Ranking the Top 10 linebackers in NY Giants history

By Desmond Novack | Jul 22, 2024, 10:15 AM EDT

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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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 16: Linebacker Brad Van Pelt #10 of the New York Giants runs in pursuit against the Dallas Cowboys at Giants Stadium on November 6, 1977 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 24-10. (Photo by Ross Lewis/Getty Images) /

5. Brad Van Pelt

Accolades: five-time Pro Bowler

Up next is another member of the legendary crunch bunch, Brad Van Pelt (143 games, 19.5 sacks and 18 interceptions). Who, sadly, does not have any tackles recorded officially. However, his accolades and things we have read during research show just how special of a talent Van Pelt was.

During his prime, Van Pelt was a monster, making five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1976-1980. It is very unfortunate that the Crunch Bunch did not have much around them, as they only had one winning season when they were all together, making for one of the most underrated linebacker cores of all time.

Van Pelt would play 11 seasons with the Giants from 1973-1983, until he eventually left for the Raiders in 1984. He would play two seasons with the team before playing his last for the Browns in 1986. Van Pelt never won the Super Bowl with the team, but he won’t be forgotten soon about the great plays he made.

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