Giants Now: ESPN Names LT Best Edge Rusher Ever

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Presented by Giants Now: ESPN names LT best edge rusher ever Aug 04, 2022 at 06:00 AM

Matt Citak

Managing Editor, Giants.com

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ESPN names LT best edge rusher in NFL history

Hall of Fame pass rusher Lawrence Taylor put together an impressive list of accolades throughout his NFL career.

Taylor's honors include league MVP, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, 10-time All-Pro (8x First-Team, 2x Second-Team), 10x Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl Champion, all leading to his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

ESPN recently conducted a poll to find the greatest NFL players at each defensive position. As a surprise to no one, Taylor took the crown as the best edge rusher in NFL history, receiving 40 of 50 possible votes.

"Taylor announced himself to the league as a rookie in 1981 with 133 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 8 pass knockdowns, 2 forced fumbles and an interception and won the league's Defensive Player of the Year award," writes ESPN's Jeff Legwold. "There are many around the league who say Taylor changed the way people thought pass-rushers could be used in a defense. Taylor's best season came in 1986, when he led the league in sacks (20.5), won MVP and earned his third Defensive Player of the Year award."

Here is what some of the other ESPN writers had to say about Taylor as the league's greatest edge rusher ever.

"Taylor is the best football player I have ever seen, regardless of position. I've heard the Reggie White arguments, but they always strike me as parochial -- Philadelphia fans who don't want to admit the guy from New York was better than their guy -- and I just don't see where White was better outside of longevity. Even Patriots coach Bill Belichick considers LT the best player in the history of the game, and who am I to argue with that?" -- Dan Graziano

"Taylor is arguably the best defensive player in NFL history, and he redefined the outside linebacker position. His 1986 season will forever be one of the most memorable seasons by a defensive player. His aggression, relentless nature and ability to take over games made him special." -- Jordan Reid

"Is it even debatable? LT once led the league in sacks, was named Defensive Player of the Year and MVP and won a Super Bowl -- all in the same season. He's a no-brainer here." -- Jordan Raanan.

The runner-up in the vote as the NFL's best edge rusher ever was Reggie White, who received eight votes. Bruce Smith and J.J. Watt each received one vote.

📸 56 of 56: Rare photos of Lawrence Taylor

The best photos of Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who was voted the No. 1 player in Giants history.

1 / 56

New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, left, shares a laugh linebacker Pepper Johnson during the team's training camp on July 31, 1993 at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New York. (AP Photo/Kevin Larkin)

2 / 56

New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Jim McMahon Jan. 9, 1994 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

3 / 56

New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) is congregated by Mark Collins (25) and Carl Banks (58) after his interception and touchdown run on a Joe Montana pass in the second quarter on Sunday, Jan. 4, 1986 in East Rutherford, N.J. at Giants stadium. The interception helped the Giants beat the San Francisco 49 ers 49-3 in their NFL playoff game. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)

4 / 56

FILE - In a Jan. 20, 1991 file photo New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor runs after recovering a 49ers fumble in the fourth quarter of the NFC championship game to help win the game 15-13 in San Francisco. The two teams will meet again Sunday Jan. 22, 2012 to vie for the NFC championship. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli/file)

5 / 56

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 1987, file phot, New York Giants defense Lawrence Taylor (56), Erik Howard (74) and Leonard Marshall (70) celebrate over Denver broncos quarterback John Elway after he was sacked by George Martin (75) for safety in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXI in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ron Heflin, File)

6 / 56

Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants forces Tampa Bay Buccaneer Quarterback Steve DeBerg to throw an incomplete pass to prevent a fourth quarter sack on Sunday, Sept. 24, 1984 game at the Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)

7 / 56

LT at his Locker before his final home game 1993

8 / 56 Jerry Pinkus ©1987 9 / 56

New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, dressed in shorts, heads for plane to Honolulu at Los Angeles International airport on Monday, Jan. 26, 1987. Taylor will participate in the Pro Bowl. Giants won Super Bowl Sunday with a 39-20 victory over Denver Broncos. (AP Photo/Bob Gablraith)

10 / 56

The defense of the New York Giants football team shown with their new poster,"The Crunch Bunch" subtitled, "The Board of De-Wreckers," in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1982. From left: Lawrence Taylor, Captain Harry Carson, Brad Van Pelt and Brian Kelly. (AP Photo/Mario Suriani)

11 / 56

New York Giants Lawrence Taylor, left, and Harry Carson open gifts and fan mail in the Giants locker room in East Rutherford after practice on Friday, Jan. 16, 1987. The Giants leave Sunday for Pasadena, California were they will face the Denver Broncos on January, 25 in Super Bowl XXI. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

12 / 56

New York Giants, from left, Lawrence Taylor, Jim Burt, Carl Banks, and Eric Dorsey pause during practice at the Giants training camp in Pleasantville, N.Y. on Monday, August 4, 1987. (AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett)

13 / 56

New York Giants star linebacker Lawrence Taylor is surrounded by reporters' microphones as he answers their questions during the morning press conferences on Jan. 22, 1987 in Anaheim. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)

14 / 56

Former New York Giants head coach Bill Parcells, left, holds the Super Bowl XXV trophy while joining former linebacker Lawrence Taylor on stage during a 25 year anniversary celebration at halftime of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

15 / 56

Former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor waves to the crowd during a halftime ceremony of an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Kathy Willens 16 / 56

This Oct. 25, 2009, file photo shows Football Hall of Famer and former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor gesturing to the crowd during a pregame ceremony before an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

Mel Evans/AP2009 17 / 56

Former New York Giants Lawrence Taylor shows off his Hall of Fame ring that he received during a half time ceremony at Giants Stadium Monday, Oct. 18, 1999, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 13-10. (AP Photo/Ed Betz)

18 / 56

Former New York Giants star Lawrence Taylor talks to the crowd during half time of the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants game at night on Monday, Oct. 10, 1994 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Taylor's old number was retired in his honor by the Giants. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

19 / 56

Gatorade drenched New York Giants coach Bill Parcells, right, hugs his top linebacker Lawrence Taylor after the Giants clinched the NFC Eastern championship of the NFL with a 34-17 win over the Los Angeles Raiders at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, Dec. 24, 1989. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)

20 / 56

Lawrence Taylor speaks to reporters during a news conference held for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's newest members in Los Angeles on Thursday, Feb. 4, 1999. Taylor, a New York Giants linebacker and the dominant defensive player of his time, was elected in his first year of eligibility. He was joined by running back Eric Dickerson, tight end Ozzie Newsome and guards Tom Mack and Billy Shaw. (AP Photo/Michael Caulfield)

21 / 56

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski is sacked by New York Giants Lawrence Taylor for a four-yard loss during second quarter action at Philadelphia's Veterans' Stadium, Nov. 10, 1986. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

22 / 56

Lawrene Taylor (56) of the New York Giants on the field at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington D.C. on December 19, 1982.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc. 23 / 56

New York Giants coach Bill Parcells is carried on the shoulders of Lawrence Taylor (56) and Carl Banks (58) after winning the Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 28, 1991. The Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills, 20-19. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

24 / 56

New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor bites on a cigar as he signs an autograph on a football for a fan in the lobby of the team's Costa Mesa, California, hotel on Sunday, Jan. 19, 1987. The Giants arrived to begin workouts for next week's Superbowl. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)

25 / 56

Washington Redskins Gerald Riggs tries to break free from New York Giants' Greg Jackson, on ground, as Giants' Lawrence Taylor, right, moves in to cap the play during first quarter action at RFK Stadium in Washington, Sept. 11, 1989. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

26 / 56

New York Giants Lawrence Taylor, (56), is hauled down by Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster, (52), after recovering a fumble by Steeler quarterback Mark Malone during the third quarter of NFL exhibition game in Pittsburgh at night on Friday, August 31, 1985. The Giants won the game 24-14. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

27 / 56

New York Giants quarterback Jeff Hostetler rolls backward into a handstand as Lawrence Taylor (56) hugs kicker Matt Bahr after game-winning field goal in final second of NFC championship game in San Francisco, Jan. 20, 1991. Hostetler held the ball then rolled into the handstand. Giants go to Super Bowl with 15-13 victory. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

28 / 56

Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 19-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on September 8, 1991

Jim Turner/© 1991 Jim Turner 29 / 56 30 / 56 31 / 56

Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants in action during Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL on January 27, 1991. The Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills 20-19.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc. 32 / 56

Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants

© Jim Turner 33 / 56

Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants hits Troy Aikman (8) of the Dallas Cowboys during the Giants 15-0 win at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 16, 1989.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc. 34 / 56

Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 24-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 30, 1989

Jim Turner/© 1989 Jim Turner 35 / 56

Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants dumps Gatorade during a game from the Giants 1989 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc. 36 / 56

Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants on the sideline during a game from the Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc. 37 / 56

Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 34-17 win over the Los Angeles Raiders at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 24, 1989

Jim Turner/© 1989 Jim Turner 38 / 56

Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 35-7 win over the Phoenix Cardinals at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on September 24, 1989

Jim Turner/© 1989 Jim Turner 39 / 56

Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants hits Steve Pelluer (16) of the Dallas Cowboys during the Giants 28-21 win at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on November 6, 1988.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc. 40 / 56

Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 28-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 11, 1988

Jim Turner/© 1988 Jim Turner 41 / 56

Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants in action during the Giants 24-14 win over the Washington Redskins at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington D.C. on December 7, 1986.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc. 42 / 56

Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants pursues Stump Mitchell (30) of the St. Louis Cardinals during the Giants 27-7 win at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 14, 1986.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc. 43 / 56

Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants returns an interception for a touchdown during the Giants 49-3 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Playoff game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on January 4, 1987.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc. 44 / 56

Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants waits for the snap during the Giants 39-20 win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA on January 25, 1987.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc. 45 / 56

Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants celebrates during a game from the Giants 1986 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc. 46 / 56

Lawrence Taylor (56), Gary Reasons (55) and Kenny Hill (48) of the New York Giants purées Art Monk (81) of the Washington Redskins during the Giants 17-0 win in the NFC Championship Game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on January 11, 1987.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc. 47 / 56

Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 17-3 win over the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 20, 1985..

Jim Turner/© 1985 Jim Turner 48 / 56

Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants pressures Ron Jaworski (7) of the Philadelphia Eagles during the Giants 17-13 loss at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 9, 1983.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc. 49 / 56

Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 24-19 win over the Los Angeles Rams at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on November 10, 1985..

Jim Turner/© 1985 Jim Turner 50 / 56

Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants in action during the Giants 17-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 9, 1983.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc. 51 / 56

Lawrence Taylor (56) of the New York Giants pressures Dan Fouts (14) of the San Diego Chargers during the Giants 41-34 loss at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 2, 1983.

Jim Turner/© New York Football Giants, Inc. 52 / 56

Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 15-14 loss to the Washington Redskins at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC on December 19, 1982

© 1982 Jim Turner 53 / 56 Jerry Pinkus 54 / 56 55 / 56

Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 23-15 win over the Minnesota Vikings at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 9, 1990

Jim Turner/© 1990 Jim Turner 56 / 56

Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants during the Giants 21-14 win over the Tampa Bay Bucaneers at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL on November 24, 1991

Jim Turner/© 1991 Jim Turner Advertising This Ad will close in 3

Kenny Golladay's contested catches highlight Wednesday's practice

How are the Giants looking?

That's the question on everyone's mind during training camp, the most visible time of the year before the team takes the field in a live game. It naturally leads fans and media members alike to track open practices throughout the summer, but coach Brian Daboll advised not to dwell on individual plays.

"I think that when you go in a film room and you're the coordinator or you're a coach that's teaching guys, you try not to ride the waves of really play to play because there's a lot of good things that happen, the details of the play that guys are doing things well.," Daboll said before Wednesday's practice. "And you try to be as consistent as you can, whether it's a completion, an incompletion. Why is it an incompletion? You teach it. Why is it complete? It can be a completion, and still the play is not exactly how you need it to be done, the efficiency of it. I just try to keep these guys as level-headed as we can."

Click here to read about the touchdowns and top plays from Wednesday's practice

Tyrod Taylor brings experience to Giants' QB room

The Giants are Tyrod Taylor's sixth NFL team. He is currently working in his 12th NFL training camp. Since entering the NFL with Baltimore in 2011, Taylor has played in "four or five" offensive systems before he immersed himself in Brian Daboll's offense this spring.

Given the time he's put in and the number of schemes he's learned and the plays he's called, Taylor, the Giants' top reserve quarterback, is perhaps uniquely qualified among the players to gauge the progress of the offense through the first week of camp.

"I think we've taken a step in the right direction each day," Taylor said yesterday. "Thrown a lot of information in the spring. We were together, what, nine weeks? I got a chance to get familiar with the offense so once we were able to get into training camp, it wasn't necessarily zero. We were already leaving on a high note, so we wanted to keep that energy rolling.

"I think (Daboll) has done a great job of mixing different concepts but also allowing guys to do what they are most comfortable with. That's going out there and making plays. You see (rookie wide receiver) Wan'Dale (Robinson) being moved around in different areas. You see KG (wideout Kenny Golladay) and (receiver David) Sills, and I can go on and list (everybody). I don't leave receivers out saying that guys are outperforming others, but you see guys moving around in different spots making plays."

Click here to read more from Tyrod Taylor

Giants Fan Fest returns to Metlife Stadium

Free and open to the public, the Giants Fan Fest will feature a Blue & White intrasquad scrimmage, autographs by Giants Legends, and a fireworks show.

Giants Fan Fest

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