New York Giants: 30 greatest players in franchise history
25. player. 31. . Outside Linebacker. 1993-01. Jessie Armstead
The Giants have had a long history of outstanding linebackers, both inside and outside, during their many decades as a franchise. Jessie Armstead is the first of several to make this list, but that shouldn’t take away from what he brought to the Giants defense during his time in town.
Armstead was a do-it-all playmaker for New York, finding a way to be wherever the ball was on nearly every play. Among the franchise’s all-time leaders in tackles with 777 total takedowns, he padded his résumé with 30.5 sacks, 12 interceptions and 11 forced fumbles during his nine years with the club.
Despite playing for the Giants during a down time, he convinced voters to send him to the Pro Bowl five years in a row. He also earned three All-Pro honors, using his versatility, tenacity and instincts to make life miserable for opposing offensive coordinators. It all culminated in one heck of a career for Armstead.
After nine seasons in the Big Apple, Armstead left to spend a few years with the Washington Redskins. However, his best years were with the Giants, a team that he helped book a trip to the Super Bowl in 2000.