Over the New York Giants’ 94 years in the NFL, there has been an abundance of superstars to wear the blue and white. These are the 30 greatest players to ever play for Big Blue.
Considering how long the New York Giants have been around, it’s often easy to forget some of the team’s top talents throughout the years. It only makes sense, seeing as not many of us were around in the 1920s or 1930s. Either way, the franchise’s history is unforgettable.
Seriously, the amount of talent to have donned a Giants jersey over the years is ridiculous. Dating back to the early days of the NFL, there have been countless superstars, from iconic offensive linemen, to Hall of Fame pass rushers. Some you likely know well, while others are likely unknown to the younger generations of fans.
No matter the maturity of your fandom, the following list of Giants greats includes names you should probably know. Put simply, these are 30 of the greatest players to ever step foot on a football field as a member of this franchise. And considering the club’s countless seasons of success, the list of playmakers to choose from was well beyond that of 30.
No matter which way you choose to see it, these former and current Giants stars need to be known.
Enough with the idle chatter, though. Let’s jump right in to the 30 greatest Giants players of all-time, ranging from the league’s infancy stages, to some of the current team’s top talent. No matter the era, every name on this list needs to be known by even the most casual of G-Men fans.
Realistically, the Giants haven’t had a ton of outstanding wide receivers over the years, despite their lengthy history as a franchise. However, if there’s one from decades ago who deserves your respect, it’s Homer Jones.
A true deep threat and speed demon for New York, Jones made his mark with his ability to smoke defenders down the field. Don’t believe me? Just ask his career yards-per-catch average of 22.3.
That’s not only a Giants record, but it’s also an NFL record which still stands to this day. The second-highest average on that list is 1.5 yards per reception behind him.
Put simply, he knew how to take the lid off defenses. Because of that elite speed, he took two trips to the Pro Bowl, the last Giants receiver to do so until after the turn of the century.
The one tidbit everyone likes to cite when discussing Jones, though? The fact that he started the act of spiking the football after a touchdown. If it wasn’t for this blazing fast Giants wide receiver, Rob Gronkowski wouldn’t know what do to after striking pay dirt.
It’s easy to overlook those special teams folks, especially the ones who use their feet to impact the game. Football doesn’t often give the glory to those who use the body part in the name of the sport — they’re primarily there to place blame on.
However, in the case of Pete Gogolak, he deserves more than his fair share of credit. Not only is he the Giants’ franchise leader in points scored, but he also revolutionized the game of football. He introduced soccer-style kicking, drastically changing the way the kicker position is played today.
Gogolak didn’t win any fancy awards — his only All-Star selection was in 1965 while with the Buffalo Bills. After joining the Giants the next season, he lived in a quiet, praise-less world that saw him struggle mightily to put the ball through the uprights. Just ask his career field goal percentage of 57.5 during his time with the G-Men.
And yet, despite that awful conversion rate, Gogolak still deserves a spot on this list. Not only for bringing about a momentous change for the game of football, but for putting plenty of points on the board for the Giants and helping pave the way for the AFL-NFL merger.
The first of two tight ends on this list, Jeremy Shockey quickly proved himself to be a highly productive weapon at the position just as it began to evolve. While longevity wasn’t his strong suit, he certainly made his presence felt during his six seasons in the Big Apple.
In that time span, Shockey was arguably one of the best tight ends in the league. Heck, during his rookie season, the former Hurricane was named an All-Pro, a rare feat for anyone in their first year in the NFL. Simply put, it didn’t take long for the Giants’ 2002 first-round pick to prove that he was worth his weight in gold.
In six years with the Giants, he made four Pro Bowls, one All-Pro team and put up what were massive numbers for tight ends in those days. From 2004 to 2006, he had at least 61 receptions, 623 yards and six touchdowns in each season. He left New York in 2008, but was never quite as dominant during stints with the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers.
Was Shockey the greatest tight end in Giants history? You could probably make that argument, and it would be a valid one. However, in the grand scheme of things, his knack for being hurt and inconsistency on the field cost him spots on this list.
When you talk about flexibility and doing whatever it takes to help the team win, you have to include David Diehl in the conversation. A truly versatile asset for the Giants at the turn of the century, Diehl epitomized the idea of doing whatever is necessary to help the team win.
For Diehl, that meant playing nearly every position along the offensive line — specifically, he spent time everywhere except at center throughout his 11 seasons in New York. Although he primarily played and was drafted as a guard, some of his best work came when he stepped up as the starting left tackle.
In fact, his only Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections came when he was playing on the blindside.
For a fifth-round pick out of Illinois, the Giants couldn’t have asked for much more out of Diehl. Not only was he able to answer the call whenever his team needed him to bend, but he played a pivotal role in the franchise’s two most recent Super Bowl victories.
Diehl spent his entire NFL career in a Giants uniform, paving the way for one of the league’s best running games of the time, while also providing exceptional pass protection. For that, he absolutely deserves the recognition he’s currently receiving.
It’s easy to overlook one of the game’s most unheralded positions of center, and the stars that shine in that role. While not the greatest center in Giants history, Bart Oates certainly belongs on this list for all that he accomplished while wearing the blue and white.
The leader of the New York offensive line during the Bill Parcells era, Oates made things happen along that front-five. On top of being the leader of the group, he was an unstoppable force in the trenches, starring as both a run blocker and pass protector. I’m sure Phil Simms would tell you all about how special of a talent Oates was.
During his stay with the Giants, Oates earned his way onto three Pro Bowl rosters and helped New York win two Super Bowls. His blocking was a key to those two championship runs, allowing some of the Giants’ top offensive talents of the era to move the ball and put large amounts of points on the scoreboard.
What was equally impressive about Oates was his consistency. As a Giant, he missed only four games, and started an amazing 125 consecutive contests. Although he eventually left and spent two more campaigns with the San Francisco 49ers, his prime years were undoubtedly spent with the G-Men.
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.
Considered by most to be the best tight end in Giants history, Mark Bavaro was the prototype during the late 1980s. Not only was he a dynamic weapon in the passing game, but he was also an exceptional blocker who could hold his own in the trenches.
That well-rounded skill set helped him secure two Pro Bowl and two All-Pro honors during his time in New York. Although he only played for the club for six seasons, what he accomplished in that short time made him more than worthy of this spot on the list of Giants’ all-time greats.
To date, Bavaro is the only Giants tight end to ever put together a 1,000-yard season. He barely hit that mark (1,001 yards in 1986), but still managed 110 more yards than the best single-season performance Shockey could ever muster.
Throughout his stay in the Big Apple, he found the end zone 28 times and managed 14 yards per catch — both incredible figures for the time.
Bavaro will go down as a Giants legend, whether due to his impressive all-around performance or the part he played in two Super Bowl wins — or both. Either way, he sits as New York’s top tight end of all-time in my book.
Apart from the two signal callers you’ll find further down this list, there aren’t many Giants quarterbacks worthy of inclusion. However, if there’s one name from many years ago who deserves the recognition, it’s Charlie Conerly.
In fact, some people would probably try to convince you that Conerly is the greatest Giants quarterback in history. It’s a fair statement, although I’m not going to attempt to sell you on that.
What I will tell you is that, despite the era’s limitations in the passing game, Conerly had no problem making a name for himself in New York.
More specifically, the name “Chucking Charlie Conerly” for his impressive ability to toss the pigskin. His passing talents led the Giants to three championship games in four seasons, including their dominant win over the Chicago Bears in 1958. Some of his personal honors included two Pro Bowl selections and the NFL MVP award in 1959.
The passing game back then was worlds apart from what it is today, which makes it all the more amazing when you consider what Conerly accomplished. Can you believe he still owns several franchise passing records all these years later?
Football was a completely different beast back in the 1930s. Players weren’t just expected to play their position, play it well and call it day. Instead, they were often asked to take on multiple duties, from playing numerous positions to coaching and playing for farm teams.
That’s exactly what Ken Strong did, and he did it with the best of them. Seen as one of the greatest all-around players during the NFL’s infancy stages, Strong was an unstoppable force for the Giants, wreaking havoc on the rest of the league as a runner, kicker, receiver and occasional returner. Back in his day, Strong was the football version of a Swiss Army knife.
Strong didn’t spend his entire career with the Giants. In fact, he made three separate stops with the G-Men. One of them included coaching their farm team, the Jersey City Giants, while waiting for his banishment from the NFL to be overturned.
Because of his efforts, Strong made two All-Pro teams with the Giants and was named to the NFL’s 1930s All-Decade Team. More importantly, you can now find his bust in the hallowed halls of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
No matter what the Giants needed out of Chris Snee, he was willing to provide it. As a life-long Giant and two-time Super Bowl champion with the boys in blue, the second-round pick out of Boston College was everything the club could have hoped for and then some.
While never truly seen as an elite talent, Snee was the reliable, consistent blocking presence every NFL team dreams of. Even at the guard position, he spent his entire career impacting the game in big ways, whether that meant opening gaping holes for Tiki Barber to run through or providing Eli Manning with outstanding protection.
Throughout his 10-year career with the Giants, Snee earned four trips to the Pro Bowl and was named to an All-Pro team three times. Considering the massive amount of top-tier offensive line talent in the league at the time, that’s quite the accomplishment.
You won’t find Snee on any lists of the best guards in NFL history, and that’s fine. What he did for the Giants was protect their franchise quarterback, provide dependable play for a decade and help the franchise secure two Lombardi Trophies. Sounds like more than enough to make this list, if you ask me.
Looking back on his terrific career, it’s a bit baffling to imagine that Dick Lynch was only selected to one Pro Bowl during his eight seasons in New York. Regardless of what post-season accolades he received, Lynch absolutely belongs on this list of Giants legends.
One of the most underrated cornerbacks of his era, Lynch was a ballhawk before passing was the in thing in football. In 1961 and 1963, he led the NFL in interceptions with nine in both seasons.
During the latter season, he returned three of those nine interceptions for touchdowns, earning his first and only Pro Bowl/All-Pro combo as a result.
Either way, there’s no denying that Lynch was a monster in the secondary. The only cornerback to even make this list, he exemplified what outstanding coverage was. His 35 interceptions as a Giant (fourth in team history) and four career pick-sixes are proof that throwing in his direction was not a good idea.
Is he heralded throughout the league as one of the game’s best cornerbacks of all-time? Unfortunately not, but he was absolutely a star during his day and age. If it wasn’t for the litany of other big-time playmakers on the Giants defense during the 1950s and 1960s, Lynch may have earned more of the respect that he rightfully deserved.
Generally, I’m opposed to modern players being this high on all-time lists — especially those that have only been in the league a few years. However, if we’re looking purely at talent and on-field impact, there’s no denying that Odell Beckham Jr. deserves a significant spot on this one.
One of the most purely talented receivers in today’s NFL, Beckham has it all. While not the biggest of receivers, he’s got tremendous athleticism to go with elite hands, speed and after-the-catch skills. Put simply, he’s a threat to go the distance nearly every time he touches the ball.
Sure, he’s a diva like many superstar receivers. He throws too many tantrums and punches too many kicking nets. Despite that, he’s a natural playmaker who needs to have the ball in his hands. And when you get it to him, good things are bound to happen. Now if he could just grow up and learn to control his temper, he’d be golden.
Beckham supplied one of the most exciting moments of the last few seasons, hauling in the miraculous one-handed catch heard around the world. He’s been a touchdown machine for the Giants, and figures to stay in that role for the foreseeable future — assuming he doesn’t convince New York to send him packing.
Surprisingly, people outside of New York seem to forget that Rosey Grier actually started his dazzling NFL career with the Giants. Unfortunately, most folks remember him more for being a part of the Los Angeles Rams’ Fearsome Foursome defensive line.
During his days in the Big Apple, Grier quickly emerged as one of the NFL’s most disruptive defensive tackles. A powerful force along the interior with a massive frame and surprising athleticism for his size, the Penn State product didn’t take long to earn the respect of offensive linemen around the league.
Although he only made two Pro Bowl appearances and earned three All-Pro honors during his time with the Giants, Grier more than proved his worthiness for this spot on the all-time list. He made a case as one of the franchise’s best defensive tackles ever, even playing a key role in the club’s run to the championship in 1956.
Grier’s eventual departure via trade was certainly a disappointing way for his time in New York to end, but it doesn’t diminish the work he did during his eight years in town. Despite that, it may not be as impressive as the wide range of post-football activities he partook in.
Sensational safeties aren’t easy to come by, and they probably weren’t any more common during the 1950s and ’60s. However, in the case of Jimmy Patton, the Giants stumbled upon one of the greatest safeties they’ve ever known in the eighth round of the 1955 NFL Draft.
Patton, one of the league’s premier ballhawks during his time, was a star from the get-go. Immediately stepping into a starting role, he got his feet wet for a few years before finally hitting his stride as the playmaker who belongs among the greatest players in Giants history.
From 1958 to 1962, Patton made the Pro Bowl and All-Pro team every year. During the same time frame, he hauled in 37 of his 52 career interceptions, including a league-leading 11 picks in 1958.
Although he still fell well short of earning the top spot on the Giants’ career interceptions list, Patton didn’t leave any doubt of his coverage abilities.
Patton’s excellent footwork and reliable hands made him a menace in the New York secondary. His overall production and the fear he struck in opposing passers was proof that he is and always will be among the greatest defensive backs to ever suit up for the Giants.
Surprisingly, Phil Simms often gets overlooked in the discussion of great NFL quarterbacks of decades passed. It’s easy to understand, especially considering that most folks outside of New York these days largely know him for his broadcasting work.
However, as you’re probably aware, Simms’ career was one worth celebrating.
It started when the Giants shocked fans and foes alike, drafting Simms at No. 7 overall in the 1979 NFL Draft after many expecting him to fall out of the first round. Not long after he landed in New York, though, his star began to rise. By the time all was said and done, he had carved out a place for himself in Giants history.
Whether it’s the two Super Bowl victories (and one Super Bowl MVP award) or his two Pro Bowl appearances, Simms found a way to shine during an era in which the passing game was blossoming into the yardage factory it is today. As a result, he’s often seen as one of the most underrated quarterbacks of all-time.
More importantly, though, he’s one of the best Giants of all-time. The stats aren’t all that impressive in the grand scheme of things, but Simms did amazing work during his 14 years as New York’s field general.
The third-best piece of the Crunch Bunch, Brad Van Pelt was an intimidating presence at outside linebacker for the Giants during the 1970s and the 1980s. Although he didn’t get nearly as much recognition as his teammate Lawrence Taylor, he still knew how to make opponents shiver.
Known for his hard-hitting style of play and excellent nose for finding the football, Van Pelt routinely shined for a New York team that didn’t enjoy much success.
Despite that, he still managed to convince voters to send him to the Pro Bowl for five consecutive years. He only earned one All-Pro designation, although who he played alongside probably factored into that.
Either way, Van Pelt’s presence was welcomed and lauded. He was a star in his own right, providing both a terrific physical force against the run and a surprisingly effective weapon in the pass-rushing department.
Had Van Pelt played for another team, he very well may have earned more accolades during his 11-year NFL career. While that may be the case, the Giants certainly appreciated everything he did for them — even if his glory days came when the franchise was struggling to put notches in the win column.
A fullback, huh? Well we have to remember that, back in the 1930s and the 1940s, the fullback was an important part of every NFL offense. Running the ball was much more prominent, while passing was more of just a way to catch defenses off-guard.
When it came to Tuffy Leemans, though, he knew how to do it all. Whether he was running, catching or even throwing the football, good things were bound to happen. That’s why you can now find his head in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with his efforts as a jack-of-all-trades for the Giants serving as the catalyst for his induction.
It didn’t take long for Leemans to earn his status as a second-round pick for New York. Taking over as the Giants’ lead back, he won the NFL rushing title as a rookie, garnering All-Pro honors along the way.
He also dabbled as a safety, proving his prowess on the defensive side of the ball as well. Although he never recreated the magic of his first season, what came after was still plenty impressive.
Now, Leemans is immortalized in Canton as one of the NFL’s greatest athletes of the early days, consistently finishing among the league’s top rushers, while also affecting the game as a receiver and occasional thrower. On top of all that, his role in the Giants’ 1938 championship sealed his fate as one of the franchise’s all-time greats.
In the grand scheme of things, Amani Toomer was never seen as an elite wide receiver. He was an excellent pass catcher who was plenty productive, but never necessarily struck fear in cornerbacks the way some of the game’s greats have over the years.
With that said, Toomer was everything the Giants needed him to be and then some. For a franchise that has lacked top receiver talent throughout its storied history, Toomer stands out as one who always answered the call and made big plays when the offense needed them most.
Realistically, he was the model of consistency for New York. Although his numbers wouldn’t blow you away, given that he produced five straight 1,000-yard seasons says plenty. When he hung up his cleats in 2008, he was the Giants’ career leader in nearly every receiving category, including receptions (668), receiving yards (9,497) and receiving touchdowns (54).
Toomer also won a Super Bowl with the Giants, asserting himself as Eli Manning’s go-to option out wide. When he wasn’t on the field, New York felt his absence in the worst of ways. It was clear that Toomer was a catalyst for the Giants offense, one which hadn’t been seen by this franchise until Odell Beckham Jr. came to town.
When talking about the greatest running backs of all-time, chances are Tiki Barber‘s name isn’t going to be brought up. It’s fair, seeing as he was never really a superstar for the Giants. However, when talking about his overall impact in the Big Apple, he was nearly larger than life.
What’s more impressive is, as Barber’s career matured, so did his ability to make an impact on Sundays. Like a fine wine, he got better with age. Sure, Barber was a solid piece of the New York offense for the first few years of his career. However, the fun didn’t really begin until 2002, his sixth year in the league.
From there, it was nothing but highlights for Barber — apart from the fumbles.
In each of his last five seasons, Barber amassed more than 1,200 rushing yards. On top of that, he put together two straight campaigns during which he led the NFL in yards from scrimmage. Whether on the ground or through the air, the 1997 second-round pick found ways to put the Giants in the best possible position to win.
His final three years in New York resulted in Pro Bowl appearances, his candidacies aided by the fixing of his fumbling problem. Although the end of his time with the Giants was soured by his public comments towards Eli Manning, there’s no denying he was an impact performer when he was on the field for the G-Men.
If only he hadn’t jumped the gun on retirement…
A 17th-round pick out of Washington, Arnie Weinmeister didn’t exactly enter the league with expectations of stardom. By the time his career was over and all was said and done, though, he had asserted himself as one of the Giants’ all-time greatest defenders.
That’s mildly surprising, seeing as Weinmeister only spent four of his eight years of professional football with the Giants. He was originally drafted by the then-New York Yankees, and then went on to play with the BC Lions in the CFL after his days in the Big Apple were over. The impact he made during his time with the G-Men, however, was unmistakable.
In each of his four years with the Giants, Weinmeister made the Pro Bowl and was a First-Team All-Pro. Who else can say that, during every year they spent with a particular team, they were seen as the cream of the crop? That’s exactly what Weinmeister can claim, even if it was short-lived.
Weinmeister was a monstrous defensive tackle who was an unstoppable force against the run and demanded opposing teams’ utmost attention. While his time in New York may not have been long, his ability to change the game from the defensive tackle position simply can’t be overlooked.
It’s not every day a 19th-round pick develops into a Hall of Famer, but that’s exactly what happened in the instance of Andy Robustelli. Although that only made the Giants’ outstanding defensive end the 228th overall pick (there were much fewer teams back in the 1950s), that’s quite the value selection.
Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, Robustelli burst onto the scene, being named an All-Pro defensive end in two of his first five seasons. Then, he was traded to the Giants and somehow saw even more success as one of the league’s most disruptive ends.
To say that Robustelli was a destructive force would be an understatement. Whenever he was on the field, bad things were bound to happen for the opposing offense.
When he retired in 1964, he owned the record for the most forced fumbles with 22. Robustelli also returned his only two career interceptions for touchdowns, earning the 1962 Bert Bell award (the NFL’s best defensive player) along the way.
Robustelli may have made his mark many years ago, but he still stands as one of the greatest Giants defenders to ever step foot on the field. Who knows where he’d sit on the all-time sack lists if sacks were actually recorded during his days in the NFL?
Did you expect Michael Strahan to be higher on this list? It’s a reasonable thought, and one that you could probably make a case for. I mean, he did break the single-season sack record (22.5), right? Well, unfortunately, it’s not all about records when it comes to lists of all-time greats.
Yes, Strahan was a monster for the New York defense. Proving to be one of the best pass rushers of his era, he routinely made life miserable for opposing passers. That’s shown not only by the single-season sack record, but also by the 141.5 sacks he racked up throughout his 15 years in the NFL — all with the Giants.
Because of his dominance on the edge, Strahan earned seven Pro Bowl selections, six All-Pro honors and was named the 2001 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Oh, and then there’s the role he played during the Giants’ victory during Super Bowl XLII, which he also deserves a sizable chunk of credit for, despite that being his final season in the league.
Strahan will live on as one of the greatest Giants to ever grace the gridiron. With that said, his legacy doesn’t quite live up to the final few players who finished ahead of him on this list.
Considered one of the hardest hitters of his era, Sam Huff was a man among boys when he took the field. Although his time with the Giants ended on a rather sour note that left the linebacker bitter, his eight seasons with the club were well spent.
During that time, he would make four Pro Bowl rosters, while also being selected to six All-Pro squads. He won a championship with the Giants in 1956, and played a huge role in a couple of other trips to the championship game, including what came to be known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”
Here’s the real kicker: Tom Landry invented the 4-3 defense due in large part to Huff’s presence on the roster. Unable to find a good positional fit for Huff after the Giants made him a third-round pick, Landry came up with the new scheme to accommodate his unique skill set. The rest, as they say, is history.
Unfortunately, Huff was traded to the Washington Redskins in 1964. It was an anticlimactic end to his time with Big Blue, and one that Huff seemingly was never able to look past. Despite that, we can’t ignore the fact that he was one of the game’s very best during those nine seasons.
A prototype for the centerfield safety, Emlen Tunnell made it his job to keep opposing passing games from carving up the Giants secondary. With a knack for tracking the football and getting his hands on it, it quickly became clear that throwing in his direction was a very bad idea.
Tunnell still owns the Giants franchise record for interceptions with a whopping 74. In all but one season in New York, he had at least six. Four of his interceptions were returned for touchdowns, which is still tied as a franchise record. With his deceptiveness and blazing speed, Tunnell made opposing quarterbacks pay for even the smallest of mistakes.
That wasn’t all, though.
Tunnell was also an outstanding punt returner — one of the best in the business during his time. Using that speed of his, he set the franchise record for career punt return yardage (2,206). Between his return skills and defensive prowess, Tunnell earned his way to eight Pro Bowls and six All-Pro selections.
As you can tell, there were many on-field reasons for Tunnell to be so high on this list. However, the ones that also stand are these: he was the first African-American to play for the Giants, as well as the first to be immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Talk about a trail blazer.
Another one of those long-ago superstars, Frank Gifford was a versatile running back for the Giants during the 1950s. Seriously, whatever New York needed from him, chances were Gifford did it and did it better than just about anyone in the NFL.
That’s why he was named to eight Pro Bowls (at three different positions) and six All-Pro teams during his illustrious 12-year NFL career, all of which were spent with the Giants. During that time, he also led New York to a championship, winning the league’s MVP award in the same season. Gifford exemplified what it meant to do it all back when it was still a thing.
As a result, you can now find Gifford’s bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s easy to understand why. Whether he was carving up defenses as a running back and wide receiver, or shutting down opposing quarterbacks as a cornerback, there didn’t seem to be anything Gifford couldn’t do well — he even did some work under center.
Gifford went on to be an award-winning broadcaster, serving as the play-by-play announcer for Monday Night Football for 27 years. While that was quite the accomplishment, it paled in comparison to the amazing career he put together as one of the greatest Giants players of all-time.
The amount of elite linebackers who have worn the blue and white over the years is mind-boggling. We’ve already seen names like Jessie Armstead and Sam Huff on this list, and the latest in a long line of stud linebackers is Harry Carson.
One of the members of the Crunch Bunch, Carson was a consistent presence for one of the greatest linebacker units in NFL history. And yet, despite playing alongside players like Brad Van Pelt, Brian Kelley and Lawrence Taylor, Carson had no trouble standing out from the crowd.
As a result, he was named to nine Pro Bowls and six All-Pro squads. He was a key piece of the roster that won Super Bowl XXI, and routinely racked up huge stats with his excellent instincts, powerful hitting and nose for the football. This is shown by the 11 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries he amassed during his illustrious NFL career.
Carson was one of the greatest players to ever suit up for the Giants, hands down. Furthermore, he was Bill Parcells’ good luck charm during an era in which New York routinely dominated the opposition. His dependable impact and relentless motor helped earn him his enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Yes, it hasn’t all been pretty during Eli Manning‘s time as the leader of the Giants. Heck, it all started with him forcing his way to the Big Apple, refusing to play for the then-San Diego Chargers and demanding a trade that saw him and Philip Rivers swap teams.
During his heyday, though, Manning was one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Year after year, he put up consistent numbers, kept the Giants in the playoff hunt and occasionally worked some magic during the postseason. Said magic is why he finds himself here at No. 4 on the list of all-time G-Men greats.
As the leader of the Giants, Manning manufactured two surprising Super Bowl runs. In 2011, as the fourth seed in the NFC, New York managed a come-from-behind upset of the Tom Brady-led New England Patriots. The other included the miraculous David Tyree helmet catch, which still lives on as one of the most impressive plays in recent Super Bowl history.
Manning gets a lot of flack for a lot of things. Despite all of that, there’s no denying that he helped this franchise stay relevant for longer than it probably should have. Those two Lombardi Trophy further his case as one of the greatest Giants to ever play the game.
Known as “Old Indestructible,” Mel Hein was a superstar during the early days of football. Although he played the center position, he was a two-way monster for the Giants and helped pave the way for the franchise’s unprecedented success in the 1930s.
Starring in New York for 15 years, he appeared in 172 consecutive games for the Giants while playing center and linebacker. As a result of his otherworldly talents, Hein was named an All-Pro for eight consecutive seasons. On top of that, he earned the NFL MVP in 1938, leading the Giants to the second of two championships during his time in the Big Apple.
Although he did win two titles, Hein actually played a part on seven championship teams. Things weren’t as competitive in the 1930s as they are these days, but that’s still quite the accomplishment.
Even after his playing days were over, Hein turned his attention towards coaching and administration. Not only did he make an unmistakable impact for the Giants, but he lent his talents to the entire football world overall. That deserves all of your praise, and then some.
It’s not often you find offensive linemen this high on all-time great lists. However, in the case of Rosey Brown, there was no way I could keep him out of the top-3, considering the monumental impact he made during the Giants’ early days of dominance.
Owning the trenches when they were still trying to figure out this great game, Brown was everything you could want in an offensive tackle. He was powerful at the point of attack, but quick and athletic enough to mirror opposing defensive ends. From the first day he stepped onto the field for the Giants until his retirement, he was one of the very best in the game.
Don’t take it from me, though. Instead, take it from the folks who named him to nine Pro Bowls and nine All-Pro teams during his 13-year career.
Want another awesome tidbit about Brown? How about the fact that, during said 13 years, he missed only four games? That’s nearly unprecedented consistency, especially for an offensive lineman.
Brown played a huge role in the Giants’ championship run in 1956, and continued to be a wrecking ball until finally calling it a career in 1965. 10 years later, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as arguably one of the greatest offensive linemen to ever play the game. Hence, his designation as the No. 2 Giants player in franchise history.
Was there really any other choice for this spot? I’m sure a brave few will try to make the case for others, but in terms of natural talent and overall impact, there’s never been a greater player to don a Giants jersey than Lawrence Taylor.
An absolute monster at outside linebacker, he revolutionized the edge rusher role in the NFL.
With a nearly unprecedented mixture of athleticism, power, and pure pass-rushing talent, Taylor routinely made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators.
That’s shown by his 132.5 career sacks, which would have been higher. Keep in mind that the NFL didn’t record sacks as an official stat until his sophomore season in 1982
Want more from his résumé? How about 10 Pro Bowl selections, 10 All-Pro honors, and being chosen as one of only two defensive players in NFL history to win the MVP award.
Taylor was a man among boys during his time in the league. His play off the edge brought about the value of the blindside blocker, and forced teams to invest more in protecting their quarterbacks. And let’s not forget the two Super Bowls he helped bring to the Big Apple during his time with the Giants.