiate career at Rio Hondo Junior College in California, then moved on to Colorado where he was named MVP on defense in both 1974 and 1975 as well as All-Big 8 for both seasons. He also starred in the Bluebonnet Bowl against Texas and in the Senior Bowl.
He was named Big 8 Player of the Week after making 31 tackles against Missouri. In two seasons, Archer had 154 unassisted tackles, and in his senior season came up with 12 quarterback sacks.
James Troy Archer was born on January 16, 1955 in Glendale, California and played his high school football at California High School in Whittier, CA. He's married to the former Susan Liles, lists chess, skiing and horticulture as his main interests and spent the off-season in Boulder where he completed credits for a degree in recreation."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 77
Colorado
"The future. Last year's No. 1 draft pick.
Archer became a starter at tackle, although he had been a defensive end at Colorado. He didn't make one All-American team in college (unless you count the pro scouts' team) and was virtually unheard of when the Giants selected him. The oft-cynical New York press had thought the Giants had gone mad, drafting Robin Hood. They still hadn't gotten over Rocky Thompson. But Archer was no mistake, as he learned quickly and improved greatly during his rookie season.
Born in Whittier, California, he likes handball, which explains how he knocks offensive linemen around with either hand."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
"The Giants No. 1 draft choice in 1976, Archer enjoyed a powerful rookie season, stepping in as a starter at right tackle midway through the campaign and providing outstanding play. In just half a season as a starter, he had 70 tackles (37 solos, 33 assists), added three quarterback sacks and added and had a pair of fumble recoveries.
At season's end, Troy was named to the Pro Football Writers' All-NFL Rookie second team and was additionally voted the Giants Outstanding Rookie by the New York chapter of the PFWA. Strong, quick, determined and a competitor, he's future All-Pro caliber.
Archer began his collegiate career at Rio Hondo Junior College in California, then moved on to Colorado where he was named MVP on defense in both 1974 and 1975 as well as All-Big 8 for both seasons. He also starred in the Bluebonnet Bowl against Texas and in the Senior Bowl.
He was named Big 8 Player of the Week after making 31 tackles against Missouri. In two seasons, Archer had 154 unassisted tackles, and in his senior season came up with 12 quarterback sacks.
James Troy Archer was born on January 16, 1955 in Glendale, California and played his high school football at California High School in Whittier, CA. He's married to the former Susan Liles, lists chess, skiing and horticulture as his main interests and spent the off-season in Boulder where he completed credits for a degree in recreation."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
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