Greatest Giants Players in Super Bowl History
By Neal Lynch
With the Super Bowl a little over a week away, we have a couple competing All-Time Super Bowl Team lists and with it a trio of Giants. ESPN released their rankings of the 50 greatest players in Super Bowl history. While the Pro Football Hall of Fame committee announced their “Super Bowl 50 Golden Team” comprised of a 27-man roster.
Two Giants quarterbacks made the cut on ESPN’s board with Phil Simms coming in at #25 and Eli Manning placing at #8.
#25 Phil Simms Super Bowl XXI
"“Simms completed his first seven passes and his last nine passes in Super Bowl XXI and was 22-of-25 for an 88.0 completion percentage that still stands as a single-game Super Bowl record. The Giants trailed the Broncos 10-9 at the half, but Simms’ precision helped New York stay patient and balanced on offense, and they put the game away with 17 points in the third quarter. Eight different Giants caught passes in the team’s first Super Bowl victory, a 39-20 triumph, and the touchdown passes went to Zeke Mowatt, Mark Bavaro and Phil McConkey as Simms spread it around.” — Dan Graziano"
#8 Eli Manning Super Bowls XLII, XLVI
"“Manning is a combined 49-of-74 (66.2 percent) for 551 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in his two Super Bowls — both victories over the Patriots. But those victories will be best remembered for two indelible throws: the one David Tyree caught on his helmet to keep a fourth-quarter drive alive against the unbeaten Patriots in XLII, and the brilliant, toe-tapping, sideline catch by Mario Manningham in the fourth quarter of XLVI. Manning’s game-winning drive in XLII started with 2:39 left and the Giants down 14-10. His game-winning drive in XLVI began with 3:46 left and the Giants down 17-15. Even if he never plays in another Super Bowl, Eli Manning goes down as one of the most clutch quarterbacks in Super Bowl history. — Dan Graziano”"
Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor was one of two outside linebackers named to the Golden Team alongside Jack Ham. Being from New Jersey, it’s hard to ignore that combo would be Taylor Ham.
But, how would we round out the rest of the all-time Super Bowl Giants roster? Here are my picks:
OFFENSE
QB – Eli Manning, Super Bowls XLII, XLVI
- 9th highest career passer rating in Super Bowl history
- 9th Most Career Passes Completed (49)
- Tied 5th Most Single-Game Passes Completed (30, SB 46)
- 4th Highest Single-Game Completion Percentage (75%, SB 46)
- 5th Highest Career Completion Percentage (66.22%)
- 10th Highest Career Yards Per Pass (7.45)
Backup QB – Phil Simms, Super Bowl XXI
- Highest Single-Game Passer Rating in Super Bowl History (150.92)
- Highest Single-Game Completion Percentage (88%)
- 9th Highest Single-Game Yards per Pass (10.72)
- Tied for 7th Single-Game Passing Touchdowns (3)
RB – Ottis Anderson, Super Bowl XXV
- 21 carries, 102 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
RB – Ahmad Bradshaw, Super Bowls XLII, XLVI
- 9 carries for 45 yards in XLII
- 17 carries for 72 yards and a butt-tastic touchdown in XLVI