We stay the Big Apple today: NFL Thursday takes on the New York Giants! The organization itself has won 8 NFL championships, including 4 Super Bowl titles (see below). Its history goes back 99 seasons, as we stated previously on this website. What strikes us as interesting is also the 4 times noted below that the Giants lost the championship in the final round, demonstrating a general competitiveness throughout the decades.

No. 10: Greg Larson, OL—86 AV (1961-1973)

A 1-time Pro Bowler in 1968, Larson played right tackle in 1961, right guard in 1962, and then center for the rest of his NFL career (all with the Giants). He peaked in 1967 and 1968, when he reached 10 AV in both years for his career bests. The 1961, 1962, and 1963 teams all reached the NFL Championship Game, so Larson was instrumental in that success as a versatile piece of the offensive line. Unfortunately, that was it for playoffs.

No. 9: Amani Toomer, WR—88 AV (1996-2008)

Despite never making a Pro Bowl, Toomer carved out a nice career with the organization, playing all 13 years of his NFL life with the Giants and reaching two Super Bowls (2000, 2007). He compiled 668 catches in the regular season for 9,497 yards and 54 touchdown receptions. In 11 career playoff games, he totaled 44 catches, 608 yards, and 7 TDs. Toomer hauled in 6 catches for 84 yards in the Giants’ upset win in SB XLII.

No. 8: Chris Snee, G—90 AV (2004-2013)

The second anonymous guy on this list (offensive linemen are so under-appreciated!), Snee actually made 4 Pro Bowls in his career (2008-2010, 2012), helping the team to 2 Super Bowl victories (2011). Those 4 Pro Bowls seasons were the best ones of his career, too, with the highest AV marks. Those NFL championship teams overachieved, plenty, and Snee was one reason why: protecting a mediocre quarterback matters.

No. 7: Keith Hamilton, DL—90 AV (1992-2003)

Despite a total of 63 sacks in the regular season and 4 in the postseason, Hamilton never reached the Pro Bowl. He did force 8 fumbles in his career, though, helping the Giants reach a Super Bowl unexpectedly. For a 4th-round pick in the draft, that’s not a bad career at all … to end up this high on a list of a franchise that dates back to the 1920s is impressive. Yet he’s still another relatively anonymous linemen on this team list.

No. 6: Phil Simms, QB—118 AV (1979-1981, 1983-1993)

The best quarterback in franchise history (based on AV per game, record as a starter, etc.), Simms was the No. 7 pick overall in the 1979 draft out of Morehead State (KY). He made 2 Pro Bowls in his career, despite missing an entire season due to a knee injury (1982), and he was the MVP of the team’s first SB victory. His 101-68 record as a starter is quite impressive, and he helped the team win its second SB title, too. Yowza!

No. 5: Tiki Barber, RB—122 AV (1997-2006)

A 3-time Pro Bowler who led the NFL in total yards twice (2004-2005), Barber retired after 10 seasons and 10,449 rushing yards. He was a controversial teammate who missed the random 2007 NFL title run, retiring at age 31 when he could have played longer. He added 671 total yards in 7 career playoff games, helping the Giants reach the 2000 Super Bowl. Barber was our pick for the 2005 NFL MVP Award, as well.

No. 4: Harry Carson, LB—126 AV (1976-1988)

With 9 Pro Bowls on his stat sheet, Carson was the spiritual leader of the organization’s first SB champ. With 19 sacks, 14 fumble recoveries, and 11 interceptions over his career as a middle linebacker, Carson was a defensive stalwart for the Giants. He started 9 postseason games for the organization; quite a career for a 4th-round pick out of South Carolina State in 1976. It was this kind of player who made the NFL so popular.

No. 3: Michael Strahan, DE—161 AV (1993-2007)

He retired one year after Barber, but Strahan was a key contributor to the 2007 SB-winning team. He made 7 Pro Bowls, the last one in 2005, and he led the NFL in sacks twice (2001, 2003). With 141.5 career sacks and 24 forced fumbles, Strahan was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks for a long period of time. A steal in the second round out of Texas Southern, the Giants never would have won SB XXXV without him, period.

No. 2: Eli Manning, QB—169 AV (2004-2019)

What is with overrated QBs in New York? We looked at Joe Namath last week and now this guy who finished with a mere .500 record as an NFL starter in the regular season (117-117). The No. 1 overall pick, he made just 4 Pro Bowls in a 16-year career, making the postseason only 6 times … and winning a game in the postseason just twice in those 6 appearances. He also led the NFL in interceptions 3 times, too. Hyperbole!

No. 1: Lawrence Taylor, LB—192 AV (1981-1993)

One of the truly great players in NFL history (see our GOAT discussion), Taylor was a monster who re-defined the sport in a transformative era of football. He made 10 straight Pro Bowls to start his career after being selected No. 2 overall in the draft, and Taylor topped the league in sacks once (1986) as the voted MVP. Yet it was his ability to alter the offensive game plan via his mere presence that established his legend, firm.