What was the signature play for the 1986 Giants?

but LT. Everything he did... He was the 86 Giants in my mind. I was young then, maybe I remember it through a pre-teens eyes.

In comment 14861501 Reb8thVA said:

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but Bavaro dragging the entire 49er defense is an extemely close second

This.

blasting Joe Montana out of the endzone

how about the 07 guys.. which play would you pick?

The other plays could be signature plays but they were more super human solo efforts. What made the 4th and 17 play so signature is that it almost alone grabbed victory from the clutches of defeat in a big turning point game. Also the play itself was such a team effort. Johnson running a great route and toe touching the sideline, Simms standing in there till the very last second and delivering a perfect throw, and though he took a huge hit the O-line giving him enough time against a dominant pass rush to go to his 3rd read.

In comment 14861859 Joey from GlenCove said:

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how about the 07 guys.. which play would you pick?

Yeah that's a tough one. You could go the Tyree helmet catch, but I would say the Tynes kick vs GB. To miss 2 kicks in the 4th quarter and then run out there and make that kick in those conditions just to me exemplifies how that team wouldn't be denied no matter what adversity they faced.

and youll get Summeralls narration of Bavaros catch
Giants Among Men - ( New Window )

started the real run

putting Danny White on the IR. I also remember 4th and 17.

Blocked punt and TD. The smile of joy on his face as he scores is priceless.

Had TO BE THE Leonard MARSHALL hit on Montana knocking him OUT the game that gave us momentum.

Is always overshadowed. We weren’t only down to the Niners 17-0 in 86 but early in the season we were trailing 17-0 to the Saints at home and LT made a tackle on their running back from across the field that woke the team up and we came back to win 20-17.

This is not a play, but I remember the Giants played the Redskins on the night the Mets clinched the series and we were up like 20-0 and the skins came roaring back to tie it up and the crowd was cheering so loud during the Redskins update because the Mets scores were being shouted out in the stands. We won, I believe on a Joe Morris TD late in the game. A glorious season.

Are the TWO signature plays of that glorious season. And that's just ON OFFENSE.
Shit, how many great plays were there on defense?

For me, I felt 4th and 17, week 11 was certainly a turning point. But after coming back against SF (week 13) with the Bavaro play, I felt they were on a roll where they could, and probably WOULD win it all. That was the play that showed me they wouldn't be denied.

But, sadly, I've never felt that since. Even when they won superbowls, it was never through sheer domination again.

about the Johnson catch, if you were listening to Gordon and Lynch on the radio broadcast, Lynch's comment was "what a catch by Johnson!". He was just standing on the sideline when Simms came to him late. That has always cracked me up. Somehow the Vikings lost track of him.

In comment 14861724 redwhiteandbigblue said:

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And those missing Summerall and Madden, I agree. But I miss Summerall and Brookshire more. I know.....I am old but they bring me back to the 60's when I was a little kid.

Yes, I realized that after. It was the Steelers, but the season before. I still love that play.

Bobby J - 4th & 17
LT - INT VD Montana
Bavaro catch vs SF
George Martin - INT & TD vs DEN
Burt sack of Montana
Joe Morris game @ Redskins
Super Bowl safety
McConkey catch in SB
...and I totally remember how jubilant we all were watching the SB game wind down with a convincing lead. There were a lot of close victories that season if I remember correctly.

Even among the many glorious memories of that season, it stands out.

Funny part is, though, I didn't see it live. When I was that age, I had to go to bed at halftime of MNF games. I went to sleep dejectedly, thinking we were going to lose. I woke up the next morning to find a note taped to my bedside lamp. Dad left for work before I got up in the morning, but he still wanted to be the one to tell me in his characteristic all-caps block print. I can still see that note in my mind as if it were this morning...

"FINAL SCORE:

GIANTS 21
SF 17

THEY DID IT!!!"

The 4th and 17 play might have been a more crucial play but the Bavaro play was absolutely inspiring.

though many were just discussion points and opinions not necessarily about one play.

WHat I came up with"

25 for Bobby Johnson 4th-and-17
5 for Mark Bavaro's catch-and-run
1 for George Martin's interception TD

I'd thought Bavaro and Martin would have gotten more votes. While I aknowledge the 4th-and-17 play as the most significant of the season, the other plays are awlays at the forefront of my mind whant I think about 1986.

I remember it fondly - watching it live (on tv) it made you sit up and drop your jaw. It was the first sign we could actually be SB Champs - inspiring.

to Joe Morris.