Saturday Reading

Giants

Brinson CBS Sports: 2019 NFL Draft: Here are the three paths Giants can take with their draft and one is terrifying
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2019-nfl-draft-here-are-the-three-paths-giants-can-take-with-their-draft-and-one-is-terrifying/amp/

Offense

Lombardo NJ.com: How Giants’ offensive weapons plan to pick up the slack left behind by Odell Beckham trade
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/04/how-giants-offensive-weapons-plan-to-pick-up-the-slack-left-behind-by-odell-beckham-trade.html

QB

Dunleavy NJ.com: NFL Draft 2019: Giants about to repeat QB mistake Browns made 3 times? You don’t want this history
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/04/nfl-draft-2019-giants-about-to-repeat-mistake-browns-made-3-times-you-dont-want-this-history.html

Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL)
4/19/19, 3:46 PM
So we’ve now heard the following on the #Giants draft board :
- Robinson: Jones is QB1
- Raanan: Lock is QB1
- Miller: Haskins is QB1, pick at 6
- Rapoport: Haskins or Jones, the pick at 6
Make sure you don’t fall for any reports with six days to go before the draft

Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton)
4/20/19, 8:49 AM
I keep coming back to this with Dwayne Haskins + Daniel Jones, and scuttlebutt with Giants.
So much is made re: Jones' connections to Mannings/Cutcliffe.
Shurmur connection to Ryan Day re: Haskins for insight is as pertinent, maybe even more so imo.
Just something to keep in mind

Dunleavy NJ.com: Gil Brandt to Giants, NFL Draft: Duke’s Daniel Jones like ‘watching the same guy’ as young Peyton Manning

“I. Love. Dan Jones,” Brandt said on a teleconference for Sirius XM NFL Radio. “I have to say this carefully: When you watch him and you go back (20) years and watch Peyton Manning, you are watching the same guy. He’s athletic. He doesn’t have a rocket for an arm, but neither did Peyton. Very smart."

“He had an opportunity to have a full scholarship to Princeton,” Brandt said of Jones. "He said, ‘No, I’m better (at football) than that. I want to walk-on at Duke.’ He completed 60 percent of his passes but they didn’t have any great receivers there to catch the ball.
“He had an unbelievable workout a month or so ago. A lot of people have turned to like him.”

“I just think stylistically how they want to play, having a long track record of having played there at Duke versus maybe Haskins with the one year," Jeremiah said, “I just think that kind of falls in line more with the Giants.”

“When you watch Jones play and the things he does, I think he can play an efficient game (for) a team that’s going to build around his defense going forward,” Jeremiah said. "I think you’ll see that with the Giants. We’ve seen it reflected in the Odell Beckham trade.
“I think the more conservative, efficient approach offensively, that to me fits with Daniel Jones’ style."

https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/04/gil-brandt-to-giants-nfl-draft-dukes-daniel-jones-like-watching-the-same-guy-as-young-peyton-manning.html

Leonard NYDN: West Virginia’s Will Grier could be best option for Giants’ future franchise QB

“When Will gets around people, they want to run through a wall for him,” Spavital told the Daily News in a recent phone interview. “He’s down-to-earth, encourages and criticizes in a positive manner … His leadership style is very unique and it’s pure. It’s not fake. It’s not rah-rah. Everything is pure and genuine.

“His poise is his greatest asset. You can’t rattle the kid. I’ve never seen him rattled,” added Spavital, who has coached several top college QBs including Case Keenum, who produced under Shurmur on the 2017 Minnesota Vikings. “Will is not gonna let a previous play affect him, good or bad. And his pocket presence where he will hold onto it to make a throw, is the best I’ve been around. He’ll trust protections but still move in the pocket to extend things.”

https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-sports-future-franchise-quarterback-20190420-n6bgrghjyzci5gapfeu55f6t7u-story.html

WR

Fonseca NJ.com: Golden Tate is pumped to be with Giants, but finds one thing about New Jersey weird
https://www.nj.com/sports/2019/04/golden-tate-is-pumped-to-be-with-giants-but-finds-one-thing-about-new-jersey-weird.html

NFL

Brooks NFL.com: How to win with big-money QB
https://amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001027177/article/how-to-win-with-bigmoney-nfl-qb-what-seahawks-must-avoid?

ARIZONA
Moore AZ Republic: Kyler Murray vs. Josh Rosen parallels '90s Dallas Cowboys: Troy Aikman vs. Steve Walsh
https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2019/04/19/kyler-murray-vs-josh-rosen-lot-like-troy-aikman-vs-steve-walsh-arizona-cardinals-dallas-cowboys/3520457002/

ATLANTA
Cunningham AJC: Falcons are desperate for talent, so Hageman is back
https://www.ajc.com/blog/mike-check/falcons-desperate-for-talent-hageman-back/eCTpe61EYkpL06gO6n90QL/

BALTIMORE
Shaffer Baltimore Sun: Ravens draft preview: The offense needs a wide receiver, but how long can they wait to grab one?
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-draft-preview-wide-receiver-20190419-story.html

CAROLINA
Sorensen Charlotte Observer: Here’s why Carolina Panthers should draft West Virginia’s Will Grier
https://amp.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article229483979.html

CINCINNATI
Dehner Cincinnati Enquirer: Who will the Bengals draft? Offensive tackle offers 4 options at the top
https://amp.cincinnati.com/amp/3511981002

DENVER
Klis 9News Denver: IF THE BRONCOS DO HOLD AT NO. 10 IN THE NFL DRAFT, THEIR PICK SHOULD COME FROM THIS LIST
https://www.9news.com/amp/article?section=sports& subsection=nfl& topic=denver-broncos& subtopic=mike-klis& headline=if-the-broncos-do-hold-at-no-10-in-the-nfl-draft-their-pick-should-come-from-this-list& contentId=73-f335b560-024b-4f23-be16-e83a96be9f07#click=https://t.co/jUWybo5x0W

Swanson Broncos.com: Fangio’s approach, demeanor helps shape Broncos during first week of on-field work
https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/vic-fangio-approach-demeanor-broncos-culture-coaching

O’Halloran Denver Post: NFL Draft Preview: If Broncos covet a speedy receiver, there are options
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/04/19/nfl-draft-broncos-receiver/amp/

Fredrickson Denver Post: Justin Simmons adapts to retooled Broncos secondary in minicamp
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/04/19/justin-simmons-broncos-minicamp/amp/

DETROIT
Rothstein ESPN Detroit: Lions trading up? GM Bob Quinn doesn't have the 'ammunition'
http://www.espn.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/35390/lions-trading-up-this-year-bob-quinn-doesnt-have-the-ammunition?

Birkett Detroit Free Press: NFL draft: Detroit Lions looking for a backup RB to Kerryon Johnson
https://amp.freep.com/amp/3518507002

Birkett Detroit Free Press: Here's why Alabama ggOL Jonah Williams checks every box for Lions in NFL draftsi
https://amp.freep.com/amp/3527439002

HOUSTON
Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks)
4/19/19, 11:22 AM
There are a bunch of teams looking to trade down in this draft. I’d keep an eye on Houston as possible partner to move up. They need OL help in a BIG way! They can’t allow Watson to keep getting hit like he did in 2018

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans GM Brian Gaine expects Matt Kalil to compete with Julién Davenport for starting LT job
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/amp/Texans-GM-Brian-Gaine-expects-Matt-Kalil-to-13779735.php#click=https://t.co/ww6VtZp5DM

McClain Houston Chronicle: 2019 NFL draft countdown: Scouting the edge rushers
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/texans/article/2019-NFL-draft-countdown-Scouting-the-edge-13778136.php

Wilson Houston Chronicle: 2019 NFL draft countdown: Scouting the safeties
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/texans/amp/2019-NFL-draft-countdown-Scouting-the-safeties-13778981.php

INDIANAPOLIS
Erickson Indianapolis Star: Colts draft preview: Ballard still looking for safety help despite veteran depth at position
https://amp.indystar.com/amp/3484514002

JACKSONVILLE
Freeman Florida Times Union: Lucky No. 7? Jaguars' draft position has been busy in recent years
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20190419/lucky-no-7-jaguars-draft-position-has-been-busy-in-recent-years?

Frenette Florida Times Union: Be bold, Jaguars, grab TE Hockenson if he's available
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20190419/gene-frenette-be-bold-jaguars-grab-te-hockenson-if-hes-available?

Heilman Florida Times Union: Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey responds to criticism from Tom Coughlin
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20190419/jaguars-cb-jalen-ramsey-responds-to-criticism-from-tom-coughlin?

McGough CBS Sports: Jaguars' Jalen Ramsey issues response to Tom Coughlin, gets recruited by Redskins' Landon Collins
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jaguars-jalen-ramsey-issues-response-to-tom-coughlin-gets-recruited-by-redskins-landon-collins/amp/

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Miller LA Times: Chargers draft analysis: Backup plans for Philip Rivers are in order
https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/la-sp-chargers-nfl-draft-quarterbacks-20190419-story.html

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Klein LA Times: Rams draft analysis: Pick could be groomed to replace Blake Bortles
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-nfl-draft-quarterbacks-20190419-story.html

Kartje OC Register: Rams 2019 NFL draft needs: Defense a priority this time around
https://www.ocregister.com/2019/04/19/rams-2019-nfl-draft-needs-defense-a-priority-this-time-around/amp/

Dennis Rams.com: “I was kind of licking my chops”- Brockers on what Fowler, Matthews add to the defense
https://www.therams.com/news/i-was-kind-of-licking-my-chops-brockers-on-what-fowler-matthews-add-to-the-defen

MIAMI
Cote Miami Herald: Dolphins drafting 13th recalls two instances of great luck, one of horrific tragedy
https://amp.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/greg-cote/article229457734.html

Jackson Miami Herald: Examining the Dolphins’ defensive options at No. 13 in the NFL Draft
https://amp.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article229099309.html

MINNESOTA
Krammer Minn Star Tribune: 2019 NFL Draft preview: Another one? Why Vikings may again draft to secondary
http://m.startribune.com/2019-nfl-draft-preview-another-one-why-vikings-may-again-draft-to-secondary/508799022/

NEW ENGLAND
Volin Boston Globe: Patriots can afford to take chances with the Draft because of Brady and Belichick
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2019/04/19/patriots-can-afford-take-chances-draft-because-brady-and-belichick/aACpi8b8xlNgC1FmZY3R8M/story.html

Princiotti Boston Globe: Patriots players are as much in the dark as fans about coaching vacancies.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/04/18/pnotes/aSVIjqx1qBO6Qc1JGJnzWN/story.html

Duffy Boston Herald: Patriots NFL Draft preview: Replacing Rob Gronkowski
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/04/20/patriots-nfl-draft-preview-replacing-rob-gronkowski/amp/

NEW YORK JETS
Damien Woody & #127937; (@damienwoody)
4/19/19, 4:58 PM
This Ed Oliver chatter to the #Jets has me very intrigued. The man played a zero NT position at Houston at 280lbs. Imagine him at the 3-tech or 5-tech in an one gap scheme

Rich Cimini (@RichCimini)
4/19/19, 6:45 PM
damienwoody: Scouts say he fits best as a 3-technique. Not big enough for a 5. Not sure how he’d fit with the Jets. Has been compared to Aaron Donald because of size and get-off, but Oliver is not on that level. Then again, who is?

OAKLAND
Gutierrez ESPN Oakland: What will a real (not a mock) Mike Mayock NFL draft look like for the Raiders?i
http://www.espn.com/blog/oakland-raiders/post/_/id/22987/what-will-a-real-not-a-mock-mike-mayock-nfl-draft-look-like-for-the-raiders?

PHILADELPHIA
McLane Phil.com: For Eagles player personnel VP Joe Douglas, the next NFL draft is his most important
https://www.philly.com/eagles/philadelphia-eagles-nfl-draft-joe-douglas-20190419.html

Domowitch Phil.com: NFL draft: Ben Fennell breaks down the ‘gadget’ players
https://www.philly.com/eagles/nfl-draft-prospects-deebo-samuel-mecole-hardman-tony-pollard-20190419.html

Kempski Phillyvoice: Eagles 2019 NFL Draft preview: Defensive tackle
https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-2019-nfl-draft-preview-defensive-tackle/

Kempski Phillyvoice: Eagles 2019 NFL Draft preview: Cornerback
https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-2019-nfl-draft-preview-cornerback/amp/#click=https://t.co/MGGNlSidop

PITTSBURGH
Dulac Pittsburgh Post Gazette: NFL draft: Why do the Steelers struggle with drafting cornerbacks?
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/04/19/NFL-draft-pittsburgh-steelers-cornerbacks-2019/stories/201904190099

SAN FRANCISCO
Martin 49ers.com: Jerick McKinnon is Optimistic about His Return and the Potential of 49ers Running Backs
https://www.49ers.com/news/jerick-mckinnon-is-optimistic-about-his-return-and-the-potential-of-49ers-runnin

Biderman Sac Bee: Why Joe Staley still attends 49ers’ voluntary workouts, even when he doesn’t have to
https://amp.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/article229485224.html

Branch SF Chronicle: If rave reviews count for anything, Nick Bosa should be the 49ers’ choice
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/amp/If-rave-reviews-count-for-anything-Nick-Bosa-13781915.php

SEATTLE
Clayton ESPN 710 Seattle: Everything we learned about the Seahawks this week — and what lies ahead
https://sports.mynorthwest.com/633535/clayton-recap-seahawks-productive-week/amp/

Condotta Seattle Times: The Seahawks’ top draft classes, best players and biggest busts under Pete Carroll and John Schneider
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/the-seahawks-top-classes-best-players-and-biggest-busts-under-pete-carroll-and-john-schneider/

Condotta Seattle Times: Analysis: A final accounting of Russell Wilson’s deal shows why he called it ‘a no-brainer
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/analysis-a-final-accounting-of-russell-wilsons-deal-shows-why-he-called-it-a-no-brainer/

TAMPA BAY
Stroud TB Times: Will the Bucs have a chance to catch a falling star in the NFL draft?
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2019/04/19/will-the-bucs-have-a-chance-to-catch-a-falling-star-in-the-nfl-draft/?

WASHINGTON
Stackpole Redskins.com: Extending Ioannidis Reflects Redskins' Continued Investment In The Trenches
https://www.redskins.com/news/extending-ioannidis-reflects-redskins-continued-investment-in-the-trenches

Colleges/Draft

Reuter NFL.com: Chad Reuter 7-round mock draft: Team by team

New York Giants

“» Round 1, No. 5 overall (from Buccaneers in projected trade): Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
» Round 1, No. 17 (from Browns): Rashan Gary, edge, Michigan
» Round 2, No. 37: N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
» Round 4, No. 108: Mitch Hyatt, OT, Clemson
» Round 5, No. 142 (from 49ers through Lions): Porter Gustin, LB, USC
» Round 5, 143: Jimmy Moreland, CB, James Madison
» Round 5, 171: Ross Pierschbacher, OG, Alabama
» Round 6, No. 180: Drue Tranquill, LB, Notre Dame
» Round 7, No. 232 (from Vikings): Blessuan Austin, CB, Rutgers
» Round 7, No. 245 (from Rams): Olive Sagapolu, DT, Wisconsin”

https://amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001027113/article/chad-reuter-2019-sevenround-nfl-mock-draft-team-by-team?

Glauber Newsday: Bob Glauber's NFL mini-mock draft

“6. Giants: Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
Giants’ defense is in need of a major upgrade, and Gary is a good place to start. He wasn’t super productive at Michigan, but his ceiling is high.
17. Giants: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
 Dave Gettleman needs to find a successor to Eli Manning.”

https://www.newsday.com/amp/sports/football/bob-glauber-s-nfl-mini-mock-draft-1.30000025

Biggs Chicago Tribune: Brad Biggs' NFL mock draft 2.0: There's a new name at No. 1

6. Giants: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
Dave Gettleman is old-school and believes in building a roster from the inside out. Taylor fills a need for a physical performer, and the Giants have a second first-round pick to grab a quarterback.
17. Giants (from Browns): Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
It’s worth wondering if the Giants will have to trade up from this spot to get a quarterback they like. Eli Manning can’t play forever.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/ct-spt-viz-nfl-mock-draft-brad-biggs-20190419-story.html

RB
Santoloquito Phillyvoice: Wes Hills' journey from Wildwood to NFL nearly came to crashing halt in Pa. woods
https://www.phillyvoice.com/nfl-draft-prospect-wes-hills-running-back-slippery-rock-wildwood-eagles-patriots/amp/

WR
McBride Boston Globe: Norte Dame’s Miles Boykin moves far receiving line
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/04/19/notre-dame-miles-boykins-moves-far-receiving-line/y0c6honePpNJklEHOKg6TJ/story.html

DT/DE
Grossman ESPN: Quinnen Williams is a 'next generation' tackle -- and a soon-to-be NFL star
http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2019/story/_/id/26554480/quinnen-williams-next-generation-tackle-soon-nfl-star?

DE
Edholm Yahoo Sports: Yahoo Sports' top 2019 NFL draft prospects, No. 8: Mississippi State EDGE Montez Sweat
https://sports.yahoo.com/yahoo-sports-top-2019-nfl-draft-prospects-no-8-mississippi-state-edge-montez-sweat-210036886.html

LB
Edholm Yahoo Sports: Yahoo Sports' top 2019 NFL draft prospects, No. 9: Michigan LB Devin Bush Jr.
https://sports.yahoo.com/news/yahoo-sports-top-2019-nfl-draft-prospects-no-9-michigan-lb-devin-bush-jr-143224538.html

History

Rohan MMQB: When the Canes Ruled the Draft: The Year Miami Had Six First-Rounders
Nick Saban’s Alabama is the school the NFL loves these days—with four first-rounders in each of the last two drafts, and maybe that many again in 2019. But no college can match the Miami class of 2004, which placed a record six players in the first round. Their draft stories capture the capricious unpredictability of the league’s evaluation and selection process.
https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/04/19/miami-hurricanes-2004-nfl-draft-record-six-players-first-round

Tomasson Twincities.com: Former Vikings tight end Joe Senser working way back from two ‘devastating’ strokes
https://www.twincities.com/2019/04/19/ex-vikings-pro-bowl-tight-end-joe-senser-working-way-back-from-two-devastating-strokes/

Giants Birthdays 4-20

John Carney PK FA-KC 2008 NYG 2008 4-20-1964

Rob Carpenter FB TR-HOU 1981 NYG 1981-1985 4-20-19

NYT (9-30-1981)

“The Giants, who wanted him last spring, traded yesterday for Rob Carpenter, a versatile 230 pound running back who became available partly because of the Jets.
The Jets' 33-17 victory over Houston last Sunday convinced Ed Biles, the new Oiler coach, that, instead of the diversified offense he promised when he took over the team this year, he would have to return to greater use of the I formation, with emphasis on Earl Campbell as the tailback. Carpenter had seen expanded running duties this year in the pro set formation, but Houston's offense was ineffective en route to a 2-2 record, prompting Biles to make the switch.

''We still plan to run a diversified offense with various sets,'' Biles said yesterday, ''but the I formation will play a larger role now, with Tim Wilson as the up back.'' Wilson is considered a better blocker than Carpenter.
On Monday, the day after being routed by the Jets, the Oilers called the Giants, who they knew were interested in Carpenter. To get the fifth year pro, who should help their weak running game, the Giants will give the Oilers the usual undisclosed draft choices, believed to be at least a fourth round selection, and other ''future considerations.''

Now He Has Him

''Every time I've seen him play, he's played well, and I've seen him play a lot,'' George Young, the Giants' general manager, said. ''I always said to myself, 'I wish he was on my team.' ''

Young said Coach Ray Perkins also liked Carpenter, who was on the National Football League's all-rookie team in 1977. Young said he did not know where Perkins planned on using Carpenter, who started at both halfback and fullback during his career with the Oilers. Carpenter practiced yesterday with the Oilers, so it is doubtful he will be in the Giants' starting lineup Sunday against the Green Bay Packers at Giants Stadium at the Meadowlands. Either Billy Taylor or Doug Kotar has been the starting halfback for the Giants this year, and Leon Perry the starting fullback.
''Ray asked me last spring about getting him,'' Young said of Carpenter. ''We talked to the Oilers as soon as they named their new coach, but he wanted to look over his team first.''

An All-Round Back

Carpenter, 26 years old, was a third-round draft choice out of Miami University in Ohio. He played halfback his rookie season, the year before Campbell arrived in Houston, and, despite missing three games because of injuries, he gained 652 yards rushing and caught 23 passes for 156 yards.
When the Oilers drafted Campbell in 1978, Carpenter became a fullback, used mostly for blocking and receiving. Still, he rushed for over 300 yards in each of the next three seasons, with an average of 4.1 yards a carry.
''He's a real all-round back,'' Young said. ''He's a good blocker, has good running moves and excellent hands.'' Last year Carpenter caught 43 passes for 346 yards and this year was the Oilers' leading receiver with 17 catches for 120 yards. He rushed only 18 times in the Oilers' first four games, for 74 yards. He had four carries for 19 yards Sunday against the Jets. In his career, he has rushed 433 times for 1,788 yards and 12 touchdowns and has caught 116 passes for 888 yards and two touchdowns. 'Too Good to Let Go By'
Carpenter is also tough. In a 1979 playoff victory, he rushed for 67 yards against San Diego after being on crutches in the morning. ''He's got a lot of enthusiasm,'' said Young.
''I don't like trades,'' said the general manager. ''But this was an opportunity. He's too good a player to let go by. And he's a guy who can help us for several seasons, a guy at the top of his game. He just didn't fit in with their plans.''
The Giants will have until this afternoon to make room on their 45-man roster for Carpenter.”

1981: Carpenter & Simms Spur Giants to Win Over Cards

“The New York Giants had been mired in mediocrity and out of the postseason for 17 consecutive years as they entered the 1981 NFL season. After winning two of their first three games in ’81, they lost two straight and were 2-3 as they prepared to take on the St. Louis Cardinals on October 11. But there was cause for optimism. The defense was strong, especially at linebacker where veterans Brad Van Pelt, Harry Carson, and Brian Kelley had been joined by first-round draft pick Lawrence Taylor, who was having an immediate impact. Third-year QB Phil Simms was still a promising work in progress. But a new factor was being introduced for the game against the Cardinals in the person of FB Rob Carpenter, who had just been received in a trade with the Houston Oilers with the hopes of improving the running game.

The fifth-year veteran Carpenter had labored in the shadow of Houston’s great RB Earl Campbell and, other than his rookie season in the pre-Campbell year of 1977 when he ran the ball 144 times for 652 yards, he had not carried more than 97 times in any one campaign. His rushing total in 57 games for the Oilers was 1788 yards while averaging 4.1 yards per carry, although he had caught 43 passes in 1980. In the first four contests of the ’81 season before being traded, Carpenter carried the ball just 18 times for 74 yards.

The visiting Cardinals, coached by Jim Hanifan, also came into the game at 2-3 after having beaten the Cowboys the previous week. RB Ottis Anderson was a well-established ground gainer in his third year and while 37-year-old veteran Jim Hart was still the starting quarterback, the promising Neil Lomax from Portland State had been drafted in the second round and was waiting in the wings. But while the offense had talent, the defense was a chronic source of problems.

There were 67,128 fans at Giants Stadium and they witnessed a scoreless first quarter before a New York fumble set up a 14-yard touchdown pass from Hart to TE Doug Marsh seven seconds into the second quarter.

The Giants responded with a 56-yard drive that ended with Joe Danelo kicking a 41-yard field goal to cut the St. Louis lead to 7-3. New York put together another scoring drive despite Simms being sacked twice along the way. He threw to WR Johnny Perkins for a five-yard TD to put the Giants in front.

An interception of a Hart pass by Brian Kelley set up another score before the half. Kelley returned the pickoff 16 yards to the St. Louis 33 and Simms again threw to Perkins for a touchdown, this time from seven yards out, with 31 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The Giants went into halftime with a 17-7 lead. Simms had thrown for 121 yards in the first half but was also sacked four times, at a cost of 22 yards.

The Giants scored again to start the third quarter as Danelo booted a 45-yard field goal to make it 20-7. New York then took control when Marsh fumbled after catching a pass from Hart and FS Beasley Reece recovered for the Giants at the New York 45. The Giants capitalized when Simms tossed a 22-yard touchdown pass to WR Earnest Gray and it was 27-7 heading into the final period.

The Cardinals narrowed the lead in the fourth quarter on a series highlighted by a Hart completion to WR Pat Tilley that picked up 34 yards. RB Theotis Brown capped the drive by running for a three-yard TD. But Carpenter crowned his debut with a 21-yard touchdown run that was set up in turn by a 24-yard carry by Simms. The Giants won handily by a score of 34-14.

New York outgained the Cardinals by 377 yards to 285 – most impressively, 198 of that total for the Giants came on the ground. The Giants also had the edge in first downs by 27 to 19. The St. Louis defense sacked Simms five times in all, to four sacks recorded by the Giants, but the Cardinals also turned the ball over four times to one suffered by the home team.

Rob Carpenter made an immediate impact with his new team by rushing for 103 yards on 14 carries that included a touchdown. Phil Simms (pictured below) completed 19 of 33 passes for 208 yards with three TDs and had none intercepted. Johnny Perkins led the receivers with 5 catches for 55 yards and two touchdowns.

For the Cardinals, Jim Hart, who was replaced late in the fourth quarter by the rookie Lomax, was successful on 17 of 26 throws for 195 yards with a TD and an interception. Ottis Anderson ran for 71 yards on 17 attempts and also caught a team-leading 5 passes for 47 yards. Doug Marsh gained 52 yards on his four pass receptions that also included a touchdown.

“It was the biggest game of the year for us,” summed up Phil Simms.

“It was a great victory, the greatest since I’ve been here,” echoed Head Coach Ray Perkins of the Giants.

“I was running behind a pretty good offensive line,” said Rob Carpenter. “It was the first time in two years that a line has given me the time to make a cut behind the line of scrimmage.”

With Carpenter adding a new dimension to the offense, the Giants went on to a 9-7 record to finish third in the NFC East and qualify for a Wild Card spot in the playoffs, thus making their first postseason appearance since 1963. They defeated the division-rival Eagles in the Wild Card round before succumbing to the 49ers in the Divisional playoff game. The Cardinals, with Lomax finishing out the year in place of Hart, ended up fifth in the division at 7-9.

Rob Carpenter had his best year, rushing the ball 190 times for 748 yards in his ten games with the Giants and catching 24 passes for 201 more yards (overall, adding in his statistics with Houston, he gained 822 yards on 202 carries). He went over a hundred yards rushing in four games and added 161 yards on 33 carries in the Wild Card win over Philadelphia.

Phil Simms also played well until a shoulder injury ended his season prematurely in the tenth game. He passed for 2031 yards with 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, but it was Scott Brunner behind center for the 4-1 run at the end of the regular season and the playoff contests.”

https://fs64sports.blogspot.com/2012/10/1981-carpenter-simms-spur-giants-to-win.html

12-29-1981

NYT: CARPENTER CARRIES GIANTS

“PHILADELPHIA UNDER the floodlights, Rob Carpenter spent the greater part of this dark, misting afternoon running up and down Veterans Stadium with a bunch of people in green jerseys hanging all over him. It was quite a sight.
Not only did Carpenter, the blond, stocky fullback of the Giants, routinely lug a host of Philadelphia Eagles as he made his plunges and dashes through the line, but he was also carrying the playoff hopes of his team.
He wound up the day gaining 161 yards on 33 carries, and the Giants finished with a 27-21 victory in their wild-card playoff game. The victory sent them into the National Conference semifinal game next Sunday at San Francisco against the 49ers.
And it sent the home crowd of 71,611 drooping out of the stadium, their red and yellow slickers glistening and their green-and-white Eagle ski hats soggy.
Carpenter didn't score any touchdowns - he didn't have to. He got the yardage when his team needed it for field position, or to set up one of the three touchdown passes by the quarterback Scott Brunner, and, finally, to keep possession of the ball as the clock ran down.

Carpenter carried all but nine of the Giant running plays from scrimmage. His 33 carries was four more than that of the entire Eagle backfield. Ever since he came to the Giants in a trade with the Oilers earlier this season, he has been the most reliable runner they have.
Several times in this game, he had the wind knocked out of him. Once, it looked particularly grievous. Near the end of the second period, after being flattened after a gain, he lay supine for several moments. Then slowly, one limb after the other hooked back together, and he returned to the huddle.
The Giants jumped to a surprising 27-7 lead at the half, and then hung on. The Eagles, the defending National Conference champions, scored a touchdown in the third period, and again in the fourth. It was now 27-21.
''We were concerned, sure,'' said Carpenter after the game. ''Not biting our nails concerned, but hey, we knew that the Eagles were hot now, and they have a potent offense. We knew we had to control the ball. If they got it again, they could score. And we'd be finished.''
The Eagles kicked off, and Louis Jackson returned the ball to the Giants' 30-yard line. There was no question about the Giant strategy. It would be Carpenter right, Carpenter left, and Carpenter over, under and through the middle.

But wait. An Eagle was hurt on the field. It was Jo Jo Heath, who had made the tackle on the kickoff return. He was carried off the field on a stretcher. While Heath was taken from the field, men on horseback rode on. In the old days, they would have been the cavalry coming to the rescue. Today, they are the police in white riot helmets who are there to control the crowd at game's end.
Play is resumed. Carpenter gets a handoff and bangs through for a 6-yard gain. On the next play, it is Carpenter again for a 3-yard gain.
There are two minutes left in the game, and the Giants have third down and 1 yard to go for a first down, on their 39-yard line. The game hinges on the next play. If the Giants make the first down, they can run out the clock. If not, they would have to punt, and the Eagles have time to score.

Brunner, of course, is aware of the beating Carpenter is taking. He is also aware that Carpenter came into the game with an assortment of injuries, including a bad ankle.
''How you feelin','' Brunner asks him. ''Good,'' says Carpenter. ''If he was hurt or tired,'' says Brunner later. ''I know he would have told me. We couldn't afford a turnover at this point.'' Carpenter gets the call again. He follows the center Jim Clack's block and barrels ahead for 5 yards and a first down. As Carpenter gets up, so do the majority of Eagle fans, who sat until this, the bitter end.
In the locker room after the game, Carpenter sat on a table in his white uniform with artificial-turf stains and spoke to a large gathering of reporters.
His blond hair was in bangs across his forehead, and his wrists and ankles were still held solid with tape. ''Yes,'' he said, ''this is the best football day of my life. It's the greatest football game I've ever played in or been associated with.''
He spoke softly, as though he were rocking on the porch of his farm near Junction City, Ohio, swatting flies in the summertime. ''I'd have to say,'' he continued, his hazel eyes brightening, ''that being born, getting married, and becoming a Giant were the three greatest days of my life.''

https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/28/sports/carpenter-carries-giants.html

1982

NYT: PLAYERS; REALITY OF A CONTRACT DISPUTE

“The memory lingers of Rob Carpenter running with the football for the Giants. The image strengthens as the Giants, in losing their second straight exhibition game Sunday, are playing without Carpenter, who sits home in Houston. He sits because of a contract dispute with the team, a dispute that exemplifies the stranglehold the National Football League has on its players.
Meanwhile, in the mind's eye, we see Carpenter, stocky and unrelievedly determined, last Dec. 27 in the playoff game in Philadelphia against the Eagles. It is a dark, misting afternoon. The crowd sits in colorful, glistening slickers. On the field, Carpenter is virtually the entire Giant running attack - demonstrating, as the Giant general manager, George Young, said, a deft ''pickability'' for holes.
It is the Giants' first playoff game in 18 years, and Carpenter, who gains 161 yards on 33 carries, leads them to a 27-21 victory. Carpenter had come from Houston in a trade early in the season, and, with an average of 4 yards a carry, helped transform the Giants - on their way to another lackluster year-into an exciting team that won five of its last seven games. The two defeats - once in regular season and then in the playoffs - were by the 49ers, the eventual Super Bowl champion.
''There was something magical about it,'' Carpenter says, referring to the latter part of the season. ''It was 45 guys coming together, and pulling together. It was thrilling.''
E xpectations were high for Carpenter and the Giants for this season. But so far this season the Giants are without him. Carpenter became a free agent on paper this year, and he and the Giants have not resolved the differences regarding the figures on the bottom line. Carpenter was receiving an estimated $100,000 a year. The Giants want to pay him about $200,000 a year for three years, but Carpenter is asking for about $350,000 annually.

Whether Carpenter deserves as much as he and his agent, Gary Wichard, are asking is not, however, the primary issue. For Carpenter the problem is that no other N.F.L. team will make a bid for him.
''So I'm not really a free agent in that sense,'' says Carpenter. ''I haven't heard from any other team and I don't expect to. After all, if Walter Payton received no offers when he became a free agent, Rob Carpenter certainly won't.''
The contention of Carpenter and Wichard and the National Football League Players Association is that N.F.L. teams are so rich that they don't need to bid for talent, don't need to win on the field to make a lot of money.

Each team shares equally in the lucrative television and playoff revenues, and almost every team regularly plays to capacity crowds. In fact, the Giants, even though a miserable team for most of the last 18 years, remained one of the most profitable franchises in the league.
There is no reason, according to N.F.L. critics, for teams then to enter a bidding war for players. And they haven't. Carpenter has four options: he can sign with the Giants at their price -which Young, the general manager, says is ''completely fair''; he can leave his country in order to earn a living and play in Canada; he can entertain thoughts of playing in the United States Football League, a league just forming, or he can stay in Houston where, he says, he has been heartened to receive several good business offers.
C arpenter and the Giants express hope that a new contract will be agreed to before the season is scheduled to start, in two weeks. ''But the Giants had from February to July to sign me if they were serious,'' Carpenter says.
Young says, ''We want the guy, we like the guy, and we hope he chooses to play for us.'' Carpenter seems to be adjusting to life without football. ''I thought I'd be depressed,'' he says, ''but I'm not. I miss it, sure, but I'm content.'' He says he likes spending the time around the house and with his wife, Suzy, a junior high school physical education teacher. ''And I feel I'm doing what's right.
''Football is something I've done since the third grade, and up to now it has pretty much ruled my life. ''The classic confrontation was between football and marriage. It was 1977, and I was graduating from Miami of Ohio. I told Suzy that we'd get married if I got drafted by the pros in the first three rounds. Then you're pretty sure of making the team; after the third round you aren't. And I didn't want to take away from a new marriage by worrying about making a pro team, which was my lifelong dream.
''Well, I was the very last pick in the third round, and that summer we got married. ''But football now isn't what I consider my career. It's just an extension of what I've been doing all my life. I've got a degree in school administration and that's the kind of thing I want to do eventually.''

Of course, there isn't the kind of money in teaching that there is in football. ''That's O.K., we'll get along,'' he says, with a laugh. ''My wife works.”

https://www.nytimes.com/1982/08/24/sports/players-reality-of-a-contract-dispute.html


B.J. Hill RDE D3 NC State 2018 NYG 2018 4-20-1996

In Memoriam

Glenn Campbell RE UDFA-Emporia State 1929 NYG 1929-1933 Born 4-20-1904 Died 9-16-1973

Emporia HOF

“Glenn "Slim" Campbell was a four-year football letterman from 1925-28 and also played on the basketball team.  As an end, he was named to the all-conference first-team for four years and the all-state first-team for three seasons.  He was a second-team all-state selection for one year.  He played on the Hornets’ conference championship teams in 1926 and ’27 when the teams had a combined 14-0-1 record.  Regarded as two of ESU’s best football teams, the Hornets shut out 12 of their 15 opponents and allowed only three touchdowns and a field goal in those two years.  Campbell, who is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame, was captain of the 1928 football team.  After his collegiate career, he played professionally for six years with the New York Giants.”

11-27-1929 Glenn “Slim” Campbell plays real football with New York Giants The Bulletin

“Glenn “Slim” Campbell former Yellowjacket football captain, showed New Yorkers this season that Kansas has real football players. Campbell played his last year of amateur football with the Emporia Teachers College, then signed a contract last spring to play professional football with the New York Giants.
He has playing regularly at right end and has been getting a big hand from New York fans.

A recent quotation from the New York Times complimented Campbell on his quick headwork. The clipping of the New York Giants-Chicago Bear football game stated, “With the ball on the Bears 30-yard line, Benny Friedman shot a 15 yard pass to Campbell standing free and clear of Chicago lineman, into the midst of Chicago secondaries. Campbell caught the ball, waited for the interference to form, then run the rest of the distance to the goal line.” The touchdown was the first one of the game. He has not banished his old custom of throwing his headgear to the sidelines when things are not going well, and the Times also stated that the rioters have learned to cheer when he throws his headgear on the field.

Whether Campbell is going into politics or whether Al Smith, former governor of New York and presidential candidate last year is going into football doesn’t matter much. Anyway the former Yellowjacket and the former presidential candidate posed together for a picture which appeared in the New York Times recently. Campbell was in his familiar costume of the gridiron, while “Al” wore his silk hat and dark frock suit.

The Giants are in the running for the national professional championship this year, having won ten games and tied one. A team in New Jersey managed to hold them to a tie game.

Campbell’s contract with the New York team expires December 22, and in a letter to his father D.M. Campbell, 315 Sylvan Street, he stated that he would be home soon after. A rumor is about that “Slim” has signed a contract for another year; however that is not certain.”

1931

1931: AP From November 3, 1931 The warden at Sing Sing prison, was starting a football program and was looking for volunteer coaches. The New York Giants "immediately responded," “They announced that six players, Ray Flaherty, Glenn Campbell, Bill Owen, Butch Gibson, Dale Burnett and Ted Bucklin, would be 'incarcerated' long enough to give the Sing Sing boys a few pointers."

Giants owner Tim Mara had donated enough old uniforms and equipment to get the program started a few weeks prior to this.

Inspiration for the “Longest Yard”?

He missed the 1934 season

CAMPBELL IN HOSPITAL
SEPT 25 (New York) - “Glenn Campbell, for five years an end on the New York Giants professional football team, remained in critical condition today at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, where he underwent an operation for removal of a ruptured appendix Sunday. Hospital authorities said the star wingman was "still on the danger list."

1935
In 1935 he was traded to the Eagles

Emporia Gazette
“Glenn Campbell former Teachers College football star will probably play professional football in new surroundings next season.
News dispatches from New York reveal Campbell has been traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. Campbell has played with the Giants for six years. Campbell this morning said he had not yet received official notice oi his transfer to Philadelphia. He indicated he would report to his new club at the start of the training season.

Campbell was graduated from the Teachers college in 1928 after a distinguished gridiron record and was signed at once by the New York Giants. For five years he was outstanding end on the team.

He was stricken with appendicitis just at the start of last season and the operation kept him out of action.”

“Jesse Quatse former All-American tackle at Pittsburgh comes to the Giants in a 3 comered deal by which the Pittsburgh Pirates will receive Swede Ellstjm from the Philadelphia Eagles and the Giants will send Hank Reese former Temple center to the Philadelphia club and Glenn Campbell veteran end from Emporia who did not play last season because of an appendicitis operation also will be sent to the Eagles.”

Ewell Phillips G UDFA-Oklahoma Baptist 1936 NYG 1936 Born 4-20-1909 Died 12-31-1990