despite solid performances by linemen hubbard and steve owen, new york finished a disappointing 4–7–2 in 1928. following the season, the team released 18 players and potteiger was fired and replaced by leroy andrews. before the 1929 season mara purchased the entire squad of the detroit wolverines, including star quarterback benny friedman, a team which had finished in third place the year before. the rosters of the two teams were combined under the giants name and this led to immediate improvement as the giants record soared to 13–1–1 in 1929. friedman's arrival in particular boosted tickets sales and fan interest, which more than covered the expense of his high salary ($10,000). however, their only loss was a 20-6 defeat in november to the green bay packers who by virtue of this win, and their 12–0–1 record, won the nfl title. that packers team featured hubbard who green bay had bought from new york after he expressed a desire to play there. before the season, mara had transferred ownership of the team over to his two sons to insulate the team from creditors, and during the season the team added star army halfback red cagle whose drawing power helped the team's financials, but whose performance did little to aid their on-field product.