Second year RBs Steve Thurlow and Ernie Wheelwright were joined by rookies Tucker Frederickson, Chuck Mercein, and Ernie Koy. Mercein went on to play a big part in the Ice Bowl.
If you are over 60 but not old enough to go back to Gifford, Ron Johnson is easily, and I think far and away, the most talented RB ever to play for Big Blue. Until Saquon, who has already raised the bar. All he needed was a 9 inch crack in the D front 7.
For a brief moment in the early 1970s, he made me believe the Giants might actually be a good team. Injuries destroyed his career, but not my gratitude to him for being awesome in the short period he was active for us.
It's difficult to believe that there are virtually no highlights of Rodney Hampton as a Giant on YouTube.
Here is Joe Morris' breakout season...
Joe Morris Highlights: 1985 Rushing Touchdowns - ( New Window )
Adding insult to injury probably his best game is known as the Emmitt Smith shoulder injury game - Emmitt dominated the first half but Rodney took control in the second. Game ending kick sent Dallas to a bye week and (eventually) we get to go to SF and watch LT's last game. But Hampton took over the second half in that game and it goes unnoticed.
You can thank Dan Reeve's lousy conservative play calling in the 4th quarter for that loss
both guys were amazing at blitz pickup and just set an identity for the offense. Injuries shortened both careers and limited their explosiveness but they battled every down they played and each made big plays on the way to championships.
I wish David Wilson had had a long career. He had an effortless natural burst that was fun to watch, and I think he would have overcome the fumbles. D. Wilson 327 yard game - ( New Window )
Loved Little Joe and our first Lombardi Trophy he helped deliver at the Rose Bowl. And Rockin’ Rodney had incredible talent but too short a career. Special shout out to OJ for that forearm shiver in Tampa that helped us to our second Lombardi. And to that two-headed tandem of Jacobs and Bradshaw.
But Tiki was probably the best and most productive back I’ve seen in my 60 years of being a Giants fan...until now. And while we are only one year in and that does not a career make, I think if Saquon stays healthy - a very big IF for a RB - he has the most talent...by far. So let’s hope, both for him and us Giants’ fans, that he ends up having the long and productive career we all want!
I'm my 43 years we've never had a RB like Tiki until Saquon. Tiki would take games on his back and win them on his own. He was incredible. His mouth after his playing career have soured many and tainted his legacy...but he's the best RB Ive ever seen career wise, in a Giants uniform.
Ron Johnson played through injuries that now might have been prevented or treated more easily.
Kotar was just a good guy you wanted to root for.
Tiki and Hampton were pretty complete players and both were above Morris who was not a good receiver.
I can go back to the ‘50s, Gifford could do everything but I missed his best years. I remember him getting knocked out, sitting for a year and coming back to replace Kyle Rote at flanker.
were too young to remember Rodney Hampton -- he was an amazing running back and very productive -- he is/was my favorite -- but I also liked Brandon Jacobs a lot.
Early in his career he had it all - speed, power, vision... played on some really awful teams and was the focus of every D, but was a complete stud.
I will go to my grave believing he was just as good as Emmit Smith, but did not have the good fortune to play on those 90’s Cowboy teams. The Giants rode Hampton into the ground and his career was too short.
Joe Morrison played with both Ron Johnson and Frank Gifford.
His number 40 was retired after a 15 year career. He played about six different positions offense and defense. In his last year when he was fifth on the depth chart he was still playing special teams.
Ron Johnson had a career that was cut short by injuries but had two 1000 yard seasons. He was a throw in with the trade for Jim Kanicki when we sent Homer Jones to Cleveland. Ron Johnson was best at picking up yards with a pass in the backfield from Fran Tarkenton. Tucker Frederickson was his fullback. Bobby Duhon another running back from that era married Tucker’s sister.
So many greats like O J Anderson, Joe Morris, Rodney Hampton, Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradsaw, and now Saquon Barkley.
Frank Gifford was a halfback who threw the option pass. In the backfield with Alex Webster, Mel Triplett, Kyle Rote, Joe Morrison, Phil King and others. After a devastating injury from Chuck Bednarek Gifford moved over to flanker after sitting out a year. First with CBS doing color and then ABC with MNF he became an announcer doing play-by-play.
Start with Ron Johnson just a tough SOB and I really
was't crazy about losing Homer Jones he was so fun to
watch Nothing better than a 98 yard TG from Earl Morrall
Doug Kotar not real gifted but he fought hard and took
a beating . Joe Morris one of my all time favorites
sat around for three years while Butch Woolfolk literally
did much of nothing Tiki Barber underrated IMO but
he gave it his all .
Jacobs just a man child that nobody like to tackle .
Bradshaw was like a wolverine with a football helmet loved him with Jacobs great tandem .
Rodney Hampton could do it all and watching him just
punish Dallas was such a Joy .
Rob Carpenter was a nice addition it had been so long /since a Giant RB could score on a run longer that 15
yards he really help change the offense at that time .
So we have gone from Guys like Bobby Duhon
to Saquon Barkley talk about going from a Rambler to
a Roadrunner with a Hemi .
Can't wait to see Barkley again , Imagine a much better
O-line and a full season under his belt were gonna see
perhaps the best Season a Giant RB we have ever seen
maybe best ever NFL back we have ever seen please let
him stay healthy !!!!!!
He was a great back, a champion and he’s made an impact in the lives of others since he retired. He’s a Giant we can all be proud of. Link below to a where are they now. Hamp has some interesting things to say about Pepper Johnson and how he really helped Hampton’s career. Where RH now... - ( New Window )
Watched Joe Morris be our wrecking ball 5'-7" of tough I will run you over.
OJ Anderson was a bully.
Rodney Hampton bad luck having Ray Handley as coach. Maras folly.
Tiki Barber the best at it all after TC helped fix the fumblitis.
Brandon Jacobs hated Dallas ans sbowed it every time they played.
Ahmad Bradshaw 7th rd be damned. He was the beating heart of 2 SB teams.
I've enjoyed all that they provided the NY Football Giants fans wonderdul memories each special in their own way. Thanks
His short area quickness was magical, and his ability to visualize the blocking in front of him before it even occurred was second to none! And his ability to veer into an open lane was a thing of beauty.
The only "negative" I can say about him is that Diehl, Seubert, O'Hara, Snee and McKenzie opened up some huge whopping running lanes.
Right now, and pending Barkley's career, Barber is undoubtedly the best RB in NYG's history.
The guy drove me crazy for a long time, but his last five years are in the discussion as the greatest consecutive five years in the history of the game for a RB.
Tiki
Morris
Carpenter
Jacobs
Hampton
Looking back, Meggett should be removed because of being a scumbag and Carpenter should be lower, but I loved that guy.
My favorite on the list is Joe Morris
Quote:
It's difficult to believe that there are virtually no highlights of Rodney Hampton as a Giant on YouTube.
Here is Joe Morris' breakout season...
Joe Morris Highlights: 1985 Rushing Touchdowns - ( New Window )
Adding insult to injury probably his best game is known as the Emmitt Smith shoulder injury game - Emmitt dominated the first half but Rodney took control in the second. Game ending kick sent Dallas to a bye week and (eventually) we get to go to SF and watch LT's last game. But Hampton took over the second half in that game and it goes unnoticed.
You can thank Dan Reeve's lousy conservative play calling in the 4th quarter for that loss
If only he stuck around one more year he probably would've had a ring
:-)
Hampton before he lost his wheels via overuse was good too.
2000-2006 Tiki was awesome. Even better when Coughlin came in and fixed his fumbling
Most fun/easy to root for:
Brandon Jacobs
Close 2nd :
Ahmed Bradshaw
Honorable mention:
Joe Morris
D. Wilson 327 yard game - ( New Window )
But Tiki was probably the best and most productive back I’ve seen in my 60 years of being a Giants fan...until now. And while we are only one year in and that does not a career make, I think if Saquon stays healthy - a very big IF for a RB - he has the most talent...by far. So let’s hope, both for him and us Giants’ fans, that he ends up having the long and productive career we all want!
Kotar was just a good guy you wanted to root for.
Tiki and Hampton were pretty complete players and both were above Morris who was not a good receiver.
I can go back to the ‘50s, Gifford could do everything but I missed his best years. I remember him getting knocked out, sitting for a year and coming back to replace Kyle Rote at flanker.
Rote and Frederickson were my favorite players.
Then Tiki Barber, B.Jac and of course Joe Morris.
Link - ( New Window )
I will go to my grave believing he was just as good as Emmit Smith, but did not have the good fortune to play on those 90’s Cowboy teams. The Giants rode Hampton into the ground and his career was too short.
But there are many on that list who I feel special about
Carpenter. Gifford, Morris, most of them
Quote:
...!
Then Tiki Barber, B.Jac and of course Joe Morris.
Sean Bennett, what might have been....
All he did was get hurt
His number 40 was retired after a 15 year career. He played about six different positions offense and defense. In his last year when he was fifth on the depth chart he was still playing special teams.
Ron Johnson had a career that was cut short by injuries but had two 1000 yard seasons. He was a throw in with the trade for Jim Kanicki when we sent Homer Jones to Cleveland. Ron Johnson was best at picking up yards with a pass in the backfield from Fran Tarkenton. Tucker Frederickson was his fullback. Bobby Duhon another running back from that era married Tucker’s sister.
So many greats like O J Anderson, Joe Morris, Rodney Hampton, Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradsaw, and now Saquon Barkley.
Frank Gifford was a halfback who threw the option pass. In the backfield with Alex Webster, Mel Triplett, Kyle Rote, Joe Morrison, Phil King and others. After a devastating injury from Chuck Bednarek Gifford moved over to flanker after sitting out a year. First with CBS doing color and then ABC with MNF he became an announcer doing play-by-play.
was't crazy about losing Homer Jones he was so fun to
watch Nothing better than a 98 yard TG from Earl Morrall
Doug Kotar not real gifted but he fought hard and took
a beating . Joe Morris one of my all time favorites
sat around for three years while Butch Woolfolk literally
did much of nothing Tiki Barber underrated IMO but
he gave it his all .
Jacobs just a man child that nobody like to tackle .
Bradshaw was like a wolverine with a football helmet loved him with Jacobs great tandem .
Rodney Hampton could do it all and watching him just
punish Dallas was such a Joy .
Rob Carpenter was a nice addition it had been so long /since a Giant RB could score on a run longer that 15
yards he really help change the offense at that time .
So we have gone from Guys like Bobby Duhon
to Saquon Barkley talk about going from a Rambler to
a Roadrunner with a Hemi .
Can't wait to see Barkley again , Imagine a much better
O-line and a full season under his belt were gonna see
perhaps the best Season a Giant RB we have ever seen
maybe best ever NFL back we have ever seen please let
him stay healthy !!!!!!
Where RH now... - ( New Window )
OJ Anderson was a bully.
Rodney Hampton bad luck having Ray Handley as coach. Maras folly.
Tiki Barber the best at it all after TC helped fix the fumblitis.
Brandon Jacobs hated Dallas ans sbowed it every time they played.
Ahmad Bradshaw 7th rd be damned. He was the beating heart of 2 SB teams.
I've enjoyed all that they provided the NY Football Giants fans wonderdul memories each special in their own way. Thanks
I would never say he was the best Giant RB, but he was certainly my favorite. Rodney Hampton would be 2nd.
...but Tiki was the best.
His short area quickness was magical, and his ability to visualize the blocking in front of him before it even occurred was second to none! And his ability to veer into an open lane was a thing of beauty.
The only "negative" I can say about him is that Diehl, Seubert, O'Hara, Snee and McKenzie opened up some huge whopping running lanes.
Right now, and pending Barkley's career, Barber is undoubtedly the best RB in NYG's history.
The guy drove me crazy for a long time, but his last five years are in the discussion as the greatest consecutive five years in the history of the game for a RB.