Tom Pelissero names Carl Banks among most underrated LBs in NFL history
During the mid 1980s and early 1990s, the Giants consistently had one of the top defenses in the NFL, which was otherwise known as the Big Blue Wrecking Crew.
Throughout the 10-year span between the 1981 and 1990 seasons, Big Blue's defense ranked in the top 10 in points allowed eight times. Of course, Hall of Fame linebackers Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson played very significant roles in that defensive success. But so did the third starting linebacker on the defense, Carl Banks, who often gets overlooked.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero recently joined 'Good Morning Football' where he ranked his top 5 most underrated linebackers of all-time. Ranking No. 3 on his list was Banks.
"Coming in at No. 3, another player who often got overshadowed, former Giant Carl Banks," Pelissero said. "Of course, he played alongside Lawrence Taylor with the Giants. He played alongside Harry Carson, and both of those guys are in the Hall of Fame. Carl Banks was a Hall of Fame semifinalist in 2020, but has not yet advanced further in the Hall of Fame voting. He's a name to keep in mind as we move forward here.
"He was also a member of the All-Decade Team for the 1980s, maybe the height of linebacker play in NFL history. Five of those seven guys who were on the 1980s All-Decade Team, including Mike Singletary, are now in the Hall of Fame. The only other two are Carl Banks and John Anderson."
Banks spent nine seasons with the Giants, playing in 126 games with 105 starts. After being selected with the third overall pick in the 1984 draft, Banks went on to earn a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team that season. His best season came in 1987 when he registered a career-high nine sacks with 101 total tackles and was named First-Team All-Pro along with a Pro Bowl selection.
Banks finished his Giants career with 627 tackles, which currently ranks third in franchise history behind only Leonard Marshall (660) and Michael Strahan (666).
In addition to being a member of the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, as Pelissero noted, Banks is also an inductee to the Giants Ring of Honor.
The Big Blue Wrecking Crew is still considered by many to be one of the greatest defenses of all-time.
Inside the Film Room: Darrian Beavers brings a lot of pop
The Giants selected 11 players in this year's NFL Draft, the last of which was Darrian Beavers, a linebacker out of Cincinnati.
Beavers had numerous pass breakups during team drills at OTAs. The rookie sixth-round pick saw a lot of time in coverage last season at Cincinnati, dropping back on 325 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Around the time of the draft, several NFL analysts had positive things to say about Beavers. Here is what a few of the experts said.
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso: "Moments of high-end block shedding, and when he recognizes where the ball is going he's a blur to it. Like his type added to this defense."
Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski: ""The first-team All-AAC performer is an impressive athlete at his current position. Beavers posted 4.17-second short shuttle and 6.93-second three-cone times during Cincinnati's pro day, per Senior Bowl executive Jim Nagy. The former would have led all linebackers at the NFL combine, while the latter would have ranked second, trailing only himself. (He had a 6.91-second three-cone time at the combine.)"
Check out the video below to watch Bob Papa and Super Bowl champion Shaun O'Hara break down the film of linebacker Darrian Beavers.
📸 Photos: Legendary Giants LB Carl Banks
Carl Banks put together quite a stellar career in his nine seasons with the Giants.
Despite playing alongside Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson, Banks was still able to make his mark in Big Blue history.
Check out the gallery below to view photos of Banks from both his days as a starting linebacker and his post-playing career with the Giants.
View photos of legendary linebacker Carl Banks' career with the Giants both on and off the field.
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants waits for the snap during Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL on January 27, 1991. The Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills 20-19.
New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks (58) chases Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas (34) during Super Bowl XXV January 27, 1991 in Tampa. The Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills before 73,813 fans at Tampa Stadium. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants waits for the snap during the Giants 10-3 loss to the New Orleans Saints at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 15, 1984.
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)
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants on the field during a game from the Giants 1986 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants waits for the snap during the Giants 17-10 win over the New England Patriots at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on November 8, 1987.
New York Giants captains Lawrence Taylor (56) and Carl Banks (58) set for play before Super Bowl XXV on Jan. 27, 1991 in Tampa. The New York Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills 20 - 19. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants on the sideline during a game from the Giants 1990 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants waits for the snap during the Giants 21-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL on November 24, 1991.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham is sacked by New York Giants Carl Banks as he attempts to pass during third quarter NFL action in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 30, 1985. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants on the field prior to the Giants 21-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, FL on November 24, 1991.
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants on the field during a game from the Giants 1989 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Lawrence Taylor (56) and Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants celebrate a sack by Taylor during the Giants 20-7 win over the San Diego Chargers at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on September 14, 1986.
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants waits for the snap during a game from the Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants waits for the snap during the Giants 15-0 win over the Dallas Cowboys at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 16, 1989.
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants waits for the snap during a game from the Giants 1990 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants watches the action from the sideline during a game from the Giants 1990 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants waits for the snap during a game from the Giants 1987 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Carl Banks (58) and George Martin (75) of the New York Giants wait for the snap during the Giants 27-21 win over the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 27, 1986.
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants on the field 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.
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants waits for the snap during the Giants 35-3 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on October 12, 1986.
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants in the tunnel prior to a game from the Giants 1984 season at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants waits for the snap during the Giants 28-12 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on December 11, 1988.
A pass intended for Seattle Seahawks' Paul Skannis (82) is about to be intercepted by Carl Banks, left, of the New York Giants during second quarter of Nov. 9, 1989 game at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks (58) runs onto the field before a NFC Division Playoff Game against the San Francisco 49ers in East Rutherford, NJ, Jan. 4, 1987. The Giants defeated the 49ers 49-3. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks (58) looks on during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in East Rutherford, NJ, Dec. 4, 1989. The Eagles defeated the Giants 24-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Linebacker Carl Banks (58) of the New York Giants sets for play with a managed nose in 1987. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Linebacker Carl Banks (58) and safety Elvis Patterson of the New York Giants tackles running back Steve Sewell (30) of the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXI January 25, 1987 in Pasadena. The New York Giants defeated the Denver Broncos 39 - 20. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
New York Jets quarterback Kyle Mackey is sacked by New York Giants Carl Banks for a six-yard loss in the first quarter of play in East Rutherford, N.J., Aug. 26, 1989. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks (59), playing for the NFC, pressures Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar (19), playing for the AFC, during the NFL Pro Bowl, a 15-6 AFC victory on February 7, 1988, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks (58) in action during a 21 - 0 loss to the Chicago Bears in the 1985 NFC Divisional Playoff Game on Jan. 5, 1986 at Soldier Field in Chicago. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks (58) takes a knee during the 1986 NFC Championship NFL game against the Washington Redskins in East Rutherford, N.J., Jan. 11, 1987. The Giants shutout the Redskins 17-0. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks (58) pass rushes during an NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs in East Rutherford on November 25, 1984. The Giants defeated the Chiefs 28-27. (AP Photo/Chuck Solomon)
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. Linebacker Banks returned Monday to training after having been slowed by a pulled hamstring muscle. (AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham is sacked by New York Giants Carl Banks as he attempts to pass during third quarter NFL action in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 30, 1985. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks (58) looks on during the NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on December 20, 1986 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game 55-24. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
San Francisco 49ers vs New York Giants at Candlestick Park Monday, November 27, 1989. 49ers Beat Giants 34-24. Giants linebacker Carl Banks (58) rushes 49er quarterback Joe Montana (16). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
New York Giants head coach Bill Parcells lets out a yell after being drenched by his team as they defeated the Buffalo Bill, 20-19, in Super Bowl XXV Sunday, Jan. 27, 1991 in Tampa. With Parcells is Carl Banks. (AP Photo/Bill Waugh)
New York Giants Carl Banks (58) takes a break during Giants training camp on July 25, 1984. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Washington Redskins George Rogers is pursued by New York Giants Carl Banks as he runs with the ball during first quarter NFC championship action at Giants stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Jan. 11, 1987. (AP Photo/G. Paul Burnett)
New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks (58) makes a move during the 1986 NFL season's NFC Wild Card playoff football game against the San Francisco 49ers on January 4, 1987 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won the game 49-3. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett, right, is hauled down by the New York Giants Carl Banks in the first quarter at Giants Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 6, 1985, East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
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)
Former New York Giants Carl Banks, Mark Bavaro, and George Martin takes part in a halftime ceremony during a week 2 regular season game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on Sunday September 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants TE Evan Engram during week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills in East Rutherford, NJ
Former New York Giants Carl Banks, Mark Bavaro, and George Martin takes part in a halftime ceremony during a week 2 regular season game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on Sunday September 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Former New York Giants Carl Banks, Mark Bavaro, and George Martin takes part in a halftime ceremony during a week 2 regular season game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on Sunday September 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Bob Papa, Carl Banks
Bob Pay and Carl Banks before a week 8 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday November 1st, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri
Former New York Giants Carl Banks, Mark Bavaro, and George Martin takes part in a halftime ceremony during a week 2 regular season game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on Sunday September 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Former New York Giants player Carl Banks is honored during a halftime ceremony of an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Former New York Giants player Carl Banks listens during a halftime ceremony of an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Carl Banks at the 25th anniversary of the 1986 N.Y. Giants win in Super Bowl XXI at halftime of St Louis Rams vs. New York Giants. Monday September 19, 2011 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kevin Reece)
Former New York Giants linebackers Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks talk before a week 2 football game against the Arizona Cardinals on September 14, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, talks with former New York Giants player Carl Banks, right, before the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. The Giants won the game 21-17. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Former New York Giants player Carl Banks speaks during a halftime ceremony of an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Retired New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks watches warmups before play against the Miami Dolphins Monday, Dec. 14, 2015 in a week 14 NFL Monday Night football game in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Giants won 31 - 24. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Former New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks looks on during a field visit before the NFL week 3 regular season football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won the game 30-17. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants former player Carl Banks looks on during a ceremony before an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the New York Giants Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Former New York Giants' Carl Banks speaks to the fans 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/Bill Kostroun)
