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Ranking the 10 best defensive linemen in NY Giants history

By Desmond Novack

NY Giants Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
NY Giants Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /
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15 Oct 2000: Michael Strahan #92 of the New York Giants looks on from the field during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at the Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Cowboys 19-14.Mandatory Credit: Harry How /Allsport
15 Oct 2000: Michael Strahan #92 of the New York Giants looks on from the field during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at the Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Cowboys 19-14.Mandatory Credit: Harry How /Allsport /

1. Michael Strahan

Accolades: seven-time Pro Bowler, six-time All Pro member, 2001 Defensive Player of the Year, 2007 Super Bowl champ, record holder for most sacks in a single season

There are no doubts that Michael Strahan is the greatest defensive lineman in NY Giants history. Not only is he second in team history for sacks, only behind the legendary Lawrence Taylor, but Strahan is also first all time in solo tackles. For his career, he posted 141.5 sacks, 854 tackles, 24 forced fumbles and more.

In addition to all of this, Strahan is the only player on this list to win Defensive Player of the Year. That just tells you how good he was for the G-Men. While it took Strahan a couple of years to catch on in the NFL, only gaining 18 sacks in his first four seasons, once he caught on, he was legendary. Strahan would have nine+ sacks in eight out his next 11 seasons in the league.

Strahan always kept up his elite level of play in the postseason as well. He was a crucial part to the NY Giants Super Bowl trip in 2000 and he was massive for the Giants taking down the Patriots for the Lombardi Trophy in 2007.

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No one will forget his 2001, where he broke the NFL record with his 22.5 sacks. That of course led to the DPOY award. That same year, Strahan led the league with six forced fumbles. During his 14-year career, all with the Giants, Strahan set the example of what it means to be a Giant. He will always be an NY great and have the love of the fanbase.

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