The Top 5 New York Giants of All Time

Added by Nathaniel Cooke Jr. on September 30, 2011.

During the illustrious history of the NY Giants, various great players have blessed the white and blue armor. The New York Giants have participated in four super bowls, and won three. When you think about the history of the Giants, a lot of fans and followers of football have mixed emotions. This list was created to celebrate and rekindle some of the mystic of Giant football past. Hopefully, some Giants from the present will be blessed enough to make this list.

5. Frank Gifford – Halfback/ Wide Receiver

Frank Gifford was drafted by The New York Giants during the 1952 NFL Draft. During Gifford’s illustrious 12 seasons with the Giants, he accumulated over 3,609 yards rushing, and 5,434 yards receiving. Frank Gifford scored 34 rushing touchdowns, while accumulating 43 touchdowns from the receiver position.  During Frank Gifford career, he also threw for 14 touchdowns at the creative wild cat position. He was truly the first duel quarter back in football during a time where all quarterbacks were subjected to the pocket.

4. Michael Strahan – Defensive End

One of the most fear and intimidating defensive lineman of his era, Michael Strahan was a monster on the grid iron for Big Blue. Michael Strahan didn’t even play at a division 1 school, and many NFL executives were skeptical about his ability to play the defensive end position at the NFL level. During Strahan 15 year career with the Giants, he racked up over 141 sacks, and an incredible 854 tackles. He is ranked number one in Giants history in both sacks and tackles. Mr. Strahan also holds the NFL record for most sacks in one season at 22.5. He broke that record in a controversial game against Bret Favre and The Green Bay Packers. Strahan was elected to seven pro bowls throughout his career, and was named defensive player of the year on two occasions. During Strahan’s final NFL season, he was able to capture his long awaited NFL championship.

3. Harry Carson- LB

Harry Carson was one of the anchors for the Giants dominating defense of the 1980’s. Carson was drafted by the NY Giants in 1976. Carson played during a period where statistics such as tackles and sacks weren’t calculated. Harry Carson was featured in one of the most heralded line backing crews in NFL history. Harry Carson was aligned with Lawrence Taylor, Brain Kelly, and Bard Van Pelt to create the most feared line backing core this league has ever seen. During his career, Carson was elected to the pro bowl nine times during his 13 years as a professional football player. He was a main factor in the 1986 NY Giants super bowl team.

2. Phil Sims – Quarterback

Phil Sims is considered the greatest quarterback in the history of NY Giants football. Sims was drafted by the Giants in the 1979, and the first couple of years were very rocky at best. During Phil Sims first five years, failure and mediocrity followed his name like no other NFL quarterback in the game during this time. He threw for only 6,125 yards during his first five seasons.  During the 1986 season, Sims transformed his career by throwing for an impressive 3,487 yards and 22 touchdowns. Also during that season, he threw for over five hundreds yards in game which is ranked fifth all time in NFL history. Phil Sims led the Giants to two NFL championships which places him into elite company. Even though many believe that Phil Sims is overrated and overhyped, you have to remember all quarterbacks are measured by championships. In 1995, Phil Sims was honored by the Giants and the number 11 was retired into Giant lure.

1. Lawrence Taylor – LB

Intensity and domination are two words that can describe the greatest defensive player of all time. Lawrence Taylor was drafted by The NY Giants in 1981, and he was elected as The NFL Defensive Player of The Year during his rookie campaign. Taylor was able to accumulate 10 plus sacks during a seven year span. In 1986, Lawrence Taylor was so dominate that he was selected as the MVP of the NFL. Defensive players are never considered in the MVP discussion, but having a 20 plus sack season can change MVP voter’s opinions. During the 1988 season, he tore his pectoral muscle against the New Orleans Saints. He came back into that game to record seven tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. He was elected to the pro bowl ten times, won two NFL championships, and was elected to the NFL All -Time team,. The NY Giants retired Taylor’s number in 1994 and he will always be considered the greatest defensive player in NFL history.  In 1999, Taylor took his rightful place in Canton, Ohio at The NFL Hall of Fame.