Big Blue Huddle

GF67:   I am a H.S. football official so by no means an expert (far from it) on the pro rules but I am pretty sure it is the same in the NFL, NCAA and HS.  Roughing the kicker is penalized from the previous spot which would be where the ball was snapped from (line of scrimmage).  It carries a 15 yard penalty and automatic first down.  And not to be confused with displacing the kicker, slight contact that is not roughing which would be a 5 yard penalty from the previous spot and not an automatic first down.

Being a Giant fan I just might be a little biased but when you stop and think about the entire game, I think it was one of the greatest football games of all time.  How many turning points, key plays, twists and turns were there during that game.  Hoss's protecting the ball in the end zone to prevent a Buffalo td, the great stand of the Giants defense after that safety, the long drive at the beginning of the 2nd half high lited by OJ's great run with the shot on Kelso, Ingrams catch and drive for that first down,the Bills drive at the end and then wide right.  I WILL NEVER GET TIRED OF WATCHING THAT GAME.

Yale Bowl----I'll add my hello and welcome too.  The Yale Bowl is sort of special to me.  I saw my first Giants "home game" there.  As a kid growing up in western NYS I never got to see the Giants play in Yankee Stadium in person.  I did see them play a couple of times against the Steelers in Pitt Stadium but I always wanted to go to a home game.  A good friend of mine was a huge Packer fan so we decided to make the trip east for a Giants/Packers game at the Bowl.  That of course was during the dark times and they lost.  But I had a great time and will always have a soft spot in my heart for the Yale Bowl.

retro:  I didn't know so I looked it up.   And I would never have guessed.  I had never heard the Tuna called that.  Since I cheated and looked it up I won't post the answer.  Curious who knows.

I live in Jamestown NY which is in the southwestern corner of NYS about 70 miles south of Buffalo and about 45 miles east of Erie, Pa.  Right in the middle of Bills, Steelers and Browns country.

I have been a Giants fan since the mid-50's when we would get all the Cleveland Brown's games on tv.  Just loved watching Huff vs Brown.

I worked in common carrier trucking for 20+ years in operations supervision and sales until the bottom fell out of the industry.  Since then I worked for the
Jamestown Police Department and now the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department in communications.  We dispatch police, fire, ems and nonemergency equipment as needed. 

My son and I are both certified NYS football officials.  Yup, we are zebras and just love it.  Like Terry M.  I have a passion for golf.   And I truly stink at it.  Usually struggle to break 100.  Big fan of the Yankees and also follow the Rangers in hockey.  I enjoy watching the future stars of the NHL play in the Ontario Hockey League as Erie Pa. has a team in that league, the Otters.

dasher:   I'll take a shot at one more.  Was Sid Luckman on the coaching staff in 56??

Steve:   I always enjoyed that story about Ringo, his agent and Vince.  Even though it's probably not true.  And I'm sure you know what  I'm referring to.  I first read about it in Kramer's book Instant Replay.  For those who have not heard it before it goes something like this:

Back in the days when agents were rare and players did their own negotiating with their teams Ringo was coming into the Packer office for contract discussions.  He brought an agent with him and told Lombardi this agent would be doing the negotiating.  Vince shook hands with the agent and then excused himself saying he would be right back.  He supposedly went down the hall to another office and made a phone call.  I few minutes later he came back to his office and told the agent he was talking to the wrong team. Jim Ringo had just been traded to the Eagles.

I have read a couple different books on Lombardi and they both said it most likely did not happen that way and that the Ringo trade had been discussed with the Eagles for some time.  Anyway it did make a good story and probably made a few players think twice before going in with an agent for talks with Vince. 

I can add 1 Bear to the list but my answer is slightly tainted.  I had forgotten that John (Paddy) Driscoll was their head coach for that game.  But when I read that he was I did remember he was in the HOF.

Big Hitter---I think I have the 7th HC from the 61 Championship game.  How about Jim Ringo.

He lives not to far from me in Findley Lake NY

I can help   a little

Ron Johnson went to Michigan so you can put him with Toomer

Alex Webster went to NC State  and I am not sure but I think Williams also went there.

I am kicking myself for not knowing where YA went to college. 

Kart & Retro:  You are both of course correct.   I remember asking Chris Allen about Wayne Meylan being part of the trade as he was not listed on the Giants all time roster.  I had remembered Meylan as being a good special teams player and back up lb.  Chris said that he had been injured with the Browns and never healed enough to make the Giants.

The series of events that I was looking for went something like this.  The Browns wanted qb Mike Phipps out of Purdue in the draft but there was no chance he would fall to them.  So they had to trade their great wr Paul Warfield to Miami for Miami's first round pick.  So Cleveland got Phipps but lost a great receiver and needed someone to take his place.  They approached the Giants on the availability of Homer Jones.  The two teams started talking trade and some names were thrown around.  The Browns offered Johnson w/o saying a first name.  Supposedly they were talking about their dt Walter Johnson, a pretty good player.  The Giants were hoping they meant Ron who was coming off a terrific rookie season.  They did not think the Browns would be willing to part with RJ but took a shot and said do you mean Ron.  The Browns agreed and the Giants got RJ, Kanicki and Meylan.  Pretty good deal.

Since Bighitter got me going I thought I would throw one out there for your consideration.   Back before free agency trades in sports always interested me.  And one of my favorite of all time and and probably many on this board was the one that brought Ron Johnson to the Giants.  There was a series of events that made Ron a Giant.  Can anyone remember what that series was and who were the players involved in the trade???

Bighitter----I'll take a shot---Jim Houston  Number 82 from Ohio State

Big Hitter---I thought I had the answer to question number 2.  I was thinking Lewis Tillman---broke Walter Payton's records at Jackson State but he was with the Giants only 5 years.   I'll have to think some more.

BigHitter---thanks for the pic.  That was great.  Brings back some memories.

And Retro that was just great.  Exactally what I was hoping someone would come up with.  Thank you both.