Wednesday Reading

Giants

Dunleavy NJ.com: 6 reasons Giants 2018 schedule is even harder than it looks | Here come the pass-rushers
https://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/07/6_reasons_giants_2018_schedule_is_even_harder_than.html

WR

Withiam NYP: Odell Beckham looks as good as new in latest workout video
https://nypost.com/2018/07/03/odell-beckham-looks-as-good-as-new-in-latest-workout-video/

Lombardo NJ.com: How Giants' Alec Ogletree, Odell Beckham buried the hatchet from 2014 brawl
https://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/07/how_giants_alec_ogletree_odell_beckham_buried_the.html

S

SNY: Giants' Adams sheds light on how Bettcher's new defense will look

“A lot of the things that are different look the same," Adams told Giants.com's Dan Salomone.

Can you elaborate?

"We might be in this type of look, but really we're playing this," Adams said. "Or we're in this type of look, and we're really playing this. I can't give too much [away], but we're trying to make things have carryover and have a lot of similarities."

For the front seven, Bettcher's system was expected to see a slow development. But Adams says the secondary hasn't struggled picking things up.

In fact, he says his unit loves it.

"First of all, I think the secondary is definitely picking up the new defense," he said. "We love it, and the most important thing is everybody is able to play fast. We've just got to keep communicating, just keep nailing down the small things and the small details, and then everything will play itself out."

But Bettcher is salivating over what Collins can accomplish in his scheme. Collins' versatility in that he can play virtually anywhere on the field could play a vital role in bringing the new system together.

"You might see a snap where he's down covering a tight end in the box, you might see a snap where he's in the half field playing deep or in the middle of the field playing deep or you might see snaps where he's blitzing off the edge," Bettcher said on Collins. "I think that's the versatility a guy like him lends and that's something that as you look and study defenses across the league and you talk to offensive guys of what gives them trouble, it's players that have that versatility -- that one snap they're down in the box and the next snap they're playing high. That kind of versatility gives offenses trouble."

With just a few weeks until the new season takes off at training camp, Bettcher's system will truly be put to the test. Luckily, his secondary room is picking it up quick, and having fun in the process.

"It's fun," Adams said. "That's what this business is -- competition every year, competing at the highest level, which only makes you a better player. We're all family in the DB room, everybody is competing, and everybody is just looking to help the team win that championship trophy."

https://www.sny.tv/giants/news/giants-adams-sheds-light-on-how-bettchers-new-defense-will-look/284050898

NFL

Rank NFL.com: 2004 QB class: Who's had it best? Comparing Ben, Eli and Phil's supporting casts
https://amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000939283/article/2004-nfl-draft-qbs-who-has-enjoyed-most-skillposition-talent?

Freeman B/R: Mike Freeman's 10-Point Stance: Why NFL Superteams Never Work
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2784112-mike-freemans-10-point-stance-why-nfl-superteams-never-work

Links Yardbarker: The Average Age Of NFL Head Coaches In 2018
https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/the_average_age_of_nfl_head_coaches_in_2018/s1_14819_26748389

ARIZONA
Cardinals.com: Airius Moore Finds Inspiration From Pat Tillman
https://www.azcardinals.com/news/linebacker-airius-moore-finds-inspiration-from-pat-tillman

Weinfuss ESPN AZ: CB Patrick Peterson heaps praise on Cardinals' Sam Bradford, Josh Rosen
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23979326/patrick-peterson-sam-bradford-sure-arizona-cardinals-starting-qb-josh-rosen-blew-my-mind

ATLANTA
Corry CBS Sports: Agent's Take: What the Falcons should do about Julio Jones' contract discontent
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-what-the-falcons-should-do-about-julio-jones-contract-discontent/amp/

BALTIMORE
Mink Ravens.com: The Competition 2018: Wide Receivers
https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/the-competition-2018-wide-receivers

Eisenberg Ravens.com: Ravens Could Benefit From Return of the Returner
https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/eisenberg-ravens-could-benefit-from-return-of-the-returner

CAROLINA
Voth Panthers.com: Damiere Byrd living on the fringe – again
https://www.panthers.com/news/damiere-byrd-living-on-the-fringe-again

CINCINNATI
Sheeran Cincy Jungle: How Jessie Bates’ presence on the Bengals defense will impact George Iloka and Shawn Williams
https://www.cincyjungle.com/platform/amp/2018/7/3/17521704/jessie-bates-bengals-defense-impact-george-iloka-shawn-williams

DALLAS
Davison Fort Worth Star Telegram: Zeke's NFL training partners might rub Cowboys fans the wrong way
http://amp.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article214217064.html

Machota Dallas Morning News: This play essentially sums up what the Cowboys are getting in Allen Hurns
https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2018/07/03/play-describes-cowboys-getting-allen-hurns

GREEN BAY
Wood Mil JS: Packers RB Aaron Jones suspended 2 games for substance-abuse violation
https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2018/07/03/packers-aaron-jones-suspended/756440002/

Wilde State Journal: Packers rookie J’Mon Moore looks to parlay impressive offseason into eye-opening camp
https://host.madison.com/sports/football/professional/packers-rookie-j-mon-moore-looks-to-parlay-impressive-offseason/article_b4fda063-039e-5a00-8f73-d9b2ccc41697.html

Hodkiewicz Packers.com: Trevor Davis providing return on Packers’ special-teams investment
https://www.packers.com/news/trevor-davis-providing-return-on-packers-special-teams-investment

HOUSTON
Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans: Replacing TE C.J. Fiedorowicz is a 'collective effort'
https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-Replacing-CJ-Fiedorowicz-collective-effort-13046308.php

INDIANAPOLIS
Arthur Colts.com: Kemoko Turay Looking To Become The Next Big NFL Pass Rusher
https://www.colts.com/news/kemoko-turay-looking-to-become-the-next-big-nfl-pass-rusher

JACKSONVILLE
Kaye WTLV Jacksonville: SEVEN JAGUARS FREE AGENTS ARE STILL ON THE MARKET
https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/sports/nfl/jacksonville-jaguars/seven-jaguars-free-agents-are-still-on-the-market/77-570282623

Jackson News4 Jacksonville: Countdown to Training Camp '18: Keelan Cole
https://amp.news4jax.com/sports/nfl/jaguars/countdown-to-training-camp-18-keelan-cole

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Henne Chargers.com:: Evaluating the Running Backs with RB Coach Alfredo Roberts
https://www.chargers.com/news/evaluating-the-running-backs-with-rb-coach-alfredo-roberts

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Klein LA Times: Rams offensive lineman Jamon Brown suspended for two games to start season
http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-jamon-brown-suspended-20180703-story.html

Hammond OC Register: Rams starting guard Jamon Brown suspended by NFL for 2 games
https://www.ocregister.com/2018/07/03/rams-starting-guard-jamon-brown-suspended-by-nfl-for-2-games/

Williams PFT: Michael Brockers says Rams trying to avoid the hype, “focus on us”
https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/07/03/michael-brockers-says-rams-trying-to-avoid-the-hype-focus-on-us/amp/

MIAMI
Habib Palm Beach Post: Healthier Andre Branch hopes to erase memories of ’17 for Miami Dolphins
http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2018/07/03/healthier-andre-branch-hopes-to-erase-memories-of-17-for-miami-dolphins/

MINNESOTA
Young Vikings.com: Shuffling Combinations, Facing Fierce Defense Benefit O-Line
https://www.vikings.com/news/shuffling-combinations-facing-fierce-defense-benefit-o-line

NEW ENGLAND
McBride Boston Globe: Julian Edelman’s four-game suspension is upheld
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2018/07/03/julian-edelman-four-game-suspension-upheld-report-says/0ZvmlrlYyhziiwbvWEsILL/amp.html

Thomas Forbes.com: How Much Production Will Patriots Be Missing During Julian Edelman's Upheld Suspension?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/oliverthomas/2018/07/03/how-much-production-will-patriots-be-missing-during-julian-edelmans-upheld-suspension/amp/

Curran NBC Sports Boston: Trey Flowers will be a big-ticket item for the Patriots very soon
https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/sports/curran-trey-flowers-bigticket-213611220.html

Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ)
7/3/18, 7:46 PM
Along with replacing Edelman in the offense, the Patriots will also have to find a new punt returner for the first four weeks. Options include Cyrus Jones, Braxton Berrios, Riley McCarron, Patrick Chung, etc.

NEW ORLEANS
Holder Nola.com: New Orleans Saints 2018 roster rankings: No. 14 Andrus Peat
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2018/07/new_orleans_saints_2018_roster_6.html

NEW YORK JETS
Costello NYP: This could be underrated run-stuffer’s last run with Jets
https://nypost.com/2018/07/03/this-could-be-underrated-run-stuffers-last-run-with-jets/

PITTSBURGH
Fowler ESPN Pittsburgh: Ben Roethlisberger balances rest, training before Steelers camp
http://kwese.espn.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/28140/ben-roethlisberger-balances-rest-training-before-steelers-camp

Bittner Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Jerome Bettis has some thoughts on Le'Veon Bell and the Steelers
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2018/07/03/leveon-bell-contract-talks-steelers-jerome-bettis/stories/201807030134

SAN FRANCISCO
Lerseth SF Chronicle: 49ers’ Reuben Foster suspended 2 games by NFL
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/amp/49ers-Reuben-Foster-suspended-2-games-by-NFL-13047273.php

SEATTLE
Bob Condotta (@bcondotta)
7/3/18, 7:41 PM
J.R. Sweezy visited Seahawks but a decision one way or the other may not be imminent. Sweezy won't get close to the kind of contract he had been playing on with TB from Seahawks and could wait to see what else might develop. No need for either side to rush at this point.

Bell News Tribune: Seahawks after Kam Chancellor: three options, one wild card and the lingering Earl Thomas issue
http://amp.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/article214224749.html

Stone Seattle Times: Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor’s departure elicits feelings of admiration, guilt
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seahawks-safety-kam-chancellors-departure-elicits-feelings-of-admiration-guilt/

TAMPA BAY
Auman TB Times: Bucs’ Jason Pierre-Paul to fans: ‘Be safe’ in celebrating 4th of July
https://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/2018/07/04/bucs-jason-pierre-paul-to-fans-be-safe-in-celebrating-4th-of-july/

TENNESSEE
Wyatt Titans.com: Former Teammates Kendrick Lewis, Mike Vrabel Reunited with Titans
https://www.titansonline.com/news/former-teammates-kendrick-lewis-mike-vrabel-reunited-with-titans

Draft

QB
Trapasso CBS Sports: 2019 NFL Draft: Here are the flaws next year's top quarterback prospects must fix
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2019-nfl-draft-here-are-the-flaws-next-years-top-quarterback-prospects-must-fix/amp/

Jeremiah NFL.com: Best QB prospect in next year's draft? DJ scouts Will Grier
https://amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000939362/article/scouting-will-grier-will-wvu-star-be-top-qb-in-2019-nfl-draft?

History

D’Amato Mil JS: Not even an exuberant Brett Favre could crack referee Bill Carollo's integrity
https://amp.jsonline.com/amp/752543002

Christl Packers.com: Former Packers DB and assistant coach Kinard dies
https://www.packers.com/news/former-packers-db-and-assistant-coach-kinard-dies

Farber MMQB: Mark Moseley, Last of the Straight-On Kickers
https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/07/03/mark-moseley-redskins-straighton-placekicker-nfl-mvp-where-are-they-now

Training Camp Previews from prior seasons

Giants get it right on defense, training camp raves for these draftees 1969-1977

1969 Fred Dryer
1970 Jim Files
1972 John Mendenhall
1973 Brad Van Pelt
1976 Harry Carson
1976 Troy Archer
1977 Archer, Martin, Jeter, Carson, Van Pelt

1969 Fred Dryer

08-05-1969

AP: Dryer Showed Up Well

"It tasted real good to get a piece of Joe Namath" said Fred Dryer, the New York Giants' No. 1 draft choice, in the steamy and crowded . locker room of the College All Stars after Friday night's 26-24 loss to the world champion New from San Diego State York Jets. The 6-6, may be the answer to man's major problems Sherman has made no secret of his displeasure with the team's defensive forward wall last year and his scouts came back with glowing reports about the big Californian. Dryer was classed as an excellent pass rusher, recording 4.8 speed in the all important 40-yard dash.

All-America Choice Two Ways
He was an All-America Junior College choice at El Camino Junior College, then won honors again at San Diego State in his senior year. ' Dryer was a stickout in both the East-West and Hula Bowl games and added immensely to his credits with his performance against the Jets. With the All Stars getting pushed around early in the game Coach Otto Graham gave Dryer the nod and he came in to face the vaunted Jet attack guided by Broadway Joe Namath. Dryer was a bit over-anxious on his first play and charged into the Jet backfield, only to be . eliminated from the play on a well executed trap. He more than made up for this oft-repeated rookie mistake and put concerted pressure on Namath in addition to downing the Jets' quarterback on three occasions.

Preferred to Be With Giants
"As much as I enjoyed the game, I wish I wasn't here," said Dryer, "because I need the work with the Giants. "What I learned here won't hurt me, but when I get to training camp I'll have to learn new terminology all over again." Dryer has been indoctrinated well in winning ways San Diego State lost only one game in his three years, winning the NCAA small college championship three straight years. He comes from the same mould that sent players like Gary Garrison to the San Diego Chargers, Haven Moses to the Buffalo Bills, and Don Horn and Leo Carroll to the Green Bay Although the scouts feel that Dryer has the potential to break into the starting team as a rookie his task will not be an easy one, particularly with his loss of training camp time.

Sherman Has Made 2 Switches
Sherman has switched Bruce Anderson from his right end spot where he started last year, to left end where he will be battling 14-year All-Pro veteran Jim Katcavage for a starting berth. Clark Miller, a starter for the past seven seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, was acquired in the off-season for a future draft choice and presently is the leading contender for the right end post. , With Miller, one of the better pass rushers in pro football, and Dryer ready to join the squad, the Giants' defensive pass rush should be greatly enhanced, allowing Sherman to devote more time to some of the other Giant trouble spots like running back and linebacking.”

Jim Files

AP: 08-26-1970

Files May Fill Faltering Linebacker Post For Giants As Sam Huff Once Did

MIKE RATHET BROOKVILLE, N Y. (AP)

“His name is Jim Files, but every day it sounds more like Sam Huff. Since the retirement of Huff, who taught the Violent World of linebacking to the American sports fan through television, the New York Giants have used a cast at middle linebacker that includes Lou Slaby, Jerry Hillebrand, Mike Cicollella, Jeff Smith, Vmce Costello, Henry Davis and Ralph Heck. Not one fit the mold. Files breaks it. At 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, the No. 1 draft choice from Oklahor^ has the size and the ability to get the job done in the Huff manner. There is no doubt about it, according to defensive Coach Norb Hecker, who watched To'nmy Nobis blossom at Atlanta. "You just feel it with certain guys," Hecker explained. "This kid already is much better at pass defense than Nobis. He has gieat range and a natural knack of getting back and reading patterns. He'll have to iearn to meet the running game like Nobis does, but he will." The Giants hope to bring back the days of their feared defensive unit through Files and other additions such as Wes Grant, John Baker, Jim Kanicki and Jerry Shay in an attempt to improve a club that finished 6-6 last year. The main weakness during 1969 was defense and the additions should help, particularly at linebacker, where Files figures to anchor the middle, and up front, where the others are battling for spots. Grant is a high draft pick from UCLA battling Baker, down from Canada, and holdover Bob Lurtsema for a defensive end spot. Kanicki, acquired from Cleveland, and Shay, acquired from Atlanta, are penciled in at tackle.”

John Mendenhall

AP: 08-19-1972

“John Mendenhall, defensive tackle from Grambling now in the New York Giants' training camp, came off a big showing in the College Ail-Stars vs Dallas Cowboys game. Thought to be "too small" for a professional defensive tackle at 6-1 255 lbs., Mendenhall was a stick-out against the NFL champs...”

1973 Brad Van Pelt

UP 08-31-1973

MILTON RICUMAN NEW Y O R K (UPI)
“The sky was spinning slowly, the people in the stands all looked a little fuzzy and the one pressing question that kept running through Brad Van Pelt's mind was why 'would anyone ever plant a football field flat up against his back this way? Then it suddenly came to the big rookie linebacker for the New York Giants. He had just been welcomed to the NFL. Officially. Brad Van Pelt realized he was lying face up on the ground. He had been looking one way on a punt coverage in this preseason game with the New York Jets and hit so hard on the other side that he had done a complete b a c k w a r d somersault. Somebody with the Jets, he didn't know whom, had rung his bell. He had been cold-kegged. "I must have been lying on the field 3 to 4 seconds and I remember saying to myself, 'I gotta get up, I gotta get up,' " recalls Van Pelt. He finally did, and after last Sunday's game with Pittsburgh, Steelers' rookie Gail Clark, who had been a teammate of Van Pelt's at Michigan State and who had seen films of the Giants-Jets contest, came over to his old school chum, laughed and said: "Boy, you really got decked in that game with the Jets, didn'tcha?" Both laughed about it. Gail Clark, also a linebacker, was dealt by the Steelers to the Chicago Bears this past week, but Brad Van Pelt isn't going anywhere. The Giants think too much of him. So do a lot of other people and if you know the way things are done in pro football, that could have been one of the reasons for that royal reception he got from the Jets. Brad Van Pelt had everybody drooling over him leaving Michigan State where Duffy Daugherty came right out and declared "He's the best all-around football player I ever coached." Last season alone, playing safetyman, the 6-foot-5, 235-pounder from Owosso, Mich., made 42 tackles all by himself, had 42 more assists and four interceptions. Playing football is only one of the things Van Pelt does well. He's also an excellent golfer and basketball player, one of the few in the entire NFL who can play the ancient Italian game of bocci and still rates as one of the top professional baseball prospects around. Van Pelt was so good a pitcher with Michigan State that he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers originally, then the A n g e l s , Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals. "He was our top draft," says Bing Devine of the Cards, "and we went to a peak level with the offer we made him. By that I mean over $100,000. With us, he would've had to go to the minor league level to develop. With the football Giants, he went right to the big league club. That was the key."

The Journal: 1976 Harry Carson

Carson Gets By With Intelligence By HOWARD LIVINGSTON The Journal

“Ever since the Giants drafted Harry Carson on the fourth round, the talk has been about his size 6-4, 240 pounds, his speed 4.75 seconds in the 40 yard dash, and his ability to hit. What nobody seems to have noticed is Harry Carson's intelligence. For four years Carson played defensive end for South Carolina State, and he played it well enough to win Little All-American honors in his junior and seniortyears. But Harry Carson isn't playing defensive end for the Giants; he's made the switch to middle linebacker, and the Giants game against the Jets was his first outing in that position. Of course there was some preparation for the move. The Giants had Carson come to camp two weeks early where linebacker coach Marty Schottenheimer held a private tutorial every day for him. Carson, incidently, feels that Schottenheimer is an excellent teacher and credits him for much of his own progress. Against the Jets, his first time out as middle linebacker, Harry Carson made some mistakes such as reading keys and not being in the right place. There would have been something wrong if he hadn't made mistakes. Carson, however, did what most intelligent people do he learned from his mistakes. The longer he played, the better he became. The uncertainty he displayed early in the game completely disappeared by the end of the game. Harry Carson - was soon comfortable at middle linebacker. In his second outing as middle linebacker, against the Houston Oilers, Carson improved before the viewers eyes. His confidence grew with each play. Of course, there were still mistakes, but he was doing everything a top middle linebacker in the NFL must do pass drops, covering the back coming out of the backfield, filling the hole, handling the sweep consistency would come with experience. Head coach Bill Arnsparger said it, "He just needs to The play that best exemplifies Carson's development stopped an Oiler drive. Don Hardeman, Oiler running back, drifted to the right side to await a short flair pass from the quarterback. The pass and Harry Carson arrived at the same time causing Hardeman to juggle the ball and enabling Carson to pick the ball out of his hands. Giant fans are excited about the rapid development of Harry Carson. Perhaps coach Bill Arnsparger summed it up best. "I'm really pleased with what he's done so far. He's made some mistakes, but he's made some big plays. He's and intelligent guy who learns rapidly, but we recognized his intelligence the first day he came to camp."

AP: 08-20-1976 Troy Archer

“The Giants top newcomers include their first three draft choices: defensive end Troy Archer of Colorado, running back Gordon Bell of Michigan and linebacker Harry Carson of South Carolina State. After their encounter with the College All-Stars, the Steelers praised Archer as “the best defensive player” on the All- Star squad.”

09-11-1977

Katz NYT: Giants Defense Prepares to Meet its Maker

“The defense that Bill Arnsparger designed will try to stop Bill Arnsparger's team today when the Giants play the Miami Dolphins at the Meadowlands in the final preseason game of the year.
Arnsparger returns to Giants Stadium for the 1 P.M. game as assistant coach and defensive “genius” of the Dolphins. His job today will roe to stop the troubled Giants’ offense with a revamped Miami defense. But a part of him will be on the field when the Giants’ defense is out there, too. Amsparger, a failure in two and one& #8208;half seasons as the Giants’ head coach, and no hero to many of the Giants’ offensive players, must be credited with the formation of a defense that could become one of the best in the National Football League.

Said Marty Schottenheimer, the Giants’ defensive coordinator and perhaps the assistant coach closest to Arnsparger last year: “Nothing would please me more than to show Bill that things he started we've continued, and continued successfully enough to beat his team.”

Van Pelt Welcomes Reunion
“I want to show him that all that patience and work he did with me paid off,” said Brad Van Pelt, the Giants’ all-pro strongside linebacker. “It's going to be real good to see him again.”
Arnsparger has not seen much of the Giants’ defense this year. “I've been occupied with watching films of the offense,” he said, “but Marty's got ‘em going.”

In last Sunday's 10& #8208;0 loss to the Jets, the Giants defense held its rivals without a first down on 11 of 15 possessions. There is no question that the defense will have to hold the fort until Coach John McVay's new offensive system starts working.
Defense has long been a Giants’ tradition, and so has a feeling of superiority by defensive players toward their teammates. Sam Huff, the middle linebacker of the Giants during their championship years, once told an offensive player coming onto the field after the defense had stopped the opponent:

“Just try and hold ‘em for us.”
In recent losing years, defensive players have been known to insult offensive players, but there seems to be a change of mood this season. The mood seems to be that the defensive players feel everyone is part of the same team.
“It's like an older brother waiting for a younger brother to come along,” said Jack Gregory, the defensive captain. “Besides, we like to play with our backs against the wall.”

Schottenheimer won't give his platoon time to gloat, either. He wants perfection.
“Look, we've only played defense well enough to win one of five games,” he said. “That's what it comes down to. And we haven't been as consistent on defense as we should be. We're giving up way too many yards [350.2 a game in the preseason], although we have been substituting freely. We're not as consistent as we were in the last seven games last year [after McVay replaced Arnsparger, the Giants allowed only 85 points in their final seven games].

“But at times, we've played better than we did last year,” Schottenheimer admitted. “At times, we've played as good as anybody in this league.”
Not because Arnsparger is present today, but_ because this is the final warmup before the season starts next Sunday, the Giants will be using their regulars. And on the defensive line, those regulars are the best the Giants have had since their glory years almost two decades ago.

Archer Is the Difference
Gregory, the right end, and John Mendenhall, the left tackle, have both been all& #8208;pro in their Giant careers. Both agree, though, that this is the best line they've ever been on. They agreed why, too.
“In a word,” said Mendenhall, “it's Troy Archer.”
“Troy Archer,” said Schottenheimer, “has been phenomenal, superlative, excellent.”
Archer, last year's No. 1 draft choice whom Arnsparger experimented with at first as a possible “53& #8208;man” in the three& #8208;linemen, four& #8208;linebacker defense he is using again at Miami, has settled in at right tackle. No longer is Mendenhall finding himself double& #8208;teamed on virtually every play.
No one on the Giants overlooks George Martin, the left end, either. Martin is in only his third season and with Archer, and Gary Jeter, the No. 1 draft choice this year and the line's top reserve, makes the Giants’ front four a young one.
The linebackers are even younger. Van Pelt is the oldest at 26, and he is just reaching maturity. Brian Kelley, also 26, is perhaps the wisest. “An excellent coach some day,” Schottenheimer said of Kelley. And in the middle is Harry Carson, another jewel from the 1976’ draft, a man Schottenheimer called a “great, great talent.”
“Harry can be as good as anyone who ever played the position,” said Scbottenheimer, and that includes Dick Butkus, Joe Schmidt and Willie Lanier.”


Giants Birthdays 7-04

Erich Barnes LDH TR-CHI 1961 NYG 1961-1964 7-04-1935

1961 14GS 7INT 195YDS 2TD 1FR
102 yard int return for TD
2 catches 74yds TD
First Team All Pro; Pro Bowl

Highlighted Year: Erich Barnes, 1961
https://fs64sports.blogspot.com/2015/07/highlighted-year-erich-barnes-1961.html

10-02-1961 “Playing the spoilsport role to perfection before a hopeful, almost prayerful gathering of 36,767 who wanted to see the magnificent District of Columbia Stadium opened properly, the New York Giants richly earned a 24-21 triumph

Only 54 seconds remained when Snead found himself with much time. He cooly picked out his receiver, Dickie James, and let the ball fly. James appeared open at the Giant 35 but as he reached for the ball New York defender Erich Barnes made a marvelous last second batdown of a touchdown-bound pass that would have accomplished a second minor miracle at this stadium site. The first was getting it built.”

10-15-1961 DALLAS, Tex. - “Erich Barnes, the only New York defensive player Coach Tom Landry of Dallas didn't tutor, ran 101 yards with an intercepted pass Sunday to break the resistance of the Dallas Cowboys and give the Giants a 31-10 victory. New York was ahead, 17-10, but the Cowboys were driving toward a touchdown when Eddie LeBaron tried a pass into the end zone. Barnes took it a yard inside and cut up the sidelines to dash to the touchdown that broke the Cowboys' backs.”

11-12-1961 “Barnes Scores: The next time the Giants had the ball, Erich Barnes and Jimmy Patton of the defense, were sent in by Shorman and all Tittle did was to collaborate with Barnes on a 62- yard scoring play. Barnes got behind the Eagles defense and was away with Y. A.'s throw. It was the second score for Barnes, who earlier this season tied a , league record running 102 yards with an intercepted pass. Summerall collected his third conversion and it was 24-7 as the two teams went to the dressing rooms for a rest.

Pete Previte, the clubhouse man who came up with the big play for New York last Sunday against Philadelphia, merely was living up to' the finest tradition of the Giants' locker-room attendants...

Sherman recognized a good idea when he saw one. Just 48 hours before the big game with the league-leading Philadelphia Eagles, he put in a spread formation in which the quarterback would drop back and, more important, defensive speedsters Erich Barnes and Jimmy Patton would join Del Shofner, Kyle Rote and Joe Walton as receivers. With less than a minute left in the first half Sunday and the Giants back on their 38, second down and eight to go, Sherman sent in the defensive men with the play. Y. A. Tittle, dropping back, took a direct snap and, with his five receivers fanning out, fired deep to Barnes, crisscrossing with Patton. Barnes, on his first offensive play in three years of pro football, caught the ball and raced into the end zone for a surprise touchdown that extended to 24-7 the Giants' half-time lead and set up their division-tying 38-21 triumph. A Sneaker Trick Pete Previte's play, as they call it now.”

1962 13GS 6INT 61YDS
Pro Bowl

12-30-1962 1962: Packers Defeat Giants to Repeat as NFL Champions

“A punt by Max McGee was nearly blocked by CB Erich Barnes but the rushed kick went only 23 yards. Two plays later, HB Phil King fumbled when hit by Currie and Nitschke recovered at the New York 28.

Early in the third quarter, Green Bay’s offense couldn’t advance the ball while backed up deep in its own territory. With the Packers punting from their own 15 yard line, Barnes broke through this time to block McGee’s kick and end Jim Collier fell on the loose ball in the end zone for a New York touchdown after LB Bill Forester was unable to scoop it up at the five...”

"It was dangerous," Barnes said later. "When I go in like that, I'm exposing my area to a pass. [Most unlikely, since the Packers were punting from deep within their own territory.] If I block it, I'm golden. If they fake and pass—well, I'd rather not discuss that possibility. It's a judgment thing and you have to decide quickly. I saw Lew Carpenter line up tight and I felt I could go. No one touched me. It was that simple. I just ran in and blocked it. But I could have been burned."

1963 14GS 3INT 0YDS 4FR
Pro Bowl

1964 Profile: Erich Barnes
Cornerback
No. 49
Purdue
"One of the outstanding pass defenders in the National Football League, Barnes has intercepted 16 enemy tosses since joining the Giants in 1961. He grabbed seven in 1961, returning one 102 yards against Dallas in the Cotton Bowl, six in 1962 and three in 1963.
Erich was originally the fourth draft pick of the Chicago Bears in 1958, coming to New York prior to the '61 campaign as part of the three-cornered transaction that saw L.A. Rams' quarterback Bill Wade come to the Chicago Bears and Lindon Crow, the Giants' fine defensive back, join the Rams.
One of his biggest moments was the day in 1961 when Coach Al Sherman inserted him for one offensive play on which he caught a 62-yard TD pass from Y.A. Tittle against the Philadelphia Eagles."

-Complete Sports 1964 New York Giants

1964 14GS 2 INT 26YDS 1TD 2FR
Pro Bowl

ERICH BARNES
Cornerback
No. 49
Purdue
"Great anticipation, trigger-quick reflexes and blinding speed are the traits that have stamped Erich Barnes as one of the league's most gifted cornerbacks. He has intercepted 18 passes in his four seasons with the Giants, and one of these was the 102-yard touchdown caper he pulled against the Dallas Cowboys in the Cotton Bowl in 1961; the run tied an NFL record.
Erich originally was a No. 4 draft choice of the Chicago Bears in 1958 and he came to the Giants in '61, as part of a three-way trade that sent Lindon Crow to Los Angeles and Billy Wade to Chicago."

-Jack Zanger, Pro Football 1965

"Erich Barnes plays the corner for the Giants like a stalking cougar. Quick as a cougar, he likes to gamble on the big interception; he is also one of the league's most jarring tacklers."

-Pro Football Almanac 1965, edited by Al Silverman

"Erich Barnes scarcely qualifies as the pass receiver's best friend. As a corner back with the Giants, he has smothered some of the finest talent in the league. 'The trouble with him,' one aggressive opponent complained, 'is that every time a quarterback throws a ball, Barnes thinks HE'S the receiver.'
This attitude, plus certain physical attributes, have made Erich a frequent Pro Bowl performer. With the stricken Giants last year, he shouldered an awesome load. Early in the season, the New Yorkers lost their other cornerback, Dick Lynch, due to an injured ankle, and Barnes spent the rest of the season doing his own job and helping out wherever else he could hustle to.
The Giants got Barnes after the 1960 campaign in a three-way deal that typified their shrewdness. Erich, a former Purdue star, went from the Bears to Los Angeles for quarterback Billy Wade. The Rams, in turn, traded Erich to New York for Lindon Crow. The swap also cost the Giants their first draft choice for the following season, but it was well worth it. Barnes has proven to be a slashing defensive operator, who handles the best of opposing receivers with skill and assurance."

Sports All-Stars/1965 Pro Football

Cleveland Browns' 100 best all-time players: No. 63, Erich Barnes (video) https://articles.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/10/cleveland_browns_100_best_all-_1.amp

Frank Cephous RB D11-UCLA 1984 NYG 1984 7-04-1961

Note: A Great blog with old Giants Previews is:

New York Giants Annual Information
https://newyorkgiantsannualinformation.blogspot.com/

It is a Online Candy store of Giants info from the 1960’s and 1970’s...