NY Giants all-time starting roster: defense
By Zak Musso
S: Emlen Tunnell
We have to go way back in time to find the greatest defensive back in New York Giant history. Emlen Tunnell, nicknamed the Gremlin, enlisted in the coast guard in the early 1940s and was a monster on the battlefield.
After a Japan bombing set one of his fellow crewman on fire, Tunnell put the blaze out with his bare hands. He also reportedly dove into freezing water (32 degrees) and saved a drowning shipmate.
That warrior spirit translated to the football field. Tunnell played 11 seasons with Big Blue, recording 74 interceptions. He racked up 79 picks in his NFL career, which are second most in NFL history and only two behind Paul Krause for the most ever. His 74 picks are the most in Giants history.
In 1967, six years after he retired from football, Tunnell was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Not only is he a Giants icon, he’s an American legend.
S: Jimmy Patton
The New York Giants drafted under-heralded safety Jimmy Patton in the eighth round of the 1955 draft out of Mississippi. The safety quickly become a star and played his entire 12-year career (1955-1966) in New York. Patton racked up 52 interceptions, second most in Giants history, two touchdowns, and 15 fumble recoveries.
From 1958-1962, Patton was selected to five consecutive Pro Bowls and was also named First Team All-Pro in five consecutive seasons. The Giants secondary in the 1950s featuring Tunnell and Patton was absolutely incredible and should have been nicknamed "Pick City."