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Loading ...In the hectic world that is the National Football league, we spend more time looking forward than we do back. But with the NFL Draft still about seven weeks away, I thought it might be time to take a break, look back and appreciate a true giant among men, Emlen Tunnell.
As a long-time Giants fan who greatly appreciates the history of the organization, I was relatively familiar with Emlen Tunnell. I knew he was a talented safety for the team in late 40’s through the late 50’s and I knew he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967. I also knew he went on to become a scout and ultimately an assistant coach for Big Blue, but what I didn’t know would be unearthed while simply searching through some statistics.
Born on March 29th, 1925, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Tunnell was one of four children. He had a typical childhood for a minority at that time, and didn’t really appear to stand out. In fact, it wasn’t until he began attending high school at Radnor Township that his parents, Elzie and Catherine, realized he had a gift.
Tunnell became an all-sports star. He seemingly excelled at everything he did and promptly earned himself an athletic scholarship to the University of Toledo in Ohio where he took the field as he teams tailback.
Unfortunately, Tunnell’s athletic career, and his life, almost ended just as quickly as it had begun.
During a game in the fall of 1942, at the age of 17, Tunnell went down with a devastating injury…a broken neck. The injury was so severe that he awoke the following day to a Catholic priest in his room, administering the Last Rites.
Tunnell would persevere, however, returning to sports after nearly a year of wearing a neck brace. And although he was warned that football should no longer be in consideration, it wouldn’t take long before he found peace on that beautiful green grass once again.
That place of peace and green, green grass? Well…let’s just say it wasn’t exactly something many people would refer to as relaxing or peaceful.
After being turned down by both the Army and the Navy because of his previously broken neck, Tunnell found a home in the Coast Guard. And as I mentioned above, it’s where he found his way back to football.
After only a single season, Tunnell was named to the United Press Pacific Coast All-Service team. It was a testament to not only his heart and determination, but the ability to adapt and overcome all odds. And it was just the beginning of what would be one of the great careers and stories of all time.
Following the war, and thanks to his new-found friend Jim Walker, whom he had met while playing semi-pro baseball on the West Coast, Tunnell decided it was time to return to school. But rather than returning to Toledo, he decided to enroll at Iowa…a school comprised of much more color than he was used to seeing.
“I had never seen so many negro guys in one place in my life,” he said.
At the time, it was still a rarity to see a minority be treated equally, so it was a breath of fresh air to Tunnell and many others like him.
“Most of those negro boys had come to Iowa for the same reason I had,” he said. “They knew they would be given a chance to play. Great negro players were a part of the tradition at Iowa, going back to the days around World War I.”
Still, racism and prejudice weren’t completely erased. It existed, but in much smaller doses and Tunnell managed to make due and fly under the radar.
“I wasn’t afraid of prejudice,” Tunnell said, “But I didn’t intend to go looking for it. I wanted to go to a school where I could get an education and where I would be allowed to play football. I didn’t want to have to fight my way onto the practice field every afternoon.”
Tunnell quickly earned himself a spot on the football team, beating out 21 other left halfback’s (Iowa ran a single-wing offense at the time) and eventually found his way up the depth chart; playing on offense, defense and special teams.
The team went 5-4 in 1946, but it was in 1947 that Tunnel would have arguably his greatest game of all time.
Against a Notre Dame team that is now considered one of the best college teams of all time, Tunnell put on a show. He led Iowa in both rushing and pass receiving and nearly won the game for his Hawkeye’s. Unfortunately, they came up a tad short…but that didn’t stop local papers from praising his effort. In what would surely be considered racist today, a writer from a Cedar Rapids newspaper shared the following statement:
“[Johnny] Lujack was put in the shade by a dusky Hawkeye, Emlen Tunnell.The shifty left halfback provided the day’s top thrill with a 65-yard sprint through the entire Notre Dame team to set up what should have been an Iowa score in the third quarter.”
Just as things were beginning to look up for Tunnell, another unsuspecting injury would put his athletic career in jeopardy once again. This time, the then junior came down with an eye-infection that required an operation. It meant that he’d miss at least the finally two weeks of his season and the same amount of classes. So rather than sticking around Iowa, Tunnell packed up and headed home to Pennsylvania. And while he intended to return and finish college the following year, fate had a different plan for him.
When he arrived home, he was met with a questionnaire sent by the New York Giants. And under NFL rules at the time, since Tunnell’s original college class had graduated, he was able to sign a professional contract.
Still, Tunnell was skeptical. Although the color barrier in the NFL had been broken two years earlier, the Giants were not one of the teams to carry a black player. And assuming his chances were slim-to-none, he prepared to discard the questionnaire and move onto a life without football. However, a run-in with an old friend named Vince McNally, who had recently been let go as the general manager of the Los Angeles Dons in the All-American Football Conference, changed his mind.
“Emlen, if I were you I’d at least go over to New York and talk to the Giants. Tim Mara is a square shooter and he’ll level with you. The Rams have Kenny Washington and Woody Strode, and the New York Yanks (then an NFL team) have Buddy Young, so a colored player won’t be anything new. Maybe the Giants are ready for a colored player. If so, it might as well be you,” McNally said.
Realizing that his dream, in his own words, had “substance,” Tunnell, with only $1.50 to his name, hitchhiked all the way to upper Manhattan (The Polo Grounds) for an unannounced tryout with the New York Giants.
Surprised by the visit, Mara was somewhat reluctant to give Tunnell a tryout. But ultimately, in the Mara’s typically good nature, he decided to move forward and give the kid a shot.
“Well, since you had the nerve to come in and ask for a tryout, we might as well give you one,” Mara said.
And that’s all it took. Following his workout, Tunnell was signed to a one-year, $5,000 contract that included a $500 signing bonus.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Tunnell went on to play 14 NFL seasons (11 with New York and three with Green Bay), missing only a single game throughout the duration. In 167 professional games, Tunnell intercepted 79 passes (including a record 10 for a Giants safety in 1949) and brought four back for scores. He also racked up big numbers as a return man, was name to nine Pro Bowls and eight All-Pro teams. He played in “The Greatest Game Ever Played” and, as I noted above, was the first African American named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“In 1950,” he recalled later, “we developed a defense against the Browns that came to be known as the Umbrella. Our ends, Jim Duncan and Ray Poole, would drift back and cover the flats while tackles Arnie Weinmeister and Al DeRogatis and guards Jon Baker and John Mastrangelo were charged with rushing the passer and containing the run. The lone linebacker, John Canady, was told to follow the Brown fullback wherever he went.”
“Tom Landry played the left corner, Harmon Rowe the right, I was the strong safety and Otto Schnellbacher the weak. If you would look at this alignment from high in the stands it looked like an opened umbrella. In truth, it was the same 4-3-2-2 used today. We did go into other formations, but mostly we used this 4-3 arrangement. It was so successful against the Browns that we beat them twice. The first time we played them we shut them out, the first time that had ever happened to them.”
The man who had overcome everything decided to retire only after he realized he could no longer jump up and touch the goalposts during his pregame wind sprints.
His 79 career interceptions are still the second most all time (Paul Krause, 81), while his 1,282 interceptions yards ranks third most (Rod Woodson, 1,483 and Deion Sanders, 1,331) in NFL history.
He was named to the NFL 1950’s All-Decade Team and listed #70 on The Sporting News‘ list of 100 Greatest Football Players in 1999.
Tunnell passed away on July 22nd, 1975. He was only 50.
nice piece dan….
i just picked up the 10 greatest giants games. im watching the 87 playoffs against the 49ers! omg! i love this. i was only 5 at the time….what a team!
I got that about two weeks ago. Watched some of those games with my Father. Damn…what a D! Carl Banks is UNREAL in some of those games.
Repost:
Why has there been so little talk around the NFL about Morrison? Hes a 3rd round tender right? I havent even heard rumors about him
Um, because he sucks and he’s from the Raiders and he’s not worth a 3RD pick.
Dumb quote of the day also goes to Kujo for this reply.
Yeah I agree with Kujo, Morrison is awfull. He wouldnt be worth a 6th rounder.
Good article, Dan. I gotta say that my knowledge of the history of the Giants is woeful at best. I’m a passionate fan, but I have a gaping hole of my knowledge of this team prior to the 80s. I appreciate this wonderful article about our lineage and would definitely enjoy similar ones in the future.
Thanks, man. I am thinking about posting stuff like this from time to time if I get a positive reaction to it.
Oops…update posted while I was writing this in last thread:
I don’t know anything about the college kids, all my info leading up to the draft comes from here.
That being said, even with our glaring need at DT and MLB…if this Haden kid has a real chance to be a “shutdown” corner, I’d take him if he dropped.
MLB and DT are easier to fill with “stopgap” players (and from the sounds of it there will certainly be serviceable starters available at least at LB later in the draft – not to mention our own Goff may very well be just fine as a starter after a full offseason in that role at least for a little while as we look for an upgrade). Top tier CBs are up there with QBs and DEs as far as difficulty acquiring one.
Webster, TT, and Ross isn’t a long term solution anyway…decisions on both Webster and Ross will likely be coming soon. We certainly can use another starter prospect on our roster.
Sucks?
He has 120 tackles a year. In 4 years hes had 6 FF and 7 INT. Plus since 05, hes played in all 16 games every year.
And yes hes from the raiders…put him around our guys and lets see how much better he does.
Worth every bit of a 3rd rounder IMO
Quote of the day goes to Kujo “….an atrocious decision which was only surpassed in stupidity….” LMAO classic. That pretty much defines my thoughts on TC as a coach right there.
And Kujo, I like your example in the last post section but I have to rebut with the fact that Nicks never displaced SS, they play different WR positions, and the rest of the WR positions weren’t anywhere set in stone. Now, I agree Sintim should have been given more chances I also think Clark played a lot better than most give him credit for. Also, Nicks was one of the most NFL ready players in the draft and there’s no way of telling if Sintim was grasping the material. I understand your point and agree for the most part but I think a good CB has just as much chance at playing time as a good DT would. In fact there are more packages with more CBs used than their are DTs.
Could be, bro. But name me a corner who started and excelled in his rookie year and I’ll named you a dozen or more who rode the pine or who saw extensive action on special teams.
Pshhh! Bruce Johnson :) haha. He is one of the few. Just shows the giants know how to pick up role players later in the draft and undrafted. (Bruce and Michael Johnson, Bradshaw, boss. All in 3 years)
Kujo-Morrison sucks now? Dude I love your knowledge but you are way off about this one. Morrison is a very solid MLB in the NFL. You are crazy if you think different. Dude could instantly start here. Its not even close. In fact, he’d be a fan favorite very quickly if he came here. Not saying he will or should because I think JR is a bit too over protective with his draft picks but you CAN NOT judge Morrison because he plays in the black hole.
I was making a joke. I don’t think he’s very good and I don’t know that he brings more to the table than Jon Goff could, under the right circumstances. I guess I’m just one of those people on here who are more comfortable with Goff starting with a vastly improved defensive line eating up blockers in front of him.
Dan, now this is GREAT!!!
I’m sure only a few of us ever saw Em Tunnell play, but I had the pleasure of watching him for a number of years, both at the Polo Grounds and at Yankee Stadium. This guy was the best safety the Giants have ever had, and perhaps the best safety I ever saw play. He had a knack for making big plays at the right time, and when he made an interception the crowd used to rise in expectation of a big return.
You youngsters will just have to believe me. If Kenny Phillips continues to improve for 3-4 years he MIGHT be the #1 guy on a depth chart that included Tunnell. It would not be easy to pass that guy.
Thanks, man. This was pretty much written with you in mind. Of all the people on this site, I knew you’d appreciate it the most.
LT56 –
Thanks bro…exactly my pt. This guy is no stud, I know that. But very solid when it comes to sure tackling and being a leader on D. No off the field problems that Im aware of and very little injuries throughout his first 5 years.
If he is placed with Osi Kiki Tuck Sintim Boley – I think he would shine. AP was no stud when he came here and he really had a very nice career with us.
Also…in the 3rd round, its slim that you’ll get someone that has had a solid career like Morrison. If we can go DT in the first and OL in the second…plus rolle and morrison…great great offseason.
Well gotta disagree with this 3RD stance you just took. Theres probably more successful 3RDs than 1RDs in the NFL. However, Mirrison is a very good player and shouldn’t be disrespected.
Mirrison=Morrison
LOL. I’m like the Sandra Bullock of G101. I get both a Razzie AND an Oscar. SWEET!
LOL….Classic
In other news, I’m engaged in an argument on Bleacher Report with some idiot who could possibly be in danger of over-dosing on the Kool-Aid about our linebackers sucking. Check it out: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/358828-nfl-free-agency-giants-may-stick-with-goff-at-mlb
PS- I’m “Matthew James” in that one…not “Sandra Bullock.”
Great piece dan!
off topic though, the whole iverson situation is truely a shame
Yeah, man. I was thinking the same when I read it earlier. Really terrible. People will call me a fool, but I actually feel bad for him.
Me too. Minus a couple of incidents hes not a bad guy, and he was a hell of basketball player. Kids should be taught to play as hard as that guy did throughout his career.
Black people in Iowa?
Good one, Dan…You almost had me there.
And someone picked up a black hitchhiker? Now I know that this is total BS.
Leave it to KD.
Now tell Reby to stop ignoring my messages.
Nice Piece Dan! Love it and my dad’s a big Emlen Tunnel fan..
Thanks! Make sure your pops gives it a read!
Dan-Well written but I have to say I’m not really interested in this stuff. I’ve never even heard of this guy. Maybe thats more reason why I should be into it but this was a bit too long for me personally since it isn’t a subject of interest to me. But thats just me. Like you said, this will probably appeal more to an older crowd.
To know where we’re going, we must know where we’ve been. :)
For the Morrison guys out there, check these out:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/357317-oakland-raiders-did-kirk-morrison-deserve-his-low-tender-offer
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/357964-uncommon-dilemma-why-new-yorks-third-round-pick-is-so-intriguing
IMO, they’re balanced examinations of the player and lead me to believe that he wouldn’t be a good addition to this team. He smacks of AP 2.0. I understand the desire to upgrade the MLB spot, but if you’re gonna do it, go big! Grab McClain or Spoon or Spikes. Those guys will undoubtedly be vast improvements to our defense. But Morrison? I don’t think so.
I still dont understand why so many are disrespecting AP as much as possible. He had a good career for the Giants and was a major impact on our D. If he has stayed in shape he’s still be here.
Also I watch Raiders games….glutton for punishment I guess. Actually, I have a lot of family on the west coast and in order to talk junk I need to educate myself on their play.
I disagree Morrison is not worth the pic. Totally disagree. He’s by far their best LB and has a great football IQ. That being said, I do believe Goff has a bright future in front of him if he’s given the chance to develop.
And by the way, I love how Langan just warned you away from BR last thread and you still keep linking that piss poor site LMAO….cracks me up Kujo!
You aren’t the only glutton for punishment dude.
yea dan, this 87 game vs the 9ers is great…lol John madden is at his best.lol. i cant wait to watch some more games 2night at work lol. hope it wont be busy tonight.lol
good god ronnie lot just met morrison in the hole! what a hit! thats what i want in our 2ndary this year
carson and burt just made a great play along with banks and taylor was goin wild! the passion is great! we need that on our team! omg im so hyped!lol
LoL. You’re acting like I did when I was watching. I was cheering as if it just happened. That D was serious business. And it makes you appreciate how good LT was. He was truly the greatest.
why didnt we retire carson and banks numbers? ik ima stop with the 86 giants.lol
lol ok this is the last… sad, we had so many LBs! all of them making plays! im sayin if pepper johnson was on this team now he’d be a stud! now we are hopin guys like boley and even my man sintim will do something..just sad
Benton, Reby is totally self absorbed. If she’s ignoring you it is probably b/c she doesn’t think you can do anything for her. She is all about self promotion. And she don’t play for our team. You gotta plug het website and her facebook. The higher the profile, the higher she’ll jump.
The next Tila tequila eh?
Wonderful… what the world needs more of.
i dont care….ima have to say this…the definition of SAM LB is Carl Banks! i forgot what good LB play looks like. this is the best set of DVDs i have bought! lol
Dan-why don’t you get at Steve Smith on Twitter about an interview? He would probably be game.
KD-A self absorbed hot female….what a new concept LOL…
She doesn’t play on our team…Don’t waste your time like I did only to meet her girlfriend.
And with Reby, you have to play to her super inflated ego. And make fun of her nose. She hates that.
TT-What DVD are you watching?
New York giants 10 greatest games! like 44bucks. im watching giants vs 49ers 1987 playoff game. i cant believe how hyped i am watching this game. im rooting and cheering.lol
Very nice. Never knew there was a such DVD. Dont happen to have a link to where you got it do you? Must be nice watching the Giants with REAL linebackers! Gotta say I’m a much bigger fan of a 4-3 D but 3-4 LBs are totally exciting to watch.
well, i went all over to find it today.i forget what website it was on. i went to best buy and fye but both didnt have it finally i swear my last spot, of all places…BARNS AND NOBLES had it! lol. yea i like the 4-3 better but the 3-4 in which we ran was crazy. john madden said carl banks is mvp of the game. he had a heck of a game!
and our LBs back then looke so much bigger! lol
http://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8#hl=en&source=hp&q=10+greatest+NY+Giants+Games+dvd&rlz=1R2GGLL_enUS369&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&fp=91fa8dc8225f38ce
lol thanx hanshi
ur welcome.
Wow thx Hanshi I bow to you in respect.
The Colts have released starting LG Ryan Lilja. ANy interest for the Giants?
The linebackers WERE generally bigger then, but that’s because their responsibilities were against the run and getting to the quarterback. The league didn’t then have these ridiculous rules that prevented anyone from touching the QB or the receivers. And linebackers didn’t have nearly as much responsibility in coverage.
But our guy Sintim would be big for a linebacker in any era of the NFL. If Reese takes McClain or Spikes they’d be big in any era as well.
http://www.giantsgab.com/2010/03/08/colts-release-ryan-lilja-giants-should-sign/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GiantsGab+%28Giants+Gab%29
Vikings | Making push to sign Lloyd
Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:27:53 -0800
Ralph Vacchiano, of the New York Daily News, reports the Minnesota Vikings are making a big push to sign restricted free-agent PK Rhys Lloyd (Panthers) before he leaves for his next visit, according to a source. Lloyd is scheduled to meet with the New York Giants Tuesday, March 9.
Like I said yesterday, he went to high school in Minnesota so I’m sure if they dont low ball him he’ll go there. I’d rather find a kicker we could use to replace Tynes with all together anyhow.
I’d be down for Lilja. I’d like to know why the Colts released him though. To me, he’s a pretty damn good OL. My first thought when I saw Hanshi post the question was he could become our LG, Beatty could go to LT and DD could push McKenzie out of the RT spot. Sure enough thats what the article said, LOL. I’m for it. We could even give Beatty another year to backup if we wanted to give McKenzie one more year at RT. I like the idea. First thing though is to see why exactly he was let go in the first place since he’s only 28 and seemingly played well throughout his time with the Colts.
Man, Dez Bryant cant even work out at his schools pro day? He has to have his own? I love his skill set and think he’ll have a good NFL career but this guy seems like a ME guy every time I hear something about him. These WRs really think the world revolves around them.
does it have something to do with him being delcared ineligable? didnt read the story just asking
No his choice. He might not want anything to do with them because he was suspended but its still on him.
FF55Y-Is it because of the coverage responsibilities that 34 LBs tend to be smaller fast guys now when back then they were huge brutes like the 43 guys of today? I’m always so mad every year seeing the big time athletes labeled as strictly 34 LBs. Sometimes I wish the Giants would just say forget that and draft one to bring some athleticism to our team. I’m so sick of slow guys who are muscular. Muscles don’t matter if you cant catch the guy you intend to hit with them.
People on here (myself, included) salivate over the prospect of our team transitioning to the 3-4. It’s the current trend, the way the league is evolving in an attempt to adapt to the pass-heavy orientations of the top teams. Furthermore, as you said, all of the best athletes on defense these days seem to project to positions in the 3-4 defense.
because the undersized college DEs translate well into 3-4 OLBs. Very little pass coverage responsibilities, pure pass rushers…. Plus vs the run they are usally being blocked by TEs
We would need atleast 1 DT, a NT, 2 MLBS , maybe a OLB. Not sure how osi or kiwi would translate. Sintim would be solid
Maybe an OLB?, more like at LEAST 1 and probably 2 MLBs, LBs have to be your strong point in a 34 not a weak point like on our squad.
And a quiet descends upon Giants 101…
I hate the idea of changing to a 34. Tuck might be able to do it maybe. Osi woudl be useless. Our DEs are our strongest point, we need to play a 43. and we dont have the LBs for it at all. you run a 34 because your lbs are your strongest point not your worst. I dont like the idea at all to be honest.
Dont mind a hybrid though. I think that would be wise. Always thought it was dumb to stick to one way and be stuck in a rut. I think you should be able to change back and forth. it makes it easier to take the BPA in the draft as well and allow your guys to stay healthier and have longer careers. I dont understand why they dont do that more. Then again, we have a hard enough time keeping DCs that can figure one style out.
we will play some form of a 3-4 within the next 2-3 years at the most.Like Ive been saying for months it is te direction the NFL is moving in. every year 2-3 teams make the switch to the 3-4 and NOBODY is switching back to the 4-3. I believe we will see many 3-4 looks this year on third downs, with Kiwi, Sintim, Canty, Tuck and Osi all on the field..
The only thing standing in between this progress is Coughlin.
Great stuff Dan. I love this idea. The history of the GIANTS is so rich and I think stories like this make us all proud to be fans of the greatest organization in sports.
Apparently that “kicking specialist” just signed with the Vikings.
:sigh:
Someone mentioned earlier that he’s from that area… and was going to sign there all along.
Yeah, like I said yesterday, he went to high school there.
Just feeds my assertion that we should spurn tradition and just draft one of these guys.
Damn, no one on here tonight.
Since I’m talking to myself, I’ll spout some nonsense.
Eli Manning ain’t shit.
Brandon Jacobs is soft.
Steve Smith will never be a #1 receiver in this league.
Justin Tuck is a bitch.
Ooof!! Just looked in to see what was happening only to see we didn’t get Sorgi or Lloyd. Bad news on both fronts. But it’s good to know the Giants recognize the kicking problem. You have to recognize it to solve it.
I don’t think there’s as good a solution out there for backup quarterback as was a healthy Sorgi or David Carr. I suppose it could work out fine if they bring in Garcia and work Bomar into the role in 2011 or 2012. But I’d have rather had Sorgi.
kujo, watch what you post. Someone might start agreeing with you.
Giants should of moved faster, Lloyd signed with the Vikings….as expected
The Cowboys ain’t shit, it’s the truth and you know it
Their shit is so week that even Heidi Fleice won’t blow it
Tony Romo is a funboy and he takes it in the tush
And you know the rest of those nancies are all a bunch of puss
The Redskins are a joke that’s the truth I must beg
No one wants to be there, so they thank God when someone shoots ‘em in the leg!
They’re laughed at and spit on like Jesus with a cross
And no one knows bullsh*t like that p*ssy Santana Moss
The Eagles are ugly and their city is full of crap
We should let al-Qaeda come in and wipe it off the map
Their coach looks like a meatball and their QB just pukes
Meanwhile their receivers are shorter than a pair of Daisy Dukes.
…not Angel Lugo, but I’m bored and alone so deal with it.
Hey cool it with the hating on Philly! The birds are fair game but believe it or not some Giants fans call Philly home.
Well, I’d make sure they evacuated first.
I enjoyed the article. I am a young Giants fan for 23 years and my knowledge of the history goes back to 1985. I remembered watching Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, Carl Banks, Pepper Johnson, and Gary Reasons…the greatest linebackers in my time and I fell in love with the Giants since.
I am a history bluff and I would get my hands on any articles and books based on the rich history of Giants dated back to 1925 when Tim Mara first bought the franchise with $500.00. I read a few books, one stood out as my favorite so far is “Greatest Game Ever Played” written by Frank Gifford. I have searched websites on any articles written about the history of Giants dated before my time. I was pleasantly surprised when I came upon yours, Dan. Thank you!! Emlen Tunnell sounded like one and only best safety ever to play for the Giants. I would love it if our safeties could play like him! It would be a honor for them and for us! Has any safeties after him ever came as close to be among the best with the Giants? I don’t remember any that were as good as Tunnell since I became a diehard Giants fan. Probably the reason I could not remember because they were not one of the best!
I hope Kenny Phillips will be able to live up to his potential when he recovers 100% from his knee surgery. I won’t count Antrel Rolle because Arizona drafted him not us. I am glad we signed Rolle anyway!
I know im prob really late on this ship…but i just found out the redskins just switched to 3-4, kinda interesting. I know our personal isn’t 3-4 friendly atm but i wish the giants did. BTW i really enjoyed the article dan, its really interesting to learn about the game before i started watching so TY.
FF55Y-I don’t know that “the Giants recognize the kicking problem.” Lloyd was only for kickoffs. We still would have had Tynes to miss fieldgoals.
I think kickoffs are are bigger need then FGs atm. I know tynes is not the most reliable at FGs but his kick-off are down right horrible.
Absolutely right but carrying two kickers is a roster problem we dont need. We need to find a kicker who can do both.
Finding that kicker is a lot more difficult than it sounds. Frankly, there aren’t many or every team would have one. The Pats and Raiders have one, so maybe we should look for a kicker whose last name ends in “owski” lol. But seriously, it’s not that big of a roster problem when you consider we’d be taking a spot from someone like Moss who we don’t need/use anyway.
Dan I have to give you credit on this article. I’m only 21 and I did not know much of the giants history prior to the 80’s. Kinda wish the 2010 giants could read this and realize how hard someone would work to be a part of the giants organization.
Once again, kudos dan
Thats the exact way i feel. Again awesome article!!
Tynes is just about average when it comes to field goals. Thats not something worth whining about. Sure, we could do better. But we could also do a lot worse. If it wasnt for his kick offs, Id be fine with him. Finding a kicker isnt that easy and drafting one is a major crapshoot. If we carry another kicker just for kickoffs, we have a lot more pressing needs than a placekicker..
http://www.crunchgear.com/wp-content/photos/spam_1.jpg
Indeed…
It appears the blog layout is a big hit.
Well, hopefully I have that under control. Gotta love spamming.
We’re eventually going to be to registered comments only, so I hope no one has any objections to that.
Samar,
Who would you say is the best “leg” coming out of this year’s draft. I’m not looking for just a FG guy, or just a kickoff specialist. I want someone who is at least as good as Tynes on FG (slightly better than average) but who represents a considerable upgrade on kickoffs. Who, in your estimation, is this year’s best find?
On the top of my head, Id say maybe Leigh Tiffin from Alabama…
30 on 35 kicks this year and has 14 TBs on 94 kick offs. Seems like a solid allrounder to me.
Hunter Lawrence from Texas is a pretty clutch guy, but he doesnt kick off.
Then theres Craig Ratanamorn from Marshall and Brett Swenson from Mich State that could get camp invites..
Only one I see being drafted is Tiffen
Checked NFLDraftscouts rankings and they were:
1: Tiffen
2: Aaron Pettrey
3: Swenson
4: Lawrence
Jim Sorgi will not be doing for the Giants what he did with the Colts: back up a Manning at quarterback.
Sorgi paid a visit to the team yesterday, but after taking a physical the Giants expressed reservations over a problem with Sorgi’s right shoulder — tendinitis in the shoulder landed him on injured reserve at the end of last season. Sorgi left without a contract offer
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/giants/giants_pass_on_sorgi_as_backup_qb_dSXZsUwIdB18Av3evRbFuO#ixzz0hgeemmz7
As far as nt Signing Sorgi, I am glad we passed. Moresothan the fact that he has done Nothing in his career, I figure if the Colts let him walk right after Peyton Manning has neck surgery, he probably is not the answer.Either that or his shoulder is worth then advertised
How about MBulger if he’s released. Could do a lot worse than him….
Dan… when you talk G101 player interviews… do you mean real-time as in here… or an interview you conduct and then report on?
I’m only asking because the last thing we need is someone being nice enough to join the forum for a couple hours… only to be told what a bum he is… yanno.
LoL
LOL… but you know it’s true. G101 posters are an unruly lot. Men of few words… the majority of which begin with F.
Kicker Rhys Lloyd has announced on his Twitter page that he’s a Viking. Lloyd will be a kickoff specialist in Minnesota, assuming that coach Brad Childress decides to devote roster spots to two kickers.
I have been following this site for a few years now, but rarely if ever post. Just wanted to thank you for the article on Tunnell. My dad was born in 1940 in Mt Vernon, NY and grew up watching the games at the Polo Grounds. His favorite player was Emlen Tunnell, and to this day talks about him as one of the best ever to put on the blue jersey. For me, it was just nice to learn a little more about my Dad’s childhood hero. Thanks again for writing this.
Don’t be shy… feel free to post. !!!
I might, but usually I just enjoy reading what all you regular posters write. Although the pain of being a NY transplant, living in Philadelphia (and a Mets and Giants fan to boot) makes me need the occassional forum for which to vent to!
Trying to decide if it’s a good time to buy a new Prius… they’ve got to be motivated.
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Yahoo News…
This is really good news today….