1979 Profile: Randy Dean

Quarterback

No. 15

Northwestern

"Randy is equipped with all the tools necessary to make it in the NFL. He became the Giants' No. 2 quarterback in 1978 and hopes to see more action this season.

Randy was MVP in both his junior and senior years for the Northwestern Wildcats."

-1979 Topps No. 228

1979 Profile: Joe Danelo

Place Kicker

No. 18

Washington State

"The Giants' leading scorer in 1978, Joe ranked fourth best in the NFC East last season. He had an excellent record, hitting on 21 of 29 field goal tries. Joe had a game-winning field goal against the Redskins in 1977.

Joe works as a cabinet maker during the off-season."

-1979 Topps No. 208

1979 Profile: Terry Jackson

Cornerback

No. 24

San Diego State

"He ain't heavy, but he's Monte Jackson's brother. It helped to have an older brother who was an All-Pro before him. He calls it 'quite a challenge' to cover a receiver while '76,000 people are looking at you; that's quite a few. I don't worry about things, though. I'm low-key.'

In his first pro game, he intercepted the first pass thrown his way and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown against Green Bay. Terry led the Giants in interceptions, with seven.

Born December 9, 1955, in Sherman, Texas, he played at San Diego State, where he was All-West Coast."

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

1979 Profile: Dave Jennings

"Keeps a diary (in a Yale University Spiral Notebook) 'so I can look at it years from now and recall little things.' In that diary is how Jennings was once told that Rosey Grier was once benched and spent the entire game eating peanuts, which he had hidden in his thigh pads. Also, Jennings has recorded details of his first pro season when Houston cut him before he caught on with the Giants.

Born June 8, 1952, in New York City, he's a versatile athlete who defeated the likes of Tony Dorsett and Lynn Swann in the Superstars competition. Jennings is a vital cog in the Giants' limited-offense format."

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

"Dave enjoyed his finest pro campaign in 1978. He was the second leading punter in the NFC with a 42.1 average, the highest of his career, and saw action in the Pro Bowl Game in January.

Dave is a third cousin of Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk."

-1979 Topps No. 25

New York Giant punter Dave Jennings has a fantasy: "I always have a dream where I score the winning touchdown in the final two seconds. It's a one-handed catch, naturally. I get knocked around pretty hard, but somehow, I manage to keep my balance. And, as time runs out, I cross the goal line."

-From News, Quotes & Comments  (Football Digest, January 1980)

1979 Profile: Gary Jeter

Defensive Tackle

No. 70 

USC

"Surly most of his rookie season because of little playing time, Jeter started most of last year after Troy Archer broke a bone in his foot. Improving all the time, he certainly has no problem with confidence, gladly enumerating his own talents to anyone who will listen. 'Imagine,' he once said, 'John Riggins trying to outrun me.' Jeter says his ankles must be taped because they are 'real small; I guess that's why I can run so fast.'

He was born January 24, 1955, in Weirton, West Virginia, and grew up in Cleveland. An All-American at USC, he always has been the big kid on the block, having played at 275 in a high school all-star game."

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

"Whenever the Jets play the Giants, there's always a verbal war between the fans of both teams. However, in this year's 14-6 preseason Jet victory, there was no bigger battle than the one between Jet offensive tackle Chris Ward and Giant defensive end Gary Jeter. 'I think we had a little Ali-Frazier situation out there,' Jeter says. 'He has a lot of pride,' says Jeter, who forced Ward into five holding penalties. 'He went to Ohio State, I went to Southern Cal; there's a lot of animosity there. But you know me, I don't intimidate. I'm ready to leave the bad feelings on the field. I wouldn't call him an enemy, but I wouldn't invite him to dinner, either."

-from News, Quotes & Comments, Football Digest (December 1979)

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