When talk of the bad drafts of recent years comes up, those of us that have been around awhile remember over 20 years of bad drafts in the 60's and 70's. The bad drafts started before Allie Sherman became head coach and lasted until George Young took over the draft.
When we lose a player from that era, like Willie Williams last year, it brings back great memories of some really good players from those bad teams we've forgotten or were too young to see. Whenever talk of the greatest Giants of all time comes up, names from the glory years like Gifford and Huff are mentioned then the names jump to Simms, Taylor and Banks. Barely a name or 2 from the '64-'79 teams.
I'd like to put together a "Wilderness All Star Team". Each name should include how he was acquired (i.e. 3rd rd draft pick, free agent, trade). I want to see if we can can put together a Super Bowl contender from players acquired during this period or just how bad the teams drafting was back then.
To be eligible, players had to be acquired before 1979. Harry Carson is eligible because he was drafted during this time. Players should be measured by their level of play after 1964. For example, Del Shofner was one of the best receivers in the NFL during the glory years, but after 1963 he didn't really do much. He wouldn't make my wilderness team. Let's see if we can come up with a Super Bowl contender from a group of players that were acquired between 1960 & 1979 and played here between 1964 & 1983.
I'll start with a couple, then others can add to it.
QB-Fran Tarkenton- 1967 trade for 2 first, 2 second and 1 third round picks. Played at HOF level his first 4 years here.
DT- John Mendenhall- 1972 third round draft pick. I don't think he ever made the Pro Bowl, but he played at close to pro bowl level.
OK, we need 20 more starters for our offense and 4-3 defense plus kickers, return men, Head Coach and if you disagree with my first 2 choices, a couple more starters.
When we lose a player from that era, like Willie Williams last year, it brings back great memories of some really good players from those bad teams we've forgotten or were too young to see. Whenever talk of the greatest Giants of all time comes up, names from the glory years like Gifford and Huff are mentioned then the names jump to Simms, Taylor and Banks. Barely a name or 2 from the '64-'79 teams.
I'd like to put together a "Wilderness All Star Team". Each name should include how he was acquired (i.e. 3rd rd draft pick, free agent, trade). I want to see if we can can put together a Super Bowl contender from players acquired during this period or just how bad the teams drafting was back then.
To be eligible, players had to be acquired before 1979. Harry Carson is eligible because he was drafted during this time. Players should be measured by their level of play after 1964. For example, Del Shofner was one of the best receivers in the NFL during the glory years, but after 1963 he didn't really do much. He wouldn't make my wilderness team. Let's see if we can come up with a Super Bowl contender from a group of players that were acquired between 1960 & 1979 and played here between 1964 & 1983.
I'll start with a couple, then others can add to it.
QB-Fran Tarkenton- 1967 trade for 2 first, 2 second and 1 third round picks. Played at HOF level his first 4 years here.
DT- John Mendenhall- 1972 third round draft pick. I don't think he ever made the Pro Bowl, but he played at close to pro bowl level.
OK, we need 20 more starters for our offense and 4-3 defense plus kickers, return men, Head Coach and if you disagree with my first 2 choices, a couple more starters.