Giants By The Numbers: 99 Is For ...

by Ed Valentine on Jul 30, 2010 11:00 AM EDT in New York Giants By The Numbers

Steve DeOssie.

DeOssie was a linebacker and long-snapper for our New York Giants from 1989-93 after spending the first five seasons of his career with the Dallas Cowboys. He was not a great player, but he was a solid contributor during those years. His best season was 1990, when he made 53 tackles.

DeOssie's son, Zak, is now the Giants' long-snapper. Memo to Zak: Hurry up and have sons, dude! Long-snapping seems to be an adventure for the Giants when a DeOssie isn't doing it.

Chris Canty, another free agent from Dallas, is the Giants' current No. 99. Let's hope his Giants' career turns out as well as DeOssie's did.

Kervin Wyatt, a rookie linebacker wore 99 in 1980 when he played in four games. He was the first player I could find who donned the 99.

[NOTE: This, obviously, ends our 'Giants By The Numbers' off-season series. I hope you guys enjoyed it, and learned as much from it, as I did. Some of you have requested this in book form, and I intend to deliver that at some point. Whether it takes the form of an e-book to be downloaded as a PDF or a full-fledged book via a publishing company remains to be determined, but I'm working on it.]

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Comments

Thanks for the series, Ed!

It was fun to pass the time remembering old Giants greats.

by BigBlueDeadHead on Jul 30, 2010 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

I enjoyed doing it, as well

by Ed Valentine on Jul 30, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

+1000

It was great. It brought back lots of memories, good and bad. It was fun debating the numbers.

by FrankB03 on Jul 30, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

hold up

Zak is his son?!?!?! I swear I never knew that….that is F’in awesome

Steve DeOssie will also be one of those guys I remember b/c he had energy, always wore the black visor, had the long hair….like Ed said, he wasn’t great, he really wasn’t all that good either….but he was FUN to watch out there….

On another note….this series was great. I learned a lot. I think the younger fans should appreciate what Ed did for us here b/c this stuff it just simply unavailable to a lot of folks….same with the older generations….where else can you go and rehash your child hood memories of your favorite players?

I hope one day when I’m old and gray (shit, i’m already gray)….BBV will still be here, and I hope that I’ll be able to go “blue gonz” on all the younger guys who weren’t able to see Simms, Eli, Tiki, Strahan, Boss, etc.

"Throw the damn ball to Kevin Boss" - Andiamo708

by andiamo708 on Jul 30, 2010 11:55 AM EDT reply actions

"go blue gonz..."

by grange77 on Jul 30, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm hoping guys like you will.

All Giants fans should remember guys like those you cite. Also, so many that, for many younger fans, are not even names they ever heard-like -Hein, Tunnell, Weinmweister and Robustell.

by blue gonz on Aug 1, 2010 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Great job as always...

…now let us get the fun started. I love this time of year. Im stuck watching the Dolphins training camp but no complaints. I still think the Giants should wear those home unis for a game or two.

by Last year in Sec 127 on Jul 30, 2010 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

Steve DeOssie is now an incredibly annoying talking head for the Patriots pre-game shows

face is as red as that stripe down the middle of the Giants helmets too!

Loved this series tho Ed. Got to see a bunch of players I had no clue about but some great words on them.

Hopefully 90-99 start to get filled out so there can be more people who actually deserve to “own” the number.

Go New York Go!

by FreeBradshaw on Jul 30, 2010 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

Great jod Ed.

It was a pleasure learning a whole bunch of things I never knew about my favorite sports team.

"With the game on the line. I want the ball in my hands."
-E

by tito (eight and oh) on Jul 30, 2010 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

Christian Peter

I’ll throw in the name of the other late-90’s reclaimation project. A steady starter opposite the hammer for a few seasons

by Danny332 on Jul 30, 2010 1:01 PM EDT reply actions

Awesome series Ed

I say turn it into a book because I know i would buy it.

by #56 4life on Jul 30, 2010 1:11 PM EDT reply actions

I would like to

I’m just trying to figure out the best way.

by Ed Valentine on Jul 30, 2010 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks

Ed-
Thanks a lot for the series.A trip down memory lane!
I especially liked the mention of the players from the late 60s to the early 80s.The team was terrible but we did have some players to root for.Great Job

by GENEA on Jul 30, 2010 1:15 PM EDT reply actions

"Let's hope his (Canty's) Giant's career turns out as well as DeOssie's did"....

    Gosh that’s setting the bar low – no disrespect meant to DeOssie, but while he was a fun player, he was a journeyman talent and for what the Giants are paying Canty, it’ll be a horrible disappointment if he doesn’t make this number his. Admittedly he didn’t make much progress in that direction last year due primarily to injury I’d guess.
                                                                        * * * * *
     And to mirror what many above have said, “Thanks Ed” for a wonderful and interesting series. I found out about some players I never did see play, more about some that I did, a lot about the quality of the franchise and of the contributors to this site, and discovered that some of my ancient memories weren’t quite as accurate as I’d have thought. Good product, good leadership and a class bunch of contributors make this a wonderful site to visit.

by Cranky50 on Jul 30, 2010 2:17 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks, Ed

Absolutely wonderful, a real thrill for old and young alike, and I know it took a lot of effort on your behalf, as it took me a lot of effort the few times I rebutted you and others.

But, just great fun- especially communicating with and reading the posts of so many well educated fans.

Cranky50 says it best, “class bunch of contributors”.

Next year?

How about First Round Draft Picks, or top draft picks? That should be an eye opening blast.

by grange77 on Jul 30, 2010 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks Mr. Valentine

This has been not only an enjoyable experience, but has served as a history lesson for a younger Giants fan.

by YankeeDudeL on Jul 30, 2010 2:51 PM EDT reply actions

# was great

thank you so much for the last 3 mths, around 1 p.m. i look foward to reading about what Giants # brings back so many memories. thank you again………….Now lets start the season.

by Money Mike torres on Jul 30, 2010 3:34 PM EDT reply actions