Center
No. 52
Miami
"Rugged and aggressive are the words for this Pennsylvanian who first attracted attention while playing under Andy Gustafson at Miami. His All-Conference rating there earned him a job with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent two fruitful years understudying the mighty Chuck Bednarik.
On the offense for the Titans, he showed Coach Sammy Baugh how the enemy center could be moved aside, up or over."
-1961 Fleer No. 217
BOB MISCHAK
Guard
No. 67
Army
"The best offensive guard in '60 was Bob Mischak, the ex-West Point hero who earned his spurs as a Giant. The 28-year-old bruiser who couldn't make it with the Browns in '57 stayed out of the game in '59, working as a telephone supervisor in Union City, New Jersey.
Named tops at his position by the press, Bob is among the most effective guards, straightaway and running, in the business."
-1961 Pro Football Handbook
"Guard Bob Mischak of the Titans is one of the most versatile linemen in the league. Bob is one of the few West Pointers to go into pro ball. At the Academy, he played end. The Browns drafted him, and after his compulsory Army duty as a lieutenant in the airborne infantry, Bob reported to their camp in 1957, then cut out after a couple of weeks. The Giants got him in a trade and persuaded him to report in 1958. By then he had grown into a 235-pounder without sacrificing much of his speed, so the Giants decided to try him at guard. As a rookie, he played as a regular on an Eastern Division championship team at a position completely new to him. A fat offer by the Titans last summer lured him back after a year on the sidelines."
-Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1961 Pro Football
"When Bob graduated from West Point in 1954, the Cleveland Browns wanted him right away, but Red Blaik's versatile star fulfilled his military obligation first. Out of military uniform in 1957, he resumed football in Cleveland.
The following year Bob was traded to the Giants. He 'retired' in 1959 but the Titans talked him into coming back and both the club and this alert, stalwart lineman are happy with the decision."
-1961 Fleer No. 216
"Mischak, a West Point grad, returned to pro football in 1960 after a year's layoff and made the All-AFL team.
He has fine speed and is a strong blocker."
-1961 Topps No. 153
JOHN MCMULLAN
Guard
No. 68
Notre Dame
John was a standout at Demarest High School in New Jersey and an honorable mention All-American at Notre Dame. He played every game in the Titans' inaugural season. He's a hard-hitting guard who has distinguished himself with his talent for pulling out of the line to lead running plays.
OFFENSIVE GUARDS
"Today is 'New Jersey Day' with the Titan guards John McMullan of Hoboken and Bob Mischak of Union, being honored by their neighbors and friends. Mayor John Grogan of Hoboken and some 3,000 Boy Scouts of the Bergen County Group are in the stands."
-December 3, 1961, Official New York Titans Program
ARNOLD BRANCH
Guard
Free Agent
Langston
"At Langston, the big guard- who's also serviceable at tackle- was named the outstanding lineman of the Oklahoma Collegiate Conference as well as an NAIA All-American. In addition to these and other kudos Branch earned during four seasons of football, he also was a distance runner and field man on the track squad and a forward on the basketball team for two years.
Fast and rugged, he's entering his first season of professional football. A chemistry major with a B.S. degree, Arnold is continuing his studies during the off-season."
-1961 New York Titans Official Yearbook
Offensive Tackle
No. 78
Pennsylvania Military College
After a Little All-American career at Pennsylvania Military College, Jack sharpened his skills in the Canadian Football League. He appeared in every game last year and showed an impressive ability to adjust to the methods of opposing defensive linemen.
"Fast afoot for his mammoth proportions, Klotz impressed the Titans from the start of last season. He fits into the picture as a swing replacement at either tackle on the offensive unit. And in a pinch, he can also play at offensive guard or in the defensive line.
A four-year letterman at Penn Military, Jack was a first-team All-American selection in 1956. He later played with the San Diego, Calif., Marine Base unit which was undefeated in both 1957 and 1958. Jack spent the following season in the Canadian League."
-1961 New York Titans Official Yearbook
GENE COCKRELL
Offensive Tackle
No. 70
Hardin-Simmons
Whether Titan quarterbacks need reliable blocking for running plays or for passing plays, they know Gene will use all of his 6'4" and 247 pounds to help steady the offensive line. He appeared in all 14 games last year and impressed New York coaches with his play.
"Offensive captain of the Titans, Cockrell is a sturdy blocker both at the line and downfield.
He attended the University of Oklahoma for two years and was a guard and tackle on the undefeated Sooners team of 1954. He then transferred to Hardin-Simmons, where he was an outstanding Border Conference lineman for two years under Sammy Baugh.
During the off-season, the three-year veteran runs a ranch of his own in his native Pampa, Texas. Gene is also a well-known rodeo performer in the Longhorn State, which is as good as anything for preparing him for the rugged competition of pro football.
Cockrell is married and has two sons."
-1961 New York Titans Official Yearbook
PROVERB JACOBS
Offensive Tackle-Defensive Tackle
No. 73
California
"It's a well-known proverb around the N.F.L. that you don't 'mess' with Jacobs. He's big and strong and fast for his size.
Proverb's debut season in 1958 impressed everyone."
-1959 Topps No. 108
"The No. 2 draft choice of the Eagles in 1958, Proverb Jacobs (73) was signed by the Giants as a free agent last spring. The 225-pound California graduate fits into the picture as a spare tackle. He is serviceable on both offense and defense. In a pinch, he also could handle the place-kicking assignment. He can really boom the ball."
-1960 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium)
FRANK MORELLI
Offensive Tackle
Free Agent
Colgate
"The hulking tackle is expected to beef up the Titans' offensive forward wall. A Colgate starter for two years before he dropped out of school, Frank was twice a preseason selection All-East selection of Stanley Woodward.
Joining the Titans won't be an altogether strange experience for Morelli, because he got his initial football schooling under Titan line coach John Dell Isola while attending Medford High. Frank's cousin, John Morelli, played pro football with the old Boston Yankees and the New York Yankees.
Off-season, Frank does construction work while continuing his studies at Boston University."
-1961 New York Titans Official Yearbook
MOSES GRAY
Offensive Tackle
27th Round
Indiana
"Both of New York's professional teams drafted this young Giant [6'3", 260] last winter, but the Titans lured him into the American League fold. Gray was a standout regular for three years at Indiana.
His speed and aggressiveness impressed the scouts, and they're saying he has the potential to become a crack professional lineman. Through Gray is able to go both ways, the Titans will probably use him on the offensive line.
Moses lives in Conemaugh, Pa."
-1961 New York Titans Official Yearbook
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