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 Washington Redskins Mt. Rushmore

The Washington franchise had a good and bad history, the latter involving this logo. But, on the field their success in undeniable.

The Washington Redskins have a positive and negative history. The latter involves their slur of a nickname that has offended many, but also owner Dan Snyder’s reluctance to make a change has left a bitter taste in the mouth of many NFL fans. We can argue until the end of time about what they should or shouldn’t do when it comes to this controversy. I think the easy solution would be to call themselves the Washington Warriors and use their old logo with the spear on the helmet from 1965-69, or a cursive W similar to the one on the MLB Nationals hats, while keeping the team colors. But enough about that.

The positive surrounds the decades of success they’ve had on the field as they’ve won the 5th most games in NFL history (578). Since their first season in 1932, Washington has won 5 League Championships, 2 before the AFL-NFL merger in 1937 and 1942, 3 Super Bowls (XVII, XXII, XXVI), 5 Conference Championships, 14 Division titles, and made the playoffs 24 times.

19 men who’ve played in a Washington uniform have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but only four can be on the team’s 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.

Darrell Green (1983-2002) was the definition of a shut down corner that paved the way for the likes of the Deion Sanders, Darrell Revis’ and Richard Sherman’s. Most football fans remember him for his elite speed; four times he won the NFL’s Fastest Man Competition. Green has the record for playing the most seasons (20) and games (295) by a defensive back with one franchise. The 7-time Pro Bowler (1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997) and 4-time All-Pro (1986, 1987, 1990, 1991) won two Super Bowl Championships (XXII, XXVI) with Washington. He’s the team’s all-time leader in tackles (1,163), interceptions (54), and defensive touchdowns (8). Green is a member of the NFL’s 1990s All-Decade Team, the Redskins Ring of Fame, 70^th Greatest Redskins and Pro Football Hall of Fame (2008). in 2010, NFL.com ranked him 75th on their “100 Greatest Players” list.

Joe Gibbs (1981-1992; 2004-2007) is the franchise’s all-time leader in coaching wins (154) and led them to three Super Bowl victories (XVII, XXII, XXVI), and twice he was named Coach of the Year (1982, 1983). Gibbs is the only NFL coach to win three Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks and starting running backs. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996. He’s inducted into the Redskins Ring of Fame.

Sammy Baugh (1937-1952) played in an era where players were ironmen, playing on both offense and defense. The 6-time All-Pro (1937, 1940, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1948) and 5-time All-Star (1938-1942) was a two time NFL Player of the Year (1947, 1948) and led the ‘Skins to two NFL Championships in 1937 and 1942. Baugh is still the franchise leader in touchdown passes (187) and 3^rd in passing yards (21,886). He’s a member of the NFL 50^th and 75^th Anniversary, and the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team. Washington made his jersey number 33 the only officially retired one in team history, and inducted him into the Redskins Ring of Fame and 70 Greatest Redskins. He was a member of the charter 1963 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Sonny Jurgensen (1964-1974) is second in franchise history in passing touchdowns (179), passing yards (22,585), completions (1,831) and attempts (3,155). The 5-time Pro Bowler and 3-time All-Pro led Washington to the NFL Championship in 1960. Five times Jurgensen led the NFL in passing yards (1961, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1969) and twice he led the League in touchdown passes (1961, 1967). Jurgensen is a member of the NFL’s 1960s All-Decade Team, the 70 Greatest Redskins list and the team’s Ring of Fame. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.

There you have it. Do you agree or disagree Redskins fans? If so, who’s not on the list that you would put on yours, and who would you replace. I want to hear from you.

The Philadelphia Eagles Mt. Rushmore

Fly, Eagles Fly! This franchise is one of the oldest ever, going back to 1899. Photo Credit: ESPN.com

The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the oldest franchise in Pro Football history, having been around since 1899, first as the Frankford Yellow Jackets as an independent team, then as the Eagles from 1924-1931 in the NFL. But since 1933, they’ve been the Eagles as we know them now, with the exception of the 1943 season when they were the Phil-Pitt Steagles when they had to merge with the Steelers because both teams lost players to fight in World War II.

So you see, they’ve been around for a while. That is why they’re 6th in NFL history in regular season victories (548), won 3 NFL Championships (1948, 1949, 1960) before the AFL-NFL Merger, 13 Division titles with 24 playoff appearances.

With such an extensive history, you can imagine there have been several greats that have worn the green and white, which makes it harder to narrow it down to four players who are the most significant in Eagles history. But, that’s why these exercises are fun.

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.

Reggie White (1985-1992) 124 sacks with the Green and White rank first in team history, and his 794 tackles with the team are still good for 4th on the team’s all-time list. The “Minister of Defense” gained some serious consideration for being on the Green Bay Packers Mount Rushmore as well, the franchise he won Super Bowl XXXI with. White was a 7-time 1^st-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, 1987 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 1987 & 1991 NFC Defensive Player of the Year, and twice led the NFL in sacks (1987,1988) while playing in the “City of Brotherly Love.” The 2005 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee is also a member of the NFL’s 75^th Anniversary All-Time Team, as well as its 1990’s and 1980’s All-Decade Teams. The team in his honor retired his Jersey number 92. In 2010, NFL.com ranked him 7th on their “100 Greatest Players” list.

Donovan McNabb (1999-2009) was booed by the Philly fans on draft day after being selected second overall in the 1999 NFL Draft, and all he did was become the most accomplished QB in franchise history, and led the team to its second only Super Bowl (XXXIX), five NFC East titles (4 consecutive 2001-2004) and five NFC Championship game appearances while becoming the team’s all-time leader in passing yards (32,873), touchdown passes (216), completions (2,801) and game winning drives (23). McNabb still holds 16 Eagles records, and was the first QB in NFL history to ever throw for more than 30 touchdowns and fewer than 10 interceptions in a season (2004). The 6-time Pro Bowler is a member of the Eagles Hall of Fame, its 75^th Anniversary Team and has his number jersey, number 5, retired.

Chuck Bednarik (1949-1962) has an award named after him, therefore like a couple of other players on in my Mount Rushmore’s series for each team, it’s a given he’s on the list. He played both center and linebacker during his time with the Eagles, while leading the team to two NFL Championships (1949, 1960) and earning 10 All-Pro and 8 Pro Bowl selections. Bednarik is a member of the NFL’s 50^th and 75^th Anniversary All-Time Team’s, as well as its 1950’s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967 and The Eagles inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 1987. His jersey, number 60, is retired by the organization. In 2010, NFL.com ranked him 35th on their “100 Greatest Players” list.

Brian Dawkins (1996-2008) was the leader of the Eagles defense that became NFC Champions in 2004 and won 4 consecutive NFC East titles, while playing in five NFC Championship games. Dawkins is the first player in NFL history to have 30 interceptions and 30 sacks in a career, and to record a sack, forced fumble, interception and catch a touchdown pass in the same game. He made 5 All-Pro (4 1^st-Team) teams and 7 Pro Bowls as an Eagle. He’s a member of the NFL 2000’s All-Decade Team and the Eagles 75^th Anniversary team. The team retired his jersey, number 20, and he’s eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

What you think Philly fans? I know how tough you guys can be. Would this be your Mount Rushmore, or is there a name missing you’d put on here? And if so, you would you replace?