New York Giants Best Offseason Moves in the Super Bowl Era

In this offseason of discontent for New York Giants fans—with Big Blue Nation quite upset with the lack of front-office activity—I got to thinking: what have been the best moves by the Giants in the Super Bowl era?

To be honest, there are not a ton of them.  But by taking the Lombardi Trophy three times, the Giants do have a couple of good ones. I'm going to give you my top five. 

5. Signing of Kareem McKenzie (2005)

The signing of Kareem McKenzie is probably the most underrated of all of the Giants moves in the Super Bowl era. McKenzie has anchored the right side of the line since 2005. 

While not a Pro Bowler like linemates Chris Snee and Shaun O'Hara, McKenzie's strong run blocking helped pave the way for thousand-yard rushing seasons for the likes of Tiki Barber, Derrick Ward and Brandon Jacobs.  

4. Signing of Kerry Collins (1999)

While extremely controversial at the time, the signing of Kerry Collins in 1999 would turn out to be the best thing for both Big Blue and the then-troubled QB.

When Collins settled in as the starter in '99, the Giants offense took a tremendous step forward following the usual dismal performances of Danny Kanell and Kent Graham.  

That would never be more apparent than on that splendid afternoon in January, 2001 in the Swamp, when Collins put up five touchdowns en route to crushing the Vikings, 41-0, in the NFC Championship Game.

Of course, what happened in Tampa...well, we won't get into that.  

3. Signing of Antonio Pierce (2005)

In terms of importance, there is probably no other defensive acquisition by the Giants that more dramatically impacted their championship season in 2007.

Antonio Pierce was the cog that made the rest of that defense run so efficiently in that postseason.  

AP was not the most talented player (Michael Strahan) nor the most athletic (arguably Justin Tuck). But as far as leadership, getting the most of what you have (is he really 6'1"?) and knowing where everybody had to be, Pierce was the defensive QB in one of the best team shutdown performances in NFL postseason history.

(Brady's still trying to figure out how they only scored 14 points that day...)

2. Signing of Plaxico Burress (2005)

Now I admit, this one hurts.

Given the events at the Latin Quarter in 2008.

Given his choice of color is now green.

But his 2005 signing being on this list is unquestioned.

Plaxico Burress and his unique talents on the field are a large part of why he's catching the Super Bowl-winning pass in the picture above.  

Without Plax, the Giants probably don't win the NFC Championship Game in Green Bay (11 catches in those frigid Lambeau conditions against that secondary...just ridiculous) to even get a shot at the Patriots.

1. Signings of Bart Oates, Maurice Carthon and Sean Landeta (1985)

No. 1, you ask?

Well, when you combine them it makes sense.

Three signings of guys from the Donald Trump league, er...sorry, the USFL. 

All had major impacts on Big Blue's first two Super Bowl titles.

Oates was the linchpin of Parcells' Suburbanites. Once he and Simms got over their fumbling-snaps problems in '85, he was the guy for two outstanding Giants' lines.

Carthon was the bowling ball who paved the way for Joe Morris and, later, Otis Anderson. You could not have been a linebacker—or worse, a defensive back—and liked seeing ole No. 44 barreling down on you!

But I'm still ticked at Parcells for giving Anderson a chance to score in Super Bowl XXI and not Carthon.

And last, Landeta. I know he's just a punter and that whiff in Chicago is still burned into the memory.

But with that team and that defense, Landeta's exceptional strength and accuracy put tremendous pressure on offenses to try to drive the length of the field for much of the game.