The Top 10 New York Giants Since 1980

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4 Oct 1992: Linebacker Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants works against the Los Angeles Raiders during a game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won the game, 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Ken Levine /Allsport

Since 1980, the New York Giants have been one of the most successful franchises in the NFL. They had four Super Bowl appearances (1986, 1990, 2000, and 2007) and three Super Bowl victories (1986, 1990, and 2007) in this time period.

Although the Giants have struggled through some parts of this time period, they have also been very successful. This success can be thanks to some of the greatest players in New York Giants history. This list shows who I feel the top 10 players are in this time period.

10: Carl Banks—LB

10 Dec 1989: Linebacker Carl Banks of the New York Giants in action during a game against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Giants won the game 14-7. Mandatory Credit: Tim de Frisco /Allsport

Carl Banks was a solid linebacker in his nine years spent with the Giants. Throughout much of his career he was overshadowed by Lawrence Taylor, but he did his job in the defense and he did it quite well.

He had his share of tackles, although his career ended before that stat started being recorded. He did his part in leading the 1980’s Giants dominant defense, and alongside Taylor, led the team to two Super Bowl victories.

Stats as a Giant:

Games: 126

Sacks: 36

Interceptions: 1

Touchdowns: 1

9: Amani Toomer—WR

GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 20: Wide receiver Amani Toomer #81 of the New York Giants makes a diving catch against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC championship game on January 20, 2008 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel

Amani Toomer has been a quiet but dangerous asset for the Giants over the past 13 years, and most Giants Fans are sad to see him leave.
Toomer is the Giants all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. He has quietly served as one of the top receivers in the NFL throughout his career. Toomer was always great on third downs, having 476 first downs in his career.
It is sad to see a long time great Giant leave the team this year.

Stats as a Giant:

Games: 190

Receptions: 668

Reception Yards: 9,497

Yards per Catch: 14.2

Touchdowns: 54

8: Jason Sehorn—DB

14 Jan 2001: Jason Sehorn #31 of New York Giants celebrates after making an interception in the endzone during the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings at Giant Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. New York Giants won 41-0. <Digital Fil

Sehorn was the face of the franchise in his eight years as a Giant, and not to mention one of the best defensive backs the Giants had ever seen. He had a great career with the Giants and loaded on some good stats to make it aboard this list. He may not be the best defensive back in Giants history, but he was one of the biggest faces of the franchise throughout the 90s.

Stats as a Giant:

Games: 107

Tackles:416

Pass Deflections: 81

Sacks: 5.5

Interceptions: 19

Touchdowns: 4

7: Mark Bavaro—TE

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 25: Tight end Mark Bavaro #89 lifts up wide receiver Phil McConkey #80 of the New York Giants after McConkey scored a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXI at the Rose Bowl on January 25, 1987 in Pasadena, Cali

Mark Bavara was a leader of the Giants offense for his six years with the team. He was a key target that drew defensive coverage when he went out for a pass, and if he dropped back to block, that was trouble for the defense, too.
Bavaro was a key player in two of the Giants Super Bowl runs. He had one 1,000 yard season, which was a real feat for tight ends during this time period, and he is one of the tight ends who started the modern receiving tight end role.

Stats as a Giant:

Games: 82

Receptions: 266

Reception Yards: 3,772

Yards per Catch: 13.5

Touchdowns: 28

6: Tiki Barber—HB

New York Giants running back Tiki Barber rushes upfield for a pass Feb. 10, 2007 at the 2007 Pro Bowl at Kapolei, Hawaii. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Tiki Barber spent 10 years on the Giants before retiring after the 2006 season. Barber had a great career helping them into the 2000 Super Bowl, but he never did get a Super Bowl victory.
Barber’s career started off slow, but he finally had a breakout season in 2000 and never looked back from there. He is the New York Giants all-time leading rusher which gives him a spot on this list, but his lack of Super Bowl wins moves him down on the list.

Tiki’s career ended with what many thought was an early retirement, and wrote a book from which comments lowered his status among many Giants fans. He still had a solid career as a Giant and deserves a spot on this list.

Stats as a Giant:

Games: 154

Yards: 10,449

Touchdowns: 55

First Downs: 489

5: Eli Manning—QB

IRVING, TX - DECEMBER 14: Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants drops back with the ball during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on December 14, 2008 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Eli Manning is a fairly new player in this organization and his career is still ongoing, but he has already earned himself a spot on the list of top 10 players since 1980.
Manning is one of the only quarterbacks in Giants history to lead the team to a Super Bowl. Manning led his team to a victory over the undefeated New England Patriots. Manning deserves a spot on this list and could easily move up the list as his career continues.

Stats as a Giant:

Games: 73

QB Rating: 76.1

Completion Percentage: 55.9

Passing Yards: 14,623

Touchdowns: 98

Interceptions: 74

4: Joe Morris—HB

14 Sep 1986: Running back Joe Morris of the New York Giants moves the ball during a game against the San Diego Chargers at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game, 20-7. Mandatory Credit: T. G. Higgins /Allsport

Joe Morris was drafted by the Giants in 1982. Although his career was short with the Giants, he played a key role in the 1986 Super Bowl team. He also provided one of the best seasons by a running back in 1985, producing 1,336 yards and a league leading 21 touchdowns.

When you talk about Giant greats, he is not always talked about. but he deserves to be. Before Tiki Barber, he held the Giants franchise record for rushing yards. He also has a Super Bowl ring, which propels him over Barber.
Joe Morris was the best running back for the Giants in the 80s and since the 80s.

Stats as a Giant:

Rushes: 1,318

Yards: 5,296

Touchdowns: 48

3: Phil Simms—QB

11 Nov 1990: Quarterback Phil Simms of the New York Giants looks to pass the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. The Giants won the game, 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /Allsport

Phil Simms is now a broadcaster on CBS, but earlier in his career, he was a star quarterback for the Giants.
Simms led the Giants to two Super Bowls, one he did not play in because of injury, but in his first Super Bowl, he defeated future Hall of Famer John Elway. In that game, he set several Super Bowl passing records.

Simms had a very successful career in his 14 years with the Giants. He was not well liked after he was drafted and was thought to be a waste of a first round pick, but he sure did prove critics wrong. He threw for over 3,000 yards five times in his career and had one 4,000 yard season.
He is the most successful quarterback for the Giants in this time period, and did make his case for the Hall of Fame, although he probably won’t get in.

Stats as a Giant:

Games: 164

QB Rating: 78.5

Completion Percentage: 55.4

Passing Yards: 33,462

Touchdowns: 199

Interceptions: 157

2: Michael Strahan—DE

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan cradles the Vince Lombardi trophy during the New York Giants Superbowl XLII victory parade February 5, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Michael Strahan is the second best defensive player the Giants have seen. Strahan was part of two Giants Super Bowl teams and was a major part of the defense throughout his 15 season career. He is the franchise leader in sacks and also holds the NFL’s single season sack record.

Strahan deserves the second spot on this list. His longevity and success in the NFL cleared this spot for him. He is known as one of the best defensive ends in NFL history and is the best in Giants history. He also left his mark on the organization by helping young defensive ends Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck.

He will always be remembered by Giants fans for his “Stomped You Out” speech after the 2007 Super Bowl victory.

Stats as a Giant:

Games: 216

Tackles: 851

Sacks: 141.5

Forced Fumbles: 22

Interceptions: 4

Touchdowns: 2

1: Lawrence Taylor—LB

24 Sep 1989: Linebacker Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants moves down the field during a game against the Phoenix Cardinals at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game, 35-7. Mandatory Credit: T. G. Higgins /Allsport

Lawrence Taylor is one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history, and he is clearly the best in Giants history.
Taylor spent 13 seasons with the Giants and is the franchise record holder in several records. He led the Giants defense to two Super Bowl victories and was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Taylor deserves to be number one on this list for several reasons. He was a great all-around player, one of the best the NFL has ever seen.
He was also a great leader, he was the leader of the defense through two Super Bowl seasons and several more successful seasons. Most will agree that he is the Giants top player through this time period.

Stats as a Giant:

Games: 184

Sacks: 132.5

Interceptions: 9

Touchdowns: 2

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