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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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Linebacker Pepper Johnson #52 of the New York Giants (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Linebacker Pepper Johnson #52 of the New York Giants (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

7) Pepper Johnson

Years: 1986-1992

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

Pepper Johnson didn’t have to wait long to see what greatness looked like in the NFL – playing a part in two Super Bowl victories by the NY Giants while still a young man in the league.

Johnson was one of the original favorites of the greatest head coach in the history of the league – Bill Belichick. He followed his original defensive coordinator to Cleveland and to the New York Jets – even becoming a coaching assistant under him after his retirement.

Johnson’s time with the Giants may have come to an end due to Dan Reeves’ effort to change the culture, but the success he enjoyed in New York is timeless.

Linebacker Brad Van Pelt #10 of the New York Giants  (Photo by Ross Lewis/Getty Images)
Linebacker Brad Van Pelt #10 of the New York Giants  (Photo by Ross Lewis/Getty Images) /

6) Brad Van Pelt

Years: 1973-1983

Legacy: Five-time Pro Bowl (1976-1980)

Through some dark times in NY Giants’ history, Brad Van Pelt was the shining light.

He was the face of the franchise in the 1970’s – named the Giants’ player of the decade for that time period. Like his ‘Crunch Bunch’ teammate, Brian Kelley – the success the team enjoyed after he left New York wouldn’t have been possible without him.

His name is firmly entrenched in the Giants’ Ring of Honor – but many believe he deserved his name etched into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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