New York Giants' Top 10 Draft Successes: No. 7 ... Amani Toomer

by Ed Valentine on Apr 21, 2011 8:44 PM EDT in New York Giants News

The next player in our countdown of the top 10 New York Giants Draft Successes since the George Young era began in 1979 is Amani Toomer, the leading receiver in franchise history. Drafted in the second round in 1996, 34th overall, the elegant Amani finished his career with franchise records for receptions (668) and receiving yards (9,497).

Toomer should also provide a good lesson for all of us as the draft approaches, and as many of you have already written off players like Will Beatty and Clint Sintim -- high draft picks who have not found immediate full-time success.

Toomer caught one pass as a rookie, 16 in his second year and only 27 in his third season. It was not until his fourth year in the league that he blossomed, catching 79 balls. From his fourth year on, he caught at least 60 passes in six of the next seven seasons.

The lesson? Let's not be so fast to judge. Let's see some of these guys get full-time opportunities before we write them off.

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One of the great NFL players from the University of Michigan

He was always a favorite of mine. Manningham is my new favorite. Toomer didn’t get nearly enough looks from Eli. Eli always forced the ball to Plax even when Toomer was a viable option. I always wished Toomer had spoken up about it.

wilddre22: why does everyone bring up Vick like its a given that that’s what EVERY player will do and respond from a prison sentence.

andiamo708: I have no clue... like going to prison is like going to LSU or something….

by GhostDini on Apr 21, 2011 9:10 PM EDT reply actions

only time

he ever spoke up, was when he left after the 2008 season. Just a team player who never player for personal stats.

"Sack-Forced Fumble-TD against any QB in the history of the NFL.... honestly, It would probably be Eli because I see him in pratice and we can't touch him (laughs)" - Justin Tuck

by The Always Well Dressed... on Apr 21, 2011 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Class act

And a champion. One of my favorite all-time Giants

The draft and who we might get has been posted to death and then back to life. I've lost interest in the draft until the day comes....

by tommy d. on Apr 21, 2011 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

One of my top 5 favorite Giants

amazing WR, always doing tightrope acts with the sidelines. I think that man could make a sideline catch with his eyes closed. Loved watching him play, definitely one of the most underrated guys to play also

by #56 4life on Apr 21, 2011 9:17 PM EDT reply actions

definitely....definitely

a real class act

sigh...

by nywins42 on Apr 21, 2011 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Amazing at keeping

his feet in bounds. The best I’ve ever seen.

The draft and who we might get has been posted to death and then back to life. I've lost interest in the draft until the day comes....

by tommy d. on Apr 21, 2011 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions

the GB game...that catch was just unbelievable

I’m with you…best I’ve seen

sigh...

by nywins42 on Apr 22, 2011 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions

He's wasok I guess..........

Let me put it this way… I could talk all day about him. From an injury prone Punt Returner, to unlikely hero against the undefeated ’98 Broncos, to Kerry Collins number one target, to vertern number two for a young QB, to a legend amoung us fans. So happy he made the list….. Your the man Amani.

"Sack-Forced Fumble-TD against any QB in the history of the NFL.... honestly, It would probably be Eli because I see him in pratice and we can't touch him (laughs)" - Justin Tuck

by The Always Well Dressed... on Apr 21, 2011 9:36 PM EDT reply actions

*was ok I guess

"Sack-Forced Fumble-TD against any QB in the history of the NFL.... honestly, It would probably be Eli because I see him in pratice and we can't touch him (laughs)" - Justin Tuck

by The Always Well Dressed... on Apr 21, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Clutch.

Was never a dominant receiver, just that guy who made huge catches day after day. Well spoken, well prepared and always well dressed. An entire generation (myself included) will always love Amani.

Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.

by CasanovaWong on Apr 21, 2011 10:04 PM EDT reply actions

Chris Carter of the Giants

Standing GOAT at the WR position in NY.

No argument here.

I don't always hope for draft picks, but when I do, I prefer Owen Marecic.

by tito (eight and oh) on Apr 21, 2011 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

true story

however, if we are going to win another ship, nicks or smith need to replace him as the NY Giants GOAT WR

by The Blood of Eli on Apr 22, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Or at least approach his greatness.

Or who knows? Maybe ‘Ham could take a large leap forward using his experience as a featured guy last year to propel him to ’greatness’ status.

The draft and who we might get has been posted to death and then back to life. I've lost interest in the draft until the day comes....

by tommy d. on Apr 22, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

And lets hope Sintim and/or Beatty are late bloomers like Mr. Toomer

That’s a lesson I wouldn’t mind relearning :-)

The draft and who we might get has been posted to death and then back to life. I've lost interest in the draft until the day comes....

by tommy d. on Apr 21, 2011 11:29 PM EDT reply actions

Great point

Amani, a 2nd-round pick, didn’t do anything his first three seasons and then he blew up in his fourth season. Too many Giants fans seem to be unaware of this. I often wonder whether the fans who expect immediate dividends from every draft pick started following the team after 2007.

wilddre22: why does everyone bring up Vick like its a given that that’s what EVERY player will do and respond from a prison sentence.

andiamo708: I have no clue... like going to prison is like going to LSU or something….

by GhostDini on Apr 21, 2011 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Instant Gratification

We live in a world where we expect instant results. If, as they say, it takes three years to judge a draft class, shouldn’t we say it takes at least three years to judge a player? I can certainly understand being down on a guy like Clint Sintim, but he shouldn’t be written off. Same with Beatty, Barden and Beckum. Let’s see what happens this year.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 22, 2011 7:06 AM EDT up reply actions

AARON RODGERS

… Nuff Said

by The Blood of Eli on Apr 22, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Catch against the Cowboys

In the 2nd round in ’07. Hard to say more than that one.

by ens189 on Apr 22, 2011 12:31 AM EDT reply actions

Oh yeah baby!

And don’t forget that sideline grab late in the GB Championship game! I miss him as a player…

The draft and who we might get has been posted to death and then back to life. I've lost interest in the draft until the day comes....

by tommy d. on Apr 22, 2011 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions

is this the one

where he juked t newman or was it roy williams? and broke free up the sidelines? what a joyous moment

by The Blood of Eli on Apr 22, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes thats the one. Giants draw first blood with that TD...

The draft and who we might get has been posted to death and then back to life. I've lost interest in the draft until the day comes....

by tommy d. on Apr 22, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

And I'm pretty sure he juked both of those guys

The draft and who we might get has been posted to death and then back to life. I've lost interest in the draft until the day comes....

by tommy d. on Apr 22, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

The best receiver we ever had..right next to Homer Jones

"When I was a boy and I had no sense..I got my pecker caught in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair, tickled my balls and made me shit in my overalls..."
Bring Frank back..or you all can line up and "Kiss my Ass"..This is bullshit..

by Bobbiblue on Apr 22, 2011 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

Glad to see Amani on this list

The guy gave his heart and soul to the Giants. Definitly one of my favorite all time Giants

by Late for Dinner on Apr 22, 2011 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

better late than never

I remember the early yrs…and the countless WR’s we drafted to replace him…but year 4 that stopped…Toomer lost a lot of speed after the early injuries…but he cld catch a cold in hell…in college I drooled everytime they threw him the ball..He& Ike was my fav duo..until Plax….

wake me up at draft time..

by Mr.Williams on Apr 22, 2011 10:50 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Plax was so unique.

Other than Eli, I wore his jersey with the most pride. Still waiting for a beast of an LB jersey…

The draft and who we might get has been posted to death and then back to life. I've lost interest in the draft until the day comes....

by tommy d. on Apr 22, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Plaxico man

He would have easily been the greatest Giants WR…. what a fool

by The Blood of Eli on Apr 22, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Excellent point about Toomer

I recall that after his third season, fans were complaining. Calling Amani a bust. Soft. Overrated coming out of Michigan. Cut him and lets move on. Well, boy, did Amani prove everyone wrong or what? He turned his career around and became the teams all time leader in Receptions and Yards from the WR prosition. Not too shabby for a overrated second round pick out of Michigan.

by ejcal70 on Apr 23, 2011 10:50 AM EDT reply actions