Giants An "Improved" Team For 1976

[Wolverine1975]

Although the Giants finished 3-11 in their inaugural season at the Meadowlands, hopes were quite high for Big Blue prior to the start of the 1976 season.  Vinny DiTrani of The Bergen Record speculated on the team's potential in this September 10, 1976 article (excerpted).

GIANTS: IMPROVED, BUT...
Schedule a factor

by Vinny DiTrani

     A 16-8 record is nothing to laugh at, but when you tie that kind of mark to the New York Giants, you'll be sure to get plenty of gaffaws.  Yet 16-8 has been the Giants' record, in preseason that is, over the past four years.
     The 4-2 mark this summer kept the team at a two-out-of-three winning clip for exhibitions.  The three previous preseasons, however, have led into regular campaigns where the Giants were just 9-32-1.  Just what this exhibition season foretells remains to be seen.
     While the Giants' main acquisition, Larry Csonka, has brought the spotlight to the offense, it has been the defense, (Bill) Arnsparger's forte, that has been particularly impressive.  It allowed just 65 points in six games, and shut out the champion Steelers, during the preseason.
     When the defensive line applies the pressure, the defense has been extremely effective.  John Mendenhall is healthy again, Jack Gregory appears ready to pick up where he left off last year and Dave Gallagher has improved at left tackle. 
     But the most improved man up front has been left end George Martin, the second-year end who appears to have the ability to make the big play.  He did in Green Bay, an interception TD which turned the game around.  He's batted down several other passes and accumulated some sacks, too.
     Brad Van Pelt, getting better with each snap, Brian Kelley and Pat Hughes are the linebackers with hungry youngsters Bob Schmit, Harry Carson and Dan Lloyd in reserve.  Carson has shown signs of greatness mixed in with his rookie mistakes while working in the middle.  Schmit has pushed Hughes on the weakside.
     Craig Morton was the first to celebrate the acquisition of Csonka, who takes much of the heat off the quarterback.  Morton had a good preseason, completing better than 60 per cent of his tosses with no interceptions.  Norm Snead was brought in as the backup only after rookie Jerry Golsteyn, who showed much promise, went down with a knee injury.
     Bob Tucker appears happy and contented once again at tight end with Gary Shirk, a hard-working WFLer, as the backup.
     Arnsparger made what could be a significant change in the placekicking department when he brought in strong-footed Joe Danelo from Green Bay to replace erratic George Hunt.  Dave Jennings remains as one of the top NFL punters.
     Improved?  Undoubtedly the Giants are just that.  How much?  It could depend upon good health, an opening win against the Redskins, and a break or two along the way.  Right now, however, the club looks destined for fourth place in the tough NFC Eastern Division.