1979 Profile: Ray Rhodes

"A starting wide receiver for two seasons, he was switched to cornerback partly because the Giants found bigger and faster wide receivers, but mostly because they were desperate on defense. 

Rhodes was considered the most dependable secondary man the Giants last year, except he spent a lot of time nursing injuries. A smash to one shoulder caused the ribs on the opposite side of his chest to pop away from the ligaments. 'It hurt to cough, laugh, breathe,' he says. Sometimes, it hurt to watch him try to play anyway.

Rhodes was born October 20, 1950, in Mexia, Texas." 

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

"A versatile player for the Giants, Ray led the Giants in punt returns as a rookie in 1974. He had a 40-yard interception return against the Redskins in 1977. helping to clinch a 17-6 victory.

Ray was a college teammate of the Cowboys' Drew Pearson."

-1979 Topps No. 412

1979 Profile: Jim Clack

Center

No. 56

Wake Forest

"Probably the team's most valuable player last season, his first as a Giant after being traded by Pittsburgh. 'I feel sorry for this team,' Clack said late in the year after considerable fan abuse. 'Every time we come off the field guys from the other team are saying, 'I wouldn't want to play here.' Clack is a consummate team man and rugged old pro who does his best no matter what.

Born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, he played at Wake Forest. He originally signed as a free agent with the Steelers and hated watching the playoffs on TV last year."

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

"A solid performer for the Steelers at both center and guard, Jim joined the Giants prior to 1978 and became the club's regular center. He was a center at Pittsburgh until the 1974 season, then switched to guard where he was a starter in two Super Bowl wins.

Jim was the top blocker in the Atlantic Coast Conference in his senior campaign. A fine pass protector, he was an honor student in high school."

-1979 Topps No. 99

1979 Profile: Brad Van Pelt

Linebacker

No. 10

Michigan State

"A man as easily disappointed as Van Pelt probably should not play for the Giants. Often, he has wondered if he should have chosen a baseball career instead, or what it would be like to play closer to home in Detroit. But then, a man as qualified as Van Pelt must play for the Giants if they are to have any hope. He has played in the Pro Bowl the past three years, though a series of injuries diminished his effectiveness last season.

Van Pelt was an All-American at Michigan State as a safety. He's a shy sort who never really found New York City to be that exciting."

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

"Brad reached his full potential with the Giants in 1976. His best game came in a 24-10 win over the Lions when he had 10 solo tackles and two interceptions.

Brad has two brothers who are high school coaches."

-1979 Topps No. 140

1979 Profile: Harry Carson

Middle Linebacker

No. 56

South Carolina State

"Behind the scowl ticks an observant, sometimes insecure mind, even though last season he was voted to the Pro Bowl. 'The pros are all right, but there are times when I wish I were back there [in college]. At times you'd like the security that was there. That rah-rah spirit and family feeling and knowing that everybody's pulling for you.' Opponents find him frightening, but he is human enough to need a pat on the back and admits it.

Born November 23, 1953, in Florence, South Carolina, he played at South Carolina State as a defensive end whom opponents diligently avoided. His college jersey- No. 75- was retired last year."

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

"Harry has been rated by the Eagles and Cardinals as one of the best linebackers they've faced. He won Giants' MVP honors in 1977 and received strong support in voting for the Pro Bowl.

Harry had 30 quarterback sacks as a senior at South Carolina State."

-1979 Topps No. 515

1979 Profile: Gordon King

Offensive Tackle

No. 72

Stanford

"Called 'General Motors' because of his attorney's attempt, for tax purposes, to have his name incorporated. King had a not-uncommon rookie season, most of it on the bench frustrated that he wasn't earning his big check as a No.1 draft choice.

'I told myself before I came here I wouldn't make it hard on myself. I don't drive a big car [a '57 Chrysler]. Anyway, I'm not a very verbal person. I don't tend to stick out in a crowd, except for my size [6-6, 275].

Gordon was born February 3, 1956, in Madison, Wisconsin. While at Stanford, he was considered the best pass-blocking lineman in college football."

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

1979 Profile: Troy Archer

Defensive Tackle

No. 77

Colorado

"Broke a bone in his foot the day before last year's first exhibition game, leaving the Giants with a bad, er, fallen Archer. He hated sitting out almost half the season, since he may have been their best player. He played some nose guard in the occasionally used 3-4. 

Troy spent weeks in the swimming pool trying to stay in shape and 'getting wrinkled up like a prune.' Born January 16, 1955, in Whittier, California, he's sometimes grumpy but coaches like 'em that way. Troy has exceptional potential."

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

"Troy has become a more awesome force in the Giants' defensive line in each season with the club. He is now ranked among the top young defensive tackles in the NFL, with All-Pro potential. He won All-NFC first-team honors from the Newark Star-Ledger in 1977 when he was credited with 127 tackles, 12 quarterback sacks and four fumble recoveries.

Another of Troy's interests is horticulture."

-1979 Topps No. 81

1979 Profile: Joe Pisarcik

Quarterback

No. 9

New Mexico State

"Poor fellow. You see his picture and exclaim: 'That's the guy!' As if he were in a police lineup. That's the guy who, having nothing to do but sit on the ball to win a big game against Philadelphia, instead tried to hand off and fumbled directly into the losing touchdown. Be informed, however, that he didn't call the play; the long-gone offensive coordinator did.

He was born July 7, 1952, in Kingston, Pa., and played at New Mexico State. Pisarcik is happy-go-lucky and lives the Fort Lauderdale lifestyle in the off-season. He shows flashes of real competency, but they have just been flashes so far."

-John Jeansonne, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football (1979 Edition)

"A big and strong quarterback with a rifle arm, Joe had quite an induction in the NFL. His first touchdown pass in the league was an 80-yard connection against the Eagles in 1977.

Joe lists tennis among his hobbies."

-1979 Topps No. 311