1. Ottis Anderson in 1986
Trade
The Super Bowl-hopeful 1986 Giants needed reinforcements in the running back room, deciding that the correct course of action was to trade a second and seventh-round pick for St. Louis Cardinals running back Ottis Anderson.
The 1979 rookie of the year, Anderson had rushed for over 1,000 yards in five (likely six if not for the player strike in 1982) of his seven seasons in St Louis. At 28 years of age, and on the back of a lean 1985 which saw him only rush for 479 yards in nine games, the veteran looked to be past his prime and potentially a depth addition for the Giants. That wasn’t the case.
Impact on the New York Giants
While the Giants would later win the 1986 Super Bowl, a game in which Anderson scored a late touchdown, he certainly wasn’t an instant success in blue. He would spend the next two seasons in a backup role for the G-men, contributing a measly 214 yards on the ground in 1987 and 1988 combined.
It was in 1989, however, that the trade three seasons earlier would finally bring success. Anderson would rush for 1,023 yards, scoring 14 times for New York that year – being rewarded for his efforts with the 1989 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
The following season, Anderson, rejuvenated after a lean few years in his career, would lead the Giants with 784 yards and 11 touchdowns. Most importantly, 102 of those yards would come on 21 carries in a Super Bowl victory over the Buffalo Bills. Anderson would score one touchdown on his 102 yards, resulting in Super Bowl MVP honors for the then 34-year-old running back.
Anderson would finish his New York Career with 2,274 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns in 83 appearances. It would be his role in bringing two Super Bowl victories to the Big Apple, however, which will ensure he goes down as one of the greatest running backs, and trades, in New York Giants history.