An independent committee recently ranked the top 100 players in New York Giants history as part of the franchise’s 100th anniversary.
Those committee members include Bob Papa (Chair), Pete Abitante, Ernie Accorsi, Judy Battista, John Berti, Linda Cohn, Vinny DiTrani, Bob Glauber, Joe Horrigan, Jay Horwitz, Peter King, Gary Myers, Paul Schwartz, and George Willis.
Earlier this week, the first round of names were released. There were several interesting choices, not only because of the names that made the list but where some of the players ranked.
Here are Nos. 100 through 91.
No. 100: Rich Seubert
Rich Seubert was the consummate interior offensive lineman who played 10 seasons for the Giants from 2001-10. He went from an undrafted free agent out of Western Illinois to a key cog at several positions for the Giants for many years. He played in 104 games, starting 88, and was part of the legendary offensive line that set an NFL record for continuity and was a member of the Super Bowl XLII championship team.
No. 99: Brad Benson
Before Brad Benson began selling cars to New Jerseyans, he was a stalwart along the Giants’ offensive line for a decade. An eighth-round pick out of Penn State in 1977 by New England, Benson ended up signing with the Giants as a free agent that fall.
In his 10 seasons with the Giants, Benson went from the inept group in the 1978 “fumble game” to the team’s starting left tackle in Super Bowl XXI. He played in 137 games for the Giants with 123 starts from 1977-1987. He was named a Pro Bowler in 1986.
No. 98: Eddie Price
Eddie Price was a second-round pick out of Tulane by the Giants in 1950. A running back known for his production and versatility in his short six-year NFL career. He made three Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro twice as a Giant. Price led the NFL in rushing in 1951.
No. 97: Hakeem Nicks
Nicks was selected 29th overall out of North Carolina in the 2009 NFL draft by the Giants. He made an immediate impact and was a core contributor for six seasons, including 2011, when the Giants went on to win Super Bowl XLVI. Nicks is currency fourth on the Giants’ all-time list for receiving yards.
No. 96: Willie Williams
Willie Williams, a defensive back, was an eighth-round pick out of Grambling by the Giants in 1965. He played 14 games for Big Blue before leaving to play the 1966 season with the Oakland Raiders of the AFL.
Williams returned to the Giants in 1967 and would play for them until 1973. He led the NFL interceptions in 1968 and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1969.
Williams amassed 35 picks for the Giants in his career, which ranks fourth on the team’s all-time interceptions list (tied with Dick Lynch).
No. 95: Saquon Barkley
It didn’t take long to get to Saquon Barkley on this list. He was the second overall selection out of Penn State in 2018 and became an immediate star for Big Blue. Barkley was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2018 and was also named to two Pro Bowls.
Barkley played six seasons for the Giants, and even though he is fourth in franchise history in rushing yards (5,211), fans will always wonder what he could have been had he not been injured so often. Barkley left for Philadelphia via free agency this past March.
No. 94: Erik Howard
Erik Howard was an interior defensive lineman who the Giants selected in the second round of the 1986 NFL draft out of Washington State. He was an integral part of two Super Bowl teams and was named a Pro Bowler in 1990.
Howard played in 122 games for the Giants from 1986-94. He is best known for his sack of John Elway for a safety in Super Bowl XXI.
No. 93: Terry Kinard
Terry Kinard, a safety out of Clemson, was the 10th overall selection in the 1980 NFL draft. He played in 105 games in his seven seasons with the Giants and was a starter on their Super Bowl XXI championship team. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1988.
No. 92: Darrell Dess
Darrell Dess, an offensive lineman, had two stints with the Giants. The first was from 1959-64 and he played on several teams that went to the NFL Championship Game. He was named to two Pro Bowls during that period (1962, 1963).
Dess was traded to Washington in 1965 but was traded back to New York early on the next season. He played for Big Blue until 1969.
No. 91: Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence Tynes was acquired by the Giants in a trade with Kansas City in the spring of 2007. He would kick for the Giants through the 2012 season. Yes, that means he was a two-time Super Bowl champion.
Tynes is most noted for his kicking in the 2007 NFC Championship Game versus the Green Bay Packers in sub-zero weather. He is second on the Giants’ all-time scoring list with 586 points behind only the legendary Pete Gogolak.
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