Creative Commons: KA Sports Photos
The Giants have won four Super Bowls, and yet I was surprised at how few truly great players the Giants have had on their roster since 1965. It seems like the Giants were loaded in the 50’s and early 60’s, and while the well didn’t run dry, the water level has been a bit lower. I didn’t go with any players who didn’t play for the team before 1965. I went with guys that I had at least some personal knowledge of. Still, if a franchise has won four Super Bowls, they’ve obviously had some talent. Also, I debated on putting Saquon Barkley on the list but decided against it. Here’s how the top 10 shook out for me:
10. Fran Tarkenton
While Fran is most noted for his play with the Vikings, he helped the Giants maintain a level of mediocrity in his five years in New York. Fran was named to the Pro Bowl four of his five seasons with the Giants. He was still making plays with his legs in his first two seasons with the Giants, picking up over 300 yards rushing in each of those years. The quarterback teamed with Homer Jones to give the Giants a home run during his tenure. At least the mediocrity was entertaining.
9. Mark Haynes
In six seasons with the Giants, Mark was named to the Pro Bowl three times. Twice, he was named All-Pro. In terms of interceptions, he maxed out in 1984 with seven. Mark has one of the shorter summaries I’ve written. He was simply one of the best defensive backs in the history of the Giants.
8. Tiki Barber
I had forgotten how good Tiki Barber was until I looked at his stats. Twice Tiki led the NFL in yards from scrimmage. He totaled 2096 in 2004 and 2390 in 2005. In 10 seasons with the Giants, Barber rushed for 10,449 yards and caught 586 passes for another 5,183 yards. For his career, Tiki averaged 4.7 yards per carry. In his final two seasons, he averaged 5.2 and 5.1 yards per carry. It seems like he still had something left in his tank when he retired. Tiki was named to the Pro Bowl three times and the All-Pro team once. Tiki was the best running back the Giants have had since 1965.
7. Mark Bavaro
When your nickname is Rambo, you’re probably a pretty tough guy. While Bavaro’s stats aren’t bad, they don’t tell the whole story. Mark was at his peak during the 1986 and 1987 seasons. Both times, he was named to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro team. As for his stats, Mark spent six seasons with the Giants, catching 266 passes for 3722 yards and 28 TDs. He added another three TDs in the playoffs. Mark Bavaro had a relatively short but memorable stay with the Giants.
6. Phil Simms
Phil’s resume looks a lot like Eli Manning’s. There are some good but not great passing stats and a Super Bowl win. That Super Bowl win thing is what gets him this high on this list. Phil was the MVP of Super Bowl XXI that saw the Giants defeat the Broncos, 39–20. Phil also had an excellent season in 1990. Simms led the Giants to an 11–3 start, but he broke his foot in game 15 of the season. Jeff Hostetler came on and led the Giants to a Super Bowl win that season. In all, Phil played 14 seasons for the Giants and finished with a passing rating of 78.5. Simms was a two-time Pro Bowler. Phil’s stats would have no doubt been better if he hadn’t played on some Giants teams that were short of talent.
5. Eli Manning
I admit I’m not as big a fan of Eli Manning as some, but the guy has quarterbacked the Giants to two Super Bowl wins. That’s got to count for something. Eli’s stats are good enough but not overwhelming. As I write this, Eli is winding down his 15th season with the Giants and has thrown for 358 TDs against 238 interceptions. His passer rating is sitting at 84.1. Three times, Eli has led the NFL in interceptions thrown. Despite this, Eli still makes this list. Once again, stats aren’t everything. Eli did make it to the Pro Bowl team four times and makes it to number five on this list.
4. Odell Beckham Jr.
In 59 games with the Giants, Beckham scored 44 TDs and threw for two more. The wide receiver was named to the Pro Bowl three times. If you’ve watched Beckham, you realize he’s one of the most gifted receivers the NFL has ever seen. If you’ve listened to him, you realize why Giants management wished he had kept quiet. I’m curious as to how many teams he will eventually play for.
3. Harry Carson
Harry played 13 seasons as the Giants’ middle linebacker. Many of those seasons were lean from a team perspective, though Harry was a member of the Giants of the 1986 Super Bowl championship. Carson was a Pro Bowler nine of those 13 seasons. During those 13 seasons, Carson intercepted 11 passes and recovered 14 fumbles. Even during the Giants’ lean years, Carson helped anchor a generally solid Giants defense.
2. Michael Strahan
Strahan spent 15 seasons pursuing opposing quarterbacks for the Giants. His pursuit was often successful as he recorded 141.5 sacks. Michael recorded 22.5 sacks during the 2001 season. He was a member of the 2007 championship team. Strahan was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014. His success on the playing field has been matched by his post-football career in TV.
1: Lawrence Taylor
While Taylor’s conduct off the field has been horrific, on the field he’s the greatest linebacker I’ve ever seen. I believe most NFL fans old enough to see him play would agree with me. In 184 games with the Giants, LT sacked opposing quarterbacks 132.5 times. He also intercepted 11 passes and recovered nine fumbles. He might actually be the greatest defensive force I’ve ever seen. In 13 seasons, Taylor was named to the Pro Bowl 10 times and the All-Pro team eight times. In 1986, Taylor had his greatest season, recording 20.5 sacks to lead the NFL en route to a Giants Super Bowl win.
That’s my list. How does it compare to yours?
