Lawrence Taylor named GOAT edge-rusher and the choice was obvious
By James Nolan
For 13 seasons with the NY Giants, Lawrence Taylor struck fear into the eyes of opposing NFL offenses. Recently, ESPN named LT as the GOAT edge-rusher and the choice could not be easier.
With everything the Giants linebacker had done throughout his career, there shouldn’t be anyone else in the conversation for being better. LT isn’t just the GOAT of his position, he has made a case for being the GOAT in general.
Taylor claimed the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award three times, won an MVP in 1986, was selected to the Pro Bowl 10 times, and helped the Giants win the Super Bowl in 1986 and 1990. In 1986 he became the first defensive player to be named the Super Bowl MVP in over 15 years. For all those reasons, he was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999. Yeah, this guy was pretty good.
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Lawrence Taylor dominated on the field with the NY Giants
Throughout his career in New York, Taylor was able to attain numerous accolades for his play on the field, but he also impacted the game in a much greater way. Taylor altered the way his position was played with his raw speed, power and strength. He was able to get to other teams’ QBs faster than anyone that’s ever played, and he is the reason why so many head coaches are envious of elite edge-rushers in today’s game.
The eye popping play on the field is what made Taylor the best edge-rusher in the history of the NFL. In just his first season in the league as a rookie, he was able to record 9.5 sacks. Even when he wasn’t sacking the QB in his rookie campaign, he was still able to rush the QB and terrorize offensive linemen. After his rookie season, he was named not just Defensive Rookie of the Year, but he was also named the Defensive Player of the Year.
L.T put together the best season of all time in 1986 with the NY Giants
In 1986 though, Taylor helped carry the New York Giants to their first Super Bowl win ever with his extraordinary play. LT arguably put together the best season by any NFL player that has ever played a single snap in the league, and that’s saying something considering he played on the defensive side.
The Giants dominated the other teams in almost every game that season, including the playoffs. In the regular season they only lost twice, and Taylor recorded a league leading 20.5 sacks. Not only did he lock up the DPOY award, but he also captured the NFL’s MVP award in 1986 too.
Only 10 players in the history of the NFL have ever won the regular season MVP, and the Super Bowl MVP, and the Hall of Famer did just that in the 1986 season with New York. Taylor dominated in the Super Bowl, helping the Giants beat the Denver Broncos 39-20.
Taylor is one of the GOAT NFL players of all time regardless of position
LT decided to hang up his cleats after the 1993 season, wrapping up one of the greatest careers any NFL player has ever put together. With all the regular season accolades he collected, the Super Bowl victories and the way he changed the way the game is played, LT should be in the conversation as the straight up GOAT, no doubt about that.