Offensive Tackle
No. 73
Southwest Missouri State
"The No. 2 draft choice of the Giants in 1974 but not as heralded an arrival as John Hicks, Mullen nonetheless proved to be a stellar addition to the club. Like Hicks, he stepped right into the starting lineup, at left guard, and performed with distinction. Mullen was also named to the All-NFL Rookie team by UPI, Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writer's Association, giving the Giants both guard positions on those rookie teams.
Nicknamed 'Moon' for obvious reasons, Mullen proved to be an outstanding pass blocker, perhaps as fine a pass blocker one year removed from college as the Giants have ever had. Like Hicks, he has the potential to become an All-Pro at his position.
He continued his top-flight work in 1975 at both left guard and left tackle but was hampered by a shoulder injury and missed several games. When he was healthy, he was a bulwark. During the off-season Tom underwent successful surgery on his bothersome shoulder problem, then suffered a bicep rupture ... but came back last year to play strongly at left tackle throughout the year until he went down with a knee injury in the 12th game, underwent surgery and missed the final two contests after playing the first 12.
Tom earned four letters at Southwest Missouri State as a tackle, and his honors included All-Conference twice, honorable mention All-American twice and team MVP and captain in his senior campaign.
Thomas Patrick Mullen was born in St. Louis and played his high school sports at Vianney High School in Kirkwood, Missouri. Moon lists swimming and water skiing as his favorite hobbies, as well as golf and tennis."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Thursday, November 15, 2018
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
R.I.P. Lindon Crow
A Pro Bowl selection as a defensive back for the Eastern Conference champions of 1958 and 1959.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
1977 Profile: Ron Mikolajczyk
Offensive Tackle
No. 62
Tampa
"The Giants obtained Mikolajczyk from the Oakland Raiders for a 7th round draft choice prior to the regular season. The big man moved right in as a starter at guard in the season opener against Washington and continued as a starter until sidelined by minor injuries. Later he was switched to tackle, which would appear to be his best position, appearing in a total of nine games during the season.
Originally drafted No. 5 by Oakland in 1973, Ron had played with Toronto in the CFL in 1972 after dropping out of Tampa. Following his release by the Raiders, he was with Memphis of the WFL for two seasons before returning to the Raiders in 1976. Also a professional wrestler, Mikolajczyk has been on the pro tour for the past couple of years and had a victory in Madison Square Garden by a pin during the past off-season.
He was a two-way tackle for two years at the University of Tampa, showing sufficient potential for him to drop out before his senior season to play in the Canadian Football League.
Ronald Mikolajczyk was born in Passaic, New Jersey and starred at Passaic High School as a teammate of Jack Tatum, now with the Oakland Raiders. Ron resides in Tampa during the off-season."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 62
Tampa
"The Giants obtained Mikolajczyk from the Oakland Raiders for a 7th round draft choice prior to the regular season. The big man moved right in as a starter at guard in the season opener against Washington and continued as a starter until sidelined by minor injuries. Later he was switched to tackle, which would appear to be his best position, appearing in a total of nine games during the season.
Originally drafted No. 5 by Oakland in 1973, Ron had played with Toronto in the CFL in 1972 after dropping out of Tampa. Following his release by the Raiders, he was with Memphis of the WFL for two seasons before returning to the Raiders in 1976. Also a professional wrestler, Mikolajczyk has been on the pro tour for the past couple of years and had a victory in Madison Square Garden by a pin during the past off-season.
He was a two-way tackle for two years at the University of Tampa, showing sufficient potential for him to drop out before his senior season to play in the Canadian Football League.
Ronald Mikolajczyk was born in Passaic, New Jersey and starred at Passaic High School as a teammate of Jack Tatum, now with the Oakland Raiders. Ron resides in Tampa during the off-season."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
R.I.P. Dick Modzelewski
Along with Robustelli, Grier and Katcavage, part of one of the greatest defensive lines in the history of pro football.
Sunday, October 14, 2018
1977 Profile: Larry Mialik
Tight End
No. 83
Wisconsin
"Mialik was acquired on waivers by the Giants during this past off-season from the San Diego Chargers. He was originally a No. 12 draft choice of the Atlanta Falcons in 1972 and spent four seasons there as a backup tight end and special teams player. He caught two passes for 30 yards in 1973 and also had a pair of fumble recoveries on special teams.
Signed by the Houston Oilers as a free agent last season, Larry moved on to the Chargers late in the season. Hampered by minor injuries in Atlanta and Houston, he played in two games last season.
Mialik missed almost all of his senior season at Wisconsin because of a broken arm but was an All-Big Ten selection as a junior when he caught 33 passes for 702 yards.
He was born in Passaic, New Jersey and was an all-around high school star at Clifton High School in Clifton, NJ. Larry has spent considerable time during the off-season in Marathon, Florida where he owns and operates an 18-unit condominium project in the Florida Keys."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 83
Wisconsin
"Mialik was acquired on waivers by the Giants during this past off-season from the San Diego Chargers. He was originally a No. 12 draft choice of the Atlanta Falcons in 1972 and spent four seasons there as a backup tight end and special teams player. He caught two passes for 30 yards in 1973 and also had a pair of fumble recoveries on special teams.
Signed by the Houston Oilers as a free agent last season, Larry moved on to the Chargers late in the season. Hampered by minor injuries in Atlanta and Houston, he played in two games last season.
Mialik missed almost all of his senior season at Wisconsin because of a broken arm but was an All-Big Ten selection as a junior when he caught 33 passes for 702 yards.
He was born in Passaic, New Jersey and was an all-around high school star at Clifton High School in Clifton, NJ. Larry has spent considerable time during the off-season in Marathon, Florida where he owns and operates an 18-unit condominium project in the Florida Keys."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Thursday, September 27, 2018
1977 Profile: John Mendenhall
Defensive Tackle
No. 64
Grambling
"The Curley Culp of New York. Not tall enough to look over offensive linemen, just strong enough to create his own freeway through them. Mendenhall doesn't fit the pro scout's image of a defensive tackle, but as John Brodie once said, 'There are a lot of funny bodies making it in the NFL.'
Drafted No. 3 in 1972, Mendenhall quickly became a standout. He has been voted all-conference and missed All-Pro in 1973 when mid-season knee surgery ended what had been a spectacular beginning. He may make it yet, regardless of his height.
Born in Cullen, Louisiana, Mendenhall was unstoppable at Grambling. A sensitive man, sometimes outspoken, but couldn't play any better if he was 6-5."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
"The Giants' No. 3 draft choice in 1972, Mendenhall has had an awesome career with the Giants, finally winning due recognition in 1974 when he was named to UPI's All-NFC team and to the Pro Football Writers' All-NFL second unit.
Mendy missed one game in '74 with a knee injury, but in the other 13 was as good a defensive tackle as anyone, coming up with 11 quarterback sacks, fumble recoveries, blocked passes and general mayhem against opposing teams. He combines great strength with quickness and agility and usually requires double-teaming. One play against Dallas typified his overall abilities- he knocked down two blockers, got to Calvin Hill and dumped him for an eight-yard loss so hard that Calvin fumbled, with Roy Hilton picking up the fumble to go 71 yards for a touchdown ... and Mendy getting up after the tackle to throw a block to help spring Hilton loose.
Last year, Mendy was again off to a super start through a 4-2 preseason slate, sacking quarterbacks and even getting an interception against the Steelers. Then, in the season opener, he injured an ankle and was hobbled for the rest of the year despite his efforts to play on one good ankle. He finally went on the injured list for the final three games and missed five games overall and parts of five others. Fully recovered, he should be primed for another All-Pro season.
A starter since his rookie year, John was named to the All-NFL Rookie team that season. In 1973, he was on his way to All-Pro honors when he went down with a knee injury halfway through the year and underwent surgery.
Last year, Mendy was healthy and when he's healthy, he's outstanding. Playing all 14 games, he led all linemen with 151 tackles (56 solos, 95 assists) and had an interception.
Mendenhall was an Associated Press Little All-American and NAIA choice at Grambling, won four letters and team defensive MVP honors and was a star in the Senior Bowl. He also had a big day in the College All-Star Game in 1972
John Rufus Mendenhall was born in Cullen, Louisiana and starred at Charles Brown High School in Springhill, Louisiana. He lives in Houston during the off-season."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 64
Grambling
"The Curley Culp of New York. Not tall enough to look over offensive linemen, just strong enough to create his own freeway through them. Mendenhall doesn't fit the pro scout's image of a defensive tackle, but as John Brodie once said, 'There are a lot of funny bodies making it in the NFL.'
Drafted No. 3 in 1972, Mendenhall quickly became a standout. He has been voted all-conference and missed All-Pro in 1973 when mid-season knee surgery ended what had been a spectacular beginning. He may make it yet, regardless of his height.
Born in Cullen, Louisiana, Mendenhall was unstoppable at Grambling. A sensitive man, sometimes outspoken, but couldn't play any better if he was 6-5."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
"The Giants' No. 3 draft choice in 1972, Mendenhall has had an awesome career with the Giants, finally winning due recognition in 1974 when he was named to UPI's All-NFC team and to the Pro Football Writers' All-NFL second unit.
Mendy missed one game in '74 with a knee injury, but in the other 13 was as good a defensive tackle as anyone, coming up with 11 quarterback sacks, fumble recoveries, blocked passes and general mayhem against opposing teams. He combines great strength with quickness and agility and usually requires double-teaming. One play against Dallas typified his overall abilities- he knocked down two blockers, got to Calvin Hill and dumped him for an eight-yard loss so hard that Calvin fumbled, with Roy Hilton picking up the fumble to go 71 yards for a touchdown ... and Mendy getting up after the tackle to throw a block to help spring Hilton loose.
Last year, Mendy was again off to a super start through a 4-2 preseason slate, sacking quarterbacks and even getting an interception against the Steelers. Then, in the season opener, he injured an ankle and was hobbled for the rest of the year despite his efforts to play on one good ankle. He finally went on the injured list for the final three games and missed five games overall and parts of five others. Fully recovered, he should be primed for another All-Pro season.
A starter since his rookie year, John was named to the All-NFL Rookie team that season. In 1973, he was on his way to All-Pro honors when he went down with a knee injury halfway through the year and underwent surgery.
Last year, Mendy was healthy and when he's healthy, he's outstanding. Playing all 14 games, he led all linemen with 151 tackles (56 solos, 95 assists) and had an interception.
Mendenhall was an Associated Press Little All-American and NAIA choice at Grambling, won four letters and team defensive MVP honors and was a star in the Senior Bowl. He also had a big day in the College All-Star Game in 1972
John Rufus Mendenhall was born in Cullen, Louisiana and starred at Charles Brown High School in Springhill, Louisiana. He lives in Houston during the off-season."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
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