New York Giants: 5 Underrated Players Responsible for Big Blue's Success
Dating back to their immaculate playoff run in 2007, which culminated in one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history, the New York Giants have been one of the better teams in the NFC.
They've consistently managed to put themselves in position to make a run at the playoffs every year.
2010 was a failure, but New York still produced 10 wins on the back of a highly ranked offense and surprisingly highly ranked defense.
While the G-Men continue to be a force in the NFL, they also have been consistently produced Pro Bowl-caliber athletes like Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Hakeem Nicks, Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and more.
It's these players that grab all the media attention in a big city like New York, and it's these players that are held responsible for Big Blue's success over the past few seasons.
But wait—not so fast.
Everybody knows the top-notch names that contribute to their team's success, gaining respect and exposure through either ESPN or other media outlets, but it's those under-the-radar, underrated positional players that keep a team glued together.
For the Giants, their yearly success can be attributed to some very underrated players in the eyes of the NFL community. Whether it's a run-blocking tight end, ball-swatting cornerback or special teams superstar, there has been a key group of guys that have enabled the Giants to become one of the more prominent teams around the league.
They are as follows.
5. Chase Blackburn, Special Teams/LB
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Blackburn is not an on-field Patrick Willis, but he sure acts like it.
Whether he's pumping up the end-zone crowd before games or making dashing tackles on special teams, the Giants' utility specialist has become a fan favorite.
He's become a backbone for the Giants' special teams over the past five years and has maintained an utmost professional attitude while doing so.
Considering New York has struggled with its linebacker corps over the past few seasons, having somebody that plays all three positions is something of a security blanket.
If a linebacker gets hurt or tired, in steps Blackburn.
The 27-year-old hasn't been given a full-time chance to shine in the Giants defense, but he's made a whole lot out of nothing.
Consistently one of the sounder tacklers on the team, Blackburn has produced 147 tackles, one sack and two interceptions over his six seasons in the NFL.
His statistics don't do him justice.
Blackburn offers an unmatched knowledge of the game, 110 percent effort on every play and a smash-mouth attitude that's only appropriate for a New York Giant.
4. Boothe and Beatty, O-Line
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Kevin Boothe and Will Beatty have been key factors in the Giants' offensive line production over the past few seasons.
Considering New York has one of the oldest O-lines in the NFL, both young talents have helped spell their elder Manning protectors and have given the Giants the depth they need.
Beatty, 26, has played in 26 career games over the past two seasons, starting in six of them.
Boothe, 27, has played in 41 games over his four seasons with the Giants, starting seven.
Each player has produced on his own, offering a level of play off the bench that is hard to find around the league.
Even though they sometimes warrant false start penalties and other on-field negatives, Boothe and Beatty have maintained a hard work ethic, ability to adjust in-game and on the fly and consistent protection of their quarterback.
Both big, physical guys, the offensive line duo has set up the Giants with a nice seven-man rotation.
In 2011, a healthy O-line is going to be one of the major factors for the Giants and their early-season success. There's no other backup linemen I'd rather have protecting my quarterback than Beatty and Boothe.
3. Madison Hedgecock, FB
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After only playing in four games last season for the Giants, a lot of people have forgotten how important Madison Hedgecock is to the Giants' offensive production.
One of the most underrated fullbacks in the league, the 29-year-old is easily one of the best run-blockers the NFL has to offer.
Hard-nosed, fundamentally sound and willing to get down and gritty, Hedgecock has become a focal point in the Giants offense.
Before last year, the fullback had started in all but one game throughout his previous three seasons with New York, offering consistency and hard play from a position that's sometimes difficult to fill.
Hedgecock has been one of the main reasons why Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw have had so much success running the ball over the past four seasons, creating holes for the two backs that sometimes go unnoticed and unrewarded.
He's currently under contract for one more year and is presumably healthy, so another productive season from the roughneck fullback is almost a "Fassel Guarantee."
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2. Terrell Thomas, CB
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Since being drafted in 2008 out of USC, Thomas has easily been the most productive and defensively sound cornerback the Giants have to offer.
He's quick, fundamental, knowledgeable of the Giants playbook and showed last year that he's one of the best coverage backs in the league.
Thomas finished 2010 with 101 combined tackles and five interceptions.
Among NFL defensive backs, the 26-year-old ranked third in forced fumbles with four and second in passes deflected with 26.
If those aren't extremely productive lines, then I don't know what is.
Considering Thomas is a tackling back before anything else, evident in his 101 tackles last year and 85 in 2009, his defensive abilities have excelled on a season-to-season basis.
Pretty scary for future receivers lining up opposite of Thomas.
As it stands right now, Thomas is the Giants' best option at cornerback. He's shown that he's one of the best tackling backs in the NFL, a sound coverage corner who can swat balls away from top-notch wideouts, and that he deserves to be recognized as one of the better players on the Giants defense.
1. Kevin Boss, TE
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There's really no argument.
If you don't think that Kevin Boss is the most underrated player responsible for the Giants' success over the past few seasons, you're clueless.
Not only has Boss produced among the top players on New York's stacked passing attack, but his receiving success has also been among the best of NFL tight ends since he came into the league in 2007.
Not to mention his 45-yard reception as a rookie in Super Bowl XLII proved to be one of the biggest plays in that game.
Over the past three seasons, Boss has compiled 1,482 yards and 16 touchdowns on 101 catches.
His production has gone unnoticed for the most part, which is a true travesty.
The 27-year-old has offered gutsy play for the Giants since coming into the league, unafraid of catching the ball across the middle, taking a hard hit from a safety or going up to snag a pass in double coverage.
The funny thing is, Boss' receiving skills aren't even the most effective part of the tight end's game.
It's his sheer ability to block for Eli Manning and the run game alike that makes him such a hot commodity.
After coming into the league needing to fill Jeremy Shockey's shoes offensively, Boss has exceeded all expectations in the blocking department. He's become one of the best blocking big men in the NFL, providing his services with an unselfish attitude on and off the field.
Boss is and will continue to be one of the most underrated players wearing a blue and white jersey, but Giants fans know better.
The NFL needs to open its eyes to one of the most well-rounded tight ends the league has to offer.
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