Is it Burress? Sustained success would have to be Toomer, but Burress IMO was the most talented I've very seen play for the Giants. Granted I only started watching in 1993.
...would cast my ballot for Toomer if Gifford isn't going to be included in the WR group,otherwise Gifford. Aaron Thomas was underrated/Del Shofner may have been a better acquisition than Tittle - Shofner opened the playing field up which allowed Tittle to utilize all of his options. The Giants have had some very good WRs in their time. Homer Jones was a fun player,a speed demon with some ability - without him we don't acquire Ron Johnson. Walker Gillette and Jimmy Robinson played on bad teams but were talented guys. We are still leaving out a bunch of others. Cruz has a chance to be THAT guy. Beckham? Good topic,Dave.
better than Toomer, Burress, Gray, Jones, Shofner. I would rate Toomer second and Gray or Burress third. Simms said of Gray, "Nobody can get open like Ernest". Madden once said of Burress, "In one on one coverage, Plaxico Burress is open on every play."
To me, plays like these are underrated and remarkable (and I'm only referring to from a physical ability standpoint... I know no one underrates the importance of the first one). My answer to the OP's question stands because of moves like this.
We are talking about talent, right? You can not defend against that.
Honestly, I'd say Burress was the most talented, but Nicks was definitely had better production. Still, Plax's game in GB...ask Al Harris about that beatdown he gave him.
he didn't always bring his "A" game. Nicks was close but less physically imposing than Burress and, as we now know, he didn't always bring his "A" game either.
If you go back to the 1950s and 1960s, Homer Jones was physically dominant but not necessarily the most talented receiver (not good hands). Morrison was a grinder. Shofner was smooth but not physical. Gifford was very good and pretty talented but I have to go with Kyle Rote from that era. That guy was a great college RB who was robbed of his speed by injuries but he was as good a receiver as you will ever see. He was absolutely loved by his teammates as half the team named at least one of their kids after him.
If you believe in an efficient market, Plax and Ike have to rank high.
I believe Hilliard was the highest pick the Giants have ever spent on a WR. Although he may have been a slight reach at #7, he was enormously gifted. Unfortunately, the injury in his second game left a permanent mark. Plax was chosen #8, by the Steelers.
I hope Beckham earns a place on this list. As the #12 pick, he should.
Good gravy, when he was on, he was a joy to behold. Catches in traffic, sideline, could get some serious YAC , blessed with huge mitts. Awesome player. But then, the Bucs game fucked him up .
6'2', 215, ran a 9.2 100 yard dash, and had great hands. Tarkenton absolutely couldn't overthrow him, and he'd regularly split the safety and CB on short slants that he'd take in for long TDs. The most physically talented WR we've had in my time rooting for the team, and that goes back to the '50s.
Pure talent alone I still think Mario Manningham coming out of Michigan is most talented I've seen in a generation.
I would have loved to see a healthy, young Manningham in a single read offense. It's easy to say he wasn't smart enough for Gilbride's system which I think isn't true. Some guys can't do and think at the same time, which looked pretty obvious with him. Hell I can't walk and talk at the same time.
Those of us that saw Homer, knew he was not famous for running precise routes....he also had dropped a few....but what he had was flat out blazing speed.....if he caught a pass in stride, no one was going to catch him....
Shoftner, was an amazing talent.....from '61-'63, he was flat out unreal.....but I still haven't forgiven him for that dropped pass in the Bears game...
Amani holds most of the Giant receiving records, because he managed to hang around longer than most....while a number one on our team, he would have been a number two on most others....
Nicks looked like he could be something special....but every time he came down awkwardly, you wondered if he was going to get back up....injuries took their toll on him, and I think he reduced his play/effort, to protect himself, and extend his career...
Plax could have been even better, if not for the space between his ears.....
Gifford was a converted halfback, after the hit....I never saw him play when he was a two way player(running back and receiver)....he had just two good seasons as a receiver after the hit...
It's sad that, these are really, the only "great" receivers the Giants have ever had.....they were not known for drafting or trading for great receivers, from the mid 60's on....
"The hit"? Please elaborate for the uninitiated amongst us, if you would, Sir.
Calloway! - ( New Window )
you left off kyle rote
and gifford is also one of only two players that was all pro offense and defense with ollie matson
CUT #2
To me, plays like these are underrated and remarkable (and I'm only referring to from a physical ability standpoint... I know no one underrates the importance of the first one). My answer to the OP's question stands because of moves like this.
We are talking about talent, right? You can not defend against that.
But, in my lifetime, I would probably be more inclined to go with Nicks as most talented.
This. Yes.
Homer Jones
Gifford
Plax
Shofner
and then a big drop. Not much talent at WR for the Giants since the 1960's.
Honestly, I'd say Burress was the most talented, but Nicks was definitely had better production. Still, Plax's game in GB...ask Al Harris about that beatdown he gave him.
But I think Nicks was the most physically talented WR I have ever seen in a NY uni, closely followed by Plax
If you go back to the 1950s and 1960s, Homer Jones was physically dominant but not necessarily the most talented receiver (not good hands). Morrison was a grinder. Shofner was smooth but not physical. Gifford was very good and pretty talented but I have to go with Kyle Rote from that era. That guy was a great college RB who was robbed of his speed by injuries but he was as good a receiver as you will ever see. He was absolutely loved by his teammates as half the team named at least one of their kids after him.
I hope Beckham earns a place on this list. As the #12 pick, he should.
I would have loved to see a healthy, young Manningham in a single read offense. It's easy to say he wasn't smart enough for Gilbride's system which I think isn't true. Some guys can't do and think at the same time, which looked pretty obvious with him. Hell I can't walk and talk at the same time.
Shoftner, was an amazing talent.....from '61-'63, he was flat out unreal.....but I still haven't forgiven him for that dropped pass in the Bears game...
Amani holds most of the Giant receiving records, because he managed to hang around longer than most....while a number one on our team, he would have been a number two on most others....
Nicks looked like he could be something special....but every time he came down awkwardly, you wondered if he was going to get back up....injuries took their toll on him, and I think he reduced his play/effort, to protect himself, and extend his career...
Plax could have been even better, if not for the space between his ears.....
Gifford was a converted halfback, after the hit....I never saw him play when he was a two way player(running back and receiver)....he had just two good seasons as a receiver after the hit...
It's sad that, these are really, the only "great" receivers the Giants have ever had.....they were not known for drafting or trading for great receivers, from the mid 60's on....
"The hit"? Please elaborate for the uninitiated amongst us, if you would, Sir.
Seriously? Chuck Bednarik ring a bell?