NY Giants’ running back, Saquon Barkley, knows about the legends that came before him – and that’s why he’s so proud to wear the NY Giants’ uniform.
Bulldogs, speedsters and semi-trucks – the legendary running backs in Giants‘ history have come in all shapes and sizes. It hasn’t stopped them from being successful – winning championships and making a name for themselves.
Injuries have dampened Barkley’s early years, but if he can return to form there’s no telling how high he can climb. Until then, the generational talent will continue to be motivated by those that came before him.
Here are the top 10 running backs in NY Giants’ history:
10) Doug Kotar
Years: 1974-1981
Legacy: Went from undrafted free agent to one of the best running backs in NY Giants’ history
Height doesn’t measure heart – that should’ve been plastered right on Doug Kotar’s forehead.
He was never the biggest, fastest or strongest – but good luck bringing him down. Kotar helped pace the NY Giants’ offense through their dark years, rushing for 3380 yards while wearing Giants’ blue.
Perhaps the best way to describe him was said by Giants’ legend, Harry Carson – who called him ‘a fighter you’d like to have with you in a foxhole’.
9) Ahmad Bradshaw
Years: 2007-2012
Legacy: Two-time Super Bowl Champion (XLII, XLVI)
The run through the rain in Buffalo. The use of intelligence to set up the Hail Mary to Hakeem Nicks in Green Bay. The game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLVI. What memory comes to mind when you think of Ahmad Bradshaw?
An unsung hero of Eli Manning’s Super Bowl winning teams – Bradshaw etched his place in Giants’ history on numerous occasions.
He may have been under-appreciated throughout his time in New York, but the leading rusher in both Giants’ Super Bowl victories will always be remembered.
8) Ron Johnson
Years: 1970-1975
Legacy: Two-time Pro Bowl (1970, 1972); All-Pro (1970); First player in NY Giants’ history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season
A transcendent player at the position for the NY Giants, Ron Johnson didn’t wait long to make an impact on the franchise.
Joining the NY Giants after one season in Cleveland, Johnson became the first player in team history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. While it may be commonplace now, it was an amazing feat in 1970.
The NY Giants were as good as Johnson was throughout his career in blue – the only winning seasons they had in his tenure came when the running-back rushed for over 1000 yards (1970, 1972).
7) Ottis Anderson
Years: 1986-1992
Legacy: Two-time Super Bowl Champion (XXI, XXV); Super Bowl MVP (XXV)
Many thought Ottis Anderson was finished when he came to the NY Giants in 1986 – he quickly put that idea to bed.
After originally being buried on the NY Giants’ depth chart, Anderson would work his way to the top of the depth chart in just a couple seasons under Bill Parcells. He was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1989 – but that wasn’t even the best award he gained with the Giants.
After gaining 102 yards and scoring a touchdown, Anderson was named the MVP of Super Bowl XXV. To this day, Emmitt Smith is the only running-back to accomplish the feat since.
While he may be overlooked when talked about the all-time great running-backs, Anderson’s place in Giants’ history is secured.
6) Alex Webster
Years: 1955-1964
Legacy: NFL Champion (1956); Two-time Pro Bowl (1958, 1961)
Alex Webster found success that few member of the NY Giants have – playing in six NFL Championship games, and winning one.
He was the focal point of the team’s offense throughout much of his tenure – rushing for 4638 yards and 39 touchdowns, while gaining 2679 yards and 17 touchdowns through the air. His greatest contribution came in the 1956 NFL Championship against the Chicago Bears – where he scored two touchdowns and contributed 103 all-purpose yards.
Webster put up video-game numbers for the Giants, while also leading then team to success.
5) Brandon Jacobs
Years: 2005-2011; 2013
Legacy: Two-time Super Bowl Champion (XLII, XLVI)
There was nothing better than watching Brandon Jacobs truck defenders while he was a NY Giant.
The ‘Earth’ in ‘Earth, Wind and Fire’ – Jacobs specialty was putting defenders in the dirt. Don’t let that fool you though – he also had good speed and receiving abilities that he would put on display.
Before the David Tyree catch, Jacobs had a key fourth down conversion the keep the game-winning drive alive in Super Bowl XLII. He rushed for over 1,000 yards twice in his tenure, but he’ll always be remembered as one of the key players on two Super Bowl winning teams.
4) Rodney Hampton
Years: 1990-1997
Legacy: Super Bowl Champion (XXV); Two-time Pro Bowl (1992, 1993)
After the NY Giants’ made Rodney Hampton their first-round pick in 1990, he became their best offensive weapon for most of his career.
While his rookie season was cut short due to injury, he was phenomenal afterwards – rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of the next five seasons. His ability to find rushing lanes and electrify the team’s offense was invaluable.
He spent his entire career in New York – while he missed the team’s lone Super Bowl win in his tenure, he certainly wasn’t the reason they didn’t make it back.
3) Joe Morris
Years: 1982-1988
Legacy: Super Bowl Champion (XXI); Two-time Pro Bowl (1985, 1986)
We should’ve known Joe Morris would be a fantastic Giant from the get-go – the running back scored a touchdown on his very first rushing attempt in the NFL.
Legendary performances by Morris helped propel the Giants in their march to Super Bowl XXI – he rushed for 313 yards in three playoff games. At the time he left the team, he left them as their all-time leading rusher.
Morris still holds many Giants’ rushing records – including 11 playoff rushing records. He shined bright when the lights were brightest – an invaluable trait.
2) Frank Gifford
Years: 1952-1960; 1962-1964
Legacy: NFL Champion (1956); Eight-time Pro Bowl (1953-1959, 1963); Six-time First-team All-Pro (1953; 1955-1959); NFL MVP (1956); Pro Football HOF
One of the all-time greats – Frank Gifford was much more than a running-back, but he was still a damn good one.
Gifford was selected to the Pro Bowl at three different positions – defensive back, flanker and running back. Heck, he even played a little quarterback – throwing 14 touchdowns.
If Gifford was solely a running-back, he may be number one of the list – but the Giants’ legend still rushed for 3609 yards and 34 touchdowns in his career. He was the best player on the Giants’ 1956 Championship team – proven by his MVP Award for the same year.
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977, he was deserving of every honor bestowed upon him.
The Best: Tiki Barber
Years: 1997-2006
Legacy: Three-time Pro Bowl (2004-2006); First-team All-Pro (2005); NY Giants’ Rushing Leader
10,449 yards, 55 touchdowns and first place by a mile on the NY Giants’ All-Time leaderboard – Tiki Barber is the best running-back in team history.
After originally expected to be a back that would split-time, Barber became one of the forces of the entire league. He was dangerous as anyone, and entrenched firmly in the conversation for the best running-back in the league during his prime.
While his sudden retirement and subsequent comments have hurt his standing with fans in the years following, we shouldn’t forget his contributions to the team that have withstood the test of time. Saquon Barkley may be the best running-back the Giants have had since, but even he may never reach the heights Barber has.