You always remember your first NYG team...or do you?

I was 7. I've watched Super Bowl XXI roughly 100 times.

OL: Benson, Ard, Oates, Godfrey, Nelson (Williams Roberts, Brian Williams)
TE: Bavaro, Mowatt
WR: Robinson, Manuel
QB: Simms, Rutledge (Hostetler)
FB: Carthon
RB: Morris, Rouson, Galbreath

DL: Marshall, Burt, Martin
LB: LT, Carson, Reasons, Banks
CB: Patterson, Collins, Perry Williams, Terry Kinard, Herb Welch, Kenny Hill
P: Landeta
PK: Allegre

First season I can remember was 1981, but I was very young, so there are going to be some gaps. I've also watched a lot of old games on YT though, so I know some players I wouldn't have known otherwise just from memory.

QB: Phil Simms, Scott Brunner
RB: Rob Carpenter
FB: Leon Perry
WR: Earnest Gray, Johnny Perkins
TE: Gary Shirk
OT: Gordon King and Brad Benson
OG: JT Turner and ?
OC: ?

DE: George Martin, Curtis McGriff
NT: Bill Neill
OLB: LT, Brad Van Pelt
ILB: Harry Carson, Brian Kelley
CB: Mark Haynes, Terry Jackson
S: Beasley Reece and ?

K: Joe Danelo
P: Dave Jennings

Off the top of my head...

QB - Phil Simms
WR - Earnest Gray & Johnny Perkins
OL - Brad Benson, Jim clack, Gordon King (and I think Doug Van Horn played his last season that year)
TE - Gary Shirk
RB - Billy Taylor and Doug Kotar (my first Giants jersey was #44!)

DL - John Mendenhall and Gary Jeter
LB - Brad Van Pelt, Harry Carson, Brian Kelley and Dan Lloyd
DB - Beasley Reece and Terry Jackson

P - Dave Jennings
K - Joe Danelo

I know I missed a bunch of guys I should remember, I'll probably kick myself later when I look it up.

QB Dave Brown, then Danny Kanell

Rb- tiki, wheatley

Fb way

Wr calloway, thomas lewis, kevin alexander, david patten

Te cross aaron pierce

Lt oben
Lg ?
C? Brian williams maybe?
Rg stone
Rt gragg

De stray, bratzke
Dt harris, hamilton

Lbs, armstead, widmer, miller

Cb sehorn, sparks

S wooten , not sure of the other

Oddly enough I feel like I connect more with the 1990 team as I had my best season in JV Football and the Giants had that amazing season.

Many of you will probably or already posted the rosters.

Mark Bavaro was my favorite Giant.

Remember losing to the jets in 88 and will say I was all in 89.

QB - Sims, Hoss,

RB - Anderson, Tillman, Meggett

FB - Carthon

WR - Baker, Ingram, Turner, Manuel

TE - Bavaro, Cross, Morosco

LT - Elliot

LG - Roberts - Kratch

C - oats - Williams

RG - Moore

RT - Reisenberg

DE - Marshal, Dorsey

DT - Howard

MLB - reasons, Pepper, Deosie

OLB - Taylor, Banks

CB - Mark Collins, Perry Williams, Rene thompson

FS - Guyton

SS - Greg Jackson

PK - I remember allegre, Nitmo Bahr no clue who was kicking in 89

P - Landetta


long time ago Could be blending into 90

60 years ago this month and I remember the snowy static reception of our original BW tv.

Tittle, Gifford, Morrison, Aaron Thomas, Phil King and Big Red. YA got hurt in the 1st half and they lost to Ronny Bull and Sonny Wade 14-10. The start of my many disappointments. I read later that at the half YA got Novocain, Cortisone and heavy taping on his knee and gave it a heroic go, but it wasn’t enough.

QB Fran Tarkenton
OL Doug Van Horn
RB Ron Johnson
WR Homer Jones
TE Bob Tucker
HB Joe Morrison
DE Fred Dryer
S. Spider Lockhart
Tuck Fredrickson?

Try YA Tittle. And no I don’t remember all those players. Some. Joe Morrison., Rosey Brown. Ray Wietecha, Rosey Grier, Spider Lockhart, Sam Huff, Aaron Thomas, Frank Gifford. Jim Katcavage, Dick Lynch. Not sure they were all on my first team but close enough. Good for someone who can’t remember breakfast.

My memory isnt so good anymore but I remember they lost to the Brooklyn Dodgers I was disappointed but I got to see my heroes of the day Mel Hein was the center and the RB was Tuffy Leemans. I forgot the players thru the good years and the multitude of the bad ones

Hang IN with this coach and General Manager Things will get better

I didn't know many of the players aside from Simms and LT. I mostly remember praying for field goals at the ends of games. They always went in and the Giants always won. Figured that was just how it all worked. How wrong I've proved to be!

In comment 16314872 JoeMorrison40 said:

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QB Fran Tarkenton OL Doug Van Horn RB Ron Johnson WR Homer Jones TE Bob Tucker HB Joe Morrison DE Fred Dryer S. Spider Lockhart Tuck Fredrickson?

Willie Williams
Tom Blanchard
Pete Athas
Charlie Evans
Scott Eaton
Jim Katcavage
Henry Davis
John Douglass
Coleman Zeno
Gary Larsen
Rich Houston
Clifton McNeil

Offense:
Connelly
Gifford
Webster
Triplett
Rote
Witecha
Brown
Schnelker
Stroud

Defense:
Robustelli
Huff
Nolan
Patton
Lynch
Livingston
Grier
Katcavage
Modleski (spelling)

good job. Here are my additions...

S- Bill Currier. I remember a Mark (it was actually Mike) Dennis on the team but Currier was the main starter.

C - Jim Clack came out of retirement and started later in the year.

G- I believe Roy Simmons started a couple of games but had some substance issues I believe.

DE - I think Phil Tabor was the starter and Curtis McGriff and George Martin platooned. They also had Gary Jeter at end.

I think Larry Flowers was the key special teamer. He may have started at S in the playoff game against the 49ers and how can you forget Leon Bright at punt returner.

I was 10 at the time. First year my family had season tickets.

In comment 16314948 Rick in Dallas said:

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Offense: Connelly Gifford Webster Triplett Rote Witecha Brown Schnelker Stroud Defense: Robustelli Huff Nolan Patton Lynch Livingston Grier Katcavage Modleski (spelling)

_____________
That’s what I remember, Rick !

In comment 16314998 Ivan15 said:

Quote:

In comment 16314948 Rick in Dallas said: Quote: Offense: Connelly Gifford Webster Triplett Rote Witecha Brown Schnelker Stroud Defense: Robustelli Huff Nolan Patton Lynch Livingston Grier Katcavage Modleski (spelling) _____________ That’s what I remember, Rick !

Don’t forget specials. I think Summerall and Chandler.

In comment 16314899 turkey said:

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My memory isnt so good anymore but I remember they lost to the Brooklyn Dodgers I was disappointed but I got to see my heroes of the day Mel Hein was the center and the RB was Tuffy Leemans. I forgot the players thru the good years and the multitude of the bad ones Hang IN with this coach and General Manager Things will get better

I have the game program from that one!

https://i.imgur.com/3ggN7kf.png
https://i.imgur.com/t9UxgDT.png
https://i.imgur.com/GQF0r81.png
https://i.imgur.com/EimdkDQ.png
https://i.imgur.com/V1biHlR.png
https://i.imgur.com/iGfDRgR.png
https://i.imgur.com/nt7JoPg.png
https://i.imgur.com/BwTiggD.png
https://i.imgur.com/hs9giM3.png
https://i.imgur.com/kP0OmKx.png
https://i.imgur.com/49YdIJH.png
https://i.imgur.com/ypbpGau.png
https://i.imgur.com/y8S90VH.png

In comment 16315004 Ivan15 said:

Quote:

In comment 16314998 Ivan15 said: Quote: In comment 16314948 Rick in Dallas said: Quote: Offense: Connelly Gifford Webster Triplett Rote Witecha Brown Schnelker Stroud Defense: Robustelli Huff Nolan Patton Lynch Livingston Grier Katcavage Modleski (spelling) _____________ That’s what I remember, Rick ! Don’t forget specials. I think Summerall and Chandler.

________
I had to cheat to look up the missing. Barry, LG. Youso, RT. Svare, LB. Crow, DB.

In comment 16314948 Rick in Dallas said:

Quote:

Offense: Connelly Gifford Webster Triplett Rote Witecha Brown Schnelker Stroud Defense: Robustelli Huff Nolan Patton Lynch Livingston Grier Katcavage Modleski (spelling)

Much the same for me.

In comment 16314834 Drewcon40 said:

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Oddly enough I feel like I connect more with the 1990 team as I had my best season in JV Football and the Giants had that amazing season. Many of you will probably or already posted the rosters. Mark Bavaro was my favorite Giant.

All I could do is run Block, so of course I took bets from all my friends who were Bills fans.

In comment 16314820 truebluelarry said:

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Off the top of my head... QB - Phil Simms WR - Earnest Gray & Johnny Perkins OL - Brad Benson, Jim clack, Gordon King (and I think Doug Van Horn played his last season that year) TE - Gary Shirk RB - Billy Taylor and Doug Kotar (my first Giants jersey was #44!) DL - John Mendenhall and Gary Jeter LB - Brad Van Pelt, Harry Carson, Brian Kelley and Dan Lloyd DB - Beasley Reece and Terry Jackson P - Dave Jennings K - Joe Danelo I know I missed a bunch of guys I should remember, I'll probably kick myself later when I look it up. Larry — me too on Kotar jersey. Still have it! Lucky to find a Giant jersey in those years. My parents must have looked hard !

AS ANAKIM STATED ABOUT REMEBERING ...OR DO YOU.Iremember several other names from the programs.I DID NOT REMEMBER THAT IT WAS PEARL HARBOR DAY

From that same era, I was always thrilled taking my first portable to the park and listening to Marty Glickman, Al DiRogartis and Gussie Moran.

In comment 16314948 Rick in Dallas said:

Quote:

Offense: Connelly Gifford Webster Triplett Rote Witecha Brown Schnelker Stroud Defense: Robustelli Huff Nolan Patton Lynch Livingston Grier Katcavage Modleski (spelling)

1959 for me as well, but your memory is a hell of a lot better than mine! :-) I might have gotten about half of those ...

long time ago

Morton
Csonka
Kotar
Tucker
Shirk
Carson
Kelly
Van Pelt
Mendenhall
Archer
Martin
Danelo
Jennings

I loved that defense.
The linebackers were awesome

I remember liking both TEs.
Kickers were great too.

In comment 16314893 BillT said:

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Try YA Tittle. And no I don’t remember all those players. Some. Joe Morrison., Rosey Brown. Ray Wietecha, Rosey Grier, Spider Lockhart, Sam Huff, Aaron Thomas, Frank Gifford. Jim Katcavage, Dick Lynch. Not sure they were all on my first team but close enough. Good for someone who can’t remember breakfast.

I remember watching Norm Snead, Ernie Koy, Tucker Fredricson, Bobby Duhon, Fran Tarkenton , Bob Tucker. I actually saw Bob Tucker play when he was with the Pottstown Firebirds

is that most of these rosters are better than our current team

That ‘59 team was iconic to me as a 10 year old.
I was always Gifford in pickup games in the neighborhood.

In comment 16315048 Ivan15 said:

Quote:

In comment 16315004 Ivan15 said: Quote: In comment 16314998 Ivan15 said: Quote: In comment 16314948 Rick in Dallas said: Quote: Offense: Connelly Gifford Webster Triplett Rote Witecha Brown Schnelker Stroud Defense: Robustelli Huff Nolan Patton Lynch Livingston Grier Katcavage Modleski (spelling) _____________ That’s what I remember, Rick ! Don’t forget specials. I think Summerall and Chandler. ________ I had to cheat to look up the missing. Barry, LG. Youso, RT. Svare, LB. Crow, DB.

I would add qb Don Heinrich to your list.

Tarkenton. Alex Webster coach. the great TE Bob Tucker who is hardly remembered in Giants' history of great TE's. Ron Johnson - great RB as well. The first-round pick flash in the pan Rocky Tompson and actor Fred Dyrer on defense.

The public address announcer broke in to tell the crowd, "All U.S. servicemen are to leave the stadium and report directly to their units." Fortunately for New Yorkers, Pearl Harbor was 5,000 miles due west.

My family moved to Long Island in 1960, when there were no Mets or Jets, or else I would have probably pledged allegiance to them. In 1961 I started to pay attention to the Giants. They won the division but were surprisingly shut out by the Packers, 37-0, in the playoffs, which consisted of one game.

My first serious season was 1962. I won't repeat all the old players that people have mentioned from 1959, but it's surprising how many names are familiar on defense.

Katcavage
Modzelewski
Robustelli
Rosey Grier
Sam Huff
Dick Lynch

The Giants started a rookie, Bill Winter at LLB and two second year players, Allan Webb, SS and Greg Larson, RG and every other starter was in at least his 5th season. Loyalty and longevity back then.

On offense Y.A. Tittle had a breakout year. Thirty-three TD passes and 20 interceptions. The 36-year-old also ran for 108 yards and two TDs. I thought that Tittle had set the record for most TD passes in a game with seven against Washington (this game I remember clearly), but apparently he only tied a record held by Adrian Burk? and George Blanda. Since then, seven has surprisingly remained the record also shared by Joe Kapp, Peyton Manning, Nick Foles, and most recently Drew Brees against the Giants in 2015 in a 52-49 thriller that frankly I don't remember.

Frank Gifford made the full time switch from running back to "flanker" and caught 39 passes for 796 yards and seven touchdowns. Del Shofner led the team with 53 catches for 1,133 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Despite a stellar 12-2 record in Allie Sherman's 2nd year as head coach. his team disappointed by losing to the Packers again, 16-7. Time was running out on this venerable group.

Giant home games were not televised at the time (otherwise, who would go to the games?), but listening on radio was still a tense experience. I think DeRo, Al DeRogatis, was one of the broadcasters, before he moved up to join Curt Gowdy as one of the NFL's best-known broadcasting duos.

Something I really miss from that time was the CBS NFL theme music, although I was surprised to read that it had been the theme only between 1966-69. They should bring it back for a season before all those who like the old song are gone. Note the Tom Landry grimace.

Sorry if there's an ad. My subscription lapsed.

"Confidence" A song from a long-forgotten Broadway show. - ( New Window )

I was so very young, but they pretty much sucked. I just thought being in Giants Stadium was the coolest thing ever and I got to buy sodas and hot dogs.

The guys I recall people cheered for included Larry Csonka, Brad Van Pelt and actually the punter Dave Jennings. Jennings may have been the best weapon the team had back then.

I can’t remember what I had for breakfast this morning. You think I can remember the Giants lineup from 1970?

In comment 16314867 Spider56 said:

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60 years ago this month and I remember the snowy static reception of our original BW tv. Tittle, Gifford, Morrison, Aaron Thomas, Phil King and Big Red. YA got hurt in the 1st half and they lost to Ronny Bull and Sonny Wade 14-10. The start of my many disappointments. I read later that at the half YA got Novocain, Cortisone and heavy taping on his knee and gave it a heroic go, but it wasn’t enough.

Me too. I was 7 so some of the names I don't remember, But these I do, in addition to above Del Shofner, Jim Katcavage. Erich Barnes, Rosey Brown, Dick Mod%$#@ski, Jimmy Patton, Dick Lynch, Andy Robustelli

Vivid memory of the great Del Shofner dropping a TD pass
We were better than the Bears but lost.
YAT played second half on 1 leg.

Looking back I remember about 18 starters


Offensive Starters:
QB Craig Morton
RB Doug Kotar
FB Joe Dawkins
WR Walker Gillette
WR Bob Grim
TE Bob Tucker
LT Willie Young
LG Tom Mullen
Bob Hyland
RG John Hicks
RT Doug Van Horn

Defensive Starters
LDE Roy Hilton
LDT Gary Pettigrew
RDT John Mendenhall
RDE Jack Gregory
LLB Brad Van Pelt
MLB Brian Kelley
RLB Pat Hughes
LCB Pete Athas
RCB Eldridge Small
SS Chuck Crist
FS Spider Lockhart

It was early to mid 80's and where I grew up the Giants games hardly ever played on my TV. I would just say random names like Bart Oats, Gary Reason, Carl Banks, LT, Simms, Morris, Elliott, Marshall...and I can't even be certain off them were on the same team at the same time. Most of my Giants news were the times I got to watch them on Inside the NFL, the original hosts and a Giants weekly paper I got a week or two, too late.

In comment 16315583 X said:

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Looking back I remember about 18 starters Offensive Starters: QB Craig Morton RB Doug Kotar FB Joe Dawkins WR Walker Gillette WR Bob Grim TE Bob Tucker LT Willie Young LG Tom Mullen Bob Hyland RG John Hicks RT Doug Van Horn Defensive Starters LDE Roy Hilton LDT Gary Pettigrew RDT John Mendenhall RDE Jack Gregory LLB Brad Van Pelt MLB Brian Kelley RLB Pat Hughes LCB Pete Athas RCB Eldridge Small SS Chuck Crist FS Spider Lockhart

For me it was a couple years earlier...I really only remember QB Snead, guard Bob Hyland, RB Ron Johnson, TE Tucker, and the two big name DEF guys in Mendenhall and Spider. I do remember Pete Gogolak, the K.

This was in 72, when Sunoco gave away the NFL stickers and book, which I collected. I remember being envious of other teams.

Remember it. And i was a really big fan. The only excuse I have is that I missed a lot of games because I lived on LI in the blackout area or I was living in Clinton, NY and they didn’t show the Giant games. Bills country.

QBs: Charley Conerly, Don Heinrich, Bobby Clatterbuck
Rbs: Frank Gifford, Alex Webster
FB: Mel Triplett
WRs: Bob Schnelker, Kyle Rote, Ken McAfee
C: Ray Wietecha,
OTs: Rosey Brown, Dick Yelvington
OGs: Jack Stroud, ?

DTs: Dick Modzewleski, Rosey Grier
DEs: Andy Robustelli, ?
CBs: Dick Nolan, Ed Hughes
Safety: Emlen Tunnell, Jimmy Patton
LBs: Sam Huff, Harlan Svare, Bill Svoboda
Kicker: Ben Agajanian
Punter: Don Chandler

This is the first season for which I have vivid memories, especially listening on the radio (TV blacked out in NY) as G-Men demolished the Bears, 47-7 at the Polo Grounds.

QB Earl Morrall, Bob Timberlake, Garys Wood and Lane

RB Joe Morrison, Frank Gifford, Ernie Koy, Joe Don Looney

TE Aaron Thomas, "Dick" Kotite

oL Steve Thompson (or Francis Peay), Darrell Dess, Greg Larsen, Pete Case, Willie Young

WR Homer Jones, Del Shofner

DL Jim Katcavage, Roger Anderson, Bob Lurtsema, (Steve?) Anderson

LB Sam Huff

DB Henry Carr, Spider Lockhart, willie Wood, Clarence Childs

I bought or was gifted Jack Zanger's Pro Football 1965, a trade paperback book, to which I devoted hours of Talmudic like study. But I think I've overlooked some HOFers and remembered the late roster cuts.

No guarantees for accuracy!

I think I started watching in 1979, when I was 7. But, 1981 is the first year I really remember. I remember the buzz around LT immediately. But, also the buzz about Rob Carpenter coming. I recall being almost disappointed when I finally saw him play, because the hype in the media made me think we were getting a much better RB. He was good, but I was expecting something very different.

QB Dave Brown
HB Rodney Hampton
FB Charles Way
WR Chris Calloway
WR Thomas Lewis
TE Howard Cross
LT Greg Bishop?
LG Rob Zatechka
C Brian Williams
RG Ron Stone
RT ???

DEs Strahan, Chad Bratzke
DTs Keith Hamilton, Robert Harris
OLBs Armstead, Corry Miller?
ILB Corey Widmer
CBs Phillips Sparks, Jason Sehorn
S Tito Wooten, Jesse Campbell

K Brad Daluiso
P Mike Horan

No way to prove it but this was blindly from memory. I know I screwed up the o line.

In comment 16315701 clatterbuck said:

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QBs: Charley Conerly, Don Heinrich, Bobby Clatterbuck Rbs: Frank Gifford, Alex Webster FB: Mel Triplett WRs: Bob Schnelker, Kyle Rote, Ken McAfee C: Ray Wietecha, OTs: Rosey Brown, Dick Yelvington OGs: Jack Stroud, ? DTs: Dick Modzewleski, Rosey Grier DEs: Andy Robustelli, ? CBs: Dick Nolan, Ed Hughes Safety: Emlen Tunnell, Jimmy Patton LBs: Sam Huff, Harlan Svare, Bill Svoboda Kicker: Ben Agajanian Punter: Don Chandler This is the first season for which I have vivid memories, especially listening on the radio (TV blacked out in NY) as G-Men demolished the Bears, 47-7 at the Polo Grounds.

You have a good memory. I started in 1956. I was 8. I remember listening to a lot of games on radio because very few were on b&w TV.

Off the top of my head.

The 10-7 Eagles game sent me into hysteria and I was hooked by the Giants for life.

Off the top of my head.

The 10-7 Eagles game sent me into hysteria and I was hooked by the Giants for life.

In comment 16315653 Ivan15 s my aid:

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Remember it. And i was a really big fan. The only excuse I have is that I missed a lot of games because I lived on LI in the blackout area or I was living in Clinton, NY and they didn’t show the Giant games. Bills country.

Yeah. I guess you’re right. The 58 commenters in the one month that this little gem has been posted are wrong. A labor of love that Dave put so many hours into restoring and enhancing.