Tough SOB with class remember he when one of the Cowboys took a cheap shot and hurt Carson the next time they played
in a losing effort Carson was a man possessed with a
19 tackle game .
Carl Banks played in LT's Shadow but you just couldn't run his way teams tried to run away from Taylor and Banks was like a paper shredder . was also the best player on the field in the Superbowl .
Brad Van Pelt was a great athlete and underrated played the
run and pass as good as anyone .
Is the reason I became a giants fan. The first time I actually watched a giants game I saw him dunk Parcells with the Gatorade and I was hooked. Besides that he was just a leader and a tremendous player. Just loved watching him play.
Carl banks and Jessie armstead are honorable mentions. Carl banks was a one man wrecking crew against the Denver broncos.
Armstead played with a chip on his shoulder and a lot of times carried the defense on his back
Not surprising from my handle but those of you that are younger and never saw him play missed something special. I don't care how many times it is mentioned, nobody but nobody stopped Jimmy Brown. Sam Huff vs. Jimmy Brown is still, in my mind, what football is all about. A great O Line vs. a great D line. A world class RB vs. a world class tackling machine. It was not a passing league back then.
he was a great blitzer, an effective run stopper and solid in coverage. along with strahan was the heart and soul of the defense for a good 5-6 years. played hard every game with the chip on his shoulder from being overlooked in the draft.
easily. Van Pelt was better than Banks. He was an exceptional athlete, easily top 5 in team history. Harry was great. When he came in from South Carolina St he was originally moved to MLB in the 4-3 they were playing. Klein wrote an article about him in one of the preview magazines, titled , "The Black Butkus." That summed it up. His career might have been even better had he stayed at Mike instead of being a plugger in a 3-4.
Back to Brad: I was at a game against the Cowboys when he tracked Ron Springs forty yards down the left sideline, looked back when Springs did, and effortlessly tipped the ball away. Banks wasn't making that play. BVP had played "monster" at Sparty, their version of Jack Tatum. It took awhile for him to get grooved with the Giants because of an injury and the fact that they didn't know where to play him.
That they got him was actually a mistake. Everybody presumed he was going to the baseball Cardinals to be a pitcher. I think the Draft was in Febuary during that era. Anyway. When I got home one night, I remarked to my Dad that the Giants got a great player. He was less than impressed, a fatalist all the way. "He's playing baseball" is all he said.
I thought he was under-rated as player because of LTs presence, but given the assignments he had, and seemingly often around the balls quickly, and a lunch pail kind of guy, I respected him a lot.
Armstead is a close second because it seemed like whenever he was on the field good things happened for the Giants, and he was often around the ball quickly too.
easily. Van Pelt was better than Banks. He was an exceptional athlete, easily top 5 in team history. Harry was great. When he came in from South Carolina St he was originally moved to MLB in the 4-3 they were playing. Klein wrote an article about him in one of the preview magazines, titled , "The Black Butkus." That summed it up. His career might have been even better had he stayed at Mike instead of being a plugger in a 3-4.
Back to Brad: I was at a game against the Cowboys when he tracked Ron Springs forty yards down the left sideline, looked back when Springs did, and effortlessly tipped the ball away. Banks wasn't making that play. BVP had played "monster" at Sparty, their version of Jack Tatum. It took awhile for him to get grooved with the Giants because of an injury and the fact that they didn't know where to play him.
That they got him was actually a mistake. Everybody presumed he was going to the baseball Cardinals to be a pitcher. I think the Draft was in Febuary during that era. Anyway. When I got home one night, I remarked to my Dad that the Giants got a great player. He was less than impressed, a fatalist all the way. "He's playing baseball" is all he said.
it was Harry Carson. No one has filled that position like he did and I'm not sure anyone will. I recall a line in one of his books where he said that one of the better/best backs in the league, during his tenure, would close his eyes just before # 53 buried him. I'm certain he reveled in that. He was as clean and hard a hitter as there was and he's such a class act ...a true Giant through and through.
Because he was always flying around the ball, making plays.
I saw the Giants play the 49er's in Candlestick way back when Armstead was playing. We had seats in the endzone so you had some good angles on certain plays. He came off the end ... I didn't think it could be humanly possible to come around the LOS that fast and get to the QB while being in contact with a blocker ... and at a crazy angle to the ground. He was on a tilt. It was almost like he was trying to go underneath and around the blocker at the same time. And, he did it .... VERY VERY FAST. It was amazing.
...reason that he was central to putting NYG football on the national map. It's pretty difficult though to ignore the Linebacking Corps from the late 70s into the 90s. And yes, I have a soft spot for Headen.
Before LT Sam Huff was the best LB ever for the Giants.
In the early 70s we endured Matt Hazeltine a castoff from the 49ers. On the outside was Ralph Heck. The tide turned with Brad Van Pelt and Brian Kelley. Than came Harry Carson and all the rest.
...that may have been able to start on a less talented LB corps. That doesn't put you remotely in the conversation for the best NY Giants linebackers. Get a grip.
Another I AA player who made it big in the league. A rock at MLB who was a hellacious tackler. Very intimidating. Said himself there was a top RB in their division (Dorsett, Montgomery?) who would start to go down when he saw Harry coming. And like Mendenhall, he played on some terrible teams at the beginning of his career.
Signature play that I remember was stiffing Browns RB Mike Pruitt, who an acquaintance who had a tryout with the Browns told me was chiseled like Adonis with 4.4 speed at 225 lbs, after Pruitt had run right at him full speed for ten yards. Dropped him in his tracks at the 1 yard line.
Honorable mention to Carl Banks who for a time was the best strong side LB in the league.
Harry Carson is such an easy choice in so many ways, he's almost too perfect to select as a favorite. I mean if the question was best (after LT) it's easily Carson, despite brilliance by others at points in their careers.
Favorite? That's tough, really tough.
Recently it's Jonathan Goff who I think was on the cusp of becoming really good... and currently it's Kennard who, if he stays healthy, IMO has Pro Bowl potential.
...that may have been able to start on a less talented LB corps. That doesn't put you remotely in the conversation for the best NY Giants linebackers. Get a grip.
The question is not who was the best. It's who was your favorite. Big difference.
He did everything. I still can't believe he wasn't a full time starter until his 4th season. Dan Reeves was such an idiot.
Banks
Carson
everyone else.
in a losing effort Carson was a man possessed with a
19 tackle game .
Carl Banks played in LT's Shadow but you just couldn't run his way teams tried to run away from Taylor and Banks was like a paper shredder . was also the best player on the field in the Superbowl .
Brad Van Pelt was a great athlete and underrated played the
run and pass as good as anyone .
Carl banks and Jessie armstead are honorable mentions. Carl banks was a one man wrecking crew against the Denver broncos.
Armstead played with a chip on his shoulder and a lot of times carried the defense on his back
Of the players I've seen with mine own eyes Jesse Armstead was 'the best of the rest' after Lawrence.
He was both fearless on the field and feared by opponents. That's high praise indeed.
Headen
Armstead
Pierce
Van Pelt
Pepper
Reasons
Kelly
Hunt
Deossie
Back to Brad: I was at a game against the Cowboys when he tracked Ron Springs forty yards down the left sideline, looked back when Springs did, and effortlessly tipped the ball away. Banks wasn't making that play. BVP had played "monster" at Sparty, their version of Jack Tatum. It took awhile for him to get grooved with the Giants because of an injury and the fact that they didn't know where to play him.
That they got him was actually a mistake. Everybody presumed he was going to the baseball Cardinals to be a pitcher. I think the Draft was in Febuary during that era. Anyway. When I got home one night, I remarked to my Dad that the Giants got a great player. He was less than impressed, a fatalist all the way. "He's playing baseball" is all he said.
Armstead is a close second because it seemed like whenever he was on the field good things happened for the Giants, and he was often around the ball quickly too.
Back to Brad: I was at a game against the Cowboys when he tracked Ron Springs forty yards down the left sideline, looked back when Springs did, and effortlessly tipped the ball away. Banks wasn't making that play. BVP had played "monster" at Sparty, their version of Jack Tatum. It took awhile for him to get grooved with the Giants because of an injury and the fact that they didn't know where to play him.
That they got him was actually a mistake. Everybody presumed he was going to the baseball Cardinals to be a pitcher. I think the Draft was in Febuary during that era. Anyway. When I got home one night, I remarked to my Dad that the Giants got a great player. He was less than impressed, a fatalist all the way. "He's playing baseball" is all he said.
Cool info. Thanks!
Favorite LB of all time:
Carson
Banks
Johnson
Pierce
LT is a disgrace. Not afraid to say it.
Harry Carson on Francessa on the occasion of BVP's passing away - ( New Window )
I saw the Giants play the 49er's in Candlestick way back when Armstead was playing. We had seats in the endzone so you had some good angles on certain plays. He came off the end ... I didn't think it could be humanly possible to come around the LOS that fast and get to the QB while being in contact with a blocker ... and at a crazy angle to the ground. He was on a tilt. It was almost like he was trying to go underneath and around the blocker at the same time. And, he did it .... VERY VERY FAST. It was amazing.
Carson would be a close second.
Favorite LB of all time:
Carson
Banks
Johnson
Pierce
LT is a disgrace. Not afraid to say it.
Who is Carson?
See how easy it is to win points in that stupid nitpicking game?
Close 2nd to Carson and Banks
... and Andy Headen for the exciting monster rookie pre-season he had - I thought he was going to be the second coming of LT.
Randy in CT : 2:11 pm : link : reply
In comment 12977115 djstat said:
Quote:
He played in '21.
Favorite LB of all time:
Carson
Banks
Johnson
Pierce
LT is a disgrace. Not afraid to say it.
Fuck yourself. Not afraid to say it. Yeah, that was easy!
DJSTAT That means your Jobless Definitely Clueless Queer!
In the early 70s we endured Matt Hazeltine a castoff from the 49ers. On the outside was Ralph Heck. The tide turned with Brad Van Pelt and Brian Kelley. Than came Harry Carson and all the rest.
Another I AA player who made it big in the league. A rock at MLB who was a hellacious tackler. Very intimidating. Said himself there was a top RB in their division (Dorsett, Montgomery?) who would start to go down when he saw Harry coming. And like Mendenhall, he played on some terrible teams at the beginning of his career.
Signature play that I remember was stiffing Browns RB Mike Pruitt, who an acquaintance who had a tryout with the Browns told me was chiseled like Adonis with 4.4 speed at 225 lbs, after Pruitt had run right at him full speed for ten yards. Dropped him in his tracks at the 1 yard line.
Honorable mention to Carl Banks who for a time was the best strong side LB in the league.
Favorite? That's tough, really tough.
Recently it's Jonathan Goff who I think was on the cusp of becoming really good... and currently it's Kennard who, if he stays healthy, IMO has Pro Bowl potential.
But in the end it's gotta be Banks.
The question is not who was the best. It's who was your favorite. Big difference.
Carl Banks was a beast, great player.
No shit?
Quote:
Liked my wings so much he asked if he could take a plate with him.
No shit?
No shit. Preseason game in Atl. Hanlon brought him and McConkey over to my tailgate. A couple of BBIers can attest to their presence.
Carl Banks was a beast, great player.
and if not retired, at least not given to a ham and egger like Brinkley.
Second photo to show that it's him