GMEN HQ » Lawrence Taylor

Watch Giants Vs.Redskins with Taylor, Carson, Bavaro!

Joe Tufaro — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:28:23 +0000

GIANTS.BROWNPAPERTICKETS.COM

Are you ready for some football?

Monday Night, December 3rd The New York Football Giants go up against their rival, The Washington Redskins in a game that could decide the division race.
Join us at Dave and Busters in Times Square New York for a viewing party with Giants Legends Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, and Mark Bavaro.

These Giants Legends will be in attendance to greet fans, sign autographs, take photos, and give their personal insight on the season and the game.
There will be an open-bar as well as your favorite stadium snacks served throughout the game.
Do not miss out on this opportunity to watch a Giants game with these great football legends.
We will also be supporting the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation with a live and silent auction.
A portion of all ticket sales will benefit the foundation as well.

FOR TICKETS SIMPLY CLICK THE LINK BELOW:

GIANTS.BROWNPAPERTICKETS.COM

L.T.’s Ring for Sale

Joe Tufaro — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:06:59 +0000

The day after the current Super Bowl Champions received their rings at Tiffanys in New York City, the news came out that Lawrence Taylor had put one of his up for auction. The 1990 ring is the one up for sale. I would guess that the ’86 ring means a lot more to Taylor and will always remain in his possession.

Neither the auction website nor the release makes any mention about Taylor’s motives for selling. Mike Senyo, a spokesman for SCP Auctions, said in an e-mail that the linebacker is “just ready to sell.”

The first reported bid was around $37,000, and the estimate of the selling price is set at $100,000. We all know of Taylor’s indiscretions off the field and his never to be matched talent on the field. It is very sad that such a great athlete needs to art with some of his past to pay for his mistakes. Hopefully some younger athletes can learn from his mistakes, but I doubt it will help many at all.

Now, it has been put out there that L.T. gave the ring to his son, and he is the one who has decided to sell. A very sad commentary on how Taylor’s family views him and how the younger Taylor might be heading to lead his own adult life. I choose to wish them all well, and remember L.T. for all the great memories he gave me and all Giants fans while attending games in the 80′s. He was spectacular to watch.

Giants Pound 49ers: Next Stop NFC Championship 25 Years Ago This Week

Joe Tufaro — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:58:40 +0000

The Giants on this week in 1986, faced the hated 49ers and Joe Montana in the Divisional Playoffs after a bye week. The Giants entered this game as three point favorites, which we all know means the game was equal except it was being played in Giants Stadium. This game was anything but equal.

Early in this game with the 49ers backed up in their own end, Jerry Rice caught a slant pass from Montana and was running free through the Giants secondary. At about the 15 yard line of the Giants his knee hit the ball and he fumbled. After a scramble, the Giants recovered the fumble, and never looked back.

In the second quarter Jim Burt delivered one of the most vicious blows in the history of the NFL on Montana and knocked him out of the game. He almost knocked him out of the stadium. Burt Destroys Montana On the play Lawrence Taylor intercepted the attempted Montana pass and returned it for a TD. The Giants scored 21 points in both the 2nd and third quarters. The Giants defense held the 49ers to just 29 yards rushing, and 184 total yards, with a 2 of 14 third down conversion rate. The Giants on the other hand rushed for 216 yards. The final was 49-3.

The Giants now looked forward to playing the Washington Redskins one more time, this time with a trip to Pasadena and the Super Bowl on the line.

Giants: All In!

Joe Tufaro — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 10:21:17 +0000

From Tom Coughlin, to Eli Manning, to Justin Tuck, and the suddenly vocal Mathias Kiwanuka, the Giants appear to be ALL IN. Even Lawrence Taylor chimed in this week, saying only the Giants were capable of beating the Giants in this contest Sunday Night at Giants Stadium against the Cowboys of Arlington. The Giants will hand out towels to all fans Sunday that have the phrase ALL IN Printed on them, and it seems to reflect the mood around Giant camp this week.

No bold predictions, but a confidence that they know if they play together, play smart, they can accomplish anything. They are at home playing for a division title, they are coming off a dominant defensive win, their first of the year, and they think they can continue with that effort. Let’s take a look at some of the match-ups.

Giants D-Line vs. Dallas O-Line: The Giants will have a full complement of defensive linemen to rotate into the game Sunday Night. Osi is back, Tuck is healthy, and J.P.P. has gotten better every week. The rotation of healthy pass rushers and run stoppers is phenomenal. Chris Canty, Rocky Benard, Linval Joseph and Dave Tollefson will all contribute. The Cowboy offensive line is perhaps the weakest part of their team. Costa at center has been injured, and is inconsistent at best. Not just his blocking, but snapping the ball in shotgun formation is always an adventure. Tony Romo, with his bruised hand, figures to be in shotgun a lot Sunday, so look for this to be factor at some point. Montrae Holland, the starting left guard, was placed on IR last week ending his season. J.P.P. lines up against Doug Free, who he beat repeatedly last time they met, and now next to him is either Daniel Loper or rookie Kevin Kowalski. Kosier and Smith are pretty good on the right side, but Justin Tuck missed most of the previous Dallas game, and he will be back in force to challenge this side of the line. The Giants should have no problem getting pressure on Tony Romo Sunday night.

Dallas running game vs. Giants D: The Giants have struggled against the run all year. Except for the odd play calling last week, the Giants really haven’t stopped anyone from running against them this season. The Cowboys however are down to one healthy running back in Sammy Morris, and one that is listed as questionable in Felix Jones. If the Giants can just limit the running game it will go a long way towards defeating the Cowboys. Not having to drop the safeties down, or worry about the corners giving too much run support will help this defense perform better as a whole.

Both Passing Offenses vs Pass Defenses: The last few times these teams have met they have scored plenty of points. The passing games of both these teams can be lethal. The pure speed of Miles Austin going one-on-one against Aaron Ross. The height and strength of both Hakeem Nicks of the Giants and Dez Bryant of the Cowboys can be unstoppable. The playmaking ability of Victor Cruz and Laurent Robinson can be devastating. If these two quarterbacks get time, they WILL complete passes, and for big plays.

Giants running attack vs Dallas D: The Giants running attack awoke three weeks ago in Dallas. Brandon Jacobs always seems to run hard against Dallas. I think he likes running over their undersized safeties and little corners. Ahmad Bradshaw is fresh and running fierce. D. J Ware has found a role as a pass catcher, a very good blocker, and two point specialist, and Henry Hynoski is healthy and opening holes. If the Giants can have a balanced attack, and run the ball for a nice average, Eli will have a big day.

The weather seems like it will be a non-factor, of course the wind current will play games at times, but should only affect the kicking game. Turnovers, Penalties, and Special Teams will be all important in this one as always. Sunday Night at Home for all the marbles, and a chance to get into the playoffs and maybe make a nice run. ALL IN!

Giants Add 5 to Ring of Honor Sunday

Joe Tufaro — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:52:05 +0000

On Sunday at halftime the Giants will add 5 very deserving names to their Ring of Honor. They are Carl Banks, Dave Jennings, Alex Webster, Mark Bavaro and the late Brad Van Pelt.

Banks: Banks was the third overall pick in 1984 for the New York Giants out of Michigan State and played nine years for the team. He was an intregal part of both Super Bowl wins in ’86 and ’90. If you go back and watch the tape of the Buffalo Bills-Giants Super Bowl, you will see that the Giants do not win that game without the outstanding play of Carl Banks. Banks was added in 1984 to a linebacker group that already included Lawrence Taylor, and Harry Carson.

Banks Comes Up Big in Big Game

Bavaro: Bavaro, a Notre Dame product, was one of the toughest Giants to ever wear the uniform. Unfortunately Mark was slowed by serious injuries and only played 6 season for the G-Men. He had one 1,000 yard season and caught 28 touchdowns. Look on here tomorrow for a look back at the most famous play of his career.

The Original Tough Guy

Jennings: Jennings was the punter for the Giants from 1974-1984, and he got plenty of work. He made 4 Pro Bowls and averaged over 41 yards per punt for his career as a Giant.

Webster: Webster, who was the Head Coach when I started watching our Giants, was also a halfback and fullback earlier in life. He made two pro bowls while gaining over 7200 yards on the ground and threw the air while scoring 56 touchdowns. He won Coach of The Year in 1970.

Head Coach and Player

Brad Van Pelt: The Late, Great Brad Van Pelt was my favorite player growing up. He was drafted out of Michigan State where he also played baseball and basketball. Wearing number 10 as a Linebacker, Brad was extremely versatile. He was even the kicker on kickoffs in his rookie year. He made 5 Pro Bowls in his ten years with the Giants. He was a charter member of “The Crunch Bunch” the Giants linebacking corps that included Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, and Brain Kelly. Unfortunately for Brad and his fans he was part of just one winning season while with the Giants, and was named “Player of The Decade” for the ’70′s. He played in 4 different home stadiums for the team, and for 5 Head Coaches. I always will remember meeting Brad and marveling at the size of his hands and forearms. He had 20 career interceptions and 24.5 sacks.

Player of The Decade '70's

George Martin’s Amazing Play: 25 Years Ago This Week

Joe Tufaro — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:55:52 +0000

As the Giants hosted the Denver Broncos and John Elway in week 12 of the 1986 season, there was a very special buzz in the air. That day at Giants stadium in front of the usual sell-out crowd, you got the feeling that this game would determine the teams fate for the year. Although games with San Francisco and Washington loomed in the following two weeks, this game was against a very strong AFC opponent who many thought was the class of the league. The Giants now standing at 9-2 along with the Broncos were still struggling on offense at this point in the season, and the defense knew it was up to them to keep the young Mr. Elway under control. In the 2nd quarter with the Giants trailing 6-3 John Elway faded back and looked to his right for his running back in the flat. As he released the ball defensive end George Martin leapt in the air and made a one handed interception. What ensued was one of the slowest, and oddly uncontested runbacks in the history of the NFL. For 74 yards Martin first eluded the very strong Elway, then continually tried to make up his mind if he should hand the ball to the swifter Lawrence Taylor who was accompanying him down the field. Each time he looked as though he would hand it off to Taylor, a Bronco would come in the vicinity and Martin would put the ball away and continue on his jaunt. The play obviously got the crowd into the game and was really a play you expected from that defense. The Giants led 10-6 at halftime. Later in the fourth with the score tied at 16, Phil Simms hit Phil McConkey on a 46 yard pass that set up another last second field goal by Raul Allegre and continued a 5 game winning streak.

That day in the stadium, after the Martin play, my friends and I decided this was a turning point in the season and the next day….remember no computers or internet in 1986….I went to the local travel agent and purchased 6 round trip tickets to Los Angeles for Super Bowl 21 at $200 a piece. This act of confidence would pay off in the end…but that is a story for another week.

Wednesday Whammies: The Philadelphia Eagles – What A Bunch Of Sapps!

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:57:30 +0000

Last week the Twitterverse was humming with nonsensical needling. This is, of course, a result of too much idle time on the Philadelphia Eagles’ hands. Perhaps that is not entirely accurate. There always seems to be a slow and steady leak emanating from the gaping hole in the Philadelphia face. Of course, this hole is only wide enough to talk trash when the Eagles have had a moderately successful season. All other times, it is wrapped up tight.

Most of the talk has been coming from the Seans during the offseason. LeSean McCoy is the current culprit. All of the other Philly Seans keep their mouths well greased though – DeSean, BeSean, Fe-Fi-FoSean…all of them. While most professional football players are focusing on working out a deal to end the lockout or getting their bodies into game shape, the Eagles are focusing their sights on the New York Giants, Osi Umenyiora in particular.
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Bill Belichik: Back With The New York Giants!

Sat, 21 May 2011 14:00:32 +0000

Yes, Giants fans. You read right. The mastermind behind our Super Bowl XLII rivals, and of course Spygate, is back with the New York Giants…for one day anyway. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Big Blue’s first Super Bowl win. A mega celebration is already set and Mr. Personality will be on hand to mingle with Giants fans. But don’t expect to get an autograph.

Belichik will not be the only ex-Giants coach turned Patriot on hand. Bill Parcells will also be in attendance along with the entire coaching staff and a list of players from the ’86 team the length of a linesman’s arm. It will definitely be an affair to remember. But the question is, will the tension in the air be thick enough to cut with a knife?
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Draft Week: Top LB Candidates

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:19:07 +0000

Source: Yardbarker.com

Linebackers – the Big Blue Wrecking Crew have been notoriously dominant in this area for nearly three decades. We go back to 1981, when Lawrence Taylor, arguably the best linebacker to ever play the game, joined the New York Giants. LT was the second overall selection of the ’81 draft, and of course, the Giants’ first pick that year.

Taylor’s last year was in 1993, when he passed the torch to his successor, Michael Strahan. #92 was the second round pick of the G-Men in ’93 and defined a new era of Giants football. These two bone crushing backs helped to change the face of football and wreaked havoc on opposing QB’s for 26 consecutive years. In 2007, after earning his first and only Super Bowl ring, Michael Strahan retired, thus ending a long standing tradition in Big Blue history.

Source: Yardbarker.com

While the NY Giants LB position is not in dire straits, they will always be on the prowl for the next LT or Strahan. Will they find what they are looking for in the 2011 class of linebackers at the NFL Draft? Let’s take a closer look at the top 5 candidates.

Another reason I love the Giants and Their Approach (and not the Jets)

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 15:09:39 +0000

taken from http://en.nkfu.com/images/tiki-barber-pictures-1.jpg

One of the interesting developments that’s come out of the lockout is what N.F.L.t eams should do with their employees. One approach, which the Jets have taken is having pay cuts or Furloughs from Profootballtalk

Everyone contracted on the football operations side of the business will take a 25% pay cut. Everyone else will have mandatory furloughs throughout the offseason. If no preseason games are missed, the employees will be reimbursed for the money.

Oh goody, the billionaire owners and millionarie palyers will defer payments while they posture, or not really lost any money at all, which let’s be honest they should be able to withstand for awhile, but other employees, who aren’t rich will also be drastically effected.

If the Jets have changed their minds on this, I haven’t seen it, so if someone has an article that says they have decided not to go this route I’d love to know.

The Giants, on the other hand, from Ohm Youngmisuk

The Giants currently have no plans for salary cuts or furloughs for team employees or the coaching staff during a work stoppage.Mara, the team president and CEO, said that he has installed a salary and hiring freeze until further notice.

It’s unfortuante, that the Giants won’t be hiring, but at least all the employees will still be getting paid. It is true, though, that players like Eli Manning will miss their workout bonuses if this continues (and Eli’s is half a million dollars, not chump change, but he should be ok, you’d have to assume and hope).

Ohm Youngmisuk also believes the Giants are well enough prepared for this lockout (football operations wise) because they have continuity in their front office, have a pretty complete roster and with the tendered contracts appear willing to head into the season next year with pretty much the same (talented) roster.

Ohm has an interesting quote from Giants G.M. Jerry Reese in regards to the draft:

We’re just looking for good players all the time,” Reese said at the scouting combine. “We’re looking for playmakers. Looking for speed. Looking for tough players, smart people in the draft. Nothing changes in that respect. We’re just looking for players who can add depth, look for some starters.”

Looking for speed? I missed that memo. C.S.I would have a hard time finding speed on this team.

I think he meant to say “we’re looking for a good speed to size ratio”.

Moving away from Ohm, I came across this little doozy from Lawrence Taylor. Saying he would love to have Tiki Barber on his team next year.

“I’d rather have a Tiki Barber than some unknown third-rounder,” said Taylor. “He’s going to be fine. He should go play for another 2-4 years if he thinks he can do it.”

There’s a lot of third round RB prospects I can think of I’d rather have than Tiki Barber at this point. Barber is not a young man anymore. He’s closer to 40 then is he 30 now, and that’s is a fact.

Closer to what I think most Giants fans feel is Antonio Pierce:

Tiki Barber the person? The leader? The person in that locker room? He’s not going to do anything for your team. (…) Now if that’s the guy you think you’re bringing in, you might want to look in another direction, because from personal experience, he didn’t do anything to help the Giants the last year, especially 2006 when he decided to retire in the middle of season … Can he do it four years later? I don’t think he can”.

Which one are you close to L.T. or Antonio Pierce?

Musings of a Middle-Aged Mad Man

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 07:15:30 +0000

Homer Jones

Frantic Fran

Wondering if when the Giant players travel they prefer the “enhanced” pat down employed by the TSA or the “see-it-all” xray?

Do you get to choose your TSA agent?

Message to Jim Hermann-Hoping the linebackers fill on a more consistent basis. The one weak link on the defense must rise up to stone Adrian Peterson.

During this Christmas season let us not be haunted by ghosts of Xmas past in the form of Visanthe Shiancoe.

Other than from an historical context does it really matter who starts, Favre or Tavaris Jackson?

Vikings on a 2 game win streak, albeit against suspect opponents.

Hoping the Giants come out with ill-intent in their hearts. Do not give the Vikings any confidence. Beating the GMen is their Super Bowl. As Ivan Drago would say “we must crush them”

Let’s ease the walking wounded into the lineup as opposed to trial under fire. It ain’t broke so don’t rush to fix.

Giants love to tackle the ball and Peterson has a propensity to give up the ball. Somethings gotta give.

Vikes like to run misdirection and Percy Harvin is one dangerous dude although his status is doubtful/questionable due to migraines. Take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning…

The Purple Men are stout on the run but Giants should still pound. Bradshaw, ball high and tight.

Use the newly healed receivers to spread field and keep safety off scrimmage. Run the ball off those sets.

Still remember when the Giants traded Frantic Fran Tarkenton to Minnesota for Bob Grimm and 2 other forever forgotten players. Grim indeed as Tarkenton went on to 3 Super Bowls as the Giants wallowed in something less than mediocrity.

Gotta love Pat Flaherty.

Jim Marshall, he of the famous Purple People Eaters and one of the truly great players of his era (recovered a record setting 30 fumbles and played in 282 straight games) and yet will forever be remembered for running the wrong way with a fumble recovery on October 25th, 1964 resulting in a safety for the S.F. 49ers.

DE Jared Allen has recorded a sack in 5 straight games.

OLB Chad Greenway at 6-2 242 is near the top of the league in tackles.

Looking forward to a collision of the 2 titans; Greenway and Brandon Jacobs. That is more than 500 lbs. of men. Reminiscent of Sam Huff and Jim Brown

Best Giant receivers since the days of Del Shofner and Homer Jones. That is more than 40 years!

Wishing the Vikings still played in the old metropolitan stadium. Miss that Viking guy with the steam coming off his face while being oblivious to the weather.

Where’s Waldo? Or should I say Clint Sintim #52.

You may have noticed that I started this blog (actually thought I finished it) before the announced delay since it is only now that I have my first mention of the postponement.

This is a new one, Giants-Vikings postponed! The Vikes really need a new home.

Guess Brett Favre really does live under a charmed star. Only he can summon the universe to give him one more day of rest.

Happy I do not work for the Metropolitan Sports Authority…Hate to shovel snow particularly off a roof…

Staying overnight in Kansas City- Here’s to Motel6 keeping the light on…

Hoping the Giants take their collective frustrations out on the Vikings.

This delay certainly shortens their prep time for the Philadelphia game. As if they needed more challenges…Stay safe, stay together and just win baby!

Jerry is Busy, a Bad Day for Former Giant Heros

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:35:35 +0000

I can’t remember the last time the Giants experienced a rookie holdout, I don’t think it has happened on Jerry Reese’s watch, starting in 2007, and it doesn’t look like it is going to happen this year either, thankfully. There is a huge value to having rookie free agents into training camp on time, it is hard enough to be a rookie and compete for playing time, and almost near impossible to play catch up when coming into training camp late.

So, nice job Jerry, as he has inked deals with 4th round draft choice Philip Dillard (check out Matt Moseley on espn.com, nice to see he agrees with me that Dillard has a legitimate shot to earn the middle linebacker gig), 6th round draft pick Adrian Tracy, 5th round draft pick Mitch Petrus (we might start to refer to Petrus as “the future”), and 7th rounder Matt Dodge, who has the leg up (no pun intended) on the starting punting job with the release of Jy Bond a few days back. Only two more picks to go, JPP and Linval “The Anvil” Joseph, but don’t fret, it usually takes some time for the market to be set in the first 2 rounds and I expect Reese will have both guys into camp on time, ready to roll.

A good day indeed for the gentleman above, not so much for legend L.T., who has officially been indicted on charges of rape, criminal sexual act, and sexual abuse. Also a bad day for Tiki Barber, who officially will not be back, in any capacity, with NBC. A huge fall from grace for the former Giants star, this coming after the public humiliation of his pending divorce from pregnant wife Ginny (Ginny gave birth to two healthy kids a few weeks back), and amid rumors that he is playing hardball with the financial negotiations of the divorce. Score one for Tiki, whose income just went down a bit, but this is not a good day for our most famous fumbler. Stay Blue!

L.T. is Guilty Of…

Thu, 13 May 2010 15:19:07 +0000

In his first comments since the L.T. scandal broke with the L.T.’s arrest for rape of a minor (a class 3 felony with a potential prison time of 4 years), John Mara had this to say (courtesy of espn.com and nypost.com): Giants owner John Mara yesterday called Lawrence Taylor’s arrest on rape charges “very sad and disheartening,” according to ESPN.com. Mara, speaking as the Giants and Jets ceremoniously sent their Super Bowl bid to the NFL, told reporters, “It is obviously very sad and disheartening. But beyond that, I don’t want to make any further statement on it.”

L.T.’s agent has publicly come out and said that L.T. has the support of the Giants organization, but as you could imagine, the Giants want to stay clear of this one for a while but remain supportive to an extent, kind of a nice tight-rope walking exercise for Mara and the team.

News came out yesterday which may help L.T. greatly (now, yes we love Taylor for what he accomplished on the field in blue, becoming a Hall of Famer, becoming a symbol of a Giants defensive era which is entrenched in history, and for being recognized as the best linebacker ever to play the game and quite possible the best defensive player in history). But we don’t excuse L.T., or anyone for that matter, for placing himself in a horrible situation, fur using terrible judgment, and for being involved in an incident which has led to felony charges which threaten his liberty, and rightfully so, if L.T. has done as alleged, than L.T. is in serious trouble.

With that being said, the New York Post has reported that a friend of the victim disclosed to her (the witness) that L.T. did not rape her, did not touch her, that she was not beaten by her pimp for anything relating to L.T. and speculation now arises that she has lied to the police and there are conflicting statements. Is L.T. off the hook? Not exactly, but if te report is true, L.T. will likely be looking at a much lesser charge and the allegation of “rape” might not be part of this situation moving forward.

And if L.T. paid this girl $300 so he could pleasure himself in front of her, but nothing else? Then what? Well, the legal process will play out, my guess is L.T. will not be spending much time on the inside of the cell, and the real issue is the gigantic hit to his reputation. But, there is a huge, perhaps Giant difference with allegations of rape and allegations of soliciting an escort who represented herself to be of legal age (ignorance of age is not a defense to rape of a minor but this only helps L.T. if he didn’t have sex with her which is what his attorney has said) and pleasuring oneself in front of the escort.

Is L.T. a pervert? Hard to say no at this point, but is he any more than a pervert than Jesse James, Tiger Woods, or any of the other high profile former athletes and celebrities involved in sex scandals (see Hugh Grant, Eddie Murphy and the list goes on). Again, a Giant difference between acting like a pervert and making very poor decisions and raping an underage prostitute. L.T. is in the wrong here for countless reasons, but it doesn’t mean he is a rapist.

Let’s not judge L.T. just yet. Stay Blue!

Trouble for L.T., Again

Fri, 07 May 2010 15:05:04 +0000

We are saddened and troubled by the news that Hall of Fame Giant, Lawrence Taylor, arguably (though not much of an argument in my opinion) the greatest linebacker ever to play the game, if not the most dominant defensive force ever to see the field, was arrested Thursday morning and charged with 3rd degree rape (having sex with a child under the age of 17), crimes which, if true, likely mean time in jail. Regardless of whether these allegations see the day of light in a courtroom, this is a serious mis-step for the football legend. We’ll reserve further comment, for now, other than to say that we hope these allegations are just that, allegations that prove to be false and without merit, for L.T.’s sake. We also hope that if indeed a crime has been committed against this 17 year old girl, that it be prosecuted accordingly and that the victim is afforded all of the appropriate care and assistance from the authorities.

We also take this morning to reply to profootballtalk.com’s Mike Florio, who posted an essay Thursday evening, entitled, “NFL Should Ban Former Players Who Tarnish the Shield.” You can find the full essay at profootballtalk.nbcsports.com.

Dear Mr. Florio:

While I understand the reasoning behind the push to have the NFL take action against former NFL players who reside in the Hall of Fame based upon acts, crimes, and incidents that occur post-football which look poorly upon the league and the NFL shield, any such action taken by the NFL would be inappropriate and misguided.

The honor of being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is directly and unequivocally based upon an evaluation of the football player’s accomplishments while playing the game of football, for the former player’s unparalleled greatness on the field for a duration of time against the toughest competition in the world. The player is judged to be Hall of Fame worthy by virtue of taking a snapshot of these athletes lives and judging that snapshot of time to be great, so great, that that player deserves to be placed in the Hall of Fame.

To punish a former NFL player who sits in the Hall of Fame, who has been voted into the Hall of Fame by their peers and critics, and take that honor away for incidents that occur (in Lawrence Taylor’s case, well after the individual played the game of football), is to essentially pass judgment on that individual for any and all actions. Are there members of the Hall of Fame who have committed acts that are criminal? Yes. Are there members of the Hall of Fame who have committed acts which are morally deficient? Yes. Are there members of the Hall of Fame whose demons have never come to light and are not publicly known? The answer is also yes.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame exists to only honor the game of football and those who have played the game at the highest of levels. The Pro Football Hall of Fame does not have a moral compass in which to pass judgment on the actions of its members by virtue of these individuals being members. Protecting the shield of the NFL is of the utmost importance, the game of football is important to the fabric of society on many levels and those who represent the game of football are held to a higher standard. The stars of today are subject to a different code of conduct than the stars of yesterday, they just are, this is a shift in our society which, in part, has been raised to a new level in light of the Michael Vicks, Ben Roethlisberger’s, Adam Jones’, and Chris Henry’s of today’s NFL.

However, the Hall of Fame, the NFL, and even Roger Goodell do not have the right nor does it make sense that they take the position of judgment in situations where a member of the Hall of Fame errs on the wrong side of exercising personal judgment, when a member commits a crime, no matter how heinous it may be. The L.T. incident, if true, is a horrible, no argument there and no defending this type of conduct. But where do we draw the line? Is it okay to engage in domestic violence, sans Warren Moon? What about drunk driving which ends people’s lives (see Donte Stallworth who is back on the field in 2010)? How do we look at O.J. Simpson, acquitted of double murder in a criminal proceeding but later found civilly responsible for the deaths of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown?

The bottom line is that football heroes are in large part, only that, heroes because of what they accomplished on the field, not what they accomplished off the field. Not every Hall of Fame member has the dignity and class of a Walter Payton, to expect the same because these athletes achieved greatness on the field is not realistic and will only lead to disappointment. If L.T. if guilty, if he has done as alleged, than his reputation will forever be tarnished and he will serve time in prison as punishment. But if true, none of L.T.’s actions diminish his greatness as a Giant or as a member of the Hall of Fame. Yes, we are disappointed and dismayed, sympathy goes out to the victim and to the perpetrator, but L.T.’s situation, if true, and those like it, serve us the best lesson of all: Hall of Fame or not, athletes do not set the standard of conduct in which we live by, athletes are not role models for behavior, but the stories of athletic accomplishments and greatness, coupled with stories of athletes’ failed judgment, false actions, and inappropriate conduct, do teach us lessons. Perhaps we can learn more from an individual’s fall from grace than that individual’s achievement of greatness.

We still love L.T., we love what he represents as a Giant figure in our history, we support L.T. as he has fought off-field demons throughout his life. L.T. was, is, and will always be a New York Giant. I can only hope that regardless of the final conclusion on these allegations, L.T. makes amends with society, with the New York Giants organization, with the fans of New York, and with the game of football which has placed him on a pedestal.