Taylor looks about same size as your average LB playing today, but when today's QBs get hit, you almost never see them get launched into orbit like that.
Taylor looks about same size as your average LB playing today, but when today's QBs get hit, you almost never see them get launched into orbit like that.
Quarterbacks weren't smaller. LT was 250lbs...same as many DEs today.
What he'd do to a guy threatening his team with a baseball bat in his own stadium no less. Best thing about those highlights are they're all clean hits even with today's rules.
I'm convinced there will never be another like him. He was the definition of reckless abandon, pure power and speed with an explosiveness never seen before or since.
In the beginning...the helmet being thrown at the Vet was the '85 game that Elvis Patterson won in OT on a pick-6. Still remember Pat Summerall saying "And there goes his helmet way behind the Giants bench. Lawrence is peeved."
The play where he knocked the Redskin on his ass was also 1985. Kenny Hill and the Skins were getting into after every special teams play (Hill got thrown out of the game). LT was playing special teams then too.
make more money than a lot of good running backs in the NFL. He and Walter Payton are the two greatest players I've ever seen. Heart, intensity, desire, ferocity, hatred of losing. Thanks for posting that.
The best part in seeing some of those old videos is remembering being in Giants stadium on sunday afternoon watching them in person...
I went to quite a few games back then as well, but it was just as special to watch him on the television with Summerall at the mic. Those were glorious years indeed.
the guy's football IQ was extremely high. He knew where to be. Knew what play was coming so often. He also was a leader and would get the rest of the defense all wound up like a bee hive. Then, his intimidation factor. Opposing player were mentally beaten before the ball was snapped. The other teams's offensive coordinator spent half of the week trying to find ways to keep their QB alive. Scoring was the second priority.
That being said, some of those defenses we had in the 80's were more than just LT. You could argue that every player on the 86 defense for example would start over anyone we have on today's defense. We had backup players like Andy Headen who would be our best LB today.
referred to as LT.
And he's on some talking heads show now on ESPN or the ESPN-wannabe NFL Network where the other hosts constantly refer to him as LT.
Don't be surprised if you see me storm their stage some day with a machete (attn NSA: just kidding, kinda).
WTF would have been wrong with LdT?
He was a great back, but no way did he have the impact LT did.
My favorite quote about LT from an opposing coach:
when I was growing up. Took me to Jets games and everything when I was 6 or 7. My older brother fell for it. LT made it an easy decision for me. So I not only appreciate his awesomeness, but he also played a big part in making me a Giants fan. Thank you LT!
Some of those clips if you focus on just the middle of the TV you see everyone else's speed off the snap and then there is this blur at the edge of the screen coming from one side that is LT
Also in hind sight, that Giants draft when they took LT was god awful after him. 14 picks in the 12 rounds of the draft. Only LT and 8th round pick G Billy Ard played more than a few years.
His pure talent along with his desire made him a terror to opposing offenses. He was a player of the likes that the NFL had never seen before. A once in a lifetime player. I'm glad he was a giant. He willed the team to win. Glad to be a giants fan.
were a few QB's who I felt Lawrence Taylor eventually "ruined"...Lomax and Schroeder top the list...obviously Theisman physically (though Theisman was fading fast when he snapped his leg)...he sacked Jaworski.
Turned out he was off the field having his equipment repaired. In the same interview Jaws also said that LT was a clean player, never cheap shot him "even though he could have".
LT is THE GREATEST player I have ever seen. Ferocious, smart, non stop motor, clutch. I also think Walter Payton was #2 in my lifetime.
LT was HUGE by LB standards of the day. And fast as Safety. I remember the idiot Howard Cosell said that LT was "one of the smaller LBs in the league" after he chased down and caught Billy Sims FROM BEHIND in the open field.
I sure miss having a great defense.
Taylor looks about same size as your average LB playing today, but when today's QBs get hit, you almost never see them get launched into orbit like that.
Taylor looks about same size as your average LB playing today, but when today's QBs get hit, you almost never see them get launched into orbit like that.
Quarterbacks weren't smaller. LT was 250lbs...same as many DEs today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r6I2DIDLnc - ( New Window )
It's amazing to watch his closing speed. The music makes it seem like a predator pouncing on his prey.
Hell yea. My favorite player as a kid. Still is...
Wish we had players on D with half his heart.
The play where he knocked the Redskin on his ass was also 1985. Kenny Hill and the Skins were getting into after every special teams play (Hill got thrown out of the game). LT was playing special teams then too.
I went to quite a few games back then as well, but it was just as special to watch him on the television with Summerall at the mic. Those were glorious years indeed.
Cocaine had nothing to do with LTs football successes. If anything it hindered his career.
I hate when people bring up the coke and suggest that it in any way helped LT on the field of play. Nonsense.
That being said, some of those defenses we had in the 80's were more than just LT. You could argue that every player on the 86 defense for example would start over anyone we have on today's defense. We had backup players like Andy Headen who would be our best LB today.
And he's on some talking heads show now on ESPN or the ESPN-wannabe NFL Network where the other hosts constantly refer to him as LT.
Don't be surprised if you see me storm their stage some day with a machete (attn NSA: just kidding, kinda).
WTF would have been wrong with LdT?
He was a great back, but no way did he have the impact LT did.
The ultimate praise for a defensive player.
I believe it was Jaws.
Some of those clips if you focus on just the middle of the TV you see everyone else's speed off the snap and then there is this blur at the edge of the screen coming from one side that is LT
Also in hind sight, that Giants draft when they took LT was god awful after him. 14 picks in the 12 rounds of the draft. Only LT and 8th round pick G Billy Ard played more than a few years.
1982 MNF GB vs Giants full game - ( New Window )
LT, Harry Carson, Brian Kelley, Brad Van Pelt
Then
LT, Carson, Gary Reasons, Carl Banks
Then
LT, Carson, Pepper Johnson, Banks
And we had reserves like Andy Headen, Steve DeOssie and others whose names I forget
LT is THE GREATEST player I have ever seen. Ferocious, smart, non stop motor, clutch. I also think Walter Payton was #2 in my lifetime.
LT was HUGE by LB standards of the day. And fast as Safety. I remember the idiot Howard Cosell said that LT was "one of the smaller LBs in the league" after he chased down and caught Billy Sims FROM BEHIND in the open field.