Running Back
No. 39
Syracuse
"Many people wondered why the Giants sent this 235-pound bull outside so often instead of up the middle. He gained 569 yards for a 3.6 average before he went off for knee surgery. Never a great pass catcher, he caught only six. Without a passing attack, Csonka could be gang-tackled by opposing defenses."
-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1977
"Where have you gone, Larry Little, Bob Kuechenberg, Jim Langer, etc.? Csonka found out in a hurry that he didn't have Miami's blocking anymore, and so the king's ransom the Giants spent for him looks more and more like fool's gold.
'We played against him before he was hurt, and he's not the player he used to be,' said an NFL assistant, who wished to remain anonymous because he'll have to play against him this year. Zonk gained 569 yards (3.6) before knee surgery as the Giants, for some strange reason, were running him outside.
Born in Stow, Ohio, Csonka was the last of Syracuse's great running backs and the bullish strength of Miami's two Super Bowl wins. He's now facing decline."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
"The Giants signed Csonka on April 7, 1976, after the demise of the World Football League, where the big fullback had played with Memphis in 1975. Late last season he suffered a knee injury which required surgery but is now fully recovered.
In the 11 full games he played last year, Csonka had 569 yards rushing for a 3.6 average and four touchdowns. His current lifetime total of 6,469 yards has him ranked No. 1 in the NFC among active rushers.
A No. 1 draft choice of the Miami Dolphins in 1968, Zonk spent seven years in Miami and rushed for 1,000 yards or more three straight seasons (1971-73), starred in three Super Bowls, won All-NFL honors five times, played in the Pro Bowl five times and stacked up records all along the way.
He was the MVP of Miami's 24-7 Super Bowl romp over Minnesota in 1974 when he rushed for 145 yards. In the previous Super Bowl, a 14-7 win over Washington, Larry rushed for 112 yards on just 15 carries for a 7.5 average. The Pro Football Writers of America named him the Super Athlete of the Year in 1974 [after his 1974 Super Bowl heroics]. His seven-year totals in Miami included 5,900 yards rushing on 1,286 carries for a 4.6 average and 41 touchdowns.
Csonka was a unanimous All-American at Syracuse where he broke the rushing records of previous Syracuse greats Jim Brown, the late Ernie Davis, Jim Nance and Floyd Little. He rushed for 216 yards as soph against West Virginia and finished his college career with 2,934 and a 4.9 average. He was the first running back drafted in 1968 and won MVP honors in both the Coaches All-American and College All-Star Games.
Lawrence Richard Csonka was born in Stow, Ohio and earned letters in football, wrestling and track at Stow High School in his hometown. Hunting and fishing are Larry's chief hobbies."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
1977 Profile: Brad Cousino
Linebacker
No. 57
Miami-Ohio
"Signed as a free agent midway through last season when injuries began to deplete the defensive unit, Cousino proved to be a spirited special teams player in six games over the final portion of the campaign. He had a particularly big day in the 24-10 upset of the Detroit Lions, causing a fumble with a solid hit on a kickoff return ... then he recovered still another fumble to set up a field goal and, finally, blocked a Detroit punt late in the first half and recovered a punt on the Detroit 5 to set up a touchdown.
Originally signed as a free agent by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1975, Brad played in all 14 games that season, again chiefly as a special teams player. He was traded to the Chicago Bears early in 1976 but was released, then inked by the Giants.
As a 215-pound middle guard at Miami of Ohio, Cousino was twice selected as the MVP Defensive Player in the Mid-American Conference, and in his senior year was named to the Pro Football Writers' All-America team.
Bradley Gene Cousino was born in Toledo, Ohio and was a two-sport standout in football and baseball at Central Catholic High School in Toledo. He has a degree in zoology, now lives in Cincinnati and spent the off-season working in motivational research."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 57
Miami-Ohio
"Signed as a free agent midway through last season when injuries began to deplete the defensive unit, Cousino proved to be a spirited special teams player in six games over the final portion of the campaign. He had a particularly big day in the 24-10 upset of the Detroit Lions, causing a fumble with a solid hit on a kickoff return ... then he recovered still another fumble to set up a field goal and, finally, blocked a Detroit punt late in the first half and recovered a punt on the Detroit 5 to set up a touchdown.
Originally signed as a free agent by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1975, Brad played in all 14 games that season, again chiefly as a special teams player. He was traded to the Chicago Bears early in 1976 but was released, then inked by the Giants.
As a 215-pound middle guard at Miami of Ohio, Cousino was twice selected as the MVP Defensive Player in the Mid-American Conference, and in his senior year was named to the Pro Football Writers' All-America team.
Bradley Gene Cousino was born in Toledo, Ohio and was a two-sport standout in football and baseball at Central Catholic High School in Toledo. He has a degree in zoology, now lives in Cincinnati and spent the off-season working in motivational research."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
1977 Profile: Rondy Colbert
Cornerback
No. 26
Lamar
"The Giants' 17th round draft choice in 1975, Rondy made the club that season as a return specialist and reserve cornerback, playing in all 14 games. He had 27 punt returns for 238 yards, including a 65-yard burst for a touchdown against New Orleans, and 17 kickoffs for 408 yards and a 24.0 average. Colbert went to Seattle in the 1976 expansion draft but was released the final week of the preseason and returned to the Giants on waivers.
He served in the same capacity for the Giants in 1976, playing in all 14 games while starting two at cornerback, and had 13 punt returns for 72 yards and a 5.5 average.
A three-year letterman at Lamar University, Colbert was an All-Conference selection there, doubling as a return specialist. Team captain his senior year, he had 18 tackles in one game against Mississippi State. He also lettered in track with 9.8 in the 100-yard dash and 14.0 for the 120-yard hurdles.
Rondy Estes Colbert was born in Corsicana, Texas and won football and track honors at Sterling High School in Houston. His older brother, Danny, played defensive back for the San Diego Chargers."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 26
Lamar
"The Giants' 17th round draft choice in 1975, Rondy made the club that season as a return specialist and reserve cornerback, playing in all 14 games. He had 27 punt returns for 238 yards, including a 65-yard burst for a touchdown against New Orleans, and 17 kickoffs for 408 yards and a 24.0 average. Colbert went to Seattle in the 1976 expansion draft but was released the final week of the preseason and returned to the Giants on waivers.
He served in the same capacity for the Giants in 1976, playing in all 14 games while starting two at cornerback, and had 13 punt returns for 72 yards and a 5.5 average.
A three-year letterman at Lamar University, Colbert was an All-Conference selection there, doubling as a return specialist. Team captain his senior year, he had 18 tackles in one game against Mississippi State. He also lettered in track with 9.8 in the 100-yard dash and 14.0 for the 120-yard hurdles.
Rondy Estes Colbert was born in Corsicana, Texas and won football and track honors at Sterling High School in Houston. His older brother, Danny, played defensive back for the San Diego Chargers."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Thursday, November 9, 2017
1977 Profile: Karl Chandler
Guard
No. 61
Princeton
"Signed as a free agent [in 1974] after an impressive performance in a preseason tryout camp at Fordham, Chandler proved to be a valuable addition in his rookie season. When starter Bob Hyland was injured in the season opener, Chandler stepped right in alongside rookie guards John Hicks and Tom Mullen and did a solid job. All told, he started four games during the season and appeared in all 14 as a special team player as well.
In 1975, Chandler again appeared in all 14 games, getting plenty of playing time at left guard as well as at center. In 1976, Chandler was the regular center, starting 11 games at the position and turning in a solid job every time he got the ball.
Chandler earned varsity letters in both football and wrestling at Princeton, playing offensive tackle for the Tigers. In wrestling, Karl had an imposing record, losing only two matches in three years and setting Princeton records for points scored, career.
Karl Victor Chandler was born in Delaware County, Pennsylvania and starred at Newton High School in Newton Square, PA where he still resides. He is a fine handball and squash player, likes to sail and plans on entering the construction engineering business after his football career."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 61
Princeton
"Signed as a free agent [in 1974] after an impressive performance in a preseason tryout camp at Fordham, Chandler proved to be a valuable addition in his rookie season. When starter Bob Hyland was injured in the season opener, Chandler stepped right in alongside rookie guards John Hicks and Tom Mullen and did a solid job. All told, he started four games during the season and appeared in all 14 as a special team player as well.
In 1975, Chandler again appeared in all 14 games, getting plenty of playing time at left guard as well as at center. In 1976, Chandler was the regular center, starting 11 games at the position and turning in a solid job every time he got the ball.
Chandler earned varsity letters in both football and wrestling at Princeton, playing offensive tackle for the Tigers. In wrestling, Karl had an imposing record, losing only two matches in three years and setting Princeton records for points scored, career.
Karl Victor Chandler was born in Delaware County, Pennsylvania and starred at Newton High School in Newton Square, PA where he still resides. He is a fine handball and squash player, likes to sail and plans on entering the construction engineering business after his football career."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Friday, November 3, 2017
1977 Profile: Harry Carson
Middle Linebacker
No. 53
South Carolina State
"A number four draft choice out of South Carolina State where he was a defensive lineman for four seasons. Carson proved to be a premier selection. Moved to middle linebacker by the Giants, the big and rugged Carson learned the position swiftly and took over as the starter halfway through the season.
In those seven games, he piled up the accolades, not only from opposing teams but from fans and from the media as well, earning First Team All-Rookie NFL by both the United Press and the Pro Football Writers of America. All told, in just those seven starts and reserve time in five other games, Carson had 119 tackles (69 solos, 50 assists), had a pair of quarterback sacks and helped save the 12-9 upset over Washington with a key fumble recovery after a devastating hit.
With range, strength and power, he should be among the best in the business and an All-Pro shortly.
Carson never missed a game in four seasons at South Carolina State, was team captain for two years, senior class president and won Kodak All-American honors as well as [being selected] Little All-American by AP. Twice MVP of the Mid-East Conference, his senior year was mind-boggling as he racked up 114 solo tackles, 41 assists and 30 quarterback sacks!
Harry Donald Carson was born in Florence, South Carolina and starred at McClenaghan High School in his hometown. He has a B.S. degree in physical education from South Carolina State and lists music as his favorite hobby."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 53
South Carolina State
"A number four draft choice out of South Carolina State where he was a defensive lineman for four seasons. Carson proved to be a premier selection. Moved to middle linebacker by the Giants, the big and rugged Carson learned the position swiftly and took over as the starter halfway through the season.
In those seven games, he piled up the accolades, not only from opposing teams but from fans and from the media as well, earning First Team All-Rookie NFL by both the United Press and the Pro Football Writers of America. All told, in just those seven starts and reserve time in five other games, Carson had 119 tackles (69 solos, 50 assists), had a pair of quarterback sacks and helped save the 12-9 upset over Washington with a key fumble recovery after a devastating hit.
With range, strength and power, he should be among the best in the business and an All-Pro shortly.
Carson never missed a game in four seasons at South Carolina State, was team captain for two years, senior class president and won Kodak All-American honors as well as [being selected] Little All-American by AP. Twice MVP of the Mid-East Conference, his senior year was mind-boggling as he racked up 114 solo tackles, 41 assists and 30 quarterback sacks!
Harry Donald Carson was born in Florence, South Carolina and starred at McClenaghan High School in his hometown. He has a B.S. degree in physical education from South Carolina State and lists music as his favorite hobby."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
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