Undrafted. Didn’t become a full-time starter in the league until his 4th season at the age of 26.
Not the biggest or strongest or fastest. But his leadership and IQ were great. Made a Pro Bowl with us, made one of the underrated (not here) plays in Giants history with the tackle in Green Bay, and won the Super Bowl as one of the key pieces of our defense.
but for some reason Jessie Armstead comes to mind. He had physical question marks and was small. Came in with a chip on his shoulder becasue so many passed on him.
Diehl was a mediocre guard who somehow shifted to play a solid LT at a very discounted price. O'Hara was a solid gritty C who was the glue of the line despite not really being all that athletic or all that strong.
Pierce was a middling athlete who was a great leader and had great instincts to get the most out of his ability.
I also considered Jake Ballard and Chase Blackburn, but they just didn't play enough. I considered Seubert too , but I think his talent level is wildly underrated. He was a terrific pulling guard, with underrated strength, and probably made more visible good blocks than anyone other than Snee.
Diehl was a mediocre guard who somehow shifted to play a solid LT at a very discounted price. O'Hara was a solid gritty C who was the glue of the line despite not really being all that athletic or all that strong.
Pierce was a middling athlete who was a great leader and had great instincts to get the most out of his ability.
I also considered Jake Ballard and Chase Blackburn, but they just didn't play enough. I considered Seubert too , but I think his talent level is wildly underrated. He was a terrific pulling guard, with underrated strength, and probably made more visible good blocks than anyone other than Snee.
Seubert came to mind but I believe he was originally a TE in college so he clearly had more athletic ability than he was given credit for.
He was slow and he certainly didn't look the part. Still the best LB we've had in the last 15 years. That tackle in the Green Bay NFCCG alone cements his place in Giants history but it wasn't an anomaly. He did that consistently and his biggest contributions didn't show up on the stat sheet or highlight reel.
Gibril has little physical talent? I guess we watched different players.
To the OP. Ahmad Bradshaw? You kidding. 5 foot 9 weighed 208 and could run with power. Underrated hands. Diehl is a good selection, what about safety Michael Johnson.
Conrad Hamilton - kind of slow and on the short side, but found a way
Considered too small coming out of college, didn’t even get a combine invite and wasn’t drafted. I don’t know if I’d say he was slow, but he wasn’t the sideline to sideline type of MLB most teams crave. He delivered an exceptional career through brains and instincts.
Howard Cross is another one IMO...big and strong, exceptional blocker, not much else to offer physically, but turned into one of the most dependable blocking TEs of his era.
Pierce, Diehl, O'Hara, Boss, Robbins, Mitchell, the list goes on and on. Pierce claimed once that the 2007 team had arguably less athletic talent than the pathetic teams Shurmur coached, they were just nastier and wanted it more.
Special Teams Gunner - depth wide receiver - Made the greatest catch in Super Bowl history - also scored 1 of 3 TDs in that game - plax and Randy moss the others.
It also was not just that game - David Tyree was in the background for most of career - I remember liking him when he was catching passes from Kerry Collins. That is a long time to last in the NFL just doing the small things and showing up on the biggest stage. I think he deserves the nominee.
Super Bowl champion (XLII)
NFL All-Rookie team (2003)
Pro Bowl (2005) - Special Teams
First-team All-Pro (2005) - Special Teams
Guy was absolutely ripped and he could fly. Hands coulda used some work though.
He was the opposite of what was asked. Had physical talent. Could run like the wind. Was a lousy player. Couldn't catch the coronavirus if three affected people sneezed on him.
...not only a clutch, great kicker, average build, under 200 lbs, but funny as hell and who didn't love seeing him actually making tackles on specials?
Stacey Robinson
Chase Blackburn
Herb Welch
John Mistler
Frank Ferrara
Not the biggest or strongest or fastest. But his leadership and IQ were great. Made a Pro Bowl with us, made one of the underrated (not here) plays in Giants history with the tackle in Green Bay, and won the Super Bowl as one of the key pieces of our defense.
Pierce was a middling athlete who was a great leader and had great instincts to get the most out of his ability.
I also considered Jake Ballard and Chase Blackburn, but they just didn't play enough. I considered Seubert too , but I think his talent level is wildly underrated. He was a terrific pulling guard, with underrated strength, and probably made more visible good blocks than anyone other than Snee.
Pierce was a middling athlete who was a great leader and had great instincts to get the most out of his ability.
I also considered Jake Ballard and Chase Blackburn, but they just didn't play enough. I considered Seubert too , but I think his talent level is wildly underrated. He was a terrific pulling guard, with underrated strength, and probably made more visible good blocks than anyone other than Snee.
Seubert came to mind but I believe he was originally a TE in college so he clearly had more athletic ability than he was given credit for.
Maybe the opposite. DeOssie's athletic numbers were through the roof.
First guy who came to my mind.
Played 8 years for the Giants then followed Fran Tarkenton back to MN where he finished his career.
Gibril has little physical talent? I guess we watched different players.
To the OP. Ahmad Bradshaw? You kidding. 5 foot 9 weighed 208 and could run with power. Underrated hands. Diehl is a good selection, what about safety Michael Johnson.
Howard Cross is another one IMO...big and strong, exceptional blocker, not much else to offer physically, but turned into one of the most dependable blocking TEs of his era.
McConkey is the obvious #1 choice.
But hey you are quarantined so...
It also was not just that game - David Tyree was in the background for most of career - I remember liking him when he was catching passes from Kerry Collins. That is a long time to last in the NFL just doing the small things and showing up on the biggest stage. I think he deserves the nominee.
Super Bowl champion (XLII)
NFL All-Rookie team (2003)
Pro Bowl (2005) - Special Teams
First-team All-Pro (2005) - Special Teams
He was the opposite of what was asked. Had physical talent. Could run like the wind. Was a lousy player. Couldn't catch the coronavirus if three affected people sneezed on him.
First that came to my mind.
Way was insanely talented. Gary Shirk off us older folk.
Blackburn and Pierce were limited and contributed those two lead the pack