Big Blue Wrecking Crew
Encyclopedia
The Big Blue Wrecking Crew is a nickname used to refer to the defense for the New York Giants
during the 1980s that won two Super Bowl Championships, the first in Super Bowl XXI
in 1986
and the other in Super Bowl XXV
in 1990
. A 3-4 defense
, it was among the greatest NFL defenses of all time, and featured Lawrence Taylor
as its star, considered by many to be the greatest player in NFL history.
, while historically a successful franchise, suffered a long playoff drought lasting from 1964 after losing the 1963 NFL Championship to the Chicago Bears
until 1981 when they clinched their first playoff berth in 17 seasons on the last day of the regular season by defeating the Dallas Cowboys
with a game winning field goal in overtime.
For the New York Giants the 1970s were an utter disaster, posting losing records in 9 of the 10 seasons from 1971 to 1980. The Giants fortunes began to shift in 1981 with the drafting of Lawrence Taylor, as well as the shrewd management of general manager George Young, and the leadership of linebacker coach, defensive coordinator and eventual head coach Bill Parcells
. The personnel moves of Young and the hard-line attitude and aggressive coaching of Parcells would be the primary factors of the rise of the Giants in the 1980s. Additionally the drafting of Taylor began the era of perhaps the greatest linebacker corp in NFL history: the Crunch Bunch
.
The Crunch Bunch was an impressive group of linebackers, including future Hall of Famers
Harry Carson
and Lawrence Taylor
as well as five-time Pro Bowler Brad Van Pelt
and Brian Kelley. As a unit they totaled 24 Pro Bowl
selections and though they only played together for three seasons from 1981 through 1983 it set the foundation for Giants defensive dominance through the 1980s. The unit was anchored by Taylor, who NFL Network named the 3rd greatest player of all time and the best defensive player. The defensive coordinator of the Giants during this span was Bill Belichick
, who would go on to coach the 2000s New England Patriots
to three Super Bowl Championships in four years.
, and was among the most fearsome of all time, a beautiful example of the 3-4 defense
. It featured a powerful defensive line, with George Martin
and Leonard Marshall
at defensive end, and Jim Burt at nose tackle. The linebacker
corp for this team was relentless, featuring Lawrence Taylor
as the "Jack", Gary Reasons
as the "Will", Harry Carson
as the "Mike" and Carl Banks
as the "Sam". This front 7 formed what is among the greatest rushing defenses of all time, giving up merely 80.2 rushing yards per game. Additionally, the team accrued 59 sacks
, 24 interceptions, and only gave up 14.8 points per game powering the Giants to a 14-2 record.
In the playoffs the Big Blue Wrecking Crew held the San Francisco 49ers
, led by Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana
to 3 points (and scored themselves on an interception return for a touchdown by Lawrence Taylor) to win 49-3 in the divisional round and shut out a powerful Washington Redskins
offense that averaged 23 points per game during the regular season in the NFC Championship 17-0. It should be noted also, that although the Redskins posted a 12-4 record of their own in 1986 and made it to the NFC championship game the Giants still beat them 3 times in that season accounting for 3 of their 5 loses.
While the Giants got off to a slow start in Super Bowl XXI
, trailing the Denver Broncos
led by another Hall of Fame
quarterback John Elway
9 to 10 at halftime, they broke out in the second half reaching a 33-10 lead after scoring 24 unanswered points and set an NFL record by scoring 29 points in the second half, before surrendering 10 points in “garbage time” to ultimately win 39-20.
. Though the 1986 Giants
are among the greatest defenses of all-time, the 1990 Giants
rivaled them in ferocity and their shear will to dominate opposing teams. The Giants began the season with a 10-0 record, smothering teams into submission by allowing only 11 points per game during that span. The Big Blue Wrecking crew was in great form, accruing 23 interceptions, and on average only giving up 13.2 points per game and allowing 20 points or more in only 4 games (including the play-offs) leading the Giants to a 13-3 regular season record.
The Giants defense brought more of the same in the playoffs, defeating the Bears
easily in the divisional round 31-3 and holding the 49ers
, who averaged 22.1 points per game in the regular season to only 13 points in the NFC Championship Game winning 15-13. Considered by many as one of the greatest games in NFL history it was an extremely physical contest, including a hit by Leonard Marshall on Joe Montana that effectively ended his career as the quarterback of the 49ers (he would never win or reach another Super Bowl).
The Giants would ultimately face the Buffalo Bills
in Super Bowl XXV
, perhaps the most impressive win of the season. In one of the most memorable Super Bowls of all time, the Giants held the Bills, the highest scoring team in the NFL that year, averaging 26.8 points per game and scoring 44 and 51 points in the divisional round and AFC championship respectively, to a mere 19 points, winning 20-19 on a missed field goal as time expired.
This game would be the pinnacle of Bill Belichick
's tenure as defensive coordinator; his game plan, a radical scheme designed to maximize punishment of the Bill's receivers now resides in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
.
Unfortunately due to the departure of Parcells, and the advancing age and departure of many of its stars, after the 1990 season the Giants defense entered a decline. After two seasons of mediocrity the Giants surged in 1993
, once again leading the NFL in scoring defense, but fell hard to the 49er's in the playoffs losing 44-3. While the defense would remain respectable the team never returned to their dominant ways and the days of Giants defensive dominance were gone. Finally, after a somewhat personally disappointing and injury marred year Lawrence Taylor retired following the 1993 seasons, this along with the retirement of long time quarterback Phil Simms
signaled the end of an era for the Giants.
In many ways 1993 represented a changing of the guard for the Giants. With the lose of longtime team staples such as Lawrence Taylor
, Carl Banks
and Phil Simms
and the drafting of future Giants greats such as Jessie Armstead
and Michael Strahan
the team entered 1994 with a new and distinctive feel. The reign of the Big Blue Wrecking Crew was effectively over.
Source:
Source:
Source:
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
during the 1980s that won two Super Bowl Championships, the first in Super Bowl XXI
Super Bowl XXI
Super Bowl XXI was an American football game played on January 25, 1987 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1986 regular season. The National Football Conference champion New York Giants won their first Super Bowl by defeating...
in 1986
1986 NFL season
The 1986 NFL season was the 67th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XXI when the New York Giants defeated the Denver Broncos to win their first league title in 30 years.-Major rule changes:...
and the other in Super Bowl XXV
Super Bowl XXV
Super Bowl XXV was an American football game played on January 27, 1991 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 1990 regular season. The National Football Conference Champion New York Giants defeated the American Football Conference ...
in 1990
1990 NFL season
The 1990 NFL season was the 71st regular season of the National Football League. To increase revenue, the league changed the regular season so that all NFL teams would play their 16-game schedule over a 17-week period...
. A 3-4 defense
3-4 defense
In American football, the 3–4 defense is a defensive alignment consisting of three down linemen and four linebackers.The 3–4 defense declined in popularity over the years, but has found renewed use by modern professional and college football teams. The 3–4 defense is so named because it involves 3...
, it was among the greatest NFL defenses of all time, and featured Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Julius Taylor , nicknamed "L.T.", is a Hall of Fame former American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League...
as its star, considered by many to be the greatest player in NFL history.
1970s woes and rebuilding
The New York GiantsNew York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, while historically a successful franchise, suffered a long playoff drought lasting from 1964 after losing the 1963 NFL Championship to the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
until 1981 when they clinched their first playoff berth in 17 seasons on the last day of the regular season by defeating the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
with a game winning field goal in overtime.
For the New York Giants the 1970s were an utter disaster, posting losing records in 9 of the 10 seasons from 1971 to 1980. The Giants fortunes began to shift in 1981 with the drafting of Lawrence Taylor, as well as the shrewd management of general manager George Young, and the leadership of linebacker coach, defensive coordinator and eventual head coach Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
. The personnel moves of Young and the hard-line attitude and aggressive coaching of Parcells would be the primary factors of the rise of the Giants in the 1980s. Additionally the drafting of Taylor began the era of perhaps the greatest linebacker corp in NFL history: the Crunch Bunch
Crunch Bunch
The Crunch Bunch was the nickname for the group of New York Giants football team's defensive linebackers in 1981, 1982 and 1983, one of the NFL's best group of linebackers....
.
The Crunch Bunch was an impressive group of linebackers, including future Hall of Famers
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
Harry Carson
Harry Carson
Harold Donald Carson is a former American football inside linebacker who played his entire professional career for the NFL's New York Giants...
and Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Julius Taylor , nicknamed "L.T.", is a Hall of Fame former American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League...
as well as five-time Pro Bowler Brad Van Pelt
Brad Van Pelt
Brad Alan Van Pelt was an American football linebacker who played fourteen seasons in the National Football League....
and Brian Kelley. As a unit they totaled 24 Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
selections and though they only played together for three seasons from 1981 through 1983 it set the foundation for Giants defensive dominance through the 1980s. The unit was anchored by Taylor, who NFL Network named the 3rd greatest player of all time and the best defensive player. The defensive coordinator of the Giants during this span was Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is an American football head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After spending his first 15 seasons in the league as an assistant coach, Belichick got his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1991...
, who would go on to coach the 2000s New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
to three Super Bowl Championships in four years.
Breaking out in 1986
This defensive unit first truly came to the fore front during the 1986 season1986 New York Giants season
The 1986 New York Giants season was one of the most successful seasons in the professional American football franchise's history. The Giants, who play in the National Football Conference of the National Football League , won their fifth championship—and first Super Bowl—in franchise history during...
, and was among the most fearsome of all time, a beautiful example of the 3-4 defense
3-4 defense
In American football, the 3–4 defense is a defensive alignment consisting of three down linemen and four linebackers.The 3–4 defense declined in popularity over the years, but has found renewed use by modern professional and college football teams. The 3–4 defense is so named because it involves 3...
. It featured a powerful defensive line, with George Martin
George Martin
Sir George Henry Martin CBE is an English record producer, arranger, composer and musician. He is sometimes referred to as "the Fifth Beatle"— a title that he often describes as "nonsense," but the fact remains that he served as producer on all but one of The Beatles' original albums...
and Leonard Marshall
Leonard Marshall
Leonard Allen Marshall Jr. is a former American football defensive lineman who played twelve seasons in the National Football League . Marshall played defensive end for the New York Giants for ten seasons, then played a season each as a defensive tackle for the New York Jets and Washington Redskins...
at defensive end, and Jim Burt at nose tackle. The linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
corp for this team was relentless, featuring Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Julius Taylor , nicknamed "L.T.", is a Hall of Fame former American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League...
as the "Jack", Gary Reasons
Gary Reasons
Gary Phillip Reasons is a former American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League, winning Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV as a member of the team.-Biography:...
as the "Will", Harry Carson
Harry Carson
Harold Donald Carson is a former American football inside linebacker who played his entire professional career for the NFL's New York Giants...
as the "Mike" and Carl Banks
Carl Banks
Carl E. Banks is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League from 1984 to 1995 for the New York Giants, the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Browns. He made the Pro Bowl in 1987, had 39.5 career quarterback sacks, and was a member of the NFL's 1980's All-Decade Team...
as the "Sam". This front 7 formed what is among the greatest rushing defenses of all time, giving up merely 80.2 rushing yards per game. Additionally, the team accrued 59 sacks
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
, 24 interceptions, and only gave up 14.8 points per game powering the Giants to a 14-2 record.
In the playoffs the Big Blue Wrecking Crew held the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, led by Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana
Joe Montana
Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana, Jr. , nicknamed Joe Cool, Golden Joe, The Golden Great and Comeback Joe, is a retired American football player. Montana started his NFL career in 1979 with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played quarterback for the next 14 seasons...
to 3 points (and scored themselves on an interception return for a touchdown by Lawrence Taylor) to win 49-3 in the divisional round and shut out a powerful Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
offense that averaged 23 points per game during the regular season in the NFC Championship 17-0. It should be noted also, that although the Redskins posted a 12-4 record of their own in 1986 and made it to the NFC championship game the Giants still beat them 3 times in that season accounting for 3 of their 5 loses.
While the Giants got off to a slow start in Super Bowl XXI
Super Bowl XXI
Super Bowl XXI was an American football game played on January 25, 1987 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1986 regular season. The National Football Conference champion New York Giants won their first Super Bowl by defeating...
, trailing the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
led by another Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
quarterback John Elway
John Elway
John Albert Elway, Jr. is a former American football quarterback and currently is the executive vice president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League . He played college football at Stanford and his entire professional career with the Denver Broncos...
9 to 10 at halftime, they broke out in the second half reaching a 33-10 lead after scoring 24 unanswered points and set an NFL record by scoring 29 points in the second half, before surrendering 10 points in “garbage time” to ultimately win 39-20.
Peak and decline
The Giants enjoyed a good stretch of defensive dominance in the 1980s led by the Big Blue Wrecking Crew, which finally peaked in the 1990 season1990 New York Giants season
The 1990 New York Giants season was one of the most successful seasons in the professional American football franchise's history. The Giants, who play in the National Football Conference of the National Football League , won their sixth championship—and second Super Bowl—in franchise history...
. Though the 1986 Giants
1986 New York Giants season
The 1986 New York Giants season was one of the most successful seasons in the professional American football franchise's history. The Giants, who play in the National Football Conference of the National Football League , won their fifth championship—and first Super Bowl—in franchise history during...
are among the greatest defenses of all-time, the 1990 Giants
1990 New York Giants season
The 1990 New York Giants season was one of the most successful seasons in the professional American football franchise's history. The Giants, who play in the National Football Conference of the National Football League , won their sixth championship—and second Super Bowl—in franchise history...
rivaled them in ferocity and their shear will to dominate opposing teams. The Giants began the season with a 10-0 record, smothering teams into submission by allowing only 11 points per game during that span. The Big Blue Wrecking crew was in great form, accruing 23 interceptions, and on average only giving up 13.2 points per game and allowing 20 points or more in only 4 games (including the play-offs) leading the Giants to a 13-3 regular season record.
The Giants defense brought more of the same in the playoffs, defeating the Bears
1990 Chicago Bears season
The 1990 Chicago Bears season was their 71st regular season and 20th postseason completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 11–5 record, and lost in the NFC Divisional playoffs to the New York Giants.-NFL Draft:-Roster:-Schedule:...
easily in the divisional round 31-3 and holding the 49ers
1990 San Francisco 49ers season
The San Francisco 49ers entered the 1990 season heavily favoured to win their third consecutive Super Bowl. The season was highlighted by their defeat of the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Throughout the season, the 49ers and the Giants were the two best teams in the NFL. The 49ers would...
, who averaged 22.1 points per game in the regular season to only 13 points in the NFC Championship Game winning 15-13. Considered by many as one of the greatest games in NFL history it was an extremely physical contest, including a hit by Leonard Marshall on Joe Montana that effectively ended his career as the quarterback of the 49ers (he would never win or reach another Super Bowl).
The Giants would ultimately face the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in Super Bowl XXV
Super Bowl XXV
Super Bowl XXV was an American football game played on January 27, 1991 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 1990 regular season. The National Football Conference Champion New York Giants defeated the American Football Conference ...
, perhaps the most impressive win of the season. In one of the most memorable Super Bowls of all time, the Giants held the Bills, the highest scoring team in the NFL that year, averaging 26.8 points per game and scoring 44 and 51 points in the divisional round and AFC championship respectively, to a mere 19 points, winning 20-19 on a missed field goal as time expired.
This game would be the pinnacle of Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is an American football head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After spending his first 15 seasons in the league as an assistant coach, Belichick got his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1991...
's tenure as defensive coordinator; his game plan, a radical scheme designed to maximize punishment of the Bill's receivers now resides in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
.
Unfortunately due to the departure of Parcells, and the advancing age and departure of many of its stars, after the 1990 season the Giants defense entered a decline. After two seasons of mediocrity the Giants surged in 1993
1993 New York Giants season
The 1993 New York Giants season was the 69th season for the club in the National Football League. Following the 1992 season, Ray Handley was replaced by former Broncos coach Dan Reeves, who immediately released Jeff Hostetler and named Phil Simms the team's starting quarterback.-NFL...
, once again leading the NFL in scoring defense, but fell hard to the 49er's in the playoffs losing 44-3. While the defense would remain respectable the team never returned to their dominant ways and the days of Giants defensive dominance were gone. Finally, after a somewhat personally disappointing and injury marred year Lawrence Taylor retired following the 1993 seasons, this along with the retirement of long time quarterback Phil Simms
Phil Simms
Phillip Martin "Phil" Simms is a former American football quarterback, and currently a television sportscaster for the CBS network. After a standout career at Morehead State University, Simms was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants of the National Football League with the number...
signaled the end of an era for the Giants.
In many ways 1993 represented a changing of the guard for the Giants. With the lose of longtime team staples such as Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Julius Taylor , nicknamed "L.T.", is a Hall of Fame former American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League...
, Carl Banks
Carl Banks
Carl E. Banks is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League from 1984 to 1995 for the New York Giants, the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Browns. He made the Pro Bowl in 1987, had 39.5 career quarterback sacks, and was a member of the NFL's 1980's All-Decade Team...
and Phil Simms
Phil Simms
Phillip Martin "Phil" Simms is a former American football quarterback, and currently a television sportscaster for the CBS network. After a standout career at Morehead State University, Simms was drafted in the first round by the New York Giants of the National Football League with the number...
and the drafting of future Giants greats such as Jessie Armstead
Jessie Armstead
Jessie Willard Armstead is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League who played for eleven seasons with the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins between 1993 and 2003. He played college football at the University of Miami.-High school career:Armstead attended...
and Michael Strahan
Michael Strahan
Michael Anthony Strahan is a former National Football League defensive end who played his entire career for the New York Giants; a career where he set the record for the most sacks in a single season and won a Super Bowl in his final year. He is currently a football analyst on Fox NFL Sunday, and...
the team entered 1994 with a new and distinctive feel. The reign of the Big Blue Wrecking Crew was effectively over.
Season by season statistics
The table below summarizes the more important defensive stats for the New York Giants defense from 1984 to 1993.Source:
| Season by Season Statistics | ||||||
| Season | Points per Game | Total Yards per Game | Rushing Yards per Game | Passing Yards per Game | Sacks | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 1984 New York Giants season The 1984 New York Giants season was the 60th season for the club in the National Football League. With a 9–7 record, the Giants finished in a tie for second in the National Football Conference East Division and qualified for the playoffs. In the Wild Card round, New York traveled to Anaheim Stadium... |
18.7 | 324.6 | 113.6 | 210.9 | 48 | 19 |
| 1985 1985 New York Giants season The 1985 New York Giants season was the 61st season for the club in the National Football League. At the time, the team set a record for most rushing yards in one season by a Giants team.-Regular season:... |
17.7 | 270.0 | 92.6 | 177.4 | 68 | 24 |
| 1986 1986 New York Giants season The 1986 New York Giants season was one of the most successful seasons in the professional American football franchise's history. The Giants, who play in the National Football Conference of the National Football League , won their fifth championship—and first Super Bowl—in franchise history during... |
14.8 | 297.3 | 80.2 | 217.1 | 59 | 31 |
| 1987 1987 New York Giants season The 1987 New York Giants season was the 63rd season for the club in the National Football League. The Giants entered the season as the defending Super Bowl champion but failed to qualify for the playoffs... |
20.8 | 310.5 | 117.9 | 192.7 | 55 | 20 |
| 1988 1988 New York Giants season The 1988 New York Giants season was the 64th season for the club in the National Football League. The team would finish with 10 wins and 6 losses, but a loss to the New York Jets in the season finale would keep them out of the NFL playoffs for the second consecutive season... |
19 | 317.9 | 109.9 | 207.9 | 52 | 15 |
| 1989 1989 New York Giants season The 1989 New York Giants season was the 65th season for the club in the National Football League.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-Standings:-Roster:-Playoffs:... |
15.8 | 291.5 | 96.2 | 195.3 | 39 | 22 |
| 1990 1990 New York Giants season The 1990 New York Giants season was one of the most successful seasons in the professional American football franchise's history. The Giants, who play in the National Football Conference of the National Football League , won their sixth championship—and second Super Bowl—in franchise history... |
13.2 | 262.9 | 91.2 | 171.7 | 30 | 23 |
| 1991 1991 New York Giants season The 1991 New York Giants season was the 67th season for the club in the National Football League. The Giants entered the season as the defending Super Bowl champion but failed to qualify for the playoffs. They were the eighth team in NFL history to enter a season as the defending Super Bowl... |
18.6 | 287.5 | 107.9 | 179.6 | 34 | 12 |
| 1992 1992 New York Giants season The 1992 New York Giants season was the 68th season for the club in the National Football League. The Giants finished in fourth place in the National Football Conference East Division with a 6–10 record. Ray Handley was fired after this season, when the Giants finished 1–6 after starting the season... |
22.9 | 315.2 | 125.8 | 189.4 | 25 | 14 |
| 1993 1993 New York Giants season The 1993 New York Giants season was the 69th season for the club in the National Football League. Following the 1992 season, Ray Handley was replaced by former Broncos coach Dan Reeves, who immediately released Jeff Hostetler and named Phil Simms the team's starting quarterback.-NFL... |
12.8 | 291.4 | 96.7 | 194.8 | 41 | 18 |
Starting lineups
These lists represent the starting lineups for the 1986 team and the 1990 team for their respective Super Bowl appearances.Source:
| 1986 Squad | ||
| LE Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
George Martin George Martin (American football) George Dwight Martin is a former American football defensive end who played his entire career in the National Football League for the New York Giants... |
|
| NT | Jim Burt | |
| RE Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
Leonard Marshall Leonard Marshall Leonard Allen Marshall Jr. is a former American football defensive lineman who played twelve seasons in the National Football League . Marshall played defensive end for the New York Giants for ten seasons, then played a season each as a defensive tackle for the New York Jets and Washington Redskins... |
|
| LOLB | Carl Banks Carl Banks Carl E. Banks is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League from 1984 to 1995 for the New York Giants, the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Browns. He made the Pro Bowl in 1987, had 39.5 career quarterback sacks, and was a member of the NFL's 1980's All-Decade Team... |
|
| LILB | Gary Reasons Gary Reasons Gary Phillip Reasons is a former American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League, winning Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV as a member of the team.-Biography:... |
|
| RILB | Harry Carson Harry Carson Harold Donald Carson is a former American football inside linebacker who played his entire professional career for the NFL's New York Giants... |
|
| ROLB | Lawrence Taylor Lawrence Taylor Lawrence Julius Taylor , nicknamed "L.T.", is a Hall of Fame former American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League... |
|
| LCB Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
Elvis Patterson Elvis Patterson Elvis Vernell "Toast" Patterson is a former American football defensive back who played ten seasons in the National Football League, mainly for the New York Giants. He played in Super Bowl XXI for the Giants. He then played for the San Diego Chargers, Los Angeles Raiders and Dallas Cowboys... |
|
| RCB Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
Perry Williams Perry Williams (cornerback) Perry Lamar Williams is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the seventh round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He played college football at North Carolina State.Williams won two Super Bowls with the Giants.... |
|
| SS | Kenny Hill Kenny Hill (American football) Kenneth Wayne Hill is the second of ten children born to former teachers Charley Joseph and Katie Mae Lewis-Hill. A former American football defensive back, he played nine seasons in the National Football League... |
|
| FS | Herb Welch Herb Welch Herbert Doyan Welch, Jr. is a former American football defensive back in the National Football League for the New York Giants, Washington Redskins, and the Detroit Lions. He started in Super Bowl XXI for the Giants... |
|
Source:
| 1990 Squad | ||
| LE Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
Eric Dorsey Eric Dorsey Eric Hall Dorsey is a retired American football defensive end for seven seasons in the National Football League. He started in Super Bowl XXV for the New York Giants. He played college football at the University of Notre Dame and was drafted in the first round of the 1986 NFL Draft... |
|
| NT | Erik Howard Erik Howard Erik Matthew Howard is a former professional American football defensive tackle who played eleven seasons in the National Football League... |
|
| RE Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
Leonard Marshall Leonard Marshall Leonard Allen Marshall Jr. is a former American football defensive lineman who played twelve seasons in the National Football League . Marshall played defensive end for the New York Giants for ten seasons, then played a season each as a defensive tackle for the New York Jets and Washington Redskins... |
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| LOLB | Carl Banks Carl Banks Carl E. Banks is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League from 1984 to 1995 for the New York Giants, the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Browns. He made the Pro Bowl in 1987, had 39.5 career quarterback sacks, and was a member of the NFL's 1980's All-Decade Team... |
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| LILB | Gary Reasons Gary Reasons Gary Phillip Reasons is a former American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League, winning Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV as a member of the team.-Biography:... |
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| RILB | Pepper Johnson Pepper Johnson Thomas "Pepper" Johnson is a former American football linebacker, and the current defensive line coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League.-College:... |
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| ROLB | Lawrence Taylor Lawrence Taylor Lawrence Julius Taylor , nicknamed "L.T.", is a Hall of Fame former American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League... |
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| LCB Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
Mark Collins Mark Collins (American football) Mark Anthony Collins is a former American football cornerback and safety in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1986 NFL Draft. He played college football at Cal State-Fullerton.Collins also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay... |
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| RCB Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
Everson Walls Everson Walls Everson Collins Walls is a former American football cornerback in the NFL, having played for the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants, and the Cleveland Browns. During his 14 seasons, he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. He was also a 3-time All-Pro selection... |
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| SS | Greg Jackson Greg Jackson (American football) Gregory Allen Jackson is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 1989 NFL Draft... |
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| FS | Myron Guyton Myron Guyton Myron Maynard Guyton is a former professional American football defensive back in the National Football League who played for the New York Giants and the New England Patriots . He was a member of the Giants team that won Super Bowl XXV... |
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