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Ranking NY Giants’ top 10 linebackers of all-time

By Stephen Samra

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 03: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Hall of Famers Lawrence Taylor (L) and Harry Carson talk during a halftime ceremony of a game between the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts on November 3, 2014 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Colts defeated the Giants 40-24. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 03: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Hall of Famers Lawrence Taylor (L) and Harry Carson talk during a halftime ceremony of a game between the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts on November 3, 2014 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Colts defeated the Giants 40-24. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Perhaps no position group in National Football League history features as many legends – here are the top 10 linebackers in NY Giants’ history.

In the history of the National Football League, the history of NY Giants’ linebackers may feature the most feared players of all-time.

Captains, field generals and bonafide all-time greats are littered throughout this list. They set a standard of greatness that every linebacker that steps foot in East Rutherford should try to achieve.

Blake Martinez had a tremendous first year with the Giants – he has the drive of a champion, if he can continue his upward trajectory, the sky is the limit. Until then, he’ll continue learning from the legends that put the uniform on before him.

Here are the top 10 linebackers in NY Giants’ history:

10) Gary Reasons

Years: 1984-1991

Legacy: Two-time Super Bowl Champion (XXI, XXV)

Gary Reasons was a staple in the NY Giants’ defense that propelled the franchise to their first two Super Bowl victories.

While he was a key voice in the team’s linebacker room, his fake punt gallop against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game helped propel his team to victory against the defending Super Bowl champions. Without that play, Bill Parcells’ team may have never hoisted their second Lombardi.

Fittingly, Reasons is one of the reasons the Giants were so successful throughout his career with the team.

Brian Kelley #55 of the New York Giants (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Brian Kelley #55 of the New York Giants (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

9) Brian Kelley

Years: 1973-1983

Legacy: Part of the Giants’ ‘Crunch Bunch’

The ‘Crunch Bunch’ was one of the best groups of linebackers in NFL history.

Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, Brad Van Pelt and Brian Kelley struck fear into their opponents every down. Kelley may have commonly been the forgotten man of the four, but he reminded opponents of his ability every time he stepped on the field.

He never got to hoist a Lombardi Trophy – but the foundation he helped lay propelled the Giants to their future glory.

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