New York Giants

Remembering top 15 Giants players and staff of recent memory

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Remembering the greats. Throughout the last eight seasons, the New York Giants‘ roster has undergone dramatic changes due to retirements and injuries. We look at the most successful Giants players and coaching staff throughout the years, ranking them in no particular order.

After the 2007-08 season, the Big Blue defeated the New England Patriots 17-14 in the greatest Super Bowl of recent memory. Who made this possible?

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1. Brandon Jacobs, RB

First of all Brandon Jacobs‘s name deserves mention. As ESPN’s Matt Ehart reported on January 4, 2014 of Jacob’s retirement, Jacobs’s contribution will be missed.

Brandon Jacobs announced via Twitter:

After 9 years in this whirlwind business they call the NFL, I am proud to announce that I am hanging up my cleats. I’ve had an amazing run and I appreciate all of the support from the fans through the good and the bad. The New York Giants are a great organization and I am proud to have been a part of it for so long. I love my coaches and my teammates and will miss them as well as the game itself but I am healing well from my surgery and I look forward to running around with my kids for years to come!

Tall and forceful, Jacobs could convert third and shorts. Jacobs famed ability to break nearly every tackle impressed everyone. All the more ironic for Jacobs inability to avoid becoming tripped up by low defense tackles after passing the line of scrimmage. Eli Manning could have Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer as strong targets to choose from, and then totally surprise the defense.

Most noteworthy, Jacobs had 1,785 combined receiving yards. He could call a running play for large gains. He had a combined 355 yards combined among Derrick Ward and Jacobs. In Superbowl XLII Jacobs helped the Giants win in the play off games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He scored two of the Giant’s three touchdowns early in the game. Against the Green Bay Packers gaining 67 yards in 21 attempts. His most memorable moment came against the Patriots when he rushed for over 40 yards against statistically unbeatable team.

2. Madison Hedgecock, Full Back

Another player on the list: Madison Hedgecock. As ESPN’s Mike Mazzeo from August 4, 2011, Hedgecock’s injury set back the Giants who proved invaluable to the roster. Reliable, predictable and a member of the championship winning team in 2008. Remembering the battering ram named Hedgecock will always bring a smile to many a fan’s face.

3. Plaxico Burress, Wide Receiver

Another famous Giant: Plaxico Burress. As ESPN reported on April 30, 2015, Burress acted as his own worst enemy. Speedy, lithe and sometimes pompous, Burress allowed Manning to convert difficult 4th and longs and thirds and shorts at will. His receiving yards exceeded 1,000. Most controversial, Burress became a New York Post favorite because of his off-the-field antics involving bringing a loaded gun to New York City nightclub. Otherwise, his fancy footwork enabling him to toe the boundaries on a lob throw by Manning in the Superbowl game against the Patriots bordered on par with freakishness as the David Tyree helmet catch.

4. Remembering Toomer

Most of Amani Toomer‘s legacy. Reliable, disciplined and a record breaker, Toomer showed effectiveness in receiving. He had a career 9,497 total receiving yards . He had over 700 in his 12th season in the NFL. His ability to run slants and not be afraid of catching the ball in mid-air set him apart from other NFL players in his era.

5. Jeremy Shockey, TE

Fifth, the Giants had the raw, uninhibited and incapable of frailty Shockey. As ESPN reported on October 4, 2009, Shockey never was shy about controversy. Shockey did not contribute to the Giants Superbowl winning season. In total reception his yardage, Shockey totaled 619. Most of all, it was his electrifying presence on the field making the opposite become timid in the presence of his tattooed person.

Nov 3, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Michael Strahan (right) greets fans with Frank Gifford before receiving his NFL Hall of Fame ring during the half time ceremony at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

6. Remembering Strahan

Strahan is sixth on the list. He orchestrated so many sacks that enabled the Giants to be in field goal territory and capable of scoring touchdowns. Strahan is sort of a demigod in Giants lore. Strahan’s superior knowledge of the game unquestionably and overabundant zeal in every play he was involved in thrusted the Giants to victory. Furthermore, remembering Strahan’s storied career falls on the shoulders of responsibility of every Giants fan. It is impressive in terms of longevity that he played the defense end position in 1993. Producing nine sacks in his final season. Remarkable, really.

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7. Antonio Pierce, Middle Linebacker

As ESPN reported on October 1, 2010 , Pierce did not need to be liked. Seventh on the list: the intimidating, productive and gritty Pierce, whose presence provided the Giants with 77 tackles on the year, creating a unifying presence that allowed the Giants to create upset after upset en route to the playoffs.

8. Ahmad Bradshaw, Running Back

Then, as if coming out of a canon when handed the ball, Bradshaw broke any tackle and have impressive running gains that always managed to boost the morale of Coughlin’s and change his perennial akimbo stance. As ESPN reported on October 4, 2010, Bradshaw directly contributed to the team’s success. Then, Bradshaw’s rushing numbers as a rookie were impressive and he seemed to stay healthy all season, making him a reliable player to have behind Manning.

9. Mario Manningham, Wide Receiver

As ESPN’s KC Joyner reported on November 17, 2010, Manningham’s presence on the team could be scientifically proven to help the team win. A complement to Burress who could fnd openings in the opposition’s secondary in critical moments in the game in the years between Superbowl wins. Manningham had over 1,500 yards in reception in 2008-10.

10. Hakeem Nicks, Wide Receiver

As ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk reported on April 11, 2013, Nicks acted as Manning’s most trusted teammate. Especially relevant, Nicks made his value most well-known in the aftermath of the win against the Patriots. After all, he had 1,192 yards in the 2011 Superbowl winning season against the San Francisco 49ers.

Oct 21, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck (91) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Josh Freeman (12) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. New York Giants defeat the Minnesota Vikings 23-7. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

11. Justin Tuck , Defensive End

As ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported on December 4, 2013, Tuck deserved to be a Pro-Bowler based on numbers alone. Menacing, quick and capable of anticipating the offensive line better than Steve Spagnuolo himself, Tuck’s responsibility for the key sacks of Tom Brady in the Superbowl game allowed the Giants to keep the game winnable. In the end, he had 10 sacks and 48 tackles. Together with Osi Umenyiora the Giants defensive line was unpredictable and capable of swarming the infamously at the time unbeaten Patriots offensive line.

Dec 29, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris (46) is tackled by New York Giants players Jon Beason (52) , Linval Joseph (97) and Mathias Kiwanuka (94) in the first quarter during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

12. Mathias Kiwanuka, Defensive End

As ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk reported on November 11, 2013, Kiwanuka was deserving based on his predictably good weekly performance. A fierce competitor, Kiwanuka helped make the Giants defensive ranking one of the best in the league with superior tackling and averaging more than four sacks for the season.

Dec 9, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants tackle David Diehl (66) during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

13. David Diehl, OL

As ESPN’s Dan Graziano from September 26, 2013 reported, David Diehl could be reliable. Most noteworthy, Diehl helped the Giants successful run to the Super Bowl. His success as an offensive lineman who seemed immune to penalties. Above all, his preparedness for every game showed as his tranquility on the line of scrimmage in many games contributed to including penalties by the defense.

Oct 16, 2011; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) talks with offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride (left) during a timeout during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. New York defeated Buffalo 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports

14. Kevin Gilbride, OC

Consequentially, Coughlin’s right-hand man, Gilbride was the architect behind the Giants key games against the Buccaneers, Packers and Patriots. As ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk reported on September 19, 2013, Gilbride could still provide constructive feedback when his contract was up. Most important, his play calling took advantage of every oversight but the opposition and maximized the potential for the Giants to win, even when the game came down to a field goal made on the third attempt who had a plus-85% field goal completion.

Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin smiles prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

15. Tom Coughlin, Head Coach

In his last public address, Coughlin thanked the Steve Tisch and John Mara. He also thanked his entire staff for allowing him to maintain a traditional coaching style that frowned upon excessive celebrations.

In a familiar press conference forum all too familiar to Coughlin he ha this to say:

While the two Super Bowl trophies right out here are incredible accomplishments, and I’m very proud of them, don’t get me wrong, I believe it is the unbreakable bond between coach and player that defines me as a coach and any humble success we might have had here as New York Giant coaches. With that, I will see you all next time. Do I have to listen to any questions (laughter)?

There was always a strict adherence to a well-implemented game plan from top to bottom of the organization. Most significantly, ranking among the most memorable Giants members lost in recent time testifies to his ability to maintain a temperament of relentless attention to detail and the highest standards for his players, which is becoming a lost art among coaches today.

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Therefore, remembering what makes the Giants so great requires every committed fan must to revisit the top 15 Giants plays and staff at least once a year.