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The New York Giants are a consistent and dominant presence at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but which of those enshrined is the best of the franchise?
Barry Wilner of The 33rd Team recently pondered that question for all 32 teams and when it came to the Giants, the answer was obvious: Linebacker Lawrence Taylor.
Another team with a fascinatingly deep history of stars, none more celestial than Lawrence Taylor. If Deacon Jones invented the sack, LT refined it with the strip-sack, using that arm chop to not only knock loose the ball from quarterbacks but recovering it. A do-everything linebacker, Taylor outdid Jones by actually winning MVP honors in 1986, a Super Bowl year for New York. He established the prototype for the modern-day LB/edge rusher, too.
Taylor is widely regarded as the best defensive player of all time. He is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and one of two players to win the MVP award as a defender. The accolades continue for L.T. as he had eight First-team All-Pro nominations and 10 straight Pro Bowl appearances.
He absolutely dominated the 1980s and early 90s recording 142 sacks (with a 20.5 sack season) and nine interceptions. Taylor also won two Super Bowls during that run, putting Big Blue on the map as one of the best franchises in football.
When people say defense wins championships, Taylor is the definition of it. He revolutionized the game and is well deserving of this spot as the best Giants Hall of Famer.
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