Tag: Lawrence Taylor

Lawrence Taylor named Giants’ best Hall of Famer

The 33rd Team has named linebacker Lawrence Taylor the best New York Giants player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8169″]

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.

[lawrence-related id=712418,712406,712402]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Tar Heel Football great Lawrence Taylor selected to All-Time list

NFL Hall of Famer and Tar Heel Football great Lawrence Taylor was named to former coach Dave Wannstedt’s All-Time Front 7 list.

There’s been a lot of great football players who spent their college years at the prestigious University of North Carolina, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

One guy that comes to the forefront is 3-time Pro Bowler Robert Quinn, who played at UNC in 2008 and 2009. At age 33, Quinn is a 3-time Pro Bowler, a 1-time NFL forced fumbles co-leader and a 2013 First-Team All-Pro.

If you dig back into the 1900’s, however, you’re going to find the greatest defensive player to ever don a Tar Heel Football uniform.

That man goes by the name of Lawrence Taylor, the 1980 ACC Player of the Year, who was recently named to the 33rd Team’s best all-time NFL front seven.

Taylor, the New York Giants’ second overall pick back in 1981, is a member of the prestigious Pro Football Hall of Fame. He has a list of professional accolades that could write a whole chapter – the Giants’ all-time sack leader (142), 2-time Super Bowl champion, NFL MVP (1986), 3-time NFL defensive Player of the Year, NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, 8-time First Team All-Pro, 10-time Pro Bowler, NFL sack leader (1986), just to name a few.

“His dominance on the line forced offenses to turn protection to whichever side Taylor was on,” longtime NFL and collegiate coach Dave Wannstedt told Giants Now. “Coordinators wanted to make sure you got a big offensive lineman blocking L.T. rather than running the opposite way and expecting a running back to block him. That’s what most teams did. When L.T. was on the field, you must use the lineman to him to give you the best chance to slow him down.”

Taylor joined current NFL great Aaron Donald and historic greats Ray Lewis, Derrick Brooks, Junior Seau, Reggie White, Joe Greene, on Wannstedt’s All-Time Front 7.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

NFL’s all-time best by jersey number: 4 Giants make the cut

Touchdown Wire recently listed the best NFL players to wear a specific jersey number and 4 retired New York Giants made the cut.

[anyclip pubname=”2103″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8036″]

The NFL is entering its 104th season in 2023 and many great teams and great players have graced their fields and events for over a century. Over that time, every uniform number has been worn and made immortal by those players.

Which leads us to ask: which players wore each number the best?

In a recent article titled, ‘The best pro football player to wear every jersey number,’ Touchdown Wire’s Dug Farrar gives it his best shot.

For enthusiasts of the New York Giants, several members of Big Blue made the list:

  • Benny Friedman, No. 6
  • Emlen Tunnell, No. 45
  • Lawrence Taylor, No. 56
  • Roosevelt Brown, No. 79

All four are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Other Giants receiving’ honorable mentions’ include the following:

Kerry Collins (No. 5), Ray Flaherty (No. 6), Mel Hein (No. 7), Steve Owen (No. 9), Eli Manning (No. 10), Phil Simms (No. 11), Y.A. Tittle (No. 14), Frank Gifford (No. 16), Sam Madison (No. 29), Harry Carson (No. 53), Kareem McKenzie (No. 67), Sam Huff and Leonard Marshall (No. 70), Andy Robustelli (No. 81), Fred Dryer (No. 89), Jason Pierre-Paul (No. 90), Michael Strahan (No. 92) and Jesse Armstead (No. 98).

[lawrence-related id=711903,711911,711921]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Giants legend Lawrence Taylor selected to The 33rd Team’s best all-time front 7

Dave Wannstedt of The 33rd Team released his best all-time front 7 and New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor topped his list.

[anyclip pubname=”2103″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8036″]

If you ask New York Giants fans who the greatest player in the nearly 100-year history of the franchise is or was, most will say linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who terrorized opponents from 1981-1993.

Taylor is widely regarded as the best outside linebacker of all time and was the original ‘edge’ rusher that teams still seek out to this day.

In a recent piece for The 33rd Team, former college and NFL head coach and defensive guru, Dave Wannstedt, named Taylor as one of his all-time ‘front seven’ players in NFL history.

If we are talking edge rushers, it has got to be L.T. Bill Belichick, the greatest coach of all-time, said he was the best player of all-time, and his statistics back this up.

Taylor is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY). That speaks for itself.

But, more importantly, in my opinion, he played in that 3-4 New York Giants defense with Bill Parcells and Belichick, and he changed the game.

True. “L.T.” as he went on be known turned the Giants from doormats into contenders overnight. He was truly feared by offenses around the league from the very first moment he stepped on the field as a rookie out of North Carolina in 1981.

In 1981, the Giants rode the Taylor wave to their first postseason appearance in 18 years and eventually would win two Super Bowls with him.

People do not realize what a game-wrecker Taylor was as a pass rusher. That’s how he made his living. So much so that when he would drop into coverage, offensive live coaches and coordinators would put a smile on their faces and clap.

His dominance on the line forced offenses to turn protection to whichever side Taylor was on. Coordinators wanted to make sure you got a big offensive lineman blocking L.T. rather than running the opposite way and expecting a running back to block him.

That’s what most teams did. When L.T. was on the field, you must use the lineman to him to give you the best chance to slow him down.

As a six-decade follower of the Giants and the NFL, I can personally tell you that Wannstedt got this right. Taylor was a player with skills that the NFL had never seen before — and perhaps have not seen since. He was playing on a different plane than the other 21 bodies on the field.

Rounding out Wannstedt’s front seven are: linemen Reggie White, Aaron Donald and’Mean’ Joe Greene and linebackers Junior Seau, Derrick Brooks and Ray Lewis.

A solid front if there ever was one. This is all debatable as many would ask where players such as Deacon Jones and Bruce Smith landed on Wannstedt’s list.

[lawrence-related id=711894,711890,711874]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Bill Belichick names his GOAT players at all three phases of football

Who are Bill Belichick’s offensive, defensive and special teams GOATs?

[anyclip pubname=”2103″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8036″]

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick truly believes he’s coached the greatest players of all time at every phase.

On defense, he coached the great Lawrence Taylor with the New York Giants, and of course, he won six Super Bowls with quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots.

After hearing Belichick’s recent interview with The 33rd Team, which was transcribed by NESN’s Jason Ounpraseuth, it might be time to add special teams player Matthew Slater to that list.

“I’ve been very fortunate. I feel like I coached the best offensive player in Tom, the best defensive player in football in (Lawrence Taylor) and the best special teams player in football: Matt Slater,” Belichick said.

Slater just might be the most underrated player on that list, despite having a resume that clearly puts him among the all-time greats.

The 10 Pro Bowls and five First-Team All-Pro nods are just some of the things that puts him into the all-time great conversation. He’ll be a Pro Football Hall of Famer when it is all said and done, but after Belichick’s remarks, he could ascend to even greater heights than that.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy details how Micah Parsons can take next step

Micah Parsons is already playing at an elite level, but Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy believes there is still an untapped dimension.

Give an expansion team Micah Parsons as their defensive cornerstone and they will be set with a one-man wrecking crew.

The former 2021 first-round pick has generated 149 combined tackles, 26.5 sacks, 33 tackles for loss, 56 quarterback hits, six pass breakups, six forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries, one of which he has returned for a touchdown.

Still, Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy believes there is another dimension the two-time first-team All-Pro can tap into.

“I think individually he will always be extremely impactful, and that’s why it’s important for us to stay focused on creating as many of those opportunities for him, and I think that’s the whole conversation of where he’s going to line up,” McCarthy told reporters at organized team activities June 1. “So, and I’m just telling you from an offensive perspective when you line up a premier player up in the same spot, it’s easier to apply help there.”

McCarthy saw as coach of the Green Bay Packers how explosive outside linebacker Clay Matthews was as a rookie. Matthews followed up a 10-sack rookie season, which was good enough to earn a Pro Bowl, with a stellar second year. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers would move around Matthews and allow him to attack from different positions. Matthews followed up with 13.5 sacks, a first-team All-Pro, and was integral in helping the Packers win Super Bowl XLV.

The Cowboys have seen defensive coordinator Dan Quinn similarly scheme Parsons around the field to provide better pass rush opportunities.

Parsons’ last level of greatness will be how many opportunities he can create for his teammates, according to McCarthy.

Said McCarthy: “Impact players not only affect the game with their individual production, but it’s really always being aware of where he is will definitely create opportunities for other guys.”

The Parsons effect has been felt even in small doses. Dallas was tied for the 13th-most sacks in 2021, but finished No. 3 in 2022. The Cowboys also led the NFL in takeaways in each of Parsons’ two seasons.

If creating for others is an element Parsons can influence, then the former 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year should be able to hone it.

“He’s going to compete at everything that he does,” said McCarthy. “That’s just the way he’s wired up obviously with the athletic and physical gifts that he has. But his drive and competitive spirit is as good as I’ve seen in a young player.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=675080773]

Giants legend Lawrence Taylor partnering with Music Beats Cancer

New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor is partnering with Music Beats Cancer for the Celebrating Survivors: A Concert Fundraiser on June 8.

New York Giants legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Lawrence Taylor, is partnering with Music Beats Cancer and will kick off the launch of the first annual Celebrating Survivors: A Concert Fundraiser on June 8.

The fundraiser will be held at Terminal 5 in New York City and will feature Taylor and Led Zeppelin cover band Get The Led Out.

“We salute those who are doing what they can to live with and beyond their cancers. More work needs to be done to improve patient outcomes. Biomedical innovators are key if we wish to see change in the war on cancer, and they need our support now more than ever,” said Music Beats Cancer founder Dr. Mona S. Jhaveri.

The goal of Music Beats Cancer is to “severe funding gap remains for innovators who are developing promising technologies for fighting cancer.”

Music Beats Cancer’s mission statement is to boost cancer-fighting technologies in the product-development industry, leading to more solutions. The nonprofit organization leads those involved to support the advancement of new solutions and promising treatments for cancer, all while connecting it to the love for music.

By partnering with independent music artists in 15 different genres, each talent helps raise awareness and funds for cancer research, with some of the bigger names hitting $7,000-$6,000 worth of support. Raising over $350,000 since its start, they are assisting in bridging the funding gap seen in cancer research known as the “Valley of Death.”

The red carpet ceremony will run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET and that’s when fans will have the opportunity to meet and take photos with Taylor. The concert will then run from 7:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. ET.

For more information about the fundraiser or to purchase tickets, click here.

[lawrence-related id=706337,706143,695096]

[stnvideo key=”HDhZwo20ty-2752029-7491″ type=”float”]

Julian Love names his top 5 Giants defenders of all time

Julian Love lists his top 5 New York Giants defenders of all time which is highlighted, of course, by the legend himself, Lawrence Taylor.

New York Giants safety Julian Love has made a huge impact on defense over the past few seasons. He is a Notre Dame guy who is a student of the game.

In a recent piece on the website The 33rd Team. Love listed his top five all-time Giants defenders.

As a person who has covered this team for the past quarter century and has been an ardent fan and follower for more than 55 years, I find this list to be dead-on.

Lawrence Taylor, Michael Strahan, and Harry Carson are Hall of Famers in the Super Bowl era, which is a special accomplishment so they all belong on the list. Carl Banks and Jessie Armstead were among the best at their positions while they played, so I have no issue with them being on this list as well.

Some honorable mentions in my book from the Super Bowl era: Brad Van Pelt, Leonard Marshall, Mark Haynes, John Mendenhall, Spider Lockhart, Osi Umenyiora, and Justin Tuck.

It’s difficult to compare eras and for someone to be listed from the ’round ball’ era would be a tough call.

That being said, here is a quick list of some players from the previous era that deserve mentioning: Sam Huff, Emlen Tunnell, Andy Robustelli, Jimmy Patton, and Erich Barnes.

[lawrence-related id=706743,706745,706734]

[stnvideo key=”I9nlB218tw-2568018-7491″ type=”float”]

Giants legend Lawrence Taylor doesn’t believe Tom Brady is the G.O.A.T.

New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor explains why Joe Montana, not Tom Brady, is the greatest quarterback of all time.

Retired New York Giants legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Lawrence Taylor, appeared on the I Am Athlete podcast earlier this week and caused some controversy.

Taylor was asked to name his top five defenders of all time and left both Ray Lewis and Aaron Donald off the list. That caused a bit of an outcry from the current generation of fans.

But L.T. wasn’t done there. He had another take that is certain to cause some intense debate.

During a discussion about the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Taylor says he doesn’t view Tom Brady as the G.O.A.T. Rather, he says, that distinction belongs to retired San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana.

“Joe Montana is still my man. He’s still my man,” Taylor said. “The greatest quarterback ever, I’m still with Joe Montana. I’m not going with Tom Brady.”

Asked to explain himself, Taylor pulled no punches.

“Listen, Tom Brady got all the rules on his side,” Taylor said. “You can’t touch him. . . If you hit him, if you breathe on him, they’re gonna throw a flag.”

The game certainly has changed and Taylor has never shied away from his disdain for that. He feels the NFL has gotten a bit soft, especially when it comes to protecting offensive players and quarterbacks. And Brady most certainly benefited from that throughout his career.

Montana, on the other hand, played in an era where defenders were at their most violent. There was no comfort in the pocket and he found success despite that. And as a chief rival of the Giants, it’s no surprise that Taylor views him as the greatest of all time.

[lawrence-related id=695096,693043,691924]

[stnvideo key=”CyezTeMs31-2537460-7491″ type=”float”]