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Let's take a quick break from discussing the Giants' draft picks to resume voting for our Big Blue View All-Time Giants Team.
When we left off we had decided to use a 3-4 defense so that both Harry Carson and Sam Huff could be on the team.
We had also decided that there was no need to vote on whether or not Lawrence Taylor belonged. We are simply giving LT one of the linebacker slots.
That means we are down to choosing the other outside linebacker. This is a simple two-horse race -- it's either Brad Van Pelt or Carl Banks. Make a case for anyone else you want, but these are the only two deserving guys.
So, let's look at the them.
The Case for Van Pelt
Before LT came along, Van Pelt was -- quite simply -- the best outside linebacker in the history of the franchise. Unfortunately for Van Pelt, the Giants had only one winning season in the 11 years he was with them.
Van Pelt did play a couple of seasons with Taylor and Carson as part of the historic 'Crunch Bunch.' Ironically, he left the Giants before the 1984 season and was replaced by Banks.
Van Pelt is a five-time Pro Bowler despite the lousy teams he played on and was nominated for the Hall of Fame in 2005. Unfortunately, stats on tackles weren't kept until 1984.
The Case for Banks
Banks was a one-time Pro Bowler who spent the first nine of his 12 NFL seasons with the Giants. His best season was 1986, when he had 113 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
Banks was a member of two Super Bowl championship teams.
To me, this is once again a test of how much credit Big Blue View Nation is willing to give to Giants who played before the Parcells Era.