Have talked about this play several times on BBI and have now finally found it.
1970 was a winning year for the Giants (9-5) and they would have made the playoffs had they won their final game at home against the L.A. Rams. Alas, they were slaughtered 31-3.
But maybe they would have already clinched a playoff spot had it not been for the third game of the 1970 season down in New Orleans. At 2:27 you can see Fran Tarkenton throw what should have been a winning touchdown to Aaron Thomas. But the ref signaled incomplete.
I'm pretty sure the ref was confused by the end zone green border that served as a perimeter around a golden rectangle. I suspect he thought the green was out of bounds. In any event, my recollection is that the ref was fired after the game. What is certain is that the Giants had to claw their way back from an 0-3 start. They went 9-1 in their next ten games, but then landed with a thud against the Rams when it really counted.
From 1964 - 1980, the 1970 season was the closest (by far) the Giants ever came to making the playoffs. And maybe they would have if not for the end zone color design down in New Orleans!
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Ugh. I was at that game. My recollection is we had a nice opening game drive, but it stalled and we had to settle for a FG, which felt like a bad omen at the time. And I vividly recall looking through my binoculars at Jerry Shay writhing on the ground with a leg injury. They had his helmet off and his face was beet red. Awful.
That's my recollection as well.
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Shyster -- thanks. I totally forgot that post. Oh, well, maybe my memory isn't as good as I think it is!
No, Tark was the Giants QB in 1970. Snead didn't play for the Giants until '72.
Actually I believe team went 8-6 in 1972. Decent year but couldn't compete with Washington and Dallas teams.
as my Dad and I were leaving the old Orange Bowl, we ran into Alex Webster...my father took a picture of us which is in my boxes of pictures somewhere in my basement...I was wearing my Giants shirt and told him we were going to the playoffs the next year...
the Giants then went on to select Rocky Thompson in that spring's draft, a pick before Jack Tatum went to the Raiders...I should have told Webster not to do it (had I known :-)...the Giants then proceeded to go 4-10 and Webster was fired a couple of years later...
guess I jinxed him and the Giants...
Yep, I think that's right.
The Rams Front Four simply overpowered what was a finesse offensive line . Quite similar to the what the Ravens did in the 2000 Super Bowl . Fran never had a chance .
https://i.imgur.com/bNdPTth.jpg
While the Shreverport, (LA) Times makes no mention of it whatsoever.
https://i.imgur.com/Zg9AR32.jpg
Looking at the box scores, the Giants dominated the Saints statistically (22 first downs to 10, 151 rushing yards to 92 and 210 passing yards to 92) but killed themselves with mistakes. Tarkenton threw three INTs, Gogolak missed three FGs and a blocked punt resulted in the Saints go-ahead TD in the fourth quarter. It probably never should have come down to that late drive for the come-from-behind TD, the Giants could have been just running out the clock.
https://i.imgur.com/bNdPTth.jpg
While the Shreverport, (LA) Times makes no mention of it whatsoever.
https://i.imgur.com/Zg9AR32.jpg
Looking at the box scores, the Giants dominated the Saints statistically (22 first downs to 10, 151 rushing yards to 92 and 210 passing yards to 92) but killed themselves with mistakes. Tarkenton threw three INTs, Gogolak missed three FGs and a blocked punt resulted in the Saints go-ahead TD in the fourth quarter. It probably never should have come down to that late drive for the come-from-behind TD, the Giants could have been just running out the clock.
Thanks for these!
I was there. Yup 33-14 Skins in the 4th. What an unexpectedly great ride home
Quote:
By far the best game that year was at home vs Washington. Team was down big in 4th quarter and pulled game out. I believe they scored 3 TDs in final 8 minutes. Remember listening to that game on radio as home games were blacked out. HOF broadcaster Marty Glickman memorable line on last drive was telling listeners to pull over if you are driving as Giants were mounting final winning drive.
I was there. Yup 33-14 Skins in the 4th. What an unexpectedly great ride home
Was there, too! Recollect an on-sides kick recovery.
NY Daily News
https://i.imgur.com/H9yDwxd.jpg
NY Times
https://i.imgur.com/cyFu7Dd.png
Washington Post part 1
https://i.imgur.com/fADHXy4.png
Washington Post part 2
https://i.imgur.com/hm8bQMD.png
https://i.imgur.com/ZSS94Zu.jpg