Giants
NJ Governor Phil Murphy: Professional sports teams in NJ may return to training and even competition – if their leagues choose to move in that direction. We have been in constant discussions with teams about necessary protocols to protect the health and safety of players, coaches, and personnel.
Traina SI.com: Giants Facing Significant Financial Loss if Fans Can't Attend NFL Games in 2020
“According to a report by Forbes, the Giants could lose an estimated $262 million in team stadium revenue and an estimated $519 million in total revenue if conditions do not permit the admittance of fans in the stands this fall.
The $519 million total revenue lost would put the Giants third, behind the Cowboys and Patriots among the teams that would be the hardest hit if the status quo doesn’t change in time for kickoff.
And although the Giants franchise, according to Forbes Sports Money’s 2019 NFL Valuation List, is worth an estimated $3.9 billion, it’s hard not to imagine the lost revenue not taking a bite out of the club’s operations...”
https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/news/giants-facing-significant-financial-loss-if-fans-cant-attend-nfl-games-in-2020
Gaudin WPI: WPI Grad Lands Dream Position with N.Y. Giants
“The 2020 graduate and wide receiver for the WPI Engineers is joining the New York Giants. No, he won’t be on the gridiron; Ewen has retained a full-time, paid internship as a data analyst for the Giants, making sense of the fire hose of information the team brings in during every game, helping them play smarter and more efficiently...
There is an increased focus on data in football,” says Ty Siam, director of football data and innovation for the NY Giants. “We need people who can understand it and also speak about it to non-technical audiences, like coaches and scouts. We get a ton of data for every game and about every player in any given season. The challenge is first and foremost to come up with good questions to apply to the data, so you need people who can work with the data and who know the game well enough to come up with those important questions.”
With the need to compile, understand, and use data, Robertson says he wasn’t too surprised when a representative from the Giants called him asking about graduating seniors who played the game and studied computer science or electrical and computer engineering. And he didn’t hesitate to suggest Ewen.
“It makes complete sense,” the coach adds. “They didn’t just want technical people but people who have an understanding of the game, as well. Clark is the perfect person for what they wanted. I felt the guy from the Giants light up when I talked to him about Clark.”
Siam says they reached out to several engineering schools looking for potential interns who were technically minded and had a strong understanding of football, though he declined to say how many 2020 interns they hired in total.
“We do want to build a pipeline of candidates, like Clark, to keep going,” says Siam, noting that Giants general manager Dave Gettleman is from the Boston area and wasn’t surprised they found a great candidate at WPI. “We’re impressed with the quality of student athletes there. I think Clark has a unique skill set between his computer systems knowledge and also his leadership role on the WPI football team. That made him a compelling candidate.”
Robertson says he anticipates the Giants will call him again, and it’s an opportunity he’s been talking about with high school juniors and seniors.
The coach noted that he’s excited that Ewen, who he describes as highly competitive, smart and analytical, is getting this kind of opportunity. “How cool is it for a Division 3 college football player to say he’s going to work for the N.Y. Giants? It’s one in a million, really,” says Robertson.
For Ewen, though, landing his dream internship was all in the preparation. Playing football gave him the discipline to get the job done, not just on the field but also in the classroom.
“At WPI, they teach you about solving problems,” he says. “It’s not dependent on your major. WPI does a good job of preparing students for whatever it is they want to do. For me, I could always learn a new programming language, but it’s another thing to learn how to problem solve and go about making good decisions. I’m a data-driven person. That gets engrained in you at WPI. And I think data is the future of sports in general.”
Ewen will begin working with the Giants as the team gathers for pre-season training.”
https://www.wpi.edu/news/wpi-grad-lands-dream-position-ny-giants
QB
Accuracy-always always important-MOST IMPORTANT vs Man D. Daniel_Jones10 showed last year he’s got that covered. Giants fans should be excited for their future with #8
WR
Traina SI.com: Receivers Preview: Will the Giants Regret Not Drafting at this Position?
https://www.si.com/.amp-nygiants/nfl/giants/news/receivers-preview-will-the-giants-regret-not-drafting-at-this-position
Bobby Skinner: Golden Tate w/ Daniel Jones
9 games played
47 catches 614 yards 5 TD
16 game rate
84 catches 1092 yards 9 TD
He’s not the receiver he once was but he was a flat out play maker for Daniel Jones.
Valentine BBV: Can New York Giants’ Cody Core be more than a special teams star?
https://www.bigblueview.com/platform/amp/2020/5/26/21269582/can-new-york-giants-cody-core-be-more-than-a-special-teams-star
T
Giants.com: Inside the Film Room: David Diehl analyzes OT Matt Peart
David Diehl, a two-time Super Bowl champion offensive lineman, breaks down the tape of Giants third-round pick Matt Peart (Video)
https://www.giants.com/video/inside-the-film-room-david-diehl-analyzes-ot-matt-peart
C
Rosenblatt NJ.com: This available Giants free agent (and potential starter) is getting healthy: Will they re-sign him?
https://www.nj.com/giants/2020/05/this-available-giants-free-agent-and-potential-starter-is-getting-healthy-will-they-sign-him-back.html
Joe Halapio: Thank you God for healing me and bringing me to this point in my rehab process. 1st time doing some explosive work. I’m at 21 weeks post Achilles op. Feeling great and staying ahead! God is helping me grow and heal. BUT I never been scared to get to work
DE
Traina SI.com: Giants Player Profile | Oluwole Betiku Jr, DL
https://www.si.com/.amp-nygiants/nfl/giants/news/giants-player-profile-oluwole-betiku-jr-dl
ILB
Pflum BBV: The Chris and Joe Show: Breaking down T.J. Brunson (Audio)
https://www.bigblueview.com/2020/5/27/21270420/the-chris-and-joe-show-breaking-down-t-j-brunson-ny-giants-2020-nfl-draft-podcast
Valentine BBV: Tae Crowder looking for role as backup linebacker, special teamer
https://www.bigblueview.com/platform/amp/2020/5/27/21270051/ny-giants-mr-irrelevant-tae-crowder-looking-for-role-as-backup-linebacker-special-teamer
CB
Traina SI.com: Giants Player Profile: James Bradberry, CB
https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/news/giants-player-profile-james-bradberry-cb
Falato SI.com: Giants Player Profile: Sam Beal, CB
https://www.si.com/.amp-nygiants/nfl/giants/news/giants-player-profile-sam-beal
ST
Schwartz NYP: Giants’ Aldrick Rosas under pressure for bounce-back year
https://nypost.com/2020/05/26/giants-need-another-pro-bowl-season-from-aldrick-rosas/amp/
NFL
Glazer The Athletic: Glazer’s NFL mailbag: Will the rest of the league catch up to Lamar Jackson?
https://theathletic.com/1836009/2020/05/26/jay-glazer-mailbag-will-the-ravens-lamar-jackson-continue-frustrating-opponents/
Robinson Yahoo Sports: Sources: NFL head coaches may return to facilities next week, with minicamps to potentially follow in June
https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-nfl-head-coaches-may-return-to-facilities-next-week-with-minicamps-to-potentially-follow-in-june-161706749.html
Albert Breer MMQB: NFL coaches received revisions to Philly's 4th-and-15 onside-kick alternative this AM with 2 major addendums, I'm told. Those are ...
• The option is for regulation only. Can't be used in OT.
• It will be an untimed down.
These clean up some expected unintended consequences.
Linsey PFF: Most underrated player on all 32 NFL teams ahead of the 2020 NFL season
“NEW YORK GIANTS: DB JULIAN LOVE
The Giants’ secondary has some definite question marks with DeAndre Baker facing possible legal trouble and an unproven group at cornerback behind free agent acquisition James Bradberry. But Julian Love is someone they should feel pretty good about after a promising start to his NFL career as a rookie last season. Love is a guy who graded extremely well at the college ranks as an outside cornerback for the Fighting Irish, earning coverage grades of 83.7 and 90.9 during his final two seasons with Notre Dame. Love followed that up by coming away from the 2019 season with an encouraging 70.5 overall grade despite being a 21-year-old rookie playing a new position. Whether he remains at safety or moves back to cornerback to potentially fill in for Baker outside, Love is a player to watch as he enters his second season.”
https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-most-underrated-player-on-all-32-nfl-teams-ahead-of-the-2020-nfl-season
ARIZONA
McManaman AZ Republic: Kenyan Drake: Arizona Cardinals could 'be a nuisance for everybody in NFC West for years to come'
https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2020/05/26/kenyan-drake-cardinals-could-be-nuisance-everybody-nfc-west-years-come/5263239002/
BALTIMORE
Walker Baltimore Sun: Eyeing breakout season, Ravens wide receiver Miles Boykin strives to make his mind as fast as his body
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-miles-boykin-20200526-37cpqxw3dzh2fovd63w57wrm3y-story.html
CHICAGO
Biggs Chicago Tribune: Chicago Bears Q& A: Does Adam Shaheen still have potential? Who could be a splashy addition for the offensive line? Is Nick Foles a bridge to the QB future — or the answer?
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-cb-chicago-bears-mailbag-20200527-egobcdfdwbhapejzqst3gk5udu-story.html
DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Why switching Detroit Lions CB Jamal Agnew to WR this fall makes sense
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2020/05/26/detroit-lions-jamal-agnew-wide-receiver-convert-switch-cornerback/5259844002/
GREEN BAY
Wood Mil JS: Packers coaches must balance how to prioritize Aaron Rodgers while developing Jordan Love
https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2020/05/27/packers-coaches-must-balance-prioritizing-aaron-rodgers-while-developing-jordan-love/5259854002/
HOUSTON
McClain Houston Chronicle: A theory on lack of minority head coaches in NFL
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/john-mcclain/article/McClain-A-theory-on-lack-of-minority-head-15296213.php
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
John Clayton Washington Post: The Chargers needed a strong offseason to keep up in the AFC West. They got one
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/05/27/chargers-needed-strong-offseason-keep-up-afc-west-they-got-one/
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Greg Beacham AP: Sean McVay says this NFL offseason has taught him the importance of trying to "eliminate the fluff from your day." He's learned about the importance of balance in life, and not being obsessed with performative grinding. He's working out more, sleeping more and drinking more wine
Klein LA Times: Rams’ Jalen Ramsey on pace for big contract extension, and he knows it
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2020-05-26/rams-jalen-ramsey-on-pace-for-big-contract-extension-and-he-knows-it
Jordan Rodrigue ESPN LA: So, to recap:
- Jalen Ramsey won’t hold out of training camp if an extension doesn’t happen; however the indication between very communicative parties has been since the trade that it will happen this offseason.
- Sean McVay is more impressed by the day with Ramsey, as a leader & nplayer, and hopes he’s a Ram for a long time.
- Big future plans for Ramsey and his versatility from DC Staley.
- McVay added that he does believe Ramsey is the type of player who can re-set the CB market; my belief is that such a deal is well north of $15M and closer to $20M
MIAMI
Salguero Miami Herald: The multiple issues involved in keeping Josh Rosen with the Miami Dolphins for now
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article243014586.html
Salguero Miami Herald: Dolphins’ LT Jackson vs. Bills’ DE Epenesa is going to be a thing. And Jackson must do better
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article242993041.html
Jackson Miami Herald: Where the Miami Dolphins stand on defense and how position and roster battles stack up
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/barry-jackson/article242469136.html
MINNESOTA
Smith Vikings.com: Vikings UDFA WR Dan Chisena Has Speed to Burn
https://www.vikings.com/news/dan-chisena-vikings-ufda-speed-to-burn
NEW ENGLAND
Ruiz For the Win USA Today: The 2 concepts that elevated the Patriots pass defense into a league of its own
https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/05/new-england-patriots-defense-2019-concept-analysis
Cox NESN Boston: Nick Coe Takeaways: Can Once-Promising Prospect Find Role With Patriots?
https://nesn.com/2020/05/nick-coe-takeaways-can-once-promising-prospect-find-role-with-patriots/amp/
NEW ORLEANS
Nick Underhill NO Football: The difference between this Saints team and any of the ones between 2017-2019, on paper, is the depth. The 50th guy on the depth chart was probably contributing for a team that was in the playoffs last year
Mike Triplett ESPN NO: Source confirms that Saints DE Noah Spence tore his ACL while training away from the team. Disappointing news for the fifth-year vet and another wrinkle to this unconventional offseason
Johnson Nola.com: Newest Saint Anthony Chickillo grateful for a fresh start with a winning organization
https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_b4b8eeaa-9f9f-11ea-83a8-03cffd1f87a1.amp.html
NEW YORK JETS
Costello NYP: Joe Flacco was ‘going crazy’ before deciding on Jets
https://nypost.com/2020/05/26/jets-joe-flacco-wants-to-serve-as-sam-darnolds-mentor/
Costello NYP: Jets finally turn attention toward fixing their kicking woes
https://nypost.com/2020/05/26/jets-finally-turn-attention-toward-fixing-their-kicking-woes/
PHILADELPHIA
McMullen SI.com: Examining the NFC East: Quarterbacks
“3. - New York Giants - Many criticized Dave Gettleman for taking Daniel Jones at No. 6 overall in last year’s draft but the thought around the NFL is that if you like a QB, don’t wait and the Giants’ GM showed the courage of his convictions.
The early signs were good from an arm-talent perspective as Jones showed without a doubt that he can make any throw you ask in 12 starts as a rookie. The issue comes with ball security and a mind-numbing 18 fumbles.
“You can’t play in this league if you don’t take care of the football,” a former NFC scout said. “To me that's the first thing I think about. I don’t want to hear about anything else until that's fixed.”
The backup situation is just OK as New York pilfered division rivals to bring in Colt McCoy and Cooper Rush, the latter of which was with new OC Jason Garrett in Dallas but not deemed competent enough to play when needed.”
https://www.si.com/nfl/eagles/news/examining-the-nfc-east-quarterbacks
McMullen Phillyvoice: Unlike Nick Foles, Jalen Hurts could bring real QB controversy to Eagles
https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-qb-controversy-carson-wentz-jalen-hurts-dak-prescott-nick-foles-doug-pederson/
PITTSBURGH
Benz Pittsburgh Tribune Review: If Minkah Fitzpatrick starts moving around, which Steelers move with him?
https://triblive.com/sports/tim-benz-if-minkah-fitzpatrick-starts-moving-around-which-steelers-move-with-him/
SEATTLE
Condotta Seattle Times: Analysis: Why Seattle is signing Carlos Hyde, and how the running back corps looks now
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/analysis-why-seattle-is-signing-carlos-hyde-and-how-the-running-back-corps-looks-now/?
TENNESSEE
QB Data Mine: Ryan Tannehill was 65.3% accurate on play action plays, the sixth-best rate in the NFL.
WASHINGTON
Cadeaux NBC Sports Washington: Ron Rivera: Alex Smith must be able to 'protect himself' before he can return to football
https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/redskins/ron-rivera-alex-smith-must-be-able-protect-himself-he-can-return-football
Colleges/Draft
QB
PFF College: Most TDs on throws 30+ yards downfield in 2019:
Sam Howell, UNC - 15
Justin Fields, Ohio State - 10
Joe Burrow, LSU - 10
Shane Buechele, SMU - 10
Former Giants News
Smith Gwinnett Daily Post: Pat Hodgson's interesting journey from Georgia Bulldogs through NFL
“Looking back to 1978, Hodgson, following nine years coaching the quarterbacks and receivers at Georgia, felt a change in scenery might enhance his career. He took a job at Texas Tech with Rex Dockery. Hodgson had hardly unpacked his bags when an old friend, Ray Perkins, called and asked him to come to San Diego to interview with the Chargers. Dockery had his eye on the Memphis State job, which he took a year later so Hodgson didn’t feel he was being ungrateful to explore other options.
Hodgson's interest in professional football was latent but intriguing. Tommy Prothro, the Charger coach, interviewed him over a bridge game. They played bridge for two days, which led an antsy Hodgson asking if they were going to talk football. "Oh," said Prothro, who played prep football at Riverside Academy in Gainesville, "you got the job yesterday, I just wanted to talk to you again."
As the tight end/receivers coach for the Chargers, Hodgson began to wonder what he had gotten himself into when Prothro was fired after four games into the 1978 season. Don Coryell took over. At the end of the season, Perkins became the head coach of the New York Giants and offered Hodgson a job.
"I had a one-year contract and wondered what the hell I was doing," Hodgson says, "but I was also single so going to New York with Ray was not a problem."
Employment with the Giants came brought about a nice raise — but also a higher cost of living. In order to buy a house, Giant owner Wellington Mara had to co-sign Pat's note.
Coryell had prevailed upon Hodgson to hang back for a couple of weeks to teach the Air Coryell offense to the new receivers coach, who happened to be Joe Gibbs. You know the rest of Joe's story — Super Bowl victories and NASCAR victory lanes.
As he was settling in at New York, Hodgson got a call from Bill Parcells, who then was the head coach at the Air Force Academy. He and Hodgson had coached together at Florida State in the early 1970s. "See if you can get me in to see Perk, tell him I want a job with the Giants," Parcells lobbied. Hodgson successfully interceded on Parcell's behalf. Perkins hired Parcells as his linebacker coach. While with the Giants, Hodgson worked with Bill Belichick for nine years.
When Perkins left for Alabama in 1982, the Giants hired Parcells, who fired Hodgson in 1987. So much for loyalty. Pat went into business for three years with a development firm that built a health club of which Parcells became a member. One day after a workout, Parcells asked Hodgson to have a drink with him, which allowed for the former Bulldog receiver to ask Parcells why he was fired. "I made a big mistake, and I am truly sorry," Parcells said. Parcells later asked Pat to help put together a staff for the Tampa Bay job, which fell apart at the last minute.
About that time, Ron Erhardt, the offensive coordinator when Hodgson joined the Giants, was moving to Pittsburgh in 1992 as offensive coordinator and arranged for Hodgson to join him as tight ends coach. Hodgson coached with Bill Cowher and Steelers for four years. He then made his last coaching stop back in New York, this time with the Jets from 1996 to 2000...
Having coached with three super successful Super Bowl coaches — Parcells, Belichick and Cowher, Hodgson experienced over the top success. His memory is chock-full of interesting vignettes and episodes, which are insightful. His take on the three Bills:
Parcells: A tough love motivator; good at getting the most out of his players. He knew when a pat on the back was best and when to apply a kick to the seat of the pants. He was an excellent administrator, a very smart defensive coach. His relationship with the New York press was remarkable. They are tough, but Bill could hold his own.
Belichick: The best all-around coach I have ever seen. He was the best at learning from his mistakes, the best at finding a way to beat you. He could always find an opponent's weakness and was really good at finding players nobody else seemed to know about — like David Andrews (Georgia center) who didn't get invited to the combine. He is uncanny at finding players who are team guys, the ones who play unselfish, which is why the Patriots have had so much success.
Cowher: He was a player's coach who won big games in a weak division. He had good players, especially on defense. His defensive staff was as good as you could want — Dick LeBeau, Marvin Lewis and Dom Capers. That defense got Pittsburgh to the Super Bowl with Neil O'Donnell at quarterback.”
https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/sports/smith-pat-hodgsons-interesting-journey-from-georgia-bulldogs-through-nfl/article_bc8b33c4-9fc0-11ea-86de-4fde761de489.html
History
Zagorski PFJ: Dissecting the Original Hail Mary Pass
http://nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com/2020/05/dissecting-original-hail-mary-pass.html
Giants Birthdays 5-27
Izel Jenkins CB W-MIN 1993 NYG 1993 5-27-1964
Daniel Jones QB D1-Duke 2019 NYG 2019 5-27-1997
Battista NFL.com: Giants' Daniel Jones among Year 2 players set to make big leaps
“There are two players I am most looking forward to watching, for very different reasons.
First, I want to see what Daniel Jones will do behind an improved Giants offensive line and with ex-Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett as his offensive coordinator. Jones completed 61.9 percent of his passes for 3,027 yards in 13 games last season. He had 24 touchdown passes and, maybe most importantly, he eased the Giants into their next generation following Eli Manning's retirement. Not so great: Jones was a turnover machine, throwing 12 interceptions and losing 11 fumbles. He has been spending time this offseason working specifically on ball security. I have high hopes for Jones, because the Giants finally committed to fixing their offensive line. Jones was sacked 38 times and took 66 hits in just 13 games as a rookie, and the amount of pressure he was under almost certainly played a role in Jones' lack of downfield throws. Garrett won't find a receiver like Amari Cooper on this roster, but if Jones is going to blossom the way the Giants expect, we should see a big step this year...”
https://www.nfl.com/news/giants-daniel-jones-among-year-2-players-set-to-make-big-leaps
Andy Nelson SS TR-BAL 1964 NYG 1964 5-27-1933
Baltimore Sun (2012)
“The black-and-white photo hangs unobtrusively on a back wall in Andy Nelson's barbeque joint in Cockeysville. But the picture, taken 53 years ago, captures a pivotal play in the Colts' second world championship, a 31-16 victory over the Giants at a packed Memorial Stadium in 1959.
There is Frank Gifford, New York's Hall of Fame halfback, poised to catch a pass. And there is Nelson, the Colts' All Pro safety, swooping in with arms outstretched, ready to intercept.
Steal it, Nelson did. The play broke the Giants' backs. Trailing, 14-9 in the fourth quarter, New York never recovered. Three plays later, Baltimore scored, then again and again, galvanizing the crowd and busting open the game.
Nowadays Nelson, 79, stares at the photo and shakes his head.
"I should have scored on that play," he said. "I ran it back 17 yards before (New York tackle) Rosey Brown ran me out of bounds (at the Giants' 14).
"When I came off the field, (Coach) Weeb Ewbank gave me a pat on the back. He already knew that was the key play."
So did the fans. Afterward, walking to their car, Nelson and his wife were met by a woman who embraced the Colts' star, then gave him a kiss.
"Who was that?" Bettye Nelson asked.
Truth be told, the newly-minted hero had no idea.
"Those were special times," said Nelson, who joined the club in 1957 as an 11th round draft pick from Memphis State and stayed for seven seasons. "I was so fortunate to come to the Colts. How many guys get to play on two world champions in the first three years of their careers?"
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bs-sp-catching-up-andy-nelson-20121218-story.html
NYT: (8-25-1964) FAIRFIELD, Conn., Aug. 25—“The winds of change blew with hurricane force today as the football Gianta shed 10 players and added three now ones.
Gone are Hugh McElhenuy, Phil King, Glynn Griffing, Lou Kirouac and Louis Guy from last year's team, plus five rookies Millard Fleming, a defensive back from Marshall; Bill Pashe, a defensive back from George Washington; Frank Lasky, a tackle from Florida; Tom Costello, a linebacker from Dayton, and Joe Don Looney. a fullback from Oklahoma, the team's No. 1 draft choice.
Kirouac, a second‐string tackle last year, and Looney went to the Baltimore Colts in exchange for R. C. Owens, a passcatcher, and Andy Nelson, an excellent defensive back. Both are seven‐year pro players.
Nelson is counted on to replace the retired Ed Dove as a top‐grade safety man. Owens was a prime receiver for Y. A. Tittle when both played for San Francisco some years ago.
The third new player is the defensive coach, Andy Robustelli, who has un‐retired and will play end again this year, his 14th season.
Robustelll had seemed ager to play since training camp opened. After three exhibition games coach Robustolli evidently felt that Bob Taylor. a second‐year man, was not yet strong enough to play defensive end alone and player Robustelli was needed.
Of the traded players, King was the only regular last year. He was also the team's leading ball carrier, but he wont to the Pittsburg Steelers in exchange for a high 1865 draft choice. Only 28 years old, King was a No. 1 draft choice when he arrived from Vanderbilt in 1938.
Coach Allie Sherman, obliged by league rule to cut his squad to 45 players today, said he had enough confidence in three rookie running backs (Ernie Wheelwright, Steve Thurlow and Clarence Childs) to let King go.
McElhenny, once known as “the King,” had been a pro since 1952, when he joined the 49ers after playing for the University of Washington. He was one of the finest running backs the league ever had, but at 35 he had lost his speed and was often hurt.
He was released outright, as was Griffing, who was in his second year as No. 2 quarterback. Griffing, from Mississippi, was the star of an hour‐long TV show last year called “The Making of a Pro.” This led fans to think he must be a future Y. A. Tittle, something that Sherman and his staff never really had much confidence in.
When Gary Wood of Cornell and Henry Schichtle of Wichita turned up this year, Griffing dropped to No. 4. The player limit when the season starts is 40, and the Giants intend to keep only three quarterbacks.
Looney, 230 pounds of speedy, eccentric ball carrier, was injured in the All‐Star game and never played a second for the Giants, even in practice.
Most rookies are overeager, but Looney was the opposite—he seemed totally disinterested.
“Physically he has everything to become a great player,” Sherman said. “But we had Thurlow, Wheelwright and Childs, plus the veterans, Joe Morrison, Alex Webster and Dick James, six running backs, all we can carry. We had a chance to make a trade, to get something important for Looney, and so we took it.”
Childs, from Florida A. and M., has already run kickoffs back for two touchdowns, and almost a third. Wheelwright, from Southern Illinois, weighs about 240 pounds, and hits like a bus. Thurlow, also big, also fast, is a halfback on the order of a young Alex Webster. Sherman now plans to move Morrison from flanker to running back to make room for Owens.”
In Memoriam
Merwin Hodel FB D4-Colorado 1952 NYG 1953 Born 5-27-1931 Died 6-15-1988
Edholm Yahoo Sports: Who has fewest receiving yards for every NFL team? It's a weird list
"New York Giants’ Fullback Merwin Hodel, minus-15 yards
Hodel is a long-forgotten player who lasted a mere two games with the Giants during their only losing season in a 15-year stretch from 1949 to 1963. In his first action, Hodel rushed five times for 11 yards and caught one pass for minus-5 in a blowout loss to the Eagles. His next game, a 14-10 loss to the Steelers, resulted in one touch: a catch for minus-10. The Giants had seen enough at that point. And that’s how you arrive at a career with minus-4 yards from scrimmage. Sorry, Merwin."
https://sports.yahoo.com/fewest-receiving-yards-every-nfl-team-weird-list-164119301.html
Tyler Sash SS D6-Iowa State 2011 NYG 2011-2012 Born 5-27-1988 Died 9-08-2015
