Defensive Tackle
1st Round
USC
"From USC, he was described by one scout as 'an up and down player, sometimes great, other times gets pushed around.' The Giants' No. 1 choice."
-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1977
"The All-American defensive star from USC was the top-rated player on the Giants' list at both defensive end and defensive tackle and at 6-4 and 255, he has the size, and his recorded times of 4.7 and 4.8 in the 40-yard dash is ample proof of his quickness and agility. 'His physical ability is awesome,' says USC coach John Robinson, and teammate Ricky Bell, the draft's No. 1 pick this year, calls Jeter, 'the best defensive player I've ever seen ... there was more than one game in which Gary kept us in the game by his sheer determination on defense.'
This past season as the Trojans again went to the Rose Bowl and a big triumph over Michigan, Jeter was selected to both the Football Writers Association and NEA All-American first team and to the Associated Press All-American second team.
He had 55 unassisted tackles on the season, including a half-dozen quarterback sacks, three pass deflections and three fumble recoveries. A starter since his freshman year when he took over at left tackle in the third game of the season, Jeter has accumulated remarkable totals in his defensive statistics, not only in solo tackles (235) and quarterback sacks (31), but in the area of deflected passes at the line of scrimmage and in fumble recoveries.
From Cleveland, Ohio, Gary was an all-around high school star at Cathedral Latin High School in that city, being named Ohio's Outstanding Lineman in 1972 and also being a consensus High School All-American."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Monday, October 28, 2019
Sunday, October 20, 2019
1977 Profile: Don Zimmerman
Wide Receiver
No. 80
N.E. Louisiana
"Obtained via waivers from Green Bay during this past off-season, Zimmerman had spent three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles prior to his brief stint at Green Bay where he appeared in but two games and had a pass catch for 13 yards.
A No. 12 draft choice of the Eagles in 1972, Don spent that year on the Eagle taxi squad but became a starter in 1973 for 11 games, and then was a starter for all 14 games during the 1974 season. He had 22 catches for 220 yards and three touchdowns in 1973, 30 catches for 368 yards and two touchdowns in 1974 and made touchdown catches against the Giants in both '73 and '74. Zimmerman had a 64-yard touchdown against Dallas in '74, the longest scoring play of the year for Philadelphia.
Zimmerman was a two-year starter as a wide receiver at Northeast Louisiana after starting his college career at Arkansas A M & N, and also lettered in track where he clocked 21.7 in the 220-yard dash. He received in B.S. in education.
Don was born in Monroe, Louisiana, and was a football, basketball and track standout at Richwood High School in his hometown."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 80
N.E. Louisiana
"Obtained via waivers from Green Bay during this past off-season, Zimmerman had spent three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles prior to his brief stint at Green Bay where he appeared in but two games and had a pass catch for 13 yards.
A No. 12 draft choice of the Eagles in 1972, Don spent that year on the Eagle taxi squad but became a starter in 1973 for 11 games, and then was a starter for all 14 games during the 1974 season. He had 22 catches for 220 yards and three touchdowns in 1973, 30 catches for 368 yards and two touchdowns in 1974 and made touchdown catches against the Giants in both '73 and '74. Zimmerman had a 64-yard touchdown against Dallas in '74, the longest scoring play of the year for Philadelphia.
Zimmerman was a two-year starter as a wide receiver at Northeast Louisiana after starting his college career at Arkansas A M & N, and also lettered in track where he clocked 21.7 in the 220-yard dash. He received in B.S. in education.
Don was born in Monroe, Louisiana, and was a football, basketball and track standout at Richwood High School in his hometown."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Sunday, September 29, 2019
1977 Profile: Marsh White
Running Back
No. 24
Arkansas
"White was a 12th round pick in 1975, going that late primarily because of a collegiate career marred by a series of nagging injuries. As a rookie he improved steadily throughout the season, getting into all 14 games and proving to be a fine hitter and performer on all of the special team duties. He also managed to see extensive duty in the backfield as a reserve and enjoyed a solid afternoon in the 26-23 win over San Francisco when he carried 12 times for 69 yards and scored a touchdown. All told, White had 90 yards on 17 carries for a team-leading 5.3 average and also caught three passes for 15 yards.
In '76, Marsh saw a lot of action in all 14 games as a reserve running back, getting 69 carries for 233 yards and a touchdown. He had a big preseason game with 100 yards rushing in a 17-0 win over the Steelers.
Hampered by injuries in each of his three seasons at Arkansas, Marsh nonetheless had some fine days as a collegian, including 64 yards in eight carries against USC and 78 in 11 carries against Texas Tech. He was an All-SWC choice as a soph when he rushed 80 times for 340 yards after a fine freshman season when he scored 10 touchdowns.
Marsh R. White was born in Bonham, Texas and starred at Bonham High School in his hometown. He is a cousin of Cincinnati Redleg Joe Morgan."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 24
Arkansas
"White was a 12th round pick in 1975, going that late primarily because of a collegiate career marred by a series of nagging injuries. As a rookie he improved steadily throughout the season, getting into all 14 games and proving to be a fine hitter and performer on all of the special team duties. He also managed to see extensive duty in the backfield as a reserve and enjoyed a solid afternoon in the 26-23 win over San Francisco when he carried 12 times for 69 yards and scored a touchdown. All told, White had 90 yards on 17 carries for a team-leading 5.3 average and also caught three passes for 15 yards.
In '76, Marsh saw a lot of action in all 14 games as a reserve running back, getting 69 carries for 233 yards and a touchdown. He had a big preseason game with 100 yards rushing in a 17-0 win over the Steelers.
Hampered by injuries in each of his three seasons at Arkansas, Marsh nonetheless had some fine days as a collegian, including 64 yards in eight carries against USC and 78 in 11 carries against Texas Tech. He was an All-SWC choice as a soph when he rushed 80 times for 340 yards after a fine freshman season when he scored 10 touchdowns.
Marsh R. White was born in Bonham, Texas and starred at Bonham High School in his hometown. He is a cousin of Cincinnati Redleg Joe Morgan."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Sunday, September 8, 2019
1977 Profile: Larry Watkins
Running Back
No. 36
Alcorn A & M
"The Giants obtained Watkins for a draft choice from the Buffalo Bills after the [1974] season. He became a valuable running back all through the 1975 season, finishing as the club's top per-average rusher with a 4.5 mark, with 303 yards on 68 carries. His best days were against the Cardinals and the Chargers, with 85 yards rushing against the former (all in one half) and 71 against the latter.
Originally signed as a free agent by Detroit in 1969, Larry played one season there and was traded to Philadelphia in 1970. After three seasons as a reserve, he was traded to Buffalo and became a starter with O.J. Simpson in 1973, carrying 98 times for 414 yards, a 4.2 average and two touchdowns. Larry had 105 yards rushing on 18 carries in the season opener against New England, then proved to be a fine blocker that year as O.J. had his 2,000-yard season. Last year, in 13 games, he saw only limited duty as a reserve behind Larry Csonka, but again proved to be a capable fullback with 96 yards on 26 carries [3.7 average] and a touchdown.
Watkins was a three-year letterman at Alcorn A & M and was named co-captain in his senior year. He also played in the Orange Bowl that year.
Lawrence Watkins was born in Bessemer, Alabama and played his high school sports at J.S. Abrams High in Bessemer. He now lives in Camden, New Jersey and has taught in the Camden school system during the off-seasons."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 36
Alcorn A & M
"The Giants obtained Watkins for a draft choice from the Buffalo Bills after the [1974] season. He became a valuable running back all through the 1975 season, finishing as the club's top per-average rusher with a 4.5 mark, with 303 yards on 68 carries. His best days were against the Cardinals and the Chargers, with 85 yards rushing against the former (all in one half) and 71 against the latter.
Originally signed as a free agent by Detroit in 1969, Larry played one season there and was traded to Philadelphia in 1970. After three seasons as a reserve, he was traded to Buffalo and became a starter with O.J. Simpson in 1973, carrying 98 times for 414 yards, a 4.2 average and two touchdowns. Larry had 105 yards rushing on 18 carries in the season opener against New England, then proved to be a fine blocker that year as O.J. had his 2,000-yard season. Last year, in 13 games, he saw only limited duty as a reserve behind Larry Csonka, but again proved to be a capable fullback with 96 yards on 26 carries [3.7 average] and a touchdown.
Watkins was a three-year letterman at Alcorn A & M and was named co-captain in his senior year. He also played in the Orange Bowl that year.
Lawrence Watkins was born in Bessemer, Alabama and played his high school sports at J.S. Abrams High in Bessemer. He now lives in Camden, New Jersey and has taught in the Camden school system during the off-seasons."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Sunday, August 18, 2019
1977 Profile: Roger Wallace
Wide Receiver
No. 88
Bowling Green
"Signed as a free agent late in the 1976 season after injuries had depleted the ranks of Giant wide receivers, Wallace appeared in three games on special teams and saw some action at wide receiver.
Originally drafted No. 12 by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974, Wallace instead went to the World Football League where he started at wide receiver for two seasons with Memphis. His two-season stats with Memphis included 50 receptions for 840 yards and five touchdowns. He was also a return man with 40 punt returns for 285 yards and a 7.1 average. He went back to the Cardinals, but was released and then signed by the Giants last November.
Wallace was a three-year starter at Bowling Green and was named to the All-Mid-American Conference team in his senior year. He received a B.S. degree in education.
Roger Lee Wallace was born in Urbana, Ohio and played his high school sports at Urbana High School in his hometown. He still resides in Urbana in the off-season."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 88
Bowling Green
"Signed as a free agent late in the 1976 season after injuries had depleted the ranks of Giant wide receivers, Wallace appeared in three games on special teams and saw some action at wide receiver.
Originally drafted No. 12 by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974, Wallace instead went to the World Football League where he started at wide receiver for two seasons with Memphis. His two-season stats with Memphis included 50 receptions for 840 yards and five touchdowns. He was also a return man with 40 punt returns for 285 yards and a 7.1 average. He went back to the Cardinals, but was released and then signed by the Giants last November.
Wallace was a three-year starter at Bowling Green and was named to the All-Mid-American Conference team in his senior year. He received a B.S. degree in education.
Roger Lee Wallace was born in Urbana, Ohio and played his high school sports at Urbana High School in his hometown. He still resides in Urbana in the off-season."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Friday, August 9, 2019
1977 Profile: Rick Volk
Free Safety
No. 23
Michigan
"Signed as a free agent by the Giants during the 1976 season after being released by the Denver Broncos, Rick moved into a starting safety role for the final eight games of the year when injuries hit the secondary and turned in an outstanding job. He had 59 tackles and came up with two pass interceptions, bringing his NFL career total to 33.
Originally a No. 2 draft choice of Baltimore in 1967, Rick spent nine seasons with the Colts and had 31 interceptions for 518 yards and a touchdown over that span, along with 11 fumbles recovered. He played in two Super Bowls and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times (1967, '69, '71), along with being selected to the All-AFC team in 1970 and the All-NFL squad in 1971. He was also a punt return man for the Colts, with 84 for 548 yards in his Colt career.
Rick went to Michigan as an All-State high school quarterback but was switched to defensive back there and ended up being Al--Big Ten. He played on Big Ten and Rose Bowl champion teams at Ann Arbor and was named an All-American in 1966.
Richard Robert Volk was born in Toledo, Ohio and starred at Wauseon High School in Ohio before enrolling at Michigan. His uncle is Bob Chappuis, former Michigan and pro star, and he's a brother-in-law of Bill Laskey, ex-NFL linebacker."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 23
Michigan
"Signed as a free agent by the Giants during the 1976 season after being released by the Denver Broncos, Rick moved into a starting safety role for the final eight games of the year when injuries hit the secondary and turned in an outstanding job. He had 59 tackles and came up with two pass interceptions, bringing his NFL career total to 33.
Originally a No. 2 draft choice of Baltimore in 1967, Rick spent nine seasons with the Colts and had 31 interceptions for 518 yards and a touchdown over that span, along with 11 fumbles recovered. He played in two Super Bowls and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times (1967, '69, '71), along with being selected to the All-AFC team in 1970 and the All-NFL squad in 1971. He was also a punt return man for the Colts, with 84 for 548 yards in his Colt career.
Rick went to Michigan as an All-State high school quarterback but was switched to defensive back there and ended up being Al--Big Ten. He played on Big Ten and Rose Bowl champion teams at Ann Arbor and was named an All-American in 1966.
Richard Robert Volk was born in Toledo, Ohio and starred at Wauseon High School in Ohio before enrolling at Michigan. His uncle is Bob Chappuis, former Michigan and pro star, and he's a brother-in-law of Bill Laskey, ex-NFL linebacker."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
Thursday, July 11, 2019
1977 Profile: Brad Van Pelt
Linebacker
No. 10
Michigan State
"A safety at Michigan State where he was an All-America in 1972, he was a No. 2 choice of the Giants in the 1972 draft. The Giants had to lure him away from a big-league baseball career.
At 26, he seems to have finally become the defensive terror that had long been predicted for him, winning Pro Bowl and All-NFC honors."
-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1977
"The picture athlete, a throwback to the old-time, three-sport college hero. Van Pelt played football, basketball and baseball at Michigan State and turned down a big bonus offer to pitch for baseball's St. Louis Cardinals.
Van Pelt is an outside linebacker good enough to make the Pro Bowl and be voted All-NFC last year. He's versatile enough to play several positions. He could be All-Pro in 1977, and for years afterward.
Born in Owosso, Michigan, he raises St. Bernard puppies and plays cribbage. He seems domestic until you meet him in the open field."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
"The No. 2 draft choice of the Giants in 1973, Van Pelt had his finest season ever in 1976, winning All-NFC first team honors from both the Associated Press and the New York Daily News, being selected to the Pro Bowl where he was a starter for the NFC, and winning team MVP honors in the NEA team poll. He had 148 tackles during the season (95 solo, 53 assists), intercepted two passes, had four quarterback sacks, blocked a punt and two field goals, and had a fumble recovery. Playing all 14 games, his best game came in the 24-10 win over Detroit when he had 10 solo tackles, two quarterback sacks and two interceptions and was named NFL Player of the Week.
As a rookie in 1973, Brad was plagued by nagging injuries and several position shifts and played only five games, and in 1974 played weakside linebacker and had a pair of interceptions. He was moved to the strong side in 1975 and had a solid season with three interceptions and a couple of blocked field goals, and in 1976 reached his full potential with that outstanding season.
Brad was a unanimous All-American at Michigan State where he played safety or 'monster back' and also won the Maxwell Trophy his senior year. He was MVP his senior year, played in both the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl and had 14 interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Brad also lettered in basketball and baseball and received major league offers as a pitcher after setting an all-time Michigan State strikeout record.
Brad Alan Van Pelt was born in Owosso, Michigan and played all sports at Owosso High School. He still lives in Owosso."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
No. 10
Michigan State
"A safety at Michigan State where he was an All-America in 1972, he was a No. 2 choice of the Giants in the 1972 draft. The Giants had to lure him away from a big-league baseball career.
At 26, he seems to have finally become the defensive terror that had long been predicted for him, winning Pro Bowl and All-NFC honors."
-John Devaney, Schenley Pro Football Guide 1977
"The picture athlete, a throwback to the old-time, three-sport college hero. Van Pelt played football, basketball and baseball at Michigan State and turned down a big bonus offer to pitch for baseball's St. Louis Cardinals.
Van Pelt is an outside linebacker good enough to make the Pro Bowl and be voted All-NFC last year. He's versatile enough to play several positions. He could be All-Pro in 1977, and for years afterward.
Born in Owosso, Michigan, he raises St. Bernard puppies and plays cribbage. He seems domestic until you meet him in the open field."
-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition
"The No. 2 draft choice of the Giants in 1973, Van Pelt had his finest season ever in 1976, winning All-NFC first team honors from both the Associated Press and the New York Daily News, being selected to the Pro Bowl where he was a starter for the NFC, and winning team MVP honors in the NEA team poll. He had 148 tackles during the season (95 solo, 53 assists), intercepted two passes, had four quarterback sacks, blocked a punt and two field goals, and had a fumble recovery. Playing all 14 games, his best game came in the 24-10 win over Detroit when he had 10 solo tackles, two quarterback sacks and two interceptions and was named NFL Player of the Week.
As a rookie in 1973, Brad was plagued by nagging injuries and several position shifts and played only five games, and in 1974 played weakside linebacker and had a pair of interceptions. He was moved to the strong side in 1975 and had a solid season with three interceptions and a couple of blocked field goals, and in 1976 reached his full potential with that outstanding season.
Brad was a unanimous All-American at Michigan State where he played safety or 'monster back' and also won the Maxwell Trophy his senior year. He was MVP his senior year, played in both the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl and had 14 interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. Brad also lettered in basketball and baseball and received major league offers as a pitcher after setting an all-time Michigan State strikeout record.
Brad Alan Van Pelt was born in Owosso, Michigan and played all sports at Owosso High School. He still lives in Owosso."
-1977 New York Giants Media Guide
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