retired when he was 34. I see there are a several elite pass rushers that have lasted to later in their 30s. Strahan, Terrell Suggs, Dwight Freeney, Julius Peppers. Was he truly done at 34? or could he have played a few more seasons?
I recall him being noticeably slower the last couple years he played Â
He wasn't special anymore, just kind of average. Then he had the blown Achilles in '92 and missed a chunk of the season. He came back in '93 for his last hurrah.
Remember how pedestrian Ray Lewis looked his last few years? No one can hang on forever. It was time for LT.
Didn’t take care of his body like any of the guys you mentioned, plus it was a different era - the game was tougher and medical, nutrition etc Weaker. Was more difficult for players to engineer longer careers BCN then.
in many ways. After the Achilles in 92 his body was done. He has also said in interviews that he was pretty much done mentally after Parcells left. He had one hell of a run but he was definitely done.
He wrecked not just quarterbacks but whole offenses, week after week, year after year. You knew every game he was going to do something freaky-great and sure enough, he would deliver. I've never seen anyone so dominant since.
Most of the Giant games were on CBS back then. Summerall and Madden absolutely slobbered over him. Madden had the biggest man-crush on LT. He would get so excited and would just be raving about him, it was almost comical.
different drugs to try. Everyone knew he was a partier but with social media today it would have been even more well documented with pictures on the internet etc. And with the league drug testing today he never would have gotten away with it. He was unbelievable though as a football player. My biggest memory of him is the snapping of Theisman's leg when he sacked him and LT jumping up and down and calling over to the Redskins bench to help Theisman. I'll never forget that. That was ugly.
LT on the field was extremely Physical and Violent. He destroyed his body much the way Earl Campbell did as a running back. Their style of play broke down their bodies earlier than normal.
I was looking for it but couldn't find it when they used a picture of LT taking oxygen as the picture for the Madden Team. Giants don't have anyone on the team currently who would make the Madden Team. Back then they'd have five or six. Link - ( New Window )
But he was nowhere near the player he had been earlier in his career. Of course, neither was anyone else in the league. But it would have been hard for him to continue as an average player.
LT on the field was extremely Physical and Violent. He destroyed his body much the way Earl Campbell did as a running back. Their style of play broke down their bodies earlier than normal.
There is a lot of truth to this. Part of what made Lawrence Taylor LT was a complete disregard for his own health on the field. He played like a maniac and it eventually took a toll on his abilities, couples with the fact that he never took care of himself physically.
a season earlier than he did. He was to retire the season he tore his achilles but decided to return for one more. Did not want his career to end being carted off the field.
but not near the impact. I have heard him speak during different interviews and at one of the HOF enshrinement's he said something like "the last couple years I kind of just played a little bit here and there". His heart was not in it.
One thing I never realized during his playing time was he was a great leader on the field. His intensity was so evident when you see clips. Phil talked about how every time the offense scored he would congratulate the offense ans shake his hand....every time. I wonder if he had someone with that intensity and will how it would translate to today's team.
know if it is true or not, but LT used to tell people he rarely lifted weights. He basically partied all of the time and just showed up and played.
There was an excerpt in Accorsi’s book about him avoiding the weight room. Something along the lines that the told him they’d fine him for every weight room session he missed, he said okay and left the room, then came back 10 minutes later with a check for the rest of the season.
He seems like the type of natural freak that just woke up being able to do what he did.
once said that he told LT that if the Sun was just 2% hotter, the Earth would be incinerated. He told LT that if he would just start professional weight training a little bit, he would burn up the league.
RE: LT was also a complete train wreck of a human Â
Who knows how many seasons that took away from him. Guy was still the best ever! Crazy to think what else he could have done.
And that's the thing. His insane partying and drugs took at least two years off of his career. Yet no one has matched him on the field since then. LT plus 2 more years even at 50% = ridiculous.
once said that he told LT that if the Sun was just 2% hotter, the Earth would be incinerated. He told LT that if he would just start professional weight training a little bit, he would burn up the league.
Was actually Johnny Parker, team's strength/conditioning coach.
once said that he told LT that if the Sun was just 2% hotter, the Earth would be incinerated. He told LT that if he would just start professional weight training a little bit, he would burn up the league.
I wonder what LT replied to Parker...
"LOL bruh, look what I did to Theisman's leg! You want me to kill someone?"
"done" is a subjective assessment that you can do what you want with.
Before retiring, LT had a torn Achilles, broken leg, broken ribs, broken hand, and he still played at a high level. But before that, he was on top of the mountain, having done what no one had ever done before him. And no one has done it since.
Remember how pedestrian Ray Lewis looked his last few years? No one can hang on forever. It was time for LT.
Who knows how many seasons that took away from him. Guy was still the best ever! Crazy to think what else he could have done.
Who knows how many seasons that took away from him. Guy was still the best ever! Crazy to think what else he could have done.
And he didn't work out. Basically, he transformed the game by winging it. Imagine if he had actually taken the game seriously.
For all his faults off the field, I feel somewhat privileged to have seen every game he played.
Most of the Giant games were on CBS back then. Summerall and Madden absolutely slobbered over him. Madden had the biggest man-crush on LT. He would get so excited and would just be raving about him, it was almost comical.
This
I was looking for it but couldn't find it when they used a picture of LT taking oxygen as the picture for the Madden Team. Giants don't have anyone on the team currently who would make the Madden Team. Back then they'd have five or six.
Link - ( New Window )
It was probably the right time for him to retire.
There is a lot of truth to this. Part of what made Lawrence Taylor LT was a complete disregard for his own health on the field. He played like a maniac and it eventually took a toll on his abilities, couples with the fact that he never took care of himself physically.
He might be the 'anti-Eli', but he's also the most talented player ever and the GOAT.
Basically this^
After he tore his achilles he wasn't the same player. Lost passion and partying lifestyle as well.
One thing I never realized during his playing time was he was a great leader on the field. His intensity was so evident when you see clips. Phil talked about how every time the offense scored he would congratulate the offense ans shake his hand....every time. I wonder if he had someone with that intensity and will how it would translate to today's team.
There was an excerpt in Accorsi’s book about him avoiding the weight room. Something along the lines that the told him they’d fine him for every weight room session he missed, he said okay and left the room, then came back 10 minutes later with a check for the rest of the season.
He seems like the type of natural freak that just woke up being able to do what he did.
Who knows how many seasons that took away from him. Guy was still the best ever! Crazy to think what else he could have done.
Was actually Johnny Parker, team's strength/conditioning coach.
Here's the link, great article:
https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/11/sports/sports-of-the-times-how-the-giants-lifted-their-game.html
In comment 14706701 BillKo said: Was actually Johnny Parker, team's strength/conditioning coach.
Here's the link, great article:
https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/11/sports/sports-of-the-times-how-the-giants-lifted-their-game.html [/quote]
I wonder what LT replied to Parker...
"LOL bruh, look what I did to Theisman's leg! You want me to kill someone?"
Before retiring, LT had a torn Achilles, broken leg, broken ribs, broken hand, and he still played at a high level. But before that, he was on top of the mountain, having done what no one had ever done before him. And no one has done it since.
So whats your point?