New York Giants: 15 G-Men who changed the game forever
By Ed Stein
10 – Joe Pisarcik
For lack of a better term, the New York Giants were abysmal from 1964 to 1983. In those 20 years, they finished over .500 three times and made the playoffs once (1981). No matter who the G-Men brought in to coach or quarterback, the team was perennial NFC East cellar dwellers.
In 1974, the Dallas Cowboys signed Staubach. Their quarterback at the time, Craig Morton, demanded a trade and was finally sent to New York for the Giants 1975 first-round draft choice (turned into Hall of Fame defensive tackle Randy White). In two and half seasons with the G-Men, he went 8-25 with 29 touchdown passes and 49 interceptions.
After 1976, the Giants had enough and let Morton go. Enter Joe Pisarcik, who was signed from the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. Ironically Morton signed with the Broncos in 1977, went to the Super Bowl and was the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
“Jersey Joe” didn’t fare much better leading the Giants than Morton did. In 32 games from 1977 to 1979, he had an 8-19 record. If Morton was bad, Pisarcik was horrible. The New Mexico State alum threw 18 TDs against 43 interceptions.
What he is most famous for is something Philly fans refer to as the “Miracle at the Meadowlands” It was November 18, 1978, and the Giants were beating Philadelphia 17-12 with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game. Pisarcik fumbled a handoff to running back Larry Csonka. The ball was scooped up by Eagles cornerback Herm Edwards, who ran it back for the winning score.
Pisarcik’s gaff is responsible for the quarterback kneel and victory formation.