Giants By The Numbers: 56 Is For ...
by Ed Valentine on Jun 22, 2010 6:00 AM EDT
in New York Giants By The Numbers
Email
PrintDo I even have to say it? Lawrence Taylor, of course. The real LT.
The best outside linebacker in NFL history, and arguably the best defensive player of all time. Forget all the numbers, awards and other accolades. Taylor was the rarest of professional athletes -- a player with never before seen skills who changed the way football was played, both defensively and offensively.
Here is part of a 2007 retrospective on Taylor's career from ESPN.
Taylor's motto seemed to be live fast, perhaps die young, and leave a trail of battered quarterbacks in your wake. He was technically listed as an outside linebacker, but he was more like a force of nature. After being unleashed on the NFL in 1981, Taylor's unparalleled will and wildness spurred the New York Giants to two Super Bowl titles.
In 1986 he recorded a career-high 20 1/2 sacks and was the league's MVP, becoming the first defensive player to win the award since Minnesota's Alan Page in 1971. Taylor didn't just play the game, he revolutionized it. The greatest linebackers had always played the middle. Guys like Ray Nitschke and Dick Butkus, who patrolled the trenches like Dobermans.
Taylor created the outside linebacker position in his own image. He was 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds of athletic fury, a Butkus with wheels. Fast enough to cover receivers, strong enough to bully offensive linemen, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. And heaven help any quarterback who got in his way.
With his 142 sacks, L.T. ranks among the all-time leaders.
"Lawrence Taylor, defensively, has had as big an impact as any player I've ever seen," former Raiders coach John Madden said. "He changed the way defense is played, the way pass-rushing is played, the way linebackers play and the way offenses block linebackers."
Taylor played and lived on the edge. For all his physical gifts, his greatest strength may have been his mind. Taylor was an adrenaline junkie who willed himself to do things mere mortals would not consider.
"What makes L.T. so great, what makes him so aggressive, is his total disregard for his body," said Bill Belichick, the Giants' defensive coordinator during Taylor's prime.
From Lew Freedman's 'New York Giants: The Complete Illustrated History,' here is a quote from San Francisco's star safety Ronnie Lott, himself one of the best defensive players of that era.
"I don't think people realize the destructiveness he brought to the game. I'd never seen that kind of nastiness, all out, 100 percent, for four quarters. He was gonna come after you, and he was gonna punish you."
We know that LT brought that same destructiveness to his personal life -- and is still bringing it. Today, though, let's just discuss what he did on the football field.
What are some your favorite on-field Taylor moments? Here are some of mine. I'm sure there are many, many others that should also be mentioned.
- Taylor's hit on, and subsequent trash-talking of, New York Jets quarterback Ken O'Brien during a pre-season game. Every time I watch the often-played highlight I expect to see O'Brien pee his pants.
- In what I believe was a Monday night game, Taylor chasing down and hurtling through the air to tackle scrambling Philadelphia quarterback Randall Cunningham just short of a critical first down.
- Taylor's 97-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in his second NFL season.
- Taylor flying across the field and chasing down unsuspecting running backs from behind when teams tried to sweep away from him. Other than mashing quarterbacks into the ground, that was LT's signature play.
- Taylor using that forearm smash to separate helpless quarterbacks from the football.
LT By The Numbers
-- 1999: Inducted Into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
-- 10: Pro Bowls
8: Number of times named All-Pro
142: Career quarterback sacks
20.5: LT's single-season career high in sacks, achieved in 1986
7: Number of consecutive seasons with at least 10 sacks
4: Number of times named Defensive Player of the Year
2: Super Bowls won, and interceptions returned for touchdowns
1: NFL MVP (1986)
Here is an LT highlight reel for your enjoyment.
87 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
The reason I am a Giants fan
Best there was and ever will be. His destructiveness was beautiful. He swept down like an massive American eagle with that awesome wingspan. I love his chase from behind, his aggression and attitude he was a players player, he was a giants player through and through. There will NEVER be another player like him, he changed football, Madden says so. I am so privileged to have been able to see him, even from the other side of the Atlantic(UK).
"Hey baby lets go out there like a bunch of crazed dogs and have some fun"
Did anybody actually watch the end of that video?
Naming LT the #3 pass rusher of all time because he played 3-4 OLB and therefore had room to roam???? That is dumber than a Bill Sheridan zone blitz.
Agreed
I believe, #1 was Bruce Smith, which I can accept since he has the most career sacks. But not being #2 at the least is inexcusable
Against all odds, against all circumstance were you don't have a shot, you succeed
-Michael Strahan
All you hear about is the past, the past... the past is the !@#$ing past, this is the present.
THIS IS TEMPORARY! A CHAMPIONSHIP IS PERMANENT
-Same as above
how exactly is that dumb?
many of them said it on there…LT did have a whole bunch of times where he was matched up against a RB/FB/TE or no one at all!
- was Deacon Jones, #2 is Reggie White. The Giants homer says F the both of em, LT is #1…but the reality is those guys had to do it generally from the same spot on the DL and many times getting double or triple teams.
Sorry man..I wish Bill Sheridan made sense like that.
KEEP LEE!!!
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 22, 2010 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree with you Free
You see some of his bltzes and he was untouched to the QB.
How many times did you see Bruce Smith or Reggie White unaccounted for so they had a free run to the QB.
by G Fan in England on Jun 22, 2010 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions
LT = # 3 Pass Rusher, but #1 Def. Player
Why, because no one who rushed the passer like he did, also took away so much of the running game. Reggie White, Deacon Jones all excelled with far more limited run defense responsibilities.
The flip side to Taylor running free, was that he also had to be responsible for sealing the edge on running plays, and as Ed says above, is the only guy I have ever seen, run down RBs from behind so thoroughly that the sweep away from them was useless.
Not only that, but he was stout at the point of attack. So when they ran at him, he’d get doubled, and then you would see Gary Reasons fly in unblocked and lay someone out.
Guys in the discussion, Mean Joe Greene, Gino Marchetti, but they played most of their careers with strict pass blocking rules.
The dumb thing is that people try to make the excuse that he played in a position
where he is coming from OLB, so his other responsibilities on the field is what prohibits him to be purely a pass rusher. How in the hell, does that argument even make sense? Instead, I could see it give more credibility to how LT is as a pass rusher. For him to be able to drop back into coverage at times, play the run on the outside, watch for screen passes, etc. and still be able to pass rush the way he did was amazing (getting that many sacks and forcing that many fumbles). He didn’t just line up on the outside (but that was his primary spot) – they had him line up all over the place just to confuse the Offense. And he was double teamed a good amount. Tackle, then TE & RB/FB. He got clear looks and never got touched sometimes, not because he was unaccounted for, but because he was THAT quick and explosive. I’m sure they would lose him on a play once in a loonng while, but that’s just b/c of him lining up in different positions to confuse teams. A pass rusher is a pass rusher, whether it’s from the inside or outside, and LT was able to do it from anywhere…pure and simple. Not to take anything away from #1 and #2, but seeing him play was like watching Jordan play bball in the 80s/90s… 1 in a million.
Opus smart , lascivio magis , intereo gauisus...
that's not the point
yes, absolutely his other duties made his pass rushing abilities magnified.
But its just that he was used all over the place. Middle, outside left and right. Belicheck was the DC of course and LT was used as the weapon he was. Where he was lined up was designed to get a mismatch most of the time too.
That’s something that the #1 and #2 guys didn’t have the luxury of. And since Reggie White has more career sacks, and Deacon Jones was basically LT except pigeon holed strictly to the DE position..and they did their damage like that, yea..it makes sense.
LT is the greatest defensive player of all time basically for the reasons you state, since he did all his things all over the field.
As a pure pass rusher, the 2 guys ahead of him did not have the luxury of being used schematically to take advantage of mismatches.
KEEP LEE!!!
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 22, 2010 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Just to make the counter point
Deacon played before OL could hold
Reggie White played in Buddy Ryan’s pressure D (generated a ton of one on one blocking assignments)
AND neither of them ever had pass coverage responsibilities limiting the number of times they could rush the passer
So maybe playing on the line is also an advantage to a pass rusher.
as a pure pass rusher...
LT could get to that QB from any where on the field…I doubt Deacon or Reggie would be able to do that except from the DL. But I have no problems with them being ranked higher – afterall they were tremendous in their own rights and had the high sack counts to boot.
Opus smart , lascivio magis , intereo gauisus...
I agree..
I’m kinda just saying, that dude comparing LT at #3 to being as dumb as Bill Sheridan, is wrong. It kinda makes sense.
I got LT at #1 for what its worth. But I grew up with LT jerseys before I could even spell LT.
KEEP LEE!!!
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 22, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
ahh, I hear ya.
I just did a +1 b/c I read Dumb Bill Sheridan…or something like that…I should just be happy that dude’s gone…and let it go… lol
and I posted #3 on the other one thinking they were rating top D player of all time…der..
Opus smart , lascivio magis , intereo gauisus...
I'm fully comfy with LT at #3
Picking between Deacon/Reggie and LT, that is an argument that could go on for days.
As I wrote earlier, I think of LT as the best defensive player ever, because he had more responsibilities than any other defensive player I have ever seen, and he performed all of them at standout levels.
He was simply a very good pass defender, but he managed 9 INTs on his career, if he had played his career chasing RBs out of the backfield he still would have made a bunch of pro-bowls.
Try to think of another player that was a fierce run defender, epic pass rusher and very good in coverage. Jack Lambert maybe, but he got to play in front of Joe Greene and Co., he wasn’t the show, and a good chunk of his career was when there was offensive holding and little pass interference.
Taking off my Giant Blue Glasses, I can live with LT @ # 3
Although, Reggie White and LT"s careers overlapped, and Reggie as great as he was always took a back seat to LT when you were talking about defenesive players.
Deacon Jones was a mean man period, never saw him play but I have seen plenty of highlights and love hearing him talk football.
by Late for Dinner on Jun 22, 2010 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Others have noted it
But my point was the logic rather than the outcome. You could make a convincing case for both Deacon Jones and Reggie White as being greater pass rushers than LT. But the reason can’t be “because LT was allowed to roam and rush from the 3-4”. THAT is what is dumber than a Bill Sheridan zone blitz.
I don't mind that he's #3 on this list
He did a helluva lot more than just pass rush, which makes him the greatest defensive force of all time. He could chase down a RB, terrorize a QB, cover the flat, breakup the quick slant (something the Giants still can’t do to this day), and straight up take an offense out of their game plan. It’s almost sad to know that we’ll never see this again. Not in the same way, and doubtful on the Giants.
It seems to me
Comparing pass rushing LBs and DEs is unfair to both sides.
by mypisceannature on Jun 22, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree...
on the one hand, the DEs rush the passer every single passing play, which gives them more opportunities, while the OLB may drop in pass coverage. On the other hand, LT would be placed all over the line, confusing offenses and creating mismatches, which gives him special opportunities. One thing Theisman said each time he went to the line was, “Where’s LT?”. So part of me says the confusion and mismatches were the offense’s fault. I mean, LT would beat double and triple teams regularly. You simply can’t gameplan for that.
He's just Awesome!
lol, couldn’t agree with you more…
Great Vid! #3?? yeh, okay, whatever…
Opus smart , lascivio magis , intereo gauisus...
Would have LOVED
to see Deacon Jones and LT on the same team…Happened to catch last 20 minutes again yesterday of the ’86 team on NFLN, loved that ’86 team!
His mother has a tattoo that reads, "Son".
He is the life of the party, even when he doesn't attend.
"It doesn't take more than one person, to talk to a woman.
Stay thirsty my friends."
There are so many highlights of LT it is hard to list them all..
Almost every single play, he was administering havoc and pain..I guess if I had to add one, it would be the game against Dallas in ‘86..He just pulverized Dorsett on the Dallas sideline..Just as he started back to the huddle, somebody shouted at him and he turned around arms widespread and hollered: "Y’all want a f-in piece of me ?!?..C’mon !!..I’ll take all of of you MF-ers on !!!!"
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
...needless to say, every Dallas player had their heads down..nobody wanted to accept THAT dare...
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
1:50
One handed manhandling of the Lion’s QB.
That’s my favorite in that video.
Against all odds, against all circumstance were you don't have a shot, you succeed
-Michael Strahan
All you hear about is the past, the past... the past is the !@#$ing past, this is the present.
THIS IS TEMPORARY! A CHAMPIONSHIP IS PERMANENT
-Same as above
+1
Throws him down with one hand like a rag doll. LT is the greatest defensive player ever because he could do it all.
Greatest Giant of all time.
when you think NYG’s, you think LT. When you’re talking about the Giants “always being a defensive team”, that’s cuz of LT.
I was still a pup when he retired, but even if his numbers speak for themselves, everyone who I know that saw LT play…you can be sure the legend of how great he was is true based on the aw and respect for the way dude played the game.
Never be another LT. Probably cuz he was high all the time…..
KEEP LEE!!!
Greatest Giant of all time?
WOD. In fact, a good argument can be made that he was the greatest football player of all time when you consider how he changed the way the game is played. Jim Brown often gets that label or Unitas or Montana, etc. But none of them had the impact LT had on the way the game is played. Unitas comes closest, having spontaneously created the Two Minute Drill in the Greatest Game Ever Played.
still can't believe that a Cowpoke fan was trying one day to convince
me that LT was overrated. Yea, the guy is insane and his off field antics don’t exactly parlay into him being the “God” that he is revered to be by most Giants fans (and probably football fans of any team).
My pops has a ton of recorded (shhhh!!!) Giants games from LT’s era. Words cannot describe how wrong it would be to call him overrated.
I haven’t been watching football for a real long time, but I’ve just never seen anything like em. In his prime, if he’s playing today he’s probably still the fastest LB in the NFL.
KEEP LEE!!!
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 22, 2010 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions
The thing about LT...
that’s just rediculous about his speed is his size and weight that goes along with it. Can you imagine being hit by him at full velocity? It was unprecidented.
The Ferocity!
That level of ferocity might never again be coupled with the ridiculous athleticism he also displayed.
As Giants fans we were blessed to have witnessed his career.
I doubt I’ll ever enjoy watching anything in sports as much as I enjoyed watching LT destroy teams physically and then mentally.
Watching these replays still makes my draw drop.
Exactly.
And that wasn’t even a great highlight reel. There’s a sack on the Fleahawks that’s very similar to that Detroit sack…only LT uses the lineman’s back as leverage and with one hand, whips the QB over his own body, over the lineman’s body…and into the turf. Bananas.
I left my swagger in my other pants.
I hate comparing offensive and defensive players
I haven’t seen a defender I’d take over LT
I'm not really an Xs and Os guy
can somebody sum up the basics of how blocking schemes changed to deal with LT?
You play to win the game!
Watch the video again
I think it was Dick Vermeil who explained a lot of it. Before LT nobody double-teamed outside LBs or used the left tackle on them. That’s the basics of it.
by Ed Valentine on Jun 22, 2010 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions
sorry, no sound on my work PC
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Jun 22, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
They touched on it
No one really used a fullback or TE just to block an LB coming off the edge before that, your basic RB was supposed to block a blitzing LB or DB. I think the bigger part was about turning the tackle out, they lined up more in a straight line, not with the left leg back and facing out to the side.
I will try
The Giants made the playoffs in 1981 (his rookie year and played the 49ers.
To counter LT coming off the edge the 49ers had the LG drop back and block him with a RB as well – so he was being doubleteamed.
So an interior lineman was dropping back to pass block an oncoming OLB.
That is why LT started blitzing up the middle and from the other LB side to get a favourable match up.
This in turn lead the offence to have a blocking scheme to account for LT anywhere.
by G Fan in England on Jun 22, 2010 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions
gibbs
It was joe gibbs I believe who was credited with coming uP with a two back set (before you would see a lot of 1 rb sets). He did that to put an extra body on taylor and a big reason why u see rb’s get killed trying to pass block
"Throw the damn ball to Kevin Boss" - Andiamo708
by andiamo708 on Jun 22, 2010 8:46 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Other way around dog
pro set (one back behind either side of the q-back) was standard, Gibbs started the the 2 tight end set to slow LT down. Having John Riggins, a big guy with quick feet to get into the hole made it work, you can’t run Keys on a one back set because the extra TE sucks up the free LB. Counter-Tray left Counter-Tray Right all day long with the opposite side guard leading the way. If you have decent pass catching TE’s to hit and release it’s a bitch to stop. One way is to have 3 pro-bowl LB’s like we did.
Conan!, What is good in Football?!
Daa.... to run between the tackles,
To drive the linebackers before you,
And to hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders.
by The Pale Scot on Jun 22, 2010 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions
The counter play took advantage of many of the read and react defenses
If you’ve got a big RB and a big OL and you can influence the D, you don’t have to move them, so much as create a seal. A lot like the way Lombardi talks about it on Packer Sweep. Except instead, the seal is between the tackles.
It became a lot less effective when teams switched to an attacking style of defense. Less see where the RB goes and chase him down, more of penetrate the LOS and force the RB to go somewhere else.
Also Gibbs 2-TE set ushered in the H-back
Didier was the first IMO. A pass catcher first, but big enough to be effective as a blocker. He’d line up as a wing behind TE or on opposite side in a true 2-TE formation.
But mainly he forced defenses to react to him. Because you really couldn’t defend him with a LB on pass routes. So you can force a team to an extra S, but still power run.
I hope that the Giants use Beckum that way.
I thought 2 TE sets were being used before gibbs?
I thought he was more instrumental in having multiple people in the backfield….like True pointed out below me….maybe more of an Hback than a RB. But I remember him lining up guys in the backfield to try to stop LT….
as opposed to putting extra guys on the line.
"Throw the damn ball to Kevin Boss" - Andiamo708
In Michael Lewis’ The Blind Side, before chronicling the life of Michael Oher, is a section on how LT changed the game. I read the book a while ago, but what I remember is that before LT (#56), LT (left tackle, or really just blindside tackle) was just another position. After Taylor started ending franchise quarterbacks’ seasons with his vicious blindside sacks, having a good blindside tackle became a necessity. That is why today, blindside tackles, on average, make more than any other position, save the franchise quarterbacks they are protecting. I also believe the attributes expected in a tackle changed after LT. In order to keep LT from killing Montana, Bill Walsh moved his more fleet-footed LG over to tackle, and was successful in limiting Taylor’s effectiveness. That was in The Blind Side as well, though I am not sure I have all the facts correct.
by XLII on Jun 22, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I wish I could have seen mroe of him in his prime
Guy looked like he was ridiculously fun to watch.
There are people who do not agree with you.
Ron Jaworski. Richard Todd. Jim Everett. Jim Zorn. Jay Schroeder. Danny White. Whoever Happened To Be Unlucky Enough To Be Starting For The Cardinals. Joe Montana. Steve DeBerg.
I could go on.
I left my swagger in my other pants.
One thing to remember
is that LT was the second pick of the draft.
How things would have been different if the Saints had taken LT instead of RB George Rogers first.
by G Fan in England on Jun 22, 2010 8:43 AM EDT reply actions
LT moments
I think you have to include the Theisman play, even with the damage it caused. Maybe not a best moment, but a moment that should be mentioned. Nothing illustrates better the force that LT came off the edge with on a routine basis.
LT & Theismann
There’s more to that play than just seeing LT take him down and us TV viewers watching Theismann’s lower leg clearly snap where it is never supposed to bend.
After the play is over, he realizes how serious the injury is, and turns, sweeping his arm from the sideline to Theismann, calling over medics to take care of the fallen Washington quarterback.
LT was shaken by what had happened during the normal course of the game.
Yeah,
then he went to see Theismann in the hospital. LT asked him how he was doing, and Theismann said “You broke both bones in my leg, Lawrence.” LT replied “Well Joe, you know I don’t do shit halfway.”
GOAT.
Don't forget...
…we were winning that game until that play. It took the wind out of our sails and we lost.
I left my swagger in my other pants.
No Brainer
L T is the greatest giant player ever to wear the number 56 and to play for the giants period
Favorite LT Play ?
How about the sack that ended Joe Thiesman’s career.That had to be the ultimate display of ferocious and destructive play that made Taylor the greatest defensive player to ever play the game.He also might be the greatest player period. Def Top 5
by TheBXRepresenta on Jun 22, 2010 9:46 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
LT & Theismann
After the play was over LT franticly called for the medics, alerting them to Theismanns injury. We saw it happen on live TV ( and in gruesome slow motion re-plays even decades later ), but it wasn’t as apparent to the players or to the sidelines. LT’s reaction to what had happened was quicker than anyones.
Your right on that play, LT frantically waved for help..I never saw him so emotionally distraught..
That was one game where LT, for the remainder of that game was totally neutralized..He could never get his head back in that game..I remember saying out loud “he is a human afterall”..
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
Replacement QBs
After Theismann was knocked out of the game the Redskins brought in Jay Schroeder, who proceeded to beat the Giants. The same thing happened in a game with San Diego, where after Dan Fouts was knocked out his replacement, Ed Luther, who nobody ever heard of again, beat the Giants. I remember it also happened one year with the Falcons, but can’t remember the two quarterbacks names. Then, a few years ago they knocked Drew Bledsoe out of a Cowboys game and were lucky that the then unknown Tony Romo was a few games short of being ready for them. Quite a few times this has happened with the Giants, and the moral is that sometimes it’s better to just beat up the starter but let him keep playing, and keep the unknown / different pace back-up QB off of the field.
Before and After
I always mark Giants history as before and after LT. When LT came to the Giants he raised the expectations for the franchise and they have never looked back. Bar none the greatest Defensive player ever. He was a veritable force of nature.
One of my favorite memories of him was him running down Tony Dorsett of the Cowboys from behind. Oh and he started from the OPPOSITE side of the field!
LT tackles both Ram Running Back & Q-Back
My favorite LT play was is on the highlight tape. It was against the Rams, the running back (#26 Wendel Tyler?) tried to block LT and LT ran through him to get to the Q-Back and basically tackled both the running back and the q-back (#11 Pat Hayden?) at the same time.
I also met LT. He is from Williamsburg, VA and I went to William & Mary. He came to Williamsburg when they were on strike. He went to a costume party dressed as Darth Vader.
LT
I was a bit young during his career. I was only 14 when LT retired.
However, I do remember some things he did that were amazing. In particular I remember one time when we was running full speed at a QB. The QB quickly went to throw the ball before LT got to him. There was no way LT was going to get to the QB. So, LT stopped in his tracks and tried to kick the ball out of the QB’s hand. He actually almost got the ball. Pretty amazing to be able to think of that and actually be able to pull it off on the fly like that.
The first football game I remember watching was the Super Bowl against the Bills
so I didn’t get to see much of LT before he retired. I remember one game I think it was a playoff game the year LT retired, but I can’t be certain of that. LT came a hair away from blocking a punt and my father commented that LT would have gotten there when he was younger.
Most of my memories of LT come from Tecmo Super Bowl, and terrorizing my friends on every play lol and maxing out the sack count on the game halfway through the season.
by mypisceannature on Jun 22, 2010 10:57 AM EDT reply actions
the terminator
I still have my poster of him as the terminator…I’m blessed to have seen every single L.T snap as it happened…I wore his # during my football days, Met him @ an awards dinner…and the man my hero said I did his number justice,! The greatest Giant ever the Greatest Defensive player & the #3 pass rusher I’m cool with that….
Regroup refocus..retool...
by Mr.Williams on Jun 22, 2010 11:29 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I feel sorry for those of you than never realy got to see LT play
I have yet to see a defensive player that could change the game the way he did, and he did it year after year.
As far as I am concerned there is and will be only one LT and he played defense!
by Late for Dinner on Jun 22, 2010 11:29 AM EDT reply actions
+1000000000000000
Watching the Giants win Super Bowls, the Rangers win the cup and other similar team events were great experiences and a thrill. To watch LT week after week is pure pleasure. The guy was so freakin good. As weird as it seems I feel privileged to say I got to watch LT play football his entire career.
I agree there is only one LT
but if they were going to give the nickname to someone else at least Ladainien Tomlinson doesn’t suck lol
by mypisceannature on Jun 23, 2010 2:41 AM EDT up reply actions
There has never been such a player with an impact on the NFL
Offenses were created and/or upgraded because of LT. The whole idea of using a running back to chip someone came about because of LT. Taking the strip/fumble instead of the outright sack – that was his move.
I don’t care where he lined up or any of the other smack coming from the wanna-bes. The bottom line is that no single player has ever changed the way the game is played more than LT.
We didn't even have a chance for the "perfect season", but we did have the perfect ending.
Any Honorale mentions?
Without a doubt LT gets the nod here but can someone please at least mention some other names who used that jersey before it was retired?
Can you dig some names Ed?
No one deserves
to be mentioned in this thread with LT. Watching LT was a pleasure. The guy was absolutely incredible.
there are just so many memories....
like others have pointed out….being able to catch Running Backs from Behind was just a great sight to watch….
I remember when he tackled dude from the Lions (was it billy sims?)….oh man he was quick….LT caught him like 30 yards down the field in a full out sprint….who does that?!?!?!?!
the 97 yard Pick 6 was also just amazing…..the man ran the ball back like he was a Kickoff Return man….crazy to think that was a Line Backer w/ that much speed.
his love of sacking Jaws always brought a smile to my face…..just seemed like he had that guys’ number
"Throw the damn ball to Kevin Boss" - Andiamo708
When LT played you couldn't wait for the defense to get on the field!
By the way Ed, thanks for the clip I had to wipe away a tear or two while watching.
by Late for Dinner on Jun 22, 2010 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
there is another youtube series on LT....
I think it’s just called simply Lawrence Taylor but it’s a 7 part series.
you should try to find that as well.
"Throw the damn ball to Kevin Boss" - Andiamo708
Troy Aikman sack
Hey anyone else remember Aikman sack towards end of LT’s career? It was agreat one considering he was triple teamed and yet was able to trip a Cowboys player on Aikman to make him fall and then LT pounced on Aikman and made sure the qb fell to the ground.
LT. Second to none.
The sack that left Joe Thiesman with one of the worse injuries in superbowl history. I am not sure if LT had help but i get chills just thinking about it now even after all of this time has past. LT was a monster, a gun, a trick up the sleeve. Set the ultimate example of the epitomy of a New York sports warrior. Simply the man.
Fan's Creed: (Play well+Win=Praise) (Play Well+Lose=Praise) (Play Lousy+Win=Criticism) (Play lousy+Lose & Bandwagon Jumpers=Off with thier heads!)
by LoNJDTechnology on Jun 22, 2010 8:30 PM EDT reply actions
LT sack of Thiesman
Yes that was a bad day for a qb.
By the way that was not a superbowl game. Two nfc teams cannot be in superbowl together. It was week 11 of the 1985 season.
I believe It was a monday night football game.
Wow, I have been making some stupid mistakes in recollection. Makes me afraid to leave comments. My bad.
Fan's Creed: (Play well+Win=Praise) (Play Well+Lose=Praise) (Play Lousy+Win=Criticism) (Play lousy+Lose & Bandwagon Jumpers=Off with thier heads!)
by LoNJDTechnology on Jun 24, 2010 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm surprised no one has mentioned
the New Orleans Sunday Night game where he completely took over the game. To me that was his greatest game.
From Fred to Jeff
and O to Jerr
Funny things
Are everywhere
- Dr. Seuss (if he were a Mets fan)
Memories
Was that the game where he ran behind the line of scrimmage to chase down a running back sweeping the other way, and caught him before he turned up field? I know that was against the Saints.
I also seem to remember that he tried to play with a ruptured achilles tendon, and almost was able to do so. He came back early from that, and even though it was late in his career, it didn’t seem to slow him up.
Lawrence, Lawrence, Lawrence
I agree with someone earlier who said they feel bad for anyone who didn’t get to see LT play live. He was a beast, a freak of nature. I saw his whole career, I only wished I was older and could remember it more vividly. You don’t have the same appreciation for the game and great players at 8 as you do in your 30’s. But ill always love LT and what he did on the field, hopefully his life off the field will end as brilliantly as he played on it.
by wilddre22 on Jun 22, 2010 11:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Why There Will Never Be Another LT.
There have been guys with better tools. Better technique. Better size/speed combo. Better knowledge. But none of them have been flat out insane. Seriously – if LT hadn’t played football, he’d have been in prison – or a psycho ward – years ago. I love the guy, but he’s nuts. I just don’t think you’ll ever see another guy as gifted, talented, skilled, and most importantly, frighteningly insane as LT again.
I left my swagger in my other pants.
I hear what your saying....but I think LT may have been the fastest 6'3" / 240+ LB.....
EVER
"Throw the damn ball to Kevin Boss" - Andiamo708
I'm pretty sure
that LT is the best player to ever where the #56. Not just on the Giants, but the best #56 to ever play in the NFL. If somebody made a NFL by the numbers instead of a Giants by the numbers, #56 would definatly belong to LT
LT made #56 like the way Jordan made #23
KEEP LEE!!!
by FreeBradshaw on Jun 24, 2010 7:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Get Your Giants' Gear
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Alex Smith gets blown up by Jon Beason over Cam Newton comments
- Having finally landed, Kellen Winslow looks for a fresh start in Seattle
- Tim Tebow teased with chants of ‘Lolo!’ in Jets locker room
- The Shutdown Corner Podcast: Greg Cosell on the NFC South Draft
- BREAKING: Tim Tebow did not become a great quarterback today
