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Some late Tuesday Reading

Defenderdawg : 2/5/2019 5:14 pm
Giants

RB

Lombardo NJ.com: Barry Sanders: Giants’ Saquon Barkley is a future Hall of Famer
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/02/barry-sanders-giants-saquon-barkley-is-a-future-hall-of-famer.html

RG
NY Giants Jamon Brown (@JB_The_GREAT_68)
2/5/19, 4:10 PM
Where my G-men at? We working, going to make 2019 a great year! We all in!!

OLB

Salomone Giants.com: From early injury to Pro Bowl nod, Vernon aims to keep building

“We had guys making tremendous plays,” said Vernon, who finished the season with 7.5 sacks and 21 quarterback hits. “We had (Alec) Ogletree setting the tempo really and making big plays back-to-back for several weeks. We had other guys doing what they’re doing – probably didn’t count on the stat sheet – but the guys were doing their jobs and doing what they’re supposed to do to help everybody else execute and be in the game and try to win the game. But unfortunately things just didn’t end in our favor, but that’s why you revamp, get things down pat, try to keep the core guys together and keep it moving.”

https://www.giants.com/news/from-early-injury-to-pro-bowl-nod-vernon-aims-to-keep-building

Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton)
2/4/19, 4:31 PM
Giants have made the release of Connor Barwin official.
Before you criticize Gettleman for the signing last year, talk to Lorenzo Carter about how influential Barwin was in his maturation as a rookie.
If Zo turns out to be player Giants think he can be, Barwin gets some credit

Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton)
2/4/19, 4:38 PM
& #8294;& #8234;@NoDopeOnSundaes& #8236;& #8297; Not all circumstances are the same. They didn’t sign Omameh to mentor anyone, despite what DG said after season. Kinda spun that way. I disagreed with Stewart from beginning, but Saquon did credit him a lot early on. Problem there was $.
And they hoped Barwin would add pass rush

DB

Dunleavy NJ.com: Rutgers football losing assistant coach to Giants
https://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/2019/02/rutgers-football-losing-assistant-coach-to-giants.html

NFL

Kilgore Washington Post: ‘The best to ever do it’: How Bill Belichick out-coached Sean McVay in the Super Bowl
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/02/04/how-bill-belichick-outcoached-sean-mcvay-super-bowl-liii/

Galina SB Nation: How defenses are countering spread offenses by packing themselves in Tite
https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2019/2/5/18205641/tite-front-defenses-explained

ARIZONA
Urban Cardinals.com: And now, the Cardinals live the offseason atop the waiver claim list
https://www.azcardinals.com/news/and-now-the-cardinals-live-the-offseason-atop-the-waiver-claim-list

BALTIMORE
Preston Baltimore Sun: The gap between Bill Belichick and the rest of the NFL's head coaches keeps getting wider
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-preston-column-20190204-story.html

CHICAGO
Biggs Chicago Tribune: Bears' contract details: A look at Bobby Massie's new deal
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-cb-chicago-bears-contract-details-2019-story.html

CINCINNATI
Page Cincinnati Enquirer: Finally official: Zac Taylor announced as 2019 Cincinnati Bengals head coach
https://amp.cincinnati.com/amp/2766210002

Terrell ESPN Cincinnati: Bengals take long-overdue risk with the hiring of Zac Taylor
http://www.espn.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/31089/bengals-take-long-overdue-risk-with-the-hiring-of-zac-taylor

DALLAS
Davison Fort Worth Star Telegram: No first-round pick, no problem. Cowboys happy with Cooper as prep starts for NFL Draft
https://amp.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article225537175.html

Owning Dallas Morning News: Film room: 3 under-the-radar Cowboys who could become big contributors in 2019, including a forgotten man at WR
https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2019/02/04/3-radar-cowboys-could-become-big-contributorsin-2019

INDIANAPOLIS
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Secret to Eric Ebron's revival with Colts: 'Get away from Detroit'
https://amp.freep.com/amp/2768331002

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Heifetz The Ringer: Should the Rams Worry About Todd Gurley’s Mega Contract Extension?
https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2019/2/5/18212226/todd-gurley-super-bowl-liii-injury-los-angeles-rams-extension

MIAMI
Beasley Miami Herald: Why Dolphins didn’t jump on the McVay Train, but rather hired the guy who exposed him
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article225450540.html

Salguero Miami Herald: The task for new Dolphins coach Brian Flores is simple: Do the impossible
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article225512070.html

Hyde Sun Sentinel: From football heaven to ... Dolphins — Flores' new reality begins
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-hyde-column-20190204-story.html

Kelly Sun Sentinel: Brian Flores wants to build a physical Dolphins team that has multiple looks
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-sidebar-20190204-story.html

Beasley Miami Herald: Another culture change is coming to Miami. Will Reshad Jones, others buy in?
https://amp.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article225541570.html#click=https://t.co/wLBc1xGS5j

Jackson Miami Herald: Miami Dolphins GM discusses draft quarterback approach and team’s new QB addition
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article225504025.html

NEW ENGLAND
Bishop SI: How the Patriots Built Football's Greatest Dynasty
After yet another Super Bowl title for the Patriots, their sixth since 2002, it's easy to forget how New England's run of success began. These are the origin stories of football’s marquee dynasty—from Robert Kraft’s humble beginning to the rise of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick to the surprising stars of Super Bowl LIII.
https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/02/04/2019-super-bowl-rams-patriots-dynasty-tom-brady

Barnwell ESPN: You just witnessed the greatest defensive performance in Super Bowl history: Here's how the Patriots did it
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25921740/super-bowl-liii-was-greatest-defensive-performance-history-here-how-patriots-did-rams

Curran NBC Sports Boston: How a blitz and a pick summed up the style of the 2018 Patriots
https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/how-blitz-and-pick-summed-style-2018-patriots

Sullivan Boston Globe: Twin peak: Winning together is as good as it gets for the McCourtys
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/02/05/twin-peak-winning-together-good-gets-for-mccourtys/LQN4l6HCC63MPpzLWTOXrK/story.html

NEW YORK JETS
Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN)
2/5/19, 3:52 PM
Source: #Jets are not picking up Spencer Long’s roster bonus.... so they are cutting him

Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN)
2/5/19, 3:58 PM
Spencer Long’s 2019 cap number was $6.5 million. His $3M base salary + ~$3.5M roster bonus that they are not picking up. All cleared if they do not agree to bring him back at a reduced rate

Mehta NYDN: Jets don't plan on trading Leonard Williams: 'It would be stupid'
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/ny-sports-leonard-williams-jets-gregg-williams-20190205-story.html

OAKLAND
Killion SF Chronicle: Why would Giants welcome Raiders?
https://www.sfchronicle.com/giants/annkillion/amp/Why-would-Giants-welcome-Raiders-13589110.php

PHILADELPHIA
Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB)
2/4/19, 1:29 PM
SOURCE: Former Eagles QB G.J. Kinne has agreed to become an offensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles. Last year Kinne worked an analyst/asst. QB coach at Arkansas working under Chad Morris and Joe Craddoc

Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt)
2/5/19, 10:34 AM
I don’t think the Eagles are trying to keep Nick Foles from the Giants or Redskins as much as people seem to think they are. The reality of Howie Roseman is that he’s always going to take the best deal, no matter what team is on the other end of the phone cal

Kempski Phillyvoice: Revisiting the Eagles' roster moves over the last year
https://www.phillyvoice.com/revisiting-eagles-roster-moves-over-last-year/amp/#click=https://t.co/xfwp1CFjNt

Ford Phil.com: Carson Wentz isn’t a perfect person? Neither is that Tom Brady guy
http://www.philly.com/eagles/carson-wentz-tom-brady-nfl-quarterbacks-super-bowl-patriots-rams-eagles-20190205.html

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan and the red zone: A story with few points
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/49ers-Kyle-Shanahan-and-the-red-zone-A-story-13587944.php

SEATTLE
Condotta Seattle Times: Seahawks mailbag: Debating Seattle’s late-game offensive philosophy
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seahawks-mailbag-debating-seattles-late-game-offensive-philosophy-and-which-games-will-get-on-prime-time-in-2019/?

TAMPA BAY
Stroud TB Times: Were the Bucs right not trying to hire the next Sean McVay?
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2019/02/04/were-the-bucs-right-not-trying-to-hire-the-next-sean-mcvay/?template=amp#click=https://t.co/Ai1VWJoWfp

TENNESSEE
Rexrode The Tennessean: Titans' Arthur Smith gets the pub, but Dean Pees needs more love
https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2019/02/05/titans-coordinators-arthur-smith-dean-pees-rexrode-nfl-vrabel-jon-robinson/2776027002/

Colleges/Draft

Kelly The Draft Network: KELLY’S PRE-COMBINE BIG BOARD: TOP 50
https://thedraftnetwork.com/2019/02/05/kellys-pre-combine-big-board-top-50/

Trapasso CBS Sports: NFL Draft: Want to build a team like the Patriots? The 2019 prospects similar to Edelman, Gilmore, other stars
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-draft-want-to-build-a-team-like-the-patriots-the-2019-prospects-similar-to-edelman-gilmore-other-stars/amp/

Miller B/R: 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Matt Miller's Post-Super Bowl Predictions

6. The Pick: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
The New York Giants have to eventually move on from Eli Manning—or at least draft a viable young quarterback to take over in the near future. The NFL is buzzing right now about the result of the Kansas City Chiefs' plan to draft Patrick Mahomes and let him sit behind Alex Smith for a season. The Giants should follow that blueprint and strike now to get a quarterback of the future.
Dwayne Haskins might not be a trendy fit for the Giants because of his status as a one-year starter at Ohio State, but his talent speaks for itself. He has poise in the pocket that most new starters do not and has shown excellent arm talent and ball placement. Perhaps most encouraging was his development throughout the season, as he played his best football late in the year.
The Giants can't afford to pass on quarterbacks again in 2019; no matter how good the 2020 class looks, now is the time to get a quarterback to groom for the future.

37. New York Giants: Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss
101. New York Giants: Gary Johnson, LB, Texas
125. New York Giants: Austin Bryant, EDGE, Clemson

https://syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2818393-2019-nfl-mock-draft-matt-millers-post-super-bowl-predictions.html

Pauline Draft Analyst: Two-Round Mock Draft - February 4

6 New York Giants
Dwayne Haskins QB Ohio State
Analysis: This is a no-brainer for the Giants

37. N.Y. Giants: Elgton Jenkins/OL/Mississippi State

http://draftanalyst.com/two-round-mock-draft-february-4

G
Jacques Charlotte Observer: Could Nate Davis’ reason for becoming a Charlotte 49er now power him to NFL, too?
https://amp.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article225341660.html

History

White Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Ty Law adds to Aliquippa lore with Hall of Fame honor
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/high-school-football/2019/02/fame-pro-football-aliquippa-wpial-pittsburgh/04/ty-law-hall-of-fame-pro-football-aliquippa-wpial-pittsburgh/stories/201902040066

Giants Birthdays 2-05

Craig Morton QB TR-DAL 1974 NYG 1974-1976 2-05-1943

NYT: Morton Happy to Join Giants (10-24-74)

“What Craig Morton didn't know when he helped maneuver his trade from Dallas by refusing to report to a Cowboy practice session early in the week was where he might land if a deal was made.
“I knew I couldn't go to the A.F.C.,” said Morton, alluding to the fact that the interconference trading deadline had long passed. “I was thinking about places like San Francisco because I knew they needed a quarterback. I didn't think the Giants would trade [Norm] Snead.” Morton was talking at the Giants' training camp after arriving for his first workout.
The Giants, of course, sent Snead to the 49ers for a couple of high draft choices, one in 1975 and one in 1976 and gave their 1976 No. 1 draft selection to Dallas for Morton.
His arrival in New York seems to have instantly raised Morton's spirits. Suddenly, he has moved into a No. 1 quarterback role again with the likelihood of getting a crack at his old team Sunday when the Cowboys visit Yale Bowl.
“I'm really looking forward to that game,” Morton said after working out with his new teammates for the first time today. “Despite the stories that come out the Cowboys are really a close knit team. Most of the guys called to wish me good luck and a few of them came by when they found out. Most of the things they said were kind of joking, and I told them not to blitz me.?

Morton also refused to be critical of Tom Landry, the Cowboys coach, with whom he was unable to see eye to eye about who should be the starting Cowboy quarterback. In fact, he praised Landry, who had benched him this year because of his contract for next season with the World Football League's Shreveport Steamer, formerly the Houston Texans.
“There's been a lot of speculation about the contract, but that has to be worked, out with my lawyers, so I'd rather not talk about it right now,” Morton said.
Although the Giants apparently have some safeguards in their deal with Dallas in case they can't keep Morton next year, the speculation is that Morton will be able to get out of his W.F.L. pact.
Morton simply seemed happy to get out of Dallas.
“I went to the coach last week, after we were 2.4 and talked to him, but after I saw that I still wasn't going to play, I asked to be traded,” said Morton. “Later I talked to Mr. [Tex] Schramm and I was adamant about being traded.” Schramm is the Dallas general manager.
“Usually you don't like to trade someone within your own conference and especially when you're going to play them the next week,” said Landry by telephone. “But the deadline was approaching so we had to make the trade.”
“I would be surprised if he started against us on Sunday,” Landry added. “I don't see how he can come in this late and get the time necessary, but he might play I'm sure.”
“I'll know how hard, it's going to be & #8208;tonight when I start studying the plays and going over the game plan,” said Morton. “Because we're in the same division. I know a lot of the personnel and don't think I'll have to do too much on the films—just the play book.”

Bill Arnsparger, the Giants coach, was almost certain that Morton would not stank against Dallas, favoring the left& #8208;handed Jim Del Gaizo, who suffered a broken nose last week and had to be replaced by Snead. Arnsparger said that if Del Gaizo had trouble, Morton would be first to go in.
“Morton will bring us experience of playing in big games — the Super Bowl, the playoffs...” said Arnsparger, who obviously is counting on Morton, a 6& #8208;foot4& #8208;inch, 214& #8208;pounder who has been a pro for 10 years.
Morton, drafted No. 1 by the Cowboys in 1965, spent four years backing up Don Meredith, then took over the starting job in 1969 and 1970. He led the cowboys to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1970 despite operations on his throwing arm. The Cowboys lost to Baltimore, 16& #8208;13.
Morton was the Cowboys' No. 1 quarterback again in 1972 after Roger Staubach missed most of the season with a shoulder injury. Morton was demoted to second string last year and remained in limbo this year most likely because of his impending jump to the W.F.L. He has two completions in two attemps for 12 yards this season.
Today as a Giant, Morton was wearing No. 15. He completed 7 of 13 passes in a couple of workouts without facing a rush.”

https://www.nytimes.com/1974/10/24/archives/morton-happy-to-join-giants-mortons-happy-to-be-a-giant.html

However, Morton found success once again with Denver by passing less:

Wash Post: Morton Could Have the Last Laugh at Detractors

"I heard all those stories about how poorly he played with the Giants," said Bronco coach Red Miller. "But if you don't surround your quarterback with talent, of course he's going to look bad. Our offense is improving. It's not the best in the league, but we're getting better..”

“"Morton had given us the leadership and experience the offense needed. Here's a guy who comes to a new team and in his first year is the over-whelming choice as team captain. Craig has been just super."
Morton had been acquired formt the Giants in exchange for the Broncos' regular quarterback, Steve Ramsey, in one of those offseason swaps that figured to benedit neither team, like, say, Duane Dow for Mike Wolfe. And Ramsey managed to disappear rather quickly.
"But Craig in a structured situation should do well," said the Cowboys' Tex Schramm, who chose Morton in the first round of the 1965 draft and watched him endure all manner of adversity, including two shoulder operations, before trading him to the Giants 10 years later for a first-round choice who became Randy White...”

“In truth, Morton is more successful by passing less. Tie Bronco defense has been spectacular, the runners - including almost Redskin Jon Keyworth and D.C. high-school star Lonnie Perrin - more than adequate. And Rick Upchurch also provides good field position with his kick returns. THis is what Schramm meant by "structured situation," because Morton has thrown fewer passes (96) than any regular quarterback in the entire league except Jim Plunkett. Though Morton has completed 54 per cent of his passes, scored three touchdowns and thrown for three, the Denver offense is just 12th in the AFC in passing.

And yet the Broncos lead the AFC in scoring differential.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1977/10/21/morton-could-have-the-last-laugh-at-detractors/3dc8540e-3401-4104-8cb8-5966399ed492/?utm_term=.cecc0b4aa791


Kevin Turner LB UDFA-Pacific 1980 NYG 1980 2-05-19586

In Memoriam

Bob Taylor DE D12-Maryland Eastern Shore 1963 NYG 1963-1964 Born 2-05-1940 Died 6-04-2006

MlD ES HOF:

“Robert “Bob” Taylor was inducted into the Hawk Hall of Fame in 1982. Dennis came to Maryland State College (MSC) from Columbia, South Carolina in 1957.
Robert received All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) honors in football in 1960 and 1961. During Robert’s stay at MSC, the Hawks compiled an overall record of 22 wins, 5 losses and 1 tie.
The New York Giants drafted Robert in 1963. Robert played defensive end on a team that included Hall of Fame player, Sam Huff. He played two years with the Giants before being traded to the Minnesota Vikings.
He ended his career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. In, 1969, he return to his Alma Mater as head football coach. Robert graduated from MSC in 1963 with a degree in Industrial management.”

Taylor was slated to replace Andy Robustelli in the Giants 4-3 in 1964, but Robustelli ended his retirement to play one last season.

Travis Tidwell QB D1-Auburn 1950 NYG 1950-1951 Born 2-05-1925 Died 7-01-2004

In 1949 Tidwell was a star for Auburn:

Birmingham News: “The series had resumed a year earlier after 41-year hiatus. Star Auburn quarterback Travis Tidwell had broken his leg in the first quarter, and Alabama had romped to a 55-0 victory that remains the most lopsided in series history. The Tide was favored by three touchdowns in 1949, and the game appeared to be a mismatch.
Alabama had won four consecutive games going into that day. Auburn had won just once to go with three ties.
But with Tidwell, who some say to this day was as talented any Auburn player ever has been, wasn't going to let this one be like the last one. And it became obvious early that it wouldn't be.
"We were as good a football team as they were," Tidwell said years later. "We wanted to win a little more. We had been hearing about that 55-0 for a long time."
It was early in the second quarter when Salem, the Alabama quarterback, threw from his own 13. Auburn's Johnny Wallis intercepted the pass and returned it 16 yards for a touchdown. Shockingly, Auburn had the lead.
Another interception, this one by Dickie Flournoy, at the Auburn 29 sent Tidwell and the Tigers moving toward what the winning touchdown. Charlie Davis got it from 11 yards out and Auburn led 14-7.
One Alabama drive was thwarted deep in Auburn territory, but as the clock melted away, Alabama wasn't stopping. Tom Calvin scored from the 1, and a tie seemed inevitable.
But it wasn't.
Salem missed and Auburn celebrated. When the last second ticked off the clock, Auburn players didn't go for their coach, Earl Brown. They lifted Tidwell up on their shoulders carried off the field.”

At Auburn:

“Tidwell, one of only two freshmen to ever lead the nation in total offense, pulled that feat in 1946. He also led the nation in total offense in 1949 and was Auburn’s total offense leader until Pat Sullivan broke the record in 1971.
Tidwell, who played at Auburn after serving in the Pacific during World War II, is perhaps best remembered as the Auburn quarterback who in 1949 engineered the Tigers to their first win over Alabama in more than 40 years. The two teams had discontinued play in 1907 and did not resume the series until 1948. Alabama hammered Auburn 55-0 in 1948 as the series resumed and Auburn went into the 1949 contest a three-touchdown underdog. Auburn stunned the Tide 14-13.”

11-22-1949

News reports:

“Tidwell has been contacted by at least five professional football clubs who are interested in his services. He revealed yesterday that he had received queries from officials of five pro organizations. He listed them as the Chicago Cardinals, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Pittsburgh Steelers, all of the National Professional Football League.”

01-07-1950

The first Senior Bowl:

“On January 7, 1950, with a two touchdown performance Auburn quarterback Travis Tidwell led the Southern collegiate all stars to a 22-13 victory over the Northern squad in the first ever Senior Bowl that was played in front of 20,000+ in Jacksonville, Florida. This marked a beginning of an annual event that would shine a light on the greatest college players in the nation with many of them set to embark on professional careers in the NFL. Tidwell would always be remembered for leading Auburn to their first victory over Alabama in more than 40 years one season earlier and he would always be held in high regard among the Auburn faithful. As a freshman he led the country in total offense which was something he would do again in his senior season which led to the invitation to the inaugural event. Tidwell had to contend Southern Methodist running back Doak Walker who suited up for the North. The "North" squad was made up of players from all sections of the country besides the Southeastern conferences and the most southern conferences in the nation. Walker helped the North jump out to an early lead before Tidwell was able to answer back with a touchdown pass late in the second quarter. The first score came after Walker ran a punt back 67 yards, it was said that he cut back across the field twice as he danced around defenders on his way to giving his squad great field position. With the efforts of Doak and Pacific quarterback Eddie LeBaron the North moved quickly on a scoring drive that was finished off by Michigan State running back Lynn Chandnois. In the second quarter LeBaron connected with Oklahoma's Jim Owen on a 46 yard bomb that extended the North's lead to 13-0 after Walker missed on the extra point. Charley Justice out of North Carolina  provided a much needed spark for the South when he broke off a 33 yard return on the ensuing kickoff. Tidwell followed it up with a 52 yard touchdown pass to Herb Rich of Vanderbilt and suddenly the score was 13-7 and the South was on the way back into the contest. It took two grinding drives for the South to take the lead, the first was an 80 yard drive that ended in disappointment as Texas' Ed Price fumbled the ball at the goal line. The second drive would end much better than the first for the South, it began with an excellent punt return by Herb Rich that had the ball sitting on the 50, then Tidwell passed and ran his way down the field before finding Wake Forest's Red O'Quinn on a quick pass from the 15, O'Quinn found it in his hands at the 10 and saw daylight in front of him as he dashed tot he endzone. When Tulane's Dick Sheffield converted on the extra point the South had a lead that would not be relinquished. With the slim one point lead intact Tidwell and company needed a little insurance so the foot was kept on the gas pedal. After another solid punt return by Justice positioned the South at the North 40, Tidwell nearly picked up his third touchdown of the day when he connected with Rich once again on a 40 yard hookup that ended with the ball sitting at the two yard line. Price made up for his earlier error by punching the ball in and adding the score that would provide some breathing room. In the last 5 minutes of the ballgame Wake Forest's Jim Duncan provided the last two points with a blocked punt in the endzone that gave the South a safety and capped off the scoring in the first ever Senior Bowl. Many of the young men that played in that game would go onto have long professional careers and some of them would even end up in the Pro Football Hal of Fame. Some of them most definitely increased their draft stock in their last opportunity to shine as a member of the collegiate ranks. One of those men that benefited by his stellar performance was the game's MVP Travis Tidwell, he was taken by the New York Giants 7th overall. His NFL career was short, after just two seasons in New York he headed North and played in the CFL. After his playing days ended he coached briefly before turning his attention to business ventures.”

1-12-1950

From news reports, when the NFL wasn’t all that:

“Travis Tidwell, Auburn's great quarterback of the past four years, has announced that instead of turning pro he will 'remain at Auburn as an assistant coach. Tidwell, who had the misfortune, to be with a losing club, never received the publicity of many other backs around the nation, but was highly touted and closely watched by the pros. Maybe college players are going to start working for a coaching career instead of playing pro ball after graduation. Charlie Justice, who certainly would have commanded a top salary in the play-for-pay circles, recently announced that he intended to .continue his medical career. The merging of the National Football League and the All American Conference probably had a lot to do with this trend. During the days when the pro leagues were competing for football players a flashy backfield man could obtain a rather fabulous salary, but not now. Leon Hart, Notre Dame's great end, stated during the past season that he intended to ask for $25,000 a year as a pro. It is almost a cinch that he won't get anything like that. The main reason the pros ended their war was to cut out the bidding against each other for players.Most of the pro clubs were losing money and their biggest expenditure was the salaries they had to pay to get top-flight players. Now that they have a yearly draft of college players and a man can't jump a contract or dodge a draft selection, salaries will level off as they were before the war. Its almost certain that pro pay won't go down to the old time scale of $100 or $150 per game for a lineman, but there won't be any players getting the money that Bob Waterfield, Sammy Baugh and a few others have received during the past few years.”

But Tidwell did sign with the Giants:

From his obituary:

“A first-round draft choice in 1950, Tidwell played two seasons with the New York and Giants and later played several seasons with the Edmonton Tiger Cats in the Canadian Football League. He returned to Auburn and coached briefly under Ralph “Shug” Jordan.”

And he does have an impact early on:

10-22-1950 Giants 17 Browns 13

“Early in the second half, Travis Tidwell, rookie quarterback, got a touchdown drive under way, but his bad ankle was damaged again and he too, was carted away on a stretcher.”

“New York in the draft with the seventh overall pick takes Travis Tidwell. Travis plays very little the first half of the year, and though he can throw, there are times in film study where he leaves the pass pocket and runs. His best game is against the Colts in November when New York falls behind 20-0 and rallies to blow out Baltimore 55-20. Tidwell does struggle in holding the ball too long, thus he is sacked at a very high percentage based upon his playing time. Charlie Conerly has already set a league record for completions in a game (1948 against the Steelers) and is a willing blocker in the A-formation.”

Army Tomaini T 1945 NYG 1945 Born 2-05-1918 Died 5-25-2005

Gary Wood QB D -Cornell 1964, TR-NO 1968 NYG 1963-1966, 1968-1969 Born 2-05-1942 Died 3-02-1994

Wood may have been ahead of his time as a QB, originally slated for the Giants secondary which had almost yearly depth issues, he quickly found himself at QB in his first training camp in 1964.

The Giants had soured on Glynn Griffing after one season (Despite starring in the TV special “The making of a Pro.”) Early on he was waived making room for strong armed 1964 sixth round draftee Henry Schlichtle of Wichita State. Schlichtle had the measurables but not the experience of playing at a high level. Despite being given his idol’s (Mickey Mantle’s) locker, Schlichtle was still a work in progress. Wood was quickly moved from DB and his athletic ability was put to use.

NYT Obituary

“At 5 feet 11 inches and 180 pounds, he did not have the stature of a National Football League quarterback, but in five seasons with the Giants, Wood was a popular backup who frequently thrilled crowds with his fearless rollout style and his penchant for turning planned handoffs into impromptu bootleg plays for big gains.

It was a style he had developed at Cornell, where Wood, who had grown up in Cortland, N.Y., was a skilled passer who could run. While many of his records have been broken, Wood, who was named the Ivy League player of the week five times, still holds the Cornell records for rushing by a quarterback.

The Giants' eighth draft choice in 1964, Wood, who turned down offers to play in the American Football League and in Canada to accept the N.F.L. challenge, showed great promise as a rookie.

Frequently replacing an injured Y. A. Tittle, he completed 66 of 143 passes for 952 yards and 6 touchdowns with 3 interceptions and was ranked 13th among N.F.L. quarterbacks, three places ahead of Tittle. He also ran the ball 39 times for 158 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Although Tittle's retirement left open the No. 1 quarterback spot for Wood, he was displaced before the 1965 season with the arrival of Earl Morrall. Two seasons later, with Morrall frequently hurt or faltering, Wood had his most productive season, completing 81 of 170 passes for 1,142 yards and 16 touchdowns with 13 interceptions while rushing 28 times for another 196 yards and 3 touchdowns. Played for New Orleans.

After a season as a rarely used third-string quarterback in New Orleans, Wood returned to New York in 1968 as a backup for Fran Tarkenton. He extended his career another season largely as a holder on place-kicks for his former Cornell teammate Pete Gogolak. In his six N.F.L. seasons, he completed 186 of 400 passes for 2,575 yards and 14 touchdowns with 18 interceptions.

After playing briefly in Canada, he became an insurance broker in Valley Stream, L.I.”

From an article on Jewish athletes in sports:

“A graduate of Cortland High School in New York, Wood had an outstanding career at Cornell as a three-year starting quarterback. In 1961, as a sophomore, he was the Big Red's leading rusher (449 yards on 94 carries with three touchdowns) and leading passer (28-75 for 456 yards and six touchdowns). Gary was named All-Ivy League honorable mention, although the Big Red only had a record of 3-6 (2-5 in the Ivy League).
In 1962, Cornell struggled again with a 4-5-0 record (4-3-0 in conference), but Wood enjoyed another terrific season. For the second year in a row, he led the team in rushing (889 yards on 173 carries for a 5.1 average and nine touchdowns) and passing (60-117 for 890 yards and eight touchdowns). The conference's leading rusher in Ivy League play with 813 yards, Wood also led the nation in all-purpose yards with 1,395 (155.0 yards per game).

Wood was outstanding week after week for the Big Red. Against Princeton, he passed for 212 yards in a 35-34 victory. In Cornell's 29-22 win over Penn in the final game of the season, Gary ran for 207 yards and threw for 160 more for an incredible 387 yards of total offense (an Ivy League record). He was named first team All-Ivy League, All-America honorable mention, and the Associated Press named him one of the four most spectacular players in the nation.

In 1963, Gary was elected team captain and continued to shine for his team. Cornell had its best season during his career with a record of 5-4-0 (4-3-0 in conference). Wood was once again Cornell's leading rusher (818 yards on 166 carries and seven touchdowns) and leading passer (48-119 for 545 yards and four touchdowns. He repeated as the Ivy League's leading rusher in conference play with 706 yards AND as the nation's leader in all-purpose yards with 1,508 (167.6 per game).
In Cornell's 13-10 win over Yale, Wood had an 80-yard run from scrimmage. Against Penn, Gary ran for 149 yards in a 17-8 victory. He was named first team All-Ivy League for the second consecutive season and repeated as All-America honorable mention.
The team's MVP in both 1962 and 1963, Wood was also named the Ithaca Journal's Male Athlete of the Year both years. He finished his career at Cornell first all-time in rushing yards (2,156 -- currently fifth all-time) and all-purpose yards (4,047 -- currently fourth all-time).

In the 1964 NFL Draft, Wood was selected in the eighth round (109th overall) by the New York Giants. After giving him a quick trial at defensive back, they returned him to his natural position at quarterback. Unfortunately, Wood joined the Giants during the team's slide towards mediocrity that would last until the 1980s. Wood spent his first season backing up the great Y.A. Tittle (in Tittle's last season). Gary had a decent rookie season, completing 66 of 143 passes for 952 yards and six touchdowns as the Giants finished the year a pathetic 2-12-0.

Tittle told a joke about Wood and Tittle's daughter, "Dianne was in junior high school and tall, and Gary asked me if it was OK to ask her out. That's when I knew it was time to quit - when the guy who wants to take your job is trying to date your daughter." Despite being only two years removed from a league MVP, Tittle retired the next year and made way for Wood.

In 1966, Wood had his best statistical season in the NFL, sharing the quarterbacking duties with Earl Morrell. Wood completed 81-170 passes for 1,142 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed 28 times for 196 yards (7.0) and three touchdowns. That year, Gary appeared in all fourteen games for the 1-12-1 Giants under head coach Allie Sherman. Gary remained with the Giants until 1967, when he was picked up in the expansion draft for the New Orleans Saints.

Wood played one season (and in only two games) for the Saints (3-11-0) before being traded back to the Giants for a draft pick in 1968. He spent two more seasons with the Giants, backing up Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton. Gary appeared in 26 games and completed 19-40 passes for 229 yards and one touchdown in that span. He retired following the 1969 season, having appeared in 63 career NFL games.

In 1970-1971, Wood played in the CFL (Canadian Football League) with the Ottawa Rough Riders. When his playing days ended, Wood opened an insurance firm in New York City. He helped build Temple Beth Torah in Melville, New York and became a benefactor to countless programs and organizations. In 1979, he was inducted into the Cornell Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1999, he received special mention from Delta Upsilon, his Cornell fraternity, as a member of their All-Century Pro Football team. Wood is a member of the Cornell University Athletic Hall of Fame and the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (located in Commack, New York).”

http://www.jewsinsports.org/profile.asp?sport=football& ID=310

Someone who observed him from his youth:

“Gary Wood was the standard by which high school stars were measured. Not because he was the best; he did more with fewer physical attributes than any other kid the town had seen. That was the message the coaches hammered home.

There was the time your junior high school team played a junior high school in Ithaca, N.Y. That afternoon, the whole team went to Cornell University to watch Wood play quarterback. A few years later, you went to watch him play quarterback for the Giants in an exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

And every year, you watched films of his high school deeds.

Even in high school, Wood was too short to play quarterback. Not to worry. The coaches designed a series of rollout options so Wood's downfield view wasn't blocked by taller linemen. On one play, there was a trailing halfback. Wood had the option of keeping the ball, pitching back to the halfback, or passing. The play was similar to today's wishbone option.

You quarterbacks have to be willing to take the hit, the coaches would preach while playing that film. Watch what Wood does on this play. See? He made the linebacker commit. There's the pitch. Now the halfback has the corner.

The AP story quoted Giants vice president John Mara as saying, ''Even though he was never the starting quarterback here, he was always a crowd favorite with his black high-top shoes and great scrambling ability.''
But Wood was a starter. In 1966, when Y.A. Tittle was on the way out and Earl Morrall was injured, Wood came in to pass for 1,142 yards and six touchdowns. New Orleans joined the National Football League the next year and the Saints took Wood in the expansion draft. He was a backup to Billy Kilmer.

When his career ended, Wood went into the insurance business.”

Actually was 1975 1st round pick  
jeff57 : 2/5/2019 6:11 pm : link
Number 2 pick in the draft. That Dallas used to select hall of fame Randy White.
This is very interesting to me considering he's a FA.  
robbieballs2003 : 2/5/2019 8:07 pm : link
Quote:
RG
NY Giants Jamon Brown (@JB_The_GREAT_68)
2/5/19, 4:10 PM
Where my G-men at? We working, going to make 2019 a great year! We all in!!
RE: This is very interesting to me considering he's a FA.  
bradshaw44 : 2/5/2019 8:08 pm : link
In comment 14288440 robbieballs2003 said:
Quote:


Quote:


RG
NY Giants Jamon Brown (@JB_The_GREAT_68)
2/5/19, 4:10 PM
Where my G-men at? We working, going to make 2019 a great year! We all in!!



That caught my eye as well.
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