Countdown: Top 10 Giants of all time
Credit: AP
10. TIKI BARBER, Running back, 1997-06
The diminutive running back overcame fumbling problems early in his career and blossomed into the team's all-time leading rusher. Barber finished with 10,449 rushing yards and 55 rushing TDs. He retired a year before the Giants won Super Bowl XLII, and his critical remarks of Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin have brought about criticism of Barber himself by many Giants' fans. At his Ring of Honor induction ceremony in August 2010, Barber was the only one booed by fans. Even so, it's tough to overlook his on-field accomplishments, which could put him in line for a Hall of Fame induction.
Credit: Newsday / David L. Pokress
9. PHIL SIMMS, Quarterback, 1979-93
A controversial first-round pick out of Morehead State in 1979, Simms used a mix of arm strength and toughness to carve out his place in Giants history. He may not have Hall of Fame stats, but he helped solidify the QB position at a time when the Giants emerged as champions. His epic 22-of-25 performance in Super Bowl XXI earned him the game's MVP honors. Simms finished with 33,462 passing yards and 199 TDs, and was inducted into the Giants' Ring of Honor in August 2010. ?
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7. ANDY ROBUSTELLI, Defensive end, 1956-64
Robustelli played with the Rams from 1951-55, but was traded to the Giants before the 1956 season. It turned out to be a huge move, because the dominating defensive lineman helped the Giants win the NFL title in his first season. By today's standards, the 6-1, 230-pound Robustelli would be a linebacker, but in his day, he made up for any lack of physical stature with a tenaciousness that earned him a trip to seven Pro Bowls. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.
Credit: UPI, 1954
6. FRANK GIFFORD
Running back/wide receiver/defensive back, 1952-60, 1962-64
One of the most versatile players in franchise history, Gifford was equally adept at rushing and receiving, and even threw 63 passes in his career. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977, Gifford was an eight-time Pro Bowler and a four-time first-team All Pro. His greatest year came in the 1956 championship season, when he rushed for 819 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games and had 603 receiving yards and four TDs.
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2. MICHAEL STRAHAN
Defensive end, 1993-07
A former second-round pick, Strahan emerged into a sure-fire Hall of Famer once he became a fixture at left end. He played with great leverage and dominated offensive tackles far bigger and heavier. Strahan broke Lawrence Taylor's franchise sacks record by finishing with 141.5, and he capped a brilliant career with a Super Bowl run in his final season.
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1. LAWRENCE TAYLOR
Linebacker, 1981-93
What more can you say about the most dominant pass rusher in NFL history? Taylor could change the course of a game with a single pass rush around the end. How dangerous was he? Offensive coordinators would routinely revolve their game plan around staying away from Taylor as much as possible, often with futile results. Taylor was a 10-time Pro Bowler and an eight-time first-team All Pro. When he retired, he had a franchise-best 132.5 sacks. Taylor was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 1998.
