The 1979 NFL season began on September 2, 1979, and the Giants' were matched against the Eagles. It was nine-and-a-half months earlier that they had met for the Fumble game. Now, with a new head coach (Ray Perkins), would the Giants be in better shape the close out the '70s? One thing still remained the same: the offense was still a trouble spot.
GIANTS STILL STUCK WITH WEAK OFFENSEby Vinny DiTrani
this article appeared in The (Bergen) Record, September 2, 1979. Excerpted by yours truly.
PHILADELPHIA---Perhaps it's fitting that Ray Perkins debuts as Giants head coach today against the Philadelphia Eagles. It was the Eagles, you may recall, who prompted ticket burnings and fly-overs last year by beating the Giants in the infamous Fumble Game at Giants Stadium.
The furor raised by the incredible ending resulted in the appointment of George Young as general manager, and then Perkins as head coach, replacing John McVay. Now, after a training period that produced more news than either Young or Perkins would have preferred, the "new" Giants wil be unveiled at Veterans Stadium.
"I don't know how far this team will go, I really don't," admits Perkins. "It's no secret we've had a few problems, but every team does. That's not an excuse.
"This team will go only as far as the attitude of the players will carry it. Our success will depend upon how many people we have who really want to win. That's how far we'll go."
Linebacker Brian Kelley added: "We've had a lot of bad things happen in camp, but sometimes that works to draw a team together. It just makes each guy work harder to make up for the problems. I'm a firm believer in hard work paying off eventually, and we certainly have worked hard in training camp.
"It might not pay off right away, but eventually it will."
Perkins' theories, no matter how they sound, must be executed if they are to be worth anything. Offensively, the soundest of theories can be negated by a porous offensive line. And the Giants' line, entering today's Eagle game, must be considered questionable at best.
Starting left tackle Gordon King is out for at least four games with a dislocated elbow, and starting right tackle Ron Mikolajczyk has been limping with tendinitis in his surgical knee. Behind them are utility man Jim Pietrzak, rookie Dan Fowler, and waiver pickup Gus Coppens. The outlook, at least until King and Mikolajczyk return to full health, is not promising.
Jim Clack is steady at center. The entire line picture should brighten in about four weeks when Brad Benson, who suffered a knee injury in late July, is scheduled to return from the injured list.
If the line can give him protection, Joe Pisarcik could prosper under Perkins' theories. Pisarcik was unhappy with the former Giant plan of attack, which used the forward pass almost exclusively in passing situations.
Perkins is entering the season with just three wide receivers, Jimmy Robinson, Johnny Perkins, and rookie Earnest Gray. The three will rotate, as will tight ends Gary Shirk and Al Dixon, who are rated even going into the season.
As far as the Giants' defense goes, Perkins apparently has found a capable replacement for the late Troy Archer in rookie Phil Tabor.
Pro Bowl players [Harry] Carson and Brad Van Pelt, plus the steady [Brian] Kelley, are the starting linebackers once again with veterans Dan Lloyd, Frank Marion, and John Skorupan in reserve.
Perkins shouldn't have any problems with his kicking game, what with Pro Bowl punter Dave Jennings and dependable place-kicker Joe Danelo.
"We've still got a long way to go," Perkins admitted, "but I think we've come a long way together so far."
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