Tight End
No. 38
Bloomsburg State
"He caught 42 passes to lead the Giants. He caught 59 in 1971 to become the first tight end to lead the NFL in receiving.
He came to pro football the hard way, having played in places like Lowell, Mass. and Pottstown, PA in the Atlantic Coast Football League after graduating from Bloomsburg State in 1967. He latched on with the Giants as a free agent in 1970."
-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1977
"The pride of Bloomsburg State. And the only pass receiver the Giants have. Tucker led the club last year with 42 receptions and remains one of the best- if not the best- blocking tight ends.
Tucker set NAIA records at dear old Bloomsburg but went undrafted by the pros. The Giants got lucky when they signed him. His 59 receptions in 1971 were high in the NFC and made him the first tight end ever to win the receiving title.
Born in Hazelton, PA, Tucker played semipro ball with Lowell, Mass. and Pottstown, PA before making the NFL on his third try after being let go by the Eagles and Patriots. Now in his eighth year, he no longer has to look back. Gladly."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
"The Giants signed Tucker as a free agent in 1970 and he immediately beat out Aaron Thomas as the starting tight end. Bob caught 40 passes for 571 yards and five touchdowns that year and came very close to winning the NFL's Rookie of the Year award. In 1971, he became the first tight end in NFL history to take a receiving title when he caught 59 for 791 [yards] and four touchdowns. Additionally, he was the first Giant end to earn an individual [receiving] title since 1935, when Tod Goodwin led the league.
Tucker came back with another great season in 1972, winning All-NFL honors for the first time, grabbing 55 passes for 764 yards. In 1973, he again led the club with 50 catches to move past the 200 mark and added five more touchdowns, and in 1974 finished second on the club with 41 grabs.
He was again second in that department in 1975, grabbing 34 for 484 yards despite missing one game with an injury. Bob's big day was against the Saints when he had seven for 80 yards before being kayoed in the fourth period. His long gainer of the year was a dazzling 47-yard touchdown run with a screen pass against San Diego.
In 1976, playing 14 games, Bob again led the club in receiving with 42 for 498 yards and a touchdown (against the Rams) and his career total of 321 grabs moved him ahead of Kyle Rote into the third spot on the club's all-time list.
He holds the club record of catching passes in 45 straight games. Big, strong and a great runner, Bob had trials with the Eagles and Patriots and spent two seasons in the minor leagues with Lowell, Mass. and Pottstown, PA.
Bob set three NAIA records with Bloomsburg State in 1967- most receptions, highest single-game yardage and most yardage in a season. As a two-way end, he was named to the Little All-America team in 1967 but, strangely, no pro club took him in the draft.
Robert Tucker was born in Hazelton, Pennsylvania and is of Tyrolean-Polish descent. His father is a construction foreman in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Bob was a top student in college and earned a degree in biology. He represents Walsh & Walsh Insurance Co. in between football seasons."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Saturday, May 4, 2019
1977 Profile: Jim Steinke
Free Safety
No. 20
Southwest Texas State
"Steinke came to the Giants on waivers from the Cleveland Browns in 1974 just prior to the opening of the regular season and appeared in 13 games for the Giants as a cornerback and special team player. He started at right corner throughout the second half of the season and proved he was capable of getting the job done. On special teams, he was in on two blocked field goals during the season, including one against the Jets in the final seconds which sent that game into overtime.
In 1975, Jim got into 14 games as a starter at either the corner or free safety and performed extremely well. In one game he had two interceptions on Roger Staubach and the Cowboys for 41 yards returned and was again a special team leader, getting two blocked punts on the year- against St. Louis and New Orleans.
In 1976, playing 13 games, Jim had his best season. He had two pass interceptions, and one in the final seconds against the Redskins clinched a 12-9 upset victory. He also blocked a punt against Dallas and scored a touchdown against Denver by covering a blocked punt in the end zone. Jim had 86 tackles for the season and was a solid player at both the corner and free safety.
Jim won three letters as a cornerback in college, winning All-Conference honors twice as well as Little All-American honors his senior year. He played in the Senior Bowl and the Coaches' All-American Game, and also won two letters in track as a sprinter.
James L. Steinke was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in Johnson City where his father, Harold, was the communications director at the LBJ Ranch for President Johnson. Jim starred at Lyndon B. Johnson High School there. His uncle, Gil Steinke, coached at Texas A & I."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 20
Southwest Texas State
"Steinke came to the Giants on waivers from the Cleveland Browns in 1974 just prior to the opening of the regular season and appeared in 13 games for the Giants as a cornerback and special team player. He started at right corner throughout the second half of the season and proved he was capable of getting the job done. On special teams, he was in on two blocked field goals during the season, including one against the Jets in the final seconds which sent that game into overtime.
In 1975, Jim got into 14 games as a starter at either the corner or free safety and performed extremely well. In one game he had two interceptions on Roger Staubach and the Cowboys for 41 yards returned and was again a special team leader, getting two blocked punts on the year- against St. Louis and New Orleans.
In 1976, playing 13 games, Jim had his best season. He had two pass interceptions, and one in the final seconds against the Redskins clinched a 12-9 upset victory. He also blocked a punt against Dallas and scored a touchdown against Denver by covering a blocked punt in the end zone. Jim had 86 tackles for the season and was a solid player at both the corner and free safety.
Jim won three letters as a cornerback in college, winning All-Conference honors twice as well as Little All-American honors his senior year. He played in the Senior Bowl and the Coaches' All-American Game, and also won two letters in track as a sprinter.
James L. Steinke was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in Johnson City where his father, Harold, was the communications director at the LBJ Ranch for President Johnson. Jim starred at Lyndon B. Johnson High School there. His uncle, Gil Steinke, coached at Texas A & I."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
1977 Profile: Al Simpson
Offensive Tackle
No. 79
Colorado State
"Big Al was the Giants' No. 2 draft selection in 1975 and saw extensive duty during his rookie campaign, mostly with special teams units. He did get into action frequently throughout the year at left offensive tackle and also played some at guard when injuries depleted the offensive unit. Simpson was a hard worker all year long, as attested to by his slicing his collegiate weight of 270 down to 250 for his initial NFL season.
In the past two years, he has worked at both left tackle and left guard and has continued to show solid progress. He was a starter at guard for eight games, appearing in 10, in 1976 and has to be regarded as a contender for a starting job in '77 at either guard or tackle.
Simpson began his collegiate career at McCook Junior College in Nebraska before moving to Colorado State, initially as a defensive tackle, then as an offensive tackle. His prowess there earned him second-team NEA All-American honors as well as MVP, Offense, at Colorado State his senior year. That year Colorado State ranked No. 1 in the country in passing offense, a tribute to the pass blocking on that team. Simpson also won a spot in the East-West Shrine Game his senior season.
Allen Ralph Simpson, Jr. was born in Pittsburgh. He played high school football and was a shot-putter at both Westinghouse High School and Wilkinsburg High School in Pittsburgh."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 79
Colorado State
"Big Al was the Giants' No. 2 draft selection in 1975 and saw extensive duty during his rookie campaign, mostly with special teams units. He did get into action frequently throughout the year at left offensive tackle and also played some at guard when injuries depleted the offensive unit. Simpson was a hard worker all year long, as attested to by his slicing his collegiate weight of 270 down to 250 for his initial NFL season.
In the past two years, he has worked at both left tackle and left guard and has continued to show solid progress. He was a starter at guard for eight games, appearing in 10, in 1976 and has to be regarded as a contender for a starting job in '77 at either guard or tackle.
Simpson began his collegiate career at McCook Junior College in Nebraska before moving to Colorado State, initially as a defensive tackle, then as an offensive tackle. His prowess there earned him second-team NEA All-American honors as well as MVP, Offense, at Colorado State his senior year. That year Colorado State ranked No. 1 in the country in passing offense, a tribute to the pass blocking on that team. Simpson also won a spot in the East-West Shrine Game his senior season.
Allen Ralph Simpson, Jr. was born in Pittsburgh. He played high school football and was a shot-putter at both Westinghouse High School and Wilkinsburg High School in Pittsburgh."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Sunday, March 31, 2019
1977 Profile: Gary Shirk
Tight End
No. 87
Morehead State
"Signed as a free agent in 1976 after spending two seasons with Memphis in the World Football League, Shirk made the club as the reserve tight end and also contributed as a special teams performer as well. All told, he had four catches for 52 yards, and a touchdown grab in the win over Seattle. As one of the deep blockers on the kickoff return units, he additionally came up with six kickoff returns for 109 yards and an 18.2 average. Shirk played in 14 games in 1976. His two-year stats at Memphis showed 49 catches for 936 yards and eight touchdowns.
A three-year letterman at Morehead State, Shirk won all-conference honors there and in 1973 was named MVP for his team. He majored in physical education.
Gary Lee Shirk was born in Marysville, Ohio, where he still lives, and played his high school football at Marysville High School."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 87
Morehead State
"Signed as a free agent in 1976 after spending two seasons with Memphis in the World Football League, Shirk made the club as the reserve tight end and also contributed as a special teams performer as well. All told, he had four catches for 52 yards, and a touchdown grab in the win over Seattle. As one of the deep blockers on the kickoff return units, he additionally came up with six kickoff returns for 109 yards and an 18.2 average. Shirk played in 14 games in 1976. His two-year stats at Memphis showed 49 catches for 936 yards and eight touchdowns.
A three-year letterman at Morehead State, Shirk won all-conference honors there and in 1973 was named MVP for his team. He majored in physical education.
Gary Lee Shirk was born in Marysville, Ohio, where he still lives, and played his high school football at Marysville High School."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Monday, February 25, 2019
1977 Profile: Dennis Shaw
Quarterback
No. 11
San Diego State
"Shaw was signed as a free agent by the Giants late last season and was on the roster for the final five games but did not appear.
Originally a No. 2 draft choice of the Buffalo Bills, he became an instant starter there in 1970 and was named the AFC Rookie of the Year, completing 178 passes in 321 attempts for 2,507 yards and a 55.5% accuracy. He set a Bills record that year with 24 completions in one game.
Shaw was the Bills' starting quarterback for three seasons until he was sidelined by an injury in 1973 and lost the job to Joe Ferguson. He was traded to St. Louis for wide receiver Ahmad Rashad in 1974 but sat out that entire season, and after reserve duty in 1975 was released and was briefly with the Green Bay Packers in 1976 before signing on with the Giants. He spent this past off-season working out at Giants Stadium.
Shaw began his collegiate career at Mt. San Antonio Junior College, then moved on to San Diego State where he was a dynamic quarterback setting all kinds of passing records there, including 39 career touchdown receptions. In 1969, he set still another record by throwing nine touchdown passes in one game. Dennis played in the Senior Bowl, Pasadena Bowl, East-West Shrine Game, Coaches' All-America Game and College All-Star Game. He received a degree in physical education.
Dennis Wendell Shaw was born in Los Angeles and starred at Pomona Boys' Catholic High School in LaVerne, California. Skiing, tennis, fishing, golf and camping all rank high on his list of hobbies."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 11
San Diego State
"Shaw was signed as a free agent by the Giants late last season and was on the roster for the final five games but did not appear.
Originally a No. 2 draft choice of the Buffalo Bills, he became an instant starter there in 1970 and was named the AFC Rookie of the Year, completing 178 passes in 321 attempts for 2,507 yards and a 55.5% accuracy. He set a Bills record that year with 24 completions in one game.
Shaw was the Bills' starting quarterback for three seasons until he was sidelined by an injury in 1973 and lost the job to Joe Ferguson. He was traded to St. Louis for wide receiver Ahmad Rashad in 1974 but sat out that entire season, and after reserve duty in 1975 was released and was briefly with the Green Bay Packers in 1976 before signing on with the Giants. He spent this past off-season working out at Giants Stadium.
Shaw began his collegiate career at Mt. San Antonio Junior College, then moved on to San Diego State where he was a dynamic quarterback setting all kinds of passing records there, including 39 career touchdown receptions. In 1969, he set still another record by throwing nine touchdown passes in one game. Dennis played in the Senior Bowl, Pasadena Bowl, East-West Shrine Game, Coaches' All-America Game and College All-Star Game. He received a degree in physical education.
Dennis Wendell Shaw was born in Los Angeles and starred at Pomona Boys' Catholic High School in LaVerne, California. Skiing, tennis, fishing, golf and camping all rank high on his list of hobbies."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Sunday, February 3, 2019
1977 Profile: Jimmy Robinson
Wide Receiver
No. 85
Georgia Tech
"Signed by the Giants as a free agent prior to the 1976 training camp, Robinson won himself a berth by gritty performances in the preseason games and became a starting wide receiver early in the season, playing 12 games.. He finished the year with 18 receptions for 249 yards and put himself in the Giant record book by scoring the first Giant touchdown at brand new Giants Stadium, a 30-yard dazzler against the Dallas Cowboys. This tough little guy also doubled as a return man and had 20 kickoff returns for a 22.2 average and 24 punt returns for a 4.4 average.
He was the No. 15 draft choice of the Atlanta Falcons in 1975, but was released on the final and subsequently signed by the Giants.
Robinson was an outstanding wide receiver at Georgia Tech, winning three letters as a starter there and making any number of outstanding catches. He finished his college career with 101 receptions for 1,633 yards and 13 touchdowns.
James Peter Robinson was born in New York City but attended high school in Georgia where he was an all-around standout at Ridgeview High School in Atlanta. Jimmy's parents reside in Westchester County, N.Y., but Jimmy and his wife spend the off-seasons in Marietta, Ga."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 85
Georgia Tech
"Signed by the Giants as a free agent prior to the 1976 training camp, Robinson won himself a berth by gritty performances in the preseason games and became a starting wide receiver early in the season, playing 12 games.. He finished the year with 18 receptions for 249 yards and put himself in the Giant record book by scoring the first Giant touchdown at brand new Giants Stadium, a 30-yard dazzler against the Dallas Cowboys. This tough little guy also doubled as a return man and had 20 kickoff returns for a 22.2 average and 24 punt returns for a 4.4 average.
He was the No. 15 draft choice of the Atlanta Falcons in 1975, but was released on the final and subsequently signed by the Giants.
Robinson was an outstanding wide receiver at Georgia Tech, winning three letters as a starter there and making any number of outstanding catches. He finished his college career with 101 receptions for 1,633 yards and 13 touchdowns.
James Peter Robinson was born in New York City but attended high school in Georgia where he was an all-around standout at Ridgeview High School in Atlanta. Jimmy's parents reside in Westchester County, N.Y., but Jimmy and his wife spend the off-seasons in Marietta, Ga."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
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