A Look Back: the 1979 Draft - Phil Simms

Anyone want to start a Simms vs. Manning thread?

Anyone remember.

In comment 16048922 sec308 said:

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Anyone remember.

I sure do. I wanted Ottis Anderson, picked with the next pick after Simms! And I remember Ottis starting off his career so great (including against us as I recall), and bemoaning that we took Simms instead of him. Made it all the sweeter when Ottis joined us for that Super Bowl year.....

this is the continuation of the Newsday article the day after Simms was drafted
https://i.imgur.com/TAxS3SJ.jpg

But for the youngins who don't....Bill Walsh loved Simms and the Niners intended to draft Simms with their first pick, which was the first pick of the second round. They had traded their own first round pick, which was first overall, to the Bills for OJ Simpson. Walsh told Simms before the draft that he was going to be a 49er. Simms said he wasn't sure about that because other teams with first round picks had shown a lot of interest, and Walsh assured him that they were sure he'd be there.

So, in a weird way, OJ Simpson is why Phil Simms was a Giant.

Most of the Giants '79 draft picks washed out. Only other picks, out of 12 total selections, who played much for them were Earnest Gray (second), Phil Tabor (third), and Roy Simmons (eighth).

the 'Throwin' Samoan' out of Washington State who ended up going before Simms to the Bengals. Young always maintained it was Simms regardless.

I have a co-worker who was his teammate at Morehead Simm's senior year. We got to connect yesterday and he was telling me stories about playing with Simms. In short, pure Parcell's guy and I can see why they had success together. He said Simms was not only a leader on the team but also an "enforcer" and you answered to him if you didn't do things up to his standards.

I remember reading that Walsh worked out Simms at Morehead state, and told him afterward that he didn't think he would be there when they picked, but he though he would will a lot of passing titles. Or something to that effect...

in my lifetime.

In Simms' book, he said that, when he worked out for Walsh, Walsh told him he wanted to see him throwing nice and easy, getting into a good rhythm with his receivers. When he worked out for Perkins, he asked Perkins how he wanted Simms to throw. Perkins told him, "I want you to knock those receivers down."

- most giant fans

he probably would have shelved the WCO.

In comment 16048990 Greg from LI said:

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In Simms' book, he said that, when he worked out for Walsh, Walsh told him he wanted to see him throwing nice and easy, getting into a good rhythm with his receivers. When he worked out for Perkins, he asked Perkins how he wanted Simms to throw. Perkins told him, "I want you to knock those receivers down."

That is interesting because Perkins was an NFL receiver. He played with Unitas, Morral, and Gary Cuozzo I believe as qb's.

Simms was drafted before the era of conference tv packages, sport radio, ESPN, fantasy football and all the other 24/7 sports talk we have now. There would be no way he'd be under the radar today. Unless you were a devotee of Smith and Street or the bowl games, not all of which were even televised, lots of players flew under the radar.

In comment 16049004 PEEJ said:

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- most giant fans

.

I know I said it, it took him awhile to establish himself.
It didn't come easily for him, with injuries and also inconsistency too. I believe Parcells was good for a guy like Simms, as feisty as Phil was.

In comment 16048946 anova said:

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I remember reading that Walsh worked out Simms at Morehead state, and told him afterward that he didn't think he would be there when they picked, but he though he would will a lot of passing titles. Or something to that effect...

Billy knew football, and was rarely wrong.

In comment 16048926 Del Shofner said:

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In comment 16048922 sec308 said: Quote: Anyone remember. I sure do. I wanted Ottis Anderson, picked with the next pick after Simms! And I remember Ottis starting off his career so great (including against us as I recall), and bemoaning that we took Simms instead of him. Made it all the sweeter when Ottis joined us for that Super Bowl year.....

I wanted the throwin samoan jack Thompson but bengals grabbed him.
From around 1976 on, I was hooked on draft. Back then just publications
Kipper may be a tool but sure helped draft become mainstream
I will give him that

In comment 16049058 NINEster said:

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In comment 16048946 anova said: Quote: I remember reading that Walsh worked out Simms at Morehead state, and told him afterward that he didn't think he would be there when they picked, but he though he would will a lot of passing titles. Or something to that effect... Billy knew football, and was rarely wrong.

"Few can coach quarterbacks. Even fewer can evaluate them".
-Bill Walsh

In comment 16049074 Racer said:

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In comment 16049058 NINEster said: Quote: In comment 16048946 anova said: Quote: I remember reading that Walsh worked out Simms at Morehead state, and told him afterward that he didn't think he would be there when they picked, but he though he would will a lot of passing titles. Or something to that effect... Billy knew football, and was rarely wrong. "Few can coach quarterbacks. Even fewer can evaluate them". -Bill Walsh

Great quote!

I was hoping they would take Otis Anderson in the first having seen him live at UM.
I also was ND fan and wanted Joe Montana in the second round. For years I thought we really botched the 79 draft. Simms would become one of my favorite players and a champion, so no regrets.
Still I always wonder what if….
Logically OJ would have been the exact same player for the Giants as he was for the Cards. Montana might have had a different career course playing in Giants stadium in run first offense.
We’ll never know

In comment 16049120 Cheech d said:

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I was hoping they would take Otis Anderson in the first having seen him live at UM. I also was ND fan and wanted Joe Montana in the second round. For years I thought we really botched the 79 draft. Simms would become one of my favorite players and a champion, so no regrets. Still I always wonder what if…. Logically OJ would have been the exact same player for the Giants as he was for the Cards. Montana might have had a different career course playing in Giants stadium in run first offense. We’ll never know

"I kinda struggled in Giants stadium when we played there, but if the Giants drafted me, at least they wouldn't have opened the doors when we were on offense" - Joe Montana

;)

Isn't it well known that Walsh wanted Simms?

Not that SF did bad with a certain ND QB in the 3rd round.

In comment 16049162 NINEster said:

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In comment 16049120 Cheech d said: Quote: I was hoping they would take Otis Anderson in the first having seen him live at UM. I also was ND fan and wanted Joe Montana in the second round. For years I thought we really botched the 79 draft. Simms would become one of my favorite players and a champion, so no regrets. Still I always wonder what if…. Logically OJ would have been the exact same player for the Giants as he was for the Cards. Montana might have had a different career course playing in Giants stadium in run first offense. We’ll never know "I kinda struggled in Giants stadium when we played there, but if the Giants drafted me, at least they wouldn't have opened the doors when we were on offense" - Joe Montana ;)

lol. Joe is the greatest QB I've ever seen play. I I had my life on the line, he'd be the guy I'd want to win a game for me.

In comment 16048922 sec308 said:

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Anyone remember.

Not sure who we wanted instead of Simms but, I think I remember reading that Bill Walsh (49ers) wanted Simms and when the Giants took him - Walsh was disappointed. Then he drafted Joe Montana in the 3rd round (backup plan) and all ended up well for them.

In comment 16049299 short lease said:

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In comment 16048922 sec308 said: Quote: Anyone remember. Not sure who we wanted instead of Simms but, I think I remember reading that Bill Walsh (49ers) wanted Simms and when the Giants took him - Walsh was disappointed. Then he drafted Joe Montana in the 3rd round (backup plan) and all ended up well for them.

I should have read down the page a bit. Looks like about 3-4 others said what I just typed.

In comment 16048942 Biteymax22 said:

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I have a co-worker who was his teammate at Morehead Simm's senior year. We got to connect yesterday and he was telling me stories about playing with Simms. In short, pure Parcell's guy and I can see why they had success together. He said Simms was not only a leader on the team but also an "enforcer" and you answered to him if you didn't do things up to his standards.

I'm enjoying this sensible thread.

In October '79. He was running for his life all day because the Giants' O-line couldn't pass block. I was VERY impressed with him - fast, accurate and smooth; it was easy to see why he was a #1 pick.

It was an exciting day, topped off by the "LA Ewes"- Rams cheerleaders, the most impressive group of beautiful women I've ever seen

Anyone ever heard anything like that? 🙄

Thompson's career was over by 1984, which is essentially when Phil's career really began. And of course, at that point a certain third-round pick was en-route to his second championship in San Francisco.

The Thompson pick didn't turn out as badly for Cincinnati as it could have. Kenny Anderson enjoyed a late-career renaissance, and was eventually replaced by Boomer Esiason after Sam Wyche took over from Forrest Gregg.

that I INITIALLY took to. Tittle and Tarkenton..

right there showed George Young had brass balls. A lesser man would have gone the safe route and took Ottis Anderson.

Big Blue '56 said:

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that I INITIALLY took to. Tittle and Tarkenton..

At the time, I was puzzled by the early antipathy to Simms. He won me over with his first six starts in 1979. Looking back, I think a big factor was that I went off to college in 1980, so I missed the games that soured a lot of fans on him.

I still don't get why anyone liked Brunner. He was awful. Somehow, Parcells got the idea that he was a decent game manager, until he gave away a game against the Chargers in '83. Bizarre.

In comment 16049415 Big Blue Blogger said:

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Big Blue '56 said: Quote: that I INITIALLY took to. Tittle and Tarkenton.. At the time, I was puzzled by the early antipathy to Simms. He won me over with his first six starts in 1979. Looking back, I think a big factor was that I went off to college in 1980, so I missed the games that soured a lot of fans on him. I still don't get why anyone liked Brunner. He was awful. Somehow, Parcells got the idea that he was a decent game manager, until he gave away a game against the Chargers in '83. Bizarre.

Simms only early pronblem was that the OL and the team around him sucked. He got the living shit kicked out of him.

Brunner was AWFUL. Olive Oyl in a football uniform.

In comment 16049425 Victor in CT said:

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In comment 16049415 Big Blue Blogger said: Quote: Big Blue '56 said: Quote: that I INITIALLY took to. Tittle and Tarkenton.. At the time, I was puzzled by the early antipathy to Simms. He won me over with his first six starts in 1979. Looking back, I think a big factor was that I went off to college in 1980, so I missed the games that soured a lot of fans on him. I still don't get why anyone liked Brunner. He was awful. Somehow, Parcells got the idea that he was a decent game manager, until he gave away a game against the Chargers in '83. Bizarre. Simms only early pronblem was that the OL and the team around him sucked. He got the living shit kicked out of him. Brunner was AWFUL. Olive Oyl in a football uniform.

Yes, re Simms..He was more frustrating from ‘79 to ‘83 because of injuries. He finally got it going in ‘84

prior to the draft. As has been mentioned, the draft was nowhere near the media circus it is today, only the craziest of diehards paid much attention.

I wanted OJ Anderson, and was stunned that they picked a QB from a college I had never heard of (I was a senior in HS, and Morehead St was one of the few that never sent me anything!). My mind changed once I saw him in preseason. Not that he played especially well, but I could see the tools.

In comment 16048926 Del Shofner said:

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In comment 16048922 sec308 said: Quote: Anyone remember. I sure do. I wanted Ottis Anderson, picked with the next pick after Simms! And I remember Ottis starting off his career so great (including against us as I recall), and bemoaning that we took Simms instead of him. Made it all the sweeter when Ottis joined us for that Super Bowl year.....

Was he related to OJ Anderson?

Walsh did not like Joe Montana. He was going to draft Steve Dils. Unfortunately, Steve tested abysmally, and he was not drafted.

Dils did not make an NFL roster.

In comment 16049493 jacob12 said:

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Walsh did not like Joe Montana. He was going to draft Steve Dils. Unfortunately, Steve tested abysmally, and he was not drafted. Dils did not make an NFL roster.

Um, Steve Dils was a 4th round pick of the Vikings and had an 12 year NFL career, mostly as a backup. Also, I doubt whatever abysmal tests he supposedly had would have influenced Bill Walsh, since Dils had played for Walsh at Stanford.

In comment 16049483 Lurts said:

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In comment 16048926 Del Shofner said: Quote: In comment 16048922 sec308 said: Quote: Anyone remember. I sure do. I wanted Ottis Anderson, picked with the next pick after Simms! And I remember Ottis starting off his career so great (including against us as I recall), and bemoaning that we took Simms instead of him. Made it all the sweeter when Ottis joined us for that Super Bowl year..... Was he related to OJ Anderson?

Not sure if you're serious, but they are the same man. HE was widely known as Ottis then.

I remember that day like it was yesterday. I've admitted when I've been wrong. Charlie Weis, Joe Judge, etc. So this is not revisionist history.

I had no idea who Phil Simms was. Remember ESPN didn't exist yet and the NFL draft was nothing like it is now with coverage all year round and 100's of mock drafts. It was still a big deal especially in NY and you can hear that for yourself. I'm sure I read some of the linked articles at the time but I don't remember them. I'm looking forward to reading the links.

From the minute his name was called I was in full blown sports man love with Phil Simms. I thought he was the hope Giant fans had been waiting for. Try to find some You Tube clips of Phil's rookie season. He was a fantastic athlete, strong, a fast runner and he had a rocket arm. IMO only Kerry Collins could match Phil for arm strength and accuracy as a Giants QB in the Super Bowl era. Phil was a better athlete and much more mentally tough than Kerry.

Let me try and put in perspective what being a Giants fan from 1965-1978 was like for me growing up as a Giants fan from 1965 on. Wellington's lost weekend from 1965-1978 has been covered here many times - I've done it a lot myself.

The most prominent Giants QBs during those years were Tarkington (the Giants traded a HOFer for him) Randy Johnson, Norm Snead and Craig Morton (the Giants traded a HOFer for him). Three out of the four had pretty good careers for other teams. But they were retreads who offered little hope on mostly horrible teams.

After Morton was dumped to Denver Wellington tried to grow his own QB. The year before Phil was drafted, the 1978 season treated Giant fans to the QB trio of Randy Dean, Jerry Goldsteyn and the historic Patterson Plank Joe Pisarcik of "The Fumble" fame that changed Giants fans lives for the better and lead directly and indirectly to the 4 Super Bowl trophies.

That trio threw 13 TDs and 27 INTs in 1978 (Pisarcik played 12 of the 16 games with a 4-8 record completing 47.5% of his passes for 12 TDs and 23 INTs). In Phil's rookie year 1979, the Giants were 6-5 in the 11 games he started and 0-5 in the games Pisarcik and Dean started.

After the 1978 season ended George Young was hired as the compromise choice GM from outside the Giants/Mara family. Young had been hired less than 90 days before Phil was drafted. GY was as much of an unknown as his first round 1 pick in NY. Young hired Ray Perkins after 9 days on the job. Perkins hired Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick. Young drafted Lawrence Taylor in 1981. Perkins quit and Parcells became head coach in 1983.

After 5 years of taking a beating that would be incomprehensible to NFL QBs today Parcells finally gave Simms his chance with a good team around him. I am convinced if it wasn't for the wasted first 5 years of his career and the idiot that chose to take away his job because of injury in 1991 Phil would be in the NFL HOF.

For me there are some hopeful parallels between the 2021 Giants and the 1978 Giants. There was no "The Fumble" in 2021 but there was a QB sneak on a third-and-9 play from the Giants' five-yard line that ended Joe Judge's and Gettleman's Giants careers.

Joe Schoen was hired after John and Chris Mara's lost weekend from 2012 - 2021. Like George Young he had no connection to the Mara family. Schoen pretty quickly hired a head coach he knew well like Young did when he hired Ray Perkins. Young knew Perkins from their days together when Young coached the Colts OL and Perkins played WR.

I understand why Daniel Jones is compared to Eli Manning (Cutcliffe, he somewhat physically resembles Eli, he followed Eli) but he reminds me more of Phil Simms than he does Eli. Jones in his first three years also had some injury issues (not as serious) and like Phil he doesn't protect himself well.

As a Giant fan I can hope that 2022 was Joe Schoen's, Brian Daboll's and Daniel Jones version of the Giants 1984. Hopefully they will put a good team around Daniel Jones and give him his chance to be a Giants Ring of Honor player like Phil and Eli. It would be wonderful if what's past is prologue and leads to another great Giants era.

Here's an example of how different things were in 1979. This is the typewritten single page press release from Morehead State the day after the Giants drafted Phil Simms:

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OFFICE OF NEWS SERVICES MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY MOREHEAD , KY 40351 May 4, 1979 CONTACT: Jim Wells 606/783-3325 MOREHEAD , Ky. --- Phil Simms, a senior quarterback at Morehead State University, received a bit of a surprise Thursday, May 3, as the Louisville resident was selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the National Football League draft. Simms, the Ohio Valley Conference "Offensive Player of the Year" in 1977, expected to be drafted by an NFL team, but the first round selection took him by surprise . "I had been told that I would be drafted in the second round," Simms stated. "I was really just happy to be picked. A first-round selection is a tremendous thrill." The seventh player selected in the draft nation-wide and the second quarterback, Simms felt that his experience at MSU had been a big influence on him. "When I first came to Morehead, I really don't think I was ready to play college football," he said. "But, after being red-shirted one season and playing for four more , I feel I was able to make the most of my ability as a player." A graduate of Southern High School in Louisville, Simms will receive his Bachelor's Degree from MSU next week.

Check out the linked You Tube video starting at the 56 minute mark through 1:08. You'll get an idea of how talented Phil Simms was when he was drafted and how horrible the Giants OL was. The Giants OL got worse before it got better. Sound familiar?

New York Giants vs Los Angeles Rams 1979 Week 9 - start watching at 56:00 - ( New Window )

For those of us too young to have seen Simms before the injuries, it really is eye-opening to see him running so well. The Simms I knew was a statue.

I should have read the entire thread first. Manny - unbelievable that you were at the game I linked. Check out the play at 1:16:50 I bet you remember it.

The 49ers had traded their #1 pick in the 1979 draft. Walsh was hoping he could draft Phil in round 2. If you read Phil's quote about expecting to be picked in round 2 that's because Walsh told him he would pick him if he was still there. As mentioned Walsh's plan B worked out ok.

Walsh also drafted Dwight Clark in 1979 in the 10th round who stumbled onto at Clemson when he was working out Steve Fuller. The Chiefs drafted Fuller in round 1 with the 23rd pick. The 49ers had the first pick in round 2. Six picks after Fuller was taken. I wonder if Walsh would have picked him or Phil if they both were still on the board. 49er history would be very different and I believe if Bill Walsh drafted Phil Simms he would have been a first ballot HOFer.

In comment 16049576 Greg from LI said:

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For those of us too young to have seen Simms before the injuries, it really is eye-opening to see him running so well. The Simms I knew was a statue.

I think that was also a product of the offense, as most of his early injuries were upper body. With Parcells, he was asked to stand in there as long as possible and he did. He's one of the toughest I've ever seen play the game.

I'm not sure I've read much about who the Giants were interested in other than Simms. But, if they had taken Ottis, as one suggested here, what is the likelihood they took Montana in round 2 or 3? Or another QB? I love Simms, but Ottis + Montana would have been a Hell of a haul.

Tore his ACL and MCL. Robbed him of his mobility.

and when he wasn't playing the Giants. He's probably my favorite non Giant player ever. In case it's not obvious Phil Simms is my favorite Giant of all time.

I think if the Giants drafted Joe Montana in 1979 he would have had a short unsuccessful NFL career. I think he was too slightly built to survive the the Giants OLs in those days and he wouldn't have had a brilliant coach to protect him and build his team and offense around him.

In comment 16049627 Greg from LI said:

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Tore his ACL and MCL. Robbed him of his mobility.

I blanked on that. I remember the shoulder and broken thumb. But, now that you mention it, it rings a bell. I was only really starting my fandom when Simms came in; I was still young.

1981 is the first season I can remember at all, and 1984 is the first one that I can remember specific games. By then, Simms was slow and a pure pocket passer. It's fun to watch 1979-81 clips to see what a good athlete he was before the injuries. It's like watching a completely different QB, similar to watching St Louis OJ Anderson versus NY OJ Anderson.

In comment 16049636 arniefez said:

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and when he wasn't playing the Giants. He's probably my favorite non Giant player ever. In case it's not obvious Phil Simms is my favorite Giant of all time. I think if the Giants drafted Joe Montana in 1979 he would have had a short unsuccessful NFL career. I think he was too slightly built to survive the the Giants OLs in those days and he wouldn't have had a brilliant coach to protect him and build his team and offense around him.

agree arnie. Montana would not have survived in that Giants offense in the NFC East standing and waiting for deep routes to open up

In comment 16049648 Greg from LI said:

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1981 is the first season I can remember at all, and 1984 is the first one that I can remember specific games. By then, Simms was slow and a pure pocket passer. It's fun to watch 1979-81 clips to see what a good athlete he was before the injuries. It's like watching a completely different QB, similar to watching St Louis OJ Anderson versus NY OJ Anderson.

Me too. 1981 I was 9. Before that year, I was a casual football fan. I knew I liked the Giants because that's who my father said he rooted for as a kid. But, stopped being a real sports fan for years after the baseball Giants left NY. It wasn't until 1981 that he really started watching again, because I was watching. In 1981, the hype around LT was just too great to ignore.

In comment 16049685 Matt M. said:

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In comment 16049648 Greg from LI said: Quote: 1981 is the first season I can remember at all, and 1984 is the first one that I can remember specific games. By then, Simms was slow and a pure pocket passer. It's fun to watch 1979-81 clips to see what a good athlete he was before the injuries. It's like watching a completely different QB, similar to watching St Louis OJ Anderson versus NY OJ Anderson. Me too. 1981 I was 9. Before that year, I was a casual football fan. I knew I liked the Giants because that's who my father said he rooted for as a kid. But, stopped being a real sports fan for years after the baseball Giants left NY. It wasn't until 1981 that he really started watching again, because I was watching. In 1981, the hype around LT was just too great to ignore.

As for Simms, I liked him from the start. I wasn't happy or unhappy when they drafted him because I wasn't a college football fan yet and I was young enough where I just immediately rooted for who the Giants took. But, I liked watching him play and I hated when Brunner was named the starter over him.

An issue for sure. Thank you for the Super Bowl, but what would have happened if we’d taken Joe Montana. Loved him in college. Ah well.

I remember him steeling Simms not to throw the ball away in any circumstance, to just take the sack, and he did.What a terrible thing to do to your young stud QB !

Folks just remember his great Super Bowl performance, but the sad thing was that by that time, Phil, still a young man, was a shell of himself. I strongly believe that with a decent team and a coach in his right mind, he could have become a HOF type QB, as good as Montana, Unitas, etc.

In comment 16049725 Go Giants said:

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An issue for sure. Thank you for the Super Bowl, but what would have happened if we’d taken Joe Montana. Loved him in college. Ah well.

I believe Walsh was quoted telling Simms that if he was able to draft him, Simms would end up in the Hall of Fame.

as usual he had no protection and got killed by two DLs at the same time. I was at that game and made me physically sick when it happened. He also missed the last 5 regular season games and the two playoff games in 1981 with a separated shoulder and all of 1983 after breaking his thumb on a defensive players helmet.

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NEWARK, N.J. -- Hard-luck New York Giants' quarterback Phil Simms, who suffered a knee injury in Saturday night's pre-season victory over the New York Jets, will be lost for the season after undergoing surgery Monday. Simms, who separated his shoulder last November and missed the final five games of the regular season and two playoff games, underwent arthroscopic surgery at University Hospital where it was discovered Simms had a complete tear of the medial collateral of the right knee. An injury to the interior cruciate ligament was a clean tear and also was repaired. 'It's the worst thing possible,' said Ed Croke, the Giants' public relations director. 'It's a complete tear and he'll be lost for the season -- even if we make the playoffs.' Dr. Kim Sloan, the Giants' orthopedic surgeon, decided to perform major surgery while the knee was opened. 'He's (Simms) snakebit,' said Croke, who termed the operation 100 percent successful. 'We feel bad for Phil. This is the third year in a row he's gone down.' Simms will wear a leg cast for 2-to-3 weeks before donning a flexible cast. Shortly thereafter, he will begin rehabilitation exercises. Simms, who was battling Scott Brunner for the No. 1 quarterback job, dropped back to pass late in the first quarter Saturday night and was sandwiched by Joe Klecko and Abdul Salaam on an interception by Darrol Ray. Simms completed 5-of-9 passes for 34 yards in the face of the Jets' furious pass rush and even Brunner was subdued by the news he had won the starting job he coveted so much by default. 'I certainly feel bad for him -- Phil's a good person and he was playing very well,' said Brunner. 'I don't wish that on anybody ... even if we are going for the same position.'

Finally after 1983 the injuries for the most part stopped until 1990. This article is from mid 1984.

Quote:

Phil Simms, for five NFL seasons the personification of incredibly bad luck, rammed his right knee, the one that hasn't been injured, into a table leg late this afternoon. "I hope this is my injury this year," he said, smiling. The knee turned red, either from the little collision or the way he was rubbing it, but he walked off with no limp and no damage done. What a strange situation for Simms, the 28-year-old New York Giants quarterback who has never played a complete NFL season. Before this season, when you talked about his statistics, it was more important to mention the two shoulder separations, one knee injury and one compound fracture-dislocation of a thumb.

By comparison Daniel Jones has played behind the 1993 Dallas line.

In comment 16049415 Big Blue Blogger said:

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I still don't get why anyone liked Brunner. He was awful. Somehow, Parcells got the idea that he was a decent game manager, until he gave away a game against the Chargers in '83. Bizarre.

In 1981 the Giants made the playoffs for the first time since 1963 and then won a playoff game for the first time since 1958. Brunner had taken over after Simms got injured late in season. They won several big games with Brunner at QB including a OT victory over the Cowboys in the season finale that sent them to the playoffs, and a playoff victory against the Eagles. So fans got really juiced after 2 decades of failure.

Of course, it wasn’t because of Brunner - it was all defense and the running of Rob Carpenter. The defense held teams to 10 points or less in all those big victories that got them to the playoffs. Brunner threw for less than 100 yards three times and they still won two of them.

Particulary enjoyed reading Joe Adelizzi of the APP, who used his column to resign as a fan of the New York Giants due to the Simms selection. I wonder if he ever returned???

In comment 16049552 Victor in CT said:

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In comment 16049483 Lurts said: Quote: In comment 16048926 Del Shofner said: Quote: In comment 16048922 sec308 said: Quote: Anyone remember. I sure do. I wanted Ottis Anderson, picked with the next pick after Simms! And I remember Ottis starting off his career so great (including against us as I recall), and bemoaning that we took Simms instead of him. Made it all the sweeter when Ottis joined us for that Super Bowl year..... Was he related to OJ Anderson? Not sure if you're serious, but they are the same man. HE was widely known as Ottis then.

Yeah, I was alluding to the popular story that early in Anderson's revival with Giants, one of the defensive backs innocently asked him that question.

It kind of made sense, as "OJ" and Walter Payton were the dominating backs in the league from 79-84, then injuries made him fairly invisible for 4-5 years. When he played on the Giants, his running style and even body type had changed.

In comment 16050022 Lurts said:

Quote:

In comment 16049552 Victor in CT said: Quote: In comment 16049483 Lurts said: Quote: In comment 16048926 Del Shofner said: Quote: In comment 16048922 sec308 said: Quote: Anyone remember. I sure do. I wanted Ottis Anderson, picked with the next pick after Simms! And I remember Ottis starting off his career so great (including against us as I recall), and bemoaning that we took Simms instead of him. Made it all the sweeter when Ottis joined us for that Super Bowl year..... Was he related to OJ Anderson? Not sure if you're serious, but they are the same man. HE was widely known as Ottis then. Yeah, I was alluding to the popular story that early in Anderson's revival with Giants, one of the defensive backs innocently asked him that question. It kind of made sense, as "OJ" and Walter Payton were the dominating backs in the league from 79-84, then injuries made him fairly invisible for 4-5 years. When he played on the Giants, his running style and even body type had changed.

Gotcha. All true