New York Giants
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Year founded: 1925 | |||||
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| City | East Rutherford, New Jersey | ||||
| Other nicknames | Big Blue Wrecking Crew, Big Blue, G-Men, The Jints, The New York Football Giants | ||||
| Team colors | Royal Blue, Red, Gray, and White | ||||
| Head Coach | Tom Coughlin | ||||
| Owner | John Mara (50%) and Steve Tisch (50%) | ||||
| General manager | Jerry Reese | ||||
| League/Conference affiliations | |||||
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National Football League (1925–present)
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| Team history | |||||
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| Championships | |||||
League Championships (6)
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Conference Championships (9)
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Division Championships (14)
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| Home fields | |||||
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The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York City metropolitan area. The team is headquartered, trains, and plays its home games at Giants Stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in the suburb of East Rutherford, New Jersey. They are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference (NFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The Giants were one of five teams that joined the NFL in 1925, but the only one admitted that year which still exists. The Giants have won a total of six NFL titles — four in the pre Super Bowl era (1927, 1934, 1938, 1956) and 2 since the advent of the Super Bowl (Super Bowls XXI and XXV). During their history the Giants have featured 15 Hall of Fame players, including NFL MVP (Most Valuable Player) award winners Mel Hein, Frank Gifford, Charlie Conerly, Y. A. Tittle, and Lawrence Taylor.
To distinguish itself from the professional baseball team of the same name, the football team was referred to as the New York Football Giants. Although the baseball team moved to San Francisco in 1957, the football team continues to use "New York Football Giants" as its legal corporate name.
Throughout a long history, the team has gained several unofficial names, including Big Blue, the G-men, the Big Blue Wrecking Crew, the Jersey Giants, and the Jints, a name seen frequently in the New York Post, presumably making light of the classic New York accent's take on the word giant. Though technically not a nickname, one may stress the football when saying the team's full name, as in New York Football Giants.
Contents |
[edit] Franchise history
 This article or section is part of the New York Giants history series. |
| History of the New York Giants |
| History of the New York Giants (1925-1978) |
| History of the New York Giants (1979-1993) |
| History of the New York Giants (1994-present) |
[edit] Birth and Success: 1925–1963
The Giants were founded in 1925 by original owner Tim Mara in the then five-year-old NFL. Mara owned the team until his death in 1959, when it was passed on to his son Wellington. The Giants played their first game against All New Britain in New Britain, Connecticut, on October 5, 1925.[1][2] They defeated New Britain 26–0 in front of a crowd of 10,000.[1] The Giants were successful in their first season, finishing with an 8–4 record in 1925.[3] However, they experienced financial difficulties and Mara had to spend $25,000 of his own money to keep the franchise alive.[4] This struggle continued until the eleventh game of the season when the Red Grange led Chicago Bears came to town attracting over 70,000 fans. This pushed the Giants into financial solvency and perhaps altered the history of the franchise.[5]
In just its third season, the team finished with the best record in the league at 11–1–1[3] and was awarded the NFL title.[6] In a fourteen year span from 1933 to 1946, the Giants qualified to play in the NFL championship game 8 times, winning twice.[6] During the period the Giants were led by Hall of Fame coach Steve Owen, and Hall of Fame players Mel Hein, Red Badgro, and Tuffy Leemans. This period also included the famous "Sneakers Game", where they defeated the Chicago Bears on an icy field in the 1934 NFL Championship game, while wearing sneakers for better traction.[6] The Giants were particularly successful from the latter half of the 1930s until the United States entry into World War II. They were so successful that according to one publication, "From 1936 to 1941 the New York Giants annually fielded a collection of NFL all-stars."[7] They added their third NFL championship in 1938 with a 23–17 win over the Green Bay Packers.[6]
They did not win another league title until 1956, aided by a number of future Pro Football Hall of Fame players such as running back Frank Gifford, linebacker Sam Huff, and offensive tackle Roosevelt Brown. The Giants 1956 Championship team not only consisted of players that would eventually find their way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but it also had a Hall of Fame coaching staff. Head coach Jim Lee Howell's staff had Vince Lombardi coaching the offense and Tom Landry coaching the defense.[5] From 1958 to 1963, the Giants played in the NFL championship game 5 out of those 6 years, but failed to win.[6] Most significantly the Giants played the Colts in the 1958 NFL Championship game that is considered a watershed event in the history of the NFL.[8] The game, which the Giants lost in overtime 23–17,[6] is often considered one of the most important events in furthering the NFL's popularity surge in America. In 1963 led by league MVP quarterback Y.A. Tittle, who threw an NFL record 36 touchdown passes, the Giants advanced to the NFL Championship game, where they narrowly lost to the Bears 14–10.
[edit] Wilderness years: 1964–1978
With players such as Tittle and Gifford approaching their mid 30s, the team declined rapidly, finishing 2–10–2 in 1964.[3] From 1964 to 1978, the Giants registered only two winning seasons and were unable to advance to the playoffs.[3] During this period the team acquired quarterback Fran Tarkenton in 1967. Despite having several respectable seasons with Tarkenton at quarterback, the Giants traded him away to the Vikings 1971.[9] Tarkenton would go on to lead his team to three Super Bowls and create a Hall of Fame resume,[9] while the Giants suffered through one of the worst stretches in their history.[3] Starting in 1973 the Giants compiled 23 wins in 6 seasons.[3] The 1977 season also featured the unusual choice of having three rookie quarterbacks on their roster.[10]
During this period the Giants, who had previously shared Yankees Stadium with baseball's the New York Yankees, were forced to play their home games in various stadiums from 1973 through 1975.[5] They finally received their own dedicated state-of-the-art stadium in 1976,[5] when they moved into the Meadowlands. One of the low points during this period was the so-called "Miracle at the Meadowlands", which occurred in 1978.[11] With the Giants needing only to kneel the ball to secure a certain victory against the Philadelphia Eagles,[11] they chose to call a running play—which resulted in a fumble that was returned for a game winning touchdown by the Eagles.[11]
[edit] Resurgence: 1979–1993
In 1979 the Giants began the steps that would, in time, return them to the pinnacle of the NFL. These included the drafting of quarterback Phil Simms in 1979, and linebacker Lawrence Taylor in 1981.[5] In 1981 Taylor won the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards and the Giants made the playoffs for the first time since 1963.[3][12] From 1981 to 1990, the team made the playoffs seven times in ten seasons, including victories in Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV.[5] In addition to Simms and Taylor, the team was led during this period by head coach Bill Parcells, tight end Mark Bavaro, and Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson. In 1986 Taylor was named league MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, the Giants finished 14–2,[3] and defeated the Denver Broncos 39–20 in the Super Bowl.[13] In 1990 the Giants went 13–3, set an NFL record for fewest turnovers in a season (14),[14] and defeated the Buffalo Bills in the Super Bowl.[13] Following the 1990 season Parcells resigned as head coach and was replaced by the team's offensive coordinator Ray Handley. Handley served as coach for two disappointing seasons (1991-92), which saw the Giants fall from Super Bowl champions to a 6-10 record. He was fired following the 1992 season, and replaced by former Denver Broncos' coach Dan Reeves. In the early 1990s, Simms and Taylor, two of the teams' largest figures in the 1980s, played out the last seasons of their career with steadily declining production. The Giants experienced a resurgent season with Reeves at the healm in 1993 however, and Simms and Taylor ended their careers as members of a winning team.
[edit] Modern era: 1994–present
The Giants initially struggled in the post Simms-Taylor era. Starting in 1994, they missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons under head coach Dan Reeves. After the 1997 season, Reeves was fired and replaced by Jim Fassel, former offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals. During this period, quarterback Kerry Collins (formerly of the Carolina Panthers) was brought in to helm the team. With Fassel and Collins, the Giants experienced success and made the playoffs several times, including an appearance in Super Bowl XXXV. But the team's loss in the Super Bowl and subsequent mediocrity lead to Fassel's dismissal following the 2003 season. Fassel was replaced by current coach Tom Coughlin in 2004. Although Collins had several solid seasons as the Giants quarterback, he also experienced his share of struggles. In response to this the Giants completed a draft day trade in 2004, acquiring Eli Manning out of the University of Mississippi to be their new franchise quarterback.[15] Manning has been the team's starting quarterback since the middle of the 2004 season.
Coughlin's tenure has also produced inconsistent results (a 25–25 record and two playoff appearances - both losses)[16] and spawned intense media scrutiny concerning the direction of the team.[17] During this period in their history, standout players include defensive end Michael Strahan, who set the NFL single season record in sacks in 2001,[18] and running back Tiki Barber, who set a team record for rushing yards in a season in 2005.[19] As of 2007, the Giants have made the playoffs in two consecutive seasons.
[edit] Logos and uniforms
With over 80 years of team history, the Giants have used numerous uniforms and logos. Giants' logos include several incarnations of a giant quarterback preparing to throw a football, a lowercase "ny", and stylized versions of the team nickname.
Giants' jerseys are traditionally blue or red (or white with blue or red accents), and their pants alternate between white and gray. Currently, the Giants wear home jerseys that are solid blue with white block numbering, gray pants with red and blue stripes on the pant legs, and solid blue socks. For road uniforms, they wear a white jersey with red block numbering and Northwest stripes on the sleeves, gray pants with blue and red stripes, and solid red socks. The Giants' current helmet is metallic blue with white block numbers, frontally mounted on either side of a red stripe running down the center. The helmet is adorned on both sides with the lower case "ny" logo and features a gray facemask. Additionally, the Giants have a third jersey which recalls the Giants' solid red home jerseys from the early 50's: a solid red alternate with white block numbers. This design has been fielded twice at home by the team since 2004.
[edit] Season-by-season records
- Further information: New York Giants seasons
[edit] Players and coaches of note
[edit] Current players
[edit] Updated Depth Chart
- Further information: NFL Depth Charts
The following is the New York Giants Depth Chart as of March 28, 2007:[20][21]
[edit] Pro Football Hall of Famers
In the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Giants boast the third-most enshrined members with eighteen.[22] Tim Mara and Mel Hein were a part of the original class of inductees in 1963, while linebacker Harry Carson, the most recent Giant inducted, was a part of the Class of 2006.
| New York Giants Hall of Famers | |||||||
| No. | Player | Nationality | position | No. | Player | Nat | Positions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Morris "Red" Badgro |  |
TE | -- | Wellington Mara | |
Co-owner |
| 79 | Roosevelt "Rosey" Brown | |
T | 55 | Steve Owen | |
T, Coach |
| 53 | Harry Carson | |
LB | 81 | Andy Robustelli | |
DE |
| 6 | Benny Friedman | |
QB | 50 | Ken Strong | |
HB |
| 16 | Frank Gifford | |
HB | 10 | Fran Tarkenton | |
QB |
| 7 | Mel Hein | |
C | 56 | Lawrence Taylor | |
LB |
| 70 | Sam Huff | |
LB | 14 | Y.A. Tittle | |
QB |
| 4 | Alphonse "Tuffy" Leemans | |
FB | 45 | Emlen Tunnell | |
DB |
| -- | Tim Mara | |
Owner and founder | 73 | Arnie Weinmeister |  |
DE |
[edit] Retired numbers
| New York Giants retired numbers | |||
| No. | Player | No. | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ray Flaherty* | 32 | Al Blozis |
| 4 | Alphonse "Tuffy" Leemans | 40 | Joe Morrison |
| 7 | Mel Hein | 42 | Charlie Conerly |
| 11 | Phil Simms | 50 | Ken Strong |
| 14 | Y.A. Tittle | 56 | Lawrence Taylor |
| 16 | Frank Gifford | ||
*Retired in 1935, this was the first number to be retired by any team in major league sports[citation needed]
[edit] NFL MVP award winners
| Giants MVP winners | |||
| Year | Player | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Mel Hein | ||
| 1956 | Frank Gifford | ||
| 1959 | Charlie Conerly | ||
| 1963 | Y.A. Tittle | ||
| 1986 | Lawrence Taylor | ||
[edit] Other notable alumni
[edit] Head coaches
As of January 7, 2007. Only regular season and postseason games are counted.
| Name | Nat | From | To | Record | Titles* | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | |||||
| Bob Folwell | |
1925 | 1925 | 8 | 4 | 0 | |
| Joe Alexander | |
1926 | 1926 | 8 | 4 | 1 | |
| Earl Potteiger | |
1927 | 1928 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| LeRoy Andrews | |
1929 | 1930 | 24 | 5 | 1 | |
| Benny Friedman | |
1930 | 1930 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Steve Owen | |
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| Steve Owen | |
1931 | 1953 | 153 | 108 | 17 | 2 |
| Jim Lee Howell | |
1954 | 1960 | 55 | 29 | 4 | 1 |
| Allie Sherman | |
1961 | 1968 | 57 | 54 | 4 | |
| Alex Webster | |
1969 | 1973 | 29 | 40 | 1 | |
| Bill Arnsparger | |
1974 | 1976 | 7 | 28 | 0 | |
| John McVay | |
1976 | 1978 | 14 | 23 | 0 | |
| Ray Perkins | |
1979 | 1982 | 24 | 35 | 0 | |
| Bill Parcells | |
1983 | 1990 | 85 | 52 | 1 | 2 |
| Ray Handley | |
1991 | 1992 | 14 | 18 | 0 | |
| Dan Reeves | |
1993 | 1996 | 32 | 34 | 0 | |
| Jim Fassel | |
1997 | 2003 | 60 | 55 | 1 | |
| Tom Coughlin | |
2004 | Present | 25 | 25 | 0 | |
*NFL Championships (1920-1969) and Super Bowl Championships (1970-present) collected during a coaching tenure.
[edit] Current Staff
- Co-Owner/President/CEO - John Mara
- Co-Owner/Chairman/Executive VP - Steve Tisch
- Senior Vice President/General Manager - Jerry Reese
- Head Coach - Tom Coughlin
- Assistant Head Coach - TBD
Offensive Coaches
- Offensive Coordinator - Kevin Gilbride
- Quarterbacks Coach - Chris Palmer
- Running Backs Coach - Jerald Ingram
- Wide Receivers Coach - Mike Sullivan
- Tight Ends Coach - Mike Pope
- Offensive Line Coach - Pat Flaherty
- Assistant Offensive Line Coach - Dave DeGuglielmo
- Offensive Quality Control Coach - Sean Ryan
- Offensive Assistant - Vacant
Defensive Coaches
- Defensive Coordinator - Steve Spagnuolo
- Defensive Line Coach - Mike Waufle
- Linebackers Coach - Bill Sheridan
- Secondary/Cornerbacks Coach - Peter Giunta
- Secondary/Safties Coach - David Merritt, Sr.
- Defensive Quality Control Coach - Andre Curtis
- Defensive Assistant - Vacant
Speciality Coaches
- Special Teams Coordinator - Tom Quinn (football coach)
- Assistant Special Teams Coach - Thomas McGaughey
- Strength and Conditioning - Jerry Palmieri
- Strength and Conditioning Assistant - Andy Barnett
[edit] Radio and television
As of 2006, the Giants' flagship radio station is WFAN 660AM, the oldest all-sports radio station in the United States. Some games in August and September are moved to WFNY-FM 92.3 FM due to conflicts with the New York Mets baseball team. The play-by-play announcer is Bob Papa. Preseason telecasts not seen nationally air in the area on WNBC, "NewsChannel 4."
[edit] References
- ^ a b New York First Game & First Home Game Program, prodigy.net, accessed March 16, 2007.
- ^ New York Pro Eleven Takes Opening Game, The New York Times, October 5, 1925, accessed March 16, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h New York Giants (1925 - ), databasefootball.com, accessed January 23, 2007.
- ^ New York Giants, profootballhof.com, accessed March 21, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f History of the New York Giants www.sportsecyclopedia.com, accessed September 12, 2006.
- ^ a b c d e f Championship games 1925-1949, giants.com, accessed January 12, 2007.
- ^ Neft, David S., Cohen, Richard M., and Korch, Rick. The Complete History of Professional Football from 1892 to the Present. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1994 pg. 113 ISBN 0312114354
- ^ Neft, Cohen, and Korch. pg. 272
- ^ a b Fran Tarkenton, vikingupdate.com, accessed March 18, 2007.
- ^ Katz, Michael. Giants Go With Youth and Cut Ramsey; McVay Draws a Line, The New York Times, September 13, 1977, accessed March 21, 2007.
- ^ a b c Katz, Michael. 20 Seconds Left As Eagles Win; Jets Bow; Todd Reinjured, The New York Times, November 20, 1978, accessed March 18, 2007.
- ^ Lawrence Taylor, databasefootball.com, accessed February 20, 2007.
- ^ a b Championship Games 1950-present, giants.com, accessed January 12, 2007
- ^ Neft, Cohen, and Korch. pg. 914
- ^ Magee, Jerry. Nothing personal, San Diego; Eli Manning just didn't want to be a Charger, San Diego Union-Tribune, September 21, 2005, accessed March 21, 2007.
- ^ Tom Coughlin coaching profile, espn.com, accessed March 22, 2007.
- ^ Associated Press, Giants confirm Coughlin to remain coach, USA TODAY, January 10, 2007, accessed March 22, 2007.
- ^ Associated Press, Strahan breaks Gastineau's 17-year-old record, espn.com, January, 2001, accessed March 22, 2007.
- ^ ,Tiki Barber plans to stay busy after retirement, NFL.com, accessed March 22, 2007.
- ^ New York Giants Depth Charts, Giants.com, accessed March 28, 2007.
- ^ New York Giants Depth Charts, ESPN.com, accessed March 28, 2007.
- ^ Hall of Famers by Team. Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved on March 2, 2007.
[edit] External links
- New York Giants official web site
- Inside Football.com
- Big Blue Interactive
- NFL article about "The Greatest Game Ever Played"
- Early Giants Program Covers and Photos
- Sports E-Cyclopedia.com
- Inside The Cap - Giants Salary Cap Information
- New York Giants at the Open Directory Project (suggest site)
| Preceded by Chicago Bears 1985 |
Super Bowl Champions New York Giants 1986 |
Succeeded by Washington Redskins 1987 |
| Preceded by San Francisco 49ers 1989 |
Super Bowl Champions New York Giants 1990 |
Succeeded by Washington Redskins 1991 |
