Big Blue Huddle

This was a play that should not have been, but too many fingers have been pointed at Pisarcik to the point where no one bothers to consider the Giants' then-offensive coordinator (K-Man, his name escapes me at the moment) who allowed that play to happen.  If anything, it was a blessing in disguise, because it was the beginning of the turnaround of the organization, and not just in specific areas of the team itself.

Probably the most interesting thing I have in my colection of Giant clippings from the '70s is an ad from 1977 touting Brad Van Pelt and Jack Gregory's personal appearances at the opening of a store in Wallington, NJ.  The title of the ad reads "Come Meet The N.J. Giants".    It took a while before I noticed that!

The 1975 season was a considerable improvement from 1974.  This was the season that the defensive unit started to come into its own with Marty Schottenheimer as defensive coordinator.  Perhaps the most impressive was the jelling of the linebacking unit: Van Pelt, Kelley and Hughes.  The Oct. 20 MNF game against the Bills that year was proof of a sign of good things to come for the Giants defense.  Despite the overall mediocrity of this time period, the defensive line was a shining star.

With that said, another excerpted 1975 article, spotlighting the Giants' defense.  This is dated September 23, 1975 and appeared in The Bergen Record.  Vinny DiTrani is the writer. 


EVERYONE HAS A PART IN NEW GIANT DEFENSE

By Vinny DiTrani, Staff Writer


     John Mendenhall, showing only traces of a limp, paraded around the Giants' Pace University training complex yesterday vowing to all he would not miss this week's suddenly-important game with the Washington Redskins.

     "I think our defense proved something," said Mendenhall, reflecting on what the unit accomplished without its mainspring.  "We played well because we've got 17 guys who can come in and do the job.  Everybody's got a part in our defense, not just 11 guys."

     Of the 18 performers, 16 played defensively against the Eagles.  One participant, cornerback Henry Stuckey, was sidelined with a knee injury, and Rondy Colbert was limited to special teams.  In addition to the starters, these players took part in the contest:

     * Defensive back Robert Giblin was the nickel or fifth back in passing situations, usually replacing a linebacker.

     * Linebacker Andy Selfridge acted as the 53 man in spots, replacing a defensive lineman.

     * Linebacker Bob Schmit played in the middle, with Brian Kelley shifting to the strong side while Brad Van Pelt shook off an injury.

     * Defensive end George Martin replaced Mendenhall (with Dave Gallagher moving from end to tackle), and later too Jack Gregory's spot in pass-rush situations.

     * Defensive tackle Rick Dvorak took Mendenhall's place for most of the second half although he was bothered by a sore shoulder.

     Van Pelt came out of the Eagle game with several bumps and bruises, but he should be ready for the Skins.  Offensive left tackle Willie Young, who sat out the Eagle game because of sore ribs, may return Sunday but Stuckey's status still is questionable at this time.

New Jerseyan here, by way of Queens, NY.

Thanks guys for your kind words.  I used to post here occasionally many years ago when you had the old BBWC board (before things went sour there).  I've sort of been on a very prolonged injured reserve and now I'm up-and-at''em!  I also needed to differentiate myself a little bit from the Giant-related handles, so I'm using one that reflects my favorite colllege football team, the Michigan Wolverines.  Blue always stick together!

This is an excerpt from the first game of the Giants' 1975 season that appeared in The Bergen Record, written by Vinny Di Trani, on Monday, September 22, 1975.  The Giants defeated the Eagles, 23-14.

     "....Yet from the total despair of that late first-period play, the Giants yesterday managed to concoct a 23-14 triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles.  Coach Bill Arnsparger's the first to admit 'It wasn't very pretty,' but he's not about to throw it back.  A Giant win has been so rare in recent years that no one is going to question the methods used to achieve it."

     '"We weren't spectacular, but we got the job done," appraised Ron Johnson, who scored two touchdowns.  "We made mistakes, but we never totally broke down."'

     "(John) Mendenhall's injury, which may keep him out of next week's game with Washington, brought about an immediate switch of Dave Gallagher from end to tackle, and the insertion of rookie George Martin at end.  In the second half, however, Gallagher returned to end and Rick Dvorak played tackle.  The different combinations managed to shut off the Eagles' running game and recorded three sacks of the quarterbacks."

     "That's where the total collapse, 1974 style, would have struck.  But the ensuing onside kickoff was covered by wide receiver (Ray) Rhodes.  And, on a third-and-10 play in an apparent kill-the-clock possession, (Craig) Morton play-faked and lofted a 50-yard scoring bomb to Rhodes."

     "The touchdown with 39 seconds left ended any chance of the total breakdown.  'It's a win and they can't take it away from us,' said Morton, who had a good day throwing (14-of-28 for 240 yards) despite missing practice Friday and Saturday because of a twisted right wrist."

     "It not only was a win, but the most lopsided Arnsparger has achieved in his season-plus-one-game as Giants' head coach."
     

I have been a Giant fan since 1986, when I was in the sixth grade.  I am also a Michigan Wolverines fan; have been so since around the same time I started following the Giants.  I am an old school kind of boy who loves to read about the history and players of the Giants and Wolverines teams of the past. 

My favorite Giant is Brad Van Pelt.

I can speak some French.  I enjoy art, music, photography, food and wine, swimming, the Jersey Shore.  My favorite TV shows are whatever's on Turner Movie Classics, I Dream Of Jeannie, many shows from the '60s and '70s.  Music-wise, I love everything from classical to doo wop to British Invasion to disco to easy listening.