Legendary bust. The other teams were laughing when we picked him. He was very fast but could not catch, run routes, and generally could not play football. Highlight was a long kickoff return for a TD. He has come to symbolize the inept drafting of the Giants during that timeframe.
at the old schaeffer stadium in a pre season game against the pats.....he moved so fast that the other players seemed to all slow down, and there was an actual "blur" his speed created....i don't think he had a better run or play ever again...
The Giants needed speed and were well aware of the Cowboys taking small college stars and earning big dividends...so Rich Houston in 69, Rocky Thompson in 71, Eldridge Small in 72 were all small college stars from Texas who were projections...the Giants saw Thompson in an All star game and bought into the track star turned football player mentality...
He was a great kick returner however, but a serious injury in training camp ended his career early.
His best game at RB was in a upset win over Atanta in 71, injuries to Ron Johnson, Tucker Fredrickson, Bob Duhon, and Junior Coffey left Thompson and Joe Morrison as the only healthy backs and they helped the Giants on a long game winning drive.
bashing gays is an example of a big problem with BBI. Eric allowing you and Great White Racist to continue posting does more harm than good. Your donations to the site aside.
Had produced Mercury Morris and Duane Thomas in drafts recently previous to the 71 draft, so in terms of pure talent the Giants were the team that missed...
Nothing spoke so loudly to the declining competence of the management as the selection of RT as a 1st round choice. When "The Fumble" happened it was over.
Exercise in futility, that is. Right after the G-Men drafted Thompson, the Oakland Raiders drafted Phil Vilipiano, who made a few Pro Bowls as a LB. Then, in the second round, the Giants drafted OL Wayne Walton, who lasted one season, followed by the Raiders who took Jack (the Assassin) Tatum. Ah yes, those were the days.
is that he is a very strange combination of very nice guy and complete asshole. He has a nice family, and often (but not always) a good sense of humor.
However, he doesn't EVER know when to shut up, and loves to take virtually any topic just far enough to piss off a critical mass of other posters.
If he learned how to shut up, the other stuff would be more of a minor annoyance than anything else.
THE Rocky Thompson from many year's past in the Wild West years of BBI?? Those of us with very low membership number IDs remember his epic battles with several protagonists!
And, Joe Morrison (mentioned above) was one hell of a football player. I remember him well. Played with sad sack teams and was a multi position offensive weapon who gave all he had each time out. We could use him now.
Jack Tatum (Ohio State) was supposed to be a top 5 draft pick that year. I would listen to all new radio to hear how the draft was going at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour. (My how draft coverage has changed). When I was hearing that Tatum wasn't picked, I was getting excited. I couldn't believe they picked Thompson over Tatum.
If I remember correctly, the explanation given was they had enough defensive backs (Spider Lockhardt?), and there wasn't a need at that position.
Jack Tatum (Ohio State) was supposed to be a top 5 draft pick that year. I would listen to all new radio to hear how the draft was going at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour. (My how draft coverage has changed). When I was hearing that Tatum wasn't picked, I was getting excited. I couldn't believe they picked Thompson over Tatum.
If I remember correctly, the explanation given was they had enough defensive backs (Spider Lockhardt?), and there wasn't a need at that position.
I am still mad today about that pick.
I actually remember that. Don't forget however, who was our GM
I agree that there were better picks but you may remember that the Giants had a winning record in games that Frederickson played in during the late 1960s. They had a terrible record in the rest of the games.
He was the last in a succession of speedy RBs, WRs, and DBs drafted by the Giants after Bob Hayes' success after the Olympics.
Homer Jones was part of that succession and was successful.
Clarence Childs and Henry Carr were not as successful although Childs was a good KO returner and Henry Carr had a couple of decent years. Carr may have been faster than Hayes.
I could be wrong but I don't think Hayes and Thompson were in the same generation of sprinters. Thompson may have beaten Hayes' time but I don't think they ever ran in the same event, unless it was an exhibition challenge.
I agree that there were better picks but you may remember that the Giants had a winning record in games that Frederickson played in during the late 1960s. They had a terrible record in the rest of the games.
20..TF had some good games, but he was never the all-purpose talent that Sayers was..Had Butkus been our pick, I strongly doubt our horrific D in '66 would have set(at the time) the all-time points against record.. His passion for the game and no-nonsense approach would have fired up that D notwithstanding the dearth of talent on that side of the ball
Btw, as great as Reggie White, Deacon Jones, Alan Page et al
It's like the story of the frog slowly boiling to death as the water temperature is raised. After so many years of futility, Giant fans just got used to it.
the Giants drafted Rocky Thompson as a wide receiver even though he had been a running back in college (Duane Thomas had been in the same backfield) and despite never bothering to find out whether he could catch- he couldn't (think Andre Williams).
However bad some of you think Reese is as a drafter, he's Gil Brandt compared to Welly and the various cronies he used as scouts.
RE: Frederickson was not such a bad pick until the injuries piled up
I agree that there were better picks but you may remember that the Giants had a winning record in games that Frederickson played in during the late 1960s. They had a terrible record in the rest of the games.
Ernie Koy was better. Left Butkus, Sayers, Willard, Morton, Curtis, Anderson, Snow and Namath on the table. Jesus Christ.
Don't know what he is doing now.
I know...I thought we had a call out thread going!
He was a great kick returner however, but a serious injury in training camp ended his career early.
His best game at RB was in a upset win over Atanta in 71, injuries to Ron Johnson, Tucker Fredrickson, Bob Duhon, and Junior Coffey left Thompson and Joe Morrison as the only healthy backs and they helped the Giants on a long game winning drive.
Just don't send me any fruit cakes for Christmas...
I posted that I didn't want my son seeing two guys kiss on a football broadcast and I got bashed by the sheep.
I'm taking it in stride, I suggest you do the same...
And its amazing how many there are
It makes me Cowboy fan basher looking for additional ammunition...
However, he doesn't EVER know when to shut up, and loves to take virtually any topic just far enough to piss off a critical mass of other posters.
If he learned how to shut up, the other stuff would be more of a minor annoyance than anything else.
He won't.
It makes me Cowboy fan basher looking for additional ammunition...
If you're using someone's homosexuality as 'ammunition' (a childish idea to begin with), you're a gay basher.
You can't be this stupid.
In which case, heh.
And, Joe Morrison (mentioned above) was one hell of a football player. I remember him well. Played with sad sack teams and was a multi position offensive weapon who gave all he had each time out. We could use him now.
If I remember correctly, the explanation given was they had enough defensive backs (Spider Lockhardt?), and there wasn't a need at that position.
I am still mad today about that pick.
If I remember correctly, the explanation given was they had enough defensive backs (Spider Lockhardt?), and there wasn't a need at that position.
I am still mad today about that pick.
I actually remember that. Don't forget however, who was our GM
You old cue-ball!
I agree that there were better picks but you may remember that the Giants had a winning record in games that Frederickson played in during the late 1960s. They had a terrible record in the rest of the games.
Homer Jones was part of that succession and was successful.
Clarence Childs and Henry Carr were not as successful although Childs was a good KO returner and Henry Carr had a couple of decent years. Carr may have been faster than Hayes.
I could be wrong but I don't think Hayes and Thompson were in the same generation of sprinters. Thompson may have beaten Hayes' time but I don't think they ever ran in the same event, unless it was an exhibition challenge.
I wasn't a football fan at that time. I don't remember that draft.
I agree that there were better picks but you may remember that the Giants had a winning record in games that Frederickson played in during the late 1960s. They had a terrible record in the rest of the games.
20..TF had some good games, but he was never the all-purpose talent that Sayers was..Had Butkus been our pick, I strongly doubt our horrific D in '66 would have set(at the time) the all-time points against record.. His passion for the game and no-nonsense approach would have fired up that D notwithstanding the dearth of talent on that side of the ball
I'll take a 13 - 7 defensive slugfest any day.
However bad some of you think Reese is as a drafter, he's Gil Brandt compared to Welly and the various cronies he used as scouts.
I agree that there were better picks but you may remember that the Giants had a winning record in games that Frederickson played in during the late 1960s. They had a terrible record in the rest of the games.
Never show fear, employ the read and react defense and always use spell check.
No disrespect intended towards manh george, I've made myself scarce this afternoon, just wanted to say hello.
Hope you and yours are well, we'll catch up soon...
Never show fear, employ the read and react defense and always use spell check.
No disrespect intended towards manh george, I've made myself scarce this afternoon, just wanted to say hello.
Hope you and yours are well, we'll catch up soon...
Good to hear from you.
I respect you as a poet, a quick wit, and a humanitarian, your words do not go unheeded.
Not many people can get me to shut up with the adrenaline flowing. I appreciate your fair assessment of me, I don't disagree, lol.
Besides, you're built like a brick shithouse, I don't wanna piss you off in case we meet again...
Fred, you're old, I knew you were listening, I figured I had to repeat myself so you could hear it...