Watching him completely take over the defense and get everyone in the right position was special. The game against the Colts watching him lean into Mannings audibles and change the defense was awesome.. Too bad for his injury!
Had an opportunity to meet Brad Van Pelt, really good guy. He stressed about how Carson ran the defense, and how Carson handling his responsibilities allowed LT to free lance.
Also, Armistead - watching him limp on and off the field with injuries.
Pepper Johnson - watched him hit Neal Anderson and made him wince visibly in pain.
Not one specific game, but more his style of play,and that he wasn't your prototypical LB, even for those days. I used to love seeing #10 all over the field. Seemed to always be around the ball, with a good number of career INTs, and no telling how many tips/batted balls.
Wonder who he'd be compared with in today's game? And if maybe he'd be asked to put on another 20-25 pounds and play DE?
on almost any other team he'd have been "the guy" but playing opposite LT was a blessing and a curse for Banks from a recognition standpoint. Signature play is stopping the Denver RB from the 1 in the SB, and SB XXI in general.
Honorable mention to:
Jesse Armstead - the underdog who dominated.
Gary Reasons - lunch pail guy who brought the lumber and converted a fake punt in the Championship game
that I like besides LT- Pepper Johnson, BVP, Brian Kelley, Jesse Armstead but my favorite LB after LT was Andy Headen.
The 1984 second game of the season at home against the Dallas Cowboys. LT with the Sack and Headen with the fumble recovery and return of 81 yards for the TD. That play was awesome and Headen showed his athletic ability.
If Headen played on any other team he would have been a starter...
...there were several notable stretches where he was the best player on the entire team, LT included. NOBODY could run on that defense, and the SLB being able to consistently blow up virtually everything on that side made all the difference - Carl was awesome at standing up TE's, Tackles - double-teams - making tackles himself, or forcing cutbacks, where LT would be waiting.
Brad Van Pelt - when I first became a fan, Van Pelt, Carson and Jennings were the only annual Pro-Bowlers on the team, and Van Pelt was among the best of them. When I go to Giant games, his is the jersey I wear.
Jesse Armstead also deserves a mention - a VERY late round draft pick, I remember this kid being ALL over the field his first 2 years, was one of the most pleasant Giant draft surprises of the modern era.
B/c he was an 8th Round pick who was an emotional leader for an underdog Giants team, wore his heart on his sleeve and always pumped up the crowd. He was what Hurricane defenders represented.
Not to take anything away from Pepper, Banks, Carson and Reasons.
Was right in my wheelhouse as a fan (I was 10 in 1997). Great player who made some huge plays in that 4 year pro bowl stretch. Really underrated player. He would definitely be exactly what the current team needs.
for his tackle against GB in the NFCCG. One of the key defensive plays in the game, imho, in what was probably the most amazing, and improbable, run to any SB championship by any team. Again, imho. Antonio Pierce NFC Championship tackle - ( New Window )
He wasn't exactly a play maker as much as he was a leader and solid tackler but one play that sticks out was during the playoff run where he blows through two offensive lineman and completely blows up a screen pass that looked like a sure thing to be a first down and then some but Pierce makes a huge stop, I think it was @ Green Bay.
for his tackle against GB in the NFCCG. One of the key defensive plays in the game, imho, in what was probably the most amazing, and improbable, run to any SB championship by any team. Again, imho. Antonio Pierce NFC Championship tackle - ( New Window )
That's its, that's the one, great minds think alike.
Could do so many things at the highest level, and was just a monster in shutting down running plays.
Watched the 1987 NFC Championship against the Skins yesterday. In the 3rd Quarter, TL got a thigh contusion, and Banks became the LT- rushing LB for a little under a quarter. He just terrorized Jay Shroeder. Was so cool to see him effortlessly transition to that role.
to watch the Playoff games in 1986, 49ers, Skins, Denver. He was just amazing. And Madden made a point to mention how good Banks was.
He was great and was on almost every tackle against Denver. IMO though, i think LT was more hurt in that Super Bowl then we knew. Late in that Redskins game he almost broke his leg and went to the sidelines. Kinda shocked he didn't break his leg and felt he was no where near 100% foe that Super Bowl. Banks was amazing though.
Nobody hit harder at the point of attack than Harry. He allowed LT and Basnks to do their thing while he did a lot of the heavy work in the middle of the field. Great group all around.
Harry Carson for as much love as he gets now, was the most underappreciated, overlooked MLB in the NFL for a long time. He was better than Singletary and it wasn't close. The man raised the level of the players around him and crushed opponents for years before LT even arrived. He remained the leader of the defense well after LT was an established star. That is not an easy task. The fact that he wasn't a first ballot HOFer is a JOKE of epic proportions.
Brad Van Pelt was a great player on some lousy Giant teams and he never quit. Had he been in his prime with LT, Banks and Carson, you could've moved Banks inside and formed the greatest 4 LB crew in the history of the league.
Carl Banks was a pros' pro. He was the greatest outside contain LB I have ever seen. NOTHING got past his side when he was healthy...and he still balled out when he was injured. I'll never forget the game that he played with a bum wrist and his arm in a cast (literally playing with one arm)he still shut down sweeps, covered RB's out of the backfield and hammered the edge run and pass rush. He should be in the HOF.
The Giants first blue chip drafee in a long time after many truly miserable, uncompetitive teams. Harry was the terminator and enforcer. When a running play was run at Harry, it terminated. He shed blocks like wiping sweat, and crushed runners.
In the locker room he enforced a no BS attitude. A rookie asked about whether Harry joked much said, "Oh, no, Mr. Carlson NEVER jokes!"
of Giant linebackers, it's hard to believe the way the position is looked at today, by the Giants....
I remember the 1963 season, mainly because, my best friend was a Cleveland Brown fan.....each week, there would be friendly jawing against each other....and finally, the Browns came to play the Giants....he came to my house to watch the game, because the Giants were at home....my poor Mother kept running into the living room, due to all the screaming....and my friend left with my lunch money for the week, as Jim brown dismantled the Giant defense....
Two weeks later, the Giants are at Cleveland, and the way things were going, the Giants with two losses, and Cleveland being undefeated and at home, it was looking like another week without my lunch money.....plus I had to listen to nothing but crap from my friend, for the two weeks prior to this game.....
Why bring this up? This had to be, possibly, Huff's greatest game.....That defense went into Cleveland and dominated the undefeated Browns and their great RB......I don't even think he had 50 yards in the game.....and Huff was taking him on, one on one, stopping him cold several times......If you have ever seen Brown run over people, he almost looked unstoppable.....but that day, Huff and the Giant defense made Brown look mortal.....The Giants were up, like 30-0 in the fourth quarter.....it was a long fourth quarter for my friend, with me there......the Giants won.....I got my lunch money back.....life was good....
My Dad taught me to watch the guards on the offensive line to see a play develop and when I told him I was having trouble tracking the ball he told me to "Just watch #53, Carson. That's where the ball is going."
You can make a case for Huff, BVP, Banks, and Armstead. Reason & Headen I can understand as personal favorites. I can understand all of the other choices except one and that's old barrel ass Pierce.
The guy lined people up wrong many times by assuming wtf was up too soon. Too smart for his own good sometimes and just a horrible athlete incapable of actually doing anything spectacular. The only play he ever made was that stop against GB in the playoffs. Other than that his game was all between the ears. A coach on the field but a bum in my book compared to the other guys mentioned.
Signature play would be a shoestring stop of Culpepper in the 41-0 game. I remember some recap show where Brian Urlacher broke down the play and talked about how much effort was involved in it.
He just came over and demanded respect and changed the defense around. As smart as they come and that play in Green Bay was nothing short of incredible. Plus he's awesome at hiding criminal evidence
I loved Harry Carson as the leader of the team in the 80's, but I just loved Jesse more for his overall hustle and energy that he brought to the team. As one other poster mentioned, he seemed to be in on every play.
The Signature play for him that sold me on him, but his overall play on Special Teams his rookie season. I think he led the team that year in Special Teams tackles. He seemed to be in on the tackle every sing time. He hustled and then cheered on his team mates. He was amazing.
Big DE converted to Linebacker 6-5-235 , who could rush the passer and cover Tight Ends. Helped LT transition to Pros, with the help of Carson, and Kelly.
Previous to the Giants hiring George Young, The Linebacker position was strong. Young didn't change that philosophy. I addition to adding Lawrence Taylor the Giants kept drafting Linebackers every year.
I think we discontinued to shop for the best LB's. Draft prognosticators won't overlook the position in the future. It has hurt the foundation of the Defense.
One man wrecking crew - ( New Window )
Also, Armistead - watching him limp on and off the field with injuries.
Pepper Johnson - watched him hit Neal Anderson and made him wince visibly in pain.
Not one specific game, but more his style of play,and that he wasn't your prototypical LB, even for those days. I used to love seeing #10 all over the field. Seemed to always be around the ball, with a good number of career INTs, and no telling how many tips/batted balls.
Wonder who he'd be compared with in today's game? And if maybe he'd be asked to put on another 20-25 pounds and play DE?
Maybe in a cargo plane, because I can't imagine F-18 cockpits being all that comfy for 6'3" 245# guys...
Honorable mention to:
Jesse Armstead - the underdog who dominated.
Gary Reasons - lunch pail guy who brought the lumber and converted a fake punt in the Championship game
Quote:
In the early losing years, he threatened to quit and become an air force jet pilot. Probably less dangerous to your health than playing football.
Maybe in a cargo plane, because I can't imagine F-18 cockpits being all that comfy for 6'3" 245# guys...
I wouldn't rule it out. A football player from my college who had a cup of coffee at the Pats camp ended up flying jets at 6'1" 230.
P.S. Another vote for Carson.
The 1984 second game of the season at home against the Dallas Cowboys. LT with the Sack and Headen with the fumble recovery and return of 81 yards for the TD. That play was awesome and Headen showed his athletic ability.
If Headen played on any other team he would have been a starter...
Brad Van Pelt - when I first became a fan, Van Pelt, Carson and Jennings were the only annual Pro-Bowlers on the team, and Van Pelt was among the best of them. When I go to Giant games, his is the jersey I wear.
Jesse Armstead also deserves a mention - a VERY late round draft pick, I remember this kid being ALL over the field his first 2 years, was one of the most pleasant Giant draft surprises of the modern era.
Not to take anything away from Pepper, Banks, Carson and Reasons.
Antonio Pierce NFC Championship tackle - ( New Window )
Always in the right place, always in control, and always making his presence known on the Defense.
That's its, that's the one, great minds think alike.
Watched the 1987 NFC Championship against the Skins yesterday. In the 3rd Quarter, TL got a thigh contusion, and Banks became the LT- rushing LB for a little under a quarter. He just terrorized Jay Shroeder. Was so cool to see him effortlessly transition to that role.
He was great and was on almost every tackle against Denver. IMO though, i think LT was more hurt in that Super Bowl then we knew. Late in that Redskins game he almost broke his leg and went to the sidelines. Kinda shocked he didn't break his leg and felt he was no where near 100% foe that Super Bowl. Banks was amazing though.
Link - ( New Window )
Andy Headen because he is a local kid, grew up in Ramseur, NC and was one hell of a high school quarterback.
Brad Van Pelt because other than Jennings in the 70s he was the only Giant to play in the Pro Bowl and I actually watched the game back then.
Other than that, there were some good ones and a couple of great ones, but these two stand out.
Brad Van Pelt was a great player on some lousy Giant teams and he never quit. Had he been in his prime with LT, Banks and Carson, you could've moved Banks inside and formed the greatest 4 LB crew in the history of the league.
Carl Banks was a pros' pro. He was the greatest outside contain LB I have ever seen. NOTHING got past his side when he was healthy...and he still balled out when he was injured. I'll never forget the game that he played with a bum wrist and his arm in a cast (literally playing with one arm)he still shut down sweeps, covered RB's out of the backfield and hammered the edge run and pass rush. He should be in the HOF.
In the locker room he enforced a no BS attitude. A rookie asked about whether Harry joked much said, "Oh, no, Mr. Carlson NEVER jokes!"
Loved the way he played the game.... but I totally forgot him when LT became a Giant.
I remember the 1963 season, mainly because, my best friend was a Cleveland Brown fan.....each week, there would be friendly jawing against each other....and finally, the Browns came to play the Giants....he came to my house to watch the game, because the Giants were at home....my poor Mother kept running into the living room, due to all the screaming....and my friend left with my lunch money for the week, as Jim brown dismantled the Giant defense....
Two weeks later, the Giants are at Cleveland, and the way things were going, the Giants with two losses, and Cleveland being undefeated and at home, it was looking like another week without my lunch money.....plus I had to listen to nothing but crap from my friend, for the two weeks prior to this game.....
Why bring this up? This had to be, possibly, Huff's greatest game.....That defense went into Cleveland and dominated the undefeated Browns and their great RB......I don't even think he had 50 yards in the game.....and Huff was taking him on, one on one, stopping him cold several times......If you have ever seen Brown run over people, he almost looked unstoppable.....but that day, Huff and the Giant defense made Brown look mortal.....The Giants were up, like 30-0 in the fourth quarter.....it was a long fourth quarter for my friend, with me there......the Giants won.....I got my lunch money back.....life was good....
He looked like such a badass alone as the Captain in SB 22.
Favorite LB of all time:
Carson
Banks
Johnson
Pierce
LT is a disgrace. Not afraid to say it.
One of my favorite Giants ever. Grew up watching him as a cornerstone of all the Giant defenses he played on.
You can make a case for Huff, BVP, Banks, and Armstead. Reason & Headen I can understand as personal favorites. I can understand all of the other choices except one and that's old barrel ass Pierce.
The guy lined people up wrong many times by assuming wtf was up too soon. Too smart for his own good sometimes and just a horrible athlete incapable of actually doing anything spectacular. The only play he ever made was that stop against GB in the playoffs. Other than that his game was all between the ears. A coach on the field but a bum in my book compared to the other guys mentioned.
The Signature play for him that sold me on him, but his overall play on Special Teams his rookie season. I think he led the team that year in Special Teams tackles. He seemed to be in on the tackle every sing time. He hustled and then cheered on his team mates. He was amazing.
Previous to the Giants hiring George Young, The Linebacker position was strong. Young didn't change that philosophy. I addition to adding Lawrence Taylor the Giants kept drafting Linebackers every year.
I think we discontinued to shop for the best LB's. Draft prognosticators won't overlook the position in the future. It has hurt the foundation of the Defense.
My Vote is for Brad Van Pelt the Orininal #10
Link - ( New Window )