The New York Giants Mt. Rushmore

The Giants have been making history for 90 plus seasons.

The New York Football Giants are the only remaining team that joined the NFL in 1925. Therefore you know that they have a storied and proud history.

In their 90 seasons, they have won 673 regular season games, which ranks 3rd in NFL history. Their 48 playoff victories ranks 5th in League History. They’ve won 8 League Championships, 4 before the AFL-NFL merger and 4 in the Super Bowl (XXI, XXV, XLII, XLVI) era. They’ve appeared in 19 Championship games, won 11 Conference Championships, won 16 Division championships, while making the playoffs 31 times.

28 Giants players have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But I have to choose only four to be the face of such a rich history. The following are the Giants Mount Rushmore.

CRITERIA:

• No owners, unless they were also coaches, and their place on this list is based on their contributions as coach. No General Managers or Personnel executives. Just those who directly affected the games on Sunday. I will make a separate list for those contributors soon. 

• Key contributors to the team’s history and success, not just fan favorites or box office draws.

• Can you tell the franchise’s story without them? If no, they’re on the list.

Lawrence Taylor (1981-1993) is arguably the greatest defensive player in NFL history. He was ranked 3rd by NFL.com on their “Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players” back in 2010. When he retired in 1993, his 132.5 sacks were the most in franchise history. The 10-time Pro Bowler and 10-time All-Pro led the Giants to two Super Bowl titles (XXI, XXV). In 1986 he was awarded the AP NFL MVP, and he’s a member of both the NFL 75th Anniversary and NFL 1980’s All-Decade team. His iconic jersey number 56 is retired by the organization, and he was inducted into the Ring of Honor in 2010. In 1999, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bill Parcells (1983-1990) along with LT was the driving force behind those 1980’s Giants that won two Lombardi Trophies after the 1986 and 1990 seasons, and restored the Giants franchise to its past glory. The “Tuna” was named AP NFL Coach of the Year, Sporting News Coach of the Year, and UPI NFL Coach of the Year with the club in 1986, and led the “G-Men” to 3 NFC East titles during his tenure. He was inducted into the Giants Ring of Honor in 2010, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013. 

Y.A. Tittle (1961-1964) played professional football for seventeen seasons, and I must admit, obviously I am too young to have seen him play. But by all accounts, he is a pilar in the NFL and Giants history. Although the majority of his career was spent with the San Francisco 49ers (1951-1960), his time in New York is considered one of the best times in the franchise history. After being traded to New York at the age of 34, Tittle won three consecutive MVP awards (1961-1964) and led the team to three consecutive League Championship games. He threw for a NFL record 7 touchdown passes in one game against the Washington Redskins, a record he shares with seven others including Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Nick Foles. When he retired in 1964, his 96 touchdown passes ranked 1st in team history–he’s now 5th. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971, and the Giants retired his number 14 jersey and made him a charter member of their Ring of Honor.

Michael Strahan (1993-2007) post football career may turn out to be better than his on-field career was, and that’s saying something when you consider he retired as the Giants all-time leader in sacks (141.5) and combined tackles (851, 659 solo & 192 assisted), while leading the team to an improbably victory over the then undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Strahan is a 6-time All-Pro (four-times 1st-team) and a 7-time Pro Bowl selection. Twice he led the NFL in sacks, and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2001. His 22.5 sacks during that season is still the single season record. He’s a member of the NFL’s 2000’s all-decade team, and the Giants Ring of Honor. NFL.com ranked him 99th on their “100 Greatest Players” list in 2010, and in 2014 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Giants fans what do you think? Is this the Giants Mount Rushmore? Or did I leave someone out? If so who would you choose and who would you replace? I want to hear from you.

The New York Jets Mt. Rushmore

New York’s “other team” hasn’t had as much success as the most popular one, but they do have probably the most significant win in NFL history.

The Jets are an original member of the AFL, but they were founded as The Titans of New York. In their 56 seasons, they are most known for their historic upset in Super Bowl III over the Baltimore Colts before the AFL-NFL merger, when they became the first AFL team to defeat an NFL franchise. That victory, along with the brash guarantee of the win by the star QB, is arguably the most significant game and moment in the history of Pro Football.

Outside of their AFL Championship and Super Bowl III win, the Jets haven’t enjoyed much team success. They’ve never won the AFC title, they’ve only won their division 4 times and made the playoffs 14 times with their last appearance coming in 2010. Of the 9 teams that begin play in 1960 along with them, they have the lowest total of regular season wins (387).

But I don’t want to bash on New York’s “other team”, because despite the mediocre team success,  some talented players and coaches have worn the green and white.

CRITERIA:

• No owners, unless they were also coaches, and their place on this list is based on their contributions as coach. No General Managers or Personnel executives. Just those who directly affected the games on Sunday. I will make a separate list for those contributors soon.

• Key contributors to the team’s history and success, not just fan favorites or box office draws.

• Can you tell the franchise’s story without them? If no, they’re on the list.

Joe Namath (1965-76) was under center for the team’s only Super Bowl appearance and Victory in Super Bowl III, and was named the game’s MVP. “Broadway Joe” is the Jets career leader in wins (60) for a QB, passing yards (27,057), passing touchdowns (170) and pass attempts (3,655). He was the first QB to throw for 4,000 yards in a season in 1967. Namath was a 2-time AFL MVP (1968,1969), 2-time UPI AFL Player of the Year, 1965 AFL Rookie of the Year, 4-time AFL All-Star (1965,1967-1969), 1972 Pro Bowler, and a member of the AFL All-Time Team. The team retired his jersey number 12, and in 1985 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Weeb Ewbank (1963-1973) was the winning head coach in Super Bowl III and the AFL Championship. His 71 victories as head coach are still the most in team history. In 1969 he was awarded NFL Coach of the Year, and in 1978 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He also won two NFL Championships as head coach of the Baltimore Colts.

Curtis Martin (1998-2005) is the Jets all-time leader in rushing yards (10,302), rushing touchdowns (58) and carries (2560). Martin was a 3-time Pro Bowler (1998,2001,2004) and 3-time All-Pro with the Jets. Four times he was named New York Jets MVP (1999-2001,2004) and he became the oldest player to lead the NFL in rushing in 2004 at age 31. Add his numbers from his three seasons with the New England Patriots (1995-1997) and his total of 14,101 rushing yards is the 4th most in NFL history. The Jets retired his jersey number 28, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

Don Maynard (1960-1972) is the Jets/Titans all-time leader in receptions (627), receiving yards (11,732) and receiving touchdowns (88). He was a member of the Super Bowl III and AFL Championship teams. Maynard was a 4-time AFL All-Star (1965,1967-1969), 4-time All-AFL (1965,1967-1969) and is a member of the AFL All-Time Team. The team has retired Maynard’s jersey number 13, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. 

J-E-T-S! Jets! Jets! Jets! fans what do you think? Is this the Mount Rushmore you’d want to see for your team, or is there someone not on the list that you’d prefer to see? Let me know.

What Did We Learn From Week 1?

The clock has struck zero on the first week of the NFL season. So what did we learn (If anything)? Here’s a quick recap, I’ll also call this Overreaction Tuesday.

KAEPERNICK IS THAT GOOD AND HE LIKES PLAYING THE PACKERS:

Many wondered what the third year Quarterback could do after his first full training camp as the starter in San Francisco. All he did, was just prove that his record setting playoff debut against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional round wasn’t a fluke. Sunday, Kaepernick threw for a career high 412 yards and 3 touchdowns while only rushing for 22 yards, far less than the record (for a quarterback) 181 yards he racked up this past January. Next up, the highly anticipated matchup with rival Seattle Seahawks. Pete Carroll and his Defense are in a quandary, stop Kaepernick’s arm or legs?

Oh and that Anquan Boldin trade looks like highway robbery. Boldin had 13 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown. I bet the Baltimore Ravens wish they still had him. If only every coach in the league had a brother to trade him one of his best players.

PEYTON MANNIG IS REALLY BACK:

In his first game after neck surgery that kept him out for the entire 2011 Season, Peyton lit up the Steelers defense – last season’s number one against the pass – for 253 yards and two touchdowns on 19 of 26 in a 31 to 19 victory to open 2012. After that game, everyone said Peyton was back. Well after throwing 7 touchdowns on 27 of 42 Passing with 462 Yards, The Sheriff is the leader in the clubhouse for MVP and is REALLY back.

THE NEW YORK GIANTS NEED AN UPGRADE AT RUNNING BACK:

David Wilson had two key fumbles and his backup Da’Rel Scott was lost and confused on a screen pass play, that he tipped up and was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Brandon Carr to seal the game for the Dallas Cowboys. The G-Men’s RBs only managed 50 yards on 14 carries for an average of 3.6. Even worse, they looked lost in pass protection. Eli was under pressure by Demarcus Ware and the Boys all night. Willis Mcgahee, Chris Beanie Wells, Cedrick Benson, Kevin Smith, Brandon Jacobs..the list goes on. Pick one, matter of fact take two. You need them.

THE AFC NORTH HAS LOST IT’S LUSTER:

I picked the Cincinnati Bengals to win this division before the preseason, I stick to that, but with an 0-4 week 1 in which the two traditional powerhouses of Baltimore and Pittsburgh looked like, well, how Cleveland and Cincinnati usually look, and both those teams giving away halftime leads to lose, this division might be won at 8-8. The Ravens Defense looked like many thought it would after losing two future Hall of Famers in Ray Lewis and Ed Reed and the Steelers still can’t protect their only playmaker on offense. Roethlisberger was sacked 5 times and the running game only managed 32 yards against a Tennessee Titan Defense that gave up the most points in the NFL in 2012. 8-8 will win this division, watch and see.

THERE IS A D IN DALLAS AFTERALL:

The Cowboys Defense set the tone against the New York Giants causing them to turnover the ball 6 – the most in one game since 1987- and sacking Eli Manning 3 times. The Dallas D only managed 16 turnovers in 2012. We know Jerry Jones loves his offensive toys and pays them well, but his best acquisitions of the offseason seem to be defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and Defensive line coach Rod Marinelli. If Tony Romo can avoid being Turnover Romo, the Cowboys could finally live up to expectations.

THE SAINTS ARE MARCHING:

The Atlanta Falcons are the sexy pick by many to represent the NFC in Super Bowl 48 and win the Lombardi – author raises hand- but the Saints who had a historically bad defensive last season – they gave up the most yards in NFL History – held down the high flying Atlanta offense. Head Coach Sean Peyton returned from a year long suspension related to “Bounty-gate” and looks poised to lead Nawlins back to the top of the division.

THROWBACK REGGIE BUSH:

Bush looked like the guy who created video game like highlights at USC and his first couple of years with the New Orleans Saints. Bush ran for 90 yards on 21 carries, but it was his 101 yards receiving, 77 on a screen pass play he took to the house blowing by everyone, that Detriot Lions fans hope will help alleviate pressure on the Marthew Stafford/Calvin Johnson combo. If they can get half of this every week, they’ll be back in the playoffs for only the second time in two decades.

THE EAGLES OFFENSE IS FAST AND FURIOUS, SO IS THE D:

Many doubted – and still do – if Philadelphia’s new Head Coach Chip Kelly and his uptempo Oregon offense would work in the pro game, but through one game we can see they will put pressure on the opposing defense, even if its just wearing them down. Philly’s offense ran 19 plays in their first three possessions – scoring a field goal and touchdown, after a Washington fumble on their first offensive play of the game – and that was with 9:07 still left in the first quarter.

Before a backwards pass returned for a touchdown stalled their first drive, the Eagles quickly moved down the field in 5 plays to get into the red zone. The next drive after the defensive touchdown, the Eagles went right down the field again in a hurry and got 3 points.

Kelly’s offense had the ball for 20:20, produced 53 plays, 322 yards, 21 1st downs and most importantly, 24 points in the first half alone. LeSean McCoy shined with 31 carries, 184 yards a touchdown and several highlights plays that will made the top ten list of several nightly sports cast shows. It’s only one game, and we haven’t seen all Coach Kelly has to offer, but it will be fast and furious.

Lets not forget about Defensive Coordinator Bill Davis’ unit. The Eagles D, made it difficult for Robert Griffin the Third and the Washington offense from getting into any kind of rhythm. They didn’t get into the red zone until 7 minutes left in the third quarter and then missed a field goal that would’ve given them their first points of the game.

Everyone expected the Eagles offense to play fast, but not the D. The Defense got 3 Sacks on RGIII, 3 (2 Interceptions) turnovers and a safety. But, and there is one, it was with the lead. What will that high flying offense look like when they’re playing from behind.