Giants By The Numbers: 98 Is For ...
by Ed Valentine on Jul 29, 2010 12:00 PM EDT
in New York Giants By The Numbers
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Jessie Armstead.
The last great linebacker drafted by our New York Giants, a team with a proud linebacker tradition rivaled probably only by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sadly, that was way back in 1993 -- in the eighth round, no less.
Armstead went to five Pro Bowls in nine Giants seasons and was named All Pro in 1997 when he had a career-best 101 solo tackles. He spent the final two seasons of his career with the Washington Redskins. Armstead had 30.5 sacks and 597 tackles during his time with the Giants.
He played his last game in 2003, but officially retired as a Giant in 2007.
"Jessie was one of the greatest linebackers in the history of this franchise," said John Mara, the team's president and chief executive officer. "He was a team leader who always gave 100 percent. We could always count on him to make a big play at a critical moment in the game. He is a true Giant and we are very proud that he has chosen to retire as a Giant."
"Jessie was one of the all-time great Giants," general manager Jerry Reese said. "He was a fearless leader of the defense and one of the most instinctive linebackers I've ever seen. I remember watching him sniff out misdirection plays and screens for no gain or for a loss and I would say to myself, 'Wow, that was big time.' Jessie left it all out there every Sunday."
In that same article, Michael Eisen of Giants.com described Armstead this way.
Armstead played sideline-to-sideline with speed and what can best be described as controlled recklessness. At 6-1 and 240 pounds, he delivered punishing hits to unfortunate ballcarriers. He was also a highly-respected and well-liked locker room leader who privately scolded teammates when they didn't perform to his standards, inspired them to greater deeds when they did and was a stand-up guy for the media.
Most recently, of course, we identify the 98 jersey with defensive tackle Fred Robbins. As a Giant from 2004-2009 Robbins was often terrific as the anchor of the middle of the Giants' defensive line. He had 25 sacks and 161 tackles in his six New York seasons, before leaving as a free agent to join the St. Louis Rams.
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Its a shame
that he wasnt on better teams. He was one of those guys you really wanted to get a ring. I still remember hin getting ripped off in the superbowl when he returned a pic for a td. That holding call to this day still pisses me off.
by cjraymz56 on Jul 29, 2010 12:08 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Agreed
A phantom call. Given how awful the Giants played the rest of the game, it’s hard to point to that one play, but it’s one of those moments where you wonder how the rest of the game would have turned out – it would have tied the score, changed the momentum, and at that point, who knows…
by dontstopbelieving on Jul 29, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Was at that game...
…and yea it was one of the toughest days of my life. I drove over and met some friends from NY. We planned on trying to buy tix in the parking lot to no avail. My friend’s brother was able to work a deal with some dude at one of the gates who was recycling press passes. $700 per person later we were all in with no tickets as they were announcing the NY Giants. We were able to get lower level, 35 yard line, Giant’s side. Nothing like a home game. I think I’m still paying for that day.
by Last year in Sec 127 on Jul 29, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
One of my all-time favorites
He was the first player whose jersey I wanted to buy.
Didn’t he make the Pro Bowl at both WILL and SAM? He was around the ball so much it’s like he was the MIKE.
Love Jessie
two or three summers ago I saw a guy wearing an Armstead jersey, and we struck up a conversation about him – just one of those guys that everyone liked. There was a time, after LT retired and before Strahan turned into the all-around beast he became, that Armstead was the best player on the Giants.
And I’m still super-pissed about that interception that was called back in the game that never happened.
2009 Did Not Happen
a no-brainer and unfortunately....
a no-ringer. Raise your glasses to Kerry Collins for that fact (no pun intended….well maybe)
If you're a real Yankee fan, please do the rest of us a favor and splurge the extra cash on a replica jersey without a last name on the back. Frankly, it's embarassing.
by total hermination on Jul 29, 2010 12:34 PM EDT reply actions
I can't be too mad at Collins
yea, he played like crap, but he turned his career around just to get us to that point, and it’s not like he was playing against the 2008 Lions defense in that Super Bowl. Not many QB’s looked good against those Ravens.
Also, I firmly believe that if Armsteads TD return wasn’t overturned, that would have been a completely different game. Maybe the Giants still would have lost, but they wouldn’t have been blown out. I think that just took all the air out of the sails.
2009 Did Not Happen
Collins
had deer caught in headlights look for the SB
by FrankB03 on Jul 29, 2010 2:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I knew a fellow who was a counselor at the rehab
LT and Collins went to, He said that when he saw the pre-game camera shot of Kerry, he knew Collins wasn’t going to have a good game.
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 Jul 31, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I know it took all the air out of me
It went from yelling and screaming with excitment to blah in seconds. I dont know what would have happend but in football momentum is huge. We lost every ounce of it with that blown call.
by cjraymz56 on Jul 29, 2010 12:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
if its any consolation
we’ll always have that 41-0 beat down on the Vikes in the previous game. One of two very happy victories for me over Randy Moss.
If you're a real Yankee fan, please do the rest of us a favor and splurge the extra cash on a replica jersey without a last name on the back. Frankly, it's embarassing.
by total hermination on Jul 29, 2010 12:43 PM EDT reply actions
we beat them so bad
Cedric Jones looked like a pro bowler that day…..
"Throw the damn ball to Kevin Boss" - Andiamo708
Great Giants
Always wore the uniform proudly
-Say man when I was growing up we wanted a Jacuzzi, we had to fart in the tub.
never the biggest Armstead guy
But his Giant greatness can’t be denied. That int in the big game would have been his defining play, and if we could have found a way to win, would have made Mr. Armstead a household name.
by wilddre22 on Jul 29, 2010 1:11 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
A shout out to Fred Robbins....
Dude was unbelievable solid…
I know Jesse has more longevity in NY…but that should not take away from what Robbins did here. I think this # is actually much closer than some are making it….
Yes, i think it should go to Jesse….but Fred is RIGHT THERE IMO.
"Throw the damn ball to Kevin Boss" - Andiamo708
Great player...
but probably a testament to the idea that LB’s always are seen in a greater light then other players. Armstead was my favorite player for a long time, simply cuz I saw him do things more then Strahan (and well..he’s a LB, they make more tackles).
He was basically a lifelong Giant, so that’s why he gets the # right?
Fred Robbins was the key to beating the Brady bunch in a Super Bowl (yup.) Maybe if he was here longer, he gets it I guess. Its kind of a shame that he’s not mentioned like that, when its really no coincidence the defense didn’t miss a damn beat with no Strahan, but did miss a beat when FredRobb broke down at the end of 08.
I’d think this even has to be shared among both of em. Armstead was great, but what FredRob did was incredible, and he doesn’t get enough credit for it (Strahan does…tho of course he deserves a lot of it)
Go New York Go!
why you think K. Mitchell was coming untouched on those blitzes
Robbins stayed drawing the double team….
and he still got to the QB….heck he was pretty much a lock for 5 sacks a year in NY.
and you made a fantastic point. Personally when Strahan stepped down i was secretly on a ledge….but a healthy Tuck, Cofield, and especially Robbins were huge for us in ’08.
I also believe it’s a big reason why Kiwi was able to just pin his ears back and rush the passer….and a big reason why Kiwi absolutely VANISHED when Fred, Barry, and Justin got hurt.
I never said that the # belongs to Robbins, but he deserves some credit.
"Throw the damn ball to Kevin Boss" - Andiamo708
this is why Canty needs to be a key to the defense
which I think he can. ITs really tough to overcome a ruptured calf muscle that doesn’t stop bleeding (or so I heard…). Anvil of course as well.
That D, you had to double Strahan and Robbins…so that left Osi and Tuck untouched basically so they ate the Patriots OL. Even in 2008, you had to double team Tuck and Robbins, and that left Kiwi free to get his 8 sacks.
Go New York Go!
by FreeBradshaw on Jul 29, 2010 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
When I was clamoring for Dan Williams
before the draft, it’s because I wanted a guy who would command a double team in a Tampa 2. Everyone was saying that the T2 would be our new defense and DW had excelled under Monte Kiffin’s T2. After coming to my senses that the Giants weren’t going to draft a DT in the first round, I got into it with a Raiders fan who said that the Raiders were going to take Cody or Houston in the second. He was trying to piss off Giants fans who wanted Houston. I said – yes, I’m patting myself on the back – that the Giants would take Linval Joseph. Besides the glory of being right – what little there is – I’m just happy with the pick itself.
I think Linval is Fred Robbins 2.0 but bigger and stronger. He can be a 3-technique. He can be an NT. He’s a load and unless you’re a real beast of a C/G, you’re going to need help to block him. I don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves but Linval has the versatility of a poor man’s Kevin Williams.
If your DTs play well, your DEs and LBs play well. It’s as simple as that. It’s no surprise that the Giants did so well with Robbins having what should’ve been a Pro Bowl year in 2008. It’s no surprise that Jay Ratliff had a huge year last year and Dallas rose to no. 2 in defense in the NFL. DTs free get 1-on-1 match ups for DEs and keep LBs clean to make tackles. Everyone keeps talking about Osi, Tuck, Sintim, etc. If Canty, Cofield, Linval, and Bernard play well, everything else will fall into place.
Linval is a throw back....
he coulda played on those parcells teams back when….like you said he’s versatile, and could play pretty much anywhere along the line…. but that comes with his physique and athleticism.
He almost reminds me of a….dare i say it Leonard Marshall, but yet…EVEN BIGGER.
The man is a F’in house….he’s stout but not fat, IMO he’s perfect. Cofield IMO needs that spare tire around the waist to add to his strenght….Alford and Robbins too. Linval looks like he’s hiding a gorilla in his jersey and doesn’t have an ounce of fat….and he’s much more athletic than Cofield and Alford.
"Throw the damn ball to Kevin Boss" - Andiamo708
Canty
and Cofield I suppose are the reasons why I did not want to go DT in round 1….and why I wanted ET. (Before they got Antrel and Grant)
Ghost makes an excellent point about DT play but I’m thinking JR brought Canty in here for a reason right?!?! And as ya’ll all know I like Barry….he’s a poor man’s fred robbins, but I like him….
"Throw the damn ball to Kevin Boss" - Andiamo708
It was a play-action!
the point of the play was to make people think the RB had the ball! So you’re going to call holding on a d-lineman who grabs the running back going by when he is supposed to think the RB has the ball? Maybe the worst call in SB history. And what’s worse was all the snide commentary “oh well, they would have lost 34-14 instead” from idiots that don’t understand momentum in a game. Armstead was a great player and a true clubhouse leader. We haven’t seen his like since he left.
We need more toilet paper, I'm taking my talents to South Beach.
by bigbluethruandthru on Jul 29, 2010 3:08 PM EDT reply actions
My memory is hazy..
and I remember the day it happened but why didn’t the Giants keep him? Did we not want to pay him his due? Worried that he was past his prime cause honestly, at the time, I didn’t think we had a very good LB corp to replace him. Maybe I’m wrong.. but I really can’t remember.
Knee problems
Armstead had knee problems and it slowed him down alot. Normally had he been a 15 yr vet they prob would have kept him just to show respect but. It was no telling how long he would play and it didnt make sense to keep an injures vet for 3 maybe 4 yrs.
by cjraymz56 on Jul 29, 2010 4:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Then you didn't see Phil Simms
play against the Rams in the ’88 playoff game. The “Flipper Anderson” OT touchdown.
That was the best Giants team EVER. And they physically DOMINATED the Rams in that game. But Phil brain-farted his way through the entire game and the Rams kept it close and then won the darn thing in OT.
I don’t care what playoff loss you talk about (SF, Vikings in ’97, Eagles in ’09)—that playoff loss to the Rams was the worst ever because the Giants would have easily won another SB that year. The AFC was atrocious.
Thanks Armstead
We appreciate all you did for us Number 98 and I was upset they way you were let go. You are enshrined forever in our Giants Lore.
Being a New York Football Giants fan or a player is not a label but it is a calling!
Let Us Start A Movement: Bring Back Tyree and Get Rid of Moss!
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