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{{Infobox NFL season
{{short description|NFL team season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL team season
| logo = 1976-giants-mediaguide.jpg
| size = 220px
| caption =
| team = New York Giants
| team = New York Giants
| year = 1976
| year = 1976
| record = 3–11
| record = 3–11
| division_place = 5th [[National Football Conference East Division|NFC East]]
| division_place = 5th [[National Football Conference East Division|NFC East]]
| coach = [[Bill Arnsparger]] (fired week 7, 0–7 record)<br>[[John McVay]] (interim)
| coach = [[Bill Arnsparger]] (fired, 0–7)<br>[[John McVay]] (interim, 3–4)
| stadium = [[Giants Stadium]]
| stadium = [[Giants Stadium]]
| playoffs = ''did not qualify''
| playoffs = ''Did not qualify''
| pro_bowlers = LB [[Brad Van Pelt]]
| pro_bowlers = LB [[Brad Van Pelt]]
| shortnavlink = Giants seasons
| shortnavlink = Giants seasons
}}
}}
The '''{{nfly|1976}} [[New York Giants]] [[List of New York Giants seasons|season]]''' was the franchise's 52nd season in the [[National Football League]]. The Giants had a 3–11 record in 1976 and finished in last place in the [[National Football Conference East Division|NFC East]].<ref name="pfr">{{cite web | title = 1976 New York Giants | publisher = [[Pro Football Reference]] | url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/1976.htm | accessdate = May 9, 2009 | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090531172917/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/1976.htm| archivedate= 31 May 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
The '''1976 New York Giants season''' was the [[List of New York Giants seasons|franchise's 52nd season]] in the [[National Football League]]. The [[New York Giants|Giants]] had a 3–11 record in 1976 and finished last in the five-team [[National Football Conference East Division|NFC East]].<ref name="pfr">{{cite web | title = 1976 New York Giants | publisher = [[Pro Football Reference]] | url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/1976.htm | access-date = May 9, 2009 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090531172917/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/1976.htm| archive-date= May 31, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 1976 NFL Standings & Team Stats | publisher = Pro Football Reference | url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1976/ | access-date = March 9, 2021}}</ref>


The season was highlighted by the opening of the new [[Giants Stadium]] at the [[New Jersey Meadowlands]] in [[East Rutherford]] on October 10. In the first game at the stadium, after four road games to open the season, the defending NFC champion [[1976 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] handed New York a 24–14 loss.<ref name="pfr"/><ref>{{cite book | last = Whittingham | first = Richard | title = Illustrated History of the New York Giants | publisher = Triumph Books | year = 2005 | location = Chicago | pages = 175–176 | isbn = 1-57243-641-7 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 1975 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics | publisher = Pro Football Reference | url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1975/ | accessdate = October 23, 2014}}</ref> The Giants then suffered defeats against the [[1976 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]] and [[1976 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]],<ref>Whittingham, p. 176.</ref> falling to 0–7 after week 7.<ref name="pfr"/> At this time, they fired third-year head coach [[Bill Arnsparger]], whose Giants teams had lost 28 times in 35 games.<ref>{{cite news | last = Myers | first = Gary | title = Giants sacking Ben McAdoo midseason would have sent right message despite few interim options | work = [[New York Daily News]] | date = November 13, 2017 | url = http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/firing-mcadoo-interim-options-article-1.3629885 | accessdate = January 2, 2018 }}</ref> [[John McVay]] was named the team's interim coach,<ref>{{cite book | last = Harris | first = David | title = The Genius: How Bill Walsh Reinvented Football and Created an NFL Dynasty | publisher = Random House | year = 2008 | location = New York City | page = 66 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=D_TXnxc5cuwC&pg=PA66 | isbn = 978-1-58836-810-2 }}</ref> although director of operations [[Andy Robustelli]] said the appointment was "not strictly" on a temporary basis.<ref name="McVay">{{cite news | last = Icatz | first = Michael | title = McVay Is Rehired as Giants' Coach for Two Years | work = [[The New York Times]] | date = December 15, 1976 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1976/12/15/archives/mcvay-as-rehired-as-giants-coach-for-two-years-players-response-to.html | accessdate = January 2, 2018 }}</ref>
The [[1976 NFL season|season]] was highlighted by the opening of the new [[Giants Stadium]] at the [[New Jersey Meadowlands]] in [[East Rutherford]] on October 10. In the first game at the stadium, after four road games to open the season, the defending NFC champion [[1976 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] handed New York a 24–14 loss.<ref name="pfr"/><ref>Whittingham, pp. 175–176.</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = 1975 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics | publisher = Pro Football Reference | url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1975/ | access-date = October 23, 2014}}</ref> The Giants then suffered defeats against the [[1976 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]] and [[1976 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]],<ref>Whittingham, p. 176.</ref> falling to 0–7.<ref name="pfr"/> At this time, they fired third-year head coach [[Bill Arnsparger]], whose Giants teams had lost 28 times in 35 games.<ref>{{cite news | last = Myers | first = Gary | title = Giants sacking Ben McAdoo midseason would have sent right message despite few interim options | work = [[New York Daily News]] | date = November 13, 2017 | url = http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/firing-mcadoo-interim-options-article-1.3629885 | access-date = January 2, 2018 }}</ref> [[John McVay]] was named the team's interim coach,<ref>Harris, [https://archive.org/details/geniushowbillwal00harr/page/66 p. 66].</ref> although director of operations [[Andy Robustelli]] said the appointment was "not strictly" on a temporary basis.<ref name="McVay">{{cite news | last = Icatz | first = Michael | title = McVay Is Rehired as Giants' Coach for Two Years | work = [[The New York Times]] | date = December 15, 1976 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1976/12/15/archives/mcvay-as-rehired-as-giants-coach-for-two-years-players-response-to.html | access-date = January 2, 2018 }}</ref>


New York lost its first two games under McVay, against the [[1976 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]] and Cowboys.<ref name="McVay"/> The Giants' first win at Giants Stadium came on November 14, when they defeated the [[1976 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] 12–9; it was their first victory of the season after nine consecutive losses.<ref name="pfr"/><ref name="Whittingham180">Whittingham, p. 180.</ref> In their final four games, they won twice. Linebacker [[Brad Van Pelt]] became the first Giant to receive a Pro Bowl invitation since [[1973 Pro Bowl|1972]].<ref name="Whittingham180"/> Following the season, McVay remained the Giants' head coach, signing a two-year contract.<ref name="McVay"/>
New York lost its first two games under McVay, against the [[1976 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]] and Cowboys.<ref name="McVay"/> The Giants' first win at Giants Stadium came on November 14, when they defeated the [[1976 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] 12–9; it was their first victory of the season after nine consecutive losses and the first over a [[George Allen (American football coach)|George Allen]]-coached team in 15 tries.<ref name="pfr"/><ref name="Whittingham180">Whittingham, p. 180.</ref> In their final four games, they won twice. Linebacker [[Brad Van Pelt]] became the first Giant to receive a Pro Bowl invitation since [[1973 Pro Bowl|1972]].<ref name="Whittingham180"/> Following the season, McVay was retained as head coach, signing a two-year contract.<ref name="McVay"/>


For the 1976 season and now based in New Jersey,<ref>{{cite web | last = Howard | first = Johnette | title = Call 'em the N.Y. and/or N.J. Giants | publisher = ESPN New York | date = February 10, 2012 | url = http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7550217/super-bowl-2012-owns-giants-new-york-new-jersey | accessdate = October 23, 2014}}</ref> the Giants debuted their new helmet design, changing from a stylized “NY” to the word “GIANTS”, underlined in block letters. They wore this helmet through the [[1999 New York Giants season|1999 season]].<ref>{{cite web | last = Salomone | first = Dan | title = Watch: Giants uniform breakdown & history | publisher = [[New York Giants]] | date = June 27, 2013 | url = http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Watch-Giants-uniform-breakdown--history/b2fb219f-b3c3-4e3a-8226-be6651a7cac1 | accessdate = November 14, 2013 }}</ref>
For the 1976 season and now based in New Jersey,<ref>{{cite web | last = Howard | first = Johnette | title = Call 'em the N.Y. and/or N.J. Giants | publisher = ESPN New York | date = February 10, 2012 | url = https://www.espn.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7550217/super-bowl-2012-owns-giants-new-york-new-jersey | access-date = October 23, 2014}}</ref> the Giants debuted their new helmet design, changing from a stylized “NY” to the word “GIANTS”, underlined in block letters. They wore these exact helmets through the [[1979 New York Giants season|1979 season]]; in [[1980 New York Giants season|1980]], the helmet's white stripes were eliminated. These helmets remained unchanged through [[1999 New York Giants season|1999]].<ref>{{cite web | last = Salomone | first = Dan | title = Watch: Giants uniform breakdown & history | publisher = [[New York Giants]] | date = June 27, 2013 | url = http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Watch-Giants-uniform-breakdown--history/b2fb219f-b3c3-4e3a-8226-be6651a7cac1 | access-date = February 18, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130701224255/http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Watch-Giants-uniform-breakdown--history/b2fb219f-b3c3-4e3a-8226-be6651a7cac1 | archive-date = July 1, 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref>


==Roster==
== Offseason ==
===1976 Expansion Draft===
{{main article|1976 NFL expansion draft}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ New York Giants selected during the Expansion Draft
|-
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New York Giants 76thru99|border=2}}" | Round
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New York Giants 76thru99|border=2}}" | Overall
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New York Giants 76thru99|border=2}}" | Name
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New York Giants 76thru99|border=2}}" | Position
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New York Giants 76thru99|border=2}}" | Expansion Team
|-
|0||0||[[Don Clune]]||Wide receiver||[[1976 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]]
|-
|0||0||[[Rondy Colbert]]||Cornerback||Seattle Seahawks
|-
|0||0||[[Jimmy Gunn]]||Linebacker||[[1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]
|}

=== NFL Draft ===
{{main article|1976 NFL Draft}}
{{NFL team draft start
| year = 1976
| teamname = New York Giants
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 1
| pick = 13
| player = [[Troy Archer]]
| position = [[Defensive tackle]]
| college = [[Colorado Buffaloes football|Colorado]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 4
| pick = 104
| player = [[Gordon Bell (American football)|Gordon Bell]]
| position = [[Running back]]
| college = [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 4
| pick = 105
| player = [[Harry Carson]]
| position = [[Linebacker]]
| college = [[South Carolina State Bulldogs football|South Carolina State]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
| probowl = yes
| hof = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 5
| pick = 136
| player = Melvin Wilson
| position = [[Defensive back]]
| college = [[Cal State Northridge Matadors football|Cal State Northridge]]
| notes =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 6
| pick = 162
| player = [[Dan Lloyd (American football)|Dan Lloyd]]
| position = Linebacker
| college = [[Washington Huskies football|Washington]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 8
| pick = 221
| player = John Jordan
| position = [[Defensive tackle]]
| college = [[Indiana Hoosiers football|Indiana]]
| notes =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 10
| pick = 276
| player = John Thomas
| position = Running back
| college = [[Valley City State Vikings football|Valley City State]]
| notes =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 11
| pick = 303
| player = Craig Brantley
| position = [[Wide receiver]]
| college = [[Clemson Tigers football|Clemson]]
| notes =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 12
| pick = 333
| player = [[Jerry Golsteyn]]
| position = [[Quarterback]]
| college = [[Northern Illinois Huskies football|Northern Illinois]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 13
| pick = 360
| player = Rick Caswell
| position = Wide receiver
| college = [[Western Kentucky Hilltoppers football|Western Kentucky]]
| notes =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 14
| pick = 387
| player = Jerry Mullane
| position = Linebacker
| college = [[Lehigh Engineers football|Lehigh]]
| notes =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 15
| pick = 417
| player = Eddie Morgan
| position = Defensive tackle
| college = [[Arkansas State Indians football|Arkansas State]]
| notes =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 16
| pick = 444
| player = Dave Lawson
| position = [[Placekicker|Kicker]]
| college = [[Air Force Falcons football|Air Force]]
| notes =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 17
| pick = 471
| player = Steve Curnutte
| position = Defensive back
| college = [[Vanderbilt Commodores football|Vanderbilt]]
| notes =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft end
| probowl = yes
| hof = yes
}}

== Roster ==
{{NFL season roster
{{NFL season roster
| year = 1976
| year = 1976
| team = New York Giants
| team = New York Giants


| quarterbacks =
| quarterbacks =
{{NFLplayer|15|Craig Morton}}
{{NFLplayer|15|Craig Morton}}
{{NFLplayer|&nbsp;9|Dennis Shaw}}
{{NFLplayer|16|Norm Snead}}


| running_backs =
| running_backs =
{{NFLplayer|25|Gordon Bell|d=American football|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|25|Gordon Bell|d=American football|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|39|Larry Csonka}}
{{NFLplayer|39|Larry Csonka}}
{{NFLplayer|33|Bobby Hammond}}
{{NFLplayer|44|Doug Kotar}}
{{NFLplayer|44|Doug Kotar}}
{{NFLplayer|36|Larry Watkins|FB}}
{{NFLplayer|36|Larry Watkins|FB}}
{{NFLplayer|25|Marsh White}}


| wide_receivers =
| wide_receivers =
{{NFLplayer|84|Walker Gillette}}
{{NFLplayer|84|Walker Gillette}}
{{NFLplayer|89|Ed Marshall|link=no}}
{{NFLplayer|89|Ed Marshall}}
{{NFLplayer|82|Ray Rhodes}}
{{NFLplayer|82|Ray Rhodes}}
{{NFLplayer|85|Jimmy Robinson|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|85|Jimmy Robinson|d=American football|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|88|Roger Wallace|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|88|Roger Wallace|rookie=y}}


Line 49: Line 216:
{{NFLplayer|52|Ralph Hill|d=American football|rookie=y|C}}
{{NFLplayer|52|Ralph Hill|d=American football|rookie=y|C}}
{{NFLplayer|62|Ron Mikolajczyk|rookie=y|G}}
{{NFLplayer|62|Ron Mikolajczyk|rookie=y|G}}
{{NFLplayer|73|Tom Mullen|T}}
{{NFLplayer|73|Tom Mullen|d=American football|T}}
{{NFLplayer|79|Al Simpson|d=American football guard|G}}
{{NFLplayer|63|Doug Van Horn|T}}
{{NFLplayer|63|Doug Van Horn|T}}


| defensive_linemen =
| defensive_linemen =
{{NFLplayer|77|Troy Archer|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|77|Troy Archer|rookie=y|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|66|Rick Dvorak|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|71|Dave Gallagher|d=American football|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|71|Dave Gallagher|d=American football|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|81|Jack Gregory|d=defensive end|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|81|Jack Gregory|d=defensive end|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|75|George Martin|d=American football|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|75|George Martin|d=American football|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|64|John Mendenhall|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|64|John Mendenhall|d=American football|DT}}


| linebackers =
| linebackers =
{{NFLplayer|53|Harry Carson|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|53|Harry Carson|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|57|Brad Cousino}}
{{NFLplayer|56|Pat Hughes|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|56|Pat Hughes|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|55|Brian Kelley|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|55|Brian Kelley|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|54|Dan Lloyd|d=American football|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|54|Dan Lloyd|d=American football|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|59|Bob Schmit|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|10|Brad Van Pelt}}
{{NFLplayer|10|Brad Van Pelt}}


| defensive_backs =
| defensive_back =
{{NFLplayer|22|Bobby Brooks|d=defensive back|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|21|Bill Bryant|d=American football|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|21|Bill Bryant|d=American football|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|34|Larry Mallory|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|26|Rondy Colbert|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|48|Henry Stuckey|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|34|Larry Mallory|rookie=y|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|29|Clyde Powers|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|29|Clyde Powers|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|20|Jim Stienke|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|20|Jim Stienke|CB}}
Line 77: Line 249:
{{NFLplayer|18|Joe Danelo|K}}
{{NFLplayer|18|Joe Danelo|K}}
{{NFLplayer|13|Dave Jennings|d=American football|P}}
{{NFLplayer|13|Dave Jennings|d=American football|P}}

| reserve_lists =
{{NFLplayer|28|Robert Giblin|S|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|12|Jerry Golsteyn|rookie=y|QB|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|59|Bob Schmit|LB|IR}}

| practice_squad =
}}
}}


==Schedule==
== Schedule ==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New York Giants|year=1976|border=2}}"| Week
! Week
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New York Giants|year=1976|border=2}}"| Date
! Date
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New York Giants|year=1976|border=2}}"| Opponent
! Opponent
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New York Giants|year=1976|border=2}}"| Result
! Result
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New York Giants|year=1976|border=2}}"| Record
! Attendance
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|New York Giants|year=1976|border=2}}"| Attendance
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background:#fcc"
| 1
! 1
| September 12, 1976
| September 12
| at [[1976 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]]
| at '''[[1976 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]]'''
| L 19–17
| '''L''' 17–19
| <center>54,245</center>
| 0–1
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 2
| 54,245
|-style="background:#fcc"
| September 19, 1976
! 2
| at [[1976 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]
| September 19
| L 20–7
| at '''[[1976 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]'''
| <center>66,005</center>
| '''L''' 7–20
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 3
| 0–2
| 66,005
| September 26, 1976
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 3
| September 26
| at [[1976 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]]
| at [[1976 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]]
| L 24–10
| '''L''' 10–24
| 0–3
| <center>60,698</center>
| 60,698
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background:#fcc"
| 4
! 4
| October 3, 1976
| October 3
| at [[1976 St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) season|St. Louis Cardinals]]
| at '''[[1976 St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) season|St. Louis Cardinals]]'''
| L 27–21
| '''L''' 21–27
| <center>48,039</center>
| 0–4
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 5
| 48,039
|-style="background:#fcc"
| October 10, 1976
! 5
| [[1976 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]
| October 10
| L 24–14
| '''[[1976 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]'''
| <center>76,042</center>
| '''L''' 14–24
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 6
| 0–5
| 76,042
| October 17, 1976
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 6
| October 17
| at [[1976 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]
| at [[1976 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]
| L 24–7
| '''L''' 7–24
| 0–6
| <center>46,508</center>
| 46,508
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background:#fcc"
| 7
! 7
| October 24, 1976
| October 24
| [[1976 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]
| [[1976 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]
| L 27–0
| '''L''' 0–27
| 0–7
| <center>69,783</center>
| 69,783
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background:#fcc"
| 8
! 8
| October 31, 1976
| October 31
| Philadelphia Eagles
| '''[[1976 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]'''
| L 10–0
| '''L''' 0–10
| <center>68,690</center>
| 0–8
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 9
| 68,690
|-style="background:#fcc"
| November 7, 1976
! 9
| at Dallas Cowboys
| November 7
| L 9–3
| at '''[[1976 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]'''
| <center>58,870</center>
| '''L''' 3–9
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| 10
| 0–9
| 58,870
| November 14, 1976
|-style="background:#cfc"
| Washington Redskins
! 10
| W 12–9
| November 14
| <center>72,975</center>
| '''[[1976 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]]'''
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| '''W''' 12–9
| 11
| 1–9
| November 21, 1976
| 72,975
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 11
| November 21
| at [[1976 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]
| at [[1976 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]
| L 14–13
| '''L''' 13–14
| 1–10
| <center>63,151</center>
| 63,151
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
|-style="background:#cfc"
| 12
! 12
| November 28, 1976
| November 28
| [[1976 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]]
| [[1976 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]]
| W 28–16
| '''W''' 28–16
| 2–10
| <center>65,111</center>
| 65,111
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
|-style="background:#cfc"
| 13
! 13
| December 5, 1976
| December 5
| [[1976 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]
| [[1976 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]
| W 24–10
| '''W''' 24–10
| 3–10
| <center>66,069</center>
| 66,069
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background:#fcc"
| 14
! 14
| December 12, 1976
| December 12
| St. Louis Cardinals
| '''[[1976 St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) season|St. Louis Cardinals]]'''
| L 17–14
| '''L''' 14–17
| <center>60,553</center>
| 3–11
| 60,553
|}
|}
'''Note:''' Intra-division opponents are in '''bold''' text.


==Standings==
== Standings ==
{{1976 NFC East standings}}
{{1976 NFC East standings}}
{{1976 NFC Central standings}}
{{1976 NFC West standings}}


==See also==
== References ==
*[[List of New York Giants seasons]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{cite book | last = Harris | first = David | title = The Genius: How Bill Walsh Reinvented Football and Created an NFL Dynasty | publisher = Random House | year = 2008 | location = New York City | url = https://archive.org/details/geniushowbillwal00harr | url-access = registration | isbn = 978-1-58836-810-2 }}
* {{cite book | last = Whittingham | first = Richard | title = Illustrated History of the New York Giants | publisher = Triumph Books | year = 2005 | location = Chicago | isbn = 1-57243-641-7 }}


{{New York Giants}}
{{New York Giants}}
Line 186: Line 384:
{{1976 NFL season by team}}
{{1976 NFL season by team}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:1976 New York Giants Season}}
[[Category:New York Giants seasons]]
[[Category:New York Giants seasons]]
[[Category:1976 National Football League season by team|New York Giants]]
[[Category:1976 National Football League season by team|New York Giants]]
[[Category:1976 in sports in New Jersey|New York Giants season]]
[[Category:20th century in East Rutherford, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Meadowlands Sports Complex]]




Latest revision as of 20:02, 16 October 2024

1976 New York Giants season
Head coachBill Arnsparger (fired, 0–7)
John McVay (interim, 3–4)
Home fieldGiants Stadium
Results
Record3–11
Division place5th NFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersLB Brad Van Pelt

The 1976 New York Giants season was the franchise's 52nd season in the National Football League. The Giants had a 3–11 record in 1976 and finished last in the five-team NFC East.[1][2]

The season was highlighted by the opening of the new Giants Stadium at the New Jersey Meadowlands in East Rutherford on October 10. In the first game at the stadium, after four road games to open the season, the defending NFC champion Dallas Cowboys handed New York a 24–14 loss.[1][3][4] The Giants then suffered defeats against the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers,[5] falling to 0–7.[1] At this time, they fired third-year head coach Bill Arnsparger, whose Giants teams had lost 28 times in 35 games.[6] John McVay was named the team's interim coach,[7] although director of operations Andy Robustelli said the appointment was "not strictly" on a temporary basis.[8]

New York lost its first two games under McVay, against the Philadelphia Eagles and Cowboys.[8] The Giants' first win at Giants Stadium came on November 14, when they defeated the Washington Redskins 12–9; it was their first victory of the season after nine consecutive losses and the first over a George Allen-coached team in 15 tries.[1][9] In their final four games, they won twice. Linebacker Brad Van Pelt became the first Giant to receive a Pro Bowl invitation since 1972.[9] Following the season, McVay was retained as head coach, signing a two-year contract.[8]

For the 1976 season and now based in New Jersey,[10] the Giants debuted their new helmet design, changing from a stylized “NY” to the word “GIANTS”, underlined in block letters. They wore these exact helmets through the 1979 season; in 1980, the helmet's white stripes were eliminated. These helmets remained unchanged through 1999.[11]

Offseason

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1976 Expansion Draft

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Main article: 1976 NFL expansion draft
New York Giants selected during the Expansion Draft
Round Overall Name Position Expansion Team
0 0 Don Clune Wide receiver Seattle Seahawks
0 0 Rondy Colbert Cornerback Seattle Seahawks
0 0 Jimmy Gunn Linebacker Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL Draft

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Main article: 1976 NFL Draft
1976 New York Giants draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 13 Troy Archer  Defensive tackle Colorado
4 104 Gordon Bell  Running back Michigan
4 105 Harry Carson * †  Linebacker South Carolina State
5 136 Melvin Wilson  Defensive back Cal State Northridge
6 162 Dan Lloyd  Linebacker Washington
8 221 John Jordan  Defensive tackle Indiana
10 276 John Thomas  Running back Valley City State
11 303 Craig Brantley  Wide receiver Clemson
12 333 Jerry Golsteyn  Quarterback Northern Illinois
13 360 Rick Caswell  Wide receiver Western Kentucky
14 387 Jerry Mullane  Linebacker Lehigh
15 417 Eddie Morgan  Defensive tackle Arkansas State
16 444 Dave Lawson  Kicker Air Force
17 471 Steve Curnutte  Defensive back Vanderbilt
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Roster

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1976 New York Giants roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Reserve


Rookies in italics

Schedule

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Week Date Opponent Result Record Attendance
1 September 12 at Washington Redskins L 17–19 0–1 54,245
2 September 19 at Philadelphia Eagles L 7–20 0–2 66,005
3 September 26 at Los Angeles Rams L 10–24 0–3 60,698
4 October 3 at St. Louis Cardinals L 21–27 0–4 48,039
5 October 10 Dallas Cowboys L 14–24 0–5 76,042
6 October 17 at Minnesota Vikings L 7–24 0–6 46,508
7 October 24 Pittsburgh Steelers L 0–27 0–7 69,783
8 October 31 Philadelphia Eagles L 0–10 0–8 68,690
9 November 7 at Dallas Cowboys L 3–9 0–9 58,870
10 November 14 Washington Redskins W 12–9 1–9 72,975
11 November 21 at Denver Broncos L 13–14 1–10 63,151
12 November 28 Seattle Seahawks W 28–16 2–10 65,111
13 December 5 Detroit Lions W 24–10 3–10 66,069
14 December 12 St. Louis Cardinals L 14–17 3–11 60,553

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

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NFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Dallas Cowboys(2) 11 3 0 .786 6–2 9–3 296 194 L1
Washington Redskins(4) 10 4 0 .714 6–2 9–3 291 217 W4
St. Louis Cardinals 10 4 0 .714 5–3 9–3 309 267 W2
Philadelphia Eagles 4 10 0 .286 2–6 4–8 165 286 W1
New York Giants 3 11 0 .214 1–7 3–9 170 250 L1
NFC Central
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Minnesota Vikings(1) 11 2 1 .821 5–1 9–2–1 305 176 W2
Chicago Bears 7 7 0 .500 4–2 7–5 253 216 L1
Detroit Lions 6 8 0 .429 2–4 4–8 262 220 L2
Green Bay Packers 5 9 0 .357 1–5 5–8 218 299 W1
NFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Los Angeles Rams(3) 10 3 1 .750 7–0 9–2–1 351 190 W4
San Francisco 49ers 8 6 0 .571 5–2 7–5 270 190 W1
New Orleans Saints 4 10 0 .286 2–5 3–8 253 346 L3
Atlanta Falcons 4 10 0 .286 2–5 4–8 172 312 L3
Seattle Seahawks 2 12 0 .143 1–3 1–12 229 429 L5

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "1976 New York Giants". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. Retrieved May 9, 2009.
  2. ^ "1976 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  3. ^ Whittingham, pp. 175–176.
  4. ^ "1975 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  5. ^ Whittingham, p. 176.
  6. ^ Myers, Gary (November 13, 2017). "Giants sacking Ben McAdoo midseason would have sent right message despite few interim options". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  7. ^ Harris, p. 66.
  8. ^ a b c Icatz, Michael (December 15, 1976). "McVay Is Rehired as Giants' Coach for Two Years". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  9. ^ a b Whittingham, p. 180.
  10. ^ Howard, Johnette (February 10, 2012). "Call 'em the N.Y. and/or N.J. Giants". ESPN New York. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  11. ^ Salomone, Dan (June 27, 2013). "Watch: Giants uniform breakdown & history". New York Giants. Archived from the original on July 1, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2019.

Bibliography

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