1978 Profile: Joe Pisarcik

Quarterback

No. 9

New Mexico State

"'I'm very big in Calgary,' he says. That's where he played for almost three seasons in the Canadian League. Pisarcik was a free agent who started as the Giants' No. 5 quarterback in summer camp a year, but by the fourth regular-season game had won the starting job.

Pisarcik would prefer showing off his arm more than his coaches allow. Born in Kingsport, Pa., he went to New Mexico State 'because they had a pro-style offense, and I wanted to be a pro.' He has none of the doubts about his talent that others may have.

He lives off-season in Fort Lauderdale. 'Do you know many bikinis and belly-buttons there are down there?' he asks."

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"One of the NFL's most outstanding rookies of 1977, Joe was rewarded with selection as the quarterback on the all-rookie team last season. A three-year starter for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League, he has a powerful arm. Joe worked with the Giants during the club's spring trip to Mexico City in 1977."

-1978 Topps No. 7

R.I.P. Gary Brown

1978 Profile: John Mendenhall

Defensive Tackle

No. 64

Grambling

"Happier as a Giant last year than he'd been in a while. Mendenhall demanded to be traded in both 1975 and 1976. He played too well in 1974 for the Giants to consider such a demand.

Mendenhall is more unpredictable off the field than on, where's he's quick and knowledgeable, though not exceptionally big. He constantly wonders aloud when the Giants are going to get a better offense.

Born in Cullen, Louisiana, he's another former Grambling football hero. He was a close personal friend of defensive end Jack Gregory in his first few seasons, and he and Gregory are the only remaining defensive starters from as far back as 1972."

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1978 Edition)

"John has enjoyed an awesome career with the Giants. He won due recognition in 1974 when he was named to the UPI All-NFC team, to the New York Daily News All-NFL first team and to the Pro Football Writers' All-NFL second unit. A starter since his rookie year, he was named to the All-Rookie team that season.

He was an AP Little All-American. He excelled in the 1972 College All-Star Game.

John combines great strength with quickness and agility and usually requires double-teaming."

-1978 Topps No. 75