Giants news, 9/6: Lawrence Taylor, Week 1 preview, more

Good morning, New York Giants fans!

NFL 100: At No. 4, Lawrence Taylor, the brash, lethal force and destroyer of opposing game plans

The Athletic has Taylor ranked as the fourth-best football player of all time, higher than any other defender.

Taylor had 15 1/2 sacks in the final 12 games of the 1988 season after returning from a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. He maintained his elite level of play for two more years, culminating in a second Super Bowl win in the 1990 season. The eight-time first-team All-Pro retired after the 1993 season with 142 career sacks, which ranks ninth all-time.

“I got to see greatness firsthand,” Carson said. “He just elevated the play of everybody else. It gave us the opportunity to do some things defensively that we might not have been able to do had it not been for the talent, the speed, the quickness, the agility of Lawrence and what he brought to the table.”

The Giants made the playoffs seven times in Taylor’s 13 seasons, twice winning the Lombardi Trophy. It’s easy to trace the genesis of the Giants’ transformation from doormats to champions.

“He turned the franchise around,” Giants senior vice president of player personnel Chris Mara said. “We went from there and got a lot of great players, but it all really started with LT.”

Denver’s elite secondary is ready to feast against the New York Giants and Daniel Jones - Mile High Sports

Not only do the Broncos have a talented assortment of starters, but their youth and depth in the secondary — thanks to players like Patrick Surtain II and Kary Vincent Jr. — might be the best in football.

“[Vincent]’s got a lot of speed,” Darby said of the LSU rookie. “He’s also a hard worker, makes plays on the ball, knows how to finish on the ball. He’s a really good player.”

Darby also had praise for the first-round corner from Alabama.

“I haven’t seen any struggles at all,” Darby said, which you don’t typically hear of a rookie corner. “He came in like a vet. His mind was right, he comes to work every day. He picks up things, he’s smart, athletic. He’s got everything.”

Giants still facing Saquon Barkley decisions before Week 1 - NY Post

In case you missed it

• Position preview: For Giants, making special teams special a major emphasis
• Position preview: Can the Giants’ cornerbacks get better in 2021?
• Position preview: At running back, all eyes on Saquon Barkley
• Position preview: Giants’ tight ends hope to have positive impact

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