This Is What Eli Apple Needs To Do To Be The Best #28 In New York Giants History
By Neal Lynch
New York Giants rookie cornerback Eli Apple will wear #28 in his first season with the team. What does he need to do to become the best #28 in Giants history? Surpass these other notable players…
I’m obsessed with jersey numbers. I even created a save the date that only featured the most famous jersey numbers from the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL, so sports fans couldn’t ever forget (they still did). Some athletes are also obsessed with the number they wear, sometimes paying a teacher’s salary or higher to get it from a teammate.
When I think of the #28 in Giants history, a handful of players come to mind, so I thought I’d list them out, so Apple can see what he needs to do to make sure no one else wears it after him.
8. Danny Ware – RB, Georgia Bulldogs
Years: 2008 – 2011
Approximate Value: 4
In five seasons, the undrafted Georgia Bulldogs running back Ware carried the ball 81 times for 324 yards and caught 37 passes for 252 yards. He was probably best known or remembered for taking the handoff from Eli in the shotgun formation on 2-point conversions.
7. Tyrone Wheatley – RB, Michigan Wolverines
Years: 1995 – 1998
Approximate Value: 7
The former first round pick from Michigan started eight games out of the 46 he played in over four seasons with the G-Men. In that span, he had more than 1,200 rushing yards on 350+ carries and eight rushing touchdowns, plus 33 receptions for 218 yards and two scores.
Wheatley was traded after the 1998 season to the Miami Dolphins for a 7th round pick, which Big Blue used on Clemson linebacker O.J. Childress, who played in four games that season and nothing more. Tyrone’s best season came in 2000 for the Oakland Raiders when he rushed for more than 1,000 yards, the only time in his ten-year career.
6. Jayron Hosley – CB, Virginia Tech Hokies
Years: 2012 – 2015
Approximate Value: 7
The former third round pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, Hosley played four seasons with Big Blue, starting 15 of 43 games played. Jayron had two interceptions, 14 passes defended, and 82 total tackles. Hosley is currently an unrestricted free agent, but the fact Apple took his number means either the Giants have given up on him or would take him back at the league minimum and give him another number.
5. Everson Walls – CB, Grambling State Tigers
Years: 1990 – 1992
Approximate Value: 12
The four-time Pro Bowler and 1-time first-team All-Pro played only three seasons for the Giants, but started 31 of 36 games and had 11 interceptions and a touchdown. Everson’s six interceptions in 1990 were eighth most in the league. Walls was also the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his play in week 8 of the ’90 season. The Giants ended up waiving Walls during the 1992 season.
4. Henry Carr – CB, Arizona State Sun Devils
Years: 1965 – 1967
Approximate Value: 14
The fourth round pick of the 1965 NFL Draft played in 37 games over three seasons with the Giants, picking off seven passes, taking one for a touchdown. His 101-yard interception return in 1966 – a season that was among the worst for Giants defenses all-time – was tops in the league.
3. Bobby Duhon – KR/PR/RB, Tulane Green Wave
Years: 1968 – 1972
Approximate Value: 17
The former third round draft pick from Tulane played in 44 games for the G-Men over four seasons, missing the ’69 campaign. In that time, he had 221 carries for 840 yards and four touchdowns, plus 68 catches for 717 yards and a score. Duhon had 80 total returns for more than 1,000 yards. Bobby’s 6.2 yards per touch in 1968 – his rookie year – was 7th highest in the NFL.
2. Gibril Wilson – S, Tennessee Volunteers
Years: 2004 – 2007
Approximate Value: 23
The fifth rounder from Tennessee had 11 interceptions in 52 games played for the Giants. Gibril also had six forced fumbles, recovering three, six sacks, and 360 combined tackles. Wilson’s best season came in 2005 when he started all 16 games, had three sacks and 90 solo tackles.
1. Beasley Reece – DB, North Texas Mean Green
Years: 1977 – 1983
Approximate Value: 33
Reece was drafted in the 9th round of the 1976 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, but was waived early in the 1977 season. The Giants claimed Beasley a couple days later and he eventually became the starting strong safety the following season.
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In seven seasons with Big Blue, Reece started 69 of the 82 games he played in, intercepting 11 passes and recovering 14 fumbles, returning one for a touchdown. Beasley’s best season with the G-Men came in 1981, his first year at the free safety position, when he started all 16 games, had four picks and five fumble recoveries, which was second most in the league.